The mouse buttons have default and automatic meanings. Automatic features depend on what the mouse cursor is over. The cursor will change to indicate what will automatically happen. Additionally, the automatic system can be overridden by using the Ctrl or Alt keys at the same time the mouse button is clicked. Automatic functions can also be turned off completely in the options menu if desired.
Left Mousebtn Default:Select Squads (Drag: Select squads in bandbox)
Automatic: Attack if cursor over enemy unit
Automatic: Move if not dragging mouse, and cursor is over empty terrain
Right Mousebtn Default:Move Squads (Drag: Move and point squads)
Automatic: Attack if cursor over enemy unit
Automatic: Follow unit if cursor is over a friendly unit
Automatic: Load troops into APC if cursor over APC and troops are selected
Mousebtn Move Squads (Drag: Move and point squads) [overrides automatic system]
Mousewheel Changes camera height up/down
Arrow Keys:
UP, DOWN Move Camera Forward/Backward
LEFT, RIGHT Strafe Camera Left/Right
PgUp, PgDn Change Preset Camera Altitudes Up/Down
HOME, END Fine Tune Camera Altitude Up/Down
F1..F12 Quick Select Squad 1-12
BKSPACE Quick Select APC Vehicle
S Select all Squads
D Deselect all Squads
CTRL-1..9 Create group out of selected squads and assign to number key
1..9 Select group 1-9
E Use Special Equipment (selected squad)
W Use Special Weapon (selected squad)
M Activate/deactivate Large Tactical Overview
R [over a unit] Examine the View and Fire Range of a unit
ENTER Issue full stop & cease fire to selected squads
SPACE Toggle Squad Behavior Menu
F Set squad to Offensive Movement
G Set squad to Defensive Movement
H Set squad to Hold Position
J Set squad to Free Fire
K Set squad to Return Fire
L Set squad to Hold Fire
V Set squad to Line Formation
B Set squad to Box Formation
N Set squad to Column Formation
I Hide Interface
Y Hide Team markers
PrtScn Take Screenshot
PAUSE Pause Game
ESC Bring up Game Menu
The Boot camp missions teach many of the above commands and keystrokes. Currently not taught in the Boot camp are the following concepts: (they'll be in the final version of the game)
- When holding down Ctrl and clicking either mouse button, an attack command is given. If the mouse is dragged while holding down the control key, a red bandbox is drawn and all enemies selected in that box will be targeted by the currently selected unit
- Squads can be grouped together. Select the squads you want in the group either by drag-selecting or shift-clicking and then use Ctrl-# (where # is 1-9) and when pressing that number key later, all those units will be selected.
- function keys are hotkeys for squads. F1 for squad 1 and F2 for squad 2, etc. Pressing any function key twice will send the camera to orbit that squad.
- select one of your units and right click on a friendly unit, your selected unit will now follow that friendly unit wherever you send it if it can. If the unit being followed is attacked, the squad(s) following it will also attack the assailant.
- left clicking the mouse button on the small mini map moves the camera around to the location you clicked.
Two political factions have gone to war over a distant world and the secrets it holds in Ground Control, a visually stunning and frenetically paced action/real-time strategy game from Sierra Studios and Massive Entertainment.
By combining strategic combat with fast-paced 3D action elements, Ground Control promises to deliver a fresh experience that will appeal to a wide audience, including on-line gaming enthusiasts.
At its core, Ground Control is a frenetically paced RTS played out in a visually stunning 3D world. During the course of the game, players will be challenged in an intense arena of battle-as they must effectively manage tactical squads of foot soldiers, mobile units, air craft and support units as they vie for control of a distant planet.
In addition to the epic single-player game, Ground Control's extensive multiplayer component will feature several unique multiplayer modes including deathmatch-style drop-in games - a first for RTS.
SQUADS AND EXPERIENCE. Each Squad that survives a Campaign mission receives a number of Experience points depending on its actions in the mission. Damaging and killing enemy units and buildings give experience points. The Experience points are accumulated over missions and affect the efficiency of a Squads. A veteran Squad will have increased ACCURACY, STEALTH, PERCEPTION, inflict more DAMAGE and have a slightly higher MOVEMENT SPEED than an newbie Squad. Use your Squads wisely and make sure to build a balanced and experienced Battle Group.
