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README.TXT
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1997-09-22
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Forced Alliance Pilot Demo
--------------------------
Welcome to the Forced Alliance Pilot Demo, DirectX 5.0 Download Version!
This download contains a reduced version 1.4 of the Pilot Demo. All
the cinematic sequences (events, walkthroughs, takeoffs) and many
voice elements (the briefing) have been eliminated from this download
version.
There are three distinct demos available on CD-ROM -- Pilot, Commander,
and Captain, highlighting features of the game. These demos contain
voices, cinematics, and extended features.
The minimum configuration for this game is a 486DX 100Mhz machine
with 16Meg RAM, sound card, mouse, Windows 95, and a 640x480 256-color
graphics card.
If you have a 3D Accelerator card with 4Meg+ memory, read the
section on 3D Hardware Acceleration to configure the game to use
these cards. These cards can be configured in the game by going
to Main->Settings->Graphics.
Starting the Demonstration
--------------------------
Before starting the demonstration, you should make sure you have
DirectX 5.0 installed. Should you get an Aptos/DirectX alert message
at startup, you should definitely complete this step before continuing.
Many websites provide copies of DirectX 5.0 for installation.
The Forced Alliance demonstration requires no special installation.
We have designed this demonstration specifically to run directly from
the unzipped image. The game will create a few temporary files in the
root of your C: drive that are removed immediately upon completion.
The files are sequentially named starting with "rcg0001.jnk" and will
not overwrite existing files of the same name.
To start the demo, run "FADEMO.EXE" and select "Pilot Demo".
3D Hardware Acceleration
------------------------
Forced Alliance takes advantage of 3D Accelerator Graphic Cards with
4Meg or better memory! What you will get includes 16-bit textures,
gouraud-shading, and more! When you are ready to launch a mission,
select the "Settings" group under "Main", then select the "Graphics"
tab. If your graphics board has been found, it will be listed.
Select it to activate this card. Not all 3D cards work the same way,
so be sure set other options for...
Monster/Righteous - Many recent DirectX drivers have a bug that
(and other 3Dfx) causes heavy pixelation around the heads-up
display and stars, rendering the display
unreadable. Set the "Heads-up Display/Stars"
to "Shifted" if this becomes a problem.
3D Blaster/others - Many cards do not perform smooth (gouraud)
shading in Forced Alliance, leaving invisible
objects in space. Set your Texture Shading mode
to flat for displayable performance.
2Mb Graphic Cards - Most 2Mb cards will work in the Fast Render
or Primary Display-Software modes. If you have
problems starting the game, try starting from
a lower Windows resolution.
We also have a software-only 16-bit shaded engine. This engine
replicates the visual detail with 3D cards, but uses your own processor
to render the graphics. Due to the heavy graphic demands, you should
definitely have a fast (200Mhz) machine for optimum performance.
Joysticks
---------
We have provided several joystick configuration features, including
throttle control, configurable buttons, and different response curves.
You can even make "Up means Up" for those uncomfortable with
airplane-style controls.
The response curves provide the following...
Linear - A straight response from minimum to maximum.
Log Low (default) - Slower center response, faster at the edges.
Log High - A variation of Log Low.
Sinusoidal - Slower center, fast middle, and slower at edges.
Sound and Music
---------------
The game music files have been arranged to work on most sound cards.
Special notes are of importance to the following sound card...
Gravis UltraSound - MIDI music has been optimized for 1Mb of 16-bit
instrument data. Lower-capacity GUS boards will
tend to lose some instruments from the optimum
arrangement.
Pilot Walkaround
----------------
To save download time, we have eliminated all the cinematic and most
voice elements from this demo. After some still logo images, you begin
in the Ready Room of your carrier, the Lafayette. Commander Canon
briefs you about the game and the upcoming mission. Once you have
completed the briefing, you can begin the mission by selecting the
launch door on the back wall of the room.
But Wait! You can browse through several command screens of the
interface. This is the Pilot Rank demo, so many operations will be
unavailable to you. The operations will become available to you at
higher ranks.
