Gambler 30 A/GAMBLERCD30A.BIN/ReadMe.txt

Text File | 1999-02-19 | 30KB | 605 lines

                       Baldur's Gate Interactive Demo
                               Readme File


Baldur's Gate (tm)
Demo Version 1.0.0

Contents
1. Getting Started
   a. System Requirements
   b. Installation
   c. Running the Baldur's Gate Demo
   d. Configuration Program - Baldur's Gate Config
   e. Visit the Baldur's Gate Web Site
   f. Revision History
2. How to Play
   a. Creating a Character
   b. General Controls
   c. Tweaking Performance
   d. Known Problems
3. Information
   a. Ordering: North America
   b. Ordering: Europe
   c. Customer Service: North America
   d. Customer Service: Europe
4. Legal Information

Version Limitations:
  *This demo version of Baldur's Gate is much smaller and is only
   designed to give a flavor for the whole game.  We have not
   included any major quests or much of the storyline.  Rather, it
   is designed to introduce you to the interface, combat, and the
   system of Baldur's Gate - not to introduce you to the entire
   experience that is the full product.
  *Games saved with the demo are not compatible with the full version
   of Baldur's Gate.
  *Multiplayer is completely disabled.
  *Import/export of characters is completely disabled.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Getting Started

1a.  System Requirements

   Required:
     Pentium (or compatible) 166 MHz
     16 MB RAM
    *32 MB RAM for multiplayer
     Windows 95 with DirectX 5.0 or later
     320 MB of Hard Drive Space
    *380 MB of Hard Drive Space for multiplayer
     4X or faster CD-ROM
     DirectX Certified Video Card with at least 2 MB of video RAM
     DirectX Certified Sound Card
     Keyboard, Mouse

    *Multiplayer functionality is not included in this demo version.

   Recommended:
     Pentium (or compatible) 200 MHz with MMX
     32 MB RAM
     570 MB (or more) of Hard Drive Space
     8X (or faster) CD-ROM
     DirectX certified Video Card with at least 4 MB of video RAM

   Notes on Video Cards:
     While you can still run Baldur's Gate with a 1 meg video card, we highly
     recommend against it - performance will be very poor.  To check if your
     video card is 2 meg, go to the Display folder in the Control Panel and
     choose Settings.  If your video card can display 800x600 resolution at
     24-bit color depth, then it is capable of running Baldur's Gate.  We do
     recommend that you obtain the latest DirectX drivers for your video
     card, direct from the video card company that makes your card.

   WINDOWS NT 4.0:
   Although Windows NT 4.0 is not supported in an official capacity, Baldur's
   Gate can be run correctly under Windows NT 4.0 if the following conditions
   are met: You will need at least 32 MB of RAM and must have NT 4.0 Service
   Pack 3 installed.  If you wish to run multiplayer, then Service Pack 4 is
   required.  Slow downs during gameplay have been reported under NT.  These
   are due to the way that Direct Sound and the System Timers interact.  This
   may be corrected in future versions of NT.


1b.  Installation

   Insert the CD-ROM containing the Baldur's Gate Demo into your CD-ROM drive
   and follow the onscreen instructions.  If your autorun is disabled, find
   the autorun.exe application in the root of the CD and double click to
   launch the Installer.

   To install DirectX 6.0, open the folder on the CD entitled DirectX.  Then
   select the item, DXSetup.exe.  Follow the onscreen prompts.  If you obtain
   a newer version of DirectX, it is recommended that you use that.

   Later versions of DirectX often have driver updates which will make
   Baldur's Gate run better on your system.  However, Baldur's Gate only
   requires v 5.0.

   Minimum install versus recommended install:
   A minimum install represents the base information required to be on the
   hard drive to play.  A recommended install includes more information that
   would otherwise have to be loaded each time - for example, there are more
   custom sound sets available for use by your created characters and there is
   more music available in the recommended install.  You must leave the CD in
   the drive at all times when playing with a Minimum Install.


