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Text File | 1997-07-28 | 25.4 KB | 950 lines

This file is 'readme.doc' Please read this file before installing. Please do not call for tech-support! Tech-support is available for REGISTERED customers 4th Generation only! ---------------------------------------- Note: If reading this file from the Webfoot readme file viewer, use Cursor up / down to scroll or Page Up / Page Down to scroll fast ESCape, Enter, or Space to exit ---------------------------------------- 4th Generation(TM) Copyright 1997 Webfoot Technologies, Inc. and D'India Software. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This program is a demo, or 'try before you buy'. It is NOT public domain. ---------------------------------------- System Requirements: VGA video card 486-DX66 or higher 4MB RAM 18MB HD space (Deluxe Demo Version) 10MB HD space (Regular Demo Version) 25MB HD space (Registered Version) Recommended: Pentium 100 or higher SB16 compatible sound card Gravis Gamepad ---------------------------------------- IMPORTANT! To setup your soundcard, you must run the SETUP program and either choose 'None', or choose the correct soundcard in your system and choose its correct address, DMA, and IRQ numbers. SB16 users must choose the low DMA, not the high DMA, under the soundcard setup! Please refer to your system's manuals or your soundcard's manuals to determine the address, DMA, and IRQ numbers. ---------------------------------------- IMPORTANT! You don't hear any sound? If you tried to choose your soundcard, but still hear no sound, check the following: 1. Have you chosen the correct sound- card and address, DMA, and IRQ numbers in the SETUP program? 2. Is your volume turned up, speakers plugged in and powered up? 3. Do you have a soundcard? Chances are, you have a SoundBlaster Soundcard, and your address is 220, your interrupt is 5 or 7, and you're using DMA channel 1 or 3. ---------------------------------------- What's in this file? I. Instructions II. Ordering Information ---------------------------------------- SECTION I Instructions ---------------------------------------- Before you start First, run SETUP in the game directory! Remember, this is a DOS program! The game will run from Windows... simply click on the 4GEN.EXE icon in the game's directory/folder. To get going, run the SETUP program. ---------------------------------------- Installation: Before Running the Game First, install the game to your hard drive. It's best to accept the default path given the installation program: C:\GAMES\WEBFOOT\4GEN FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON SCREEN!!! The installation program will take you through the process of choosing a place on your hard drive to install the game, choosing your soundcard, and giving you other valuable information. Before running the game for the first time, be sure to configure your sound card. You can change your sound card settings at any time by running the 'SETUP' program in the game's directory. ---------------------------------------- The game's incredible music requires, of course, a sound card. Here are some additional pointers for getting the most out of some specific sound cards. If you're using a Pro Audio Spectrum family sound card, be sure you have the card's driver specified in the CONFIG.SYS file. It's best if you can set the card's DMA channel to a 16-bit DMA (5, 6, 7). The sound will work with an 8-bit DMA channel, but it won't sound as good. Okay, okay, it'll sound really awful. Sixteen-bit sound requires a 16-bit DMA channel, so there. Any sound card not mentioned in the SETUP program might still work, but the users must set it up to emulate Sound Blaster or some other card mentioned in the SETUP program. Defaults -------- All this is dreadfully confusing, isn't it? Okay, the best thing to try first is to take all the defaults. If it does not work, then dig into the manuals, using this information as a guide for where to look. The most common problem is multiple cards overlapping use of DMA channels and interrupts. Windows(TM) ----------- This game will run under Windows(TM) 3.x and Windows 95(TM). Simply double click on the 4GEN.EXE file located in the game directory/folder. ---------------------------------------- How To Run the Game... We receive many questions here at Webfoot from people asking how to start the games. Well, here's how you do it! You must first REMEMBER where you installed the game to on your hard drive. The installation program will place the game in the following folder by default, unless you specify another location: C:\GAMES\WEBFOOT\4GEN In DOS, CD to the directory