PC Gamer 14/1996-01_Disc_14.iso/icebreak/readme.txt

Text File | 1995-08-07 | 20KB | 461 lines

ICEBREAKER --
The Shareware Version

(Hey Dude: This README file is available on-line, as the ICEBREAKER
Help file!)


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CONTENTS

System Requirements for ICEBREAKER Shareware
Introduction
What this Game is All About
How to Load and Run ICEBREAKER Shareware
The Main Menu
The Level Grid
How to Play ICEBREAKER
The Options Screen
A Field Guide to Terrain
A Field Guide to Dudes
Customer Service
Credits
Copyright, Trademark & Warranty Notices
ICEBREAKER Conquers the World!

Copyright (c) Fox Home Entertainment Inc. and Magnet Interactive
Studios, Inc.

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR ICEBREAKER SHAREWARE

Here's what you need to run ICEBREAKER Shareware:
IBM PC or fully compatible, 486/33 or better.
Microsoft Windows(tm) version 3.1 or better.
CD-ROM, single-speed or better.
8 MB RAM.
Hard drive with 2 MB free space. (To load the entire program and not have
to access the CD, you need 30 MB of space.)
Super VGA monitor.
Suggestions: Sound Blaster(tm) or compatible sound card; mouse, joystick
or joypad.

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INTRODUCTION

Pyramids. They're loathsome, evil, sneaky, cunning, conniving, four-faced
menaces. They attack you from all directions. They lie in wait and pounce
on you when you least expect it. They're deadly, inexorable.

And they won't stop until you're dead.

They must be destroyed.

Welcome to ICEBREAKER Shareware. Your geometry teacher's worst
nightmare.

Destroy All Pyramids!


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WHAT THIS GAME IS ALL ABOUT

ICEBREAKER is about destroying pyramids. Pyramids are bad. They are
evil and nasty. You're outnumbered and alone. All you've got are your wits
and cunning... Oh yeah. And a real big plasma blaster.

You face a bunch of different species of pyramids in ICEBREAKER. Some
just stand there, waiting to be shot or rammed. Others the dreaded Seekers
-- chase you around and try to whack you. Some pyramids are destroyed
with the first shot; others take many shots. Some are smart. Some are
dumb. Some regenerate. Some are immune to your plasma-blaster. Oh
well.

To survive, you've got to move around a lot. Unfortunately, you can't trust
the very ground you stand on. There's slippery ice. And swamp. And lava.
And pits. And other terrible stuff. Watch your step.

There are 150 increasingly challenging levels packed into this game, each
providing its own special challenges. Your job is to clear each one, at your
choice of four difficulty settings -- from Easy to Insane.

Good luck.

You'll need it.

ICEBREAKER SHAREWARE
ICEBREAKER Shareware is a smaller version of standard ICEBREAKER.
This shareware version of ICEBREAKER contains 10 levels, while the
standard version contains 150. This shareware version does not have all the
different pyramid- and terrain-types appearing in the standard version, nor
does it have a level generator, nor does it have all the cool video sequences
and stuff.

ICEBREAKER Shareware is still amazingly fun and exciting, but you do
get loads more in the complete version of ICEBREAKER. So amble down
to your local computer store and gobble up the complete version as soon as
it's released. Or else.


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HOW TO LOAD AND RUN ICEBREAKER SHAREWARE

1. Turn on Mr. Computer and boot up Windows 3.1(tm) (or later).

2. Place the ICEBREAKER Shareware CD in your CD-ROM drive.

3. Run the "SETUP.EXE" program on the CD. The program will ask you
the usual dumb questions -- where do you want to install ICEBREAKER
Shareware, do you want to rename the directory, and so forth. Answer 'em.
This program requires WinG -- a bunch of Microsoft-created Windows(tm)
graphics tools -- to run. If your computer does not have a copy of WinG
on it, the program will ask permission to load it. Better let it or
ICEBREAKER won't run. (If you do install WinG, you'll have to reboot
Windows(tm) before you can play ICEBREAKER.) If you've already got
WinG on your machine, don't bother to read this paragraph. The program
will also ask you how you want ICEBREAKER served. You've got two
choices: minimum installation, wherein only about two MB of stuff is loaded
on your hard-drive and you have to have the CD in the player to play; or
the maximum installation, wherein about 30 MBs are loaded onto your
hard-drive but you don't need to access the CD to play -- you can skim it
out the window right after installation.

