Welcome to the demo version of EXTREME ASSAULT! (C) Blue Byte 1997 ------------------------------------- VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ To: MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS While Blue Byte invite 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 broughton@bluebyte.co.uk for USA/Canada Samantha Flint - PR Manager flint@bluebyte.com Blue Byte will pursue any violations of this to the fullest extent the law allows. Thanks for your co-operation. Blue Byte Software ------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. What's in the Demo 2. Minimum Configuration 3. Recommended Configuration 4. Installation under MS-DOS 5. Installation under Windows 95 6. Running the Installation Program 7. Setup Sound 8. Additional Information 9. Starting Extreme Assault under MS-DOS 10. Starting Extreme Assault under Windows 95 11. Key Assignments 12. Playing Extreme Assault 13. The Sound Setup 14. Resolution Setup 15. Graphic Detail Level 16. Controls Setup 17. The Cockpit 18. Confronting the Enemy 19. Contacting Blue Byte 1. What's in the Demo In this demo version of EXTREME ASSAULT, you'll fly the Sioux AH-23 through the first part of Operation Zones One and Two. You'll experience breathtaking real-time 3D graphics that flow smoothly without the need for any expensive graphics accelerator cards. Check out the awesome visual effects like fog, transparent laser barriers, and scorch marks left on the terrain from your gun blasts. The action is fierce, so be sure you don't miss the bonuses that re- energize your shield and replenish your ammunition. In this demo, your helicopter has very powerful weapons systems, but there will be more available in the final version. Also missing in this demo, is the T1. It's a powerful high-tech battle tank you'll command in later Operation Zones. There are many more features that are found only in the final version including: unique multi-player levels, rockin' CD audio tracks and additional types of cunning opponents. TIP: If you have any technical difficulties or questions about EXTREME ASSAULT, call our technical support lines at In the US at: (847) 995-9981, between 8:30 AM and 5 PM Central Time in the US. In the UK at: +44 (0) 1604 25 90 90, between 2 pm and 6 PM UK Time. 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. 2. Minimum Configuration Pentium 90 VESA-compatible graphics card 16 MB memory MS-DOS version 5.0 or Windows 95 3. Recommended Configuration Pentium 133 PCI-Bus Video Card 16 MB memory Sound Card Joystick Windows 95 4. Installation under MS-DOS 1. After expanding the demo to an empty directoy make sure to read the readme.txt file. 2. Change to the directory you expanded the demo into. 3. Type "Install" and then press [RETURN]. You will now see the start menu for the installation program. 4. Follow the instructions in Section 6 entitled "Running the Installation Program". 5. Installation under Windows 95 1. After expanding the demo to an empty directoy make sure to read the readme.txt file. 2. Use the Windows Explorer to change to the directory you expanded the EXTREME ASSAULT DEMO into. Double click on "INSTALL.BAT" to start the installation. 3. Follow the instructions in the section entitled "Running the Installation Program". Note: Please make sure that your sound card is installed correctly under Windows 95. For information and guidance please see the On-Line- Help from Windows 95. 6. Running the Installation Program 1. Click on "Install Extreme Assault" to start the installation. 2. Select the drive where you'd like EXTREME ASSAULT to be installed. The program shows you the drives where enough hard drive space is available. 3. Choose the directory in which EXTREME ASSAULT is to be installed. You can accept the directory shown or pick your own. Confirm your choice with [RETURN]. The game files will now be copied onto your hard disk. 4. You will then see a Setup Menu with the following choices: Setup sound Additional information Quit program 7. Setup Sound 1. From the Setup Menu click on "Setup Sound". 2. If you have a sound card, confirm the prompt "Select and configure midi music driver" with [ENTER], then proceed to number 3 below. If you don't have a sound card, choose "No MIDI music" and "No digital audio" and proceed to number 6 below. 3. You are now presented with a list of common sound cards. Choose the sound card that is installed in your PC. If your particular sound card is not listed, select "Creative Labs Soundblaster or 100% compatible". This selection works for the majority of sound cards and probably for yours as well. 4. The next prompt will ask you "Attempt to configure sound driver automatically". If you confirm with [ENTER], the configuration will be done automatically. If all has gone well you will see the message "Device detected successfully". Confirm with [ENTER]. 5. If you have problems with the configuration and have good knowledge of computers, you might try doing the configuration manually. Choose the prompt "Skip auto-detection and configure sound driver manually". For those who are not so familiar with computers, we recommend trying a different driver, ("Select a different sound driver"), and then use the automatic configuration process mentioned above. 6. When you have successfully configured the midi music, click on the prompt "Select and configure digital audio driver" and repeat numbers 3 and 4 above. 7. When you have successfully completed the configuration process, leave the sound setup program by clicking on "Done". This brings you back to the Setup Menu. 8. Additional Information This section contains the readme text for this demo version. This is the file you are currently reading. 