PC Gamer 3.7/1997-10_Disc_3.7.iso/xdemo/root/readme.txt

Text File | 1997-06-30 | 24KB | 936 lines

Welcome to the demo version of
       EXTREME ASSAULT!

      (C) Blue Byte 1997


-------------------------------------
    VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

      To: MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS

While Blue Byte invites individuals
to make use of this demo, any
magazines wishing to include the demo
on their own publication as a
promotion may ONLY do so having FIRST
attained written permission from:

for UK Territories
Matt Broughton - PR Manager
[e-mail]

for USA/Canada
Samantha Flint - PR Manager
[e-mail]

Blue Byte will pursue any
unauthorized reproductions or uses of
this demo to the fullest extent of
the law.

Thanks for your cooperation.
Blue Byte Software
-------------------------------------



Table of Contents
 1.  What's in the Demo
 2.  Minimum Configuration
 3.  Recommended Configuration
 4.  Installation under MS-DOS
 5.  Installation under Windows 95
 6.  Running the Installation Program
 6a. Setup Sound
 6b. Graphics Resolution
 6c. Additional Information
 6d. Start Extreme Assault
 7.  Starting Extreme Assault under
     MS-DOS"
 8.  Starting Extreme Assault under
     Windows 95
 9.  Key Assignments
10.  Playing Extreme Assault
11.  The Sound Setup
12.  Resolution Setup
13.  Graphic Detail Level
14.  Controls Setup
15.  The Cockpit
16.  Confronting the Enemy
17.  Network Play
18.  Contacting Blue Byte


1. What's in the Demo

In this demo version of EXTREME
ASSAULT, you'll command both the
Sioux AH-23 attack helicopter and
the T1 battle tank. Fight your way
through a demanding landscape
designed especially for this demo.
Or go head-to-head with with up to
3 other players in an exciting round
of multi-player action. For extreme
gamers, we've also included 3DFX
and force feedback support.

To make this demo version even
more intense, you now have a time
limit of 15 minutes to master the
Extreme gauntlet. The game
automatically ends if the time runs
out. The time is displayed under the
energy bar. So, whoever wants to
shoot it out with the final boss will
have to discover the secrets of
Extreme Assault and be exceptionally
skillful. That's what we call an
Extreme challenge!

You'll experience breathtaking real-
time 3D graphics that flow smoothly
without the need for any expensive
graphics accelerator cards.  Check
out the awesome visual effects like
fog, transparent laser barriers, and
scorch marks left on the terrain from
your gun blasts.

The action is fierce, so be sure you
don't miss the bonuses that re-
energize your shield and replenish
your ammunition. In this demo, your
helicopter has very powerful weapons
systems, but there will be more
available in the final version.

There are many more features that are
found only in the final version
including: 4 additional unique
multi-player levels, rockin' CD
audio tracks and additional types of
cunning opponents.

Note:
At the time this demo version was
produced there were problems with the
Hercules Stingray 128/3D graphics card
driver.
Please contact your dealer concerning
new graphics card drivers.

TIP:
If you have any technical
difficulties or questions about
EXTREME ASSAULT, call our technical
support line for the office nearest
you.

U.S.    - [phone] between 8:30
          AM and 5 PM Central Time

U.K.    - [phone] between
          2 PM and 6 PM U.K. Time

Germany - [phone]
          between 3 PM and 7 PM
          Mon-Thur and between
          3:30 PM and 7:30 PM on
          Friday.

For the quickest results, make sure
to write down your hardware system
information including: installed
sound cards, graphics cards, main
memory and any additional hardware
like an AVI-Accelerator. Software
information is also helpful, in case
we need to analyze driver problems.


2. Minimum Configuration

PC CD-ROM
Pentium 90
Local Bus VESA-compatible graphics card
16 MB memory
MS-DOS version 5.0 or Windows 95


3. Recommended Configuration

Pentium 133
PCI-Bus VESA-compatible graphics card
16 MB memory
Sound Card
Joystick


4. Installation under MS-DOS

1. Turn on your computer and insert
the EXTREME ASSAULT CD into your CD-
ROM drive.

2. At the end of the boot sequence
switch to the CD-ROM drive.  At the
DOS  prompt, type the letter of your
CD-ROM followed by a colon and then
press [RETURN].
For example:  D: [RETURN]

3. Type "Install" and then press
[RETURN]. You will now see the start
menu for the installation program.

4. Follow the instructions in Section
6 entitled "Running the Installation
Program".


 5. Installation under Windows 95

1. Turn on your computer and insert
the EXTREME ASSAULT CD into your CD-
ROM drive.

2. Use the Windows Explorer to change
to the EXTREME ASSAULT CD.
Double click on "INSTALL.BAT" to
start the installation.

