level name: Rumble In The Box
    author: Dietfrid Mali
    e-mail: dietfrid.mali@ptv.de
      type: solo, anarchy, robo anarchy, flag, hoard
    editor: DMB2
      date: 05 aug 97
   version: 1.1
   changes:
      17 jul 97
         Fixed some texture alignments.
         Changed a few textures.
         Added force fields blocking the ways to The Box and a switch to
         deactivate them.
      05 aug 97      
         Replaced the Sphere by a somewhat bigger sphere with a more solid
         inner sphere.

Description
===========

This level is my first Descent level, so I spent much time redesigning it
by using more efficient structures, thus reducing the number of cubes required
and improving frame rate, and learned a lot about DMB2 during this process.
I rebuilt the "Pond" (you will see what I mean) 3 times until it had reached its
final state. The "Sphere" with the smaller fuel sphere inside of it was made of a
DBB-generated sphere first, but that proved to perform too bad on slow machines
because it was composed of too many cubes, and also was very hard to edit,
so I replaced it with a 24-sided polygon. It also took two attempts to obtain
a satisfying result with the "Octagon Room".

After having finished the level so far, I took a look  into some other guys
Descent levels and was fascinated by the huge halls contained in some of
them giving room and opportunity for dog fighting and manoeuvering - so I added
the huge hall with the five pillars - the "Box", which gave the name to this
level. It also took me a lot of time constructing the transition from a single
cube to the hexagonal corridors leading from the Octagon Room to The Sphere and
The Box. After that, I had to fight my way through fixing the directions of the
flowing textures, adjusting textures and lighting. In the course of that action
I started to play around with flashing lights. After a preliminary power up setup
for level testing, I did the final player and power up positioning, hopefully
spreading everything evenly enough to give each player a good chance to get what
he needs. Finally, I added robots (most of all for my own pleasure), started to
play around with textures again.
 
Rumble In The Box is very huge, so it's apt for use for a 6 - 8 player game. 
When I played it with just one opponent, most of the time we were searching
after each other. In order to reduce the level size for games with only a few
participants I therefore added some force fields blocking the entrances to
The Box and a switch to turn them off. Since these force fields are only
visible and effective from outside The Box, players who will reappear in The Box
after their Pyro has been destroyed can leave The Box and re-enter the other
part of the level. You will need to turn the force fields off in order to be
able to destroy the reactor and leave the level, because the exit and the switch
to the force field blocking the way to the reactor are both inside The Box.
In order to turn off the force fields, try to take a look behind the fan ...

If you simply want a smaller version of this level without The Box, try 
Small Rumble In A Box (srumble.*).


Weapons
=======

Since you can prohibit any power up from multi player games, I added lots of
(almost) everything to the level.  Since I think that some weapons are rather
boring, you will NOT find every weapon in this level. (Just my opinion. But
who would want concussion missiles if he can have mercuries - at least not
me. ;-))


Known Problems
==============

Sometimes, some walls might not be displayed at certain angles of view. This is
particularly ugly with the fuel sphere and also happens with the grated corridors
at The Box's ceiling. I tried everything to fix the fuel sphere, but to no avail.
You can't shoot or fly through such textures though. Probably this is a
problem of Descent's graphics engine (too many optimizations). I think one
can live with that. You will hardly notice most of these effects when in 
play anyway.


So far. The following section is because this level is for everybody's fun
and not for somebody to make money with my work. Don't take it personal.



Software Use Limitations and Limited License
============================================

This special add-on level for Descent (the "Software") is intended solely for 
your personal noncommercial home entertainment use. You may not decompile, 
reverse engineer, or disassemble the Software, except as permitted by law. 
Dietfrid Mali (the "Author") retains all rights and title in the Software 
including all intellectual property rights embodied therein and derivatives
thereof.

The Software, including, without limitation, derivative works, may not be
copied (except as provided below), resold, rented, leased, distributed
(electronically or otherwise), used on a pay-per-play, coin-op, or other 
for-charge basis, or for any commercial purpose.  You may make copies of the 
Software for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use and to give
to friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis.  This limited
right to copy the Software expressly excludes any copying or distribution of
the Software on a commercial basis, including, without limitation, bundling
the product with any other product or service and any give away of the
Software in connection with another product or service.  Any permissions
granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be withdrawn by
the Author at any time.  All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

Dietfrid Mali