9. Starting EXTREME ASSAULT under MS- DOS 1. Change to the directory in which EXTREME ASSAULT is located. For example type: cd\bluebyte\extreme [ENTER] 2. The following line should now appear at the DOS prompt: C:\>bluebyte\extreme\ 3. Now you must start EXTREME ASSAULT by typing the word "Start" and then [ENTER]. Caution! If your graphics card doesn't support the 640x480 resolution in HiColor (65,000 colors), then you should start EXTREME ASSAULT using the batch file "LOWCOL.BAT" located in the EXTREME ASSAULT directory. This will enable you to start the EXTREME ASSAULT in the 256 color mode. 10. Starting EXTREME ASSAULT Under Windows 95 1. Use the Windows Explorer to change to the EXTREME ASSAULT directory. 2. To start, double click on "START". Caution! If your graphics card doesn't support the 640x480 resolution in HiColor (65,000 colors), then you should start EXTREME ASSAULT by double clicking the batch file "LOWCOL" located in the EXTREME ASSAULT directory. This will enable you to start the EXTREME ASSAULT in the 256 color mode. 11. Key Assignments Any of these key assignments can be changed by accessing the Options / Controls Setup / Adjust Controls menu. Highlight the control you would like to change, press ENTER and while the line is flashing press the key you would like to perform this function. Forward: Up Arrow Backward: Down Arrow Turn Left: Left Arrow Turn Right: Right Arrow Up: A Down: Z Drift ON: ALT Drift Left: Left Arrow Drift Right: Right Arrow Fire Selected Weapon: CTRL Change Weapons: Backspace Fire Rocket: Enter Smart Bomb: Space Thunderbolt: T Selects target #1: TAB Select target #2: Q Zoom radar: R Cockpit External on/off: 0 Virtual Cockpit on/off: 9 HUD on/off: 3 Forward View: 8 Backward View: 2 Left View: 4 Right View: 6 Upward View: 7 Downward View: 1 12. Playing Extreme Assault After the initial title screen, a screen with four pilots will appear. These pilots represent the various difficulty levels, from the easiest in the top left corner to the most difficult in the bottom right corner. In this demo, there is only one pilot available. After you have chosen this pilot, the main menu will appear. It contains the following points: 1. New Game Here is where you start a new game. Before you begin, however, it pays to be sure that the helicopter's controls will function the way you want them to. See section 16, Controls Setup, to adjust the controls. 2. Continue Game This will automatically load your last successfully completed mission. 3. Load Game Choose this to load any of your saved games. Your progress will automatically be saved after every successful mission. You will be shown all successfully completed missions for each pilot and can choose where you would like to begin. 4. Change Pilot In the final version, you will be able to change pilots (difficulty levels) here. 5. Options By clicking on "Options" in the main menu an "Options Menu" will appear. You can also call up the "Options Menu" during the game, by pressing the F2 key. It contains the following choices: The Sound Setup Resolution Setup Graphic Detail Level Controls Setup These sections are fully explained in sections 13 through 16 respectively. 6. Network Play This is another option that is only available in the final version of EXTREME ASSAULT. 7. Credits Find out who is responsible for EXTREME ASSAULT. 8. Quit Game Ends Extreme Assault. 13. The Sound Setup 1. Briefing Select the way in which you receive your briefings: text only, voice only, or text and voice together. Only the "text and voice" option is available in this demo version. 2. Music Selection Normally, you could pick what type of music you'll hear: Midi, CD Audio or no music. Unfortunately, the CD Audio selection is not available in this demo version. 3. Midi Volume The volume level is presented in slide-bar form: left is soft and right is loud. 4. Sound Effects Volume This slide-bar adjusts the volume of all sound effects as well as the volume of the voice transmissions. Again, left is soft and right is loud. 5. Number of Effects Here you can adjust the number of simultaneously audible sound effects. The more effects available the better the sound quality; however, it also means that your computer will run more slowly. If you encounter problems with processing speed, try reducing the number of effects available. 14. Resolution Setup Adjust the resolution quality available for your missions. Tryout the different resolutions and pick the one which best suits your taste. Note: If you choose a resolution that is not supported by your graphics card and the game still starts, (games sounds are heard), but no picture appears, then press "F5" after the briefing. This will switch the resolution from LowRes to HiRes or vice versa. If you can now see a picture, press "F2", and use the OPTION MENU to change to a different resolution. Note: "F5" allows you to switch between LowRes and HiRes, even during the game. Caution! Because this is a demo version, it's possible that the resolution you chose, although supported by your system, still does not function properly. In case this should occur, please try another resolution. 15. Graphic Detail Level Select the level of graphic detail that best meets your playing requirements. Of course, an increase in graphic detail will decrease the speed of your computer. Play the game with the various options and decide on a balance that you like best. 16. Controls Setup 1. Configure the controls to operate the way you want. Click on the object to be defined (i.e. Keyboard), and press the desired letter or key for each command or control element. The same applies for a joystick, but instead of a letter or key, it's the movement that needs to be defined. 