The program will ask you what graphics resolution you wish to use: high
resolution, 640x480, or standard resolution, 320x240. Most 486/66's and
Pentium machines can run ICEBREAKER at the 640x480 high-resolution
mode. On 486/33's (and some 486/66's), you will need to use the 320x240
mode to run at full speed.(Note: Your video card may also effect
perfomance. If, after installation, you want to change resolutions, re-run
the setup proram and pick the "Change Graphics Mode" option.)

4. The installation program will create a new Programs Group on your
Windows(tm) desktop titled "Really Cool Stuff." Inside that group you'll
find a copy of this "README.TXT" file, and a lovely ICEBREAKER
icon. Double-click on the ICEBREAKER icon to start the game.

ANY PROBLEMS?
If you have any problems installing and/or running ICEBREAKER
Shareware, double-check to make sure your computer meets the system
requirements listed in the "System Requirements" section of this file. If
everything seems to be all right there and you still can't get it to work, ask
your computer-freak younger brother for assistance. If that doesn't help,
call our Customer Assistance Dudes.

Magnet Technical Product Support Line: 1 [phone]

You'll find more details on Customer Assistance later on in this file.


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THE MAIN MENU

When you double-click on the ICEBREAKER icon, the program begins to
run. (Remember to put the CD in the drive if you chose the minimum
installation.) You'll see a couple of wonderful title and credit screens, then
you'll find yourself at the Main Menu. At the Main Menu, you can start
playing, choose various options, and do other game-related stuff. Use the
Mouse to point the central pyramid at your choice, then press the Left
Mouse-Button (LMB) or [Enter]. For your first choice, we suggest that
you choose the Tutorial.

Here's the stuff accessible from the Main Menu:

Demo Mode: This shows you the stuff that appears in the full version of
ICEBREAKER.

Random Level (Not operational in the Shareware version): This generates
a random level. A fun way to get yourself in a whole lot of trouble!

Level Grid: This allows you to pick a level to play, and it keeps track of
which levels you've conquered. More about the Mighty Level Grid below...

Tutorial: This provides a four-lesson course in how to play
ICEBREAKER. Give it a shot and you'll soon be destroying pyramids with
the best of 'em!

Options: This screen allows you to mess with the sounds, skill level, and
other important stuff. It's described further on.

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THE LEVEL GRID

This is where you choose a level to play. This also keeps track of which
levels you've finished, and the highest difficulty at which the level's been
completed. The difficulties are shown by the color of the square. (Note:
There are ten levels in the Shareware version; there are 150 levels in the
full game.)

To Pick a Level
Use the Mouse to highlight the level you want to attempt, then press the
LMB or [Enter].


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HOW TO PLAY ICEBREAKER
Once you have picked a level to play on the Level Grid, you are
transported to the "Get Ready to Play" Screen. From there, highlight the
"Let's Go" button and press the LMB or [Enter] to start the game.You are
the white Dudemeyer in the center of the board (the only pyramid lying on
its side). All other pyramids on the screen are your enemy. Get 'em.

HOW TO WIN
To beat a level, you must destroy all pyramids. Pyramids come in two
categories: Immobile Dudes and Seekers. Immobile Dudes don't move;
Seekers hunt you down. Seekers regenerate -- that is, they come back after
you destroy them. They'll keep regenerating until you've destroyed all the
Immobile Dudes; once they're all deceased, the Seekers stop regenerating
and stay destroyed. So, to win, destroy all the Immobile Dudes, then all the
Seekers.

You destroy pyramids in a number of interesting ways: you shoot some of
them, you ram others, and yet others must be eaten by their fellow
pyramids. Part of the fun of the game is in learning how to destroy the
various flavors of pyramids.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND
ICEBREAKER can be controlled using keyboard, mouse, or joystick or
joypad (pick the controlling device at the "Options Screen," about which,
see below). Each controller has its own particular strengths and
weaknesses. If you're using the mouse, drag the cursor in the direction you
want to move, then press [Spacebar]. If you're using the keyboard, press
the arrow keys or numeric keypad. If you're using a joystick or joypad, you
figure it out. In any event, you'll quickly get your Dudemeyer to scoot
about, crashing into pyramids and rocks, falling into pits, dying horribly,
and so forth.

HOW TO SHOOT
Again, this varies depending upon which controller-type you're using. If
you're using the keyboard, press [Enter] or [Spacebar] to fire. If you're
using a mouse, joystick or joypad, press any button on the controller. Note
that lots of stuff is immune to your plasma-blaster. Get over it.

