TERRAFIRE: INSTRUCTIONS
=======================

Copyright Owen Thomas 1997-2000
All Rights Reserved.

Contents:

  [1] DESCRIPTION
  [2] REQUIREMENTS
  [3] ORDERING THE FULL VERSION
  [4] STARTING TERRAFIRE
  [5] THE SETUP PROGRAM
  [6] PLAYING THE GAME
  [7] LIST OF NASTIES
  [8] HINTS
  [9] COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
 [10] FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 [11] CONTACT ADDRESSES
 [12] CREDITS
 [13] DISCLAIMER


[1] DESCRIPTION
===============

TerraFire is a fast-paced arcade game featuring stunning raytraced
graphics and super-smooth 360-degree parallax scrolling.

Thrust your ship through heavily defended underground caverns,
past wind tunnels, fire-walls and subterranean lakes. Lock onto
stolen nuclear pods with your ship's tractor beam and carry them
back to the planet surface and beyond into hyperspace. And then
things really start hotting up...

NOTE: TerraFire version 2 now requires Windows 95 or 98. However,
for the few people still without Windows, we will continue to
include TerraFire version 1 free of charge with all orders for
version 2 on disk (if you opt to download the full game, you
will only get version 2).


[2] REQUIREMENTS
================

TerraFire requires:

 * 486 or faster IBM-compatible PC.
 * Microsoft Windows 95 or 98.
 * 8Mb RAM and 8Mb free disk space.
 * Colour VGA graphics.
 * Sound Blaster compatible sound card (optional).


[3] ORDERING THE FULL VERSION
=============================

The demo version of TerraFire contains less than a third of the
full game. Furthermore, it can only be played for a 30 day trial
period. If you enjoy the game and you want to continue playing it,
you must purchase the full version. In return, you get all this:

 * 27 missions, including 6 hyperspace bonus levels.
 * 5 different worlds, each with unique graphics.
 * Many new enemy craft.
 * Huge bosses.
 * Awesome new weapons, including the devastating spread-fire gun.
 * New obstacles, including subterranean lakes and rock fountains.
 * A wide selection of cheat codes.

The cheapest and fastest way to obtain the full version is by
purchasing it on-line, allowing you to download and play the game
straight away. You can buy TerraFire this way for just $19.95
(US dollars) or, for a little extra, you can have it delivered
by air mail instead. We accept a variety of credit cards and
currencies, including US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros.
For more details on how to order on-line or by phone, fax or
mail, please visit www.ortsoftware.com or run the ORDER.EXE
program that accompanies the demo.


[4] STARTING TERRAFIRE
======================

The easiest way to start TerraFire is by double-clicking on the
TerraFire icon which you will find on your Windows desktop.

Alternatively, click the Windows "Start" button, select the "Run"
command and type "LLL\tf.exe" where LLL is the game's location.

eg. "C:\Program Files\TerraFire\tf.exe"

NOTE: We recommend that you include the quotation marks.

You can also start TerraFire with one or more of these switches:

 -RESET
 Restores all the option settings (sound, graphics and control) to
 their original state. Always try this switch if you encounter any
 problems which you cannot resolve by other means.

 -QUIET
 Disables the sound effects.

 -SLOWSHOW
 Displays a "SLOW" warning message in the bottom-right corner of
 the screen whenever your computer is unable to keep up the pace.
 Use this switch if you suspect the game is running slowly. If the
 message flashes only for brief periods, don't worry, but if it
 stays on, you should consider methods of speeding the game up
 (see Common Problems and Solutions).

 -SHOP
 Puts the game into shop display mode. Users will not be able to
 access the Options Menu or put their names in the high score
 table. Also, if the game is left unattended on the main menu for
 more than 30 seconds, it will automatically switch into demo
 mode. To exit the game, you must hold down the F10 key and press
 ESC while you are on the main menu - attempting to exit by the
 normal method will simply re-start the game.

eg. "C:\Program Files\TerraFire\tf.exe" -RESET -QUIET

Owners of the full game will also have access to cheat switches.
If you use them, your score will be fixed at zero. Here they are:

 -CHEATKEYS
 Enables the cheat keys: F5 to upgrade your weapons; F6 to repair
 any damage to your ship; and F7 to skip the current level.

