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==================================== Messiah (TM) Official Demo ==================================== ==================== TABLE OF CONTENTS ==================== - 1.0 Prologue - 2.0 Default Keyboard Commands - 3.0 Bob's basic abilities 3.1 Running 3.2 Walking 3.3 Crawling 3.4 Grabbing Ledges 3.5 Shimmy 3.6 Strafing 3.7 Looking Around - 4.0 Bob's special abilities 4.1 Possession 4.2 Armor 4.3 Keys 4.4 Camouflage 4.5 Health 4.6 Depossession 4.7 Flight - 5.0 General Combat 5.1 Grabbing and dropping weapons 5.2 Weapon based combat 5.3 Targeting in weapon based combat 5.4 Targeting in sniper mode 5.5 Secondary weapons 5.6 Hand to hand combat - 6.0 Standard Weapons 6.1 Welding torch 6.2 Bone Saw 6.3 Pump gun 6.4 Machine gun 6.5 Maimer 6.6 The Pak 6.7 Flame-Thrower 6.8 Bazooka 6.9 Maser 6.10 Rocket Propelled Harpoon - 7.0 Secondary Weapons 7.1 Grenade 7.2 Concussion Grenade 7.3 Stick 'Um Grenade 7.4 Distortion Grenade 7.5 Jumping Betty - 8.0 Friend or Foe - 9.0 Helpful hints - 10.0 Troubleshooting - 11.0 Common Switches - 12.0 Messiah on the Internet - 13.0 Technical Support - 14.0 Software Use Limitations and Limited License - 15.0 Copyright Information ==================================== 1.0 PROLOGUE ==================================== Earth has changed. It smells bad and looks worse than it smells. The law has a new doctrine of moral and physical brutality, inspired by a new regime of money, technology, and myth. The leaders of the Earth no longer care about the people; and truly, even knowledge and personality are just a dollar symbol away. Life is a cheap commodity, and after hundreds of years the people have sadly adopted this philosophy as religion and government. Science breathes a new life in this world. Computers crackle their optical and biological nerves to serve their creators, unlocking the world's mysteries. All of this new information is pumped directly into the minds of the dictators they serve giving them superhuman intellect. Here they are born into a new state of mind and life. "Give me mankind's greatest thoughts and I will crush them." These words spoken from Earth's new leader, informally known as Father Prime. These minds no longer serve the people; people that they could design and manufacture themselves. Like those given too much power, they serve only themselves seeking knowledge beyond science itself, into scientific myth. It is in this new study that they focus their greatest energies. The quest has driven them deep into the universe beyond, leading to the undeniable proof of the existence of Heaven, God, and Hell. Which one do you think they want to try to control first? Hence our story. Somewhere on the dark side of the moon is a facility built by the Fathers. There, they've constructed a portal leading to Hell and to Satan himself. The Fathers have theorized that God is too powerful and won't easily be bargained with therefore leaving Satan who should prove an easier subject to acquaint with and to study. If you can control Satan, you can control God; or so they postulate. They also ponder the following: if you can control both Heaven and Hell, where does that put you? Just like anything scientific, immortal beings also are bound by the laws of the universe, those laws that God has made for himself. These laws are the weakness that the Fathers intend to exploit. Of course God knows of the Fathers' intentions. God's defense is conceived and put forth... Bob. Bob is taken to Earth and given a soul, and hasn't a clue about what is really going on. God's creations - the infinity of the universe, life and souls - those are the tools God has been using since the beginning of time and His gift of a soul, usually devoid in angels, is all He needs to give Bob. This is how God works.... The Fathers know that God plans destiny. What God doesn't know is that the Fathers know through their technology what God has destined, thus making it easy for them to work out their own strategy and plan for God's destiny. This leaves Bob in an unfamiliar world. His only defense is that not only does he have a human soul, but he is also an angel and a spirit. This state allows him to enter the organic bodies of the living and control them. Destiny is planned, for only God knows your true fate, including Bob's. Bob will serve God's need, conveyed through his given soul. Despite God's guidance, Bob follows his own path, directed by his freewill and assisted by his soul. God plans to acquire knowledge about the Fathers; knowledge that they have learned to keep secret from Him. Little does God know that His plan has already been anticipated by the Fathers who have taken steps to guide Bob's destiny towards their own goals. So God is doomed to lose to a new order of life, and we all know you can't change destiny...right? Right Bob? We shall see... ==================================== 2.0 DEFAULT KEYBOARD COMMANDS ==================================== Turn Left Arrow Left Turn Right Arrow Right Move Forward Arrow Up Move Backward Arrow Down Strafe Left Z Strafe Right X Walk Toggle Shift Jump/Flap Wings Ctrl Action Enter Enter Combat Mode/Shoot Space Grenade C Depossess Character Backspace Crouch D Sniper Mode Zoom In Num Pad + or Mouse Wheel Up Sniper Mode Zoom Out Num Pad - or Mouse Wheel Down Sniper Mode Quick Exit Num Pad * Freelook A Mission Objectives F5 Menu Esc ==================================== 3.0 BOB'S BASIC ABILITIES ==================================== Here is a list of ways to move around in the environments of Messiah and some techniques to further explore your surroundings and avoid meeting an early demise. ==================================== 3.1 RUNNING ==================================== When you press either the "Forward Movement Key" or the "Backward Movement Key" you will by default run in that particular direction. Your speed is faster than most creatures on Earth, and in combination with your quick turns, you are very agile compared to the clumsy humans. Use your running ability for those sticky situations where a quick escape is necessary. ==================================== 3.2 WALKING ==================================== Pressing the "Forward" or "Backward Movement Keys" in combination with