Thanks for playing Descent! We've divided up the traditional "Read Me" file into specific categories, and placed some of these files in the "FAQs, netgames, troubleshooting" folder. Please consult each file for your individual needs:
"Read Me — Descent": This file. Please read it all.
"Orderform": The order form for the full commercial version of Descent. Please send it in!
"Multiplayer Games": Information on playing network and modem games of Descent.
"How To Set Up A Network Game": Information on setting up your net hardware & software.
"Troubleshooting Descent": If you have problems, come here for help.
System Software Requirements
You need some system software to play Descent which is not included in this StuffIt file.
• Sound Manager 3.1 or later is required.
• Apple Modem Tool is required to play modem games.
MacPlay isn't allowed to distribute Apple's system software electronically, but you can get it from various online sources maintained by Apple, or by purchasing the full version of Descent. See the "Troubleshooting Descent" file for pointers to electronic sources of this system software.
In addition to the above listed software, we've included Novell's MacIPX® network software, which can be used to play games using IPX instead of AppleTalk (and we recommend this).
System Hardware Requirements
Descent requires any Power Macintosh computer (or compatible) with a 13" or larger (that is, 640 x 480 or larger) color monitor, 9MB free hard disk space, and 7000K free memory. Of this free memory, 3000K may be free virtual memory.
If you are going to play a multiplayer game (modem, serial, or network), then Descent will need 8000K free memory.
We recommend the fastest Power Mac available with 10000K free memory, with virtual memory turned off. Most Descent players also prefer playing the game with a joystick.
The full, 30-level version of the game additionally requires a CD-ROM drive and a total of 16MB free hard disk space.
Playing Descent
The year is 2132. You are an outside contractor working for the Post Terran Minerals Corporation, a company known for its power, technology, and shameless materialism. Rumor has it the untouchable PTMC has a serious problem with its planetary mining network... you are ordered to report for a briefing...
Descent is a heart-pounding, gun-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat experience. Following are a few pointers on how to easily get inside and move around the Descent universe.
Installation & Setup
If you have Sound Manager 3.1 (or later) installed on your Power Mac, and you have the Apple Modem Tool installed (if you plan to play modem games), you're set! Just double-click the "Descent" icon to begin.
Note about Sound Manager 3.1 and Power Computing: We have witnessed incompatibilities and crashes when running Sound Manager 3.1 on certain Power 120 computers manufactured by Power Computing. If you have a Power 120 and you experience any crashes or hangups while running Sound Manager 3.1, you should disable Sound Manager 3.1 by using the Extensions Manager Control Panel, and in the meantime please contact Power Computing for advice on any Sound Manager updates that might be available.
After starting the game, you will be prompted to enter your PTMC pilot name. This will be the name Descent uses to store your control configurations and for tracking you in Multiplayer games and in high scores.
Dialog Screens
Whenever Descent displays a dialog screen, you can click on any listed option with your mouse, or use the arrow keys and the space bar to choose different options. Unless otherwise noted, you can press <ESC> to accept the current dialog screen's settings and return to the previous screen. The dialog screen that starts a network game is one exception; press the return key to continue past the screen and start a network game.
While playing the game you can always hit the <F1> key to bring up a list of Game Options.
Descent's main screen options
NEW GAME - Start a new game of Descent. You may begin on any level you have reached in previous games.
LOAD GAME - Resume a previously saved game. Saved games are stored in your pilot file, so be sure the proper pilot is selected.
MULTIPLAYER - Allows you to start a game of Multiplayer Descent using a modem, serial cable, AppleTalk, or IPX network. See the "Multiplayer Games" and "How To Set Up A Net Game" files in the "Netgames & Troubleshooting" folder for more details.
OPTIONS - Takes you to the Options screen (see below).
CHANGE PILOTS - Allows you to change the current pilot or create a new one. All control configurations and saved games are stored in your pilot file.
VIEW DEMO - Lets you play a recorded demo file. See section 5 for details.
HIGH SCORES - See Descent High Scores.
ORDERING INFO - Shows how to order the full registered/commercial version of Descent!
CREDITS - See the list of people who created Descent.
QUIT - Quit the game and go back to the Finder.
Descent's Options screen
FX VOLUME - Changes volume of sound effects.
MUSIC VOLUME - Changes volume of the music.
MASTER VOLUME - Changes the volume of all the game's sound.
REVERSE STEREO - Allows you to reverse the stereo sound channels. This is sometimes necessary for earphones, speakers, or extension cables that are wired incorrectly.
BRIGHTNESS - Some monitors are darker than others. If you have trouble seeing details on your game screen, try adjusting this slider.
CONTROLS - Takes you to the Controls screen (see below).
DETAIL LEVELS - Allows you to adjust the Detail Level of Descent (see below).
