Page History: Monster Bash
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Page Revision: 2009/01/28 05:18
The classic DOS game
Monster Bash was released by Apogee Software Productions (now
3DRealms) in 1993.
You can download the first episode here:
ftp://ftp.3drealms.com/share/1bash21.zipYou might
DosBox to run it:
http://www.dosbox.comThere is a page about
Monster Bash on WikipediaHacking Monster Bash
BASH1 requires NO crack. It is a free gift to you for sharing with whomever you choose.
The FAST System uses a custom method to pack data files that is based on the LZW algorithm (See
LZW on Wikipedia)). C Code available here:
deLZW.
"SEA, Inc." developed the original master compression algorithm and file format (.ARC). It is called LZW compression
FORMATTER ERROR (":" and "&" not supported in Page Names). "CompuServe, Inc." used LZW as the basis of their .GIF design.
I call LZW and ZIP "masterful" because they foregoe the "compression lookup table" required by Huffman encoding which was boss before LZW After MB was published, the LZW algorithm was bought by "UniSys, Inc." and patented. At this time, I am pretty sure that THAT particular patent has expired.
I adapted the LZW algorithm for FAST somewhat, but a "standard" decoder for it might decompress the files to the form that they are used internally by MB. Note that, in addition, each of the file types has it own compression/interpretation scheme also (adapted to the particular type of data). MB is actually a HUGE game. Incredible that we managed to squeeze each of the chapters onto single floppies. (toot, toot!)