1c.  Running the Baldur's Gate Demo

   If you use the default installation settings for the Baldur's Gate Demo, it
   will be installed in a 'Black Isle' Program Group in your Start menu.


1d.  Baldur's Gate Config

   One program of note in your Program Group is the Baldur's Gate Config
   program.  This application will allow you to set the various hotkeys for
   the game as well as set up several other options.  The various options are
   contained within four tabs.  The various Shortcut tabs allow you to modify
   the different 'hotkeys' for the game.  Refer to your Game Manual for
   information about these.  The Options tab contains various game settings:
   1. Region:  This setting is used for Gamespy connections
      *This does nothing in this demo version.
   2. Cache Size:  The Cache is Hard Disk space that is reserved by Baldur's
      Gate for storing area data.  The more cache you make available to the
      title, the less loading you will have to do when returning to areas
      in the game.
   3. Game Speed: The Game Speed setting allows you to speed up EVERYTHING
      in the game.  Because Baldur's Gate is real time, allowing running
      unbalances the game.  The Game Speed option allows the user to speed
      up the overall play of the game.  This option is not officially
      supported and could cause problems, especially in multiplayer.  The
      default setting is 30 AI Updates/Second.
      Note: this will result in a performance hit on any machine because the
      game is attempting to process all data at a higher speed.  This will
      cause more slowdown in various places in the game.


1e.  Baldur's Gate Web Page

   If there is anything that are having problems with or cannot find in the
   manual, stop by the Baldur's Gate Web Page at http://www.interplay.com.
   Aside from cool game materials and errata, you may be able to find an
   answer for whatever question you might have.


1f.  Revision History

        1.0.0

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.  How to Play the Demo

2a.  Creating a Character

    When you begin the game you will first need to create a character.
    Select New Game and the Character Creation screen will come up.
    Click on Gender to start the process.  After choosing Male or Female
    move down the catagories to select Race, Class, Alignment, Abilities,
    Skills, Appearance, and Name.  Each of these items will be explained
    in the text box at the bottom of the window that comes up for each.

    After you have created your character, click on Accept and the demo
    will begin.

2b.  General Controls

    Character Selection:  You can select any single character by clicking
      on his/her base in the main game screen.  You can select multiple
      characters by holding the left mouse button and dragging a box across
      the main game screen.  All characters within the box will be selected.
      You can also select characters by left clicking the character portraits
      that are displayed on the right side of the screen.  SHIFT clicking and
      CTRL clicking also work to select specific members of your party.
      If you have all of the characters selected, you will be offered options
      that apply to the entire party rather than to a specific character.
      To select specific actions for any given character, you need to select
      that character first by left clicking on the character's base or by
      clicking the character portrait.   After that character is selected
      (denoted by a brighter green box only around the specified character),
      you can choose specific actions for that character.

    Basic Actions: Baldur's Gate will determine for you a default action in
      the main game screen based on what you are attempting to interact
      with.  For example, if you wish to interact with a neutral creature in
      the game, the cursor that comes up will be of two faces facing each
      other, or the 'TALK' cursor.  If that creature is hostile, then the
      cursor that will come up is the sword which means 'ATTACK'.  For
      searching, the most common cursor that will come up is the 'GET ITEM'
      cursor, which shows the hand holding a ring.  Other common cursors are
      the 'DOOR' cursor, which indicates that you either wish to open or
      travel though a door.  Note that to go through an unlocked, closed
      door, you will need to have one of your characters first open the
      door, and then select all of your party members to travel through the
      door.

