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Tibrar
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Tripe
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Aquarious
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The Three Suns
Southern Sector
Red Sky City
Canopus West
Moons of Kaarp
Dreadlar
Apollo Sector
81103
Outer Ring Sectors
Acrador
C.T.6
Mattas Head
Perosis
Star City
The Tibran Mining Colony
Dragor
Durius Highlands
Other Sectors
The Asteroid Field
New Sector Alpha
The Uncharted Sector

What is TVS

The Violet Sector is a FREE multi-player turn based game. Join a legion and battle against other players all around the world for domination of the galaxy! Strategise and team up with friendly pilots to dominate sectors and hyper to new areas to beat the enemy.

What do I need to play TVS?

• A connection to the Internet and a modern web browser and/or WAP phone.
• Supported operating systems: Windows 98/2K/XP/Vista, Mac OS 9/X, Linux, ... anything that runs a decent web browser really.
• Supported web browsers: Internet Explorer 5 and above, Firefox, Safari, Netscape Navigator 6 (on Windows). Netscape Navigator 6 (on Mac).
• Supported WAP phones: Ericsson R380, Nokia 6210/6310/7110.
• Optional: Macromedia Flash 5 and above plugin for web browsers.
• Other browsers, operating systems, and phones may well work - but we cannot guarantee that they will display the site as we intended.

Why was it created

The Vision Studios were asked to come up with a concept for an online game for a client. They came up with a number of ideas, but Wingee's idea would apparently 'not work' according to the other members of the team. To prove them wrong, he decided to actually create the game. And yes, they are all playing the game non stop....

What is a 'Beta Test'?

Originally when the game was being developed each round was called a Beta. This name stuck over time even after the game left the development stage. The game is not completely finished (it never will be) and more is being adding all the time. See game changes.

What is the difference between a frantic and a beta

Betas have turns that are 3 hours long. This allows time for planning and moving your legion in one large group. Good beta strategy involves using the 'deadzone'; the period of time in each tick when the hypergates are closed. In betas the deadzone spans the last 15 minutes and the first 5 minutes of every tick.

Frantics have turns that are just 15 minutes long. They are a lot more fluid and random; in these games individual players can have a much larger impact. The deadzone for frantics is the first and last minute of each tick.

Betas are for people who like to play a game without it taking up too much of their time. frantics games are a lot more fun to play if you have time to spare and want action now!

How do I change my password?

You can change your password once you have logged into the game, using the 'Edit Account' page from the main menu.

How do I upload a Pilot Image?

Click the edit account link on the ship computer page. A Pilot Image can be a picture of yourself or a symbol of some sort. It will be displayed next to your ship icon in all pilot lists.

Requirements:

• Your image must be of size 29x29 pixels (any larger will be displayed at that ratio)
• Your image file must not be lager than 2k (2000bytes)
• Your image file must be of GIF format
• Your image file must be named <yourusername>.gif e.g. wingee.gif
• Be sensible - any rude images will be removed
• Uploading a new image will overwrite your old image

How can I play the game when I'm away from my computer?

You can access the game using your WAP phone by visiting http://www.violetsector.com/mobile/

See the WAP section of the manual for more information

Can I bookmark the WAP site so I don't have to login every time?

Yes, once you have logged in, bookmark the Statistics page and use the bookmark instead. If you can't bookmark that page on your phone, then use this address: http://www.violetsector.com/mobile/login/php?username=YourPilotName&password=YourPassword

How does the game assign me to a particular side?

The system works out which legion has the least active players on it, and assigns you to that one. During the first two ticks of a game you will be randomly assigned to a legion.

I can see two ships in my sector with exactly the same name. Are they using multiple accounts?

No, the chances are, one of them is a decoy created by getting the decoy pickup.

How do decoys work?