the "Walk Key" will cause you to slowly creep forward at a much less hectic speed than your run. This is especially useful for traversing small ledges where one false step will cause an untimely demise. Also keep in mind that when you walk your footsteps will be silent, allowing you to sneak up on your foes undetected. ==================================== 3.3 CRAWLING ==================================== Pressing the "Forward" or "Backward Movement Keys" in combination with the "Crawl/Crouch Key" will allow you to drop down close to the floor and crawl around. This ability is useful when trying to hide behind an object without being seen or when trying to move underneath an object which is too low to walk under. ==================================== 3.4 GRABBING LEDGES ==================================== If you press the "Flap/Jump Key" while also pressing the "Forward Movement Key" and get close to the edge of a ledge, you will be able to grab hold of the ledge and hang from it. Pressing the "Forward Movement Key" again will pull you up to the next level. This is great for moving up to another area which is normally too high to simply fly up to. Pressing the "Backward Movement Key" will cause you to drop back down to the next lower area. ==================================== 3.5 SHIMMY ==================================== While hanging on a ledge, you can use the "Left" and "Right Turn Keys" to move side to side on the ledge in a hand over hand motion. This skill will undoubtedly be required during your travels. ==================================== 3.6 STRAFING ==================================== While running and turning is often sufficient for evading most foes and simply traversing around the environment, using the "Strafe Left" and "Strafe Right" keys will allow you to move around the environment while still maintaining focus on a desired target. This can be especially useful while running around your enemies while still keeping your eyes focused on them. ==================================== 3.7 LOOKING AROUND ==================================== There are three ways to get a better look at your surroundings while moving about the different Cities. 1) While in third person perspective, pressing and holding the "Look Around Key "will allow you to use the Mouse to scroll around you and get a better look at your surroundings. While in this Third Person Look Around Mode, you will still be able to move which makes this action especially useful for peeking around corners. Releasing the "Look Around Key" will return you to normal movement mode. 2) Another way to get a look at your surroundings is to press the "Enter/Zoom Sniper Mode" key to go into a first person perspective. Once in this mode, you can use the Mouse to move the camera around and take a look at areas you might want to examine. While in this Sniper mode View, you cannot move or turn but can strafe left and right as well as crouch. Strafing while in this mode allows you to hide behind boxes and the like and just peek your head around the corner to get a look. To exit the Sniper Mode View, press the "Quick Sniper Mode Exit Key." 3) Finally, if you want to get a look behind you quickly, press the "Quick Look Back Key" to move the camera quickly from behind your body to the front of it. This can be useful while being pursued or simply seeing who has snuck up behind you. Pressing the key again reverts the camera to its normal position. ==================================== 3.8 ACTION ==================================== When you move around the environment, there are a number of items in the world in which you can interact with. When you are in another creature, there are many more possibilities, but more on that later. In the bottom right corner of the screen there is an icon called the Action Icon which will change depending on the context of the situation you are in. Normally, the icon appears signifying there is no current action. However, there are instances in which you as Bob can interact with certain world elements. 1) When you see the Action Icon for open door, you can press the "Action Key" to open the door. This open door icon will only appear when you are standing at the center of a door facing it. 2) Another instance where you can interact with the environment while outside of a possessed character is to activate certain electronic buttons and consoles. As a rule of thumb, Bob can activate any low-tech consoles or switches in the environment. Examples of low-tech devices are on/off buttons and elevator switches. Examples of a high-tech device is a computer terminal. Those high-tech devices with keyboards will require a possessed character trained in their usage to activate them. When a low-tech device can be interacted with, a use icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. 3) When an elevator can be activated, the elevator icon will be displayed which means that the player must not only activate the elevator but also tell it which direction to travel. To do so, press the "Action Key" in combination with the "Forward" or "Backward Movement Key." Pressing "Forward" in combination with the "Action Key" will cause the elevator to travel up, while the "Backward Key" in combination with the "Action Key" will cause the elevator to go down. ==================================== 4.0 BOB'S SPECIAL ABILITIES ==================================== Here is an overview of Bob's special abilities and how to apply them to your Messiah experience. ==================================== 4.1 POSSESSION ==================================== Some of the natives of Earth will not be receptive to your presence while others will be merely curious about you. Take care, if you are spotted you may come under attack. To help achieve your goals, you have been granted the ability of possession. You may possess any entity in City Faktur as long as they are organic in composition. Most creatures that are mechanical in nature are immune to your power of possession and thus must be dealt with carefully. The inhabitants of Earth are a great many things and though they may initially seem to be just getting in the way of achieving your goals, City Faktur's residents open up many possibilities. Here's a step-by-step example of how to possess your prey. 1) Try to stay out of sight until you have a good opportunity to possess a creature from behind. 