      Available actions for a single character are shown while that character
      is selected.  These actions are depicted by icons at the bottom of the
      screen.  If you have only one character selected, the options that come
      up at the bottom of the screen will depend entirely on the class of the
      character selected.  The first several buttons will be reserved for
      quick weapons and the last few reserved for quick items.  Between those
      two will be class specific buttons.  For a Thief, the buttons will be
      stealth and thieving, a Mage will have slots for quick spells.  A
      cleric will have icons for quick spells and turning undead.  If a
      character has no special abilities, like a Fighter, then those slots
      will be available for more quick weapons and more quick items --
      reflecting a Fighters ability to respond with items and combat in a
      tight situation.

      Configure the quick item buttons on the inventory page and select them
      for use with a left click on the main game GUI.

    Pop-Up Help:  If  you are confused about what an icon in the game is,
      or about a creature or anything else, just position the cursor over
      it.  Windows tool tip pop-up help will appear after a few
      seconds.  This will show what the icon stands for, or who or what the
      item is.
      Note: if you have not identified an item, it will bring up a generic
      description.

    Pausing the Game:  Baldur's Gate uses a real-time engine.  At any time
      during play, you can pause by tapping the space bar or clicking on
      the clock in the bottom left of the game screen.  While the game is
      paused, you are free to give actions to any of your party members.
      When you un-pause the game, your characters will use the orders given
      to them last.

      Note that if you enter the inventory screen, the game will un-pause.
      This is not a bug.  This is intentional and is meant to keep players
      from trading items and equipping items in the middle of combat.  For
      all intents and purposes, the player should have the characters fully
      equipped before entering a battle.

   Traveling from one area to another: when you want to leave an area, you
     must travel to the edge of that area.  When you are at the edge of that
     area there will be a cursor which depicts a wheel.  This cursor
     indicates that you are at the edge of the area and wish to travel to a
     different area.

     When you have decided to leave one area, you must gather up your entire
     party to venture forth.  If all of the party members are not present,
     you must locate the party members that are missing and get them to join
     up with you.

   Inventory, Spells, and other interface screens: the buttons on the left
     side of the screen lead to the various interface screens for your
     characters and game options.  The buttons from top to bottom are as
     follows:
     Skull: returns you to the main game screen.
     Map: shows the map for the area you are currently in.  Once on the Area
       map you can view the world map by clicking the 'globe' button in the
       top right.
     Journal: the journal will record notes of your travels.
     Inventory: the inventory allows you to equip your character(s) and
       manage the items they currently possess.  Dragging and dropping of
       items is the easiest way to move things around in your inventory.
     Character Record: the record sheet displays information about your
       characters.
     Spell Book/Priest Scroll: the spell book and priest scroll both work
       the same way.  Known spells are shown on the right, memorized spells
       on the left.  You can move spells back and forth between the two sides
       by clicking on the icons for the spells.  When spells are selected to
       be memorized, they will be dithered, which means you must rest before
       you can use the spell.  Right clicking on the spells will bring up
       descriptions of them.
     Game Options: the game options button allows you to change a lot of
       stuff in the game such as graphics and sound settings.  From this menu
       you can also save and load the game.

   Resting: the majority of resting should be done in an Inn if possible.
     However, if you are in the wilds and wish to rest, click the button
     which comes up in the bottom right of the screen when you are in any
     of the interface screens.
     Resting takes 8 hours and will heal your characters some based on the
     conditions where they are resting.  Resting allows your characters to
     memorize their spells.  Resting outside or in unsafe places could make
     your party vulnerable to random creatures wandering the area.


2c.  Tweaking Performance

   Increasing Performance:

   1.  Weather.  In the options menu under 'GamePlay', turn off Weather.  The
       graphic effects that rain and snow use can cause large performance
       drops on lower end machines.  This does not affect gameplay in any way.
   2.  Translucent Shadows.  In the options menu under 'Graphics', turn off
       translucent shadows.  Turning this off will cause all shadows to appear
       solid, rather than blending a dark shadow onto the background.
   3.  Character Movement Sounds.  In the options menu under 'Sound/Character
       Sound', turn off Character Movement Sounds.
   4.  Other Audio.  Turning off any of the audio may result in a performance
       increase.  Moving the sliders in the options menu under 'Sound' all the
       way to the left will completely disable the playing of these sounds.
   5.  Virtual Memory.  WE DO NOT RECOMMEND ADJUSTING YOUR VIRTUAL MEMORY.
       Baldur's Gate will eagerly use up any Virtual Memory (hard drive) and
       non-Virtual Memory (RAM) you allocate to it.  If you choose to add more
       memory to your system, or increase the size of your Windows swap file,
       the game speed MAY increase.  However, as you increase your Virtual
       Memory, expect longer clearing times to remove this 'Virtual Memory'
       from the hard drive after the game is terminated.

   Things that will Decrease Performance:

   1.  Brightness/Contrast.  Adjusting the default settings for these options
       (located in the options menu under 'Graphics') will result in a
       performance hit.  If you find the game is too dark, we suggest
       adjusting your monitor's brightness.
   2.  DirectX Hardware Calls.  In the options menu under 'Graphics' there are
       three toggles for various 'BLTS'.  Enabling these will result in a
       (sometimes drastic) performance hit.  We recommend enabling these only
       if you have graphics glitches that you have been unable to resolve.
   3.  Running the game in Windowed Mode.
       Running the game in a Window on your desktop will decrease the
       overall game performance.

   Pathing Performance:

     To increase the path searching AI, the following entry can be modified
     in the baldur.ini file that is installed in the root of the installation
     directory:

        [Program Options]
        Path Search Nodes=4000

     To increase or decrease the AI, vary the number of Nodes (4000 above).
     The range can vary from 2000 to 32000.
     Increases the number above will increase the number of nodes in path
     searching at the expense of responsiveness to movement commands.  Note
     that unless your machine is slower than a P2 you can probably set the
     value to 32000 and not notice any speed difference.  This will help
     fix getting stuck on terrain obstacles.


2d.  Known Problems

   * Graphic Errors
       Some video cards may experience graphics glitches while playing the
       game.  These problems are caused by DirectX Hardware Calls to your
       video card that are not functioning.  We have written software renders
       for all of these calls to allow people to play even with drivers that
       are not 100% compatible with the DirectX standards.  You can enable a
       software render for these calls if you have the most recent drivers
       for your video card and are still experiencing problems.  Using the
       software render will probably fix the graphic glitches, but WILL
       result in a performance hit.

       IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE GRAPHICAL DISPLAY OF BALDUR'S
       GATE, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST VERSION OF YOUR VIDEO
       DRIVERS.  DRIVER UPDATES ARE AVAILABLE AT MOST (if not all) HARDWARE
       MANUFACTURERS AND CHIPSET MANUFACTURERS SITES ON THE INTERNET.

       You may also try installing DirectX 6.0+ if you are experiencing
       graphical problems.

       If you have the most recent drivers for your video card, and you are
       still experiencing problems, you can enable software renders for these
       calls. The options are available in the options menu under 'Graphics'.
       The following list describes the known graphics glitches and which Call
       should be disabled to fix them.  If in doubt, try different
       combinations and this may help.  You can always turn off all software
       renders to return to the default settings.
       ------------------------------------------------------------
       Glitch                        Disable
       ------------------------------------------------------------
       -green boxes surrounding      Software Transparent BLT
        any object in the game
       -box surrounding mouse cursor

       -animations appearing         Software Mirror BLT
        'reversed'
       -Fog-of-War appears in
        a 'semi-checkerboard'
        pattern
       -fog-of-War has edges
        that look 'spiky'

       -vertical lines down          Software Standard BLT
        the main game screen
       -the game Cursor is
        leaving 'artifacts' of
        itself on the game screen
       -any other non-resolved
        graphics problem

       Specific Video Cards and Fixes
       ------------------------------------------------------------
       Matrox Millenium (1) : Enable Software Mirror and Software
                              Transparent BLTs.
       Permidia :             Enable Software Standard BLT.

