PC Gamer 3.9/1997-12_Disc_3.9_No._1.bin/INCDEMO/Readme.txt

Text File | 1997-09-18 | 21KB | 642 lines

  Welcome to the demo version of
 'INCUBATION: Time Is Running Out'

     (C) Blue Byte 1997

-------------------------------------
    VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

      To: MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS

While Blue Byte invites individuals
to make use of this demo, any
magazines wishing to include the demo
on their own publication as a
promotion may ONLY do so having FIRST
attained written permission from:

for UK Territories
Matt Broughton - PR Manager
[e-mail]

for USA/Canada
Samantha Flint - PR Manager
[e-mail]

Blue Byte will pursue any
unauthorized reproductions or uses of
this demo to the fullest extent of
the law.

Thanks for your cooperation,
Blue Byte Software
-------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: INCUBATION requires DirectX 5.0.
If you don't have it yet, it can be
downloaded directly from Microsoft at:
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp
-------------------------------------

Table of Contents
 1.  What's in the Demo
 2.  Minimum Configuration
 3.  Recommended Configuration
 4.  Installation
 5.  Starting Incubation
 6.  Start Campaign
 7.  Network Game
 8.  Instant Action
 9.  Placing Units and Moving
10.  Shooting
11.  Defense Mode
12.  Healing a Unit
13.  Manipulating Objects
14.  Resting
15.  Bottom Left Info
16.  Bottom Right Info
17.  Radar
18.  Left Side of the Screen
19.  Right Side of the Screen
20.  Mission Report
21.  The Camera
22.  Tech Support Issue
23.  Contacting Blue Byte

-------------------------------------
1. What's in the Demo:
This is a demo of Incubation, a terrifying,
turn-based, tactical strategy game.  You
can lead a squad of marines through the
first four missions of the full version or
battle up to three of your friends in the
unique multi-player level. Play over a LAN,
the Internet, or between two PC's connected
with a serial cable. Either way you'll enjoy
eye-popping 3D graphics that can be viewed
from almost any angle with the mouse-controlled,
free-floating camera.  Incubation runs on
the graphics engine from the award winning
game Extreme Assault and supports many popular
3Dfx cards.

The game's simple user interface will enable
you to jump right into the action with only a
brief glance of this readme.  Your tactical
skills will be put to the test, as you
encounter deranged Scay'Ger hiding around
corners and behind closed doors.  Be sure to
open any chests you find on the floor to
uncover pleasant surprises like ammo and
equipment points for better weapons, armor
and supplies.

Don't miss the two instant action bonus
missions we've included in this demo. Here
you'll be able to fight a larger variety of
Scay'Ger with more of the nasty weapons
found in the full version.

After you've enjoyed this brief tour of duty,
be sure to pick-up Incubation at your favorite
retailer (release date: 10/17/97).  It's packed
with many more cool features like: over 30 single
player missions, 12 multi-player maps, 5 instant
action games, 12 weapon systems, 11 types of
Scay-Ger, a unique selection of armor/supplies and
a great CD soundtrack.  You can also challenge
up to three other gamers on a single computer
over a LAN, the Internet or via play-by-mail.

For more information on all of our thrilling
games check out our web site at:
http://www.bluebyte.com.  If you would
like future updates, contact the office
nearest you. Please include your name,
address and source code #INCINDOS.


2. Minimum Configuration:
Pentium 90
4X CD-ROM
16 megs of RAM
42 megs of hard drive space
2MB video card (DirectX 5.0 compatible)
Windows 95 (does not work in DOS)


3. Recommended Configuration:
Pentium 166 or higher
6X CD-ROM
32 megs of RAM
Sound card (DirectX 5.0 compatible)
Most 3Dfx video cards
Windows 95 (does not work in DOS)


4. Installation:
1. Turn on your computer and insert
the CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. In the Incubation demo folder you'll
find a file called 'Autorun.exe.'
Double-click on the file to launch
the installation.

3. A new box will appear with a
'Install Game' button. Click on this
to start, then Next to continue. When
setup is complete, click on OK.

4. A new box will appear with:
'Start Game'-takes you to the title screen
'Start Game(3Dfx)'-users with most 3Dfx
cards can play this optimized version

NOTE: If the game doesn't run or is looking
for new drivers, go to the:
Bluebyte\IncDemo\3Dfx folder and double-click
on 'g24rtvg.exe.'
(If your card has the new Voodoo Rush chip
set, you should run the regular version.
Drivers should be available at a later
date.) 'Exit'-back to Win '95 desktop

NOTE: You must have DirectX 5.0 installed
to play INCUBATION. If your version is
older, please download it from Microsoft.


