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1993-02-16
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Dreadnoughts v1.11 [Feb 93]
===========================
Commodore Amiga
===============
Please note
-----------
1) Before playing Dreadnoughts please make a backup of the master
disk and store it in a safe place. To do so use the duplicate
command from the Workbench, or the DiskCopy command.
2) Dreadnoughts can be played from the CLI, by auto-booting
from DF0:, or from Workbench.
3) Under no circumstances should you change, delete, or
rename any of the files. The SavedGames directory is empty,
but is used by the program, and should be included on your
backup disk.
4) When entering a list of commands, input may be terminated by
pressing escape, or by selecting finish from the Signal Book.
5) Pressing function key 10 (F10) is a fast way of ending the game.
6) If you choose to auto-save game data, then leave the program disk
in DF0: (or whatever it's called).
7) Dreadnoughts v1.11 can be played on a machine with only 512K RAM.
However, there are some limitations:-
a) The game can only be started by auto-booting from DF0:
b) Sounds effects will not play.
c) Access to the Chart Table *may* be denied, owing to lack of
memory. If this happens, the screen will "beep" when you try to
activate the Chart Table. You will have to use the sighting
command instead.
d) If memory is *very* short the screen will be re-drawn when the
Signal Book (see below) is closed. Dreadnoughts is trying to
conserve memory - after all, the battle *must* continue!
e) The Telescope and helm controls are not rendered correctly. If
this ever happens, then things are getting desperate! The helm
and telescope will be drawn, but not filled with colour as the
Amiga has none to spare But the game *will* go on!
f) "Not enough memory ..." - appears on the text area (bottom of
the screen). There is not even enough memory to restore the
gunsmoke! The only thing to do is exit the game at one, and
try to play the game with a smaller stack size.
8) Players with 1Mb of memory (or more) may encounter any of points
7.b - 7.f if you have other tasks running at the same time.
9) Depending on how much memory is available (any machine) Dreadnoughts
*may* have to close the Workbench. This will not close down any
tasks that were running, and the Workbench will be re-opened once
the game ends.
Installing
----------
Hard disk users should copy the entire contents of the
game disk (including sub-directories). To start the game
change the current directory to where Dreadnoughts is
located and enter "Dreadnoughts". Or, double-click on the
Dreadnoughts icon.
Single drive users should reset the Amiga with the game
disk in DF0, or double-click on the Dreadnoughts icon.
As an alternative, you can start the game by entering the CLI,
changing the current directory to where Dreadnoughts is located,
and then enter "Dreadnoughts".
Once started from the CLI (or Shell), Dreadnoughts will detach
itself allowing you to use the CLI/Shell, or close it.
Additional features
-------------------
1) Signal Book
Orders can be entered entirely by using the mouse and the signal
book. To open the signal book simply click on its title bar (with
the left mouse button) and it will appear in full.
Only legal options for any command will appear, and if there are
more than one pages worth of options then the page forward and
page back (Page -> and <- Page) entries are highlighted.
When you have finished entering an order, click on the Send option.
If you have made a mistake, then Erase will ditch the entire order.
Once you have entered all the orders you wish to, click on Finish.
To close the Signal Book, click on the title bar.
2) Chart Table
Click on the title bar of the Chart Table for it to be shown in full.
The chart drawn shows all the ships in sight, and also a circle
indicates the approximate limit of visibility (the flagship is always
in the exact centre of the chart).
To identify a ship on the chart from its name in the side menus,
click on its name and a line is drawn to its position. Clicking on
its name a second time will remove the line.
Alternatively, by clicking on a ship from the chart a line is drawn
to its name in the menus.
If there are more ships visible then there is room in the menus, then
the page forward and page backward options become operable.
3) Changing Flagships
A new command was implemented after the manual was printed.
CONVEY MY FLAG TO THE <SHIP>
Where <SHIP> is the name of any ship in your fleet that is
within 2,000 yards, and it is safe to cross to it. If you
safely cross, the new ship becomes your flagship.
Other points to note
--------------------
An option to view what the program is doing has been included.
Serious players will want this off, as it gives an insight as
to what the enemy is doing. However, it shows you the thinking
process of the game.
An option to auto-save the game has also been included. Choosing
this will save the game every simulated hour. Remember, your
working copy of Dreadnoughts should be write-enabled in order to
allow game data to be saved.
Maps
----
The Jutland scenario is shown on the large scale chart.
On the reverse side, the charts refer to the scenarios as follows:
Top left Canopus and Coronel
Top right Falklands
Bottom left Dogger Bank
Bottom right Seatrial and Channel Patrol
Taking the helm
---------------
To take the ships wheel and steer the ship yourself, type
helm. You can enter orders as you would from the bridge, but
unlike the bridge, pressing escape will display the helm
controls.
After altering speed and bearing (with the arrow keys), press
return to execute your orders.
Workbench
---------
Dreadnoughts is a multi-tasking application that runs under
Intuition. If you have enough memory you can run other tasks
as well. Use the Amiga-left and N/M keys to flip between
Dreadnoughts and other screens.
Scenario disks
--------------
Two scenario disks (with charts) are available at extra cost.
The BISMARCK scenario disk covers the period 1939-1943 and
includes the following battles:
The Battle of the River Plate 1939
The Battle of Denmark Straight 1941
Attack by Tribal Class Destroyers 1941
The Sinking of the Bismarck 1941
The Battle of Java Sea 1942
The Battle of North Cape 1943
The Ironclads scenario disk covers the Sino-Japanese War of
1894 and the Russian-Japanese War of 1904/5. Battles included:
The Battle of Yalu 1894
The Battle of the Yellow Sea 1904
The Battle of Ulsan 1904
The Battle of Tsushima 1905
Ordering
--------
Both scenario disks are available at £16.95 (pounds sterling)
from your local dealer, or direct from Turcan Research at:
Turcan Research Systems Ltd
83 Greencroft Gardens
West Hampstead
London NW6 3LJ
ENGLAND
Mastercard or Visa orders welcome. Telephone orders accepted on
+44 (0)71 625 8455.
One Final point
---------------
If Dreadnoughts crashes on you, please give it more stack to play
with. A minimum of 16K is recommended, and CLI users should set
the size of the stack prior to running Dreadnoughts.
Credits
-------
Dreadnoughts was designed and programmed by Dr Peter Turcan,
a military historian and professional programmer.
The translation and development of Dreadnoughts for the Amiga
was carried out by David Janda, a freelance programmer and
computer journalist.
David Janda can be contacted on the following networks:-
FidoNet David Janda@2:253/510.11
AmigaNet David Janda@39:139/1.11
DJ - London, 16/2/93.