Virtual Navia Dratp (VND) Information

Please see the QUICK START GUIDE that should be included in this VND package for detailed information on how to get started.

What Virtual Navia Dratp IS

• It is a way of playing your favourite board with people you can't meet at a physical venue, due to distance or time/schedule. Think of it as using IRC/IM or e-mail to trade your moves back and forth, except with a fancy interface.
• It is a module for the VASSAL engine, an open-source JAVA-based (thus multi-platform) engine for simulating a whole slew of board/war/miniature games.
• It is, like the engine it uses, absolutely FREE and non-profit, from a fan to all the fans of this great game.
• THE CONTENT IS ENTIRELY BANDAI'S PROPERTY, REGARDLESS OF MY INTERPRETATION FOR THIS VIRTUAL EDITION.

What Virtual Navia Dratp IS NOT

• It is not a replacement for any official online version that Bandai may release, in which case this one will go the way of the Dodo.
• It is not even a replacement for the original, physical game. Thus there is no documentation or reference material included (Rules, Cards). Get your own.
• It is not an automated player aid, you need to do everything by hand, as with the real game.
• It is not a referee, you have to know and agree on the official rules, and keep it honest, as with the real game.
• It is not a computer/AI opponent, you still need a real person at the other end, as with the real game.
• IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR ANYONE TO MAKE ANY FINANCIAL GAIN, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WHETHER BY BUNDLING IT WITH SOME SPY/AD-WARE OR CHARGING ANY FEE FOR RE-DISTRIBUTING IT IN ANY WAY, ELECTRONIC OR PHYSICAL.

Useful Links

• The official Navia Dratp website includes the official rules and piece descriptions, as well as the official Forum.
  Please discuss game-related topics only.
• The official VASSAL Engine website which powers this module.
  Related is SUN Microsystem's JAVA website which in turn is the language that powers the VASSAL engine.
• Yahoo! groups hosts the two major communities related to VND:
  Navia Dratp Enthusiasts (NDE), where you can discuss and find help for this adaptation, and
  Vassalengine, where you can find help regarding the VASSAL engine in general.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• CTRL 1   opens the Player 1 (up-facing) Miniatures tray.
• CTRL 2   opens the Player 2 (down-facing) Miniatures tray.
• CTRL g   opens the Gyullas tray.
  


• CTRL r   Removes any selected piece on the board.
• CTRL e   describes the Effect of a Dratp in a pop-up window.
• CTRL d   Dratps selected Navia or Maseitai (or un-dratps already dratped piece).
  


• CTRL +   zooms in (main keyboard!, in case of use on laptop)
• CTRL -   zooms out
  


• PAGE DOWN   Next move (when using Logfile)

Note from the author

Choose either the "pleather" playmat or the standard "black/white/red" board, pick your favourite Navia and her army of Maseitai and start enjoying this unique strategy game!

The creation of this "virtual" adaptation, which was sometimes quite a challenge for a non-coder like me, shows just how strong the appeal of this great game is.

Alas it has not yet seen the widespread adaptation that most of us hoped for when it was released (and I started on this module), but hopefully that will still change, especially with the release of the new "Resurgence" set.

In the meantime, this module will at least be a means to keep us sometimes far apart enthusiasts playing, whether via the VASSAL server or by e-mail.

I hope you will enjoy it!

Pascal Ludowissy, March 2006