Versions & Additional Levels

How to obtain the Regular Shareware, Deluxe Shareware (Lasersoft Deluxe Levels), and additional wads (RTC and RTL files).

RTC files (Levels)

RTL files (Combat Levels)

What Was Shareware?

Most already know what shareware was, but I'll recap for those who don't. Shareware was basically an advertising tool used for PC games during the 1990's. Shareware versions of games served as samples for the larger commercial versions.


Most FPS games during that time made the first episode available as shareware. The remaining episodes were considered part of the commercial version and had to be purchased.


E.G. Doom's first episode "Knee-Deep in the Dead" was available as shareware. The remaining episodes: "The Shores of Hell" and "Inferno" (and "Thy Flesh Consumed", an add-on episode present in The Ultimate Doom) were only available after purchase.


The shareware version for Rise of the Traid is known as The HUNT Begins. Unlike Doom, the ROTT shareware functions as a standalone game, and has levels that are separate from it's commercial version, Dark War.

Shareware & Registered: Different Versions, Version Differences

Shareware Differences:
Rise of the Triad shareware is called The HUNT Begins. There are two versions of The HUNT Begins. The Regular Version and the Deluxe Version (aka Lasersoft Deluxe Version).



^Regular Shareware Levels:
E1A1: The HUNT Begins
E1A2: Foggy Mountain
E1A3: The Fourth Door
E1A4: Dark Tunnels
E1A5: Metal Threat
E1A6: Ride 'Em Cowboy!
E1A7: Boom Boom Boom
E1A8: Wall To Wall
E2A1: Too Tall
E2A2: Play Room


^Deluxe Shareware Levels:
E1A1: The HUNT Begins
E1A2: Foggy Mountain
E1A3: The Fourth Door
E1A4: Dark Tunnels
E1A5: Metal Threat
E1A6: Ride 'Em Cowboy!
E1A7: Boom Boom Boom
E1A8: Wall To Wall
E2A1: Too Tall
E2A2: Play Room
E2A3: Prelude To A Kill - exclusive
E2A4: Jumpin' Jehoshaphat - exclusive
E2A5: GADZOOKS! - exclusive





Shareware Executable VS Registered Executable:

Shareware Executable:
If you are using the shareware executable but do not own the registered game (if you own The HUNT Begins but do not own Dark War), you cannot use alternate wads. In other words you cannot add custom levels or the Dark War levels when using the shareware executable. No doubt a preventative measure to counter piracy back in the days.
This also means you are confined to playing as Taradino Cassatt. All other characters have been restricted.



Registered Executable:
However, if you own the registered executable (if you own Dark War), you can use any wads you have obtained. This means both shareware versions can be played if you have obtained their wads, in addition to custom wads.

This also means, if you own the registered executable (if you own Dark War), you can play the shareware levels with all characters.





Other Notable Differences Between Shareware & Registered:

The Difficulty Options Are Different:

^Shareware Difficulties

^Registered Difficulties





Unique Ending Cutscene:
Also, the shareware has an exclusive ending cutscene. But it cannot be viewed unless you are playing with the shareware executable. Playing with the registered executable will only give you the Dark War cutscenes.



You can watch the cutscene here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUOxnVpJk8w&index=16&list=PLN5gLRe5-Rs_NId-3KGeLqv645ytanCR-

Obtain Deluxe Shareware Levels, & Additional Levels

Obtain Deluxe Shareware - 3D Realms:
Can be downloaded from the old 3D Realms master download page. Once there you want to click on "Lasersoft ROTT Deluxe Levels." You can also download additional levels from the same page:
http://legacy.3drealms.com/downloads.html

Alternate Option - Google Drive:
If you can't obtain them from 3D Realms you can download them from my google drive page. Here you will find the same rtl (levels) and rtc (combat levels) that are freeware from 3D Realms. The links are found below.



RTL Files (Levels):

Regular Shareware
HUNTBGIN.rtl
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4QWVvQnI4WlhrbFk/view?usp=sharing

Deluxe Shareware (aka Lasersoft Deluxe Levels)
HUNTBGN2.rtl
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4anNkNW1HdmhaWDg/view?usp=sharing

Blake Stone Level
BLAKE01.rtl
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4aXlrMi0wUFNzZDQ/view?usp=sharing

Extreme ROTT Levels
EXTREME.rtl
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4cUhrNVZ4eWhGWXc/view?usp=sharing

You and Spray Level
UASPRAY.rtl
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4OWs4S1ZxUnZoLXM/view?usp=sharing

Wolfenstein 3D Level
WOLF3D.rtl
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4bk5MVUVJdEotWjQ/view?usp=sharing



RTC Files (Combat Levels):

ROTT Reject Level Pack
REJECT.rtc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4NG5xbzVSMnkwNnc/view?usp=sharing

Ohio Combat Levels
OHIO.rtc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4YWx3SGFfQ3VjS2M/view?usp=sharing

Regular Shareware Combat Levels
HUNTBGIN.rtc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4RmFnSTBZekQ3ZnM/view?usp=sharing

Deluxe Shareware (aka Lasersoft Deluxe Levels) Combat Levels
HUNTBGN2.rtc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0javrRVGUU4QjNrZ1B3V3B6amc/view?usp=sharing