2) Once your opportunity presents itself, make haste to overtake the subject from behind. 3) While running up behind your prey, flap your wings once or twice and spring toward the target's shoulder blades. 4) If all goes as planned, you will dive into the creature's back and thus into their spirit and consciousness. When you have possessed a character, you will see a halo over the creature's head indicating to you which creature you are in control of. Other creatures in the world will not see the halo, it is merely there for your benefit to help you easily pick which creature you are controlling even if you're in a crowd. You now have complete control of this entity and will possess all of their individual strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities until they are killed or you choose to depossess. ==================================== 4.2 ARMOR ==================================== When Bob possesses a character in the game, the character becomes armor. Since Bob is very fragile and can be killed relatively easily, it is in Bob's best interest to possess a character and use it like armor, absorbing any damage that is inflicted upon him. Once the possessed character has taken significant damage, Bob can depossess and find another character to absorb damage. Bob himself cannot be damaged while in possession of a creature. ==================================== 4.3 KEYS ==================================== Many areas in the City are only accessible to certain characters, just as in real life. A Security Facility, for instance, is not open for prostitutes to explore. In order to take a peek inside, Bob must first possess a Cop who can then reasonably move freely around the facility without arousing suspicion. ==================================== 4.4 CAMOUFLAGE ==================================== When Bob possesses a character in Messiah, he must then effectively be the character. Once in a worker for instance, Bob can't just go traipsing around a Security Facility at his leisure. After all, he is a worker. Once in a character's body Bob will have to act like the character or his cover will be blown. When the whistle blows and the Cops all head out for their lunch break, Bob better go too or the Cops will surely get suspicious ==================================== 4.5 HEALTH ==================================== When Bob is running low on health, he can replenish his own body by jumping into another creature. When Bob is damaged and he possesses another creature he will take health from his host in proportion to the amount he has already been damaged. ==================================== 4.6 DEPOSSESSION ==================================== You can depossess a creature at any time by simply pressing the "Depossess Key." Once you depossess a creature they will be stunned for a moment or two while they try to get their bearings again. During those few moments that the creature is disconcerted, you must either find a place to hide or find a new host. Once those few moments have passed and the subject regains its senses, the creature will begin to return to their normal behavior and can again pose a threat if you are spotted. ==================================== 4.7 FLIGHT ==================================== Next to his possession ability, Bob's next most powerful attribute is his ability for flight. To flap your wings and take to the air, press the "Flap/Jump Key" and your wings will flap once. If you continue to press the "Flap/Jump Key" in succession, you will notice that your wings will continue to flap and you can stay in the air for sustained periods of time. Flapping while moving forward will allow you to cover ground quite quickly and will enable you to move over obstacles in your path quite effortlessly. ==================================== 4.8 GLIDE ==================================== When on a high ledge, you can leap off and press and hold the "Flap/Jump Key" to spread your wings and glide to another destination. By using the glide ability, you will be able to leap off of even the highest structures and glide like a feather to the ground while taking little or no damage. Gliding is also useful if you want to soar to a far off landing area without having to flap your wings rapidly in succession. ==================================== 5.0 GENERAL COMBAT ==================================== As Bob, you are very fragile and defenseless. As such, it is necessary to possess Earth's inhabitants and use their bodies and weapons whenever force is necessary to get through a tight spot. The following will help you learn how to engage Earth's inhabitants in both weapon and hand to hand combat. Note that the creatures in City Faktur can only carry one primary weapon at a time though some can carry secondary grenades and mines as well. If you want to use a different weapon than the one a character is currently using, you will have to swap it with another when you come across it. ==================================== 5.1 GRABBING AND DROPPING WEAPONS ==================================== The easiest way to get a weapon is to possess a character who already has a weapon in their hands. In the event that the possessed character does not have a weapon or their weapon runs out of ammo, look for a weapon in the room and stand over it to pick it up. Once over a weapon one of two action icons will appear in the bottom right of the screen; the pick up weapon icon or the swap weapon icon. While standing directly over the desired weapon, pressing the "Action Key" will cause the character to either pick up or swap the current weapon. To drop a weapon, make sure that the possessed character is not standing over a weapon and then press the "Action Key" to drop the weapon. You will know that you can drop your current weapon because the drop weapon icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. ==================================== 5.2 WEAPON BASED COMBAT ==================================== When possessing various characters in City Faktur you will find that many carry weaponry. When you possess someone who is carrying a weapon you of course then have control of not only the character but also his knowledge of weapon based combat. If you come under hostile fire, you can fight back with the character's weapon by following the next steps: 1) First, press the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key" once to enter combat mode. When you enter combat mode the possessed human will take an aggressive combat stance but you can also tell you are in combat mode by looking to the bottom right corner of the screen where the combat icon will change from normal mode to a combat mode version. Make sure that when you enter combat mode you are ready for a fight. Once you pull a weapon or put up your fists other creatures will automatically assume that you are hostile and therefore take appropriate measures. 