Rocket Science Games Three Game Sampler ** PLEASE register your copy of Rocket Science Games Three Game Sampler by returning the enclosed reply postcard, or if you prefer (and you have a modem), you can register electronically: * Place the Rocket Science Games Three Game Sampler disc into your CD-ROM drive. * At the C:\> prompt type: D: [Enter] * At the D:\> prompt type: REGISTER [Enter] * Follow the prompts. When you are done entering your name and address the registration program will automatically dial our toll-free electronic registration phone number and register you in a matter of seconds! Note: This ReadMe file is several hundred lines long, so you may want to print it to read it more easily. 1.0 Requirements PC CD-ROM SPECS MPC Level 2 Required Input Devices: Keyboard and Joystick or Mouse Sound Devices: Sound Blaster, Ad Lib, General Midi or Compatible Graphics Supported: VGA Required Local Bus SVGA Recommended Not recommended for Matrox video cards. CD-ROM Drive: Double Speed RAM: 4MB RAM Required Processor: 486 or better Required DOS 5.0 or later Required 2.0 Setup You only need to do this the first time you play this Sampler. 2.1 To Setup (If you've already done this skip to section 2.2) For the purpose of these instructions, we assume that your CD-ROM drive is drive D. Depending on your configuration, your CD drive may be E, F, etc. Please substitute as needed. * Place the Rocket Science Games Three Game Sampler disc into your CD-ROM drive. * If you are running Windows, exit Windows by choosing "Exit to DOS" from the File menu in the Program Manager's menu bar. If you are running Windows95 then, from the task bar's Start menu select "Shut Down..." then select "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode?" and click "Yes" * At the C:\> prompt type: D: [Enter] * At the D:\> prompt type: ROCKET [Enter] After a few moments the Sound Configuration setup menu will appear. 2.1.1 Sound Configuration setup menu This menu allows you to choose the sources for digital audio (sound effects and voices) and MIDI music. "Auto configure MIDI and audio drivers" will be highlighted -- * To auto configure press [Enter]. Follow the set up program. * To choose other options, use your arrow keys to highlight your selection and press [Enter]. When the Sound Configuration setup is complete you will return to the Sound Configuration setup menu From this menu, you may test music or digital audio, Exit to DOS or Play Rocket Science Games Demo. 2.2 Starting the Demo from the DOS prompt * Place the Rocket Science Games Three Game Sampler disc into your CD-ROM drive. * At the C:\> prompt type: D: [Enter] * At the D:\> prompt type: ROCKET [Enter] 2.3 To Play a Game From the Sampler movie loop -- * Highlight "Loadstar", "C&D" (Cadillacs and Dinosaurs) or "Wing Nuts" by using the cursor keys on your keyboard. Then press [Enter]. 3.0 General Keyboard Controls for Rocket Science Three Game Sampler P - Pauses gameplay M - Switch to mouse input J - Switch to joystick input R - Reverse up and down motion of joystick/mouse F1 - Menu of Options F2 - Darkens screen (gamma down) F3 - Brightens screen (gamma up) F4 - Returns to default brightness setting F5 - Music volume down F6 - Music volume up F7 - Sound volume down F8 - Sound volume up ESC - Pauses game during play; Exits to Option Screen while Paused. 4.0 Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine (This sampler contains a portion of Level One only) 4.1 Story You are Tully Bodine, captain of the Loadstar. In level one, your mission is to procure a mysterious cargo in a race against time. Steer the Loadstar (using your right and left cursor keys) towards the observatory to pick up your load. 4.2 Controls In order to use a mouse, your computer must be configured with a mouse driver installed for DOS, not just Windows. Loadstar is played using a keyboard with either a joystick or mouse. * Your Gunsight is controlled by your joystick or mouse. * Steering and weapons are controlled with your keyboard. This is a two-handed game! The player will normally have one hand on the keyboard for steering/shields/horn and one on the mouse/joystick for aiming and shooting. * Loadstar will default to keyboard and mouse controls. If you have a joystick, press J during gameplay to switch to joystick input. 