Stars! V2.0b Shareware Version ===================================================== What's Stars! all about? ----------------------------------------------------- Stars! is the only full-blown interstellar strategy game for Microsoft Windows that's fast-paced and simple to play while allowing you to carry out complex and clever strategies. You'll build starships, discover and colonize new planets, research new technologies, manage the essential elements of world economies, defend your empire and (no guarantees here) destroy all your enemies. One or more people can play, on a single machine, across a network, over modems, email or computer bulletin boards. Complex computer players are available for both single and multi player games. A tutorial and an extensive help file will get you up to speed in no time. To begin the tutorial, start Stars!, press the New Game button and select Begin Tutorial. ===================================================== Stars! Highlights ----------------------------------------------------- - 6 Different interlocking research categories with 26 Tech Levels each! (Shareware version is limited to level 10) - Up to 16 players! - 30 fully configurable unique ship hulls to build custom ships! - Extended orders for ship movement allowing automation of menial tasks! - 4 Different levels of Computer players! - 35 different race attributes to tune a race! - Customizable races! (Registered version only) - Configurable battle plans! ===================================================== How do I setup Stars!? ----------------------------------------------------- 1) Create an new folder (directory) for Stars! on a hard drive. 2) Name the new folder Stars!. 3) Copy or download stars!2b.zip to the new folder. 4) Run "pkunzip stars!2b.zip" in the Stars! folder. The installation is complete. The Explorer should now show the following files in the Stars! folder: stars!2b.zip -- the Stars! 2.0b shareware zip file License.txt -- legal stuff Order.txt -- Stars! registration and order form Read20a.txt -- 2.0a release notes Read20b.txt -- 2.0b release notes Readme.txt -- 2.0 general info Readme20.txt -- 2.0 release notes Stars!.exe -- Stars! program Stars!.hlp -- Stars! online help * keep the Stars! program and help files in the same folder Create a Program Manager or desktop icon for STARS!.EXE and you're ready to go. ===================================================== What are the system requirements for running Stars!? ----------------------------------------------------- Operating Systems Supported: Microsoft Windows 3.11, and 3.11 WFW Microsoft Windows NT Microsoft Windows 95 Memory requirements: 4MB RAM 8MB is preferred Disk space requirement: 6MB for program and help files Video display: Color displays only 800x600x256 or better is strongly recommended 640 by 480 is playable but cramped 16 color mode decreases image clarity ===================================================== How do I order the full version of Stars!? ----------------------------------------------------- Stars! 2.0b can be ordered by phone, mail or over the internet. Our internet distributor is: WebMap Internet Services http://www.webmap.com/stars! orders@webmap.com Our global mail order distributor is: Star Crossed Software 38451 Harrington Road Lebanon, OR 97355 Phone: (503) 451-1635 M-F 9am - 5pm PST Read ORDER.TXT for more info. Our mail order distributor in Europe is: Firma STC Auess. Grossweidenmuehlstr. 8 90419 Nuernberg Germany Call or email for pricing. phone: 0911-3 937 937 email: ba161@fim.uini-erlangen.de@internet or 100412,3266@compuserve.com ===================================================== What is shareware software all about? ----------------------------------------------------- This version of Stars! is Shareware. You can evaluate this product for up to 30 days without obligation; however, if you plan to continue using it after 30 days, you must register. Millions of computer users have found shareware to be the safest and most risk-free way to buy software. Independent shareware authors, like Ultimate Software, allow computer users to try out a program before buying it. Computer users can obtain a shareware copy of Stars! (or other shareware programs) for no-charge from a BBS or a friend, or for a small charge from a shareware disk vendor, retail store or flea market. If you find a shareware program to be useful and plan to continue using it after an evaluation period, then you are required to register it with the program's author. This will entitle you to receive the latest full-featured version of Stars!