The Games Machine 51/HCDEMO_UK.iso/Readme.txt

Text File | 1998-07-23 | 13KB | 325 lines

Hardwar Playable Demo
----------------------

This readme contains information regarding the control keys and
instructions for the playable Hardwar demo.


Running the game
----------------

Now you have installed the game go to the "START" button situated at the
bottom left-hand corner of the screen and select "Programs" followed by
"Hardwar Demo", and then "Hardwar Demo".

You should then be presented with the Hardwar control panel.  You can
select the various tabs by clicking on them with the mouse pointer, many
options can be selected ranging from screen detail to control method.

Once you have checked that all the settings are to your liking, click the
launch button on the "Game" tab to enter the demo.  The demo will time-out
after 10 minutes, unless of course you come to a sticky end before that.
If you do, you can restart but the game world will be reset.


Play
----

To help show you some of the aspects of Hardwar we have set up a little
scenario for this demo.  You will start the game with a small but reasonably
equipped 'Moth'.  The first thing you should do is check for messages.
You will find that the police are offering a reward for the assassination of
a rogue pilot.  When you are reading the mail message, you can click the
'Target Subject' box to automatically enter the subject of the message,
in this case the notorious pirate Coolon Dibsey, into your moth's targeting
computer.  This will be useful if you are brave or foolhardy enough to attempt
to bring him to justice.

Back in the hangar, you have the option to launch your moth into the outside
world or access the hangar computer.  By linking your moth to the hangar
computer you can access services available in the building that you are
currently lurking in.  In this demo you will start out at Alpha Trading Post
where goods can be bought and sold.  You can stock up on weapons here, but
for now select 'launch moth' and wait while your moth is guided out through
the airlock under the control of the hangar computer, (Nobody in their right
mind would let a reckless Hardwar pilot loose in their hangar!)


Flight
------

Once your moth is in the airlock with the doors open to the outside world
you are in control.  Use the X key to put on some power and fly clear of the
airlock - you will see the power bar at the bottom of your screen move to the
right.  In flight, use the cursor keys to control your moth, (advanced
pilots can hold down Ctrl in conjunction with the cursors to produce some
sideways and vertical thrust - ideal for clever manoeuvres).

Take time to get the hang of the power controls.  Holding the Z key will
decrease your power until the bar reaches the centre - zero power.  Pressing
and holding Z again will put you into reverse - the bar moves to the left.


Navigation
----------

Navigation is fairly simple in the demo version as you are restricted
to the Alpha crater, but even so it is worth spending a little time
learning to use your navigation systems.

Pressing the 'N' key will take you into the moth's navigation
computer where you can see a map showing your current location and
that of your current target.  You can target buildings, moths and
other things.  Whilst in flight, you will see a representation of
your target in the bottom left of the screen along with any other
information your moth's computer can determine, such as speed, heading
and cargo for example.  If the target is in your field of view, you will
see a green box marking its location, otherwise, an arrow will point you
in the right direction.

The menus in the navigation screen will allow you to select various
useful targets, such as moths within your radar range, or buildings
that provide useful services in the area.  Alternatively when in flight
you can target the object in the centre of the screen with the 'T'
key or toggle through the targets in your radar range with the 'Y'
key.


Combat
------

Rule one of combat: select your target.  See the section on navigation
above for details.  Rule two of combat: select your weapon.  In the demo
version you'll start off with a laser and some Sprat missiles fitted
to your moth.  Use the 'W' and 'Q' keys to cycle through all available
weapons.

Once you have the enemy in your sights and a weapon at the ready
all you need to do is hit the spacebar to fire. As you play, you will
learn to judge the best range to fire your weapons from, and which
are more effective against different opponents.

Sprats are guided missiles which will do their best to track the
target you fire them at.  Sometimes you may notice the enemy releasing
flares and manoeuvring violently to try and shake off your missiles.
You would be well advised to do the same when your ships computer warns
you of an incoming missile.  Use the 'F' key to release flares.


Salvage Recovery
----------------

At various times in the game there will be items on the ground you
might want to retrieve.  For a moth fitted with a cargo pod and
salvage recovery drone this is quite a simple task.  Target the
object you want to pick up (again, see the navigation section) and
hit the 'D' key twice to prepare and launch your drone.

The drone will launch from your pod, collect the object, and return.
During this time, you will be informed of its progress on your HUD.
You may be fortunate enough to be able to sit back and watch it do
its work, or you may be occupied fending off attackers, but you'll
need to stay still and level for the drone to be able to dock.

In the demo scenario, the police will want the recovery of Coolon
Dibsey's black box after you have shot him down.  Take it to them
as proof of your success.


Docking
-------

From time to time you will need to enter a building and land in the
hangar, perhaps to refuel or get supplies, or maybe to hide from
a particularly fierce pilot with a grudge against you.  You will
find that all buildings have the easily recognisable blue airlock
doors on the outside. Stop your ship in front of these, and
assuming the airlock is not already in use, the doors will open
and you'll be cleared to enter.  In the demo, your moth is fitted
with an autopilot which will take over at this point and guide
you inside.

Of course, a skilled pilot can enter an airlock much more quickly
and gracefully than the autopilot and so some pilots choose not to
have one.  If you are adventurous try finding a software shop
and downgrading your autopilot!


Hardwar
-------

As you are probably beginning to realise, there is much more to
Hardwar than we can possibly hope to show you in a small demo
like this.

