Welcome to the demo version of 'INCUBATION: Time Is Running Out' (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 ------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: INCUBATION requires DirectX 5.0. If you don't have it yet, it can be downloaded directly from Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp ------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. What's in the Demo 2. Minimum Configuration 3. Recommended Configuration 4. Installation 5. Starting Incubation 6. Start Campaign 7. Network Game 8. Instant Action 9. Placing Units and Moving 10. Shooting 11. Defense Mode 12. Healing a Unit 13. Manipulating Objects 14. Resting 15. Bottom Left Info 16. Bottom Right Info 17. Radar 18. Left Side of the Screen 19. Right Side of the Screen 20. Mission Report 21. The Camera 22. Tech Support Issue 23. Contacting Blue Byte ------------------------------------- 1. What's in the Demo: This is a demo of Incubation, a terrifying, turn-based, tactical strategy game. You can lead a squad of marines through the first four missions of the full version or battle up to three of your friends in the unique multi-player level. Play over a LAN, the Internet, or between two PC's connected with a serial cable. Either way you'll enjoy eye-popping 3D graphics that can be viewed from almost any angle with the mouse-controlled, free-floating camera. Incubation runs on the graphics engine from the award winning game Extreme Assault and supports many popular 3Dfx cards. The game's simple user interface will enable you to jump right into the action with only a brief glance of this readme. Your tactical skills will be put to the test, as you encounter deranged Scay'Ger hiding around corners and behind closed doors. Be sure to open any chests you find on the floor to uncover pleasant surprises like ammo and equipment points for better weapons, armor and supplies. Don't miss the two instant action bonus missions we've included in this demo. Here you'll be able to fight a larger variety of Scay'Ger with more of the nasty weapons found in the full version. After you've enjoyed this brief tour of duty, be sure to pick-up Incubation at your favorite retailer (release date: 10/17/97). It's packed with many more cool features like: over 30 single player missions, 12 multi-player maps, 5 instant action games, 12 weapon systems, 11 types of Scay-Ger, a unique selection of armor/supplies and a great CD soundtrack. You can also challenge up to three other gamers on a single computer over a LAN, the Internet or via play-by-mail. For more information on all of our thrilling games check out our web site at: http://www.bluebyte.com. If you would like future updates, contact the office nearest you. Please include your name, address and source code #INCINDOS. 2. Minimum Configuration: Pentium 90 4X CD-ROM 16 megs of RAM 42 megs of hard drive space 2MB video card (DirectX 5.0 compatible) Windows 95 (does not work in DOS) 3. Recommended Configuration: Pentium 166 or higher 6X CD-ROM 32 megs of RAM Sound card (DirectX 5.0 compatible) Most 3Dfx video cards Windows 95 (does not work in DOS) 4. Installation: 1. Turn on your computer and insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. 2. In the Incubation demo folder you'll find a file called 'Autorun.exe.' Double-click on the file to launch the installation. 3. A new box will appear with a 'Install Game' button. Click on this to start, then Next to continue. When setup is complete, click on OK. 4. A new box will appear with: 'Start Game'-takes you to the title screen 'Start Game(3Dfx)'-users with most 3Dfx cards can play this optimized version 'Exit'-back to Win '95 desktop NOTE: You must have DirectX 5.0 installed to play INCUBATION. If your version is older, please download it from: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp NOTE: 3Dfx owners need the Glide 2.42 libraries installed. You can download the Glide 2.42 Installer from: http://www.3dfx.com/software/download_glidert.html 5. Starting INCUBATION: After clicking on 'Start Game' you'll go to the title screen. Click on 'Start Game' again to load the Main Menu screen with the following 6 buttons: Start Campaign: Up to 4 of the first missions can be played. (Once you've completed the 2nd mission, you'll be given 2 routes to choose from. To see all 4 missions, save the game at the completion of level 2 so you can go back try the other path.) See 6. for more details on beginning the campaign. Network Game: Takes you to the Select Service Provider screen with 3 different ways to play multiplayer using DirectPlay: IPX Connection: over a LAN (fastest) Internet TCP/IP: over the internet Serial Connection: between 2 PCs connected with a serial cable. See 7. for more details. Instant Action: Lets you try 2 different levels in progress. See 8. for more details. Load Game: Brings up the Load game box, where up to 30 saved games can be stored. Double-click on any saved game to load. Load PBM Game: Brings up the Load-PBM game box, where up to 30 saved Play-By- Mail games can be stored. Double-click on any saved game to load. Exit Program: Takes you to the end screen where you can click on 'Exit Game' to return to the Win '95 desktop. 