5. Starting INCUBATION:
After clicking on 'Start Game' you'll go
to the title screen. Click on 'Start Game'
again to load the Main Menu screen with
the following 6 buttons:

Start Campaign: Up to 4 of the first
missions can be played. (Once you've
completed the 2nd mission, you'll be given
2 routes to choose from. To see all 4 missions,
save the game at the completion of level 2 so
you can go back try the other path.)
See 6. for more details on beginning the
campaign.

Network Game: Takes you to the Select
Service Provider screen with 3 different
ways to play multiplayer using DirectPlay:
IPX Connection: over a LAN (fastest)
Internet TCP/IP: over the internet
Serial Connection: between 2 PCs connected
with a serial cable.
See 7. for more details.

Instant Action: Lets you try 2 different
levels in progress.
See 8. for more details.

Load Game: Brings up the Load game
box, where up to 30 saved games can be
stored. Double-click on any saved game
to load.

Load PBM Game: Brings up the Load-PBM
game box, where up to 30 saved Play-By-
Mail games can be stored. Double-click
on any saved game to load.

Exit Program: Takes you to the end
screen where you can click on 'Exit Game'
to return to the Win '95 desktop.


6. Start Campaign: After clicking on this
you'll go the Main Menu with 2 options.
'Supplyshuttle Alpha' lets you upgrade
your units. At 'Unit Menu' click on Bratt
to load the 'Upgrade Menu.' Bratt will
appear on the left with weapons and
equipment on the right. Items shown in
white indicates that you have enough
Equipment points and Skill points to
purchase. Click on the green arrows to scroll
through the different choices. When you
see something shown in white you want to
buy, click on 'Buy item.' To upgrade
other units, click on the green arrow to
the left to find them. When finished
upgrading, click on 'Exit' to return to
the Main Map. From here double-click on
'Secure the Halls' to load the 1st mission.


7. Network Game: After selecting this,
the Select Service Provider menu appears.
A network connection must be established
before you try to start a network game. In
the middle of the screen there's a window
with several options:
IPX Connection for DirectPlay
Internet TCP/IP Connection for DirectPlay
Serial Connection for DirectPlay

If you click on any of these options, an
Open Game Session menu will appear with
three buttons: 'New Game,' 'Existing Game,'
and 'Cancel.' Activating 'New Game' will
bring you to a menu where you will be asked
to enter your name. Click on the bar at the
top of the screen and enter your name, then
press Enter. Click on OK and the 'Level
Options' will appear. Select 'Halls 1' and
confirm with OK. The dialogue box will now
appear. Mouse-click on it, type a short
message, and press Enter to send. After at
least one player has joined, click OK to begin.

The 'Existing Game' accesses a window with
which you can locate active sessions. If a
game is started on a LAN, click on it's name,
then on OK. If you're using TCP/IP, a screen
will appear in which you will be asked to
supply the IP-address of the person who created
the game you are trying to join. This person
is called the "Creator", and must supply you
with his IP-address. If you create a game, it
is your IP-address that is required. Even if
you decide not to play TCP/IP, click OK to go
back.

Note: To find your address under Windows 95
click the "Start" button and then activate
the "Run" button. Enter "winipcfg" in the
window if it hasn't already appeared. Here
you will find your IP-configuration along
with the address.


8. Instant Action: Click on 'No Name' to type
in a name, then click on OK. At the 'Level
Options' screen click on one of the preset games
to the left, then OK. At 'Prepare for Battle,'
read the briefing, then click on 'Build Squad.'
At Unit Menu, press 'Recruit Unit' and click on
Solider 0. You then go into the Upgrade Menu
(described above in section 6.). After
outfitting a unit, go back to the 'Unit Menu' and
repeat until a squad is built. Then click on
'Deploy' to start the action.


9. Placing Units and Moving: After setting up
the game, you'll see a 'Deploy your units'
message with some red dots on the screen. These
represent locations you can place your units.
Move the hand icon over a red dot and
left-click to place a unit. Do this for the
remaining units, then click on the 'Next
Player' button on the bottom-right side of the
screen. After the computer/opponent moves,
you'll see the selected unit surrounded by a
field of white circles with numbers. These
represent the amount of action points needed to
move the unit to that location. If you move a
unit to a 0, all points are used and nothing
further can be done with the unit. Moving to a
2 allows for more moving, shooting, use object
or defense mode (described later in 10., 11.
13.). Moving to a 1 allows only one more move
or shot. To move a unit, move the cursor to the
location number and hold down the left mouse
button. A compass will appear with a red X in
the center. Continue to hold the left mouse
button and move the cursor to the direction
you want to move. After hearing a click and
seeing the direction highlight, release the
left mouse button. The unit will then move to
the new location. If the unit has any action
points left, another smaller field of actions
points will appear.