3. Follow the instructions in the
section entitled "Running the
Installation Program".

Note:  Please make sure that your
sound card is installed correctly
under Windows 95. For information and
guidance please see the On-Line-Help
from Windows 95.


6. Running the Installation Program

1. Click on "Install Extreme Assault"
to start the installation.

2. Select the drive where you'd like
EXTREME ASSAULT to be installed.
The program shows you the drives
where enough hard drive space is
available.

3. Choose the directory in which
EXTREME ASSAULT is to be installed.
You can accept the directory shown or
pick your own. Confirm your choice
with [RETURN]. The game files will
now be copied onto your hard disk.

4. You will then see a Setup Menu
with the following choices:
 Setup sound
 Graphics resolution
 Additional information
 Start EXTREME ASSAULT
 Quit program


6.a. Setup Sound

1. From the Setup Menu click on
"Setup Sound".

2. If you have a sound card, confirm
the prompt  "Select and configure
MIDI music driver" with [ENTER], then
proceed to number 3 below. If you
don't have a sound card, choose "No
MIDI music" and "No digital audio"
and proceed to number 7 below.

3. You are now presented with a list
of common sound cards. Choose the
sound card that is installed in your
PC. If your particular sound card is
not listed, select "Creative Labs
Soundblaster or 100% compatible".
This selection works for the majority
of sound cards and probably for yours
as well.

4. The next prompt will ask you
"Attempt to configure sound driver
automatically". If you confirm with
[ENTER], the configuration will be
done automatically. If all has gone
well you will see the message "Device
detected successfully".
Confirm with [ENTER].

5. If you have problems with the
configuration and have good knowledge
of computers, you might try doing the
configuration manually. Choose the
prompt "Skip auto-detection and
configure sound driver manually".
For those who are not so familiar
with computers, we recommend trying a
different driver, ("Select a
different sound driver"), and then
use the automatic configuration
process mentioned above.

6. When you have successfully
configured the midi music, click on
the prompt "Select and configure
digital audio driver" and repeat
numbers 3 and 4 above.

7. When you have successfully
completed the configuration process,
leave the sound setup program by
clicking on "Done".
This brings you back to the Setup
Menu.

6.b. Graphics Resolution

This is a program that tests your
graphics card and determines which
resolutions it supports. After you
have started the program, follow the
instructions presented on the screen.
Don't overlook this menu option. If
you don't use this program, the game
may not function properly.

6.c. Additional Information

This section contains the readme
text for this demo version. This is
the file you are currently reading.

6.d. Start EXTREME ASSAULT

This starts the demo version of
EXTREME ASSAULT.  If you don't have
enough free memory or space on your
hard disk, skip this option and
start the game according to the
procedure described below.


7. Starting EXTREME ASSAULT under MS-
DOS

1. Change to the directory in which
EXTREME ASSAULT is located.
For example:  C:\>cd\bluebyte\extreme
[ENTER]

2. The following line should now
appear at the DOS prompt:
C:\bluebyte\extreme\>

3a. If you do not have a 3D
Accelerator Card, you must start
EXTREME ASSAULT by typing the word
"Start" and then press [ENTER].

3b. 3DFX-Graphics Card
If you have a 3DFX graphics card
installed, type "3DFX" and then press
[Enter] to start Extreme Assault in
the 3DFX mode.

Note:
If you have an I-FORCE compatible
Joystick, you'll need to use the
following parameter: "ff".

For example: Start ff [ENTER]
or  3DFX ff [ENTER]

Caution!  If your graphics card
doesn't support the 640x480
resolution in HiColor (65,000
colors), then you should start
EXTREME ASSAULT  using the batch file
"LOWCOL.BAT" located in the EXTREME
ASSAULT directory.  This will enable
you to start the EXTREME ASSAULT in
the 256 color mode.