2. Choose from one of the four available control types: arcade, normal, pilot and custom. 3. A special control function we added to EXTREME ASSAULT is called drift. Imagine that you are trying to avoid the fire of an attacking opponent, but don't want to lose sight of him. Drift allows you to move laterally to the left or right without turning your helicopter. You can assign drift left and right with the same joystick movements as turn left and right. Define drift with the "ALT" key, (naturally it can be any available key you desire), and define drift left and drift right with the appropriate joystick movements. Now during the game, to drift left or right, just press the "ALT" key and make the joystick movement for left or right. As soon as you release the "ALT" key, you'll return to the natural turning movement. 17. The Cockpit 1. Shield Display The energy bar at the top middle of the screen shows the amount of shield energy you have remaining to deflect enemy fire. When the energy level reaches zero, the next shot is fatal. 2. Weapons Display In the top left and right corners of the screen there are three lines of symbols. They indicate the amount of ammunition remaining for each on-board weapons system. In the left corner, from the top down, these systems are: the Razor Gun, Laser Cannon and Fire Flash. From the top, in the right corner, there are Guided Missiles, Smart Bombs and Thunderbolts. 3. Razor Gun It's a powerful, fully automatic machine-gun that fires armor- piercing rounds; these rounds are guided by the Target Sight (see Target Selection below). 4. Laser Cannon This cannon fires laser blasts in the direction the helicopter is facing. There is no guidance system available for this weapon. 5. Fire Flash A highly developed hi-tech weapon that fires lightning bolts. The penetrating force of this weapon is extremely high. It is available only later in the game and does not come with a guidance system. 6. Guided Missile You'll start the game with six Guided Missiles. When your magazine has less than six missiles left, you can pick up refills wherever you find them. The Guided Missile doesn't have a spectacular name, but it is a very effective weapon against fast and heavily armored opponents. There isn't a lot that an opponent can do to get away from it. To take advantage of the Guided Missile feature, be sure to first select a target (see Target Selection below). If this is not done then the missiles will not track their target. 7. Smart Bomb These bombs are not available right away, but you'll probably run across them during the game. The Smart Bomb is the most advanced and, like its name indicates, the most intelligent bomb in existence. The bomb disperses numerous rockets simultaneously which seek out any target in range. If you happen across a large group of deadly enemy forces, it may prove advantageous to have one or more of these bombs available. 8. Thunderbolts You have to find these bombs as well, but they sure are worth it. The Thunderbolt functions like a conventional guided missile; it's upon impact that you notice the difference. It covers an entire area with grenades and is very effective against tightly grouped stationary units. It's also fascinating to watch the effect it has on aerial vehicles that are threatening your chopper. 9. Target Selection Target selection is accomplished by pushing the assigned key. This key can be defined in the Control Setup menu. The Sioux AH-23's target selection system can lock-on any target within the Target Sight. When multiple targets are within this circular sight, the one nearest to the cross hairs will be picked when the select key is pressed. When a target has been locked-on, a Lead Point will appear that shows the opponents calculated position based on his current speed and direction. This point not only indicates where the opponent will be at the time of impact but also whether or not he is in range. 18. Confronting The Enemy! After you've chosen a pilot, made the necessary setup decisions and started EXTREME ASSAULT, you'll begin with a mission briefing. Your headquarters transmits mission orders and important warnings over the radio. Don't be surprised if you experience transmission disturbances once and a while. They are not due to problems with your computer! These problems are caused by atmospheric disturbances. You'll soon notice that two helicopters are approaching your location. Don't be alarmed; their choppers are no match for your Sioux AH-23! After you blow them out of the sky, take some time to familiarize yourself with the controls, before starting the next mission. One of those enemy choppers left behind an "extra" when he crashed. Fly near the site so you can pick up whatever it is. You can always collect extras so long as there is enough room on board. This time the extra is ammo for your Razor Gun. Now you'll be able to fire with all barrels, and be more effective against enemy targets. Naturally, that is only possible so long as the additional ammo holds out. Press "F12" when you're comfortable with the helicopter and its controls. The second mission briefing will then start, but this time we'll let you carry out the mission yourself. Good Luck! Have fun with the test version! The EXTREME ASSAULT Team 19. Contacting Blue Byte For more information on EXTREME ASSAULT, or any of our other hot titles, go to our web site at: http://www.bluebyte.com. Or if you're in the U.S. dial (800) 933- 2983. For those of you residing in the U.K. dial +44 0 1-604-259090 or 07000-BLUEBYTE. To get the latest scoop on all of our current and future games, email your name and address to hotline@bluebyte.com. Please mention code #EAINDOS.