NOTE: If you decide to select another unit
while the current unit still has action points,
those will be lost with the new unit selection.
So move your units wisely, and use all action
points before going on to the next unit.

When all the units have been selected and
moved, you must click on the 'Next player'
button at the bottom. Otherwise, if a unit
still has action points but you want your
turn to end, the computer won't know to move
on.


10. Shooting: When a unit has action points
available, there are a variety of choices for
the player. The most important action is to
fire at Scay'Ger/opponents. Yellow crosshairs
with colored bars will appear over targets
within firing range. A target with all green
bars means there's a high probability of
destroying it. The more red bars in the field
means the odds are lower for a direct shot.
Click once on a target to shoot. If it's close
and you have a good gun, it'll most likely get
blown to pieces. (One down, many more to go.)
Targets not destroyed will flash text or a
number designating how much or little damage
your shot inflicted. Continue firing if you
have action points, or move, rest or
engage in defense mode if available.


11. Defense Mode: When a unit has at least 2
action points, you can have it protect itself
or other units. This means that the unit will
fire at opponents passing in front of it.
Activate the defense mode by clicking on the
Shield icon at the bottom of the screen. (Not
all weapons have a defense mode.) When a
Scay'Ger/opponent is within range of the unit,
it will fire automatically.

Note: The defense mode uses all action points.
If you have more than 2, they'll also be used
to put your unit into this protective mode.


12. Healing a Unit: Another type of action is
to give first aid to a wounded unit. To give
first aid you must: have a medic kit, be next to
the wounded unit and facing him, and have at
least 1 action point available. If all these
conditions are met, a Cross will appear at the
bottom of the screen. Click on the icon and the
injured unit will be aided. When a unit with a
medic kit is injured itself and has action points,
just click on the Cross to heal.


13. Manipulating Objects: Another important
action is the ability to use objects; like
doors, crates, switches or levers. Manipulating
objects requires that the unit be positioned
next to and facing the object. The best way to
make sure the unit is directly facing an object
is to click on the action point number next to
it, hold down the left mouse button and
turn the unit directly on it. When a unit is
properly facing the object, a Hand icon will
appear at the bottom. Click on the icon to use
or move the desired object.


14. Resting: Another type of action is to rest
a unit. Resting units will cost all their
action points, but will give them more for the
next turn. If you haven't moved the unit at all
and want to rest it, click on the Arrow icon at
the bottom.


15. Bottom Left Info: Along the bottom of the
screen there's a rectangular area with
important information. Here's what you'll find
in the bottom left section:

An icon of the selected soldier: A yellow number
indicating the unit's fighting strength, a
fraction describing his hit points and it's
status (i.e., 2/5: This indicates that only two
of the original 5 hit points are left.).
When the unit is injured due to battle, his
fighting strength, hit points, and action
points sink. This will also reduce his
effectiveness and ability to move, fight, and
defend himself.

A diagram depicting the unit's current skill
points in the form of a meter. This meter
displays the unit's accumulated skill points in
yellow and the available skill points for
acquiring equipment in red on either side of
the yellow bars. If you acquire a new weapon,
these red bars decrease in line with the amount
of skill points required to purchase the
weapon. As a unit gains experience his skill
level increases. With each increase in skill
the unit can be upgraded and improved.
Upgrading is possible in the following areas:
Battle Fitness, Light Weapon Proficiency, Heavy
Weapon Proficiency, Technical Ability, Medical
Skills, and Leadership Skills. This number can
be augmented by additional commendations.

The unit's commendations: They appear as
ribbons placed above the star located next to
the skill meter. Commendations are awarded
based on performance and can be used to
increase the unit's skill points.

To the right of the commendations is a
depiction of the unit's current weapon type,
the action points required to use the weapon
one time, damage points it causes, and a
fraction (which indicates the amount ammunition
remaining from its initial amount) appears.
Above this is a diagram depicting the heat
level of the weapon. As the weapon is used, heat
is generated and displayed by the diagram's
heat curve. Using the weapon after the diagram
is full may cause damage.

The units action points: Indicates the number
of actions which can be carried out by the unit,
and it will decrease based on movement, actions
and injury.


16. Bottom Right Info: This area has two rows
of three different action icons:
Shield-This assures that the unit will defend
itself when attacked. Requires 2 action points.

Cross-Give first aid to injured units. 1 point.