CALIBRATE JOYSTICK - If your joystick drifts, you probably need to calibrate it. Also available in the game by hitting <F4> on your keyboard.
JOYSTICK SENSITIVITY - Adjusts the responsiveness of your joystick controls.
PIXEL DOUBLE - Lowers the graphic resolution of the world outside your cockpit. This will make the game look blockier, but will significantly speed up game play.
SHIP AUTOLEVELING - If this is on, your PyroGX ship will attempt to align itself with the curvature of the mine tunnels. This is useful for first-time Descent players, but may be turned off once you're accustomed to full 3D flight.
Descent's Controls screen
The Controls screen allows you to choose your preferred controls for Descent. If you are using a Thrustmaster stick, see Section 4.
By choosing Customize Keyboard you can change the default keys to whatever you prefer. Your changes are saved in your pilot file. If you use a joystick or game pad, make sure its configuration matches the keys in Descent's "Customize Keyboard" screen. For instance, if you want the red button on your game pad to fire lasers, make sure the red button is set to the same key as "Primary Weapon" in Descent's "Customize Keyboard" screen.
Detail Levels
If you are running on a relatively slow Power Mac, turning the "Pixel Double" option on will probably give you enough speed to play Descent at a high frame rate. If the game still seems to run too slowly, however, you may wish to lower your detail level to achieve better performance. There are several preset detail levels available to you, as well as a Custom Detail Level screen that lets you individually adjust several options. The following is a list of options available under the Options/Details/Custom screen:
OBJECT COMPLEXITY: This affects the number of polygons used by objects like robots, player ships, and other 3D objects. Lower values will increase speed, but simplify the shapes of many objects.
OBJECT DETAIL: This determines at what distance an object changes from flat-shaded to texture-mapped details. Setting this slider to a lower value will cause robots to be flat-shaded much closer.
WALL DETAIL: This option determines at what distance walls appear flat-shaded vs. texture-mapped. It also affects the accuracy vs. speed of the texture mapper. If you notice wall textures "sliding" or "jumping" a little in the distance, this slider is set too low.
WALL RENDER DEPTH: This will change the maximum distance you can see. Lower settings will increase the speed of Descent, but will cause flat-colored "walls" to appear across long hallways. These boundaries do not affect weapons or other objects, only your visuals.
AMOUNT OF DEBRIS: Changing this slider will determine how much debris is made when robots explode. Setting this to a low value will make fewer pieces in heavy combat.
SOUND CHANNELS: Sound can affect the speed of your game as well. This slider will change the maximum number of sounds that can be played at once.
Powerups
ACCESS KEYS: These give you access to the different security levels of the mines. They are color-coded to the doors they open.
ENERGY BOOST: This will give your energy banks a boost, up to 200 units max. Energy Centers can deliver recharge up to 100 units.
SHIELD BOOST: This will give your ship's shields a kick. By getting shield powerups, you can increase your shields to a maximum of 200 units.
CLOAKING DEVICE: Gives your ship cloaking ability for a limited time.
INVULNERABILITY: Makes your ship invulnerable for a limited time.
EXTRA LIFE: Gives you a bonus life.
LASER: Laser cannons have four power levels. The laser powerup will give you the next available level of laser power. If you already have Level 4 lasers, the Laser powerup will give you more energy.
QUAD LASER: This powerup will modify your existing laser system to fire four bolts instead of the standard two.
VULCAN CANNON: This weapon rapidly fires explosive-tipped shells.
VULCAN AMMO: This gives you more ammunition for the Vulcan Cannon.
SPREADFIRE CANNON: This fires a spread of energy at your target.
* PLASMA CANNON: Fires bursts of supercharged plasma.
* FUSION CANNON: Fires destructive blasts of energy directly from the ship's fusion reactor. Capable of punching through large crowds of robots before running out of power.
CONCUSSION MISSILES: All-purpose dumbfire rockets. Come singly or in packs of four.
HOMING MISSILES: Slightly larger warhead than Concussion Missiles, and are equipped with a tracking device that can follow a target. Come singly or in packs of four.
PROXIMITY BOMBS: These bombs are launched behind your ship, waiting to explode when something gets near. Can be armed as a secondary weapon, or dropped directly by hitting the default key "B".
* SMART MISSILE: When this missile detonates, it sends bomblets of heated plasma after the surrounding targets.
* MEGA MISSILE: Stand back when you launch this earthshaker.
* These four weapons are only available in the registered/commercial version of DESCENT. See the "Orderform" file for details.
Doors
Doors in the PTMC mines can be opened by shooting them or bumping them. If a door is locked, it needs the appropriately colored access key. If a door is not color coded and cannot be opened, it is a special door that may open by means of a motion sensor somewhere in the mine.
PTMC Mine Centers
ENERGY CENTER: Designed for "on the fly" replenishing of robots' power cells, it will also recharge your own. These will charge your ship's energy banks (up to 100 units).
