PC Gamer 2.9

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ PC Gamer 2.9 / 1996-10_Disc_2.9.iso / erad / readme.txt < prev

Wrap

Text File | 1996-07-20 | 28KB | 669 lines

Eradicator Retail Demo (1996) HOW TO INSTALL ERADICATOR: ------------------------------------ IF YOUR SYSTEM IS RUNNING DOS: 1 Place the Eradicator compact disc in your CD-ROM drive with the label side up. 2 At the DOS prompt, type the letter of your CD-ROM drive, followed by a colon, and press <Enter>. (Example -> "D:" and press <Enter>). 3 Make sure you are in the "ERAD" directory (Example -> "cd erad" and press <Enter>). 4 Type: "INSTALL" and press <Enter>. IF YOUR SYSTEM IS RUNNING WINDOWS 3.xx: After starting Windows, open to your CD folder, go into the ERAD folder, and double click on the Install icon. IF YOUR SYSTEM IS RUNNING WINDOWS 95: After starting Windows 95, open to your CD folder, go into the ERAD folder, and double click on the Install icon. [NOTE: The application SETSOUND should run automatically after the install process. If you have sound or music problems during the game you should run SETSOUND from the ERAD directory.] Game play & controls help ------------------------------------ I. RUNNING THE DEMO a. Walk-thru to start game b. Getting around the Main Menu c. Running a net game II. WINNING THE DEMO a. Objectives b. In-game help c. Story thus far d. Backstory III. OPTIONS & KEY COMMANDS a. What the options mean b. Key configuration c. The PIP IV. HINTS & TIPS FOR PLAYING a. Walk-thru of D1 b. Secrets V. WEAPONS & POWER-UPS a. Weapons available b. Power-ups available c. Enemies VI. TROUBLESHOOTING a. Technical problems running demo b. Known bugs VII. CREDITS VIII. CONTACTING US a. Web site and internet address [NOTE: More technical help text re: sound card problems and installing difficulties can be found in the HELP.ME text file included with the Eradicator CD.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [NOTE: The help text below assumes you've installed Eradicator to the default c:\ERAD directory. In the event you have installed it elsewhere, please make the appropriate drive letter and path name changes where applicable.] I. RUNNING THE DEMO a. To run ERADICATOR: C: <Enter> CD \ERAD <Enter> ERAD <Enter> In a few moments, the opening cinematic will load and begin to play. You can bypass this cinematic by pressing <ESC>. When the cinematic is complete, you should see the the ERADICATOR title screen followed by the ACCOLADE logo screen. The music, if configured, will start playing here. Now you will go to the MAIN MENU. You may just hit <Enter> to use the default option, NEW GAME. You can change your selection using the up/dn arrow keys and then pressing <Enter> on the item of your choice. We recommend you access the OPTIONS section where you can adjust many aspects of the game. Furthermore, we suggest you checkout the CONFIGURE KEYS selection on this sub-menu which will display all of the key commands available to you in Eradicator at their default setting. Follow the on-screen instructions to alter the key setup. <ESC> will pop the cursor to DONE; then <ENTER> to save your changes or move the cursor to CANCEL and hit <ENTER> to not save your changes. From the MAIN MENU, when you select NEW GAME, you will be taken to the character selection screen. Only KAMCHAK and DAN BLAZE are available for this version, so select your character with the arrow keys and hit <Enter> again to start the game. At this point, you're in the game. You can use F1 to view the help screen which lists some useful tidbits of information. Have fun! b. MAIN MENU You can use the arrow keys to move the cursor to whatever choice you wish to select and <Enter> to select that item. Starting a NEW GAME is the default option. The MAIN MENU has several options that can vary depending on whether or not you have an active game running or you are just starting a new game. HELP - takes you to the in-game help screen which offers some useful information and hints on playing Eradicator. NEW GAME - goes to the character selection screen where you can see the 3 characters that will be available in the final release. (Only DAN BLAZE and KAMCHAK are available in this release.) LOAD GAME - (Not available in this demo.) SAVE GAME - (Not available in this demo.) NET PLAY - allows you to start or join a network game (more information on this below). OPTIONS - goes to the options menu (described below). QUIT - prompts you for verification then drops you to your OS. RESUME GAME - available when accessing the main menu from within the regular game; simply returns you to currently active game. c. Running a net game You can either start or join