============================================================================

   BACKLASH
                  
   A Turret Gunner Simulation

   Online Instruction Guide

============================================================================

=== =====
THE STORY
=== =====

STARDATE 1422.332 : ORDERS

Effective immediately, you are assigned to the System Defense Craft SD-2707
in Sector M as Turret Gunner 1st class.  Proceed to Omicron station,
quadrant M01.01 where you will report to Captain Masters.

Dirian activity in Sector M is high and although peace talks are about to
begin on Zhinda III, loss of this sector would be a major blow to the war
effort.

Admiral Horn

End Transmission

=== ====
THE GAME
=== ====

BACKLASH is a 3D science fiction action game for DOS.  The player must 
defend the mothership from over a series of missions against an increasing
onslaught of enemy spacecraft, mine fields, asteroids and drones.  The
rewards from successful missions can be used to upgrade the defense systems 
and purchase more powerful weapons.

Requirements
------------
   o IBM/PC compatible computer with 386 or later processor
   o 2 megabytes of RAM with 500k available conventional memory and
     750k available extended or expanded memory
   o Fixed disk drive with approximately 6 megabytes available
   o VGA compatible graphics adapter
   o MS-DOS 5.0 or above

Recommended
-----------
   o 486 or later processor
   o Microsoft compatible mouse
   o Analog joystick
   o Creative Labs Sound Blaster compatible sound card

The shareware release contains the first campaign of BACKLASH and a subset
of the features of the complete game.  See ORDERING INFORMATION for details
on how to get the full release of the game.

===== =====
QUICK START
===== =====

The game begins at the docking bay terminal interface.  Start a new
game in the OPERATION BACKLASH campaign by selecting confirm.  Select
the OPTIONS screen and configure the controls for the game.  Calibrate the
joystick if it is to be used.  Select DIFFICULTY and choose either ROOKIE
( easy ) or REBEL ( medium ) level.

Select MISSION and review the instructions for the sortie.  Experiment with
the other options in the terminal interface.  Click LAUNCH and CONFIRM to
enter the mission.

Once the mothership has completed the launch sequence, press the H key to
view the control help screen.  Press ESCAPE to return to the game.

The first mission is a training mission.  Use the opportunity to become 
familiar with the weapons, radar and interface components.  To move on to
to the real action, press ALT-F8 to abort the mission. 

===== =========
QUICK REFERENCE
===== =========

TERMINAL INTERFACE SUMMARY : Options available between missions.
   
Mission Menu
------- ----
Orders         Review information regarding the next mission         
Details        Review turret configuration and mission objectives
Maps           Review the mothership flightpath for the mission
Summary        Review the results of the previous mission

Equipment Menu
--------- ----
Next           Select the next available equipment upgrade
Previous       Select the previous available equipment upgrade
Purchase       Acquire the current upgrade
Single Reload  Restock one missile to the current missile rack
Full Reload    Completely reload the current missile rack
         
Launch Menu
------ ----
Confirm        Enter the next mission

System Menu
------ ----
Load           Load a previously saved game
Save           Save the current game
New            Start a new game in a selected campaign
Options        Configure sound, music, detail, controls
Difficulty     Set the difficulty level of the current game
Help           Terminal interface help.
About          Display information regarding the game version
Exit           Exit the game

GAME CONTROL SUMMARY  : Controls available during a mission.

Keyboard Controls                      Control Functions
-------- --------                      ------- ---------
ARROWS         Orientation             F1, TAB     Switch Target
SPACEBAR       Fire Guns               F2, S       Increase Shield Power
ENTER          Launch Missile          F3, E       Increase Weapon Energy
                                       F4, W       Switch Weapon
Mouse Controls                         F5, T       Select Tactical Display
----- --------                         F6, N       Select Navigation Display
LEFT BUTTON    Fire Guns               F7, O       Select Objectives Display
RIGHT BUTTON   Launch Missile          F8, A       Abort Mission *
CENTER BUTTON  Switch Target           F9, D       Increase Detail Level
                                       F10, C      Toggle Crosshair
Joystick Controls
-------- --------                      System Functions
BUTTON 0       Fire Guns               ------ ---------
BUTTON 1       Launch Missile          H           Display Control Help
BUTTON 2       Switch Target           P           Pause Game
BUTTON 3       Switch Weapon           ESCAPE      End the Game

System Options
------ -------
ALT-M          Toggle Music            ALT-B       Toggle Background Rendering
ALT-S          Toggle Sound Effects    ALT-D       Toggle Debris Rendering

* Use ALT-F8 to confirm the abort of the mission.  Not all missions can be
  aborted.

HOW TO
=== ==

START A NEW GAME : Click SYSTEM, NEW.  Select a campaign. Click CONFIRM.

REVIEW MISSION : Click MISSION, ORDERS for a description of the mission.
   Click MISSION, DETAILS for specific information on the objectives.
   Click MISSION, MAPS to review the flight path.  Click MISSION, SUMMARY
   for a review of the results of the previous mission.

FLY A MISSION : Click LAUNCH, CONFIRM to enter the next mission. It is a
   good idea to save your game before launching.

SAVE A GAME : Click SYSTEM, SAVE.  Select a slot ( click EMPTY ).  Type a
   description for the save game and press ENTER.

LOAD A GAME : Click SYSTEM, LOAD.  Select the game to load by clicking the
   description.

BUY UPGRADES : Click EQUIPMENT.  Use NEXT and PREVIOUS to cycle through
   the list of upgrades.  Click PURCHASE to buy the upgrade.

