Digital Downs/Digital Downs.iso/manual.txt

Text File | 1995-08-14 | 17.5 KB | 402 lines

                ++  DIGITAL DOWNS  ++
          COPYRIGHT (C) 1994, 1995 ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE
               "If it's good, it's ACCIDENTAL"

                 NOTICE

  ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE DOES NOT PROMOTE OR CONDONE USING DIGITAL DOWNS
  FOR GAMBLING PURPOSES AND IS NOT LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT  OR CONSE-
  QUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF DIGITAL DOWNS.

                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

                   1. Hard disk Information
                   2. Game features
                   3. System requirements
                   4. Game start up
                   5. Command line switches
                   6. Making Selections
                   7. Menu Bar
                   8. Daily Racing Form
                   9. Race Types
                  10. Tote Board
                  11. Video
                  12. Utilities
                  13. Race
                  14. Tips
                  15. Trouble shooting
                  16. Use With Windows

            HARD DISK INFORMATION

This game must store and recover some information as the program runs.
It is necessary to store this information on your hard drive since a
CD-Rom cannot be written to.  This game creates the directory "C:\ACCIDENT"
on your hard drive for this purpose.  This action should be transparent
to you since this directory is deleted when you end the game.

               GAME FEATURES

1.  An exciting and action packed horse racing simulation.

2.  Easy to use mouse interface.  Point and click your way through
    the entire game.

3.  Large data base of available horses, each with predetermined
    abilities.  (1000 horses and 10 stables in the demo
    edition, 3000 horses and 30 stables in the full edition).

4.  Each stable has it's own set of jockeys, each jockey has a dif-
    ferent ability that may add to or detract from the horses ability.

5.  Each stable has it's own trainers, each horse is assigned a
    trainer.  The trainer may have a bearing on how well the horse
    performs.

6.  Each racing day has an associated track condition.  Each
    horse will perform differently depending on the track condition
    it encounters.

7.  A daily double bet is available on the first race of the day,
    it covers the first and second races of the day.

8.  Nine race lengths are provided.  The race lengths vary from
    the shortest straight away race (4 Furlongs) to the longest
    full track race (1 1/2 miles).

9.  The first race of the day features the daily double bet, the
    following bets are available in all races.

    1. Win bet
    2. Place bet
    3. Show bet
    4. Quenella bet
    5. Exacta bet

10. Each race is recorded on simulated video tape.  This video is
    shown after each race.  The video can be run as many times as
    you like simply by pushing the video button.  The speed of the
    video play back can be adjusted with the mouse buttons or
    the keyboard.

11. Sound blaster sound effects and voice files.  The full
    edition has many additional sound blaster sound effects. These
    sound effects require a sound blaster or 100% compatible sound
    system to function.

12. The full edition of this game will allow up to 8 people
    to play simultaneously.  The demo edition only allows
    one player to play at a time.

13. The full edition of this game will save the stake and
    default bet amount for each player so that he or she may
    continue the game in the future.

                SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

1.  IBM or 100% compatible computer
2.  EGA/VGA Video adapter with 256K RAM on video card
3.  Hard disk with at least 3 megs of free disk space
4.  540K free RAM required
5.  Mouse
6.  80386 processor of better

RECOMMENDED:

1.  Sound Blaster

                 DEMO VERSION

1. The game supplied is an demo version.  This version is
   provided as a demonstration of the game capabilities and provides
   a fully functioning game.  Some game enhancements are reserved
   for those users who find this game to be a worthwhile
   investment. The full version has several game enhancements not
   available in the demo copy.  These features are listed below.

                 FULL VERSION

1. Your full version removes all game limitations.

2. Your full version will allow you to play with up to a 8 other
   players at the same time.

3. Your full version will save your stake and default bet amount
   so you can continue the game at a future time.

4. Sound Blaster support is provided.  Full version users will receive
   many additional sound blaster sound effects and voice files that the
   game will use to make a more interesting simulation.  This feature
   requires a Sound Blaster or 100% compatible sound system.

6. Full version users can order additional ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE games
   at a discount.

7. The full version of this game updates each horses results from the
   last race he has run.  If he wins enough races to qualify for the
   next racing catagory, he will move up in rank and race in the next
   highest race.

               PRINTING AN ORDER FORM

An order form can be printed by pushing "P" when reading
this manual.  The form is ASCII text and should print on most printers.
If you can't print out of copy of the order form, just send
us the information above.  The file name for the order form is
"ORDERFRM.TXT", you can load this file into your word processor to print
if desired.  Better yet, give us a call at 619-247-2804 and charge it.

Foreign orders please use a check drawn on a U.S. bank, an International
Money Order (specify U.S. currency) or supply the credit card information
listed above.

