HOWITZER
                   Version 0.95beta (10/18/93)
        by Randall Spangler (rspangle@micro.caltech.edu)

     Howitzer is still in beta-test, although by now it is very stable.
I'd appreciate feedback on game mechanics, playability, the manual, etc.

     Please do read the manual, especially the troubleshooting section
at the end.

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     Howitzer is one of a style of games known as "artillery" or "tank war"
games.  Tanks on a 2-D landscape lob shells at each other; the goal is to
be the last tank alive.  Tanks can be controlled by humans or the computer.
Howitzer has many exciting features, including:

*    Higher resolution - Howitzer runs in up to 1024x768x256 Super-VGA
     graphics on any VESA-compatible card
*    Support for Adlib and Soundblaster compatible sound cards, with 192KB
     of digital effects!
*    Pop-up help - Alt+H from any screen brings up a help window.
*    More realistic terrain and background, which generate in advance while
     the program waits for input
*    Over 60 types of ammunition, shields, guidance, etc. - including tank
     modifications such as armor, different bodies, and improved barrels
     and turrets.
*    All bullets and explosions are resolved simultaneously, instead of one
     bullet at a time.  (Yes, this means that bullets actually move AT THE
     SAME TIME explosions are happening.)
*    32-bit fixed point math and graphics, for quick and accurate modeling
     without a math coprocessor.
*    Six types of computer opponents
*    A beginner mode which removes some of the more complicated controls
     and equipment
*    Team mode (pit your friends against a few teams of computer opponents)

In order to provide this, Howitzer requires the following hardware and
software:

*    At least a 386-based machine
*    A Super-VGA video card with at least 256KB of video memory, with VESA
     support via BIOS or a TSR (a freeware TSR, Univesa, is included with
     the Howitzer package)
*    448 KB of free memory (though you can get by with less if you have
     enough expanded memory)

Howitzer will run better with the following:

*    A two or three button mouse, with its driver already installed
*    A 486-based or Pentium-based machine
*    540 KB or more free conventional memory
*    2048 KB or more of expanded memory

SHAREWARE:

     Howitzer is shareware; please see howitzer.txt for details.  It's cheap
     to register - $10, $5 if you're a full-time student, and a postcard
     if you live outside the US.

LIMITED WARRANTY:

     Howitzer is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind,
expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.  Use this program
at your own risk.

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FILE LIST:

    Howitzer is packaged as a self-extracting archive file.  This will
be named hwitzNNN.exe, where NNN is the version number (for example, 094
for 0.94).  When you run the self-extracting archive, you should end up
with all of these files.

howitzer.exe	The executable
howitzer.txt	Documentation, ASCII format
howitzer.pif	PIF file for running Howitzer under Microsoft Windows

fixed5x7.fnt	REQUIRED datafile
fixed7x8.fnt	REQUIRED datafile
howlogo.bin	REQUIRED datafile
howitzer.snd	REQUIRED datafile (well, if you want digital sound anyway)

univesa.exe	VESA support TSR (freeware)
univesa.txt	Documentation for univesa

register.frm	Registration form
upgrade.txt	Notes on upgrading from a previous release of Howitzer
whatsnew.txt	Changes since previous revisions
readme.txt	This file
file_id.diz	Very short description

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MAJOR FIXES AND ADDITIONS IN 0.95beta:

*	Digital sound support at last!  Thrill to exciting explosions
	and that wonderful nuke "BOOOOOOOOOOM!"

*	Drastically sped up explosions

*	Upped max. players from 10 to 12

*	Computer opponents are much more intelligent, use more weapons

*	More weapons and equipment

*	Better memory handling - saves about 50KB (which is promptly
	used by the digital sound...)