In the full version, you will be free to explore the entire world
and trade, interact and fight with its inhabitants who will all
be going about their business.  Sometimes you will get involved in
their struggles and other times you will be busy doing your own
thing.

A shrewd and skilful player could end up with a fleet of moths
equipped for different tasks, and their own building to park them
in and stash the fruits of their labour.  Ultimately you may find
the opportunity to escape from Titan, but then again you may find
that greed suits you and you decide to remain and become a major
power in [Misplaced] Optimism.

And of course, in the full version you'll find many more moths,
weapons and other toys to play with.  We look forward to seeing
you there!

In the meantime, visit http://www.gremlin.com and/or
http://www.refinery.co.uk for more information.


Quick Key Guide
---------------

The default keys assigned to the game are:

Movement

   Cursor keys - Alter the moth's direction of face.
   Ctrl key (in conjunction with Cursors) - Strafe moth (retain attitude of
   moth and move, dead useful) and/or increase/decrease altitude.

Throttle Controls

   Z - More reverse thrust
   X - More forward thrust
   Backspace - Full steam ahead
   Right Shift- Full steam astern
   Return- Stop dead

Weapons

   Space Bar - Fire
   W - Select next weapon
   Q - Select previous weapon

Targeting

   The targeting system can be used for weapons, navigation, salvage recovery
   and ship identification.

   Y - Toggle through targets in radar range.
   T - Target building, cargo or Moth in HUD reticule.
   N - Access Main Navigation menu (You can target certain Ships and Buildings
from here)

Views

   F1 - Cockpit view
   F2 - External view (control with PgUp, PgDn, Ins, Del, + and - on keypad)
   F3 - Target view (external, pointing towards your current target)
   F4 - Rear view (from behind your moth)
   F5 - Inverse Target View

   Insert  (Num Pad) - Pan view Left
   Del      (Num Pad) - Pan view Right
   Pg Down (Num Pad) - Pan view Down
   Pg Up   (Num Pad) - Pan view Up
   +       (Num Pad) - Zoom view in
   -       (Num Pad) - Zoom view out
   5       (Num Pad) - Centre view

Other

   I - Activate Infra red imaging
   D - Release drone to collect cargo (must target cargo first)
   S - Launch Star shell (illumination)
   F - Launch Flare
   R - Launch Chaff
   J - Jettison Cargo
   M - View messages
   H - Hud Function (Cycles through Weapons, Cargo and Hardware fitted)

   Esc - Main game options (Pause, Save and Quit etc).


Troubleshooting
---------------

If you have any problems with this game, or have noticed any bugs, we would
really appreciate hearing about them as we will endeavour to fix them in the
finished game. Your input could be really important. To do this either email
us at [e-mail] or send a letter to
    Betabugs (Helpdesk)
    The Green House
    33 Bowdon Street
    Sheffield
    S1 4HA
Please include a full description of the problem, a description of the PC
specification you are using (including processor, graphics card, memory,
etc.). We may not be able to enter into a dialogue but we will do all we can
to sort out the problem for the final game. Many thanks from the development
team.

Known issues:

 1. Joysticks and gamepads: If you seem to be getting no response from
    these peripherals make sure you have set them up correctly and
    tested them in the Windows Control Panel.

 2. Speed: If the game seems slow and sluggish, check your settings in
    the Hardwar Manager to be sure you are not trying to do more than
    your machine can handle.  Slower machines using software rendering
    will run best in 256 colour mode, and the lower the resolution the
    faster it will be.

 3. Memory: A common symptom of memory shortage is constant disk access
    during the game. If this happens, try reducing the resolution of the
    sound effects to 11KHz to save memory.

 4. Resolution: The front end, messages and hangar section of the game
    always run at 640x400. The Hardwar Manager lets you select the resolution
    for the in-flight sections of the game so you can get the optimum
    configuration for your machine. Slower machines should use lower
    resolutions. On some systems, mode switching itself can be rather slow
    and if you find this to be the case on your system, we recommend selecting
    a game resolution of 640x400 to eliminate the switching altogether.

 5. Mouse pointer: On some older video cards and drivers you may notice the
    mouse pointer flickering, or occasionally leaving a trail behind it. If
    you experience this, try to get the latest DirectX video drivers for
    your card, and try disabling any multicoloured mouse pointers in the
    Mouse section of the Windows Control Panel.

Tips
----

* Avoid shooting down independent or innocent ships, else feel the wrath of
  the police.

* Try to bribe the police if you do get into trouble.

* Arm yourself to the teeth (purchase from Breaker Maker 3 or Alpha Trading
  Post).  Access the computer, browse through the stock on offer, and use the
  fit option to fit your chosen upgrades.

* Use flares to decoy enemy missiles.

* When manoeuvring use speed short cut keys to fox the enemy. (Backspace,
  Return and Right Shift).

* Your Moth can be repaired at "Breaker Maker 3" situated near the lake.

* Refuel your moth by hovering in a light well when energy bar runs down.

* Try to be fast at all times, prolonged battles are deadly.

* Learn to use reverse and directional ('strafing') thrust to control your
  moth like an expert.


================================
Copyright (c) 1998 Gremlin Interactive Ltd.    - www.gremlin.com
Copyright (c) 1998 The Software Refinery Ltd.  - www.refinery.co.uk

Hardwar Playable Demo
English
PC-CDROM
HCD1PA02