Weapon-Activating this symbol will allow the
unit to alter the use of his weapon, if
available. The bigger weapons found in
'Instant Action' or missions beyond 4 have two
modes (i.e., the Mine Thrower can also lay
mines).

Downward Pointing Arrow-When units are fatigued,
it's often necessary to rest units. Activating
this symbol will cost all action points.

Hand-Appears when the unit is near a movable
object. 1 point.


17. Radar: The last box contains a radar screen.
Each direction is shown, along with green
crosses for where Scay'Ger may appear, and red
for Scay'Ger that are in firing range.


18. Left Side of the Screen:
Remind position-A bookmark for saving that
position during that mission.

Recall position-Calls up the Remind position
save.

Save Game-Type a name and save current
position.

Load Game-Loads saved games.

Briefing for current mission-Displays the
current mission briefing.

Undo last turn-Restarts at your last turn.

Undo mission-Starts mission from the beginning
'Deploy your units' area.

Give up!-Terminates the current game, takes
you to the Main Menu.


19. Right Side of the Screen:

Overview map-A bird's eye view of the
entire battlefield. Units and opponents appear
as large colored dots. This perspective is not
adjustable

Set free view-This provides the player with an
overhead view and allows you to adjust the
camera position. To move the camera, you must
hold down the right mouse button and move the
mouse according to the camera position desired.

Set user view-Shows the game from a 45 degree
angle, and can be adjusted.

Set unit view-Shows the battle from a 1st
person-style perspective, and can be adjusted.

Jump to the next unit-Selects the next
available unit for use.

Jump to visible enemy-Shows the next Scay'Ger.

Activate magnifying glass-Gives you information
about various Scay'Ger.

Next Player-End of turn. Starts automatically
when all action points are used, needs to be
clicked if you want your turn to end but a
unit still has action points. In the multiple
player mode, this function ends your movement
turn and allows the next player to make his
movements.


20. Mission Report: After the mission you'll
see a Mission Report menu. This displays all
pertinent data concerning individual units and
mission results. Here you'll find out our score,
Equipments points earned or who won a multi-player
contest. Below there are three function keys:
'Main Menu,' 'Load Game,' and 'Try Again.'
If you click on the Main Menu button, you will
get a menu that asks you to confirm your
intention to quit the current game.


21. The Camera: You can control the camera's
position. If a particular view doesn't suit
your needs, you can change the camera position.
To move the camera, hold down the right mouse
button and move the mouse according to the
camera position desired. Furthermore, you can
rotate the screen by clicking the right mouse
button. Each time you click it, you rotate the
screen 1/4 turn counterclockwise. If you hold
down both mouse buttons, two new camera
dimensions are made available. While holding
down both buttons, move the mouse forward and
backward; this elevates or lowers the camera's
position. If you move the mouse laterally, the
camera will rotate around it's own axis. The
following perspectives allow for camera
manipulation: Set Free View, Set User View,
Set Unit View, Jump to Next Unit, Jump to
Visible Enemy.


22. Tech Support Issues:
At the time this demo version was produced
the Hercules Stingray 128/3D will only work if
the 1.04 driver is installed.
This driver is available from:
http://www.hercules.com/support/drivers/stingray/s1283d/

The Ensoniq Sound Scape Elite sound card has
also experienced problems, please check their
site at:
http://www.allelec.com/Ensoniq.htm
for new information or drivers.

ESS sound cards built onto the motherboard of
some PCs (Compaqs for example) may not work
properly, you can contact ESS at:
http://www.esstech.com/techsupp/intro_t.htm
Or Compaq at:
http://www.compaq.com/athome/index.html

Some Toshiba 8X EIDE CD-ROM drives may have
trouble reading the data files after
installation. At this time we are still
researching the cause of the problem.

23. Contacting Blue Byte:
If you have any technical questions about
INCUBATION, the best thing to do is email
our tech support representatives at:
[e-mail]. Or you can call us at:

U.S.    - [phone] between 8:30
          AM and 5 PM Central Time

U.K.    - [phone] between
          2 PM and 6 PM U.K. Time

Germany - [phone]
          between 3 PM and 7 PM
          Mon-Thur and between
          3:30 PM and 7:30 PM on
          Friday.

For the quickest results, make sure
to write down your hardware system
information including: installed
sound cards, graphics cards, main
memory and any additional hardware
like an AVI-Accelerator. Software
information is also helpful, in case
we need to analyze driver problems.

Remember, Incubation must have DirectX 5.0
to run. It can be downloaded directly at:
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp

--------------------------------------------

If you've enjoyed this small demo, you'll
love the full version.

The INCUBATION Team