2) Now that you are in combat mode, pressing the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key" will cause the possessed creature to fire his primary weapons. Pressing and holding the "Enter Combat/Fire Key" will make the character fire their weapon in succession. 3) While in combat mode, the exit combat mode icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. To exit combat mode, press the "Action Key" and the possessed character will drop back into their normal mode. ====================================== 5.3 TARGETING IN WEAPON BASED COMBAT ====================================== When you are in combat mode and sweep across the room, your targeting cursor will move from creature to creature as you move, highlighting each target in succession. When the targeting cursor is highlighting the desired target, fire away to take the target down. Keep in mind that weapons all have different ranges so they will do various damage to your target depending on whether they are nearby or off in the distance. The pump gun, for example, can often take a character down in a single shot at close range but is miserable for long range combat. ==================================== 5.4 TARGETING IN SNIPER MODE ==================================== Another way to fight with weapons is to enter sniper mode and target from there. To enter sniper mode, press the "Enter/Zoom Sniper Mode" key once to enter the first person perspective. If the possessed character's weapon is not already drawn, press the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key" once to draw their weapon. Once the weapon is drawn, a targeting cursor will appear in the center of the screen indicating that you are ready to fire. The targeting crosshairs will not snap to your target as in third person combat mode, but instead will stay solid all the while you are in sniper mode. Each time that the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key" is pressed a shot will be fired at the point the targeting crosshairs are over. In sniper mode it is very easy for you to take accurate shots at your enemies to target specific body parts. Experiment with shooting the different areas of an enemy's body to achieve different effects. ==================================== 5.5 SECONDARY WEAPONS ==================================== Many of the characters you will meet in City Faktur carry secondary weapons in addition to their primary firearms. To use the characters secondary weapon, press the "Secondary Weapon Key" to throw a projectile weapon. ==================================== 5.6 HAND TO HAND COMBAT ==================================== There will inevitably come a time in your travels where you are hopelessly outnumbered in a fight and the ammo clips you are carrying will not be enough to get you through the situation. Fear not, most of the Earth's inhabitants are proficient in the art of hand to hand combat. To fight most effectively in hand to hand combat mode, you should first drop your weapon, though some moves can be pulled off even with a weapon in your hands. To fight in hand to hand combat mode, you must first press the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key" once to enter combat mode. If there is no weapon in the character's hands they will put of their fists once in combat mode. Combat mode is also designated by the combat icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Now that you are in combat mode, you must get close to your desired target and then press the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key." Pressing this key alone will cause the possessed character to strike out at their opponent. Pressing the "Enter Combat/Fire Weapon Key" in combination with the "Forward Movement Key" will cause the character to do other combat moves as will attacking characters from behind. Experiment with the different moves in hand to hand combat mode to not only take down your enemies quietly but even disarm them if so desired. While in hand to hand combat mode, the exit combat mode icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. To exit combat mode, press the "Action Key" and the possessed character will drop back into their normal mode. ========================================== 6.0 STANDARD WEAPONS ========================================== Here is a list of the weapons that you might some across in your adventures through City Faktur. ================================== 6.1 WELDING TORCH ================================== Intended only for welding, this weapon has a higher probability of causing your foes to laugh themselves to death when attacked than actually inflicting critical amounts of damage. Even so, it might kill someone if the person were to hold still long enough for it. ================================== 6.2 BONE SAW ================================== It slices! It dices! It's a hand held sawing, buzzing, hacking, grinding device! This device was only designed with construction work in mind but it will work for close range combat in a pinch. The massive 20hp bone saw will deliver a massive amount of damage in a short period of time but is nevertheless no match for an enemy holding a rapid fire long range weapon. ================================== 6.3 PUMP GUN ================================== The pump gun is standard issue for the Light Cops in City Faktur. This weapon shoots 5 gauge slugs that fire in a spread pattern when triggered. Though the weapon has excellent stopping power at