6. Start Campaign: After clicking on this you'll go the Main Menu with 2 options. 'Supplyshuttle Alpha' lets you upgrade your units. At 'Unit Menu' click on Bratt to load the 'Upgrade Menu.' Bratt will appear on the left with weapons and equipment on the right. Items shown in white indicates that you have enough Equipment points and Skill points to purchase. Click on the green arrows to scroll through the different choices. When you see something shown in white you want to buy, click on 'Buy item.' To upgrade other units, click on the green arrow to the left to find them. When finished upgrading, click on 'Exit' to return to the Main Map. From here double-click on 'Secure the Halls' to load the 1st mission. 7. Network Game: After selecting this, the Select Service Provider menu appears. A network connection must be established before you try to start a network game. In the middle of the screen there's a window with several options: IPX Connection for DirectPlay Internet TCP/IP Connection for DirectPlay Serial Connection for DirectPlay If you click on any of these options, an Open Game Session menu will appear with three buttons: 'New Game,' 'Existing Game,' and 'Cancel.' Activating 'New Game' will bring you to a menu where you will be asked to enter your name. Click on the bar at the top of the screen and enter your name, then press Enter. Click on OK and the 'Level Options' will appear. Select 'Halls 1' and confirm with OK. The dialogue box will now appear. Mouse-click on it, type a short message, and press Enter to send. After at least one player has joined, click OK to begin. The 'Existing Game' accesses a window with which you can locate active sessions. If a game is started on a LAN, click on it's name, then on OK. If you're using TCP/IP, a screen will appear in which you will be asked to supply the IP-address of the person who created the game you are trying to join. This person is called the "Creator", and must supply you with his IP-address. If you create a game, it is your IP-address that is required. Even if you decide not to play TCP/IP, click OK to go back. Note: To find your address under Windows 95 click the "Start" button and then activate the "Run" button. Enter "winipcfg" in the window if it hasn't already appeared. Here you will find your IP-configuration along with the address. 8. Instant Action: Click on 'No Name' to type in a name, then click on OK. At the 'Level Options' screen click on one of the preset games to the left, then OK. At 'Prepare for Battle,' read the briefing, then click on 'Build Squad.' At Unit Menu, press 'Recruit Unit' and click on Solider 0. You then go into the Upgrade Menu (described above in section 6.). After outfitting a unit, go back to the 'Unit Menu' and repeat until a squad is built. Then click on 'Deploy' to start the action. 9. Placing Units and Moving: After setting up the game, you'll see a 'Deploy your units' message with some red dots on the screen. These represent locations you can place your units. Move the hand icon over a red dot and left-click to place a unit. Do this for the remaining units, then click on the 'Next Player' button on the bottom-right side of the screen. After the computer/opponent moves, you'll see the selected unit surrounded by a field of white circles with numbers. These represent the amount of action points needed to move the unit to that location. If you move a unit to a 0, all points are used and nothing further can be done with the unit. Moving to a 2 allows for more moving, shooting, use object or defense mode (described later in 10., 11. 13.). Moving to a 1 allows only one more move or shot. To move a unit, move the cursor to the location number and hold down the left mouse button. A compass will appear with a red X in the center. Continue to hold the left mouse button and move the cursor to the direction you want to move. After hearing a click and seeing the direction highlight, release the left mouse button. The unit will then move to the new location. If the unit has any action points left, another smaller field of actions points will appear. NOTE: If you decide to select another unit while the current unit still has action points, those will be lost with the new unit selection. So move your units wisely, and use all action points before going on to the next unit. When all the units have been selected and moved, you must click on the 'Next player' button