4.2.1 Keyboard Steer by using the cursor keys or the A, D, S, W keys as follows: Up or W - Shield blocks all oncoming attacks Left or A - Steers Left Right or D - Steers Right Down or S - Horn used to avoid oncoming traffic or slowpokes The A,S,D,W keys are provided as an alternative to the arrow key cluster for left-handed players or players that find having their left hand on the right side of the keyboard awkward. There is no "keyboard only" mode. Loadstar requires a mouse or joystick. 4.3 On Screen Displays Driving the Loadstar requires some knowledge of its systems and status displays. Pay careful attention to the damage meter. Upper left of the screen * ARRIVAL displays the amount of time left to complete your mission. * SHIELDS indicates the energy available for your shield. When the shield is activated it drains energy very quickly. When this meter reaches 0% your shield becomes disabled. Shield energy will recharge over time once the shield has been turned off or becomes disabled. Top Center of the screen * The heading indicator points the way to your destination. Bottom left of the screen * You'll pick up Fuel if you make it to Level 3 (not available in this sampler). * ELEV measures the Loadstar's elevation from the track in centimeters. As the Loadstar receives damage, it will fall closer to the track until it comes to a grinding halt. Use this as a gauge to your vehicle's health. Bottom Center of the screen * MAGLEV is a meter of the well-being of your vehicle. This meter indicates the basic operating condition of the Loadstar - either "Optimal" or "Damage". To minimize damage, activate the shield. Turn the shield on and off with the up arrow on your keyboard. Bottom Right of the screen * The Hull Integrity Indicator shows which part of your vehicle was last hit. Hitting slowpokes will result in hull damage. Use your horn to honk them out of your way. 4.4 How to Play Not everyone wants you to reach your goal. The police, for one, would like to stop you. Your shield is your best protection from damage caused by enemy fire or SAPs (small unmanned police vehicles) crashing into your vehicle. Turn your shield on and off by pressing the up arrow of your keyboard when you see danger approaching. When your shield is activated it drains energy very quickly. Watch your shield status meter, when it reaches 0% your shield becomes disabled and will turn off leaving you unprotected. Shield energy will recharge over time once the shield has been turned off or becomes disabled. * Sometimes you just have to shoot back! Aim your gunsight using your mouse or joystick. Fire with your left mouse button or trigger. 4.4.1 Hints You'll take damage if you run into the back of another freighter. Use your horn (the down arrow on your keyboard) to tell them to get out of your way! Your gun can be used as a defensive weapon, use it to deflect oncoming enemy gunfire. If you listen to Mort, he'll guide you to a maintenance bay to repair damage before the last leg of your journey. The Mars Administration Marshals or MAM has deployed an experimental military vehicle to defend the area near the base of the observatory. It is heavily armed and gunning for you. You must destroy this vehicle to reach your goal. 5.0 Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (This sampler contains Chapter One only) 5.1 Story Hundreds of years into the future, you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic jungle. Your job is to help Jack Tenrec and Hannah Dundee get through. Getting there isn't necessarily easy, there are many paths through the Jungle, some quick but difficult, some short yet treacherous. Every path is filled with obstacles. Use your gun to clear the path but be careful not to shoot any living creatures. 5.2 The Control Screen Cadillacs & Dinosaurs can be played using the keyboard and/or a mouse or joystick. Choose "More..." from the Option Screen to jump to the Control Screen. The Control Screen helps you to select your choice of input device for steering and aiming while giving you an overview of your keyboard, mouse and joystick controls. The control screen will recognize whether you have a mouse or joystick installed properly for use with Cadillacs and Dinosaurs. In order to use a mouse your computer must be configured with a mouse driver installed for DOS, not just Windows. 5.2.1 Control Set Up Choose your preference for steering control by using the right and left arrow keys on your keyboard to select your choice. * Press the down arrow key to choose your preference for aiming control. * If you choose keyboard to steer, you can select keyboard, mouse or joystick for aiming. If you choose mouse or joystick to steer, you must aim with that same device. * Once you have selected steering and aiming preferences, use the down arrow key on your keyboard to highlight "Continue" and press [Enter]. 