8. Starting EXTREME ASSAULT Under
Windows 95

1. Use the Windows Explorer to change
to the directory you installed the
EXTREME ASSAULT demo into.

2a. If you don't have a 3D
Accelerator card, you must double
click on "Start".

2b. If you have a 3DFX graphics card,
double click on "3DFX.BAT" to start
Extreme Assault in 3DFXmode.

Note:
If you own an I-FORCE compatible
Joystick, you must double click on
"FORCEFEE.PIF".

Caution!  If your graphics card
doesn't support the 640x480
resolution in HiColor (65,000
colors), then you should start
EXTREME ASSAULT  by double clicking
the batch file "LOWCOL" located in
the EXTREME ASSAULT directory. This
will enable you to start the EXTREME
ASSAULT in the 256 color mode.


9. Key Assignments

Any of these key assignments can be
changed by accessing the Options /
Controls Setup / Adjust Controls
menu.

First choose "Customize". Then
highlight the control you would like
to change, press ENTER and while the
line is flashing press the key you
would like to perform this function.

A: Accelerates
Z: Decelerates
Left Arrow: Turns left
Right Arrow: Turns right
Up Arrow: Climb
Down Arrow: Dive
ALT + Left Arrow: Drift Left
ALT + Right Arrow: Drift Right
CTRL: Fire Selected Weapon
Backspace: Change Weapons
Enter: Fire Rocket
Space: Smart Bomb
T: Thunderbolt
TAB: SELECTS TARGET #1
Q: SELECT TARGET #2
r: Zoom radar
0: HUD on/off
9: Virtual Cockpit on/off


10. Playing Extreme Assault

After the initial title screen, a
screen with four pilots will appear.
These pilots represent the various
difficulty levels, from the easiest
in the top left corner to the most
difficult in the bottom right corner.
After you have chosen a pilot, the
main menu will appear. It contains
the following points:

1. New Game
Here is where you start a new game.
Before you begin, however, it pays to
be sure that the helicopter's
controls will function the way you
want them to.
See section 14, Controls Setup, to
adjust the controls.

2. Continue Game
This will automatically load your
last successfully completed mission.

3. Load Game
Choose this to load any of your
saved games. Your progress will
automatically be saved after every
successful mission.  You will be
shown all successfully completed
missions for each pilot and can
choose where you would like to begin.

4. Change Pilot
Here you can change pilots and the
respective difficulty level.



5. Options
By clicking on "Options" in the
main menu an "Options Menu" will
appear. You can also call up the
"Options Menu" during the game,
by pressing the F2 key. It contains
the following choices:
 The Sound Setup
 Resolution Setup
 Graphic Detail Level
 Controls Setup

These sections are fully explained in
sections 11 through 14 respectively.

6. Network Play
Here you can start a network round.

7. Credits
 Find out who is responsible for
EXTREME ASSAULT.

8. Quit Game
 Ends Extreme Assault.



11. The Sound Setup

1. Briefing
Select the way in which you receive
your briefings: text, voice, or text
and voice together.

2. Computer Voice
Turns on or off the computer voice
during the game.

3. Music Selection
Normally, you could pick what type
of music you'll hear: Midi, CD Audio
or no music.

Unfortunately, the CD Audio selection
is not available in this demo
version.

4. Midi Volume
The volume level is presented in
slide-bar form: left is soft and
right is loud.

5. Sound Effects Volume
This slide-bar adjusts the volume of
all sound effects as well as the
volume of the voice transmissions.
Again, left is soft and right is
loud.

6. Lead Point Signal
Choose whether or not you want the
sound on or off for the Lead Point
indicator.  When a targeted (locked on)
opponent is in range, a high pitched
constant tone will sound.  The tone
together with the Lead Point will
help you avoid wasting ammunition
on opponents that are out of range.

7. Number of Effects
Here you can adjust the number of
simultaneously audible sound effects.
The more effects available the better
the sound quality; however, it also
means that your computer will run
more slowly. If you encounter
problems with processing speed, try
reducing the number of effects
available.


12. Resolution Setup

Adjust the resolution quality
available for your missions. Tryout
the different resolutions and pick
the one which best suits your taste.

