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Joystick Magazine 2002 December
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JOY143_CD1.iso
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Demos
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Platoon
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pl_demo.exe
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readme.txt
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2002-10-16
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Platoon - Playable Demo Version 1.02 - 10/14/02
Publisher: Monte Cristo Multimedia
Developer: Digital Reality
Platform: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
--- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS -----------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Requirements:
- Pentium III 500 MHz
- 128 MB RAM
- Video card with 32MB
- Approximately 200 MB of free Hard Disk space
- DirectX 8.1
Recommended Configuration:
- Pentium 700 MHz
- 256 MB RAM
- Video card with 32MB
- Approximately 200 MB of free Hard Disk space
- DirectX 8.1
Recommended video card for the demo
- GeForce 2+, ATI Radeon
--- INSTALLATION GUIDE ------------------------------------------------------------
This demo version does not require any specific installing. Just install the
files and run Platoon.exe.
Read the info-page at the end of the Demo to have more information about the
features of the Final Product.
--- TECHNICAL SUPPORT -------------------------------------------------------------
For technical problems or questions, write to the following address:
support@montecristogames.com
(Please state "Platoon" in the subject line)
Visit this Web site for updates and additional information on the game:
http://www.montecristogames.com/platoon/
--- HOW TO PLAY PLATOON? ----------------------------------------------------------
1, Basic controls:
Starting the game
-----------------
When you start Platoon, you get instantly into main menu. In this demo version,
only the Scenario mode is available with a single mission. After starting the
mission, Lionsdale's (the main character of the game) diary is displayed,which
is to tell you about the current situation.
After the mission has loaded, an intro cutscene is played. You could skip this
cutscene by CTRL+Enter if you don't want to wait until it ends.
Selecting units
---------------
Your platoon contains several units of different speciality. The simple Riflemen
are grouped into squads, so you cannot control them individually, but more
valuable units are going on their own. To select a unit, press left click on it.
On the top right side of the screen you can find icons representing your squads.
Selected squads' icons have a yellow border. You can select more squads by
dragging a box, or by holding down SHIFT while left-clicking.
For quickly select any squad, press any of the squad shortcuts (F1 through F10).
You can specify your own groups as in traditional RTSs by using CTRL+1..9 and 1..9.
Controlling the camera
----------------------
To scroll the camera, simply move the mouse into the border of the screen, or use
the arrow keys. While holding down CTRL and Left mouse button, you can rotate the
camera. Zooming is easily performed by the mouse wheel, or CTRL+Right mouse button.
Moving and Running
------------------
To move a unit, first select it and right-click on the terrain. You can change the
soldier's stance by left or right-clicking on the icon that displays a standing man.
Soldiers can crawl, move or run. If you double-click with the right mouse button
on a position, the soldier will run there.
Dealing with traps & mines
--------------------------
All heroes can detect traps while moving (but not while running), but using the
engineer is the best way to solve the problem of mines. He can remove a mine by
right-clicking on it. (The mouse cursor should change)
Attacking Vietcongs
-------------------
While wandering in the jungle, you are likely to be assaulted by vietcongs. If
one of your soldier is hit, its squad icon will flash red. If your units are
under fire of a vietcong hiding in the jungle and they cannot detect them, a
red arrow in the viewport is showing where the attack is coming from. You should
explore the area there to discover hiding enemies.
When one of your soldiers see an enemy, its icon is displayed at the top left of
the screen. By clicking on that icon, the camera will scroll to the enemy unit.
If you select one of your units and right-click on an enemy unit, your soldier
will attack it. Note that your units do not shoot automatically!
Some units have limited ammo in their weapons. For example, the grenade launcher
has a quite powerful weapon against grouped vietcongs, but its ammo is not unlimited.
Pausing the game
----------------
Since Platoon is a tactical game, the success of your commands are not dependant
on how quick you can click with the mouse. You can pause the action at any time
by pressing the SPACE and resume by pressing it again. While in pause mode, you
can select your units and give orders to them. This makes executing planned
tactical movement and attack a lot easier.
2, Game logic
Platoon is a real-time tactical combat game. The game takes many data in count
whilst playing as follows:
Terrain Types
-------------
The terrain your men stand on - as well as your enemy - is a deciding factor.
When playing the game, you could see the different terrain types with their
cover data in a tooltip. It is advised to play the game trying to hide from the
enemy and fight from where your men are protected - open terrain is the least
likely of terrains to be stepped upon once bullets are flying. If you hold down
the left CTRL key you could continuously check out the terrain types of a mission.
Field of View
-------------
All units in the game possess a different viewing range and this range is like
a headlight of a vehicle in the night (shape of an inversed V) - but it is not
represented visually in the game. You have to take care in what direction your
men are looking, because of the fact that if they all are going forward, they
would only see things coming at them from that direction... they could either be
hit from behind or from the wings. Turning when bullets are whistling past your
units and damage them could mean you've lost the battle.
Line of Sight
-------------
Field of View is combined with Line of Sight, which means you couldn't see an enemy
hiding behind a building even if this building is in your men's Field of View. This
makes the game realistic and player must remain concentrated.
