SPECTRE CHALLENGER ------------------- IMPORTANT INFORMATION --------------------- This version of Spectre is meant to give you a sense of how simple, fun, and addictive this game can be. In Spectre Challenger, the number of levels you can play is limited, and several features are deactivated. Most importantly, Spectre Challenger does not include network support. With the full version of Spectre, you can do battle with up to seven other people over a local area network. This document will help you install and run Spectre. For complete instructons on this game, you can print or view the MANUAL.TXT file. This file will be available after you install SPECTRE. MANUAL.TXT will help you get the most out of this version of Spectre. The full version of Spectre has many more features including: - Infinite levels of increasing game play! - Multiplayer action over networks, modem or direct connect! - Up to 8 players on a network! - Save and restore a game in progress! - Many more texture maps (graphics on objects). - Full, unlimited technical support. - Upgrade path to new versions of Spectre. To get your hands on the full version of Spectre, visit your local retailer or call 708-991-0594 to order direct from Velocity. Spectre is also available for the Macintosh computer. Velocity Development Corporation P.O. Box 875 Palatine, IL 60078 phone: 708-991-0594 fax: 708-991-4408 bbs: 708-991-0597 CompuServe: 76670,2202 Prodigy: VFSS19A ----------------------------------------------------------- GETTING STARTED --------------- REQUIREMENTS Spectre should run on most newer PCs. Below is a list of the equipment required to run the game: - An IBM or 100% compatible computer with a 286/16 mhz or better processor - A hard disk drive with at least 2 Meg free space - A 100% VGA compatible graphics card and monitor - A High Density (1.2Mb) 5.25" diskette drive OR a double density 3.5" (720K disk drive) depending on which disks came in your package. The following are also supported by Spectre: - An AdLib or Sound Blaster compatible sound board. - A Microsoft or 100% compatible mouse and driver. - A Joystick or game pad. - Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later INSTALLATION Before you install this version of Spectre, please be sure you have met all the requirements listed above. To install Spectre Challenger: - Insert the Spectre Challenger disk in a diskette drive. - Type that drive letter followed by a colon (usually A: or B:) and press [Enter]. - Type INSTALL and press [Enter]. Now, simply follow the on-screen instructions. The INSTALL program will copy and decompress Spectre to your hard disk. You MUST run the install program to play Spectre. You can not simply copy the Spectre files to your hard disk. The installation program will default to installing Spectre to the C:\SPECTRE directory. You can easily change this during installation. If you have any trouble installing the game, you may want to: - be sure you have at least 2 Meg free on your hard disk - make sure you DID NOT write-protect the original diskette - be sure you have 510K free conventional RAM RUNNING SPECTRE Below is all you need to do to run the game. These examples are for people who choose the default drive and directory (C:\SPECTRE). - Log on to the drive where Spectre was installed: C: [Enter] - Change into the directory where Spectre was installed: CD\SPECTRE [Enter] - Run the game by typing: SPECTRE [Enter] If you have any trouble running the game, you should consult the TROUBLESHOOTING section of the manual. SINGLE PLAYER TUTORIAL This short tutorial will get you up and playing in minutes. If you have followed the instructions on the preceding pages, you should be able to launch Spectre. Once the Main Menu appears on your screen, select PLAY by clicking on it with the mouse or pressing either the [P] or the [Enter] key. After selecting Play, the vehicle selection dialog box appears. Choose the Balanced Spectre vehicle for this first time. Now, press the PLAY button. In a moment you will see the words "Level 1" spin up on your screen. You will then descend into the Arena. Now is a good time to take note of the keyboard layout. The [Up] and [Down] arrows move you forward and backward. The [Left] and [Right] arrows turn you to the left and right. Try the [Left] or [Right] arrow key and hold it down. Now, take some time to drive around the Arena. If you see a red tank, get close to him...but not too close. Line up the enemy robot craft in your sights, and press the [Space Bar] to fire a cannon shot at him. If you hit him, he will blow up. Do this for any other enemy tanks in your sights. Now try the [Up] arrow in combination with the [Left] or [Right] arrows to practice moving around in the Arena. As you can see, you can move forward and turn at the same time. Get used to how it feels to move around. If you prefer, you can press the [Tab] key, and this will give you an external camera view. Pressing the [Tab] key again brings you to an overhead map view, and the third time toggles you back into the internal cockpit view. You can use the keyboard [+] and [-] keys to zoom in/out in the external and overhead map views. In the forward view you also have a radar in the upper right corner that allows you to locate enemy craft, ammo dumps and flags. Your tank is in the middle of the radar and the arena rotates around your position. The single player game is played in levels of increasing difficulty. To complete a level, you must collect all the flags on the level, while avoiding or destroying the enemy robot tanks. Drive around until you see a flag. To collect a flag, just run over it, at which point you will hear a sound and see the flag disappear from your radar screen. The flags will appear as flashing dots on your radar screen. If you see a robot tank, shoot it! You receive an extra bonus if you destroy all the tanks during a level before collecting all flags. If you haven't returned to the internal view, do so now by pressing the [Tab] key once or twice. There are a few other things you should note. First, every time a robot tank's cannon hits you, you lose shield strength. This is noted in the damage level. Every time you shoot your cannon, you lose ammo. This is noted in your ammo count. To rearm and boost your shield strength, simply drive over an ammo dump, signified by the undulating squares scattered all over the ground in the Arena. When you're done experimenting, press [Esc] to leave the Arena and return to the Main Menu.