close range, it is miserable at any distance. Don't even think about trying to use this weapon in sniper mode due to it's long range weakness. ================================== 6.4 MACHINE GUN ================================== Usually carried by Medium Cops, the machine gun is excellent at long range and has superior accuracy. Firing devastating slugs in rapid succession via it's twin barrels, the machine gun is equally impressive at clearing rooms of foes as it is putting a bullet in someone's head from 1/2 a mile away in sniper mode. ================================== 6.5 MAIMER ================================== Roughly as effective as its machine gun brethren, the maimer has a rapid-fire mechanism, is equally effective at short and long range, and delivers more than enough stopping power to take down all but the toughest foes. The maimer fires razor sharp titanium blades that slice and dice any unfortunate soul in its path. ================================== 6.6 THE PAK ================================== Based on the opposite technology from the flame thrower, the pak weapon fires needle like shards of frozen ice at the intended target, skewering them repeatedly. When one of the pak's icy projectiles pierces the victim, they will begin to freeze causing their targets movements to slow down. Each successive projectile that hits the target will further chill the victim making their actions slower and slower. A few seconds after last exposure, the victim begin to thaw and once again regain their normal attributes. Effective at both long and short range, the pak is an excellent choice for both hectic combat situations and strategic sniper mode hits. The pak weapon also gives characters the ability of limited flight via the device's propeller like blades. ================================== 6.7 FLAME THROWER ================================== The flame thrower spews a flammable fuel mixture in jelly form that's ignited when emitted. When the jelly makes contact with another character they will burst into flame causing them to run and scream in agony until they can roll themselves out. Though the weapon is useless at distances, there is simply no substitute in close range combat situations. Care must be taken with this weapon, however, if an ignited character comes in contact with you there is a good chance that he'll turn you into a human torch as well. ==================================== 6.8 BAZOOKA ==================================== The bazooka fires a frighteningly lethal missile along a direct path to its targeted victim. With infinite range, quick reload, zero trajectory arc, and a speedy velocity, the bazooka is a handy toy for long range combat. If fired at close range the bazooka can be quite dangerous as the subsequent missile explosion will most likely damage the user as well as the target. ==================================== 6.9 MASER ==================================== Though impressive looking, this weapon is better suited for disposing of mechanical foes than organic creatures. Rarely seen on the streets of City Faktur, this weapon was created specifically to take down Armored Behemoths. Firing a powerful electro-subtractive pulse, the Maser is tremendously useful in taking down both ferocious mechanical foes and certain types of high impact plasma barriers. ==================================== 6.10 ROCKET PROPELLED HARPOON ==================================== The rocket propelled harpoon is the most devastating weapon ever to appear on the streets of City Faktur. The R.P.H. pierces the intended target, lifting them off the ground and impaling them on a nearby wall where they will wither in agony before eventually collapsing. Good at both close and long range, the R.P.H. is absolutely devastating since it's capable of killing creatures with a single shot. =========================================== 7.0 SECONDARY WEAPONS =========================================== ==================================== 7.1 GRENADE ==================================== Standard issue to Medium and Heavy Cops, the grenade behaves just as one might expect, exploding in a shower of shrapnel which is lethal in direct hits, and still quite effective for those standing near it when it detonates. ==================================== 7.2 CONCUSSION GRENADE ==================================== Issued to Riot Cops whose primary purpose is crowd control, the concussion grenade is useful for incapacitating large groups of characters while causing no damage to the surrounding area. When the grenade detonates, it emits a large flash that stuns them momentarily. While the weapon does not kill characters it is useful for stunning characters that are potential possession candidates. ==================================== 7.3 STICK 'UM GRENADE ==================================== This weapon embeds itself into the target when it is thrown and then begins to emit a subtle audio tone to alert the user that it is active. The stick 'um will remain active and wait until the "Secondary Weapon Key" is pressed again at which time it will detonate. Try planting the grenade on explosive objects and wait for unsuspecting enemies to stroll by before detonating the device. ==================================== 7.4 DISTORTION GRENADE ==================================== The most powerful of the secondary weapons, the distortion grenade is tossed like a normal grenade but creates a warping anomaly that can literally bend solid objects. Any creature caught in the path of the distortion grenade will be thrown as if they were standing next to a violent explosion and will sustain similar amounts of damage. Like a standard grenade, the distortion grenade can be banked off walls due to its built in three second timer. ==================================== 7.5 JUMPING BETTY ==================================== Unlike its grenade counterparts, this secondary weapon packs a powerful punch in the form its proximity mine nature. Once discharged with the "Secondary Weapon Key" the jumping betty will lie in wait until another character triggers its proximity sensor. Once triggered, this mine leaps five feet into the air making five complete horizontal rotations firing a flechett every ten degrees of