at the bottom. Otherwise, if a unit still has action points but you want your turn to end, the computer won't know to move on. 10. Shooting: When a unit has action points available, there are a variety of choices for the player. The most important action is to fire at Scay'Ger/opponents. Yellow crosshairs with colored bars will appear over targets within firing range. A target with all green bars means there's a high probability of destroying it. The more red bars in the field means the odds are lower for a direct shot. Click once on a target to shoot. If it's close and you have a good gun, it'll most likely get blown to pieces. (One down, many more to go.) Targets not destroyed will flash text or a number designating how much or little damage your shot inflicted. Continue firing if you have action points, or move, rest or engage in defense mode if available. 11. Defense Mode: When a unit has at least 2 action points, you can have it protect itself or other units. This means that the unit will fire at opponents passing in front of it. Activate the defense mode by clicking on the Shield icon at the bottom of the screen. (Not all weapons have a defense mode.) When a Scay'Ger/opponent is within range of the unit, it will fire automatically. Note: The defense mode uses all action points. If you have more than 2, they'll also be used to put your unit into this protective mode. 12. Healing a Unit: Another type of action is to give first aid to a wounded unit. To give first aid you must: have a medic kit, be next to the wounded unit and facing him, and have at least 1 action point available. If all these conditions are met, a Cross will appear at the bottom of the screen. Click on the icon and the injured unit will be aided. When a unit with a medic kit is injured itself and has action points, just click on the Cross to heal. 13. Manipulating Objects: Another important action is the ability to use objects; like doors, crates, switches or levers. Manipulating objects requires that the unit be positioned next to and facing the object. The best way to make sure the unit is directly facing an object is to click on the action point number next to it, hold down the left mouse button and turn the unit directly on it. When a unit is properly facing the object, a Hand icon will appear at the bottom. Click on the icon to use or move the desired object. 14. Resting: Another type of action is to rest a unit. Resting units will cost all their action points, but will give them more for the next turn. If you haven't moved the unit at all and want to rest it, click on the Arrow icon at the bottom. 15. Bottom Left Info: Along the bottom of the screen there's a rectangular area with important information. Here's what you'll find in the bottom left section: An icon of the selected soldier: A yellow number indicating the unit's fighting strength, a fraction describing his hit points and it's status (i.e., 2/5: This indicates that only two of the original 5 hit points are left.). When the unit is injured due to battle, his fighting strength, hit points, and action points sink. This will also reduce his effectiveness and ability to move, fight, and defend himself. A diagram depicting the unit's current skill points in the form of a meter. This meter displays the unit's accumulated skill points in yellow and the available skill points for acquiring equipment in red on either side of the yellow bars. If you acquire a new weapon, these red bars decrease in line with the amount of skill points required to purchase the weapon. As a unit gains experience his skill level increases. With each increase in skill the unit can be upgraded and improved. Upgrading is possible in the following areas: Battle Fitness, Light Weapon Proficiency, Heavy Weapon Proficiency, Technical Ability, Medical Skills, and Leadership Skills. This number can be augmented by additional commendations. The unit's commendations: They appear as ribbons placed above the star located next to the skill meter. Commendations are awarded based on performance and can be used to increase the unit's skill points. To the right of the commendations is a depiction of the unit's current weapon type, the action points required to use the weapon one time, damage points it causes, and a fraction (which indicates the amount ammunition remaining from its initial amount) appears. Above this is a diagram depicting the heat level of the weapon. As the weapon is used, heat is generated and displayed by the diagram's heat curve. Using the weapon after the diagram is full may cause damage. The units action points: Indicates the number of actions which can be carried out by the unit, and it will decrease based on movement, actions and injury. 