The Game Master (3rd Edition)/The Game Master 3rd edition.iso/files/gameects/unprotec/artic.doc

Text File | 1980-01-01 | 18KB | 346 lines

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          3               Arctic Fox Documentation               3
          3           As typed by Bad Brains of OCCULT           3
          3                                                      3
          3                Hey, Call these boards:               3
          3                                                      3
          3        Anarchy Burger BBS.......[phone]       3
          3        Globe Quest BBS..........[phone]       3
          3        Byte Bandits BBS.........[phone]       3
          3          Thanks to Sam Brown for cracking it         3
          3                                                      3
          @DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY

                                   Background
                                   ----------

Although the alien task force has been active in Antarctica since about 2005,
we became aware of its existence only recently, when a member of the doomed
Hagerty Expedition managed to escape the alien force field with information
about the activities taking place within its boundaries. Most significantly,
it seems the aliens have been very productive in the relatively short time
they have occupied the area, and have succeeded in building a number of
oxygen converters in an attempt to replace the earth's atmosphere with one
more suited to their physiological makeup. The atmosphere surrounding their
native planet, STV-7X, is made up of equal parts of ammonia, methane and
chlorine gas and is obviously hostile to human existence. It is also volatile
and so long as any traces of oxygen remain in the atmosphere, will cause
atmospheric distubances of a spectacular nature, mainly in the form of
intense electrical storms.

At our present stage of technology, we have no weapons capable of penetrating
the alien force field directly, although indirect methods may be available.
One possible approach is to temporarily weaken one side of the force field by
causing a magnetic disturbance on the other. Preliminary tests show that this
method may cause sufficient disruption of the force field to allow entry of a
single combat vehicle into occupied territory. The obvious choice of the
combat vehicle is the new supertank from General Polemics, the Slye-Hicks
MX-100, codename: Arcticfox.

Arcticfox is the most advanced terrain vehicle of its kind. Specially
designed for polar combat, it features full missile-launching capability as
well as standard shelling and mine-placement functions. In addition,
Arcticfox can "dig in" to snow, allowing it to escape detection from all but
the most sophisticated radar equipment. Finally, Arcticfox's four-speed
automatic transmission provides low-end torque as well as a top speed in
excess of 140 kilometers per hour.

Combat plan involves infiltration into alien territory at 0900 hours. This
coincides with the enemy's greatest energy usage, and is thus considered
optimal for attempting to penetrate the force field. Once inside enemy
territory, all radio communication with HQ will be terminated to reduce the
possiblility of detection. The Arcticfox operator is therefore advised to
become familiar with combat strategy as outlined in this manual, as no
further information will be available from HQ once penetration has been
achieved.

                                 Skill Levels
                                 ------------

In addition to the two advanced levels (Beginner and Tournament), Arcticfox
includes two preliminary (pre-game) levels to let you preview the enemy
resources and develop proficiency in controlling your equipment. Although you
can start playing at the advanced levels right away, you will get more out of
the game if you spend a little time at the preliminary levels learning about
the enemy and about Arcticfox.

                              Preliminary Levels
                              ------------------

1) Enemy Preview: When you select this mode, the enemy's resources parade
before you, appropriately labeled, so you can see what you will be up
against. While doing this, you may want to refer to the descriptions later in
this manual.

2) Training Mode: At this level you can roam around the terrain and shoot the
enemy to your heart's content, but you cannot complete the game (which
requires blowing up or otherwise disabling the Main Fort). At training level,
your armor is tougher, and you have a large supply of ammunition, while the
enemy is weaker (i.e. has weaker armor) and is less intelligent. In addition,
when you start playing at this level, you start at a different map location
that you do in the advanced levels.

                               Advanced Levels
                               ---------------

3) Beginner Mode: Start here if you are still learning the basics. At this
level you have an ample supply of mines and missles, and your armor is
tougher. In addition, there are fewer enemy resources to contend with, and
the enemy is weaker than it is at the Tournament level.

4) Tournament Mode: This level is for the true aficionado. At Tournament
level the enemy is very intelligent and has use of a tracking device which
provides a constant readout of your location. Your starting position in
Tournament level varies among eight preselected locations. When you choose
Tournament level, you have the opportunity to select the enemy configuration
and your starting location, or you can let your computer randomly decide
these for you.

                                 Instruments
                                 -----------

Warning light: The Warning Light indicates whether or not the Arcticfox has
been spotted by the enemy. A green light means that Arcticfox has not been
spotted; a yellow light indicates that Arcticfox has been spotted by the enemy
locally, i.e. only by the enemy in the local sector. A red light means that
Arcticfox's location is known by the enemy throughout the entire area. When
this happens, the Communications Fort will mobilize search patrols and strike
forces. However, because the Arcticfox's location during Condition Red is
relayed through the Communications Fort, destruction of the Fort will
effectively counteract transfer of that information.