rotation. ====================================== 8.0 FRIEND OR FOE ====================================== Some characters in Messiah will be aggressive toward Bob on sight And others will be merely curious about his presence. Though not comprehensive, here is a list of how Bob can expect some characters to act toward him. OPENLY HOSTILE Cops Chots Behemoths Sub-Girls CURIOUS Scientists Workers Prostitutes Clubbers ====================================== 9.0 HELPFUL HINTS ====================================== ╖ To possess a character, flap your wings and fly into the character's back. You can depossess at any time by pressing the depossess key. ╖ Try to possess characters when no one else is looking. Characters won't attack if you appear to be like them. ╖ Bob is very fragile and defenseless. Whenever possible, possess other characters and use them for camouflage as well as armor. If you possess a Cop without being seen for instance, other Cops won't pay attention to you. If you do get in a fight, the possessed Cop takes the damage, not Bob. ╖ Keep those weapons holstered! Running around with your gun ready is a sign of aggression to other characters. ╖ Elevators in Messiah are a bit different than other games but are quite easy to operate once you get the hang of it. Stand in front of the elevator console you wish to operate and turn the character to face it. Press the action key while pressing forward or backward depending on which way you want to go. ╖ Keep an eye out for better weapons and ammo. Explore your environment whenever possible. - Try to think differently about your environment than you would in other games. Bob has unique abilities that open up other possibilities. Need to get past a laser wall? Try going over or under it rather than shutting it down! ╖ Characters each have their own set of skills, use different characters to access different areas or consoles. ╖ Bob can regain health by possessing another character and taking some of their life essence to replenish his own. ╖ The Cops and the Chots have a natural aversion to one another. When these two classes of characters come in contact with one another, expect a firefight. If you don't understand why you're being shot at, chances are that another character may not get along with the class of character that you are currently in possession of. ==================================== 10.0 TROUBLESHOOTING ==================================== MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Windows 95/98 DirectX 7 Required Pentium II 233 3D Accelerator Card 64MB RAM Direct Sound Compliant Sound Card Microsoft Compatible Mouse Keyboard Installation Space Required - 600MB RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Pentium II 300 PCI or AGP 3D Accelerator Card with 16MB RAM 1) Be sure to completely uninstall the Messiah Compatibility Test before installing the full version of Messiah. 2) Be sure to close resource intensive applications before running Messiah. Virus scanners are particularly problematic as they will reduce Messiah's overall performance significantly. 3) If you satisfy all the system requirements for Messiah and are still having problems running the game make sure to get the latest drivers for your hardware devices. Interplay Quality Assurance has found that installing the latest reference or card manufacturer's video drivers corrected many problems found with older drivers. 4) Some systems may not multitask properly while playing Messiah. Switching programs while Messiah is running is not supported. 5) Messiah will behave unpredictably if the A3D option in the sound menu is chosen on a machine with Sound Blaster 16 sound cards. If you are unsure if your sound card is enhanced with the Creative Labs EAX or Aureal A3D features, select the DirectSound Software option. 6) Some users have experienced problems with the Maestro sound card. If you have problems running Messiah and you have a Maestro sound card, go into the sound settings in Messiah's options menu and enable A3D sound. 7) There are currently known issues with video cards which do not support Messiah's fogging mode. If you experience problems where the screen fills with the fog color, exit the game and insert the -o switch in the command line (see section 11.0 for an explanation of switches). 8) Interplay's Compatibility Team has experienced graphical errors while running Messiah on the Voodoo Banshee with the Diamond 4.10.01.213 drivers installed. This problem can be rectified by using the 4.12.01.1157 or 4.12.01.1222 versions of the 3DFX reference drivers. 9) Messiah may not be able to be played on the Diamond Viper V330 at resolutions over 800x600 in both 16 and 32-bit modes. If the message "Display Mode Running Out of Memory" appears, try running Messiah at 800x600 or lower. 10) Interplay's Compatibility Team found that the Diamond V550 would not run Messiah using the 4.10.01.0255 drivers at resolutions at or greater than 1024x768 in 32-bit mode. If you experience problems running the game on your Diamond V550, try running the game at resolutions lower than 1024x768. 11) When playing the game on TNT cards, users may experience a problem where characters do not appear with certain drivers. If this issue occurs, swich Elsa Compatibility Mode in the video options menu to "On." 12) When playing the game on TNT2 cards users may experience a problem displaying the in game menu in 32-bit mode. This problem can be rectified by dropping the game resolution to 16-bit mode. 13) Interplay's Compatibility Team has found that graphic corruption may appear while in Messiah's menus when playing the game on the Voodoo Rush using the 1.33.2072 version of the 3DFX drivers. The game itself ran quite well in the test lab and after the player reaches the game, the menus appeared normal after exiting to the menu system again. 14) Some players using newer AGP graphics cards have experienced general graphic corruption while running Messiah. This is a known issue and is related to certain motherboard/power supply combinations not meeting strict AGP power specifications. If after installing the latest drivers for your specific video card the graphic corruption continues, please contact your motherboard manufacture for more information related to the latest high performance AGP compatibility. 