Fog of War
----------
In Platoon, Fog of War is also important, as your men will discover the map by
moving around. You won't see any enemies moving on an already discovered part of
the map if you don't possess a unit currently viewing the area.
3, Helpful hints:
- Whenever you receive a new objective, usually a blue circle will appear on your
mini-map indicating your new destination. Even if the camera centres on a place
like this, remain careful, it won't show you any enemies.
- Try out multi-select, but use it wisely as your men's speed will vary according
to soldier type.
- Use your heroes whenever you can as they can see much further, discover traps
and possess a good amount of HP - much more than your normal soldiers.
- Try attacking one target at a time, this way you concentrate your firepower and
fight more effectively.
- Whenever a soldier is hit, a red circle will blimp around him.
- When a new enemy is discovered, one of your soldiers will warn you. At the same
time, the icon of the enemy squad appears at the top left corner of the screen.
By clicking at one of that icons, the camera will center the specified squad.
- Walk if you discover mines, there's no need to rush in and kill your soldiers.
Your engineer is unique - only he can disarm the viets' deadly traps.
- Be prepared for ambushes, the viets could hide away and stab you in the back.
- The "pause feature" is your best friend in this one, soldier...
--- KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS ------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a list of Platoon's most used keyboard shortcuts:
Quickselect a unit F1-F8
Store (multi)selection CTRL + 1-8
Recall (multi)selection 1-8
Select all units 0/~
Zoom in/out Insert/Home
Rotate camera Delete/End
Pan camera Page Up/Page Down
Stop/halt H
Fire at target/force fire T
Single shot (if available) Y
Throw grenade G
Crouch C
Walk V
Run B
Skip ingame cinematic CTRL+Enter
Pause/Unpause Game Spacebar
Show objectives Tab
--- KNOWN PROBLEMS/ISSUES ---------------------------------------------------------
Platoon demo does not support the following video cards and therefore the game won't
run on any of these:
- Voodoo-chipset cards
- TNT 1-2 chipset cards
- Savage 4 chipset cards
- Matrox Millenium family cards
- Matrox G400 cards
- ATI Radeon 256-R6 cards
--- LEGAL INFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------
PLATOON Interactive Game (all object code, all other software components and
certain audio visual components only) (c) 2002 Monte Cristo Multimedia.
Monte Cristo and its logo are registered trademarks of Monte Cristo Multimedia.
PLATOON Interactive Game (certain audiovisual components)
(c) 2002 Orion Pictures Corporation.
PLATOON TM & (c) 1986 Orion pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
All other trademarks and logos are property of their respective owners.
--- LICENSE AGREEMENT -------------------------------------------------------------
Please read the above agreement carefully:
Monte Cristo Multimedia grants you the right, provided you comply with terms
and conditions of this document, to (i) use the software on a single computer
system or, in the case of a multi-user or networked system which permits
access to the software by more than one user at the same time, at a single
working location; and (ii) make one copy of the software in machine-readable
form solely for back-up purposes. You may not electronically transfer the
software from one computer to another over a network or otherwise. You may
not use the software from multiple locations of a multi-user or networked
system at any time, you may not rent or lend the software.
All rights not expressly granted above are reserved.
Warranty Disclaimer
Monte Cristo Multimedia warrants that the CD-ROM on which the enclosed program
is recorded will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period
of 30 days from the date of purchase. If within 30 days of purchase, the CD-ROM
proves to be defective in any way, you may return the CD-ROM to Monte Cristo
Multimedia, and Monte Cristo will replace the CD-ROM free of charge. This constitutes
your only remedy under this document.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, MONTE CRISTO MULTIMEDIA
DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER EXPRESSED, IMPLIED, OR
STATUTORY WITH RESPECT TO THE CD-ROM OR THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM RECORDED ON THE
CD-ROM OR THE GAME DESCRIBED IN THE DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
ANY WARRANTIES RELATING TO TITLE, NONINFRINGMENT, THE QUALITY OF THE CD-ROM, THE
SOFTWARE PROGRAM, THE GAME, THEIR PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY
PARTICULAR PURPOSE; LACK OF VIRUSES, ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF RESPONSES, QUIET
POSSESSION, AND CORRESPONDANCE TO THE DESCRIPTIONS. THE PROGRAM AND GAME ARE SOLD
"AS IS". THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THEIR USE, QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE REMAINS WITH THE USER.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL MONTE CRISTO MULTIMEDIA
BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY
OTHER PERCUNARY OR OTHER LOSS WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR
INABILITY TO USE THE CD-ROM, PROGRAM, OR GAME, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN
IF MONTE CRISTO MULTIMEDIA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY DAMAGES THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, THE ENTIRE
LIABILITY OF MONTE CRISTO MULTIMEDIA AND ANY OF ITS SUPPLIERS UNDER THE PRESENT DOCUMENT,
AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ALL OF THE FOREGOING SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY
PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCT.