HOWITZER
                   Version 0.93beta (9/01/93)
        by Randall Spangler (rspangle@micro.caltech.edu)

     Howitzer is still in beta-test, although by now it is very stable.
I'd appreciate feedback on game mechanics, playability, the manual, etc.

     Please do read the manual, especially the troubleshooting section
at the end.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Howitzer is one of a style of games known as "artillery" or "tank war"
games.  Tanks on a 2-D landscape lob shells at each other; the goal is to
be the last tank alive.  Tanks can be controlled by humans or the computer.
Howitzer has many exciting features, including:

*    Higher resolution - Howitzer runs in 800x600x256 Super-VGA graphics on
     any VESA-compatible card
*    Support for Adlib and Soundblaster compatible sound cards.
*    Pop-up help - Alt+H from any screen brings up a help window.
*    More realistic terrain and background, which generate in advance while
     the program waits for input
*    Over 60 types of ammunition, shields, guidance, etc. - including tank
     modifications such as armor, different bodies, and improved barrels
     and turrets.
*    All bullets and explosions are resolved simultaneously, instead of one
     bullet at a time.  (Yes, this means that bullets actually move AT THE
     SAME TIME explosions are happening.)
*    32-bit fixed point math and graphics, for quick and accurate modeling
     without a math coprocessor.
*    Six types of computer opponents
*    A beginner mode which removes some of the more complicated controls
     and equipment
*    Team mode (pit your friends against a few teams of computer opponents)

In order to provide this, Howitzer requires the following hardware and
software:

*    At least a 386-based machine
*    A video card capable of displaying 800x600x256, with VESA support via
     BIOS or a TSR (a freeware TSR, Univesa, is included with the Howitzer
     package)
*    432 KB of free memory (though you can get by with less if you have
     enough expanded memory- see Howitzer and Memory, section 7)

Howitzer will run better with the following:

*    A two or three button mouse, with its driver already installed
*    A 486-based or Pentium-based machine
*    540 KB or more free conventional memory
*    2048 KB or more of expanded memory

SHAREWARE:

     Howitzer is shareware; please see howitzer.txt for details.  It's cheap
     to register - $10, $5 if you're a full-time student, and a postcard
     if you live outside the US.

LIMITED WARRANTY:

     Howitzer is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind,
expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.  Use this program
at your own risk.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FILE LIST:

howitzer.exe	The executable
howitzer.txt	Documentation, ASCII format
howitzer.pif	PIF file for running Howitzer under Microsoft Windows

roman10.fnt	REQUIRED datafile
howlogo.bin	REQUIRED datafile

univesa.exe	VESA support TSR (freeware)
univesa.txt	Documentation for univesa

register.frm	Registration form
upgrade.txt	Notes on upgrading from a previous release of Howitzer
whatsnew.txt	Changes since previous revisions
readme.txt	This file
file_id.diz	Very short description

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

0.93beta is a bug-fix release - no major new spiffy features have been 
added, but I've fixed a pile of bugs.  If a previous release of Howitzer
refused to work on your computer, give 0.93beta a try.