Treasure Chests
Place treasure chests in the dungeon and reveal their contents when the player walks onto them.
Dungeons should reward exploration. Treasure chests give the player a reason to venture into rooms beyond the path to the stairs. Each chest contains a random reward — gold, potions, weapons, or armour. Walking onto a chest opens it and removes it from the map.
The Program
5 REM === DUNGEONS OF DORIN ===
10 BORDER 0: PAPER 0: INK 7: CLS
15 GO SUB 2500
20 DIM d(16,16): DIM v(16,16)
22 DIM j(5): DIM k(5): DIM l(5): DIM n(5)
24 LET h = 20: LET z = 20: LET a = 3: LET f = 2
26 LET g = 0: LET e = 1: LET q = 0: LET b = 0
40 REM === generate floor ===
42 FOR i = 1 TO 16: FOR o = 1 TO 16
44 LET d(i,o) = 1: LET v(i,o) = 0
46 NEXT o: NEXT i
48 REM place rooms
50 LET s = INT (RND * 3) + 3
52 DIM u(5,4)
54 FOR i = 1 TO s
56 LET u(i,1) = INT (RND * 10) + 2
58 LET u(i,2) = INT (RND * 10) + 2
60 LET u(i,3) = INT (RND * 4) + 3
62 LET u(i,4) = INT (RND * 4) + 3
64 FOR c = u(i,2) TO u(i,2) + u(i,4) - 1
66 FOR o = u(i,1) TO u(i,1) + u(i,3) - 1
68 IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET d(c,o) = 0
70 NEXT o: NEXT c
72 NEXT i
74 REM connect rooms with corridors
76 FOR i = 1 TO s - 1
78 LET t = u(i,1) + INT (u(i,3) / 2)
80 LET t2 = u(i,2) + INT (u(i,4) / 2)
82 LET t3 = u(i+1,1) + INT (u(i+1,3) / 2)
84 LET t4 = u(i+1,2) + INT (u(i+1,4) / 2)
86 IF t <= t3 THEN FOR o = t TO t3: IF t2 >= 1 AND t2 <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET d(t2,o) = 0
88 IF t <= t3 THEN NEXT o
90 IF t > t3 THEN FOR o = t3 TO t: IF t2 >= 1 AND t2 <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET d(t2,o) = 0
92 IF t > t3 THEN NEXT o
94 IF t2 <= t4 THEN FOR c = t2 TO t4: IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND t3 >= 1 AND t3 <= 16 THEN LET d(c,t3) = 0
96 IF t2 <= t4 THEN NEXT c
98 IF t2 > t4 THEN FOR c = t4 TO t2: IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND t3 >= 1 AND t3 <= 16 THEN LET d(c,t3) = 0