                GAME START UP

1.  The executable file is DD.EXE.  Type DD then push Enter to start.
It will be necessary to change to the directory "DDOWNS" then type "DD"
to play this game at a future time.
2.  Sign in with the name you will play under.  Saved game information
will reference this name (full version only).
3.  Additional players can only be added in the full edition of
this game.

            COMMAND LINE SWITCHES

The following command line switches may be set to provide the results
shown.

1.  /S -- This switch turns off the sound blaster interface.
2.  /D -- This switch starts the game in the "DEMO" mode.  The demo
can be terminated from the bet placement screen by pressing and
holding the ESCAPE key.
3.  /F -- This switch works with the DEMO mode to provide a faster
demonstration speed.
4.  /+ -- This switch runs the game in the accelerated mode.
5.  /- -- This switch runs the game at normal speed.

Example command line switch usage to start the game without the
sound blaster interface being loaded.  Type "DD /S" then press
enter.

Command line switches can be combined if desired.   If the "+"
and "-" switches are both present, the "-" switch will have priority.

The game auto detects your processor's relative speed.  If the game
decides your processor is too slow for the normal speed mode, it will
automatically set the "/+" command line switch.  You can override
the accelerated game mode by using the "/-" command line switch.
Most 80386 processors will require that the accelerated mode be used.

              MAKING SELECTIONS

All menu or game selections can be made with the mouse.  Move the
hand pointer to the item if your choice.  Push the left mouse
button to activate the item.  The rate of change of some items such
as the bet amount can be can be increased by pressing the right
mouse button.  Items on the main menu bar as well as video play back
can be selected by pressing the key that corresponds to the first
letter of the item desired.

                   MENU BAR

         BETS         UTILITIES         RACE

BETS:  This menu bar choice opens the bet placement window.  Move the
hand pointer to the BETS selection with your mouse, then press the
left mouse button or press "B" on your keyboard.

        BETTER        BET     HORSE     AMOUNT

BETTER:  If more than one person is playing, each player's name will
be listed under BETTER. The person currently placing bets is shown
in RED, others are in black.  The current better is also identified
just below the divider line on the bet placement window.

BET:  The bet categories available are shown under BET.  Win, place,
and show bets are self explanatory.  The quenella bet: You are betting
on win and place horses for this race.  The order of finish for these
2 horses is not important as long as one comes in first and one comes
in second.  The Exacta bet:  You are betting that you will pick the
win and show horse for this race in exact order.  The Exacta bet pay
off is better than the Quenella bet.  The Daily Double bet: You
betting that you can choose the winner of race one and race two.  This
bet is only available on the first race of the day.  The results of this
bet are shown after the second race of the day.

HORSE:  The horse number(s) you want to bet on are input here.  Select
the + or - boxes with the hand pointer to change the horse (by number)
that you want to use for this bet.

AMOUNT:  The amount of the bet you are placing will be shown here after
a horse number has been selected.  When the game starts the default bet
amount for each player is $2.00.  The default bet amount can be adjusted
for each player from $2.00 up to $100 with the Utility menu.  If you
decide not to wager on a bet category, you need only cycle through the
horse selection for that category until the horse number disappears.
If no horse number is selected for a bet category, no money will appear
in the amount box. The minimum bet is $2.00 and bets can be increase
or decreased by $2.00 increments.

OTHER INFORMATION:  The RACE # (shown in red) displays the race number
for the day that you are currently betting on.  An explanation of the
remaining information can be seen by selecting the HELP button found
at the bottom of this window.

             DAILY RACING FORM

FORM: Select the FORM button at the bottom of the bet window to see
the DAILY RACING FORM.  The form for the race you are currently betting
on will show.  You may change the form to a different race (there are
8 races each day) by moving the hand pointer to the LARGE RACE NUMBER
at the top center of the racing form. Push the left mouse button to
increase the race number of the form by one or the right mouse button
to decrease it.  The ODDS shown on the form are established each morning
by the track odds maker.  The odds shown on the Tote Board (above the
daily racing form) are current and reflect the betting that has taken
place on the horses since the track opened. Large differences in the odds
between the daily racing form and the odds shown on the Tote Board
indicate that the betting public has a different perception of how
the horse will perform than does the track odds maker.

              RACE TYPES

Each new racing day at Digital Down consists of 8 races.  These races
are organized as follows.

Race 1 & 2:  Maiden Races.  A maiden race is for 2 or 3 year old horses who
have not yet won a race.

Race 3,4,&5: Claiming Races. A claiming race is for 2 or 3 year old horses
who are not yet of good enough caliber to enter an allowance race.
These horses may have won up to 3 races in the past.

Race 6:  Allowance Race.  This race is for higher caliber horses that
have won at least 3 races in the past.  This race can be for either 2
or 3 year old horses.

Race 7:  Handicap Race.  This race is for 2 or 3 year old horses that
have won at least 4 races in the past.