PAUSING
Press P to pause. Once the game is paused, the screen explains how to quit,
mess with the sounds, and resume play. It also tells you how many
pyramids are left. Incidentally, if you happen to find yourself lost in the vast
ICEBREAKER wasteland, pause the game and a friendly arrow will point
your way back to the center. You're welcome.

GETTING HELP
You can call up the ICEBREAKER Help file at any time during play by
pressing [F1].

QUITTING AND STUFF
You can use the normal Windows-type mouse-clicks and key combinations
to exit from this program -- ie, [Alt]-[F4] dumps you out of the program;
[Alt]-[Tab] allows you to switch to the Program Manager if your boss
walks by, and so forth. If you're playing a level, the [Esc] key quits the
level.


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THE OPTIONS SCREEN

This screen allows you to mess with a lot of stuff. To make something
happen, use the mouse to point the Dudemeyer at the option, then press the
LMB or [Enter].

Play Movie (Not operational in the Shareware version): Pick this to view
the cool cinematic sequences in ICEBREAKER.

Credits: Pick this to look at the credits.

Difficulty: Pick this to adjust the difficulty of the game. There are four
levels of difficulty to choose from: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Insane. Any
level can be played at any difficulty. The default level is Hard. The
difficulty of the level determines the number and type of Seekers in the
level; it does not affect the layout of the board.

Controller Config: Use this to pick your controller: mouse, keyboard (the
default controller), or joystick/joypad. (Note: when you pick "keyboard,"
the screen says "set keys." This is because, in the full version of the game,
you can pick which keys control the Dudemeyer. Unfortunately, in this
shareware version, you can't -- you've got to use the default keys. That is,
the keypad keys move your Dudemeyer around, as do the arrow keys, and
the [Spacebar] and [Enter] keys cause him to shoot.)

Music Settings (Not operational in the Shareware version): This allows you
to mess with the music settings of the game.

Sounds are On/Sounds are Off: This toggle turns music and sound-effects
on and off.


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A FIELD GUIDE TO TERRAIN

The best way to discover how the terrain works in ICEBREAKER is to
play. The second best is to read the following.

Grass: This is, like, usually green. Dudes skitter over this stuff without any
trouble.

Barren: This is just like grass, but kinda brownish.

Pit: Pits are fatal. You fall into 'em and plummet to the center of the Earth.

Slime: Wander into a slime tile, and see what it gets you -- sloppy death.
Seekers cross slime without trouble, though.

Ice (Not appearing in the Shareware version): You skid a lot when you
move around on ice. The faster you're moving, the farther you skid.

Swamp (Not appearing in the Shareware version): Everybody moves
slower in swamps, except for nasty Zombie Dudes -- they move faster.

Lava (Not appearing in the Shareware version): This is just like a pit, but
hotter.

Rock: This is a big rock. It blocks movement and shooting. Just go around
it, okay?


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A FIELD GUIDE TO DUDES

Look. The best way to find out what the various Dudes -- ie, pyramids -- in
the game do is to play. It's fun to be surprised.

YOUR BASIC IMMOBILE DUDES
Blue Dudes: These Dudes shatter like crystal when you ram into them.

Red Dudes: The touch of a Red Dude is fatal. Fortunately, you can blow
'em away from a distance with your cool plasma gun...

Green Dudes: These Dudes are immune to both ramming and shooting.
Seekers disintegrate Green Dudes at the merest touch...

Purple Dudes: These Dudes sit around doing nothing until you shoot 'em.
They then reach self fulfillment by turning their tile into a pit.

BASIC SEEKERS (Moving Dudes)
Yellow Dudes -- Yellers: Yellow Dudes are dumb as a box of rocks. They
always move directly toward you. They can't figure out how to move
around obstacles. It's fun to make 'em fall into pits over and over again.

Light Blue Dudes -- Cyanides: Cyanide Dudes are like Yellow Dudes, but a
bit smarter.They still fall into pits, but they're bright enough to move
around other obstacles.

Pink Dudes -- Pinkos: About as bright as the Cyanide Dudes, these guys
know enough to avoid pits and other dangerous tiles.

Lime Dudes -- Limeys: These Dudes are smart and dangerous. They can
avoid both hazardous tiles and intervening stationary pyramids.

