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release:classiczoo [2021/08/09 00:43] asierelease:classiczoo [2021/11/13 11:02] asie
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 If you'd like to learn more about ZZT, [[https://museumofzzt.com/about-zzt|the Museum of ZZT]] is a good place to start. If you'd like to learn more about ZZT, [[https://museumofzzt.com/about-zzt|the Museum of ZZT]] is a good place to start.
 +
 +===== System requirements =====
 +
 +==== Minimum ====
 +
 +The minimum requirements are effectively the same as ZZT's own, with the addition of PC-98 support:
 +
 +  * IBM PC or NEC PC-9801 compatible computer,
 +  * 512 KB of RAM,
 +  * Any graphics adapter with a color or monochrome screen.
 +
 +Keyboard, Joystick and Mouse input is supported.
 +
 +==== Recommended ====
 +
 +  * IBM PC or NEC PC-9801 compatible computer,
 +  * 286-class CPU (386/486-class for particularly scripting-heavy games to run at full speed),
 +  * 640 KB of RAM,
 +  * EGA/VGA graphics adapter (CGA will work, but with lower performance due to snow avoidance).
 +
 +Most ZZT games are designed with Keyboard input in mind - however, a few (two) recommend Mouse input instead.
 +
 +===== Help =====
 +
 +Most help is provided in-game, available by pressing "H".
 +
 +==== Command line arguments ====
 +
 +ClassicZoo supports a few command line arguments on launch:
 +
 +  * ''/NOEMS'' - disable EMS extended memory support,
 +  * ''/NOXMS'' - disable XMS extended memory support,
 +  * (4.16+) ''/NOSNOW'' - force-disable CGA snow avoidance logic; by default, it is disabled if an EGA/VGA-compatible card is detected, however many CGA clone cards also do not suffer from CGA snow. This can improve performance.
  
 ===== Major features ===== ===== Major features =====
  
-  * EMS/XMS extended memory support - allows worlds of effectively any size within specification, and makes existing near-limit worlds run more reliably on real hardware+  * EMS/XMS extended memory support - effectively lifts the world size limit, as well as improving stability of large worlds on machines with lower amounts of free conventional memory
-  * Increasing the board limit from 20000 to 65500 bytes.+  * Increasing the board size limit from 20000 to 65500 bytes.
   * Increasing the board count limit from 101 to 256 boards.   * Increasing the board count limit from 101 to 256 boards.
   * Major CPU and memory usage optimizations.   * Major CPU and memory usage optimizations.
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 The complete list of features is provided in the changelog, which is bundled with ClassicZoo. The complete list of features is provided in the changelog, which is bundled with ClassicZoo.
- 
-Many of these bugfixes enhancements are also maintained to some extent in separate branches, to allow easier re-use by other ZZT forks. 
  
 ===== Screenshots ===== ===== Screenshots =====
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 ===== Downloads ===== ===== Downloads =====
  
-In most cases, you want either the build in bold (for PC-compatibles) or the NEC PC-98 build (for PC-98 machines).+In most cases, you want either the build in bold (for PC-compatibles) or the NEC PC-98 build (for PC-98 machines). See the FAQ for further details.
  
-The //libre// version of ClassicZoo differs in toolchain only - it's compiled using Free Pascal, rather than Turbo Pascal. However, as FPC's current (as of 3.2.0) 8086 compiler seems to generate slower and bigger code in general, it is primarily provided for users who seek to achieve free software purism. If you're a first-time or casual useryou most likely want the non-libre version at this time.+If you're looking for game worldstry the Museum of ZZT! Here are some recommendations:
  
-The //low memory// version is intended for PC-compatible machines with strict memory constraints, particularly ones with less than 640K of memory.+  * [[https://museumofzzt.com/article/295/the-best-of-zzt|The Best of ZZT (list) ]], 
 +  * [[https://museumofzzt.com/article/563/the-best-of-zzt-part-2-modern-treasures|The Best of ZZT, Part 2 (list)]],
  
 ==== Current version ==== ==== Current version ====
 +
 +=== ClassicZoo 4.16 ===
 +
 +Released on the 13th of November, 2021.
 +
 +  * **[[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416.zip|Download]]**
 +  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416p.zip|Download (NEC PC-98)]]
 +  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
 +  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416m.zip|Download (low memory build)]]
 +
 +==== Previous versions ====
  
 === ClassicZoo 4.15 === === ClassicZoo 4.15 ===
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   * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415l.zip|Download (libre build)]]   * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
   * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415m.zip|Download (low memory build)]]   * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415m.zip|Download (low memory build)]]
- 
-==== Previous versions ==== 
  
 === ClassicZoo 4.14 === === ClassicZoo 4.14 ===
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   * **Q:** Which build and executable of ClassicZoo should I use?   * **Q:** Which build and executable of ClassicZoo should I use?
-  * **A:** As a ruleyou should use the default build. The PC-9801 build is provided for users of such machines; the libre build is provided for projects which do not wish to utilize non-libre code included by Turbo Pascal's compiler. Regarding the executable, "ZZT.EXE" should be preferred for general use; "ZZTRUN.EXE" removes the editor and some "?" commands, with minor memory usage and CPU benefits - this may be useful on very constrained machines (think 512-640K of RAM and an 8088).+  * **A:** For all builds"ZZT.EXE" should be preferred for general usage. 
 +    * The regular build (in bold) is provided for typical PC-compatible use 
 +    * The PC-9801 build is provided for users of NEC PC-9801 machines
 +    * The libre build is provided for projects which do not wish to utilize non-libre code included by Turbo Pascal's compiler. Howeverit comes with a CPU performance, filesize and memory usage penalty. 
 +    * The low memory build is meant for especially constrained platforms and removes many features. It is only really useful for platforms with <= 512 KB of memory.
  
   * **Q:** Should I use DOSBox or Zeta with ClassicZoo?   * **Q:** Should I use DOSBox or Zeta with ClassicZoo?
release/classiczoo.txt · Last modified: 2023/12/16 17:51 by asie