   * Minimizing Baldur's Gate
       If you minimize Baldur's Gate using either Alt-Enter or Alt-Tab (and
       then bring it back up by left clicking on the minimized application),
       the sound effects for the game will stutter, loop, and skip.  This is
       caused by a lack of resources available to Baldur's Gate after you
       go from full screen to a minimized screen, and it will correct itself
       after a short period of time.
       If you minimize Baldur's Gate and then bring it back up, the game may
       run more slowly for a time.  This is caused by the game re-accessing
       resources that become tied up by minimization.
       Running the game in a window may result in lower performance overall.
   * NT 4.0: Screen-Saver
       While running under Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3, we have
       experienced intermittent problems with Screen Savers.  We recommend
       disabling your Screen Saver while playing Baldur's Gate.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.  Information

   Baldur's Gate is available now!  Baldur's Gate was released worldwide in
   December 1998.  Visit your local retailer or check out the information
   below to get your copy.

   Features:
   Huge game world - Five CD set filled with over 10,000 scrolling game screens
   Gripping non-linear adventure that spans seven chapters and dozens of subplots.
   Transparent interface can be modified to play in turn based or real time mode,
     and makes it possible to play without knowing AD&D« rules.
   Set in TSR's best-selling Forgotten Realms« campaign setting, the most popular
     and longest running of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons« roleplaying game
     worlds.
   Full multiplayer capabilities - up to six players via modem, LAN, and TCP/IP,
     including support for GameSpy and HeatNet.


3a.  Ordering info: United States and Canada

   Call 1-800 INTERPLAY to order by credit card, and remember to mention the
   code BGE2.  Or visit your favorite game software retailer.

   Visit the website at www.interplay.com/bgate

3b.  Ordering info: Europe

   Mail order is not available at present in the UK.
   For distribution details, please call Interplay Productions, Ltd.
   in the UK on: [phone].
   You may also fax to: [phone]

   Or see your local software retailer for this and other great Interplay
   titles.


3c.  Customer Service Information for North America

  This information is only valid in North America.

   TECHNICAL SUPPORT TROUBLESHOOTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE!
   Interplay Productions Technical Support now offers troubleshooting guides
   with complete installation and setup instructions as well as information
   that will help you overcome the most common difficulties.  If you have
   access to the World Wide Web, you can find these at:

        www.interplay.com/support/

   Here you will find troubleshooting information on as well as information
   on regular system maintenance and performance.

        DirectX                 www.interplay.com/support/directx/
        Joysticks               www.interplay.com/support/joystick/
        Modems and Networks     www.interplay.com/support/modem/

   (For game-specific information and additional troubleshooting, visit our
   main page at www.interplay.com)

   If you have questions about the program, our Technical Support Department
   can help. Our web site contains up-to-date information on the most common
   difficulties with our products, and this information is the same as that
   used by our product support technicians. We keep the product support pages
   updated on a regular basis, so please check here first for no-wait
   solutions:

        www.interplay.com/support/

   If you are unable to find the information you need on our web site, please
   feel free to contact Technical Support via e-mail, phone, fax, or letter.
   Please be sure to include the following information in your e-mail message,
   fax, or letter:
        Title of Game
        Computer manufacturer
      * Operating system (Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 98, etc.)
        CPU type and speed in MHz
        Amount of RAM
        Sound card type and settings (address, IRQ, DMA)
        Video card
        CD-ROM
        Mouse driver and version
        Joystick and game card (if any)
        A copy of the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files from your hard drive
        A description of the problem you're having
   If you need to talk to someone immediately, call us at [phone]
   Monday through Friday between 8:00AM-5: 45PM, Pacific Standard Time with
   24 hours, 7 days a week support available through the use of our automated
   wizard.   Please have the above information ready when you call. This will
   help us answer your question in the shortest possible time. When you call
   you will initially be connected with our automated wizard.  For
   information pertaining to your specific title, press "1" on the main menu
   and listen carefully to all prompts.  All titles are listed alphabetically.
   After you have selected your title, the most common difficulties will be
   listed.  If the difficulty you are having is not listed or you need
   additional assistance, you may press "0" on your games main menu, and you
   will be transferred to a Technical Support Representative.  No hints or
   codes are available from this line.   You must call Interplay's HINT Line
   for hints, tips, or codes at 1-900-370-PLAY (1-900-451-6869 $1.25 in
   Canada only). You must be 18 years +, have a touch-tone phone, and the
   cost is $0.95 per minute.

