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 broughton@bluebyte.co.uk for USA/Canada Samantha Flint - PR Manager flint@bluebyte.com 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 use both the Sioux AH-23 attack helicopter and the T1- battle tank to make your way through a demanding landscape designed especially for this demo. Moreover, now you can also take part in the head-to-head action of a network round with up to 3 additional players and in combination with a 3DFX card, EXTREME ASSAULT is even more scintillating then ever. And to make this demo version even more intensive, you now have a time limit of 15 minutes to master the Extreme gauntlet. This means 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 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. - (847) 995-9981 between 8:30 AM and 5 PM Central Time U.K. - +44 (0) 1604 259090 between 2 PM and 6 PM U.K. Time Germany - +49 (0) 208 450 29 29 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 VESA-compatible graphics card Local Bus 16 MB memory MS-DOS version 5.0 or Windows 95 3. Recommended Configuration Pentium 133 PCI-Bus 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 directory. 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 6 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 space on your hard disk, please skip this point 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 EXTREME ASSAULT directory. 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: Drift Left ALT Right: 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 this 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 16, 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 only, voice only, or text and voice together. 2. 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. 3. Midi Volume The volume level is presented in slide-bar form: left is soft and right is loud. 4. 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. 5. Lead Point Signal This signal sounds when you are in range. You can turn this feature on or off. 6. 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. Configure the controls to operate the way you want. Click on the object to be defined (i.e. Keyboard), 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 movement that needs to be defined. 2. Choose from one of the three available control types: arcade, normal and pilot. 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 assigned key. This key can be defined in the Control Setup menu. The Sioux AH-23's target selection system can lock-on any target within the 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 Lead Point will appear that shows the opponents calculated position based on his current speed and direction. This point not only indicates where the opponent will be at the time of impact but also whether or not he is in 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 +44 (0) 1-604-259090 or 07000-BLUEBYTE. To get the latest scoop on all of our current and future games, e-mail your name and address to hotline@bluebyte.com. Please mention code #EAINDOS.