a network game. 1) To start a network game: A) Select "Net Game" from the main menu B) Select "Start New Game" from the net game menu C) Select character, number of players, and level D) Select "Start Game" to begin E) Wait for others to join; then have fun! 2) To join a network game: A) Select "Net Game" from the main menu B) Select the game you wish to join from the menu C) Select the character you wish to use D) Select "Start Game" NOTE: Eradicator requires your computer to already be connected to a LAN (local area network) before starting the game if you wish to play a network game. Whever the MASTER (person who started the net game) leaves the game by quitting the game will be stopped and all players will exit to DOS. Eradicator does not support modem or serial link compatibility in this demo. II. WINNING THE DEMO a. Objectives - Every level has a specific list of objectives that must be met. These objectives are listed in your in-game PDA (Personal Data Assistant) which is accessible via the <TAB> key during game play. To win a level, complete all of the objectives listed in the PDA and then find the animated red arrow which serves as an indicator to the exit of your current level and the entrance to the next section. To win the game, complete the three, progressively difficult sections of the Ioxian Defense Base. b. In-game help - By pressing <F1> while playing, a help screen will appear displaying some useful tidbits of information on how to get around in the world of Eradicator. Once at this screen, <F1> will toggle it off and return you to game play. Again, the <TAB> key will bring up the PDA (automap) and show you your current mission objectives (see II., a. above). c. Story thus far - An ancient, alien power rooted in the bowels of the planet Ioxia has sprung back to life, halting all mining of Ioxia's three moons - the only known sources of the precious element Mazrium. Mazrium is the basis for all current technologies and power sources, and also has life giving properties. It is vital to the survival of the inhabitants of this galaxy. Two days ago, an energy surge was detected by one of the orbiting mining vessels. It originated from within the only remaining Ioxian Citadel (left from the "Great Uprising" two centuries ago). A squad of Cyrops mercenaries was sent in to investigate. The satellite feed that was received indicated something has risen from the ashes and is attempting to regain control of the Mazrium. Moments after their insertion, the Cyrops mercs were destroyed. The Citadel from ages past had snapped to life - reinstating the ion shield that prevents access to the three Mazrium moons and sending the entire galaxy into chaos. No Armada can penetrate the shield; no weapons can disable the Citadel. Strategists believe a single soldier could slip past the defenses which were designed for large scale assaults and shutdown the shield's power source from within. The Mazrium must be mined; it is the lifeblood of the galaxy. The Union of Galactic Merchants has called upon the services of their most ambitious mercenary, Eleena Brynstaarl. In this desperate hour, they are more than willing to meet her demanded price. The planet of Treydan has selected their most impressive warrior to be sent in search of a solution to the dilemma facing the galaxy. Kamchak possesses both the strength and the sheer will that such a mission will require. A hero of the galaxy is in the making. Trapped on one of the Mazrium moons when the Ioxian Citadel kicked on, Dan Blaze wasn't looking for anything but his next load of Mazrium to mine. Now that all his fellow cybernetic miners are dead, he must find a way off of this lifeless world. The only solution seems to be deeper exploration of the strange Citadel controlling the field. d. Backstory - Centuries past, an ancient race of warriors claimed the planet Ioxia as their home. The three orbiting moons, Grxmit, Drasssh, and Cthau are the only remaining sites where the precious element Mazrium can be mined. The Ioxians hoarded the Mazrium and sold small rations to the neighboring solar systems - demanding outrageous fees and services in return. Eventually, after suffering under this extortion, the native races of the nearest worlds attempted an assault on the planet. Thus began the "Great Uprising." Unfortunately, the Armada met with an impenetrable field of ion energy that encompassed the moons and Ioxia. Furthermore, the Ioxians had superior bio-mech weaponry which managed to cripple the Armada in the first few sorties of missiles and ionic pulses. During this assault, something or someone disabled the forcefield long enough to allow the remains of the