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- DIE BY THE SWORD DEMO(TM)
- README.TXT - 02/16/98
-
- The computer game industry is still relatively new and continues to evolve. It's been
- proven that developing the most innovative games that bring you hours of enjoyment is
- something that is done best by a group of individuals with vision and focus. Tantrum
- was formed to meet those objectives. A select group of people was hand-picked and put to
- the challenge. I am very proud that Tantrum is able to bring to you Die By The Sword.
- Enjoy!
-
- Brian Fargo
- Interplay Productions
-
-
-
- Die By The Sword is the beginning of a new generation of games and technology. Once you
- play and become accustomed to the greater control of your character, you will never be able
- to go back to the old technology that limits your control. The physics* based modeling
- technology created by Treyarch called VSIM is huge leap forward for games, bringing with it
- new techniques of gameplay that were not possible before. This technology is just in it's
- infancy and we haven't begun to scratch the surface of it's possibilities. Imagine someday
- hooking your whole body up to an input device and having the character in the game react
- exactly as you do. While it's been attempted before, it's never really been possible to do
- it as accurately as we can with VSIM. And while you may not want to play a game where you
- have to hook your body up to an input device, VSIM is not bound to any restrictions that
- would prevent this.
-
- There is a lot to VSIM. You will have never played anything like it before, so it will take
- some practice. You should definitely start with the tutorial. As you play, you will learn
- new techniques. You will develop your own unique play style that will be different than
- all other players. The increased control requires more practice than other games before it.
- Take your time. Look through the control tutorial and try some of the more sophisticated
- moves. Once you master it, you'll never go back.
-
- The VSIM technology is really the future of animation and character control.
- Die By The Sword will become a classic and forever known as the game that set the standard.
-
- Alan Pavlish
- Tantrum
-
-
- As this is a demo and still represents work in progress, please email us at
- Tantrum@Interplay.com with any problems or suggestion you may have.
-
-
- A. System Requirements
- B. Installing The Game
- C. Control Tutorial
- D. Game Controls
- E. Troubleshooting
- F. Customer Service Information
- G. Software Use Limitations and Limited License
- H. Copyright Information
-
-
- A. System Requirements
- ======================
-
- Die by the Sword requires the following minimum system configuration:
-
- Windows95
- ---------
- - Pentium 100
- - 16 megabytes RAM
- - Mouse
- - 35 megabytes free hard disk space. 55MB with the Instructor's Voice Demo
- - Supports DirectX compliant Video Cards w/2MB memory.
- - Sound Blaster or 100% compatible sound cards.
- - DirectX 5
-
- Recommended
- -----------
- - Pentium 166 or faster CPU
- - 32 megabytes of RAM
- - 3DFX 3D video accelerator card
-
-
- B. Installing The Game
- ======================
- Please make sure your system has the most current version of DirectX installed. Die By The
- Sword requires DirectX 5.0. If you don't have the most current version of DirectX, please go
- to www.microsoft.com/msdownload/dx5/sdk5.0.
-
- 1. To install the game, unzip DBTSDEMO.ZIP to a new directory and call it DBTSDEMO.
- 2. Once all the files have been extracted, simply go to the DBTSDEMO directory and double
- click on the DBTS_DEMO.EXE to run the demo.
-
- IMPORTANT!!!! VOICEDMO.ZIP IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!
- To get the Instructor's voice in the tutorial, you MUST download VOICEDMO.ZIP!!!
-
- Once you download this VOICEDMO.ZIP, extract the two files to your DBTSDEMO directory.
- When it asks if you want to overwrite the DBTS_DEMO.EXE and the SOUNDS.ATD, click yes.
-
- When you do this and run DBTS_DEMO.EXE, you will be able to hear the voice of your instructor guide you
- through the Tutorial in all it's audio splendor.
-
-
- C. Control Tutorial
- ===================
-
-
- Control Tutorial
-
- Step 0 - Intro
- Step 1 - Movement
- Step 2 - Attack Basics 1
- Step 3 - Attack Basics 2
- Step 4 - Defense
- Step 5 - Special Attacks
- Step 6 - Advanced Controls - VSIM
- Step 7 - To Mouse or not to Mouse
- Step 8 - Know thine Enemies!
