level name: Ice Cavern
    author: Dietfrid Mali
    e-mail: dietfrid.mali@ptv.de
      type: solo, anarchy, robo anarchy, flag, hoard
   players: 8
    editor: DMB2
      date: 11 may 98
   version: 1.2
   changes:
         Added robots.
         Fixed some minor distortions in lower (triangular) room.
         Added rounded ceiling to tunnels leading from the triangular room to
         the four-pillar-room.
         Changed the shape of the corridors leading from the triangle room to
         the four-pillar-room.
      12 mar 98
         Added a huge PTMC picture in the triangular room.
         Resized and protected a few monitors.
         Removed a few superfluous cubes.
         Moved a bot that had appeared right in front of player one at the
         start of single player or robo anarchy games to the cube right above
         the former one.
      16 apr 1998
         Added cloaked walls in front of lights in upper hall to prevent
         players from getting stuck in the light niches.
         Changed shape of the ring tunnel around upper hall.
      23 apr 98
         Added keys, key-coded doors, and hostages.
         Renamed level to Ice Cavern.
      11 may 98
         Enlarged lower hall.
         Changed reactor access and room.
         Changed lighting.
         Added modified boss robot (will not end level).

Overview
========

Large water&ice level with several interconnected halls. Rather complicated
architecture with pillars and grate bridges in some halls. Very much 3D. Lots
of bots.

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

Ice Cavern is one of my typical designs: Medium sized to large symmetrical
rooms with grate bridges half height. A fair amount of interconnections
let Ice Cavern be interesting without making it to complicated. This is not
just some more or less flat halls with a maze of narrow tunnels. It's
construction makes Ice Cavern a true 3D level: stacked rooms, huge halls
with grate bridges branching off towering shafts, tall supporting pillars
give plenty of room for weaving elaborate patterns around the structures
while manoeuvering wildly to evade incoming missiles or to get into fire
position in dogfights. 

Layout
======

Medium sized hall on top of level with grate bridges leading from central
pillar to peripheral ring tunnel containing the goals. Access to large lower
hall through three tunnels starting at central pillar's bottom and leading
through grate bridges and lower hall's central shaft. Two exits from lower
hall leading through longer tunnels to third hall. Alternative connection
through goal tunnel and huge vertical tube. Third hall's ceiling supported by
huge pillars; basement consisting of water-filled tunnels.

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 you can do without certain
weapons, you will NOT find every weapon in this level. (Just my opinion. But
who would want concussion missiles if they can have mercury missiles - 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.


Feedback
========

- Is the general level layout pleasant to play with, or does it give too many
  or too little opportunities to escape or reach a goal?
- Is the level too large?


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