Darklands manual
- Darklands
- manual
Darklands: Installation & Instructions Guide
DARKLANDS
Installation and Instructions Guide
CONTENTS & SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Contents
Darklands includes a manual, this supplement, a keyboard controls
summary, a map, and a set of either 5.25" or 3.5" high density
disks.
Computer Systems
Darklands requires the following computer system:
COMPUTER: Darklands requires at least a 12 MHz 80286 ("AT")
IBM-compatible computer. An 80386 or better, run- ning at 20 MHz or
faster, is strongly recommended.
OPERATING SYSTEM: Darklands is designed for Microsoft DOS 5.0 and
compatible operating systems. CONFIG.SYS ShOUId have FILES = 20 or
greater.
MEMORY (RAM): Darklands requires at least 595,000 bytes (581 K) of
free RAM in main memory, plus at least 65,536 bytes (64K) of EMS
(expanded) memory. However, program updates may change these values
slightly. After installation, consult the README file for the latest
information.
Darklands is compatible with both LIM 3.2 and LIM 4.0 standards for
EMS (expanded) memory. (The LIM 4.0 standard is used by DOS 5.0.)
If, after installing Darklands, you flnd that your computer has
insufficient main or EMS (expanded) memory, we recom- mend you
create and use a "Boot Disk." See "Notes to Advanced Users" for
further information about configuration options.
FLOPPY DISK DRIVES: High-density floppy drives (1.2MB 5.25" drives
or 1 . 44MB 3.5" drives) are required for installation. Darklands
cannot be installed from low density drives.
HARD DISK: Darklands must be installed onto a hard disk. It cannot
run from floppy disks. The exact amount of hard disk space required
by the current version appears in the READ.ME file. The Installation
program (see below) will alert you if there is insufficient hard
disk space.
CONTROLS: Darklands is designed for play from either the mouse or
the keyboard. In this version, a mouse is required, but almost every
option also has a keyboard equivalent. Experi- enced players may
find keyboard controls faster and easier than the mouse.
GRAPHICS: A standard VGA 256-color display system is required.
SOUND: Darklands runs with a wide variety of sound boards, including
AdLib and compatibles, Soundblaster and compatibles, MediaVision's
Pro Audio Spectrum series, Roland's MT-32 or LAPC-1, and the
standard internal speaker of virtually all IBMs. Use the game
configuration program (see below) to select the sound system.
80286 ("AT") SYSTEMS: Although we do not recommend these systems for
Darklands,the game may run if you have suffi- cient main and EMS
(expanded) memory. This almost invariably means you must have a
special memory board that supports EMS.
QEMM AND SMARTDRV: Darklands is generally compatible with current
versions of popular memory managers, such as Quarterdeck's QEMM, or
Qualitas' 386MAX. However, if you use QEMM and the Microsoft disk
cache utility SMARTDRV.SYS or SMARTDRV. EXE, certain animations will
not run properly. We recommend you avoid using 9EMM and SMARTDRV
together.
Windows and Darklands
Darklands could be run by opening a DOS window while running
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later. However, we do not guarantee
software compatibility under Windows. If you experience prob- lems,
exit from Windows to DOS and then run Darklands.
THE INSTALL PROGRAM
The Darklands install program gives you the following options, which
we suggest you use in the order given.
To run the installation program, put the first disk in the
appropriate disk drive, type that drive letter, a colon, and tap the
Return or Enter key. Then type INSTALL and tap Enter or Return. For
example, if you insert the first disk in drive "A:", then type
A:INSTALL
and tap Return (Enter). If you inserted the first disk in drive
"B:", type B:INSTALL and tap Return. If the install program will not
run on your computer, contact MicroProse customer ser- vice (see
below).
DISPLAY README.TXT FILE: This includes the latest information and
updates about Darklands. Review this first.