- Step 9 - Arena 'n' Tips
- Step 10 - End Tutorial
-
-
- --------------------------Step Zero - Intro-----------------------------
-
- The first thing you will notice in Die By The Sword is that the control
- types are very unique compared to most games out on the battle field.
- Here are a few steps that will help you adjust to the controls.
- Don't worry, you'll be out there stomping Orc ass soon enough.
-
- The default control type that you begin with is Arcade. You should
- * stay with the Arcade control type until you are well versed in
- the ways of slaughtering your opponents. It is suggested to learn these
- skills in the arena.
-
- -------------------------Step One - Movement---------------------------
- Ok, before you can start the action, you will first need to learn how
- to move around a bit.
-
- You'll want to learn how keep the baddies off of you. Remember, the
- farther they are from you, the less likely they are to hurt you. How
- do* you do this? You run. Ok, it's* not so heroic, but until you learn to
- swing that steel you carry, you're dog food. Plus, it is a great boon
- if you plan to be a nimble fighter.
-
- The movement controls are:
- W = Forward
- S = Backwards
- D = Turn Right
- A = Turn Left
-
- Because the camera is always in a state of motion, keep in mind that
- pressing right will always turn your character to HIS right, and pressing
- left will always turn your character to HIS left.
-
-
- -------------------------Step Two - Attack Basics 1--------------------
- Drill time!
-
- Now to start off on the right foot, forget everything and concentrate
- on the keypad #5 attack button. This is your express ticket to
- hacksville. It is a mid swipe that will back off your opponents while
- shredding them to pieces. Just point your guy in the right direction
- and* keep hitting it. Piece of cake.
-
- This would be a good time to jump in the game and get a general feel
- of the game before you go on.
-
-
- ----------------------Step Three - Attack Basics 2---------------------
- Back already? All right, here is a bit more to whet your blade with.
-
- You will want to note that in Arcade mode, Keypad buttons #4, #5, and #6
- are normal attacks.
-
- In your next fight take a bit of time concentrating on just dodging and
- learning the arena. This will get you familiar with the terrain and help
- you get out of bad situations.
-
- Now that you are familiar with the Keypad #5 attack, sometimes
- affectionately referred to as the "weed whacker", it's time to
- use some more swings. Keypad #4 & Keypad #6 are a good start.
-
- Keypad #6 = HEAD SWIPE. This attack is good for cleaving enemies'* heads
- from their shoulders.
- Keypad #4 = OVERHEAD CHOP. This attack is good for chopping at fallen
- enemies.
-
- Again, it's a good time to take what you have learned to the arena.
- Pound what you have learned into their skulls for a bit.
-
-
- --------------------------Step Four - Defense--------------------------
- Quick learner eh?
-
- In Arcade mode, keypad buttons #1, #2, and #3 are your main defensive
- postures.
-
- These will put your sword in a position to deflect low, mid, and high
- attacks. These won't stop all attacks, mind you, but they do up your
- chances of deflecting all sorts of damage. These defenses are especially
- good for when you are trapped and just need to bust through the enemies'
- lines.
-
-
- ----------------------Step Five - Special Attacks----------------------
- The big guns.
-
- All right, lets shred some meat. Special attacks are very powerful,
- but are harder to hit with. The trick is to learn what each does,
- then find the situations they are best used in. Mixing these attacks
- with the normal attacks(especially the mid swipe!!!) are your best
- bet when you wade into the fray.
-
- In Arcade mode, buttons Insert, Home, Page Up, are your special attacks.
-
- This is an excellent time to rush into the arena and show off your
- new toys...
-
-
- -------------------Step Six - Advanced Controls - Keyboard VSIM-----------
- Keyboard VSIM is a whole different control type than Arcade.
- Since Keyboard VSIM is not the default control type, you will need
- to change the control type during a game by accessing the options menu
- and switching to Keyboard VSIM.
-
- This is how Keyboard VSIM controls are broken down. Think of the arrow
- keys on your keypad as directions that your sword arm can go. Hold the up
- arrow, your sword arm goes up. Hold the down arrow, and your arm goes down.
