Grand Slam 3/Grand Slam 3.iso/011/unt-rbfj.arj/JACOB.EXE/README11.TXT

Text File | 1995-06-08 | 12KB | 283 lines

                        Renegade: Battle For Jacob's Star
                        V1.1 README11.TXT file

READ THIS PART WELL

NOTE, the v1.1 update will only work for the 60 meg install.
This is due to the fact that we cannot modify files that reside on
the CD-ROM, they must be copied to the Hard Drive first, which is
what the 60 MB install does.

If you have one of the smaller installations on your hard drive,
you should be able to install the 60 MB version OVER your current game,
then apply the patch.  Savegames should be unaffected.



IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CONTINUE

If you come to a mission that seems unbeatable, it is usually due to a ship
that you cannot catch to destroy.  This will get you past the mission.

1) Make a backup of your .plr and .lst files
(for example, if your pilot is named The Otto Man, your files will be titled
as THEOTTOM.PLR and THEOTTOM.LST)

2) Edit the .plr file (edit TheOttoM.Plr)

The first few lines of the file are as follows:

name OTTO VON MASTERSON
call-sign THE OTTO MAN
character 4
state alive
path easy
day 1

Edit the PATH line.  There are three options (easy, average, difficult)

By changing it to something different, you change the mission.  Once this
is done, run the current mission (which should be slightly different)
Once the troublesome mission has been completed, you may choose to change
the path back to what it was originally.


CORRECTIONS IN V1.1

1) Added Clean.exe which looks for and deletes files in your game
directory which should not be there (I.E. Old replay files).  These
files will not cause a problem with the game, they simply take up
unnecessary disk space.

2) The game will now check to make sure you have enough free disk space
to run the game.  In v1.0, the game would simply crash if there was not
enough free disk space at startup.

3) Corrected problem with mouse not reaching below 2/3 of the screen.
(Since we could never duplicate this problem in-house, we can only speculate
as to the effectiveness of this correction.  Please contact Tech Support
at 1-408-737-6850 or on any of the online services -CompuServe, GEnie,
America Online on which we support our products.

4) Fixed Alien animation in command console

5) Corrected crash which resulted sometimes when a players ship was heavily
damaged during combat (about to explode).

6) A stray pointer was corrected.  This was not linked to any one crash,
but was corrected in this version (1.1).


THRUSTMASTER USERS:

If you encounter a problem with your Thrustmaster product, you may wish
to check and see that you have the latest software from Thrustmaster.

Thrustmaster technical support can be reached in the following ways:

1) By phone at 503-968-3400

2) On the World Wide Web (WWW) http://www.thrustmaster.com
(take a look at this page whether or not you have a problem, it's cool!)

3) Via E-mail at [e-mail]


                        Renegade: Battle For Jacob's Star
                              Notes And Game Errata
                                  Version 1.0

This file contains any pertinent information about that game that did not
make it into the regular documentation. You will also find information
on any changes that were made to the game that differ from what
is stated in the manual.


ADDITIONS TO THE GAME
_____________________

**New Keyboard Commands**

The following is a list of some new keyboard commands added to the game.
These keyboard commands are included in the HOTKEY.TXT file as well as
the on-line hot key listing in the game. The new keys are:

C       Toggle Cockpit graphics ON/OFF
K       Bring up an on-line HOT KEYS Screen: This screen is available in
        the cockpit modes of actually missions, Holo-Space and the mission
        reviewer.
N       Advance to the next Nav Point: (The Nav Point must be directly in
        front your pilot's interceptor on the SPS before this key can be
        used.)  Activating this key will automatically advance your squad
        to the next Nav. Point.
Z       Toggle Padlock view ON/OFF: While padlock is on, your pilot's view
        will automatically change to follow the currently targeted enemy.
        Once activated, your pilots view changes to keep the currently
        targeted enemy on screen. You may only fire at the targeted enemy
        from the front view.

NOTE: The file HOTKEY.TXT contains a complete list of all the hot keys in
Renegade. This file may be printed so that you have a hard copy available
at all times.

**Missions**

There are two mission type that need some clarification, the RECON mission
the PILOT RESCUE/CAPTURE.

RECON Mission:
When your pilot flies a recon mission be sure that the recon pod is
selected from the missile selection screen, otherwise completion of the
mission becomes impossible and a failed mission will result. Once you have
reached the area to be scanned activate the recon pod (like you would a
missile) and target the item. Once a lock is gained press the fire button
to receive the recon data. This process should take no longer than 30
seconds to complete. When the data has been received you will be notified
and may continue with the mission.

Pilot Rescue/Capture:
When your pilot flies a rescue/capture mission you must locate the escape
pod that contains the pilot, this is usually near the nav point. Once
located, pick up the pilot by flying over the pod. When the pod has been
picked up you will be notified and may continue with the mission.