ROBOT GENERATOR: Automated centers that determine a mine's needs and assemble robots from surrounding minerals and metals. Very dangerous. Identifiable by its violet color.
MAIN REACTOR: The power generator of the whole mine. Usually in a secluded place away from day-to-day mine mishaps.
Tips For New Pilots
Here are a few things that help new players adjust to the fully 3D world and intelligent robots of Descent. Heed these tips and you'll soon be blasting robot hordes (and your friends!) with ease.
• Use a quality joystick. ThrustMaster, Advanced Gravis, and CH Products provide full lines of controls well suited to 3D flying.
• If you use a two-button joystick, try keeping one hand on the A and Z keys to control your FORWARD and REVERSE.
• If you're up against a wall, try using REVERSE to back away instead of turning around.
• Learn how to SLIDE well. Using vertical sliding instead of pitching will help keep you upright. If your joystick has a Hat Switch, use it to slide.
• Use SLIDE to evade enemy fire. This will help keep the robots in your sights.
• Sweep fire side-to-side to hit evading robots. This is especially important on higher skill levels where robots evade faster. Also try using lasers and missiles simultaneously against an evading robot.
• Rescue the hostages! If you rescue all hostages in a mine, you receive a full rescue bonus. But be sure you make it out after picking them up - if your ship's destroyed, so are they.
• Try clearing a path to the exit before you attack the Main Reactor. You may run out of time if you're battling hordes of robots on your escape!
• The blast radius of a concussion missile is very effective against tight groups of robots.
• Look for secret doors. Weapons and ammo are often behind them. They can be a different color, or have small seams running down them. Keep in mind, Descent is fully 3D, and secret doors aren't only in the walls...
• DON'T SIT STILL. The best way to stay alive is to keep moving. Using SLIDE to circle a target while you're firing is very effective.
• Learn to use your ship's Automap. It can reveal things your eyes may miss.
• Flares can help sniff out cloaked robots & players.
Joystick Controls
Descent directly supports the ThrustMaster controls and the Gravis MouseStick II. In addition, Descent allows generic support for other joysticks available for the Macintosh. There are several things to note about controller support in Macintosh Descent.
Button and axis configuration files for individual controllers are supplied along with Descent (i.e. a Strokes file for the ThrustMaster controls). These files are merely guides -- you can make any modifications that you wish to these files.
You should always use the joystick's control panel to configure all buttons on the controller. There is no direct support of controller buttons inside of the game on the Macintosh version of Descent -- Descent relies on the joystick's control panel for button information.
The ThrustMaster controllers are directly supported within Descent. When using ThrustMaster controls, you should always be sure that the "direct" radio button is selected, in the Strokes control panel, for each type of ThrustMaster controller that you have connected to your Macintosh. And, as stated above, be sure that you configure all buttons on the FCS (and WCS and rudders if present) through the Strokes control panel. You should also be sure that you have calibrated all ThrustMaster controllers through the calibration program which was installed with the ThrustMaster products. Once this is done, you will not have to calibrate the ThrustMaster controls inside of Descent.
Most importantly, regarding the ThrustMaster products -- Be sure that you are using the ThrustMaster 1.0.6 driver which came with Descent. You must run this version of the ThrustMaster driver for the ThrustMaster controls to behave properly in Descent; your control will be terrible if you use an earlier version of the driver.
Descent also directly supports the Gravis MouseStick II. Again, be sure that you have assigned the buttons on the MouseStick II to the keys that you desire using the MouseStick II control panel. Descent also supports a dual MouseStick II configuration. For instance, you can use a second mousestick to control slide or thrust. If you select the Gravis MouseStick II as the desired control, you will have to calibrate all devices from within Descent.
For other joysticks, you may select the "Joystick" option in the controller menu. Descent will ask you to calibrate the joystick after this selection. And, as with all other controls, be sure that you have configured the buttons for your joystick in the manufacturer's
control panel.
Demos
Descent has a fully integrated demo recording and playback system. This recording will work in single or multiplayer games, so you can have a permanent record of blasting your friends to pieces. Hitting F5 in the game will turn on recording. Hitting it again will turn it off and prompt you for a filename. If you press <ESC> from the filename box, the demo will NOT be saved. The demos will record the advance from one level to the next; however, the escape sequences will be skipped in playback.
Demo files are saved in the "Demos" folder and have the filename extension ".DEM". Of course, Descent DEM files may be distributed freely.
NOTE: Descent .DEM files can become quite large on disk. This is especially true when recording heavy combat. Make sure you have adequate disk space before recording. If you have less than 500k free on your hard disk, you won't be allowed to record a demo.
