There have been many changes in version 1.0.3. So many that we've lost track of some of them. Most of the missions have been re-balanced to make them easier to win, including Attack on Aegis 2. We've fixed a few bugs, including one that wouldn't let you play the last four missions (Chapter 13) even if you had completed all previous missions. We've improved the targeting system to make it more intelligent about which object it chooses when you're trying to acquire a target, and we've made the targeting boxes a little more useful in various ways. And we've added 'chunky' explosions: objects will now explode into pieces instead of just disappearing in a fireball.
Version 1.0.2 was released only on the PC. There were some additional changes needed after the PC version was released before the Mac version 1.0.2 could be released, so we decided to call it 1.0.3 instead.
Version 1.0.1 fixes a few minor bugs, and updates the first mission (What╒s Out There?) to make it a lot easier to plant the mole pods successfully. See the ╘Hints╒ section below for a walkthrough of the first mission.
We have also included new joystick settings in the Joystick Settings folder for the Flightstick, Gravis Mousestick, and Thrustmaster joysticks. These settings have not changed since version 1.0.1.
Since Absolute Zero is a CD-ROM game, it is impossible to update the files on your CD. Therefore you must keep the Absolute Zero program and the update files on your hard drive. If you want to be able to play directly from the CD, you can get a new CD by contacting customer support and requesting the latest version. See the ╘How To Contact Domark╒ section below.
Absolute Zero
This new Absolute Zero program completely replaces your old one. If you have already installed Absolute Zero onto your hard drive, replace the existing Absolute Zero file with this new one. If you have not installed Absolute Zero onto your hard drive, just put this folder anywhere you like. You can run Absolute Zero from this folder as-is.
AZ Updates
The AZ Updates folder must be in the same folder as the Absolute Zero program. It is a new folder, and it does not replace anything that you already have. If you have installed Absolute Zero onto your hard drive, put this file in your Absolute Zero folder. If you have not installed Absolute Zero onto your hard drive, do nothing. You can run Absolute Zero from this folder as-is.
If you are updating from a version 1.0 that has already been updated to 1.0.1:
Delete your old AZ Data Update file and your old AZ Level 1a Update file. These files have been replaced by new files contained in the AZ Updates folder.
Absolute Zero is designed to push your hardware to its fullest potential. We put a lot of really cool stuff in this game, but unfortunately this really cool stuff can take more CPU power than your machine can handle. If you╒re lucky enough to have a machine with a PowerPC 604 or better CPU, you shouldn╒t have to worry about the frame rate. But if you╒re one of the many people who have only a PowerPC 601 or 603 CPU, you╒ll probably soon discover that AZ will want to use every little bit of your computer╒s power. Here are some things you can do to help speed up your frame rate, in the order in which you should try them:
1) Make sure there are no other programs running when you launch Absolute Zero.
2) Turn off all unnecessary extensions, especially network extensions, including File Sharing.
3) Turn the Music off in the VR Visor Controls.
4) Turn the Engine sounds off in the VR Visor Controls.
5) Turn the No Sky option on in the VR Visor Controls.
6) Turn the Flat Shading option on in the VR Visor Controls.
7) Turn the Line Skipping option on in the VR Visor Controls.
8) Turn the Low Resolution option on in the VR Visor Controls.
In each mission, you are playing one of the seven main characters in the story. The person you are playing is almost always the one giving the mission briefing (in the Overlink section of the VR Tunnel). For instance, in the first mission (What╒s Out There?) you are playing Greg Foss. You know this not only because he gives the mission briefing, but also because while the game is loading there is a message on the screen that says ╥Login for Greg Foss in progress.╙ While you╒re flying the mission, when you hear Greg Foss speak, that is YOU speaking.
Absolute Zero is mainly an action game, but it also has a complex storyline that unfolds through the news reports and the diaries and email of the seven main characters. While your mission briefing gives you most or all of what you need to know to complete a mission, you may find yourself wondering what╒s going on, especially on the higher levels. There are even one or two missions where it is somewhat critical for you to understand what people are talking about. You should at least skim through the news and the diaries and emails for each mission, so that you don╒t get lost later on in the game.
It is important to know about the targeting recticles and the virtual targeting arrow if you want to be able to hit what you╒re shooting at. When you have an object targeted, there will be an orange box around it. There will also be a yellow box somewhere near it, but probably not on top of it. The orange box tells you where the object is, and the yellow box tells you where you should aim your selected weapon when you fire at the object. These boxes are the targeting recticles. The virtual arrow appears in the bottom center of your screen whenever you have an object targeted, and points toward the object. The red ball at the point of the arrow is there to help you discern whether the arrow is pointing toward or away from you.
Your targeting computer will automatically acquire targets for you when an object comes into range, but it doesn╒t necessarily pick the best target. To switch targets, point your weapon toward the object you want to target, and press the acquire target key (the default key is the tab key).
Here is a walkthrough of the first mission (What╒s Out There?):
1) Don╒t alter your speed at the beginning of the scenario.
2) Fly with your wingmen to Nav 1.
3) Hit the weapon change key (the default key is ╘w╒) to switch to the Mole Pod.
4) The Nav point marks the place you╒re supposed to plant the pod.
5) The targeting recticles should appear when you are about 10km away from Nav 2.
6) Wait until you hear yourself say (in Greg Foss╒ voice) ╥I╒m going to drop this pod...╙
7) Fire the pod by pressing the weapon fire key (the default key is the space bar).
8) Switch your weapon back to the Laserlance by pressing the weapon change key.
9) Help dogfight the Shards in the area. They only need two hits to kill them.
10) Once they are both dead, head for Nav 3. Mine Alpha will transmit a message to you.
11) Don╒t stray from your wingmen. You should be okay if you haven╒t changed your starting speed.
12) Go to Nav 3 and then head for Nav 4. You╒ll be about 15 kilometers out when two more shards will appear. Attempt to dogfight them. One of your wingmen should kill one, and either you can kill the last, or you can let a wingman do it.
13) With both dead, head for Nav 4. A pod needs to be dropped here. Do what you did to drop the first pod. You can fire the pod anytime after the targeting recticles appear.
14) Once that pod goes in hit the full throttle key (the default key is the zero key on the main key island).
15) Fly to Nav 5.
16) Blow past Nav 5 and head for Nav 6. Nav 6 is the next Pod drop, at the ruins of Europa City.
17) Ignore ANY enemies you see, they will ignore you.
18) Once you get out of the valley, you can╒t lose anymore wingmen, so get out ASAP.
19) A pod needs to be dropped at Nav 6. You can fire the pod anytime after the targeting recticles appear.
20) With the last pod in, fly full throttle to Nav 7. You can outfly the Web Flyers that are launched at you. After a few moments you should hear Bax die. You have won the mission.
Our customer support staff is available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. If you would like to contact our sales staff, you may call (415) 513-8929 x105, or send email to paulbald@domark.com.
