I'm doing a first release of Ironband today, hoping to pick up any
problems with the distribution. It works for me but I've not tested it
on any other computer, so now seems like a good time.

The links are:
[Windows binary]  http://orbquest.googlecode.com/files/Ironband_WinBinary_22Nov07.zip
[Source]  http://orbquest.googlecode.com/files/Ironband_Source_22Nov07.zip

Compiling from source should be the same as for NPP (from which
Ironband is forked, all kudos to the NPP developers!) If anyone wants
to submit binaries for platforms other than Windows they will be
gratefully received and distributed.

Any feedback welcome, including but not limited to:
- broken link or unreadable zipfile
- compiling problems (porting issues in general)
- bugs
- immediately evident problems with interface
- anything missing from the distribution package.

Other than that, I hope y'all enjoy playing the game as much as I've
enjoyed developing it. Look forward to YAFVP.

If you're going to play the game I think you should also look at
'IRONBAND-README.txt', as some of the kewl new features could give you
a surprise if you don't know about them in advance. I've copied out
the 'why should you play this game' list from the README below.

Best,
A.

Why should you play Ironband?
===========================

1. No more 'game of shopping' - you never need to pick stuff up just
to sell it.

2. 'Too much junk' is pretty much fixed (with changes to item
probabilities, all characters able to use all items, some crap items
removed, changes to identification, etc - and with no shops you need
to keep a lot more of the stuff you find!)

3. Many of the problems which make normal Ironman games very
challenging are fixed in Ironband (for example, stat drain is a
problem but not a huge one, and spellbooks are more resistant to
fire).

4. No more warriors wielding whips - go for a heavy weapon to do more
damage (if your Strength is high enough).

5. No more boring stat gain period - your stats increase throughout
the entire game without needing to collect potions.

6. Having nine stats is cool especially when you can decide which ones
to raise. No more 'all endgame characters look the same'.

7. Lots of interesting resource allocation issues because your SPs
only regenerate when you go downstairs. Will you use your precious SPs
for a big fight, or to create some food for later, or to identify the
items you found, or...?

8. With many types of escape restricted, you actually have to kill the
monsters :) (or sneak around them).