ADVANCED IMMOBILE DUDES
Concrete Dudes: Sturdier than organic pyramids, concrete pyramids take
ten shots to vaporize.

Rainbow Dudes (Not appearing in the Shareware version): Rainbow Dudes
just sit around looking nice until you ram or shoot 'em, at which point they
turn into a Red, Green, Blue or Purple Dude for the rest of their lives. Or
they might turn into a Seeker and die immediately.

ADVANCED SEEKERS
Chameleon Dudes -- Chameleons (Not appearing in the Shareware
version): Chameleons sit immobile, imitating Green Dudes until you get
close. They then leap out, turn Lime-Green, and try to hunt you down.

Magenta Dudes -- Lurkers (Not appearing in the Shareware version):
These Dudes are capable of amazing bursts of speed. However, Lurkers
have little endurance and must rest after each sprint.

Greyish Dudes -- Zombies (Not appearing in the Shareware version):
Zombie Seekers come from swamps. While they are very slow, they're also
very determined: it takes three shots to stop a Zombie Dude.

Orange Dudes -- Meanies: (Not appearing in the Shareware version): The
largest known species of pyramid is the Orange Meany. Slow but smart,
the Orange Meany splits into two Dudes when you shoot 'em. These new
Dudes, known as "Nasties," are faster and dumber than their parent.

Nasties (Not appearing in the Shareware version): also divide when shot.
Their spawn are known as "Grumpies."

Grumpies (Not appearing in the Shareware version): are faster than the
Nasties, but dumber still. When you shoot a Grumpy, it's dead. An Orange
Meany will regenerate when the last Grumpy is destroyed.


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CUSTOMER SERVICE

If you are having problems with this product please review the technical
product support section of the "README.TXT" file. If you need
additional help, please contact Magnet Interactive Studios for further
assistance.

Magnet Technical Product Support Line: 1 [phone]
Magnet Internet Address: http://www.magnet.com

To order or find out about other Magnet Interactive products, please call
toll-free: 1 [phone]


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CREDITS

Producer: Ken Megill
Game Design: Andrew Looney
Additional Game Design: Keith Baker, Ken Megill
Lead Programmers: Dave Townsend, Mike Young
Additional Programming: Jeff Sabat
Original Program: Andrew Looney
Lead Artist: David Bondi
Terrain Tiles: Shannon Jeffries
Interface Screens: Claudy Mejia
Character Animator: Dave Holman
File Conversion: J. Taylor James
Composer: Maurice Davis
Sound Engineer: David Kingsley
Quality Assurance Supervisor: Paul Winer
Quality Assurance: John Bartol, Jim Fink, Daniel Kessler, Mike Penn
Shareware Levels Designed by: Keith Baker, Andrew Looney, Ken Megill,
Paul Murphy
Product Coordinator: Maurice Boissiere
Director of Interactive Multimedia Design: Chuck Seelye
Managing Director: Lawrence Schick
Executive In Charge: Bill Schick
Creative Director: Greg Johnson
Executive Producer: Basel Dalloul


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COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK INFO


Copyright (c) 1995, Magnet Interactive Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ICEBREAKER is a trademark of Michael A. Ammar which is licensed by
Magnet Interactive Studios, Inc.

ICEBREAKER PC software is distributed by Fox Home Entertainment,
Inc.

A special thanks to Michael Ammar for permission to use the name
ICEBREAKER. Magnet Interactive Studios, Inc.'s ICEBREAKER has no
relation to Michael Ammar's ICEBREAKER magic training videos.


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ICEBREAKER CONQUERS THE WORLD!

As you've probably figured out by now, ICEBREAKER Shareware is a
truckload of fun. We've attempted to capture all the flavor and thrill of the
complete game in this shareware version -- but, in all immodesty -- the full
version of ICEBREAKER is better. We hope you have enjoyed
ICEBREAKER Shareware and we also hope you'll pass it on to all your
friends -- that's why it's called "shareware," got it?

If you have enjoyed ICEBREAKER Shareware, may we humbly suggest
that you amble down to your local purveyor of computer entertainment and
purchase a copy of the complete version? The 3DO version is available
now, even as we speak; the PC version should be out by 4th Quarter of 95;
and versions for other platforms should follow in a timely fashion.

If you have any questions or comments, please call, write, or e-mail us here
at Magnet Interactive Studios, Inc. The various numbers and addresses are
listed in the "Customer Service" section, above.

And remember: Pyramids Must Die!