Armada to sweep across the planet's surface and wreak havoc on the Ioxian strongholds known as Citadels. Warriors on the planet Treydan claim the unknown aid came from one of their clan...a trained spy named Brakk. This claim was never substantiated. In the end, the Ioxians released "Last Strike" - a terrifying wave of energy and isotopic Mazrium particles that swept across the planet's surface, obliterating ninety percent of the native fauna and flora, leaving a wasteland encased in a noxious cloud that would last for centuries. Only one Citadel remained standing in ruins. The Alliance, as the collected races who conquered the Ioxians came to be know, signed a treatise to share the Mazrium moons. Peace has prospered for centuries. Until now... III. OPTIONS MENU a. What the options mean - The options menu has several player configurable items: SCREEN SIZE - the highest setting permits the largest total viewing space - the entire screen. A few notches down from that you will get a partial 'status bar'; a few more notches a full status bar, and finally, the play window will begin to shrink. MOUSE SENSITIVITY - HORIZ = horizontal sensitivity (turning). VERT = vertical sensitivity (aim up/dn). MOUSE AIMING - ON means forward/reverse movements of the mouse result in the camera view being pitched down or up respectively. CROSS HAIR ON OFF - this allows you to disable the visible targeting reticule (cross hair) that can be useful when aiming at specific targets. SOUND FX ON OFF - Whether or not you want the sound FX to play. MUSIC ON OFF - Whether or not you want the music to play. AUTO AIM - Auto aim allows you to be somewhat less accurate with your aiming and able to hit more targets as a result. LOOSE CAMERA - permits some 'play' in the 3rd person POV view so the camera appears more elastic and trails behind the character's movements. CONFIGURE CONTROLS - This will bring up a screen filled with all current keyboard commands and their assigned keys. You may alter any key to any other key you wish. Simply follow the on-screen instructions. RESET DEFAULTS - sets all controls and options switch to default setting. RESET TO COOL GUY SETTINGS - automatically sets controller key assignments and options in this list to permit control of the aiming (look up/dn) and turning to the mouse and makes movement controls for the left hand (<a> = forward, <z> = reverse, <left_shift> = strafe left, <x> = strafe right, <s> = jump). Hit <ESC> when done setting your options to return to the MAIN MENU. b. Key configuration - All possible commands are listed under the CONTROL CONFIGURATION under the main OPTIONS menu. Use your arrow keys to move the pointer to a command you wish to assign a key to. Then, hit <DEL> to remove all key assignments for that command or <ENTER> to assign a new key or mouse button. We recommend choosing the RESET TO COOL GUY SETTINGS from the main options menu first, then assigning any movment keys in here. The COOL GUY settings allow the mouse to control aiming and turning as well as firing and swapping to your PIP. The movement keys for forward, revers, strafe left/right, and jump are assigned as <a>, <z>, <left_shift>, <x>, and <s>, accordingly. We feel this gives the greatest viewing dynamic in first or third person mode and allows a more immersive view of the environment. PLEASE NOTE: It is curretly possible to assign the same key to multiple commands (for example, fire and use may both be the <CTRL> key). This will cause both actions to happen when that key is pressed. Please be check the key assignments closely. Also, it is possible that while using the keyboard the character may get stuck rotating (turning in a circle). If this happens, please press the correct turning key that matches the direction the character is turning (turning left, push left turn key). If this still does not fix the problem, you will need to quit the game and restart. c. The PIP - One of the most unique features in Eradicator is the picture-in-picture (PIP) technology. When a remote camera is activated or when using the Arachnicator, missiles, or proximity mine, a small window showing the weapon's or camera's view will appear in the upper left corner of the screen. You may swap to this view at which point the player view becomes the PIP and the main view is whatever was in the PIP. In this way, you can move the camera at any angle for a better view, or if it's a weapon, guide the weapon like a remote controlled device. In later missions, you may find control stations for the Citadel's own soldiers and defenses... IV. HINTS & TIPS FOR PLAYING a. Walk-thru of D1 - You start inside of an abandoned arm of the Ioxian defense