 -LEVEL x
 Starts each game on level x.

 -WEAPON x
 Starts each game with the player's weapon at power level x.

 -MISSILES x
 Starts each game with the player having x missiles.

eg. "C:\Program Files\TerraFire\tf.exe" -CHEATKEYS


[5] THE SETUP PROGRAM
=====================

TerraFire will do a very good job of auto-detecting the sound
card installed in your computer and most users will encounter no
problems. However, if you do, you should run the SETUP program and
tell it exactly what your settings are (you may have to refer to
your sound card manual for some of this information).

Because TerraFire is a DOS game, it will only work with sound
cards which are 100% compatible with the original Sound Blaster
standard. Unfortunately, this excludes a few of the newer sound
cards, which are designed primarily for Windows. If your card is
not compatible, you will probably just find that the game plays
without sound. However, if you find that the game crashes on
start-up, please try disabling sound using the SETUP program.


[6] PLAYING THE GAME
====================

The Empire is under attack. Rebel forces have hijacked government
nukes, securing them deep underground in heavily defended bunkers.
The Emperor has 24 hours to surrender or face the consequences.

Conventional craft are unable to navigate the underground bunkers.
The Empire's one hope is a top secret, highly manoeuvrable assault
craft code-named TerraFire and YOU are the only qualified pilot.

The default keys are as follows:

   Left Arrow           Rotate Anti-Clockwise
   Right Arrow          Rotate Clockwise
   Up Arrow             Thrust Forwards
   Ctrl                 Fire
   P                    Pause/Resume
   F1                   Help
   Esc                  Menu

Your mission is to seek out the stolen nukes, lock on to them with
the ship's tractor beam and carry them safely into orbit.

Sound easy? Well the nukes are booby-trapped and locking on to
them will trigger a countdown - get out of there before the
countdown reaches zero or you won't live to regret it.

You will also encounter enemy ambushes in hyperspace. You must
eliminate all enemy craft before continuing with your mission.

The red bar at the top of the screen shows your shield strength.
Each time you or the nuke you are carrying is hit, your shields
are depleted - if they reach zero, you die! Fortunately you have
three lives and you can get extra lives and repair your shields
by collecting power-up gems:

 LIFE POWER-UP
 This is a yellow gem marked with a human figure. It gives one
 extra life. Your lives are indicated by the miniature ships at
 the top of the screen.

 SHIELD POWER-UP
 This is a white gem marked with a red cross. It will restore up
 to 50% of your shields.

 WEAPON POWER-UP
 This is a red power-up marked with a gun-sight. These gems will
 boost your fire-power.

 SAVE POWER-UP
 This is a green power-up marked with a disk. Collect this gem to
 save your current position.

Sometimes, your path will be blocked by a gate or other obstacle.
These can be opened by shooting a switch, but first you'll have to
find it. If a switch flashes green after you've shot it, the gate
will only remain open for a short period. If the switch turns a
steady green (without flashing), the gate will stay open.

Good luck - you're going to need it!


[7] LIST OF NASTIES
===================

MINES
These spiked spheres obstruct your path and explode on contact.
There are four types:

 STANDARD (GREEN) MINES
 Easily destroyed with a few shots.

 TRIGGER (BLUE) MINES
 Will accelerate towards your ship if shot - get away quickly!

 INDESTRUCTIBLE (BLACK) MINES
 Cannot be shot - you must simply avoid them.

 HOMING (RED) MINES
 If you get too close to these mines, they will lock onto your
 ship. You must avoid them until they self-destruct or hit a wall.
 They can also be shot, but it takes a lot of hits.

