System Requirements

To run Deadly Tide, you need:

•	Personal computer with a Pentium® 75 MHz or higher processor.

•	8 MB or more of RAM.

•	25 MB of available hard disk space.

•	4X CD-ROM drive or faster.

•	PCI SVGA video with 1 MB of memory.

•	256-Color display.

•	Microsoft® Windows® 95 operating system or later.

•	Mouse or other pointing device.

•	Joystick or other flight control recommended.

•	Sound board and speakers or headphones to hear audio.


To Set Up Deadly Tide

1	Turn on your computer and start Windows 95.

2	Insert Deadly Tide Disc 1 in the CD-ROM drive.

If AutoRun is enabled on your computer, Deadly Tide Setup starts automatically. Click Install to continue.

If AutoRun is disabled, continue with steps 3 and 4.

3	Double-click the My Computer icon, and then double-click the icon for the CD-ROM drive.

4	Double-click the Setup icon.


To Start Deadly Tide

1	Insert a Deadly Tide disc in the CD-ROM drive. For first-time pilots, insert Disc 1. For those continuing the battle, insert the disc that contains the last level you played. Levels are labeled on each disc.

If AutoRun is enabled on your computer, the Deadly Tide Setup dialog box appears. Click Play to continue.

If AutoRun is disabled, continue with steps 2 and 3.

2	Click the Start button, point to Programs, and then point to Microsoft Games.

3	Click Deadly Tide.


The Alien Threat

What if the enemy were no longer out there in space, but right here on Earth, building massive fortifications in our oceans? What if the enemy's presence and mission to exterminate the human race had finally been discovered? Those pounding explosions you hear, they're only the beginning--the beginning of the end of humanity. And only you can stop it.

As a 26th century Earth Oceans Alliance (EOA) hydrofighter pilot, your mission is to destroy the aquatic-based aliens and their relentless fleet. Armed with the latest in underwater technology, you are Earth's only hope for victory. Some missions put you in the cockpit of the Hydra, a sleek, deadly hydrofighter prototype. Others take advantage of your aquatic combat suit's deep sea–pressure handling capabilities. The action begins in an EOA hydrofighter hangar and intensifies at the ruins of the Ballard in a nonstop, suffocating race against time. Escape from the enemy compound while fending off pounding alien gunfire--if you can …

Relentless encounters with these powerful biomechanical aliens continually challenge you to make strategic as well as combative choices. The aliens' underwater defensive shield will vaporize human craft--can the shield be disabled, or is there a way around it? A found crystal may help you to navigate an alien ship, or it could explode upon contact--do you risk the chance? The wrong answers mean certain death.


How to Play

Your objective is to save Earth from the alien threat. To ensure success, remember the following:

•	Shoot everything that shoots at you.

•	Keep an eye on your HUD, and closely monitor your weapon temperature gauge and shield integrity indicator. The first instrument determines when you're about to lose your weapon power. The second indicates when you're about to die.

•	Listen carefully to the Comp. She will provide critical information for completing your missions and for survival.

•	There are two modes of play. In flight mode, Navigational Control handles your steering. In rotate mode, your forward movement stops and you can rotate as if in a sphere. Both modes are signaled by the rotate/flight indicator on your HUD. Use your joystick to aim and fire!

•	Select your paths carefully. When you need to select a path in rotate mode, press joystick button 2 or the right mouse button. To select a path in flight mode, simply aim your cross-hairs in the direction you want to go.

•	And never forget--the EOA is counting on you!


The Pilot Control Center

After starting Deadly Tide, you’ll be launched into the Pilot Control Center--the place to sign-in, customize your controls, fine-tune your cockpit, and plunge into combat. To return to the Pilot Control Center at any time during gameplay, press F3 or PAUSE.


Pilot sign-in box

To add a pilot, click Add, and then type another name.

To delete a pilot, select the name, and then click Delete.


Mouse and Joystick

If a joystick is detected during Setup, the Joystick button is selected automatically. If you prefer aiming with a mouse, click the Mouse button.


Calibrate

To calibrate your joystick, click Calibrate, and then follow the instructions in the Joystick Properties dialog box.


Flip Direction

Tired of your cross-hairs moving up when pulling your joystick or mouse back? Click Flip Direction and reverse the trend.


Graphic Quality

Level III represents the highest graphic quality and is also the default. If Deadly Tide is running slowly on your machine, try decreasing the graphic quality to improve performance.


Difficulty

Choose a higher difficulty level, and the rate and accuracy of enemy fire will automatically increase. Decrease the difficulty level, and the enemy will not only lose its targeting edge, but your shield repair rate will increase as well.

Level III represents the highest difficulty level; the default is Level II.