UNIT FACING AND FLANKING. Most Terradyne and Hoverdyne units in the game have better armor in the front than in the rear. It is important to use this wisely; a controlled attack from the flanks or the rear will hurt the enemy a lot more than an all-out frontal assault. It is equally important to deny the enemy the opportunity to attack your units from the rear or else they will quickly slaughter your units.
ELEVATED POSITION. Attacking from an elevated position is very advantageous. Whenever you can, try to position your own squads higher than the enemy -- you will quickly notice that the total damage inflicted is dramatically increased.
SHADOWS. Shadows increase the STEALTH of a unit and also decrease the ACCURACY of any attacking enemy. If possible, make sure to position or move your units in shadows. If needed you can even sometimes completely avoid being detected by enemy forces.
SUPPRESIVE FIRE. When a unit is under attack it will slow down and receive an ACCURACY penalty. Light units can even suppress heavy units. Use this knowledge wisely and try to suppress an enemy unit if you need to slow down their progress. Even if your units don't inflict any major damage it might give you enough time to regroup.
USING ARTILLERY. Artillery Vehicles have extremely efficient long-range attacks. However, they are very vulnerable to attacks from enemy units. Make sure to have protective units around your Artillery Vehicles or you will quickly lose them. Artillery Vehicles do not automatically attack when they detect enemy units unless you order them into FREE FIRE MODE. You as the Commander must give a direct order on what to target. Make sure that you don't have any friendly units near the target point or the effect will be devastating.
MOVING ON TERRAIN. Infantry have much better movement capabilities than Terradynes and Hoverdynes. Most hills and mountains can be climbed by Infantry while only some Terradynes and Hoverdynes can move on steep terrain. Knowledge of how to use your units in the 3D terrain is imperative for a successful mission.
FRIENDLY FIRE. It is important to avoid friendly fire. Units within a Squad will automatically avoid firing at each other. Avoid grouping several Squads in tight locations or your units will become victim of friendly fire casualties. [NOTE: This feature is disabled when playing on EASY difficulty setting]
DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES. Certain units can be equipped with Deployable Structures. Select the equipment and mark the spot where you want the structure to be placed. An icon representing the building will appear on the right side of the screen.
MISSIONS. The available missions are not completely balanced or tuned. All missions will be continuously improved until the game is released.
SWITCHING RENDERER AND RESOLUTION. Currently the only way to switch 3D renderer and/or resolution is to run the game with "gc.exe -render". The first time you start the game, it will ask you what renderer and resolution to use.
SOFTWARE RENDERER. When running the game with the Software Renderer some graphics and features are missing. This will be fixed in the final release.
AMD processors. We've encountered some problems and crashes running the game on ATHLON and K6-2 machines. ATI Rage Pro and 3Dfx Voodoo Graphics may not work with the latest drivers. Working Rage Pro drivers are available in the included "Drivers" folder. For Voodoo Graphics, the driver supplied by Windows 98 Second Edition can be used. The ATI Rage Pro and Voodoo Graphics will be fully supported in the final release of Ground Control.
Intel i740. Ground Control does not currently support the Intel i740 card it will in the final build.
LOGITECH MOUSEWHEEL. The mousewheel stops working on some Logitech mice. Disable Mousewheel in the Options menu.
MICROSOFT DIRECT 3D. Some older 3D cards don't work properly with Ground Control. Always make sure to have the latest DirectX drivers installed. The game requires DirectX 7.0a.
Sierra's end user license agreement, limited warranty and return policy is set forth in the EULA.txt, found on the CD, and is also available during the install of the product. Legal information on the use of this product is also given during installation.
Sierra Sales 1-800-757-7707
Sierra Studios,
Sierra On-Line, Inc.
3060 139th Ave SE, Suite 500
Bellevue, WA 98005
Copyright (c) 2000 Sierra On-Line, Inc. and Massive Entertainment