base power system. The ventilation shaft in front of you will permit you to breach the defense base's wall. You must destroy the grating on the inside of the shaft so you can gain access to the courtyard within. Once in the courtyard, you'll notice anti-personnel weaponry mounted on steel posts as well as the ravages of war in the forms of pits and holes in the structure. A few Land Security Droids patrol this desolate place; beware. A few Mazrium platforms (null-grav transport platforms) float harmlessly by above you. Eventually, you may find a way to ride one of these platforms to a yet to be discovered part of the base. From the courtyard, you need to gain entrance inside the base. The huge doors on the perimeter wall and again on the base entrance are inactive from years of neglect. However, you may be able to find another entrance similar to the one you started at... Now that you're inside the base, you'll notice the wear and tear that has happened. There are huge rips in the ceiling and piles of rubble and general neglect. Watch for enemies searching for intruders! A security door sits deeper inside this staging area; but as the dark strips on either side indicate, the door is currently powered down. You must find the nearby switch that can bring it to life and allow you to progress. Also in this area is the rapidly moving conveyor belt. More for show now, as there's not much machinery working at this high level of the base. The belt descends into another cargo transport area where other dangers and pathways await. This should be sufficient to get you started. Don't forget to refer to your PDA (<TAB> key) for your mission objectives. If you get stuck, try finding your way through passages you haven't explored and looking for switches in all sorts of places. b. Secrets - Secrets (also known as Easter Eggs) abound in this game. Some contain advanced weaponry that can make your task a great deal easier while others are more for pure enjoyment. There are at least three secret areas available here; one of which is quite well hidden while being right out in the open... V. WEAPONS & POWER-UPS a. Weapons available in demo: Both Dan Blaze and Kamchak are armed with a Cynetics model XG9101 Multi-cannon; with some personal modifications unique to each character. For example, Dan's is designed to fire energy pulses at its default setting while Kamchak's whips out high speed ripper discs on its default setting. The XG9101 is designed to fire a myriad of projectiles of almost any shape or size. It is equipped with a neural-circuitry that learns how to best use many ammo types it is exposed to; and, can be upgraded to increase the firing potential and lethality. Aside from the various ammo types available, a microchip upgrade can be located to make many of these projectiles more dynamic. Also, Dan Blaze and Kamchak are outfitted with the four known Ioxian made weapons: 1) Sonic Shock - a lethal device that uses high energy photon shells to produce audio bursts that are instant in effect and move at the speed of sound. 2) Death Darter - an Ioxian crossbow that rapidly fires razor sharp darts that shatter on impact. 3) Missile Cannon- large, self-contained missile launcher. 4) Thermal blaster - this is actually a deviced that is fitted onto the multi-cannon and can convert condensed, liquid fuel canisters into powerful jets of flame or toxic gas. DAN BLAZE AMMO ----------------- 1) Axe attack - close range attack 2) Laser bolt - standard energy pulse 3) Sonic Shock - powerful, nearly instant concussion of death 4) Death Darts - rapidly propelled pneumatic darts 5) MarkV Missile - standard issue missiles 6) Pellet Wall - grenade-like explosive pellets with area effect 7) Ion Sphere - electro-pulse projectile with static charge 8) Proximity mine- a droppable, remotely destroyable mine 9) Arachnicator - a remotely controllable drone capable of running, jumping, & detonating 10) Thermal Fuel - Flamethrower 02 burner KAMCHAK AMMO ----------------- 1) Claw punch - close range attack 2) Ripper Disc - standard compressed titanium-alloy disc 3) Sonic Shock - powerful, close range killer 4) Death Darts - rapidly propelled pneumatic darts 5) MarkV Missile - standard issue missiles 6) Cluster Bomb - grenade-like explosive device with area effect 7) Nitrobomb - napalm styled grenade 8) Demo pack - proximity mine - placeable and lethal 9) Arachnicator - a remotely controllable drone capable of running, jumping, & detonating 10) Nitrofogger - Toxic, gaseous flame thrower b. Power-ups available in demo: There are two different types of alien health units (spherical pulses of energy in a metallic frame) as well as the