Volume

Cockpit too noisy? Slide down the Volume control, or press F4 during gameplay to mute the sound altogether.


Start

To begin battle, click Start.


Exit

To exit Deadly tide, click Exit.


About

Click About to see who had a hand at orchestrating Deadly Tide.


Help

Need Help? Click Help in the Pilot Control Center, or press F1 at any point during gameplay.


Signing In

The first time Deadly Tide is played, the default pilot in the Pilot sign-in box is the registered user.

To add a pilot, click Add, and then type another name.

To delete a pilot from the drop-down list, select the name, and then click Delete.

The Pilot sign-in box can contain several names. This way, different pilots can use the same discs without affecting each others’ games.

After entering a new name in the Pilot sign-in box during gameplay, you will restart Deadly Tide from the beginning. If you switch to an existing pilot’s name during gameplay, you will start Deadly Tide from that particular pilot’s last save point.


Save Point
Each battle, or level, has multiple save points. When you exit Deadly Tide, the game automatically saves from the last save point in the level you last played.


Joystick vs. Mouse

You can sight your targets with either a joystick or a mouse. If a joystick is detected during Setup, it is selected automatically. If you prefer aiming with a mouse, click the Mouse button, under Controls in the Pilot Control Center.

See Also

Joystick Calibration

Flip Direction


Joystick Calibration

To calibrate your joystick, click Calibrate, and then follow the instructions in the Joystick Properties dialog box.


Flip Direction

To reverse the direction your cross-hairs move when you pull your joystick or mouse up or back, click Flip Direction.


Starting a Battle

To begin battle, click Start in the Pilot Control Center.


Pausing a Battle

A reprieve is often necessary, no matter what your line of business.

To pause while playing, press F3 or PAUSE and reenter the Pilot Control Center for a well-deserved break.

To return to battle from the Pilot Control Center, click Continue, and you’re back on your way.


Saving a Battle

When you exit a battle--and even as you’re playing--Deadly Tide automatically saves for you.


Exiting the Game

To exit the game, press F3 or PAUSE to return to the Pilot Control Center, and then click Exit.


Keys to Remember

To	Press
Fire lasers or the forearm blaster	Joystick trigger or left mouse button
Fire Aquatic Concussion Torpedoes	SPACEBAR
Select a path in rotate mode	Joystick button 2 or right mouse button
Go to the Pilot Control Center	F3 or PAUSE
Pause	F3 or PAUSE
Toggle sound off and on	F4
Access online Help	F1
Exit Deadly Tide	F3, and then click Exit in the Pilot Control Center


HUD 101
Introduction to HUD 101

Your head-up display, or HUD, will vary depending on whether you’re navigating the Hydra or exploring the terrain in your aquatic combat suit. Two instruments are vital on either HUD: the shield integrity indicator and the engagement conditions bar.

All HUDs also display the rotate/flight indicator, signaling which steering mode is activated.

See Also

The Hydra’s HUD


The Hydra's HUD
The Hydra’s HUD

As with the aquatic combat suit’s HUD, two essential gauges on your Hydra’s HUD are the shield integrity indicator and the engagement conditions bar.

Specific to the Hydra’s HUD are the weapon temperature gauge and the Aquatic Concussion Torpedo count.


Engagement Conditions Bar

The engagement conditions bar alerts you of your mission’s status. Refer to it often and keep abreast of your situation at all times.


Shield Integrity Indicator

Lose your shields and you can be sure that you’re dead.

Blue = full strength

Green = light damage

Yellow = heavy damage

Red = critical depletion


Rotate/Flight Indicator

When rotate mode is activated, Navigational Control stops your forward movement, allowing you to rotate and survey the scene.

When flight mode is activated, Navigational Control performs the steering functions, so that you can concentrate on the fighting.


Aquatic Concussion Torpedo Count

The Aquatic Concussion Torpedo count indicates how many ACTs you have in your arsenal. Press the SPACEBAR to activate this high-powered weapon but use it sparingly. ACTs are only supplied at the beginning of each level.


Weapon Temperature Gauge

The advantage of shooting from the Hydra is that its lasers have rapid-fire capability. Be aware, however, that excessive rapid fire may result in overheating. If your lasers overheat, you will be unable to shoot for a few seconds--leaving you defenseless while they cool.

Blue = cool

Red = overheating


Rotate and Flight Indicators
Rotate/Flight Indicator

The rotate/flight indicator is located in the upper-left corner of both the aquatic combat suit and Hydra’s HUDs. The indicator toggles, depending on which mode is activated.

