IMPORTANT: This program requires DirectX 6.0 drivers from Microsoft. Some versions of this demo may not include DirectX 6.0 drivers in order to minimize filesize and download times. If you have not already installed DirectX 6.0 on your machine you can download DirectX 6.0 from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/default.asp.
MINIMUM: Pentium 166 with 32 meg of ram, DirectX compatible sound card, DirectX compatible video card, 4 speed CD ROM, Win95/98, keyboard, mouse.
RECOMMENDED: Pentium II 266 or faster, 64 meg of ram or more, 3DFX or D3D compatible video card, 32 speed CD ROM or faster.
To start the demo, double click the Maskdemo.exe icon. It's a self-extracting executable that will place a :\maskdemo folder wherever you specify. Once you've extracted the files, run the Setup.exe file. This will install the demo on your hard drive.
The game comes with on-line popup help. As you play, these dialog boxes will pop-up. You have the option to turn off the popup help, or hit F1 on your keyboard to scroll through all the help pages.
* SWAP FILE: You need to make sure you have enough Windows swap file space. To check this right-click on My Computer, select properties, click on the Performance tab, click on the Virtual Memory button. The Minimum should be set to at least 50. If it's not, click "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings", and then type 50 in the box for Minimum. Click on OK. Windows will have to restart to implement this setting. Once it restarts it's always a good idea to go back into this dialog and make sure that Minimum is now set to 50.
* PERFORMANCE ISSUES: Running slow? Sluggish cursor? Try turning off some options in the graphics menu. DYNAMIC LIGHTING is not recommended for machines slower than a Pentium II 266. You might find that even on a 266, this is a very expensive option. OBJECT SHADOWS and MONSTER SHADOWS are also rather expensive on slower machines. If you're still running slow after turning off DYNAMIC LIGHTING, try turning off OBJECT SHADOWS and then MONSTER SHADOWS.
* DIRECT 3D: We have tested a number of the more popular cards that run Direct 3D. If you have a card that does not support all the features needed to run King's Quest: Mask of Eternity under Direct 3D then Direct3D will be grayed out in the Graphics Setting menu. Remember, although you might have a card that supports SOME of the features for Direct 3D, unless your card supports ALL of the needed features to run King's Quest: Mask of Eternity, it will not be available. If you have a 3DFX card, Direct3D is not available.
CURRENTLY UNSUPPORTED: Many of the graphic options under Direct 3D are listed as "Currently Unsupported." As we expand support for new hardware and features we will post updates on our website.
* SCREAMIN 3D: We recommnend using the latest Rendition V1000 drivers while playing King's Quest: Mask of Eternity. We tested with the drivers released on 5-11-1998.
* 3Dfx has replicated a texture distortion bug that occasionally occurs in King's Quest: Mask of Eternity. On a limited number of machines, a few textures can become temporarily corrupted while downloading to the Voodoo Graphics card. 3Dfx does not believe this error is caused by the application. We are unable to pinpoint the exact cause and do not expect a near-term solution. This bug should only affect a very limited number of Voodoo Graphics owners (not Voodoo Rush, Voodoo 2, or Voodoo Banshee.)
* There is a problem with running in 3Dfx mode with "Force triple color buffering for Glide Apps" selected. If this is selected you may experience flickering.
* Always have the most current version of DirectX installed on your computer. At the time of this CD's ship date DirectX 6 is the most current version. It is included on the CD in the 'DirectX' folder. Always make sure you have the newest drivers for all of your hardware installed on your computer.
LIST OF TESTED AND SUPPORTED 3D VIDEO CARDS:
3Dfx Voodoo 1
3Dfx Voodoo Rush
3Dfx Voodoo 2
3Dfx Banshee
Sierra Screaming 3D
Matrox Millennium G200 AGP
STB Velocity 128
Real 3D Starfighter
Diamond Viper V330
Rendition Verite V2200
ATI Expert 98 AGP
Graphics Blaster Extreme
Diamond V550 Riva TNT
NOTE: Sierra will be adding support for more D3D cards over the next few months as they become available. Check the Sierra webpages, or run the Sierra Utilities to look for updates and expanded support.
III. GENERAL GAME ISSUES
On-Line Help [F1]
At any time during the game you can access the On-Line Help by pressing F1. This will activate the help system, even if you've disabled the pop-up help in the Options menu. Once open, use your mouse or keyboard arrow keys to scroll forward or backward through the Help topics.
Combat Levels
Be warned: the Hard setting of combat is extremely difficult. Be sure to have plenty of healing items available. Use cunning to defeat your foes, instead of brute force.
* EASY: This is for people that really want to have as little difficulty getting through the game as possible. Combat is VERY easy in this mode, and you will deal more with just the puzzles. As the combat is an integral part of the game, we recommend this mode ONLY for those who find the combat too difficult.
* NORMAL: This setting is for the average player. We recommend this mode for the first time you play the game. As this game is not a "Shooter," most players will find this mode for combat challenging, but not too difficult.
* HARD: This mode is recommended for playing your second and subsequent times through the game. Want a challenge? Give it a try! You'll find you'll need to discover new strategies in this mode, as well as watch your potions and magic items carefully!
1st Person vs. 3rd Person
Which is easier? That's up to you to decide. Many of our playtesters found they enjoyed the game in both modes. If you finish the game in 3rd person, try replaying in first person, vice versa, or a combination. Many of the puzzles are easier to play in 3rd person.
The "Can't-do-that-right-now" Beep
Sometimes you will not be able to switch between 1st and 3rd person, or exit to the Main Menu. In these cases when you press [F2] or [Esc] you will hear a beep sound. This indicates that you can't change views or go to the Main Menu at this time. This usually happens during hands-off and sometimes during certain actions.
Windows 95/98 Powersave Feature
Computer systems with powersave features may cause a problem when attempting to leave the game window active and running. The best solution is to minimize the game window when you want to leave the computer for a break, or disable all energy saving features on your computer system.
Direct X
Mask of Eternity requires Direct X 6.0. If you experience problems with the game using other versions of Direct X, please download and
install Direct X 6.0 from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/default.asp.
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