If you get a decoy pickup a mock-up of your ship will appear in the sector you're in. The decoy will appear to enemies as an exact copy of your ship at the moment you found the decoy. The decoy will stay in the sector it was found, even when you have hypered out. A single attack from an enemy ship will immediately destroy a decoy. Obviously it will be apparent to enemies which ships are the decoys if your health points or score change after finding the decoy. A decoy WILL lose health points in the Asteroid Field just like any other ship.

How do I know if I've killed a decoy?

If you make an attack on a decoy you will destroy it no matter what your level or the decoy's level is. You will do it's current hitpoint damage +1 and will recieve no points for destroying it. For example if the decoy has 1984/4000 health points, then when you attack it you will automatically do 1985 damage and destroy it.

What are Squads?

Being in a Squad allows you to see the health and location of your fellow team-mates in that Squad. They can be quite useful when a Legion Commander is not around as they can be used by players to organise their activities. Squads compete for the Top Squad spot in the rankings and many pilots choose to display a squad logo as their pilot image.

How do I become a Squadron leader?

You can become a squad leader in 3 ways. One is if you make the squad yourself, i.e. if you attempt to join a none-existant squad number you create the squad and automatically become the leader. Another is if the Legion Commander makes you squad leader. Finally if the leader of your squad leaves the squad, you take over their role if you are the highest ranked member of the squad.

What is the Legion News for?

This news bulletin, often abbreviated to LN, is displayed on the bottom of your Ships Computer. It can only be posted to by the Legion Commander and his Viceroy (second in command). The Legion Commander normally posts his orders for the team on the Legion News, therefore it is very important to read it! It is important the Legion Commander keeps it up to date as it is the only place where WAP players can read their orders.

What is a Legion Commander (LC)?

The LC (Legion Commander) is the pilot from your legion who received the most votes during an election. They are able to write the LN (Legion News), delete inappropriate messages, view scans from any sector that includes friendly pilots, change the VR (Viceroy), call a new election and self destruct the planet. This person is usually a veteran of the game. As traditions go, this person will usually get seriously ill, get a key job or have their computer break down whist in power which will force them to resign. So take care running for power.

What does the Legion Commander do?

Each side has a Legion Commander. This pilot has the added ability to be able to see all of the ships in every sector, and which ones are hypering in and out. The LC can communicate with LC's from other legions. LC's determine a legion's strategy, and will put orders on the LN (Legion News) to get the legion to move according to this strategy. The strategy can depend on many factors and involves many tricks and also quite a bit of work, which is why the LC is usually an experienced player with some time to spare.

When there is no LC then one needs to be voted in by the other players. Voting lasts for two days (or 16 turns) before the votes are counted. If a LC resigns, then voting will begin again for a new LC - they will still be LC whilst voting is in progress. If a LC has not made any moves for two days (or 16 turns) then voting for a new LC will begin automatically.

What is a Viceroy (VC or VR)?

The Viceroy Commander (often shortened to VC or VR) has most of the powers of the LC. But, these folks change frequently throughout the day and beta. They are usually veteran players who are chosen to watch the incoming long range scans and pick targets during battles. They assist the LC. They have boring lives and never experience illnesses, computer failure and remain unemployed.

Do I have to do what my Legion Commander or Viceroy tells me to?

No, you can use their advice however you wish. They cannot do anything to you or your ship if you don't! But it usually makes sense to follow orders since teamwork is what wins a game, even if following orders may mean you will stand to lose your ship.

What does "AWOL" stand for?

It's a military term meaning Absent Without Official Leave. If you go AWOL from your Legion, you are a rogue player with no allies in the game.

What is a rogue and can I become one?

A Rogue has no allies, not even other Rogues. They are an enemy of all the players in the Galaxy. A Rogue can't see which sectors are owned by which teams, and can't send any comms except for taunts. You can become rogue by going AWOL from your legion. This is done by pressing the "Go AWOL" button on your Ships Computer.

Please note that you cannot go AWOL until you have served 40 ticks with your legion. Certain key players such as occupied carriers or Legion Commanders cannot rogue.

What happens if I click on the AWOL button?