containing this game, and at the DOS prompt type '4GEN' to run the game. <or> From Windows, double-click on the 4GEN.EXE icon in the game's folder. NOTE: You may have to shut down Windows and run the game from DOS to hear the sound effects and music! ---------------------------------------- Technical Difficulties Q: Does the setup program auto-detect sound cards? A: It looks for the environment string that most sound card software will set. Make sure you have a line in your autoexec.bat that reads something like: SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H1 P330 T6 If you are not a tech-head, just select the default in the setup. If it doesn't work you know it was unable to properly detect your card, so try again with the correct settings. Q: I can't get sound to play. What's wrong? A: Either you have incorrectly configured your sound card, or you don't have a sound card. First check to see that your sound card was properly configured. Run your sound card's installation software and write down the Port, IRQ, and DMA numbers, then plug those numbers into the 4gen setup program. Q: The sound isn't very loud. How can I increase the volume? A: You can increase the sound effects and music volume in the game by pressing F2 to bring up the option bar. However, you may also have to use your sound card's system software to increase the volume. For example, on a SoundBlaster 16, type c:\sb16\sb16set and increase the master volume or voice volume, then save. Q: I have a Gravis Gamepad and the cursor seems to fly all over when I start the game. Why doesn't my gamepad work?! A: First make sure your joystick is properly configured. If you are running the game in a different environment (in windows vs. in DOS, on another machine, etc.) then recalibrate the joystick in the setup program. Q: I'm using OS/2 and the game tells me it can't find some file. What should I do? A: This game will not run in OS/2. OS/2 users can instead make a DOS boot-up floppy disk. ========= Keyboard Summary All menus: up moves cursor up down moves cursor down enter selects choice escape cancels command right selects choice left cancels command F1 help screen F2 option control bar In game action keys: F1 help screen F2 option control bar escape option control bar enter accelerate level stat counter plus increase view window size minus decrease view window size Default Player 1 keys: (may be changed in setup) move up up arrow move down down arrow move left left arrow move right right arrow fire control special alt fire all right shift increase shield / decrease shield . change weapon semi-colon change special ' Default Player 2 keys: (may be changed in setup) move up W move down S move left A move right D fire Tab special Caps fire all Q increase shield ' (on tilde key) decrease shield 1 change weapon 2 change special 3 ========= Upgrade Menu Upgrade, the upgrade equipment list Armor Generator Stabalizers Weapon Special Thrusters Targeting Computer Optimizer Repair Droid Done, goes back to one menu level Save Game, saves the current game (Game #1 ... Game #6) Load Game, loads a game (Game #1 ... Game #6) Fly Mission, begins the mission End Game, ends the current game When opening an equipment category (e.g. Armor), with the exception of weapon/special, the following menu is displayed: (NOTE: If a selection is highlighted, you own it already) None, Would you like to sell? Yes, sells the item No, keeps the item Equipment Item #1, If you own the item, Would you like to sell? Yes, sells the item No, keeps the item If you don't own the item, Would you like to trade? Yes, trades in old item for new one No, keeps the item ... Done, goes back to the main upgrade equipment category list NOTE: You may carry three different weapons, so when buying and selling weapons, selecting a weapon you own sells it, selecting a weapon you don't own buys it -if- you have enough free weapons slots (3) and enough money. ========= Option Control Bar Back to Game Quick/Slow Mode English/German Detail Level (low/medium/high/super) Music Volume FX Volume Screen Size Quit The option bar can be brought up at almost any time in the game by pressing F2. ========= Help Screen The page title is written at the top. The 'next' and 'prev' buttons will navigate through the pages (left, right keys or mouse button press). Clicking on highlighted text brings you to that particular page. The help screen can be brought up in most places by simply pressing F1. ========= Status Bar The status bar is displayed at the top of the screen in 4gen's action mode (when you fly around shooting everything in sight). Shields =====----- Armor ======---- Weapon ====------ Power ===------- ---- ---- Credits 123 - - - - - W - - S - ------ ------ The shield bar shows how powerful your shields are. The armor bar shows how powerful your armor is. The weapon bar shows how much energy your weapon has access to. When your weapon bar reaches 0, you may fire slower and your larger weapons (like missles) will not fire at all until the bar recharges. Power displays your shield/weapon power output. Your shields require a certain amount of energy to stay active (otherwise they decrease to 0). By adjusting your power output, you can increase your shields when no enemies are around and you can use very draining weapons at the expense of faltering shields. Credits are the monetary system for 4gen. The more credits you have, the more equipment you can buy to upgrade your ship. The box labeled W shows which weapon you have selected (see keyboard commands for toggling your weapon). You can carry up to 3 different weapons. The box labeled S shows which special weapon you have selected. ========= Equipment There are the following equipment categories: Armor This protects the more valuable parts inside your ship. Your armor will be struck first, if an enemies bullets manage to penetrate your shields. Generator This powers your craft's guns and shields. The more power it kicks out, the faster your weapons and shields will recharge. Stabalizer This is the stabalization field which holds energy. The stronger the stabalization field, the more energy your shields and weapons can collect. Stabalizers affect both shield and weapon power capacity. Weapon This is your ships main weapon. It gets its power from your generators. Special This is your Special Weapon. It will most likely sap lots of energy from your generator. Thrusters These move your ship from place to place. Should your thrusters get damaged, you will find dodging very difficult. Targeting Computer Many weapons require a target. The targeting computer finds the appropriate victim for your weapon. Weapons that seek your opponent will NOT function without a targeting chip. Energy Optimization Unit This chips attaches onto the generators distributor cables. Normally, the pilot can control how much power goes to his weapons, and how much goes to his shields. The chip uses an algorithm to switch power around. Most optimization chips have not been perfected, but it's generally agreed that having one allows the pilot to focus on flying and not on distributing the generator's power. Repair Droid Repair Droids are placed inside the ship, and can reach everything except your armor. They will repair broken equipment quickly, if they themselves are not hit. They can sometimes make the difference between life and death. Equipment can also be damaged. Returning to a space station will automatically repair your ship (if you have the cash). Damaged parts do not function as well as normal, so during flight you may experience inability to move (thruster damage), inability to fire (weapon damage), weapons won't target (targeting system damage), and slow energy regeneration (generator damage). Repairing equipment is generally inexpensive, especially when compared to purchasing new equipment. ========= Tips - Upgrade your generator whenever possible. - Buy the Velden Arrow weapon immediately after the first level. - Buy an optimizer chip as soon as you possibly can (it will conserve energy). - Buy a targeting chip if you want your weapons to seek properly. - Buy the Blue Daggers in addition to a front firing weapon, so when enemies come from behind you are prepared. ---------------------------------------- The Story Sprawled across the vastness of the Galaxy, civilization thrives. The Galactic Empire, the gigantic authority responsible for governing the entire galaxy, crumbled and dissolved 14 years ago. Created from the ashes of the Empire, the Galactic Republic acts as an arbitrator over the smaller kingdoms that now make up the political galaxy. Strife plagues the newfound Republic, for no soldiers report to it. It serves only because it is in the best interest of all kingdoms to uphold its decisions. Senators from each kingdom meet to work out their differences and to create a more prosperous galaxy. However, tension remains high, the Republic is only a loose authority, and no kingdom is without ambitions. At a Galactic Republic meeting several weeks ago, Gerak Kor's accession to the Lorien Senatorial seat spurred possible conflict. In an outrageous move against the young 'inexperienced' senator, Lijus Moon, from Lorien's neighboring Qualix sector, motioned for reduced tariffs on goods between Lorien, Qualix, and Nimbur. Gerak Kor, out-voted 2-1, stormed