Radar/Aft View: The Arcticfox's Radar view is a bird's eye view of the
surrounding area with the Arcticfox in the center of the screen. The radar will
not reveal the enemy hiding behind terrain objects. The Aft view is provided by
a camera attached to the rear of the Arcticfox. The radar view always keeps
north at the top of the screen, regardless of the direction the Arcticfox is
facing, making it easy to coordinate direction with the compass. Pressing the
Radar/Aft key when the missile is active toggles between the view from the
missile and the radar view, on the small viewport.

Oxygen: shows the percentage of oxygen remaining in the atmosphere. The rate of
conversion can be slowed down by destroying the enemy's Air Converters.

Compass: Shows the Arcticfox's heading using standard compass orientation.
North on the compass always corresponds to the top edge of the radar screen.

Mines: Indicates the number of mines remaining.

Guided Missiles: Indicates the number of guided missiles remaining.

Position: Shows the Arcticfox's current position in degrees and minutes for
both longitude and latitude.

Clock: No prize for guessing this one. However, you should be aware that the
clock always starts at 0900 hours each time you start the game.

Speedometer: Indicates Arcticfox's speed in kilommeters per hour.

Gunsight: The four converging diagonal lines in the main viewport meet to
become crosshairs as soon as an enemy vehicle is within range. Note that during
the reload cycle the square brackets in the sight disappear until Arcticfox's
cannon is ready to fire again.

Damage indicator: The bar graph fills up as Arcticfox sustains damage. When one
of your instruments has been destroyed, its function icon on your dashboard is
blacked out.

                             Controlling Arcticfox
                             ---------------------

To fire the Arcticfox's cannon, press your fire button. If you hold the button
down, the cannon fires continuously. Note that Arcticfox needs to reload
between shots. Although reloading is automatic, it may take up to five seconds.

In addition, you can access the following functions through the keyboard. The
first column shows the icon, the second describes the function. See your
reference card for the keyboard controls.

Guided Missile: Firing a missile changes the view out of the small viewport to
the camera on the missile. Once you have fired a missile, you can use the
joystick to guide it. This means that the missile viewport can act like a mini
flight simulator, so that you can use it for reconnaissance if you wish. When
you find a suitable target, press the same key a second time to lock the
missile onto the target and return you to Arcticfox's viewport. Missiles have a
range of one radar screen beyond the current location, in all eight directions.

Mine: This function causes a mine to drop out of the back of the Arcticfox.
These mines are live, so it's not a good idea to run over them. In addition,
mines will self-detonate after a certain time period.

Aft View: This function lets you toggle between the overhead radar and the aft
view. The control panel button lights up when in aft view mode.

Cannon Inclination: By accessing this function, you can use the joystick or
keyboard to control your cannon's inclination and its sightrs in the viewport.
Pressing the button a second time turns this function off. When you are using
the joystick to control cannon inclination, it is not available to control
Arcticfox's forward or reverse movement. So while you are manipulating the
cannon, the Arcticfox will continue moving forward or backward in accordance
with your last joystick command. You can still control the Arcticfox's heading
however, by moving the joystick right or left.

Relative Reverse: This function is used in conjunction with Cannon Inclination
and works only in that mode. Relative Reverse causes the Arcticfox to reverse
direction, so that if it is moving forward when the button is pressed, it goes
into reverse, and vice versa. In addition, pressing the button when Arcticfox
is stationary will cause it to move forward.

Dig in: This function buries the Arcticfox when it is in snow, but has no
effect at other times. When the Arcticfox is buried, there is no view from the
viewport, although radar still functions. You can dig out by pressing the same
key a second time. Note that you can still fire missiles when you are dug in.

                               The Arctic Terrain
                               ------------------

Your theatre of operations is made up of geological formations and conditions
that can work either for or against you, depending on your strategic ability.
This means you not only have to outfox the enemy, but you also have to be aware
of your geological surroundings to avoid problems with the terrain. At the very
least, you should be aware of the following features:

Ridges: The Arcticfox can drive up and over this type of terrain to obtain
strategic viewpoints and hide from the enemy. Best of all, ridges are fun to
drive over. On the negative side, however, because ridges provide better views
of the surrounding area, the enemy tends to install strategic gun and radar
emplacements there.

Crevices: Driving into crevices is not recommended, since it spells death for
the Arcticfox and the end of the game.

Mud flats: the Arcticfox behaves unpredictably on mud flats. In particular, the
rear of the tank has a tendency to slide, making steering and stopping less
accurate than it is on snow or ice. You should be especially careful around
crevices when driving on a mud flat.

Tundra fields: The Arcticfox is slowed down by tundra (by a factor of 50%) but
so is the enemy.