        Interplay Productions Support Fax: [phone]
        Interplay Productions Technical Support
        16815 Von Karman Avenue
        Irvine, CA  92606
        HOW TO REACH US ONLINE
        INTERNET E-MAIL: [e-mail]
        WORLD WIDE WEB: www.interplay.com
        FTP:    ftp.interplay.com


3d. Customer Service Information for Europe

   This information is not valid in North America.

   Write to:    Customer Support
                Interplay Productions, Ltd.
                Harleyford Manor
                Harleyford
                Henley Road
                Marlow
                Buckinghamshire
                SL7 2DX
                ENGLAND

        tel:    [phone]
        Fax:    [phone]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.  Legal Information

Software Use Limitations and Limited License
    This special preview version of Baldur's Gate (the "Software")  is
intended solely for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use.
You may not decompile, reverse engineer, or disassemble the Software,
except as permitted by law.  Interplay Productions and Bioware Corp retain
all rights and title in the Software including all intellectual property
rights embodied therein and derivatives thereof.  You are granted a revocable,
nonassignable limited license to create derivative works of this Software
solely for your own personal noncommercial home entertainment use and may
publicly display such derivative works to the extent specifically authorized
by Interplay in writing.  A copy of this authorization, if any, will be
provided on InterplayÆs World Wide Web site, located at
http://www.interplay.com, or by contacting the legal department of Interplay
Productions in the US at +[phone].  The Software, including, without
limitation, all code, data structures, characters, images, sounds, text,
screens, game play, derivative works and all other elements of the Software
may not be copied (except as provided below), resold, rented, leased,
distributed (electronically or otherwise), used on  pay-per-play, coin-op or
other for-charge basis,  or for any commercial purpose. You may make copies
of the Software for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use and to
give to friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis.  This
limited right to copy the Software expressly excludes any copying or
distribution of the Software on a commercial basis, including, without
limitation, bundling the product with any other product or service and any
give away of the Software in connection with another product or service.
Any permissions granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be
withdrawn by Interplay Productions at any time.  All rights not expressly
granted are reserved.

Acceptance of License Terms.
    By downloading or acquiring and then retaining this Software, you assent
to the terms and restrictions of this limited license.  If you acquired the
Software and do not accept the terms of this limited license, you must return
the Software together with all packaging, manuals and other material contained
therein to the store where you acquired the Software for a full refund and if
you downloaded the Software, you must delete it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALDUR'S GATE:  Developed and (c)1998 BioWare Corp.  All Rights Reserved.
Baldur's Gate, Forgotten Realms, the Forgotten Realms logo, Advanced Dungeons
& Dragons, the AD&D logo, and the TSR logo are trademarks of TSR, Inc., a
subsidiary of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., and are used by Interplay under
license.  All Rights Reserved.  BioWare, the BioWare logo and The BioWare
Infinity Engine are the trademarks of Bioware Corp.  All Rights Reserved.
Interplay, the Interplay logo, Black Isle Studios, the Black Isle Studios
logo, and "By Gamers. For Gamers." are trademarks of Interplay Productions.
All Rights Reserved.  Exclusively licensed and distributed by Interplay
Productions.  All other trademarks and copyrights are property of their
respective owners.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EOF