Rotate Indicator

Flight Indicator

See Also

Selecting a Path in Rotate Mode

Selecting a Path in Flight Mode


Weapon Temperature Gauge

The advantage of shooting from the Hydra is that its lasers have rapid-fire capability. Be aware, however, that excessive rapid fire may result in overheating. Watch your weapon temperature gauge closely, located on the left side of the Hydra’s HUD, especially when the gauge reads red. If your lasers overheat, you will be unable to shoot for a few seconds--leaving you momentarily defenseless while they cool.

	Blue = cool Red = overheating


Shield Integrity Indicator

Note the shield integrity indicator, located on the right side of all HUDs, especially during moments of heavy combat. Once the gauge reads red, you’re almost dead.

	Blue = full strength Green = light damage Yellow = heavy damage Red = critical depletion


Engagement Conditions Bar

The engagement conditions bar, located at the bottom of all HUDs, alerts you of your mission’s status. Refer to it often and keep abreast of your situation at all times.


Aquatic Concussion Torpedo Count

One advantage of shooting from the Hydra is that it can carry Aquatic Concussion Torpedoes. The Aquatic Concussion Torpedo count, located on the bottom left of your Hydra’s HUD, indicates how many ACTs you have in your arsenal.

Press the SPACEBAR to activate this high-powered weapon but use it sparingly. ACTs are only supplied at the beginning of each level.


Selecting a Path with Navigational Control
Navigational Control

Navigational Control is a highly advanced steering system utilized by all EOA vessels. It employs two modes: flight and rotate. These modes also affect your play. When either mode is activated, the flight or rotate indicator appears in the upper-left corner of your HUD.

In flight mode, Navigational Control steers your vessel for you. Use the joystick or mouse to aim and fire.

In rotate mode, Navigational Control brings your vessel to a stop. Use your joystick or mouse to rotate and shoot.


Selecting a Path in Flight Mode

 When flight mode is activated, the flight indicator appears in the upper-left corner of your HUD and Navigational Control performs steering functions for you. Where you move your cross-hairs will not affect where Navigational Control moves you, unless you’re at a specific path juncture.

The Comp will alert you when selecting a path is necessary.

Aim your cross-hairs in the direction you want to go--and live with your decision.


Selecting a Path in Rotate Mode

 When rotate mode is activated, the rotate indicator appears in the upper-left corner of your HUD and Navigational Control stops your forward movement, allowing you to rotate and survey the scene. Beware of enemies, doubtlessly coming at you from all sides.

When your cross-hairs change into an arrow, aim in the direction you want to go.

Press joystick button 2 or your right mouse button.


Sighting and Destroying Your Targets

Your enemies are everywhere. With lasers and your forearm blaster as your standard weaponry, lock your cross-hairs onto an enemy target and they will change in both color and size.

To shoot, press your joystick trigger or left mouse button.


Forearm Blaster

Your aquatic combat suit is a deadly weapon when you fire its forearm blaster. Blast away, but note that rapid fire is not accessible when using this weapon.


Lasers

The Hydra’s standard weapon is the laser. Use the rapid-fire option cautiously and keep an eye on your HUD’s weapon temperature gauge. If you overheat, you’re without weapon power until your lasers cool down.


Aquatic Concussion Torpedoes

Lasers aren’t the only weapons that you can wield on the Hydra. Aquatic Concussion Torpedoes, or ACTs, are the latest in underwater weaponry. One torpedo can wipe out an entire fleet of alien ships. ACTs are limited, however, and are only issued at the beginning of each level. Keep track of your supply by monitoring your HUD’s Aquatic Concussion Torpedo count.

To trigger an ACT, press the SPACEBAR.


The Comp

Your most dependable ally is the Comp. This transportable computer will offer life-saving advice and information at various points during battle. In the Hydra, the Comp is part of the ship’s computer. In your aquatic combat suit, she becomes part of the suit’s built-in computer system. When you’re aboard the Hastings, she resides within your personal data terminal.


The Vidlink

The Vidlink is a two-way HDTV located on the Hastings. An earlier prototype of the Vidlink is also located on the Hydra. You’ll receive mission briefings from your commander through the Vidlink.


Graphic Quality

Deadly Tide examines the capabilities of your graphics hardware and drivers to determine available graphic quality modes. Depending on your hardware, some modes may cause the game to run more slowly.

If Deadly Tide is running slowly, try decreasing your graphic quality to improve performance. After adjusting your graphic quality, you will be prompted to begin Deadly Tide from your last save point.

Level III represents the highest graphic quality mode and is the default. Level I represents the lowest graphic quality mode.


Difficulty Level

Choose a higher difficulty level, and the rate and accuracy of enemy fire will automatically increase. Decrease the difficulty level, and the enemy will not only lose its targeting edge, but your shield repair rate will increase as well.

Level III represents the highest difficulty level; the default is Level II.


Volume

To adjust the volume in your cockpit, move the Volume slider.

To switch the sound on and off during gameplay, press F4.