Welcome to the Locus DOS Demo. Locus DOS Demo version 1.0 (c) 1995 Zombie LLC. All rights reserved. Minimum Requirements ==================== 486DX2/66 with 8 MB RAM or better double speed CD-ROM drive mouse VESA-compatible graphics card with 512K video memory 16-bit sound card speakers or headphones -- Supported Soundcards -- Card: Notes: ------------------------------------------------------------ Adaptec SCSI Audio Edge emulates Microsoft Sound System Adaptec SCSI AudioMachine emulates Microsoft Sound System Diamond Sonic Sound 32 Ensoniq Soundscape Use MPU 401 Midi Epson ESS audiodrive ESS 488/688 Audiodrive Gravis Ultrasound must run LOADPATS.EXE Gravis Ultrasound Max must run LOADPATS.EXE Microsoft Sound System Multiwave Wave Platinum 16 emulates Microsoft Sound System Orchid Sound Wave32 emulates Microsoft Sound System Pro Audio Spectrum 16 Roland RAP-10 Sound Blaster ASP/16 Sound Blaster AWE32 -- optional -- joystick i-glasses! by Virtual i-O DOS Installation Instructions ============================= Place the Locus CD into the CD-ROM drive. To launch the game, type x: (then hit the enter key) cd \locus (then hit the enter key) locus (then hit the enter key) where x is the letter representing your CD-ROM drive. This will be D or E on most systems. This will automatically launch the Locus Install program. Locus Install will ask you if you want to do a full installation or a half installation. Full installation copies all files from the CD to your hard disk. This requires about 25 megabytes of space, but allows you to play without using the CD. Half installalation copies only the executable and necessary support files to your hard drive. This takes only 5 megabytes of space, but requires you to have the Locus CD in its drive to play the game. Upon completion of Locus Install, Locus Setup will run. This utility allows you to select video and audio hardware options. After choosing the settings you want, select "Play Locus" from the current menu. At this point, you'll be asked if you want to save your settings. After saving, Locus Setup will close and the game will begin. -- additional information -- For users with 8 MB RAM or those having memory problems on running Locus, we recommend that you turn off smartdrv.exe, which may be run from config.sys or autoexec.bat. Also, adding the parameter "noems" to the EMM386 command in your config.sys will help free up conventional memory, if this is a problem. Playing Locus After the Initial Installation ============================================ You need only go through the above installation and setup procedure the first time you play Locus. After that, you can launch the game simply by typing c:\locus\locus (NOTE: if you did a "half installation", you need to have the Locus CD in its drive to play). ----- Important note for Gravis Ultrasound owners ----- Before running Locus, you must be sure to load our midi patches into the Gravis Ultrasound's memory. To do this, run the utility loadpats.exe found in c:\locus\drivers as follows: c:\locus\drivers\loadpats.exe c:\locus\locus Changing Video and Audio Settings ================================= If you want to change video or audio options for the game, type x: (then hit the enter key) cd \locus (then hit the enter key) setup (then hit the enter key) where x is the name of the drive that you installed locus to. Game Play ================================= Locus takes place in arenas orbiting Earth, circa 2095. You are one of few who have been selected to play on a Locus team. The earthbound masses watch you, totally addicted to the game play. Reflecting the anarchistic character of the sport, arena design varies wildly according to the whims of the team who calls it home. Each arena takes different skills to master. Three teams play at a time in a triad of three games in three arenas (the arenas being those belonging to each of the teams). If you can win a majority of games in a triad, your proven skills will be rewarded (in the full version) by triads in new arenas against new teams, and by promotion to more advanced teams. In the demo you are playing, you will be able to play in only one triad as a member of only one team. When playing a game, you will try to eliminate the other two teams by scoring in their goals three times each, while defending your own goal. If your opponents shoot three balls in your goal your team is eliminated and the game is lost. A tunnel race, a faceoff where the balls emerged, the arena's power core, a computer-controlled partner in your team, and gadgets that play with your cycle's capabilities and dynamics all add variety and challenge to the game. >From your point of view, you can see the front of your cycle and elements of the heads-up display. The arrow at the front of the cycle points in the direction of the nearest ball, then points to the nearest goal once you have a ball. The red bar indicates cycle power. You get more power after scoring or after driving under a power beam. The moving green arrow to your right indicates your current direction and velocity. A target appears around opponent cycles in your line of fire. And the score bars on the top of the screen show you who is in play and how well each team is doing. Watch out for opponents who might shoot and ram you to steal your ball. Or do it to them first! Controls =================================== When playing the game, use the following controls: Mouse movement controls movement. Left mouse button fires. Right mouse button toggles magnet, which allows you to pick up and shoot balls. Space bar jumps. Arrow keys control head movement, changing your view (in an HMD, just look around). 'c' centers your view. '.' pauses. toggles a map view, which allows you to view the arena from above. quits the current level, cancels the current game, and returns you to the user interface. All controls can be configured from the options menu in the user interface. ================================= Network play for 2 to 9 people is available in the full version. Watch for the full version of Locus coming to stores this November for DOS and Windows95. Distributed by GT Interactive Software. For ordering information, call 1 800-610-GTIS, or visit http://www.gtinteractive.com. Produced and developed by Zombie Virtual Reality Entertainment. For technical support or comments, email drtrouble@zombie.com. Visit the Zombie homepages at http://www.zombie.com.