microchip for your XG9101 multi-cannon which will enhance your weapon abilities. c. Enemies you will encounter: There are many different enemies you will encounter in the game. Here is a taste of some of the opposition you will face: Gun Enplacement: These fixed turrets are lethal at any distance. they can fire at any range and track via heat so they can always see you. HSD (Hover Security Droid): This nasty will attack you relentlessly from the air. Try to keep up a heavy barrage of firepower to keep him from returning fire. LSD (Land Security Droid): These fellows are in generous supply and are almost completely brainless. Have fun wasting these low threats. Patrol Eyes: Just one of these can cause a lot of trouble. If it sees you, it will set off an alarm alerting everyone of your presence and closing off areas of the level. Try to waste it before it sees you. There are three types of these guardians - you must learn how they operate and defend against them. Repair Droid: Don't mess with these guys. They just calmly (but efficiently) repair damage you inflict on equipment, But if you shoot at it enough, it will start to hammer you with a constant stream of missiles. Watch out! There are a few other potential enemies you're likely to run into... VI. TROUBLESHOOTING a. Technical problems running demo: if you don't get any sound, you should be sure and run the SETSOUND.EXE program found in your C:\ERAD directory and configure your sound card. (Please refer to the HELP.ME file on the CD for more on this). b. BUGS - as with any software, there are always bugs - small, or sometimes 'large', problems or flaws that can ruin the experience or disrupt game. We've attempted to fix/remove all of the ones we could before needing to release this game, but we know of a few and would be delighted to hear your comments on any you may find during the course of playing this game (see our email address later in this document). Known bugs: -During an intense netplay game you receive an "OUT OF SYNC" message in the lower corner. This is generally caused by a glitch in the PIP swapping (when using a proximity mine for example). You should quit the current game and restart. -Sometimes when there are multiple explosions (ten or more) happening at the same time the sound fx will acquire a grainy background noise. There's no immedidate fix, though starting a NEW GAME generally solves this problem. -On certain machines we've found a problem with hitting the <ESC> and <ENTER> keys too quickly when the doors for the MAIN MENU screens are opening and closing. -On slower machines it is possible to accidentally fall through parts of the playfield (for example, the overhanging bridges in some maps). -Sound fx can degrade after extended play period. You will have to quit out of game entirely and re-run; worst case, you may have to reboot. -Using certain 'cheat codes' (they're in there) can lead to crashes / spurious results. As these are cheat codes we're not too worried about them but welcome the feedback. Cheat codes are engaged by using the "\" key. This key should NOT be remapped to any game actions. -Need more fine tuning on auto-aim. -Playing in WIN95, there's a potential for locking up while rotating. This occurs when using the windows key on the Microsoft keyboards. That's most of the 'biggies'. Most of these can be overcome by simply quitting and restarting. However, if you ever find yourself stuck somehow, you can type in "\tunnel" (no quotes) which will enable you to pass freely through the walls of the map at will. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Enjoy the demo! VII. CREDITS ERADICATOR TEAM Executive Producer Steve Ackrich Producer Matt Powers Assistant Producer Jeff Gregg Lead Programmer Jim Mazrimas Lead Designer Scot Amos Lead Artist Phillip Trumbo 3D Engine Programmer Randy Stevenson AI Programmer Bob Morrison Designer Rich Waters Designer Alisa Schaefbauer Music/SFX Rick Kelly 3D Character modeler and animator Jeff Wilcox Artist Steve Graziano Artist Heather Merrill Artist John Xu Splash Screens & 3D menus Jeff Rianda Lead Tester Kraig Horigan Tester Don Sierra VIII. CONTACTING US a. Web site and email addresses America Online: Keyword: "Accolade", go to "Message Boards". E-mail address: "Accolade" Compuserve: "Game Publishers A Forum" (GO GAMAPUB), go to "Accolade". E-Mail address: "76004,2132" Internet: accolade@netcom.com accolade@aol.com 76004.2132@compuserve.com World Wide Web: http://www.accolade.com Mail: Accolade Customer Support 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 500 San Jose, California 95129 Telephone: (408) 296-8400 (Mon-Fri, 8am to 5pm Pacific) Fax: (408) 246-0231