STANDARD GUNS
These guns are restricted to either horizontal or vertical firing.

RADAR GUNS
Transmit high-frequency shock-waves capable of inflicting severe
damage. However, the firing pattern is predictable and they are
easily destroyed.

TURRET GUNS
These guns will target your ship VERY accurately so hit them fast.

SWEEP GUNS
Scatter rapid fire through a 90 degree range. You'll have to time
your attack very carefully to avoid being hit.

CUBOID
Cube-shaped patrol droid with a deadly aim.

YELLOW MEANIES
These suicide droids will attempt to ram your ship.

ASTEROIDS
Frequently encountered in hyperspace. The larger ones will
disintegrate into smaller rocks when destroyed.

ZINGERS
Usually encountered in asteroid fields, Zingers move in snake-like
formations. Take care to shoot the front or back Zingers first -
if you shoot the middle, you'll create two independent chains.

SPI-DROIDS (FULL VERSION ONLY)
These spider-like droids will home in on your ship VERY quickly.

ROBO-SNAKE (FULL VERSION ONLY)
This one takes a LOT of hits to kill.
It will follow your ship so take care not to corner yourself.

SPIKE-BALL (FULL VERSION ONLY)
This huge droid hunts it's prey in hyperspace - it's favoured
tactic is to repeatedly chase and then open fire. You'll have
to learn when to fight and when to run to defeat this one.

CLAWS (FULL VERSION ONLY)
These tough rebel ships leave a deadly trail of shots in their
wake. You'll have trouble avoiding them, so make their destruction
a priority.

BOUNCERS (FULL VERSION ONLY)
Fast moving, fast firing guard droids.

GLOBULES (FULL VERSION ONLY)
These jelly-like creatures will home in on your ship. The larger
ones split into smaller versions of themselves when destroyed.

RINGERS (FULL VERSION ONLY)
These small droids move in a circular formation designed to trap
your ship.

FLAMER (FULL VERSION ONLY)
The ultimate killing machine - armed with two powerful flame
throwers, it will quickly turn your ship to toast if you don't get
out of the way. Once damaged, it's even more dangerous, spewing
shots in all directions.


[8] HINTS
=========

General suggestions:

 * If you've read the instructions, but you still don't know what
   you're meant to do, watch the demo - that's why it's there.

 * Most users find keyboard control easier than using a joystick.

In the subterranean levels:

 * Learning to control the ship is a large part of the game. Most
   players will learn the basics in about 10 minutes, but it takes
   practice to really be able to throw the ship around at will.
   
   It's a highly manoeuvrable craft and the controls are very
   sensitive so take things slowly at first. Use the thruster
   sparingly and keep the nose pointing up whenever possible.
   If you need to move downwards, don't turn upside down, just
   let gravity do the work for you. And if you must aim sideways,
   for example to shoot a switch on the wall, give your craft a
   boost upwards first so you have time to stop your fall.

 * If you want to travel against the flow in a wind tunnel (or
   with the flow when you're carrying a nuke), it's important to
   build up speed before entering it.

 * Always plan how you're going to get back to the surface before
   locking on to a nuke. Sometimes it's easier to clear a path to
   the exit first and then go back to collect the nuke.

In the hyperspace levels:

 * Try to stay in the centre of the screen.

 * If your ship is hidden off the edge of the screen, don't hang
   around waiting to be hit - take a chance and just accelerate
   ANYWHERE.

 * Keep the number of asteroids on the screen to a minimum by
   picking off the larger rocks one at a time: shoot one large
   rock, shoot all the smaller rocks released, and only then shoot
   the next large rock.

 * Some of the alien craft home in on your ship. You can confuse
   them by moving off one side of the screen and appearing on the
   other.


[9] COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
=================================

* If the game crashes on start-up, please try disabling sound
  using the SETUP program (see Section 5 above).

* If the graphics appear either too dark or very washed out, don't
  forget to try adjusting the settings on your monitor. Different
  monitors give very different results!