5.2.3 General Keyboard Controls (always active) Ctrl - Shoots gun to blow obstacles out of your path. Hold down to supercharge your gun. Alt - Engine boost helps to jump cracks in the roadway. 5.3 On Screen Displays * Clock - You have one hour to prevent the Second Cataclysm! The clock normally runs in real time but, your skill can affect it. Killing or wounding animals speeds up the clock; preserving their lives slows it down. * Damage - Jack's beefed-up '53 Cadillac will sustain damage from ammo hits, bumps and slither nudges. You loose a life if the damage meter hits the max! * Lives - You get three chances to save the world from Scharnhorst and her poachers. * Score - You earn points for good shooting and driving skills. 5.4 How to Play Don't just shoot. Hold down the trigger for a supercharged gun which clears away up to three obstacles in one shot. Don't shoot the crystals, drive over them for a quick repair job (and maybe more!). Use the turbo boost to regain traction in sticky situations. 5.5 Hints If you think that you're driving in circles, you probably are; listen to Hannah and try a different route. It's easy to get lost in the Jungle but there is always a way out. If a path appears blocked, you may have missed a turn before the barrier. When you see a dinosaur off the road, remember they can see you too! Look out - you may be seeing them again soon. Sometimes you need to steer precisely to get past an obstacle. Occasionally you need to hit obstacles in the road to jump over cracks. Try different driving techniques if you are having trouble. 6.0 Wing Nuts (This sampler contains a portion of Level Two only) 6.1 Story Belleville, France 1917. Take to the skies in your Sopwith Camel with your rag-tag squadron of flying aces to rid the skies of the evil Prussian chowderheads. Dogfight your way through to your mission objective; cut off the enemy supply line by bombing a bridge. 6.2 Controls 6.2.1 Joystick Controls Aiming - Joystick Shooting - Button 1 Bombing - Button 2 6.2.2 Mouse Controls Aiming - Mouse Shooting - Left Button Bombing - Right Button 6.2.3 Keyboard Controls Aiming - Cursor Keys Shooting - Alt Bombing - Ctrl 6.3 On Screen Display * On the top left side of the screen is a meter that indicates your health. * On the top right side of the screen is a meter that indicates your opponent's health. * At the bottom center of the screen you will find your gun temperature gauge. You have an unlimited supply of bullets but you should monitor this gauge - if your guns get too hot they may jam. You do not want to your guns to overheat during a dogfight. * The bombs at the bottom left hand corner of the screen indicate the number of bombs remaining. 6.4 How to Play 6.4.1 Offensive Maneuvers * Use the arrow keys on your keyboard or your mouse or joystick to aim your cursor. * Fire using the [Alt] key on your keyboard, left mouse button or the trigger of your joystick. 6.4.2 Evasive Maneuvers * Use the arrow keys of your keyboard or your mouse or joystick to direct your plane in evasive maneuvers. * Use the evade cursor as your guide to successfully escape an enemy attack. * The circle in the center of the evade cursor will help you to find a safe path. * Press the left mouse button when it is safe to evade. When the circle is: yellow - proceed with caution green - that direction is clear, move fast red - head another way 6.4.3 Mission Objectives To aim for your Mission Objective align your cursor with the targeting indicator and drop a bomb using the [Alt] key on your keyboard, the right mouse button, the second button on your joystick, or the spacebar. You get 3 attempts to complete your mission objective. Failure to destroy the objective sends you back to the beginning of the level. 7.0 Technical Support If you have any trouble running the Rocket Science Games Three Game Sampler, please review the tips above. If you are still having trouble, please call our Technical Support line at 415/284-0900. If you wish to contact us for any other reason, please use any of the following addresses. Please include an address or phone number where we can reach you. U.S. Mail: Three Game Sampler Rocket Science Games, Inc. 139 Townsend, Suite 100 San Francisco, CA. 94107 FAX: 415/442-5001 E-MAIL: demodisk@rocketsci.com 8.0 Thanks Thank you for your interest in Rocket Science Games. We hope you enjoy this disc!