Introducing Close Approach v1.1 - 7th February 1999 --------------------------------------------------- As the year 2100 approaches, mankind has never felt more threatened. Doomsday cults now have the power to make their wish come true - to bring about the end of the world. With space travel available to the masses, religious extremists are plotting to divert asteroids into the path of the Earth. Pilot your ship and two probes in true 3D space and blast the asteroids out of existence before they collide with the Earth. The game is available for Pentium class PC's running Windows 95 and DirectX, Windows 98 and Windows NT4 (SP3). Although not required, a 3D card will greatly enhance the game and all major 3D cards have been tested. What's new in Close Approach v1.1? ---------------------------------- - Better graphics The visual effects for the containment field have been improved, making it look much more dynamic and pulsating in appearance. There is still the option of using the original effects if you are happier with those. The sun and planets are also visible in the background to give you context of where you are in the solar system for each mission. - Higher resolutions You now have the option of running the game fullscreen at the higher resolutions of 800x600 and 1024x768. - Faster performance on slower PCs Enjoy faster performance on slower PCs by using the wireframe graphics option for a touch of arcade nostalgia. - Improved 3D spatial sound Close your eyes and discover which asteroid the enemy fire is coming from. - Improved 3rd person mouse control Control your probe whilst viewing from your ship - its easy with the mouse. - More challenging pilot options Stick with the easy option of having the ship stop automatically after you move, or enjoy the challenge of piloting a ship that will continue to move. - Fix for Voodoo II and DirectX 6 containment field problem The new visual effects for the containment field also solve the visual wireframe problem which was introduced by new versions of the Voodoo II drivers with DirectX 6. This problem may still be present if you select the old style containment field effects. - Fix for failed DirectX mouse initialisations If your system does not have a correctly configured DirectX mouse driver, the game will now continue with just keyboard input. System Requirements ------------------- Minimum system requirements: Pentium PC with 16 Mbytes RAM or more 64000 color display mode or higher at 640x480 resolution Windows 95 and DirectX 3 or higher, or Windows 98, or Windows NT4 (Service Pack 3) or higher Recommended system requirements: Pentium 100 PC with 16 Mbytes RAM or higher 64000 color display mode or higher at 640x480 resolution Direct3D hardware accelerator card Sound card Windows 95 and DirectX 5 or higher, or Windows 98 Installation ------------ Run setup.exe. To uninstall Close Approach use the Add/Remove application in the Windows Control Panel. Help Information ---------------- The game contains comprehensive Help screens. Legal Notice ------------ Whilst Abstract Worlds Ltd. have successfully tested this software using popular system configurations, it is impossible for us to test every conceivable configuration. Under no circumstances will Abstract Worlds Ltd. be liable for any damages or losses arising from the use or misuse of this software. If you use this software, you agree to these terms. This software is the intellectual property of Abstract Worlds Ltd. Apollo 17 image of Earth (Africa) courtesy NASA, 1972 Galileo image of Earth (South America) courtesy NASA/USGS, 1990. Image of Mars courtesy USGS. Hubble telescope image of Jupiter, 1995 Credit: Reta Beebe, Amy Simon (New Mexico State Univ.), and NASA Voyager 2 image of Saturn courtesy NASA/JPL, 1981. All trademarks described herein are the property of their respective owners. Close Approach v1.1 Copyright (C) 1998-1999 Abstract Worlds Ltd. --- Latest information, support and updates available at: http://www.abstractworlds.com/closeapproach Please e-mail any comments, questions or feedback to: closeapproach@abstractworlds.com ---