RELOAD MISSILES : Click EQUIPMENT.  Use NEXT and PREVIOUS to find the
   missile rack to be reloaded.  Click SINGLE to buy one missile at a time or
   FULL to reload the rack to capacity.

CHANGE DIFFICULTY : Click SYSTEM, DIFFICULTY. Select a diffulty level from
   the menu.  New players should start with REBEL ( the easiest ).  Use
   the other levels to increase the challenge.

CONFIGURE : Options can be toggled in the SYSTEM, OPTIONS screen. To set
   up a sound card, use the configuration program ( SETUP.EXE or
   CONFIG.EXE ).

======= ====
PLAYING TIPS
======= ====

o Concentrate on enemy ships moving at the mothership.  Avoid chasing ships
  that have broken off and are difficult to hit.  Wait for a good shot and
  fire short bursts that can destroy evading ships with multiple hits.

o Use the radar to find targets that are out of view by moving the turret
  until the enemy craft is centered on the gray marker.

o Use the threat indicator ( green radar blip ) to find enemy crafts that
  are firing at the mothership.  Target the firing ship.  Ships that are
  on attack runs are usually good targets for the turret.

o Use the turret orientation indicator to track the orientation of the turret
  with respect to the mothership.  Try to keep the turret near center in
  order to have the best view of attacking enemy ships.

o Missiles can be shot down with cannon fire.  Use your cannons to defend
  against bomber attacks.

o Buy system upgrades as soon as enough credits are available.

======== ===========
ORDERING INFORMATION
======== ===========

Get the rest of the action and order the full release of BACKLASH today
for only $30.00.

The full release of BACKLASH contains :

   o Operation Iron Horse and Operation Gambit. Go on the offensive
     against the Dirians in 30 all-new missions in Sector G.
   o All three difficulty levels for each of the operations.
   o New enemy ships including the devastating Dirian Heavy Figher
     and Assault Scout.
   o All twenty equipment upgrades, including the Cluster Missile.
     You'll need them!
   o More great sound, music, animations and graphics.
   o Printed manual.
   o Hints and playing techniques from the developers and testers.
   o Technical support and expanded access to the SANCSOFT BBS.

Use the file ORDER.FRM to place your order today.

Order by phone : 10:00am to 10:00pm Eastern Standard Time
   In the US call 1-800-699-6395
   International orders call 1-803-699-6395

Order by fax   : 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365.25 days a year
   US and International Orders : 1-803-699-5465
   
Order by mail  :
   Sanctuary Softare Studio
   attn: ORDERS
   P.O. BOX 2178
   Stow, Ohio  44224

Order by e-mail :
   CompuServe mail 72734,3357
   Internet mail 72734,3357@compuserve.com

Send $30.00 US plus $5.00 shipping and handling.  Ohio residents must
add 5.75% state sales tax.  Pay by Visa, MasterCard, check or money order.
International shipping and handling $10.00.

Register the shareware version by sending in the order form and receive
technical support via the SANCSOFT BBS and to be placed on our mailing list.

======== =========
SOFTWARE CREATIONS
======== =========

Get our latest releases from Software Creations BBS "Home of the Authors".

Check out the )|( Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc. home board.

Software Creations WEB BBS Access: http://www.swcbbs.com
Internet Access: Telnet BBS.SWCBBS.COM

2400/9600/14.4 USR HST/Dual Standard Public Access (508) 368-7036
2400/9600/14.4/28.8 USR V.Everthing Public Access (508) 368-6604

2400/9600/14.4 USR HST/Dual Standard Public Access (508) 368-7139
9600/14.4/16.8/28.8 USR V.Everthing Public Access (508) 368-3424

Software Creations is the world's leading BBS system for software
distribution, voted the #1 BBS two years in a row and 1995 winner of the
John C. Dvorak Award for outstanding BBS and Web Site.  Access methods
include telnet via the Internet, Concentric Data Network and direct dial.
Try out the new WEB BBS, the first BBS on the World Wide Web!


========= =======
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
========= =======

Refer to the read.me file for a list of outstanding problems with the current
release of the software.

Technical support for the shareware version of BACKLASH is available through
electronic mail.  Please do NOT call the order number for support as the 
fullfillment office is unable to provide assistance.

Please provide a return e-mail address on all electronic submissions.  We 
welcome feature requests and recommendations.

Electronic inquiries should be directed to:

)|( Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc. BBS (216)677-0229  ( 2400+BPS N81 )

   or

E-Mail : CompuServe 72734,3357  ( Internet 72734,3357@compuserve.com )

The BBS is the recommended method for getting technical support.  The 
solutions to problems encountered by other users are posted.  Patches and
the latest release are available first on the BBS.   

Please understand that we are limited in the support that we can supply to
unregistered users.

========= =========
SHAREWARE AGREEMENT
========= =========

What you have is a shareware version of Sanctuary Software Studio's
BACKLASH - A Turret Gunner Simulation.  You are encouraged to freely
distribute to one and all.  Everything contained herein is copyrighted to
and the property of Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc.  Our lawyer is now happy.

=======
CREDITS
=======

BACKLASH is the product of )|( Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc.


                    Game Design ........ Sanctuary Software Studio
                       Software ........ Michael Terry
         Graphics and Animation ........ Tony Fienman
                 Mission Design ........ Brian Simonton
                Sound and Music ........ Brian Simonton
             Product Management ........ Stacey Simonton


BACKLASH would not have been possible without: Ken Kuhlmann, Robert Terry,
Jim Haffner, Amy Masters, Devin Dellagnese, Randall Jarrell, FormGen,
Gold Medallion.

BACKLASH is a trademark of Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc.  Other trademarks
are the property of their respective holders.