The demo has been setup with your character as Pilot Kann, in the
Alpha squadron. Find your character to set up your ship's ordinance.
Flight Controls
---------------
Here is a more complete list of flight commands.
Joystick --
Up - Nose Down (can be reversed in the Options Menu)
Down - Nose Up (can be reversed in the Options Menu)
Left - Left
Right - Right
Holding down Button-2 while moving the stick can
increase your speed or roll your vehicle. The speed
can be alternately controlled with the throttle wheel
when you set this in the Options Menu.
The buttons are user-configurable, here are the defaults...
B1 - Fire Guns
B2 - Speed/Roll (with stick movement)
B3 - Fire Missiles
B4 - Afterburner
Joysticks with Hats can be used to change cockpit views.
The joystick can be reconfigured in the Options menu in
the walkaround game section. You can -
* Use the throttle wheel (overrides all other speed control)
* Reverse the meaning of up so that "up really means up!"
* Try out other response curves.
* Configure the buttons.
Keyboard --
A - Autopilot (takes you to the next waypoint)
C - Communications (use this to get landing clearance
at the end of the mission!)
Tab - Afterburner
E - Select Enemy Targets
T - Select any Target
G - Select Guns
M - Select Missiles
Space - Fire Guns
Enter - Fire Missiles (HS"Heat Seek" and RG"Radar Guided"
require target lock before firing)
Z - Match Target Speed
H - Toggles HUD
L - Toggles Radar Lock (on target)
D - Damage Display
S - Shield Display
W - Weapon Display
Arrow Keys move ship
Use Ctrl Key with Arrows to roll.
F1-F8 - Cockpit Views
, . - Change brightness of ships.
Ctrl Q- Quit the inflight portion
Ctrl R- Relaunch mission
Ctrl A- Abort mission
Starting Missions
-----------------
As a Cadet, you will be launching five training missions off of SACS.
You may launch a training mission by moving to the Simulator Bay and
clicking on the Simulator Pod. Once you have graduated and promoted
to Pilot, you'll initiate missions by clicking on the launch doors
in the Ready Room.
Landing at the End of a Mission
-------------------------------
To land on a carrier, select Communications ('C'), then select the
the landing location. For the training missions, you will be landing
at SACS. Later, you will land at the Lafayette carrier. Request
permission to land, then fly to within 1500 meters, and you will
land automatically.
Version History
---------------
Version 1.1 - Original Demo
Version 1.2 - CDRom Cut, No Updates for Download Version
Version 1.3 - Graphic Fixes for 3DFx, D3D Software
* A workaround for a 3Dfx D3D driver bug for certain installations
of 3Dfx-based cards. If you find the Stars and Heads-up display
heavily pixelated or unreadable, Ctrl-A back into the walkaround
mode, then set Settings-Graphics-Hud to the "Shifted" mode.
* The software variant of D3D 16-bit Gouraud shaded. This requires a
fast machine to run smoothly.
* A fix to the human cargo/destroyer textures. The ships are
gray-colored, not green.
Version 1.4 - Final Cut, Fixes for Rendition, 3D-Blaster, Linear Joystick
* An additional option for certain Rendition and 3D Blaster cards.
On some configurations, Smooth Shading is not supported. Select
Flat shading instead to allow objects to appear on these cards.
* Improved Linear joystick curve.
* Improved Special Effect tranlucency on many cards, especially for
explosions, lasers, etc.
* This demo is cut from the final version of the game, due in stores
on September 22. While this version is the final cut, please notify
us about any configuration issues by email at fatesting@orbitalsi.com.
Where to find more information
------------------------------
Updated information and demos can be found on the Internet at
www.ripcordgames.com and www.orbitalsi.com.
The Press/Media contact is Mark Shander. Mark can be reached by
email at mark@shander.com
Thanks for playing!
- The Forced Alliance Team
Forced Alliance (C)1997 Ripcord Games and Orbital Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Forced Alliance:The Glarious Mandate is a trademark of Orbital Studios, Inc.
Orbital Studios is a registered trademark of Orbital Studios, Inc.