from the meeting cursing. Attacking the pitifully peaceful and under-equipped Qualix and Nimbur sectors would bring the Republic's wrath, an unnecessary difficulty in Gerak Kor's vision of Lorien domination. Gerak Kor decided he needed to settle the matter in a different manner. You fly fighters for the Lorien Space Force. During the Galactic Republic's meeting, you were off hot-rodding your date in a prototype DE-90 space fighter. Upon return to the landing bay, you were promptly thrown in the brig, demoted to private, and told you'd only see space again in a wet dream. The brass takes everything too seriously... When the command to go 'berserk' came down the chain and landed in your lap, you knew those pretty women you charmed last week might not ever get the chance to see you again. Lorien's top suits had come up with a crack-pot plan to appease Gerak Kor's rage at Lijus Moon. Your Mission: Break out of prison, go berserk, steal a space fighter, and fly into Qualix and Nimbur. Fortunately, you don't have to really break out, they'll slip you a key and plans to the fighter. Because the Qualix and Nimbur borders are heavily guarded, the military is only giving you an inconspicuous F-90. You'll have to upgrade your ship at space stations and merchant outposts along the way. As an incentive to destroy, you'll be secretly credited for each kill as well as for passing milestones (the top guys play too many video games). If you pull this off, the military has promised to give you a new identity and a good paying job. Yeah, right.. Your Objectives: 1) Sneak into the Nimbur sector, upgrade at Lorien Outpost-98, then attack the Nimburian City of Lijuan. Destroy as many defenders as possible as well as Lijus Moon's personal luxury blimp. (2) Upgrade at space station Neena, then escape pursuing forces by entering the mine field. (3) Attack the Nimbur station on water planet Plorius. Destroy the enemy's radar facility so they can't track you. (4) Upgrade at merchant space station Detrin, then proceed to Qualix-Nimbur sector border and punch a hole in the border defense. (5) Upgrade at Republic Planetary station Q1. Attack capitol city on planet Mixum. (6) Upgrade at Mining Station MSQ-04. Proceed to Glarag, the desert planet, defeat the defence forces, and destroy the mine located there. (7) Upgrade at Glarag Moon Station, then destroy the Nimbur forces there. (8) Upgrade at the Lorien Trade Spaceport. Escape to water planet Seary and combat pursuing forces. (9) Double back to the Lorien Trade spaceport for final upgrade. Break through space defenses surrounding inner Qualix. (10) Dip into Harrian atmosphere to avoid space defenses. (11) Fly into Lijus Moon's secret base (recently discovered by Lorien spies), destroy the base, and exit via access tunnel-39. (12) Return home. Ladies and Gentlemen, we interrupt this IGFL Football match to bring you important news. A Lorien Space Fighter pilot, convicted two weeks ago for stealing top secret military equipment, has broken out of military confinement, stolen a fighter, and launched into deep space. The pilot is mentally unstable and the military is considering him berserk. And now back to the game. You're on your own... ========= The Fourth Generation The age recently earned the name 'The Fourth Generation' from leading Crystal Technology scientist Wolfgang Schwerbaum. In a report detailing the current political situation, Schwerbaum writes, In government there are many small cycles, however, there are also large cycles. The cycle of current concern revolves around government control. The Empire fell because it exercised too much direct control over too many things. It was too absolute. Everyone realizes that some government control is still somewhat necessary, so the limited Republic was formed. The fight is now to increase control of the Republic in order to increase order and stop the chaos that envelops the Galaxy. The Republic will grow stronger and stronger until it too becomes an absolute entity and is itself overthrown. The Empire was once a weak political state, created by individuals with specific concern over excessive authority. This is the fourth documented cycle of this phenomenon, and thus I name this age 'The Fourth Generation'. ---------------------------------------- SECTION II Ordering Information ---------------------------------------- 1. Why Register? 