Note:  If you choose a resolution
that is not supported by your
graphics card and the game still
starts, (games     sounds are heard),
but no picture appears, then press
"F5" after the briefing. This will
switch the resolution from LowRes to
HiRes or vice versa. If you can now
see a picture, press "F2", and use
the OPTION MENU to change to a
different resolution.

Note:  "F5" allows you to switch
between LowRes and HiRes, even during
the game.


13. Graphic Detail Level

Select the level of graphic detail
that best meets your playing
requirements.  Of course, an increase
in graphic detail will decrease the
speed of your computer.
Play the game with the various
options and decide on a balance that
you like best.


14. Controls Setup

1. Choose from one of the four
available control types: arcade,
normal, pilot and custom.

2. To use the custom control type
do the following. Click on the action
to be defined (i.e. Climb), and
press the desired letter or key for
each command or control element.
The same applies for a joystick, but
instead of a letter or key, it's the
joystick movement that needs to
be defined.

3. A special control function we
added to EXTREME ASSAULT is called
drift. Imagine that you are trying to
avoid the fire of an attacking
opponent, but don't want to lose
sight of him. Drift allows you to
move laterally to the left or right
without turning your helicopter.

You can assign drift left and right
with the same joystick movements as
turn left and right.
Define drift with the "ALT" key,
(naturally it can be any available
key you desire), and define drift
left and drift right with the
appropriate joystick movements.  Now
during the game, to drift left or
right, just press the "ALT" key and
make the joystick movement for left
or right. As soon as you release the
"ALT" key, you'll return to the
natural turning movement.

Tip: Joystick adjustments can be made
under Options / Controls Setup
/Adjust Joystick. First select the
respective joystick axis, then you
can calibrate the neutral position
("Neutral") and the reaction strength
("Strength").



15. The Cockpit

1. Shield Display
The energy bar at the top middle of
the screen shows the amount of shield
energy you have remaining to deflect
enemy fire. When the energy level
reaches zero, the next shot is fatal.

2. Weapons Display
In the top left and right corners of
the screen there are three lines of
symbols. They indicate the amount of
ammunition remaining for each on-
board weapons system.

In the left corner, from the top
down, these systems are: the Razor
Gun, Laser Cannon and Fire Flash.

From the top, in the right corner,
there are Guided Missiles, Smart
Bombs and Thunderbolts.

3. Razor Gun
It's a powerful, fully automatic
machine-gun that fires armor-
piercing rounds; these rounds are
guided by the Target Sight (see
Target Selection below).

4. Laser Cannon
This cannon fires laser blasts in
the direction the helicopter is
facing. There is no guidance system
available for this weapon.

5. Fire Flash
A highly developed hi-tech weapon
that fires lightning bolts. The
penetrating force of this weapon is
extremely high. It is available only
later in the game and does not come
with a guidance system.

6. Guided Missile
You'll start the game with six
Guided Missiles. When your magazine
has less than six missiles left, you
can pick up refills wherever you find
them.

The Guided Missile doesn't have a
spectacular name, but it is a very
effective weapon against fast and
heavily armored opponents. There
isn't a lot that an opponent can do
to get away from it.

To take advantage of the Guided
Missile feature, be sure to first
select a target (see Target Selection
below).

If this is not done then the missiles
will not track their target.


7. Smart Bomb
These bombs are not available right
away, but you'll probably run across
them during the game.

The Smart Bomb is the most advanced
and, like its name indicates, the
most intelligent bomb in existence.
The bomb disperses numerous rockets
simultaneously which seek out any
target in range. If you happen across
a large group of deadly enemy forces,
it may prove advantageous to have one
or more of these bombs available.

8. Thunderbolts
You have to find these bombs as
well, but they sure are worth it. The
Thunderbolt functions like a
conventional guided missile; it's
upon impact that you notice the
difference.  It covers an entire area
with grenades and is very effective
against tightly grouped stationary
units. It's also fascinating to watch
the effect it has on aerial vehicles
that are threatening your chopper.

9. Target Selection
Target selection is accomplished by
pushing the appropriate key that was defined in the
Control Setup menu.

The Sioux AH-23's target selection
system can lock-on any target within
the green Target Sight. When multiple
targets are within this circular
sight, the one nearest to the cross
hairs will be picked when the select
key is pressed.