* If you are unable to get sound effects to play:

  (1) check the volume on the Options Menu and on your speakers.
  
  (2) try running the SETUP program to configure your sound card.

  (3) check you have your sound card drivers installed correctly
      (you will have to refer to your sound card manual for this).

* If the scrolling is jerky, there are two likely causes:

  (1) You've selected "FRAME RATE : SLOW" on the Options menu.
      This is only be necessary if you have a very slow computer.

  (2) The game is running slowly (see below).

* If the game runs slowly, try the following:

  (1) Reduce the graphical detail via the Options Menu.

  (2) Switch off Joystick Control.

  (3) Use the SETUP program to disable all sound effects.


[10] FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
===============================

* HOW DO THE EASY AND HARD SETTINGS DIFFER?

  The skill setting determines the following factors:

  - the number of hits your ship can take,
  - the time allowed to collect power-ups,
  - the length of the self-destruct sequence,
  - the frequency of save game positions,
  - the maximum number of lives you can collect,
  - the amount of points awarded.

* WHY CAN'T I HEAR MUSIC?

  Because there is none - if this bothers you, put the radio on.

* HOW CAN I LISTEN TO A MUSIC CD WHILE PLAYING THE GAME?

  You'll have to disable the in-game sound from the SETUP program
  or by starting the game with the -QUIET switch.

* DOES ORT SOFTWARE HAVE ANY OTHER GAMES AVAILABLE?

  Yes - please see the file CATALOG.TXT for further details or
  visit www.ortsoftware.com for news of our latest releases.

* WHICH PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE WAS USED TO WRITE THE GAME?

  The game was written in C and assembly language.

* HOW WERE THE GRAPHICS CREATED?

  Most of the graphics were created using an excellent raytracing
  package called POV-Ray. For further details, check out the
  POV-Ray website at www.povray.org (ORT Software is in no way
  connected with the POV-Ray team and cannot supply you with their
  software or with any further information about them).


[12] CONTACT ADDRESSES
======================

If possible, please check out our website at www.ortsoftware.com
before contacting us directly as you may well find the answers to
your questions there. You can get the latest versions of all our
games from the website, as well as screen shots, ordering details
and news of special offers.

If you still need to contact us directly, please use email if
possible as it's easier for us and quicker and cheaper for you!
Our email address is ort@ortsoftware.com

Finally, if you need to contact us by regular mail, please write
to the following address, enclosing a stamped-addressed envelope
if possible:

  Owen Thomas (ORT)
  2A Berceau Walk
  Watford
  Herts WD1 3BL
  United Kingdom

PLEASE DO NOT PHONE THE ABOVE ADDRESS.


[11] CREDITS
============

DESIGN:            Owen Thomas

PROGRAMMING:       Owen Thomas

ARTWORK:           Owen Thomas

PLAY-TESTING:      Merete Hertzum
                   Ian Thomas
                   Jason Toft
                   Joe LaVerdi
                   Martin Moyse
                   Pete Croft
                   Julian Morris
                   Stephen Kelly
                   Bryan Smith
                   Keif Gwinn
                   Mark Gilman
                   James Answer
                   Dale Wilks
                   Paul Smith-Crallan
                   Charles Pearmain
                   Martin Prescott

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Anne & Denys
                   The POV-Ray Team
                   Jean-loup Gailly
                   Mark Adler
                   DiamondWare


[13] LEGALITIES
===============

Please see the file LICENCE.TXT for a full list of the terms and
conditions governing the use and distribution of this program.

Great care has been taken to ensure this program is virus-free
and is safe for you to use. However, you use this program at your
own risk. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage caused
to your computer, or to any data held on your computer, by the
running of this program.

That's the English version - here's the legal stuff:

THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS-IS". NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE AS TO IT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON.
WE WILL PROVIDE NO REMEDY FOR INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM IT, INCLUDING SUCH FROM
NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
EVEN AFTER NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