Race 8: Stakes Race.  This race is for 2 or 3 year old horses that
have won at least 5 races in the past.

NOTE: In the full version of this game each horse that wins enough
races moves up to the next highest race type.

                TOTE BOARD

The tote board sits above the teller cage on the wall.  When the
current betting race is selected, the ODDS will continually
change to reflect the betting taking place on this race.  A brief
racing history for each horse on the tote board can be seen
by clicking on that horse's name.

                  VIDEO

This button is available after the first race of the day has been run.
You can push this button (before you place a bet on the next race) to
see a video play back of the previous race.  The speed of the play back
can be increased or decreased by pushing a mouse button or keyboard key.
The left mouse button or the "-" key on the keyboard decreases the
video play back speed.  The right mouse button or "+" on the keyboard
increases the video play back speed.  You can push both mouse buttons
simultaneously or "ESC" on the keyboard to set the play back speed to
the normal range.  Tap the space bar on the keyboard to toggle video
freeze on and off.  You can adjust the video play back speed while the
the picture is frozen.  The red lines visible to the right of the video
button show the relative play back speed.  As the play back speed is
adjusted, this trail of lines gets longer as the play back speed
increases and shorter as the play back speed is reduced.

NOTE: If you are using a 80386 processor, you may need to set need to
set the play back speed to the fastest range for satisfactory results.

               UTILITIES

STANDARD BETS:  Click on the OK button next to STANDARD BETS to set
the standard bet amount (default bet amount) that each player wants
to use.  Example: If in most cases you want to place a bet on the horse
of your choice for $20.00.  In this case set the Standard Bet amount
for yourself to $20.00.  When you select a horse on which to bet, the
amount of the bet will initially be set to $20.00.  Each better can
set his or her own standard bet amount.  The full edition of
the game will save the standard bet amount for each player so that
it will automatically be set when you play at a future time.

SOUND BLASTER:  Click on the OK button next to SOUND BLASTER.  This
will toggle sound blaster sound effects on an off.

END PROGRAM:  Click on the OK button next to END PROGRAM to quit the
game.  If you have the full edition of the game, your stake and
standard bet amounts will be saved.

OREDER:  Not available in the full edition of the game.  Click
on the OK button next to ORDER.  A screen of information
will be displayed.  An order form can be printed out using
this utility.

DONE:  Click on the OK button next to DONE to exit the Utility routine.

NOTE: When in the UTILITIES window, the BETS and RACE menu bar selections
can not be activated.

                   RACE

You may select RACE without placing any bets if you so desire.  The RACE
selection takes you to an overhead view of the Digital Downs race track.
Once the starting gate is moved into position, the bottom of the screen
will change to show race information.  The top of the screen shows the
names of all players and any bets they have made for Win, Place, or Show
on this race.  The horse number that has been bet on as well as the
amount of the bet is shown.  When the race has finished, the
information at the top of the screen expands to show all bets made,
results of the bets, and the overall results of all bet wins
and losses.  Any bet that results in a win will show the pay off
amount in green, any losses are shown in red.  The overall total will
be either green (overall plus) or red (overall minus).  This overall
total is the last entry on each players column and is opposite the
"R:esults".  All bet categories show the horse number bet on as well as
the applicable money for that bet category.  "Q"uenella bets,
"X:"acta bets, and "D"aily Double bets show both horses bet on.

When the race has finished and all players have completed reviewing
the results, PUSH ANY KEY (mouse or keyboard) to continue the game.

After each race has been run, the video play back of the race will be
shown.  See VIDEO above for details concerning play back of the race
video.  The race video can be reviewed as many times as desired by
clicking on the VIDEO button.

                   TIPS

The two characters in the bet placement scene will both talk to you
if you click on their body.  The small character "SHORTY" is a self
proclaimed track expert and will give you a hot tip on the
upcomming race if you click on his head.  Take this tip with a grain
of salt since shorty's record isn't all that sterling.

              TROUBLE SHOOTING

If this game causes your system to lock up, the most likely cause is
the sound blaster interface.  Attempt to start the game with
the command line switch "/S" set.  If the game successfully functions
after starting it with the "/S" command line switch, do not
select the SOUND BLASTER through the utility menu.  If the command line

If you have used the command line switch "/S" to turn off the sound
blaster interface, selecting the sound blaster button on the UTILITY
menu will attempt to reinstate the sound blaster interface (if a
sound blaster or compatible card is found on your system).

If you quit digital downs with the sound blaster turned off either
by deselecting it through the UTILITY menu or by using the command
line switch "/S", the sound blaster will automatically be deselected
the next time you start the game.

            USE WITH WINDOWS

Although this game can usually be successfully run from windows, we
recommend that it be run from DOS.  Some portions of this program
are very graphics intensive and due to the overhead windows imposes,
the end result may be a less than satisfactory game simulation.