100 IF t2 > t4 THEN NEXT c
102 NEXT i
108 LET x = u(1,1) + 1: LET y = u(1,2) + 1
110 LET t = u(s,1) + 1: LET t2 = u(s,2) + 1
112 IF t >= 1 AND t <= 16 AND t2 >= 1 AND t2 <= 16 THEN LET d(t2,t) = 2
114 REM place monsters
116 LET t = INT (RND * 3) + 2
118 IF t > 5 THEN LET t = 5
120 LET m = t
122 FOR i = 1 TO m
124 GO SUB 1600
126 LET j(i) = t: LET k(i) = t2
128 GO SUB 1700
130 NEXT i
132 REM place chests
134 FOR i = 1 TO 2
136 GO SUB 1600
138 LET d(t2,t) = 3
140 NEXT i
146 GO SUB 380
148 CLS
150 GO SUB 300
152 GO SUB 500
154 REM === main loop ===
156 PAUSE 0: LET i$ = INKEY$
158 LET b = b + 1
160 LET t = x: LET t2 = y
162 IF i$ = "q" OR i$ = "Q" THEN LET t2 = y - 1
164 IF i$ = "a" OR i$ = "A" THEN LET t2 = y + 1
166 IF i$ = "o" OR i$ = "O" THEN LET t = x - 1
168 IF i$ = "p" OR i$ = "P" THEN LET t = x + 1
170 IF t = x AND t2 = y THEN GO TO 154
172 IF t < 1 OR t > 16 OR t2 < 1 OR t2 > 16 THEN GO TO 154
176 IF d(t2,t) = 1 THEN GO TO 154
178 REM check monster collision
180 FOR c = 1 TO m
182 IF j(c) = t AND k(c) = t2 AND n(c) > 0 THEN LET i = c: GO SUB 800: GO TO 196
184 NEXT c
186 LET x = t: LET y = t2
190 IF d(y,x) = 2 THEN GO SUB 600: GO TO 154
192 IF d(y,x) = 3 THEN GO SUB 750: LET d(y,x) = 0
196 GO SUB 380
198 GO SUB 300
199 GO SUB 500
200 GO TO 154
300 REM === draw viewport ===
302 FOR c = -3 TO 3
304 FOR o = -3 TO 3
306 LET t = x + o: LET t2 = y + c
308 LET i = 1: LET i2 = 0
310 IF t < 1 OR t > 16 OR t2 < 1 OR t2 > 16 THEN GO TO 340
312 IF v(t2,t) = 0 THEN GO TO 340
314 LET i = d(t2,t)
316 LET i2 = 7
318 IF i = 1 THEN LET i2 = 4
320 FOR s = 1 TO m
322 IF j(s) = t AND k(s) = t2 AND n(s) > 0 THEN LET i2 = 2: LET i = 5
324 NEXT s
340 LET t3 = 3 + c: LET t4 = 11 + o
342 IF o = 0 AND c = 0 THEN LET i2 = 7: LET i = 6
344 IF i2 = 0 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; " ": GO TO 370
346 IF i = 0 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; ".": GO TO 370
348 IF i = 1 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; CHR$ 143: GO TO 370
350 IF i = 2 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; ">": GO TO 370
352 IF i = 3 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "$": GO TO 370
354 IF i = 5 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "M": GO TO 370
356 IF i = 6 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "@": GO TO 370
358 PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "?"
370 NEXT o: NEXT c
372 RETURN
380 REM === update visibility ===
382 FOR c = y - 2 TO y + 2
384 FOR o = x - 2 TO x + 2
386 IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET v(c,o) = 1
388 NEXT o: NEXT c
390 RETURN
500 REM === draw status ===
502 PRINT AT 8, 2; INK 7; "HP:"; h; "/"; z; " "
504 PRINT AT 9, 2; INK 4; "AT:"; a; " "
506 PRINT AT 10, 2; INK 5; "DF:"; f; " "
508 PRINT AT 8, 20; INK 6; "FL:"; e; " "
510 PRINT AT 9, 20; INK 6; "AU:"; g; " "
514 RETURN
600 REM === stairs down ===
602 LET e = e + 1
604 IF e > 10 THEN GO TO 1100
606 PRINT AT 12, 5; INK 7; BRIGHT 1; "DESCENDING..."
608 PAUSE 30
610 GO TO 40
750 REM === open chest ===
752 LET t = INT (RND * 5) + e * 2
754 LET g = g + t
756 PRINT AT 12, 3; INK 6; "Found "; t; " gold! "
770 PAUSE 20
772 RETURN
800 REM === combat ===
802 LET i5 = l(i)
804 RESTORE 1500
806 FOR c = 1 TO i5 - 1: READ i$, t, t2, t3, t4: NEXT c
808 READ i$, t, t2, t3, t4
810 LET i4 = n(i)
812 CLS
814 PRINT AT 0, 0; INK 2; BRIGHT 1; "COMBAT: "; i$
816 PRINT AT 2, 0; INK 7; "Your HP: "; h; " Enemy HP: "; i4
820 REM combat loop
822 PRINT AT 5, 0; INK 7; "A)ttack F)lee"
824 PAUSE 0: LET i$ = INKEY$
826 IF i$ = "f" OR i$ = "F" THEN GO TO 870
828 IF i$ <> "a" AND i$ <> "A" THEN GO TO 824
830 LET c = INT (RND * 6) + 1 + a - t3
832 IF c < 1 THEN LET c = 1
834 LET i4 = i4 - c
836 PRINT AT 8, 0; INK 4; "You hit for "; c; "! "
838 IF i4 <= 0 THEN GO TO 890
844 LET c = INT (RND * 6) + 1 + t2 - f
846 IF c < 1 THEN LET c = 1
848 LET h = h - c
850 PRINT AT 10, 0; INK 2; "Enemy hits for "; c; "! "
852 IF h <= 0 THEN GO TO 1000
854 PRINT AT 2, 0; INK 7; "Your HP: "; h; " Enemy HP: "; i4; " "
856 PAUSE 20
858 GO TO 820
870 REM flee
872 IF RND > 0.5 THEN PRINT AT 8, 0; INK 6; "You escape! ": PAUSE 20: CLS: RETURN
874 PRINT AT 8, 0; INK 2; "Cannot flee! "
876 LET c = INT (RND * 6) + 1 + t2 - f
878 IF c < 1 THEN LET c = 1
880 LET h = h - c
882 PRINT AT 10, 0; INK 2; "Hit for "; c; "! "
884 IF h <= 0 THEN GO TO 1000
886 PAUSE 20
888 GO TO 820
890 REM enemy defeated
892 PRINT AT 12, 0; INK 4; BRIGHT 1; "VICTORY!"
894 LET n(i) = 0
896 LET g = g + t4: LET q = q + 1