Once going AWOL, you will be automatically removed from your team and designated a Rogue. Be warned, Rogues have no friends in the galaxy!

What happens if I am destroyed as a Rogue?

Your escape pod is picked up by one of the remaining legions and you are forced to fight for them. You cannot go AWOL again for 40 ticks.

Why do some people have a * by their name when there's lists of pilots?

This indicates that the Pilot is currently logged in to the game.

What are INACTIVE and ACTIVE pilots?

A player who has not logged on for 5 days is counted as Inactive. This means that they will disappear from the game completely, untill they log back into it. Pilots who have not yet made any moves in the game are also counted as Inactive. The system merely ignores them. Players who have not moved for 2 days are no longer counted for the Legion Level Count and for the legion assignment.

Why do some people have a {V} by their name when there's lists of pilots?

The {V} tag means the pilot is a Veteran. Pilots are awarded this tag for achieving certain feats in the game. The exact requirements for obtaining a {V} tag is a secret.

What is Combat/Repair skill?

Each time you gain a level of experience, you are awarded 10 skill points to allocate as you choose. Combat skill points increase your attack power, i.e. the damage you do to other ships. Likewise, Repair skill points (available only to repairships), allow repairsihps to repair other ships by larger amounts.

What is Piloting skill?

Each time you gain a level of experience, you are awarded 10 skill points to allocate as you choose. Piloting skill increases your defensive strength, the more you have the harder you are to kill.

What do people mean when they say certain ships are "hard" or "soft"?

"Hard" ships are suspected to have a high amount of piloting skill. This means other ships inflict low amounts of damage when attacking them. Attacks by hard ships are below average. Conversely, "soft" ships are suspected to have high amount of combat/repair skill. Other ships inflict high amounts of damage/repair upon soft ships. Attacks/repairs by soft ships are above average.

What is the Journal for?

You can use the journal to record any information you wish. For instance, you could keep information regarding the enemies' piloting/combat skills in there so you can remember for the next time you are up against them. Or it could be things as ridiculous as keeping a list of all the female players so you know not to call them he!

What are special gates?

In TVS players can move between sectors joined together by the white lines shown on your navcom. Special gates allow you to move between two sectors which are not normally connected (e.g. Moons of Kaarp -> The Three Suns, Garen -> Orbital). These gates appear in a specific pattern based on the turn number (e.g. every turn that ends in a 7, every turn divisible by 6). See if you can figure out the gates and the patterns, and take advantage of them by having you legion move through one.

What happens if our base gets destroyed?

Then you cannot jump into a new ship if your ship gets destroyed. New players will not be able to sign up on your side either. The top scoring pilots in the game will recieve prizes as well. When we work out what type of prizes to give!

What happens if my base is destroyed? Can I no longer play the game?

If your base is destroyed you no longer have the opportunity to jump back into a new ship. You will however be 'picked up' by an enemy side if your ship is destroyed. You will then play the game on their side. Which side you join is determined in the same way as when you signed up.

How do the bases repair themselves?

Each side needs more pilots and to hold as many sectors as possible to get repairs for their base when it becomes damaged by their opponents. The more pilots a side has and the more sectors they control, the more the base gets repairs after each turn. Each sector that is dominated will add 500 health points (200 HP in a frantic) per tick to the home world. If a base domination is shared with another legion, both legions get the full points.

What is scrap and what is it for?

Scrap is generated in two ways. The first is when ships are destroyed. The second occurs in some special sectors like The Asteroids Field which generate small amounts of scrap each turn. When dropped on a Home World by a repair ship, scrap increases that Home World's max health (or current health if it is damaged) by the amount of scrap dropped.

How do I pick up scrap?

To pick up scrap you first of all need to be in a Repair Ship or a Cruiser Carrier. If you are piloting this type of ship, the amount of scrap currently in your sector will be shown on your Ship Computer (along with the option to pick it up if there actually is some scrap in your sector). You can then go to your Home World and use the scrap to expand it's health. All repair ships and Cruiser Carriers have a 5000 unit cargo space for scrap. Once you are carrying this many units, you will need to go and drop the scrap at your Home World before you can pick up any more!

