(c) 1996 Action Forms, Ltd., Megamedia Corporation

                      -------------------------
                         RELEASE NOTES for
                             THE CHASM
                         (demo-test v.1.02)
                      -------------------------

                              * * *

                        --------------------
                         TABLE of contents:
                        --------------------

                      1. CHASM demo overview.
                          1.1. Game features.
                      2. The game.
                          2.1. Install & quick start of CHASM.
                          2.2. System requirements.
                          2.3. Control panel.
                          2.4. Multiplayer game.
                          2.5. Keyboard.
                          2.6. Sound.
                          2.7. Command-line options.
                      3. Troubleshooting & common problems.





                     -------------------------
                      1. CHASM demo overview.
                     -------------------------


  * In the CHASM demo there are :

    - ONE little test level.
    - FOUR types of characters:
       Joker, Punisher, Spider and a Hero (for Network game only).
    - THREE different weapons.

  * Weapons are :

  1. Shotgun.
  2. Diskthrower.
  3. Crossbow.

  * Each weapon uses unique AMMO:

  1. Shotgun     - shotgun shells;
  2. Diskthrower - disks;
  3. Crossbow    - arrows;

   At the present time we're working on new weapons system, so
  the graphics of some of the weapons listed above are not
  fully completed. The program coding that supports the
  activation of switches and key systems are currently in
  development too.


 1.1. Game features.

  All objects in Chasm are 3-d polygon texture-mapped vector
 models. Some of the models are: structures, monsters, weapons,
 explosions. Hence hereinafter speaking about "model" we can mean
 all above mentioned.

 * Lighting in Chasm:

   - Pre-rendered shadow mapping (static lights)
   - Dynamic sources of light (relocatable)
   - Any model in the game can be physically destroyed. If
       that model was a light source it will change the lighting
       in the game. Example: the destruction of a torch results
       in a darkening of the area illuminated by the torch)
   - Models cast shadows from all light sources, the quantity of
       shadows cast by the model is practically unlimited, and
       depends only on the quantity of sources acting on it.

 * Character specifications:

   - Models do not "pixelate" - increasing size of pixels on
       approximation to the view (camera) does not occur
   - Use of a many polygons (approx. 300) permits attachment of
       models the real forms
   - The high level of the artificial intelligence allows realistic
       behaviour from the monsters
   - Plenty of types of monster behaviour pre-calculated with
       a 70 fps animation rate allows realisic lookng combat
   - Some of these animated behaviours include hit reactions,
       which is dependant on the location of the hit
   - A distinctive feature of Chasm technology is separation of
       the monstars limbs (hands, arms, head) thus the monster
       can stay alive and continue to act depending on a which limb
       has been blown off.



                        --------------------
                            2. THE GAME
                        --------------------


 2.1. INSTALL and quick start CHASM.

  Create a directory directory called CHASM on your hard drive.
 Copy CHASM.ZIP there and unzip it. To start CHASM type CHASM.EXE.


 2.2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.

  The minimum requirements to play CHASM is:

   - 486 DX2-66 MHz CPU.
   - Standard VGA card.
   - 8 MB of RAM.
   - 6 MB of Hard Drive Space.

  We strongly recommend a Pentium processor and a SoundBlaster card.


 2.3. Control Panel.

  The Control Panel provides control of game modes and parameters.
 Use the <ESC> key to toggle the Control Panel on/off.
 The Control Panel is divided on two parts: Main Menu and Console.
 Use the <TAB> key for switching between Main Menu and Console.

 * The Main Menu contains the following options:

   NEW     - start a new game.
   NETWORK - Start/Join a network game.
   LOAD    - load a saved game from disk.
   SAVE    - save the current game to disk.
   DISPLAY - change the display settings: contrast, color
	     and brightness.
   QUIT    - quit to DOS.


 * The Console consists of a Command line and a Message display.
 The Command line is intended for entering Console commands.
 The Message display shows the results of executed commands and
  special internal system messages.
 The Console has a command history.  Pressing the up and down arrows
  in the Console will change to the last command entered.

    The following is a list of the currently supported Console
	 commands:

   NEW              - start new game.
   RESTART          - restart current level.
   QUIT             - quit to DOS.

   CHOJIN           - immortal mode.
   AMMO             - restore ammo for all weapons.
   WEAPON           - gives all weapons to player.
   INVISIBLE        - gives 2 minutes of invisibility.
   FULLMAP          - allows you to see full map of the current level.

   KILL             - kill all monsters on the level.
   REANIMATE        - (debug) reanimate all monsters.
   FREEZE           - (debug) freeze all monsters.
   RESPAWN <#time>  - set the monsters respawn time.
                      (#time=0 means no respawn)

   SLOW             - (debug) slow mode.
   REVERSE          - swap right and left sound channels.
   DEPTH            - distant fade.
   SHADOWS <number> - set the upper limit of shadows casting by 3D object.
   GO <#level>      - warp to specified level.