16. Bottom Right Info: This area has two rows of three different action icons: Shield-This assures that the unit will defend itself when attacked. Requires 2 action points. Cross-Give first aid to injured units. 1 point. Weapon-Activating this symbol will allow the unit to alter the use of his weapon, if available. The bigger weapons found in 'Instant Action' or missions beyond 4 have two modes (i.e., the Mine Thrower can also lay mines). Downward Pointing Arrow-When units are fatigued, it's often necessary to rest units. Activating this symbol will cost all action points. Hand-Appears when the unit is near a movable object. 1 point. 17. Radar: The last box contains a radar screen. Each direction is shown, along with green crosses for where Scay'Ger may appear, and red for Scay'Ger that are in firing range. 18. Left Side of the Screen: Remind position-A bookmark for saving that position during that mission. Recall position-Calls up the Remind position save. Save Game-Type a name and save current position. Load Game-Loads saved games. Briefing for current mission-Displays the current mission briefing. Undo last turn-Restarts at your last turn. Undo mission-Starts mission from the beginning 'Deploy your units' area. Give up!-Terminates the current game, takes you to the Main Menu. 19. Right Side of the Screen: Overview map-A bird's eye view of the entire battlefield. Units and opponents appear as large colored dots. This perspective is not adjustable Set free view-This provides the player with an overhead view and allows you to adjust the camera position. To move the camera, you must hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse according to the camera position desired. Set user view-Shows the game from a 45 degree angle, and can be adjusted. Set unit view-Shows the battle from a 1st person-style perspective, and can be adjusted. Jump to the next unit-Selects the next available unit for use. Jump to visible enemy-Shows the next Scay'Ger. Activate magnifying glass-Gives you information about various Scay'Ger. Next Player-End of turn. Starts automatically when all action points are used, needs to be clicked if you want your turn to end but a unit still has action points. In the multiple player mode, this function ends your movement turn and allows the next player to make his movements. 20. Mission Report: After the mission you'll see a Mission Report menu. This displays all pertinent data concerning individual units and mission results. Here you'll find out our score, Equipments points earned or who won a multi-player contest. Below there are three function keys: 'Main Menu,' 'Load Game,' and 'Try Again.' If you click on the Main Menu button, you will get a menu that asks you to confirm your intention to quit the current game. 21. The Camera: You can control the camera's position. If a particular view doesn't suit your needs, you can change the camera position. To move the camera, hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse according to the camera position desired. Furthermore, you can rotate the screen by clicking the right mouse button. Each time you click it, you rotate the screen 1/4 turn counterclockwise. If you hold down both mouse buttons, two new camera dimensions are made available. While holding down both buttons, move the mouse forward and backward; this elevates or lowers the camera's position. If you move the mouse laterally, the camera will rotate around it's own axis. The following perspectives allow for camera manipulation: Set Free View, Set User View, Set Unit View, Jump to Next Unit, Jump to Visible Enemy. 22. Tech Support Issues: At the time this demo version was produced the Hercules Stingray 128/3D will only work if the 1.04 driver is installed. This driver is available from: http://www.hercules.com/support/drivers/stingray/s1283d/ The Ensoniq Sound Scape Elite sound card has also experienced problems, please check their site at: http://www.allelec.com/Ensoniq.htm for new information or drivers. ESS sound cards built onto the motherboard of some PCs (Compaqs for example) may not work properly, you can contact ESS at: http://www.esstech.com/techsupp/intro_t.htm Or Compaq at: http://www.compaq.com/athome/index.html Some Toshiba 8X EIDE CD-ROM drives may have trouble reading the data files after installation. At this time we are still researching the cause of the problem. 23. Contacting Blue Byte: If you have any technical questions about INCUBATION, the best thing to do is email our tech support representatives at: hotline@bluebyte.com. Or you can call us at: 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. Remember, Incubation must have DirectX 5.0 to run. It can be downloaded directly at: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp -------------------------------------------- If you've enjoyed this small demo, you'll love the full version. The INCUBATION Team