What happens when you install scrap on a base?

If the base is at full health, then the maximum and current hitpoints of the base will increase by the amount of scrap installed on the base. If the base is damaged, then only the current hitpoints of the base increases. However, if the base is only slightly damaged, the base will be fully healed, and any scrap leftover will add to both the current and max HP. For example:

installing 2000 scrap

Before	After
130000/130000	132000/132000
127000/130000	129000/130000
129000/130000	131000/131000

How do I level up?

You start at level 1, then continue through the levels at the following scores; 4000, 8000, 16000 and 32000. With 32000 being level 5.

What is a Cruiser?

A Cruiser is the most powerful offensive ship in the Galaxy and has more health points than a level 5 ship (12500)! Cruisers can also self-repair for 250 health points rather than 150 per turn. Cruisers have such an array of weaponry at their disposal, they receive points whilst in combat against other ships and for bombing enemy planets.

What is a Cruiser Carrier?

A Cruiser Carrier is the most defensive ship in the game, wielding a massive 60 shields! Cruiser Carriers can pick up scrap and repair other ships like their juniour class repair ships. They can also self repair 250 health points per turn rather than 150. Cruiser Carriers are used to ferry a Legion's ships around. Ships inside the Carrier enjoy protection from damage and may be transported to other sectors by the carrier.

How do I get a Cruiser or Cruiser Carrier ship?

These ships will become available to you if you ascertain 75000 hitpoints without having your ship destroyed. To be able to jump into one of these cruiser ships you will have to return to your home sector. The ship will be brand new and will have 12500 hitpoints as soon as you jump into it regardless of your current ships status. You must have a base to return to to jump into a Cruiser. If your base has been destroyed, you will not be able to get a Cruiser.

How do I cloak?

Only pilots who have chosen a ship equiped with a cloaking device can cloak. If you are in such a ship, you will have the option to cloak on your Ship Computer provided you have the necessary 5 moves available and are not inside a carrier.

Do cloaked ships count for sector domination?

No, cloaked ships do not count for sector domination.

Will you remain cloaked if you Hyper?

If you currently cloaked: hypering or picking up invulnerability will automatically decloak your ship.

I keep attacking somebody and get 0 every time?

You're either very unlucky, or they've picked up an Invulnerability pickup!

An enemy ship suddenly appeared in the sector I was in, and I didn't see them hypering in?

The enemy may have been cloaked. Cloaked ships can decloak at any time! Cloaking ships have the ability to cloak, and other ships can do pickups to find a cloaking device. Alternatively, the enemy could have picked up a random hyper gate that transferred him into your sector instantly.

I got attacked by a repairship! How could that be, I thought they could only repair?

If a repairship picks up an attacking pickup, such as Free Attack or Triple Damage - then they can actually use it on an enemy ship to attack them. They will be able to make an attack similar to the amount they would repair to a friendly ship, and recieve points accordingly.

All my messages are scrambled! Or I am recieving scrambled messages!

If a ship is in New Sector Alpha, all messages will appear scrambled. (Due to inteference from the Manezium gas in the sector). All transmissions sent out of the sector will also be scrambled so recipients will recieve an almost unreable message!

What is New Sector Alpha?

NSA(New Sector Alpha) is unlike the other sectors. It is only linked to other sectors by special gates and produces scrap on a regular basis. Sending and receiving comms in this sector is very difficult as messages end up scrambled!

Why can't I hyper?

This could happen for a number of reasons:

1. You don't have enough moves (Requires 3).
2. You are trying to hyper in the last 15 minutes of the turn.
3. You are trying to hyper in the first 5 minutes of the turn.
4. You are inside a carrier, you need to exit before you can hyper.

NB during a frantic game, it is during the first and last minute of a turn in which you cannot hyper to another sector.