15) Messiah does not function properly on the Intel i740 chipset. Messiah requires DirextX7.0a, but Intel does not have a DX7 compatible driver. (http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/express3d/ lk_issues.htm). 16) It has been found that Messiah has problems running on Number Nine Revolution IV and #9 Revolution 3D. There is currently no fix for these cards. 17) Interplay's Compatibility Team found that the Matrox G200 would not run Messiah unless you use the 4.11.01.4330 drivers from Matrox. Graphical problems may occur when running the game in 1280x1024 32-bit. If they do, run the game in 16-bit or in a lower resolution in 32-bit mode. 18) Interplay's Compatibility Team found that the Hercules Thriller 3D with the Rendition Verite 2200 Chipset will experience graphical errors. There is currently no fix available for this problem. 19) Interplay's Compatibility Team has experienced problems running Messiah on the ATI Rage Fury Maxx. Using the 4.12.7935 driver and disabling the dual chip setting will address this problem. 20) Interplay's Compatibility Team has experienced problems running Messiah in 32-bit color at resolutions higher than 640x480 with the G400. If you experience problems please try running in a different resolution in 16-bit color or at 640x480 32-bit. 21) Users with a Diamond Speedstar A70 (SiS 6326 AGP Chipset) May experience texture warping and some other graphical anomolies. There is currently no fix for these graphical problems. 22) Some users with ATI video cards have experienced problems where pop-up help boxes cannot be seen. If this occurs, be sure to use the 4.12.2632 drivers as recommended in the troubleshooting section of www.messiah.com. Users should also enable Elsa Compatibility Mode in the video options menu. You can disable these help boxes by pressing right-shift+T. 23) Users with a Polk Audio sound card should de-select EAX and A3D in the sound options menu and select DXSound Software 3D. 24) If you are having problems with sound during the Priest Boss cutscene to check the Audio settings and if it is set to "Player" instead of "Camera" to change the setting to "Camera" and it should work fine. 25) Users may experience graphical corruption on the Permedia2 chipset While using the 4.10.01.2112-12.0395 driver. There is currently no fix for this problem. 26) Users may experience problems with the Hercules Terminator Beast running the 4.11.01.4005-6.13.28 driver in 1280x1024 32-bit mode. If this occurs, run the game at a lower resolution in 32-bit mode. 27) Users with the Diamond Viper II card using the 4.12.01.9002-9.12.30 driver need to disable fog by using the -o switch in the game's command line. Directions for adding switches is covered below in section 11.0. 28) Interplay compatibility has found that Messiah will not run with the Turtle Beach Montego sound card using driver 4.05.112C. There is currently no fix for this issue. IF YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS RUNNING MESSIAH, PLEASE CONTACT INTERPLAY TECHNICAL SUPPORT (INFORMATION LISTED BELOW), OR TRY VISITING THE TROUBLESHOOTING SECTION AT WWW.MESSIAH.COM FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE TROUBLESHOOTING NOTES. ==================================== 11.0 Common Switches ==================================== Though we recommend leaving the executable settings in the same condition as when installed, it is possible to work around some known issues and optimize performance with some common switches. To add a switch to your executable file, first create a shortcut icon on your Windows desktop to the executable to either glide3x.exe or d3d.exe. Next, right click on the icon and then click on the properties tab. On the line titled "Target," add the switch desired at the end of the line. An example of a line with the "-s" switch enabled would read something like: C:\messiah\MessiahD3D.exe -s More than one switch can be added to the executable line in combinations to affect system performance. Common switches: -i Skip intro logos -s Disable sound -o Disable Fog -v Disable mip-mapping +! Fixes Windows 2000 crashes on some machines when switching from the game to the game menu. -p Will disable any gamma control for users who wish to use their windows gamma and not in game gamma settings. +T Enables verbose debug information for sound cards. ==================================== 12.0 MESSIAH ON THE INTERNET ==================================== Visit the official Messiah web site at: www.messiah.com And to give the team feedback, check out the official Messiah message board at VoodooExtreme: www.voodooextreme.com ==================================== 13.0 TECHNICAL SUPPORT ==================================== TROUBLESHOOTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE! Interplay Productions Technical Support now offers troubleshooting guides with complete installation and setup instructions as well as information that will help you overcome the most common difficulties. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can find these at: http://www.interplay.com/support/ Here you will find troubleshooting information on as well as information on regular system maintenance and performance. DirectX http://www.interplay.com/support/directx/ Joysticks http://www.interplay.com/support/joystick/ Modems and Networks http://www.interplay.com/support/modem/ (For game-specific information and additional troubleshooting, visit our main page at http://www.interplay.com) If you have questions about the program, our Technical Support Department can help. Our web site contains up-to-date information on the most common difficulties with our products, and this information is the same as that used by our product support technicians. We keep the product support pages updated on a regular basis, so please check here first for no-wait solutions: http://www.interplay.com/support/ If you are unable to find the information you need on our web site, please feel free to contact Technical Support via e-mail, phone, fax, or letter. Please be sure to include the following information in your e-mail message, fax, or letter: -Title of Game -Computer manufacturer -Operating system (Windows 95, DOS 6.22, etc.) -CPU type