
Readme file for TRIALS of BATTLE (demo version)
===============================================


Disclaimer:
===========
ShadowSoft and Stardock Systems make no guarantees as to the usability of
this program.  ShadowSoft and Stardock Systems can not be held responsible
for any data loss or damage directly or indirectly caused by the use of this
software.  This demo may be distributed freely as long as every file remains
intact and unaltered.  No fee may be charged for the distribution of this demo.
Use of this software implies agreement to these terms.


Contents:
=========
   I. System Requirements
  II. Installation
 III. Ordering Trials of Battle
  IV. Limitations and Known Problems
   V. Obtaining Support


I. System Requirements:
=======================
Minimum hardware requirements:
 - 486DX4/75 CPU
 - 12MB RAM (16MB for Warp Connect)
 - DIVE compatible video card running at 256 colors
 - DART compatible audio card (if you want to play with sound enabled)
 - 14.4k bps modem (for multiplayer games)

To provide a more enjoyable experience we recommend the following hardware
configuration.

Recommended hardware:
 - 75MHz Pentium CPU or better
 - 16MB RAM
 - DIVE compatible video card running at 256 colors
 - DART compatible audio card (if you want to play with sound enabled)
 - 28.8k bps modem (for multiplayer games)
 - OS/2 compatible joystick

Trials of Battle requires the following software be installed prior to use:

 - OS/2 Warp V3 or better
 - IBM's OS/2 Joystick Driver (if you want to use a joystick)
 - DIVE compatible video drivers for your video card
 - DART compatible audio drivers for your sound card

If you have OS/2 Warp v4, you should already have DIVE and DART compatible
drivers installed and you SHOULD NOT install the DART DLLs included with this
demo.  Most other video and sound drivers already support DIVE and DART also so
you may not have to worry about installing or upgrading these drivers
separately.

Note: OS/2 Warp Connect (or equivalent) or a modem is required for multiplayer
games.


II. Installation:
=================
When installing Trials of Battle make sure that the directory you install to
does not have existing data in it from a previous version of TOB.

1) Create a directory for the TOB demo and copy the tobdemo.zip file into the
   new directory.

2) Unzip the TOB demo zip file.

3) If you don't already have them, you must also install the new versions of
   the Direct Audio MMPM/2 DLLs.  These are located in the zip file daudio.zip
   along with a readme file that explains how to install them.  If you still
   have trouble with sound, make sure that you have the latest drivers for your
   sound card and that these drivers support Direct Audio (also known as DART).
   Note: OS/2 Warp v4 users should skip this step.

4) If you want to use a joystick with TOB, then you must also install IBM's
   OS/2 joystick driver.  These are located in the file joystick.zip.  There is
   also a readme file that explains the installation procedure.

5) To run the demo, change to the directory you unzipped the game into and type
   "tobdemo".



III. Ordering Trials of Battle:
===============================
The full version of Trials of Battle includes the following features:

 - A variety of combat types including Kill The Carrier, Blind Courage,
   and King Of The Hill!
 - Includes 30 different arenas to challenge you as your rank increases!
 - Over 15MB of heart pounding digital music soundtrack!
 - A professionally animated introduction to set the perfect mood!
 - Advanced real-time 3D graphics with shaded and texture mapped polygons.
 - Three different vehicles to pilot (both ground-based and flying).
 - Multiple types of Lasers, Missiles, and Plasma Cannons to arm yourself with.
 - Dozens of pieces of equipment to let you customize your fighting machine.
 - Real-time digital sound and music mixing (an OS/2 first!).
 - Client/server communications architecture to support multiplayer games.
 - Multiplayer enabled over LAN, modem, and high speed Internet connections.
 - Flexible communications architecure to allow the addition of new types of
   communication libraries as they become available.
 - Up to 12 players allowed.
 - Three alien races: the Dreyvani, the Strahks, and the Ostulari; each with
   distinct personalities and fighting styles.
 - Specially designed AI engine to ensure challenging combat rounds.

To order the full version of this ground breaking new OS/2 action game you can
either contact your favorite OS/2 retailer or you can order it directly from
Stardock at:

 1-800-672-2338 or
 313-435-0328 or
 http://www.stardock.com

Thank you, and we appreciate your support!



IV. Limitations and Known Problems:
===================================
The following is a list of the limitations in this demo version:

 - You will start at rank of Gladiator, 2nd class.
 - Free For All is the only combat type.
 - The demo will end after 4 combat rounds.
 - You must use the predefined pilot.  Saving pilots has been disabled.
 - Super vehicles for network games have been disabled.
 - There is only one vehicle available to pilot.
 - The number of weapons, armor, and equipment is limited.
 - There are fewer terrains available.
 - The amount of music has been reduced.
 - Internet and modem play have been disabled.

The known problems that exist in the demo version of Trials of Battle are as
follows:

  - TOB will not run correctly on some video cards with EnDIVE enabled.
  - On some video cards, the hangar view becomes distorted as you open
    and close windows.
  - Running TOB while Animouse is running can cause problems ranging from
    pauses to lockups.

If you encounter a problem that is not listed here, please let us know about
it.  See section V below for details on problem reporting.



V. Obtaining Support:
=====================



     TRIALS of BATTLE - Copyright 1996 - ShadowSoft and Stardock Systems
                             ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