To view a recorded demo, choose View Demo from the Descent menu. During playback, the following keys are available:
PLAY: Up-arrow
REWIND: Left-arrow
FORWARD: Right-arrow
STOP: Down-arrow
SHIFT-LEFT ARROW: Fast rewind
SHIFT-RIGHT ARROW: Fast forward
CONTROL-LEFT ARROW: Go to start
CONTROL-RIGHT ARROW: Go to end
Command-Shift-3 or F13: Save screenshot
Certain gauges and other trivial items won't display accurately in demo playback in order to minimize the space needed for demo files.
Screenshots
Hitting Command-Shift-3 or the F13 key will save a screenshot. The files are written to the Descent directory with the name convention "screenxx.pict". The number xx will automatically increment as long as you're in Descent. If you leave the game, then return, the numbering will start over and overwrite existing screenshots. The pictures are in PICT format and can be viewed or printed with SimpleText or any graphics program.
Distribution Information
This product is shareware. You can pass it around to your friends, acquaintances, and enemies but you can't charge them for it. (See the license at the bottom of this file for details.)
Once you order the full game on CD-ROM, you get 30 levels of mayhem, a pounding CD audio soundtrack, all weapons become enabled, and so do all modes of network play. Thanks for your order -- we need your support to continue to bring you groundbreaking games like Descent.
Order the full version of Descent now! Call 1-800-4-MACPLAY and experience all the glory now!
Where To Find Descent Stuff Online
Keeping the usual disclaimer in mind about the continually varying states of access when contacting online services, you can probably find the latest version of Descent (and the most current updates or patches to this version) at the following locations:
• MacPlay's World Wide Web site at http://www.macplay.com
• Our excellent Customer Service department can be e-mailed at macplay@interplay.com for any questions at all
• Interplay Productions BBS at 714-252-2822
• CompuServe: GO GAMBPUB, under INTERPLAY or MACPLAY
• America Online: keyword: INTERPLAY
• eWorld: keyword: MACPLAY
• Software Creations BBS: 508-368-4137 or telnet to swcbbs.com
• Redeye BBS: +49.89.5460535, Munich, Germany
• The Info-Mac archives at sumex-aim.stanford.edu and its mirrors, such as ftp.hawaii.edu (in the /pub/mirrors/info-mac/game directory)
• The University of Michigan Mac software archive at mac.archive.umich.edu (in the /game directory) and its mirrors
• External level files can be found immediately in several DOS-oriented FTP sites. Although DOS-oriented FTP sites are, of course, generally useless to Mac lovers, these sites do contain many Descent-related materials:
ftp.wustl.edu in /pub/msdos_uploads/descent
janus.library.cmu.edu in /pub/msdos/descent
ftp.cdrom.com in /.5/descent
ftp.gatech.edu in /pub/dos/games/descent
ftp.uwp.edu in /pub/incoming/games
ftp.funet.fi in /pub/msdos/games/interplay
csc.mc.edu in /pub/games/descent
bell.ecs.soton.ac.uk in /pub/pc/games/demos
ftp.uml.edu in /msdos/games/temp
ftp.demon.co.uk in /pub/ibmpc/games/misc
ftp.leo.org in /pub/comp/platforms/pc/games
doomgate.cs.buffalo.edu in /pub/descent
ftp.prairienet.org in /pub/software/descent
Other Descent related goodies can be found at the following World Wide Web
Sites. Warning: Most of them are DOS-related ... but may be interesting nonetheless.
This special 3-level preview version of Descent (the “Software”) is intended solely for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use. You may not decompile, reverse engineer, or disassemble the Software, except as permitted by law. Interplay Productions and Parallax Software retain all rights and title in the Software including all intellectual property rights embodied therein and derivatives thereof. You are granted a revocable, nonassignable limited license to create derivative works of this Software solely for your own personal noncommercial home entertainment use and may publicly display such derivative works to the extent specifically authorized by Interplay in writing. A copy of this authorization, if any, will be provided on Interplay’s World Wide Web site, and may also be obtained by contacting the legal department at Interplay at (714) 553-6655. The Software, including, without limitation, all code, data structures, characters, images, sounds, text, screens, game play, derivative works and all other elements of the Software may not be copied (except as provided below), resold, rented, leased, distributed (electronically or otherwise), used on pay-per-play, coin-op or other for-charge basis, or for any commercial purpose. You may make copies of the Software for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use and to give to friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis. This limited right to copy the Software expressly excludes any copying or distribution of the Software on a commercial basis, including, without limitation, bundling the product with any other product or service and any give away of the Software in connection with another product or service. Any permissions granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be withdrawn by Interplay Productions at any time. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.
The portions of Descent in this 3-level preview version will be upgraded with enhanced audio and graphics functionality in the upgraded version, which will be distributed and licensed on a fee basis only. The upgraded versions of the levels of Descent contained in the Software are not part of this limited license.