and speed in MHz -Amount of RAM -Sound card type and settings (address, IRQ, DMA) -Video card -CD-ROM -Mouse driver and version -Joystick and game card (if any) -A copy of the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files from your hard drive -A description of the problem you're having If you need to talk to someone immediately, call us at (949) 553-6678 Monday through Friday between 8:00AM-5:45PM, Pacific Standard Time with 24 hours, 7 days a week support available through the use of our automated wizard. Please have the above information ready when you call. This will help us answer your question in the shortest possible time. When you call you will initially be connected with our automated wizard. For information pertaining to your specific title, press "1" on the main menu and listen carefully to all prompts. All titles are listed alphabetically. After you have selected your title, the most common difficulties will be listed. If the difficulty you are having is not listed or you need additional assistance, you may press "0" on your games main menu, and you will be transferred to a Technical Support Representative. No hints or codes are available from this line. You must call Interplay's HINT Line for hints, tips, or codes at 1-900-370-PLAY. You must be 18 years +, have a touch-tone phone, and the cost is $0.95 per minute. The hint line available for North American callers only. Hints are available for this title via the hint line. How to reach Interplay Customer Support: United States Interplay Productions Attn: Customer Service 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine, CA 92606 Telephone: (949) 553-6678 FAX: (949) 553-9549 E-mail: support@interplay.com Web Site: http://www.interplay.com/ FTP Site: ftp://ftp1.interplay.com/ France- Virgin Interactive BP 319000 13793 Aix-en-Provence CEDEX 3 Tel: 0 803 09 41 64 (1,09F TTC/ minute) Fax: 04 42 16 52 13 Web: www.virgininteractive.com Germany- Virgin Interactive Enterteinment Produktservice (Deutschland) GmbH Borselstr. 16 C 22765 Hamburg Tel: 040 / 89703333 Hints and Tips: 01905-897033 (1,21DM/min). E-mail: hotline@setupcs.de Web: http://www.setupcs.de Spain- Virgin Interactive Entertainment ESPA-A, S.A. C/ Hermosilla, 46-2? Derecha 28001 Madrid Tel: (91) 578.13.67 Fax: (91) 575.45.88 E-mail: virgin@virgin.es Web Site: http://www.virgin.es/ UK & remaining European countries- Virgin Interactive Customer Support 74a Charlotte Street London W1P 1LR Tel: 0171 551 4266 Fax: 0171 551 4267 Web Site: http://www.vie.co.uk/ E-mail: customer_support@vie.co.uk All Other Territories outside Europe, N. America & Canada Contact your local distributor for support as listed in your game manual. For technical support on MacPlay products, please visit the MacPlay website. http://www.macplay.com/ ================================================= 14.0 SOFTWARE USE LIMITATIONS AND LIMITED LICENSE ================================================= GENERAL PRODUCT LICENSE. This copy of Messiah (the "Software") is intended solely for your personal non-commercial home entertainment use. You may not decompile, reverse engineer, or disassemble the Software, except as permitted by law. Interplay Entertainment Corp. and its licensors retain all right, title and interest in the Software including all intellectual property rights embodied therein and derivatives thereof. The Software, including, without limitation, all code, data structures, characters, images, sounds, text, screens, game play, derivative works and all other elements of the Software may not be copied, resold, rented, leased, distributed (electronically or otherwise), used on a pay-per-play, coin-op or other for-charge basis, or for any commercial purpose. Any permissions granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be withdrawn by Interplay Entertainment Corp. at any time. All rights not expressly granted are reserved. MODEM AND NETWORK PLAY. If the Software contains modem or network play, you may play the Software via modem transmission with another person or persons directly without transmission through a third party service or indirectly through a third party service only if such service is an authorized licensee of Interplay. For the purposes of this license, a third party service refers to any third party service which provides a connection between two or more users of the Software, manages, organizes, or facilitates game play, translates protocols, or otherwise provides a service which commercially exploits the Software, but does not include a third party service which merely provides a telephonic connection (and nothing more) for modem or network play. Authorized licensee services are listed on the Interplay Entertainment Corp. World Wide Web Site located at http://www.interplay.com. This limited right to transmit the Software expressly excludes any transmission of the Software or any data streams thereof on a commercial basis, including, without limitation, transmitting the Software by way of a commercial service (excepting those specific commercial services licensed by Interplay) which translates the protocols or manages or organizes game play sessions. If you would like information about obtaining a pay-for-play or commercial license to the Software, please call Interplay Entertainment Corp. in the US at (949) 553-6655. ACCEPTANCE OF LICENSE TERMS. By acquiring and retaining this Software, you assent to the terms and restrictions of this limited license. If you do not accept the terms of this limited license, you must return the Software together with all packaging, manuals and other material contained therein to the store where you acquired the Software for a full refund. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. ================================================= 15.0 COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ================================================= MESSIAH: (c)1999, 2000 Shiny Entertainment, Inc. Messiah, the Messiah logo, Interplay, the Interplay logo and "By Gamers. For Gamers." are trademarks of Interplay Entertainment Corp. Shiny and the Shiny logo are trademarks of Shiny Entertainment, Inc. All other copyrights and trademarks are property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.