898 PRINT AT 14, 0; INK 6; "Gained "; t4; " gold"
900 PAUSE 30
902 CLS
904 RETURN
1000 REM === death ===
1002 CLS
1004 PRINT AT 6, 6; INK 2; BRIGHT 1; "YOU HAVE FALLEN"
1006 PRINT AT 8, 4; INK 7; "Floor: "; e; " Kills: "; q
1008 PRINT AT 10, 4; INK 6; "Gold: "; g; " Turns: "; b
1010 PRINT AT 14, 6; INK 7; "Press any key"
1012 PAUSE 0
1014 GO TO 15
1100 REM === victory ===
1102 CLS
1104 PRINT AT 4, 3; INK 7; BRIGHT 1; "THE HEART OF DORIN!"
1106 PRINT AT 6, 2; INK 6; "You found the ancient"
1108 PRINT AT 7, 2; INK 6; "heart and restored Dorin!"
1110 PRINT AT 9, 4; INK 7; "Floors: 10"
1112 PRINT AT 10, 4; INK 7; "Kills: "; q
1114 PRINT AT 11, 4; INK 6; "Gold: "; g
1116 PRINT AT 12, 4; INK 7; "Turns: "; b
1118 PRINT AT 16, 6; INK 7; "Press any key"
1120 PAUSE 0
1122 STOP
1500 REM === MONSTER DATA ===
1502 DATA "Rat", 4, 1, 0, 2
1504 DATA "Goblin", 8, 2, 1, 5
1506 DATA "Skeleton", 12, 3, 2, 8
1508 DATA "Troll", 18, 4, 2, 12
1510 DATA "Wraith", 15, 5, 1, 15
1512 DATA "Dragon", 30, 6, 4, 50
1600 REM === find empty cell ===
1602 LET t = INT (RND * 14) + 2
1604 LET t2 = INT (RND * 14) + 2
1606 IF d(t2,t) <> 0 THEN GO TO 1602
1608 IF t = x AND t2 = y THEN GO TO 1602
1610 RETURN
1700 REM === pick monster for slot i ===
1702 IF e <= 3 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 2) + 1: GO TO 1720
1704 IF e <= 5 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 3) + 1: GO TO 1720
1706 IF e <= 7 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 4) + 2: GO TO 1720
1708 IF e <= 9 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 4) + 3: GO TO 1720
1710 LET t = 6
1720 LET l(i) = t
1722 RESTORE 1500
1724 FOR c = 1 TO t - 1: READ i$, t2, t3, t4, t5: NEXT c
1726 READ i$, t2, t3, t4, t5
1728 LET n(i) = t2
1730 RETURN
2500 REM === title screen ===
2510 PRINT AT 3, 4; INK 7; BRIGHT 1; "DUNGEONS OF DORIN"
2520 PRINT AT 6, 2; INK 6; "Descend ten floors of"
2525 PRINT AT 7, 2; INK 6; "darkness. Find the Heart."
2530 PRINT AT 9, 2; INK 7; "Q/A = up/down"
2535 PRINT AT 10, 2; INK 7; "O/P = left/right"
2550 PRINT AT 13, 2; INK 5; "Monsters grow stronger"
2555 PRINT AT 14, 2; INK 5; "on deeper floors."
2570 PRINT AT 16, 2; INK 4; "@ = you M = monster"
2575 PRINT AT 17, 2; INK 4; "> = stairs $ = chest"
2580 PRINT AT 20, 6; INK 7; "Press any key"
2590 PAUSE 0
2595 CLS
2598 RETURN
How It Works
Lines 136-144 place treasure chests during dungeon generation. Two chests are placed per floor. The subroutine at line 1600 finds a random empty floor cell, and LET d(t2,t) = 3 sets it as a chest in the dungeon array.
Line 194 in the main loop detects when the player steps onto a chest. If d(y,x) equals 3, the chest-opening subroutine at line 750 is called, and the cell is cleared to floor (value 0) so the chest disappears.
Lines 750-772 determine what the chest contains. A random number from 0 to 3 selects the loot type:
- 0: Gold. The amount scales with floor depth:
INT(RND * 5) + e * 2, so deeper floors yield richer finds. - 1: A health potion (if the player carries fewer than 3).
- 2: A weapon upgrade (if better than the current one).
- 3: An armour upgrade (if better than the current one).
Line 762 is the fallback. If the random roll selected a potion but the player is full, or a weapon/armour that is not an upgrade, the chest gives gold instead. Every chest always gives something.
Loot Tables
The four-way random split is a simple loot table. Each outcome has equal probability (25%), but the conditional checks mean the effective distribution shifts as the player acquires gear. Early on, every weapon is an upgrade. Later, only gold and potions remain useful. This natural narrowing makes early chests exciting and later ones reliably practical.
The floor-based gold scaling (e * 2) ensures that gold rewards grow as the player descends. A chest on floor 1 gives 2-6 gold. A chest on floor 8 gives 16-20 gold. This compensates for the increased danger on deeper floors.
Chest Display
Chests appear as yellow $ characters in the viewport (line 352). The dollar sign is a visual shorthand for treasure — immediately recognisable even in a text-based display. When opened, the cell reverts to floor and the $ disappears on the next redraw.
Try This
Increase the chest count. Place 4 chests per floor instead of 2. More loot makes the game easier — is that better or worse?
Add a trapped chest. Roll an additional random check when opening. On a bad roll, the chest deals damage instead of giving loot. How would you communicate the trap to the player?