 * A Command without a parameter returns to its default setting.



 2.4. Multiplayer game.

  CHASM supports network multiplayer games by using an IPX protocol
 with up to 8 players in one network game. To enable network CHASM
 you must load the IPX.COM driver provided by Novell, in addition to
 lower-level drivers required by your particular brand of network card.

 * To run Network CHASM you must select one machine (usually the
 fastest one) to work in SERVER mode.

   SERVER - the machine in network game that controls all game
	    processes and pass culculated data to other computers
 	    (CLIENTs) in net.
   CLIENT - any computer in a network game except SERVER.

 * You must follow these steps to launch Network CHASM:

   1. Load IPX driver on all the computers that will play.
   2. Start CHASM by typing CHASM.EXE.
   3. To start the Network Game enter "START" on the Console
      of the SERVER.
   4. Other players can be connect to the SERVER at any time entering
      the command "JOIN" in the Console. To leave a Network game use
      the "BREAK" command in the Console.
   5. A Network Game can be stopped by entering "BREAK" on the
      SERVER Console. It automatically disconnects all the CLIENTs.

 * The list of Console commands for a network game:

   START - start Network CHASM.
   JOIN  - connect to a network game.
   BREAK - disconnect from a network & enter single player game.

   KILLP <#player> - (SERVER only) kill player number #player.
   KICK  <#player> - (SERVER only) disconnect player number #player.
   NICK  <name>    - change nick name to <name>.
   CLIST           - show active players list.

   AMMO   <#player> - give ammo to specified player.
   WEAPON <#player> - give weapons to --//---
   INVISIBLE <#player> - make player invisible.
   SPLINE  - (debug,CLIENT only) spline mode.
   SYNCHRO - (debug,CLIENT only) synchronise CLIENT's and SERVER's
	     clocks.



 2.5. Keyboard.

   The default keyboard settings in CHASM demo are:

   Toggle Control panel - <ESC>
   Change screen size   - <+> / <->
   Toggle level map     - <TAB>
   Scale map            - < [ >/< ] >
   Movement             - arrows
   Speed Up             - < ` >
   Strafe on (Slide)    - <Alt>
   Fire                 - <Ctrl>
   Use                  - <Space>
   Look Up              - < A >
   Look Down            - < Z >
   Center View          - < S >
   Toggle cocpit        - < C >

  * To change keyboard the settings use program KBSETUP.EXE.



 2.6. Sound.

  The CHASM demo supports only SoundBlaster and SoundBlaster compatable
   cards, as described below:

    - SoundBlaster 1.0/2.0   in  8bit MONO mode,   4 channels;
    - SoundBlaster Pro/Pro2  in  8bit STEREO mode, 4 channels;
    - SB16/AWE32             in 16bit STEREO mode, 8 channels;

  You must set your BLASTER environment variable in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
   file in order for the CHASM sound code work properly, othervise
   your sound will not work.

 * Important notes:

 - Sound effects are not completely finished yet.
 - There is NO MUSIC in the CHASM demo.


 2.7. Command-line options.

  You can use these options launching CHASM from DOS command-line:

   "-nosound"       : disable sound code.
   "-warp <#level>" : warp to map level #level.
   "-nomonsters"    : disable loading monsters.
   "-nomouse"       : disable mouse control.
   "-freeze"        : freeze all monsters.
   "-start"         : start SERVER in Network CHASM.
   "-join"          : join network game.



                ---------------------------------------
                 3. Troubleshooting & common problems.
                ---------------------------------------


  Using the default configuration and recommended platform you should
 have no problems running the CHASM demo.

  There are some notes you have to take into account:

 * The CHASM demo completely tested and found workable on the
     following models:
    - Packard Bell Pentium 100Mhz, 8Mb RAM, VESA 1Mb.
    - Packard Bell i486DX2 66hz,   8Mb RAM, VESA 1Mb.
 * CHASM demo has not been tested with MS Windows 3.x & MS Windows '95.
 * There can be some problems with sound if you're using
   SoundBlaster AWE32.

 Known problems :
 ------------------

 Q:  I receive " Runtime error [#ERROR CODE] at [SEGMENT:OFFSET] ".
 A:  If you receive this message, please save indicated address
     in form [#ERROR CODE] at [SEGMENT:OFFSET] and E-mail it to
      chasm@megamed.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 THE CHASM Copyright (c) 1996 ACTION FORMS LTD.
		     (c) 1996 Megamedia Corporation.