- Let go of the arrow keys and your arm returns to neutral. To make a
- complete swing you will need to hold a direction, lets say right, then
- when you are ready, press and hold the opposite direction, in this case
- left, to follow through with the swing.
- For instance:
-
- Mid Swipe = Hold Keypad #6(right) then release it and immediately press
- and hold Keypad #4(left). This would have resulted in a
- swing from right to left. From this position, you can then
- release and immediately press and hold Keypad #6(right) again
- returning the blade to the original position.
-
- The mid swipe is probably the most basic swing that you will run across.
- But since this style is inherently free to innovation and improvisation
- wicked moves like a flipping head strike or a side dash into a turning
- leg lopper are totally possible!
-
- Experiment! Go wild with it and you may be supprised with what can be
- done.
-
-
- ----------------------Step Seven - To Mouse or not to Mouse------------
- So you have opted to follow the dark side. Very well. Since Mouse
- VSIM is not the default control type, you will need to change the
- control type during a game by accessing the options menu and switching
- to Mouse VSIM.
-
- In a few respects the Mouse VSIM control type is very much like the
- Keyboard VSIM type.
-
- Basically the mouse controls your sword arm. This is a very difficult
- control type to learn and adapt to, though some mousers may prefer
- this to the keyboard.
-
- Just keep in mind, that even when the camera moves to an odd angle,
- moving the mouse up and right will always move your characters
- arm up and right of your character.
-
- A high level mouser "in theory" may have a higher chance at total
- reaction fighting. Meeting this person in a dark alley is not
- recommended
-
-
- ---------------------Step Eight - Know thine Enemies!------------------
- Know their strength and weaknesses.
-
- Kobolds are the lowest of the low. If you can land a hit that is.
- Their main defense is dodging.
-
- Orc's will be no problem once you get a hang of the basics. Though
- they do get harder as you progress. You will find that their
- axe is a damn good weapon for hacking off limbs. Get in their
- face and dodge alot.
-
-
-
- ---------------------Step Nine - Arena 'n' Tips------------------------
- Know your battle field!
-
- In some circumstances, where you fight is as important as what you
- fight. Use the area to your advantage. For instance, if you are
- fighting against two opponents, slam your ass against a wall to
- avoid one of* 'em creeping up and bashing you from behind.
-
- Use higher elevation to gain more power from a leaping attack.
-
- Leap over obstacles to avoid enemies.
-
- If there are two or more opponents, do as the Wolf does, separate
- one from the pack and tear it to shreds.
-
- Also, keep a mental note of this one: Your weapon is always a weapon.
- In most games your weapon is merely a piece of art unless you are swinging it.
- This is not the case here. Think about it. 3 foot of sharpened steel. True you need
- a bit of force to actually make it cut, but if someone were to run
- into a stationary sword, they'd get cut. So if you are wondering why
- you died for trying to jump onto a skeletons head, it's probably because
- you landed on his sword that was aimed at a very bad place.
-
- A mob of enemies is sometimes a blessing in disguise. As mentioned
- above a weapon is always active, therefore in their bloodlust to get
- at you, they stand a good chance of killing each other by running into
- each others weapons.
-
-
- -----------------------Step Ten - End Tutorial-------------------------
- It will take practice to master the knowledge you have been given.