When a target has been locked-on, a
yellow circle and verticle bar will
appear. The verticle bar displays
your opponent's shield energy level.
When the target is within range a high
pitched tone will sound and a red
square (the Lead Point) will appear.
This point shows the targets
calculated position based on current
speed and direction. Use the Lead
Point to avoid wasting ammunition
on targets that are out of range.


16. Confronting The Enemy!

After you've chosen a pilot, made the
necessary setup decisions and started
EXTREME ASSAULT, you'll begin with a
mission briefing. Your headquarters
transmits mission orders and
important warnings over the radio.
Don't be surprised if you experience
transmission disturbances once and a
while. They are not due to problems
with your computer!  These problems
are caused by atmospheric
disturbances.

Take some time to familiarize
yourself with the controls, before
starting the Mission.

A message has just been transmitted:
You must destroy an enemy base. To
break out of the room you're in, you
need to destroy one of those two red
generators. Once you have done this,
you will receive some especially
useful tips. On your way out of the
room you'll also come across what is
termed an "Extra". Keep a look out
for others along the way.

You can always collect  extras so
long as there is enough room on
board.

This time the extras are ammo for
your Razor Gun. Now you'll be able to
fire with all barrels, and be more
effective against enemy targets.
Naturally, that is only possible so
long as the additional ammo holds
out.

When you've completed the mission,
you'll see a message appear on the
screen. Press "F12", if you wish to
start the next mission, otherwise you
can fly around a bit and check out
the landscape for additional extras
or other secrets. After pressing
"F12", the second mission briefing
will start, but this time we'll let
you carry out the mission yourself.

Good Luck!

17.  Network Play

Creating a New Game

You can play Extreme Assault on a
local network with up to four
players. To start a network game all
you have to do is select "NETWORK
PLAY" from the "Options Menu", then
select "Local Area Network (IPX).
Next you'll be asked whether you want
to create a new game or join an
existing game.
Important: Every network game needs a
creator (this is the person who
creates the game) and from one to
three additional players.

You must supply the computer with the
following information:

Your name: Give yourself a name.

Game name: The game must be named
to distinguish among any concurrently
running games.

Voice: Your messages to other
players can be spoken with a male or
female voice (in this demo version
there is only one voice available).

Vehicle: Choose between the Sioux
AH-23 attack helicopter and the T1
battle tank.

No. Of players: 2-4 players are
possible.

Game objective: Select the number of
kills required to win the game. You
can also play with or without time
limits, however you are limited to
5 kills in this demo version.

Radar: Decide whether you want to
play with or without radar.

Extras: Here are your options: All,
No Energy (shield energy) or None

Collision: This feature can be
turned on or off. When it is on, your
helicopter loses shield energy every
time it collides with an object, like
it does in the single-player version.

Terrain: Only one terrain is
available for this demo version.

Starting a Game: Click here and the
"Players and Teams" menu appears.

In this list are the players who have
joined the network game and it also
shows the number of players who can
still join the game. The "Creator"
has to assign identifying colors to
the individual players. To build
teams the "Creator" must assign more
than one player the same color. When
all the players are ready and the
colors have been assigned, the
"Creator" can start the game.

Joining a Game
If you only want to join an already
existing game of EXTREME ASSAULT,
click on "Local Area Network (IPX).
After this, you must choose a name
for yourself, a voice for your pilot
and the vehicle you wish to use. The
available network games will then
appear on the screen. Click on the
game you want and a display with game
details will appear.

The game can only be started by the
"Creator".

Note:
If your tank or helicopter becomes
stuck anywhere while playing in the
Network mode, you can transport your
vehicle to a safe area with the key
combination ALT + CTRL + 0.

Have fun with the test version!

The EXTREME ASSAULT Team


18. Contacting Blue Byte

For more information on EXTREME
ASSAULT, or any of our other hot
titles, go to our web site at:
http://www.bluebyte.com.  Or if
you're in the U.S. dial (800) 933-
2983.  For those of you residing in
the U.K.  dial [phone]
or 07000-BLUEBYTE. To get the latest
scoop on all of our current and
future games, e-mail your name and
address to [e-mail] in
the US or [e-mail]
in the U.K. Please mention code
#EAINABD.