Why aren't I getting points for attacking people?

If you are 3 levels above the person you are shooting, you will not recieve points. For instance, a level 5 will not gain any points from shooting level 1s or 2s. It may also be that you are shooting decoy ships. No points are awarded for shooting these. This is called "bunny hunting" and is generally frowned upon, unless there is a real need to do so.

My communications have become disabled. How did it happen and how can I fix it?

All communications are sent via your base stations. If your base station becomes heavily damaged you will not be able to send any further messages. You will however still recieve messages from the enemy if their base is still intact. You will need to dominate more sectors or recruit more pilots to get your communications back.

My sector domination screen says "Domination info not available"?

All Domination info is sent via your base stations. If your base station becomes heavily damaged you will not be able to view the Sector Domination info. You will need to dominate more sectors or recruit more pilots to get your communications back.

I keep getting the message "An error has occured!!"

This error is likely to have been caused by your firewall. If you are using Norton Firewall (for example), please ensure that the 'Privacy Controls' are disabled. Other firewalls will have a similar setting.

Something doesn't appear right in the game, what should I do?

Use the Bugs forum. Please send as much info as possible about what you did to cause the problem, where and when did it happen, and what the error was if there was one.

What should I put in my bug report?

As much info as possible! The worst type of bug report around is one that goes like "My X is broken, all i get is an error message."

That's of no help to anyone and such bug reports will likely be ignored. To post a helpful bug report:-

• Choose a good topic title. "Bug" or "Help!" are no good, but "pilot image upload problem" is better.
• If there's an error message, make sure you tell us what it is! These are extremely useful in tracking down problems and getting things fixed faster for you!
• Tell us exactly how the problem was caused so we can try and recreate it for ourselves. What buttons did you press, what browser are you using etc.
• What do you think the problem is? If you think you have an idea of whats caused the problem then let us know.
• Help us track down the problem in the logs by posting the time or tick the bug happened.
• The new error page gives the server time when the bug occured, please include this with your bug report.

I want to help with the development of the game in some way. Who do I speak to?

Talk to Ecvej or Calundra in Taras Bar about how and in what way you'd like to help with the development of the game.

When I ask the Forum to remember my details, how come it doesn't remember it for the game?

That is by design. The game and the Forum although they share logins, are two seperate entities. It's safer that you can't save your login to the game so that nobody can get into do nasty stuff to your ship!

Can I access the IRC chat using my own software like mirc?

Yes, the server is irc.violetsector.com and the main channel to join is #taras-bar. If you don't know how to join, in mirc type "/server irc.violetsector.com". Once you have connected, type "/join #taras-bar" to start chatting. If your irc client is properly configured, you can click here to join the chat.

What's foobot and what are his commands.

Foobot (and yes he awaits a better name), is a bot that sits in the TVS irc channel. He contributes to the conversation in the channel by reporting on in game events and statistics. At present his commands are as follows:-

• !rankings
• !squads
• !ATT
• !LLC
• !pilot <pilot name here>
• !vets
• !help

What ship should I pick?

Look here for a detailed answer.

How do I get to a new sector?

Go to the galactic map (a page about that is here). At the bottom of the page that comes up, you'll see a combo box which lists the sectors you can jump to. Select the one you want and press the "Jump" button. Note that you need all five moves to jump, and you can't jump in the last fifteen minutes of a turn or the first five.

How do I attack an enemy?

Click on the scanners link. You'll get a list of all the enemies in your sector (well, the first ten anyway). Pick your target and click on the attack button. You need one move free to be able to attack, and if you're in a repairship you can't attack.

How do I repair myself?

There's a button on the main computer screen marked "Repair". Press it. Each press uses one move to give you 150hp, if you have a cruiser class ship then each self repair gives you 250hp.

Right, worked out how to fly, now what? Where do I go?