-
- Until then... Live by the Sword... Die by the Sword.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- D. Game Controls
- ================
-
- Keyboard Layout (Arcade Setting)
- --------------------------------
-
- Movement
- -------- A = Turn Left
- D = Turn Right
- W = Move Forward
- S = Move Backward
- Lunge = Press any Move or Step twice
- Q = Step Left
- E = Step Right
- Spacebar = Jump
- Flip = Press Spacebar twice
- Caps Lock = Crouch
- C = Climb
- F9 = Pause Game
- ESC = Exit Demo
-
-
- Attack (Numeric Keypad)
- ------ 1 = Block
- 2 = Block
- 3 = Block
- 4 = Overhead Attack
- 5 = Waist Slash
- 6 = Shoulder Slash
- Insert = Special Attack #1
- Home = Special Attack #2
- Page Up = Special Attack #3
- Delete = Special Attack #4
- F3 = Toggle Health Bar
- - = Compass
- + = Bodily Damage Indicator
- / = Sheath Sword
- * = Action Key (pull lever, pick up item)
- (note: sword must be sheathed)
-
- Camera Controls
- ---------------
- T = Normal View
- G = Observation Mode
- B = First Person View
- F = Zoom In
- R = Zoom Out
-
-
- Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad
- ----------------------------
-
- Up Arrow = Move Forward
- Down Arrow = Move Backward
- Right Arrow = Turn Right
- Left Arrow = Turn Left
- A = Overhead Attack
- B = Waist Slash
- C = Shoulder Slash
- X = Block, Push Twice For Special Attack #1
- Y = Block, Push Twice For Special Attack #2
- Z = Block, Push Twice For Special Attack #3
- Lunge = Press UP or Down Arrow Key Twice
- Rear Right Button = Use with LEFT or RIGHT ARROW button to Strafe
- Rear Left Button = Jump, hold to crouch, and push twice to flip
-
-
- E. Troubleshooting
- ==================
-
- 1. Hercules Stingray 128 Video Card
- --------------------------------
- This video card has the Voodoo Rush Chipset. Compatibility issuses with this
- particular card were not fully resolved at the time of this demo release.
- This will be resolved for the release of the full version of Die By The Sword.
-
- The save games will appear black if you attempt to restore them.(normally the
- games appear graphically as a small screen shot of the area of the level where
- the save occurred.
-
- 2. Pentium Pro
- -------------
- If you press Alt-Tab while running the demo on a Pentium Pro(tm) it will sometimes quit the game
- to the desktop. Once you've done this however, you won't be able to restore the game and
- return to the Die By The Sword Demo. Simply restart the demo and don't hit "Alt-Tab" unless
- you intend on quitting.
-
- Other multi-tasking problems may be present also on a Pentium Pro(tm)
-
- 3. Alt-Tab
- -----------
- If you Alt-Tab with a 3DFX system you may cause the demo to crash.
-
-
-
- F. Customer Service Information
- ===============================
-
- Please try to have your system information available and be near your computer
- if at all possible. Interplay Technical Support is available 24 hours a day
- through our Automated Technical Support Line with a Technical Representative
- available during regular business hours.
-
- Interplay Customer Support may be reached:
-
- in the United States
- --------------------
- Interplay Productions Interplay Web Page:http://www.interplay.com
- attn: Customer Service internet e-mail: support@interplay.com
- 16815 Von Karman Ave. FTP sites: ftp1.interplay.com
- Irvine, CA 92606 or ftp.interplay.com
- tel: (714) 553.6678 Interplay BBS: (714) 252.2822
- fax: (714) 252.2820 or Telnet to: bbs.interplay.com
- attn: Customer Service America Online: email to "IPTECH"
- CompuServe: GO GAMBPUB or email "76702,1342"
- Prodigy: email to "PLAY99B"
-
- in the UK and Europe
- --------------------
- Customer Support
- Interplay Productions, Ltd.
- Harleyford Manor
- Harleyford
- Henley Road
- Marlow
- Buckinghamshire
- SL7 2DX
- ENGLAND
- tel: +44 (0) 1628 423723
- fax: +44 (0) 1628 487752
- Email: Europe@interplay.com
-
-
- G. Software Use Limitations and Limited License
- ===============================================
-
- This special preview version of DIE BY THE SWORD DEMO (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 Treyarch Invention 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 Interplay Productions in the US at +(714) 553-6655.
- 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.
-
-
- H. Copyright Information
- ========================
-
- DIE BY THE SWORD DEMO(and DIE BY THE SWORD): (c) 1998 by Treyarch Invention.
- All rights reserved. Portions (c) 1998 Interplay Productions.
- All rights reserved. Die By The Sword, Interplay, the Interplay Logo,
- the Tantrum logo and "By Gamers. For Gamers." are trademarks of
- Interplay Productions. The Treyarch logo is a trademark of Treyarch
- Invention. Windows(r) 95 is a registered trademark of Microsoft
- Corporation. All rights reserved. Exclusively licensed and distributed
- by Interplay Productions. All other trademarks are the property of
- their respective owners.
-
-
-