Rocks: Watch out for the enemy hiding behind rocks. On the other hand, you can
use rocks to hide from the enemy.

Mountains: You can use the larger mountains as landmarks to give you a better
sense of where you are.

Force Field: The enemy force field is impossible to drive through. The force
field appears as a line on the radar screen, but doesn't show the ground.

Weather: Watch for blizzards. Blizzards can cause a whiteout, resulting in the
partial loss of visibility for both you and the enemy. Nevertheless, radar will
still function properly.

                                Enemy Resources
                                ---------------

Heavy Tank: Slow moving, heavy armor, heavy shells. This tank is more likely to
be defending the strategic areas than patrolling. Its heavy shells will do
extensive damage on a direct hit, so you will need to exercise your tactical
skills in its presence.

Light Tank: Medium speed, light armor, light shells. The light tank is usually
implemented in patrols as protection for the Recon Tank or in ground strike
forces.

Recon Sled: Medium speed, light armor, does not shoot. The Recon sled has long
range spotting capability and is usually found in patrols.

Fighter: High speed, light armor, light shells. The fighter is very dangerous
because of its speed. It is usually found in strike forces or accompanying
Recon Flyers for protection.

Recon Flyer: High speed, light armor, does not shoot. The Recon Flyer is
usually found in long range recon patrols. In the tournament game, the Recon
Flyer uses its tracking device against you.

Rocket Launcher: Stationary, heavy armor, shoots guided missiles which can do
massive damage on a direct hit. Guided missiles do not need to make a direct
hit to do damage, so you should approach a rocket launcher with extreme
caution. If you spot a Rocket Launcher, it is best to approach it from the
rear, since it only has a forward field of vision of 140 degrees.

Radar Station: Stationary, heavy armor, does not shoot. Radar stations have
very long range spotting capability. In addition, Radar Stations are able to
cloak other enemy resources from detection by Arcticfox's radar and to jam
missile-tracking systems.

Floating Mines: Stationary until the Arcticfox is spotted, light armor, does
not shoot. Floating mines are strategically placed to guard stationary objects
or passages. Once a Floating Mine spots you, it will home in on you slowly.

Air Converter: As the name implies, Air Converters do nothing by convert oxygen
into an alien atmosphere that supports the enemy. Destroying these
installations slows down the conversion of oxygen, thereby extending the amount
of time you have to destroy the Main Fort.

Communications Fort: The communications fort handles all radio communication
between enemy patrols and strike forces. By destroying the Communications Fort
you can disable the enemy's ability to call in strike forces against you.

Main Fort: Destruction of the Main Fort will effectively destroy the enemy, and
is the goal of the game. Needless to say, the Main Fort is strategically placed
and heavily guarded (by Heavy Tanks, Fighters, Floating Mines, etc) so its
destruction will require strategy and tactics of the highest order. Destruction
of the Main Fort requires two direct hits with missiles or ten direct hits with
cannon shells.

                              Strategy and Tactics
                              --------------------

 o It is inadvisable to stand in one spot during battle.
 o The best way to keep moving is to use Relative Reverse
 o Dropping mines is one of the most effective ways of dealing with ground
units. Use the Aft view screen to guide the placement of mines.
 o Destroying the Communications Fort will make it impossible for the Recon
Sleds and Recon Flyers to reveal your position. This will make it easier for
you to approach the Main Fort when the time comes.
 o Destroying the enemy's oxygen converters will reduce the rate of oxygen
conversion, giving you more time to succeed in your mission.
 o Following the force field protects one side of the Arcticfox.
 o Make sure you reserve at least two guided missiles and/or ten cannon shells
for the last stand against the main fort.

                               Keys and Commands
                               -----------------

Although Arcticfox automatically looks at your computer and adjusts the speed
at which the game runs, use <Ctrl> and a number from one to five to control
speed.

Use the spacebar to begin the game... F1 through F4 select the game skill
level.

Joystick mode: self explanatory, hit the fire button to enable joystick
response.

Keyboard mode: Use Ctrl-K to activate the keyboard mode. Use the arrow keys to
control the movement of the tank

Cannon Inclination    Q             Guided Missile       S
Aft View              W             Dig In               D
Mine                  E             Big Screen Missile   Return
Relative Reverse      A

Other Keyboard Commands...

Restart the game at any time               Ctrl-R
Toggle sound                               Ctrl-S
Use keyboard commands instead of joystick  Ctrl-K
Use joystick instead of keyboard           Ctrl-J
Quit Arcticfox and return to DOS           Ctrl-Q
Toggle solid fill objects on and off       Ctrl-F
Pause and restart game play                ESC


In writing this textfile, thanks go out to Mr. Hood (for providing the program
and the paper docs), to Sam Brown (for cracking the program in one night), to
Rigor Mortis (for distributing the file) and special thanks to Master Scorpio
for being such an idiot...

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