Your legion should have a Legion Commander (LC). He'll be giving orders about what you should do. If your LC is good, they'll be posted on the Legion News (on the bottom of the main computer screen), the comms and the Bulletin Board (BB). Follow them. If they're unclear, send your LC (or other friendly vet) a message asking for clarification, people are usually happy to help out.

Cloaking looks cool. How do I do it?

You probably can't for now. To cloak you need a cloaker (each legion has one, refer to the ships page to find out what yours is). If you don't have a cloaker, you'll need to die before you can pick a new ship. If you do have one, then assuming you have all five moves left there'll be a "Cloak" button on your main computer. Click it, and voila. It is also possible to get a cloak pickup, when you get one of these you will be automatically cloaked.

Can I repair other people? Can they repair me?

Pilots flying repairships can repair other people instead of attacking enemies. You can't pick a repairship until you've died at least once as a TVS pilot, so you probably didn't get given the option to fly one yet.

Can I chat to other pilots?

Yes, go to Tara's Bar (accessible from the main TVS page, you don't have to be logged into the game). You can't chat to other pilots in your legion, but you can send them messages using the comms or post on the legion BB.

Damn, I died. Now what?

Pick another ship. It doesn't have to be the same type as before, and your score will be reset to 0. Sucks, doesn't it?

I died, but I've changed legions now. What happened?

Your legion lost its base and is now out of the game. Better luck with your new legion.

Why aren't I scoring when I'm attacking an enemy base?

Only bombers score points for bombing bases. You're not flying a bomber, are you?

I just did the hugest shot ever, but I didn't get any points. What happened?

You probably shot down a decoy. You don't score for those, because you haven't really killed anything. You also won't score if the ship you shot at was more than two levels below you.

A decoy? What's that?

It's a copy of a ship. It doesn't move or fire, it just sits there and annoys enemies. Decoys are destroyed with one shot.

So how do I tell if a ship is a decoy?

Bring up the rankings screen and compare it with the real score and health for that ship. If either is different (or if you can't find the real ship on the rankings), it's a decoy. If they're both the same, it still might be a decoy, but it probably isn't.

What's a NAP?

Non-Aggression Pact. Basically, it's an alliance between two (or three) legions.

I've just taken damage, but I wasn't shot at! What's going on?

Your either in the Asteroids, in NSA or the Uncharted Sector, or else in an enemy homeworld. All of those sectors will deal you damage at the start of a turn, and also when you attack an enemy.

My health just went up, but I didn't repair myself. What happened?

Probably you were repaired by a friendly pilot with a repairship. Check your logs and then go say thank you (if you're feeling polite). Alternatively, you might be flying an auto-repair bomber, and if so you'll heal a small amount at the start of each tick.

How do I enter a carrier?

On the friendly scan screen, click on the name of the carrier. If you've got three moves left, you'll get in. Look here for a slightly longer description of carriers.

An extra button saying "Go AWOL" just appeared on my main computer. What happens if I press it?

You leave your legion and become rogue. You will no longer be able to send comms to other pilots (except taunts), read your legion BB, get a cruiser or all the other nice things a legion does for you. Eventually, you'll die. When that happens, you'll join a new legion.

I want to go AWOL. Where's the button?

It appears on your main computer after you've been with your legion for five days.

I'm going to be away for a few days. Can I drop out of the game for a while?

Yes. On your account page, click on the "Vacation Mode" button ONCE. Eight turns later, your account will be suspended until you next log in.

Can I change my ship?

If you die. Not before.

How do I get a better ship?

Score points to level up. When you get 4k, 8k, 12k and 32k points you'll level up and get a better ship (same type, better stats).

Why isn't anyone answering my messages?

You probably haven't moved yet. No-one can send you comms until you move for the first time (this is also true after you die).

I've just levelled up. What are skill points and what should I do with them?

I would Suggest asking your Current LC, what he would like for your legion, you dont always have to listen to him, but he will have plans for his legion. Most of the time, he knows whats best for the legion so ask him in Comms. A good LC will have the answer for you.