2. USA Orders 3. Deutsch: Germany/Switzerland/Austria 4. Scandinavia (also Finland/Iceland) 5. France 6. Australia and New Zealand 7. All Other Countries Orders 8. More About Webfoot Technologies ---------------------------------------- 1. Why Register? Order the full version of 4th Generation and you will receive: - CD-ROM With Animations - 11 Levels - More Great Music - More Spectacular Graphics ---SPECIAL--- Order on-line with your credit card and download immediately! http://www.webfootgames.com/orders ---------------------------------------- 2. USA Orders Toll Free (ORDERS ONLY!) 1-800-4WEBTEC (1-800-493-2832) Visa MasterCard Discover American Express Chain Reaction Price: $29.95 Add Shipping and Handling: $4.00 Or, send a check, cashiers check, or money order to: Webfoot Technologies, Inc. P.O. Box 15 Lemont, IL 60439 USA FAX Orders to: 1-630-257-0942 (Your FAX should contain: Card number, card holder's name, and expiration date.) Questions and Tech Support 1-630-257-1224 Tech support is available ONLY for registered users of this game! Or, fill out the form in the game directory. It's named: ORDER.DOC Contact Webfoot on the Internet: Webfoot@msn.com Visit our web site: http://www.WebfootGames.com/ ---------------------------------------- 3. Deutsch: Orders in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Deutsche Programmversion verfuegbar! Ticsoft c/o Juergen Egeling Waldstr. 49 76133 Karlsruhe Germany Phone: 49 721 9109 520 Fax.: 49 721 9109 599 Or from Germany Tel.: 0721 9109 520 FAX.: 0721 9109 599 http://www.ticsoft.de/ Preis DM 29.90 Vorauskasse: Plus DM 8.05 f. Porto und Verpackung Nachname Plus DM 14.50 Europ. Ausland: Nur Vorauskasse Euroscheck Plus DM 13.80 Visa and Mastercard accepted. ---------------------------------------- 4. Scandinavia (Including Finland and Iceland) Twilight Zone Software P.O. Box 115 1712 GRAALUM NORWAY Price: 119,- NOK Plus handling and shipping: 29,- NOK We accept orders the following ways: 1. Bankgiro for Norwegian and Swedish customers. Norway: Account no. 1090.21.09973 Sweden: Bankgiro no. 5986-6970 2. VISA card by FAX to 47-69-141190. Your fax must contain: card number, card holder's name, expiration date, authorizing signature of the cardholder and the order-form. 3. VISA card by Mail. Send the same as above (2.) to TZS by mail. 4. Money Order or Cashiers check payable to Twilight Zone Software in either Norwegian kroner (NOK), or local currency. The order-form must always be included! ---------------------------------------- 5. France Pour obtenir la version finale de 4th Generation, il vous suffit de nous faire parvenir la somme de 99FF par chèque bancaire ou carte bleue en indiquant votre nom, prénom, destination de l'envoi ainsi que le nom du jeu à l'adresse suivante: TLK GAMES BP 24 81150 Florentin France Tel: 05-63-53-26-37 Fax: 05-63-53-20-11 Vous recevrez en cadeau 2 jeux gratuits EQUALITY et TECNOBALL Z. ---------------------------------------- 6. Australia and New Zealand Spectrum Pacific Publishing P.O. Box 190 Cherrybrook NSW 2126 Sydney Australia Phone: (02) 9980-8900 24-hour automated ordering service only Pay by cheque, money order, Bankcard, Visa, or MasterCard Price: $24.95 (AUD) plus postage: $4.00 for Australian orders, $5.00 for New Zealand orders ---------------------------------------- 7. All Other Countries Orders All other foreign orders can be taken by Webfoot Technologies, Inc. US Dollars only, credit card and money orders only ... no checks. Add Shipping and Handling: $10.00 International Phone: 1-630-257-1224 International FAX Orders: 1-630-257-0942 (Your fax should contain: Card number, card holder's name, and expiration date.) ---------------------------------------- 8. About Webfoot Technologies, Inc. If you have a great game you'd like published, or if you're an aspiring programmer, 3D renderer, artist, or musician who would like to work on some games, please contact us! Webfoot Technologies, Inc. P.O. Box 15 Lemont, IL 60439 USA 1-630-257-1224 VOICE 1-630-257-0942 FAX http://www.WebfootGames.com e-mail: Webfoot@msn.com ---------------------------------------- Credits Programming John Paul D'India Graphics Wiek Luijken Jason Hough Music Sach Jobb Producer Dana Dominiak ========= Contacting D'India If you would like to contact John Paul D'India, the developer of 4gen, send email to dindia@netcom.com or snail mail to: John Paul D'India 130 Newton St. San Francisco, CA 94412 Do NOT mail me regarding technical difficulties! I will NOT answer them. ---------------------------------------- This program is shareware, or 'try before you buy'. It is NOT public domain. 4th Generation(TM) is copyrighted by John D'India Software and Webfoot Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their owners. Copyright 1997 Webfoot Technologies, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ---------------------------------------- If using the Webfoot readme viewer, Hit ESCape to return to DOS.