TROUBLESHOOTING
_______________


**GRAVIS ULTRASOUND AND ULTRAMAX USERS**

Users who have one of these sound cards must run LOADPATS.EXE prior to
running Renegade. Type LOADPATS in the Renegade directory to load the
utility.

**VESA DRIVERS**

Most SVGA cards come with their own vesa drivers. Should you have
trouble getting Renegade to start, usually evident by a black or gray
screen after you type RENEGADE, try running UNIREN.BAT. Type UNIREN
and this batch file will load a universal vesa driver that is compatible
with most SVGA cards before loading the game. Should you still have
trouble running the game, a new updated vesa driver may be required
from the dealer or manufacturer you purchased the card from.

**CHANGING AND ADDING A NEW INPUT DEVICE OR SOUND CARD**

Should you wish to change the input device you are using or wish to change
the sound card setup, type CONFIG from the game directory. This should
also be used if you add a new device or sound card to your computer.

**PLAYING AUDIO CD's**

In Renegade you may play your own audio CD's to listen to whatever type of
music you'd like. The best time to do this is during a mission as the game
needs to access the CD less often than while in the command console or
mission reviewer.



MANUAL CHANGES
______________

**OPTIONS MENU**

Missions Recorder ON/OFF Toggle:
Missions are no longer automatically recorded during the game. You must
go to the options menu and set the mission recorder ON. While the mission
recorder is on you may notice a slight pause from time to time during a
a mission. This pause occurs as the program saves the data it
needs to replay the mission. This should not hinder play of the game.

Game Configuration:
It is now possible to set a variety of different variables in Renegade to
set the difficulty level to your playing preference. These variable must
be set before you Load a Saved Game, Start a New Game, or enter
Holo-Space. To access the game configuration screen select OPTIONS from
the MAIN MENU, then select GAME CONFIGURATION.

Most of the variables that can be set are a modifiers to certain elements
of the game. For example, increasing your interceptor's armor to 1.5
increases the armor by 50% giving your interceptor more armor. Decreasing
the armor multiple lowers the amount of armor your interceptor would have.

The variables adjusting TOG and Renegade wingman piloting and gunnery
skills are a direct addition or subtraction to their skills. For example;
if you set Renegade Wingman piloting skills to 3 and set TOG gunnery
skills to -3 Renegade pilots would have their piloting skill raised by 3
and TOG pilots would have their gunnery skill lowered by 3.

**HOLO-SPACE RANKINGS**

H-Space rankings can now keep track of the top 20 pilots who have flown in
Holo-Space. The information kept has been expanded to:
        - your pilot's callsign
        - the date and time your pilot's score made the top 20 list
        - the starting difficulty level
        - number of waves completed
        - number of kills by your pilot
        - your pilot's score.

When the list is full any new entries will take their appropriate rank and
the last place rank will be removed.

**COMMAND CONSOLE**

Main Computer AI Icon:
The computer AI icon no longer has flashing eye colors as stated in the
manual. When there is an internal message from one of your wingman or Post
Alpha's chief mechanic a tone will sound and the character will appear on
screen to deliver the message. If there is an incoming mission briefing
from Crucible Command a tone will sound and when you access the Computer
AI you will see a menu offering a choice to view the mission briefing or
the TOG Status Report. If there is no mission briefing available,
accessing the computer AI will automatically bring up the TOG Status
Report.

Force Mission:
At times a wingman's fatigue level will be so high that he will resist a
request to fly a mission.  When this happens the Accept Pilot button will
be replaced by a Force Pilot button.  If you click on Force Pilot the
wingman will go on the mission but his piloting skills will be reduced and
his fatigue will increase faster. Likewise, there are times when the
interceptor you select is so damaged that the chief mechanic won't let it
out of the hangar. You can click on Force Mission to attempt to get the
mechanic to release the interceptor in question.

Mission Reviewer:
The Reviewer no longer maintains the last 10 missions regardless of pilot,
as listed in the manual. The last five (5) missions of pilots you
create are now kept in individual pilot files. Note that the last mission
flown may be repeated and you may still enter the cockpit at any time
during a mission review (see the manual for details).

Wingman Phenotypes:
Wingman phenotypes are no longer a factor in deciding who can fly which
interceptor. All wingmen may fly all interceptors available.





GAME HINTS
__________

**Fighting in Tandem with a Wingman**

If you are having trouble surviving the initial missions you should try
teaming up with a wingman to attack a TOG interceptor as a team.  This
will usually allow you to survive the fight.

**Wingman commands**

In order to give a wingman individual commands you must bring up the
wingman's fighter in the armor/shield indicator (their interceptor will
show on a blue background). After giving the wingman a command you may
find that he doesn't respond.  This will occur if the wingman is in the
middle of a fight or has been shot at after receiving your command.  A
wingman will always attempt to carry out your commands but self
preservation comes first.