INSTALL GAME FILES:
This creates the Darklands game on your hard disk. Darklands must be
installed on a hard disk to run. Because files on the enclosed
floppy disks are greatly compressed, you must use the installation
program to transfer the files to the hard disk. The install program
copies and decompresses these files as quickly as possible. The
amount of time varies with the speed of your computer (for example,
a 33 MHz 80486 will run much faster than a 12 MHz 80286).
RECONFIGURE HARDWARE OPTIONS: This option allows you to select the
appropriate sound system for Darklands. The program attempts to
detect the sound systems supported by your computer. Devices lower
down the list generally provide more advanced sound capability. In
some cases, our program cannot detect your sound hardware,
especially if it has a non- standard configuration for addresses,
IRQs and/or DRQ (DMA). Therefore, you can select any option from
this list.
If the hardware option selected has special configuration options, a
second series of choices allows you to specify Speech Address, IRQ,
and DRQ (also known as "DMA") options. Standard default options are
shown. Be careful with these choices--errors can cause serious
problems for your system. You may need to consult the set-up guide
for your sound system, including notes made during its installation
into your computer.
If you have a Roland MT-32 or LAPC-1 sound system, and a second
system that supports digitized sound, after you select Roland, you
may have a second set of options for your digitized sound support.
NO SOUND: If you select this as an option during install, you cannot
turn on the sound during the game. Instead, you must exit to DOS and
re-run the install program to reconfigure your hardware.
CREATE A BOOT DISKETTE: This helps you create a boot di$k. You must
have a formatted floppy disk for your A: drive to use this program.
A boot disk is useful only if your computer's normal configuration
does not have sufficient main and EMS (expanded) memory for
Darklands. Due to the wide diversity of IBM-compatibles, a boot disk
may not work without customization, and can cause conflicts with
special types of software. For more information, see "Notes to
Advanced Us- ers," below and review the notes in the README.TXT
file.
GAME STARTUP
Once Darklands is installed and configured, you can either run it
from your hard disk, or from your boot disk.
RUNNING PROM A BOOT DISK: Insert the boot disk into the A: drive of
your machine, then start or restart the machine (if restarting, you
can just use the CTRL-ALT-DEL restart). If the boot disk works, your
machine will start up and begin Darklands.
RUNNING FROM A HARD DISK: At the DOS prompt, change to the
subdirectory that contains Darklands. If you installed Darklands to
the suggested default directory on your C: drive, you would type:
CD C:\MPS\DARKLAND
and tap Enter or Return or Enter.
Now that you are in the correct subdirectory, type
DARKLAND
and tap Enter or Return. The game will begin.
Be aware that when running from hard disk, you are using the hard
disk's machine configuration. This configuration must have
sufficient main and EMS (expanded) memory.
FAST LOADING: YOU can bypass the opening animation when loading
Darklands by going to the correct subdirectory, typing
DARKLAND /Q
and tap Enter or Return. The game starts with the initial options.
CHANGING CONFIGURATIONS: After Darklands is installed, you can
re-run the install program to change the configuration (sound
setup), view README.TXT, or create a boot disk. You do this from the
DOS prompt by switching to the Darkland subdirectory (CD
C:\MPS\DARKLAND), type INSTALL and tap Return.
SUPPLEMENTAL GAME INFORMATION
Initial Options
CHARACTER CREATION: When you select ' Create a New World," the next
options are somewhat different from those described on page 12 of
the manual:
EXAMINE A CHARACTER: This option does not appear. Instead, once you
add a character to the party, you can examine that character by
left-clicking on the blue box on the lefr side of the screen, or tap
with F1, F2, F3 or F4, depending on the character position. Normal
character information appears (see pages 22-24 for details).
HERALDRY: This options allows you to select a heraldic shield
design, which symbolizes the character throughout much of the game.
COLORS: After you "Select Character Image," you ~can select coloring
for the head and body. Left-click on " 1 st Color," "2nd Color," and
"3rd Color" to make changes. We suggestyou left-click on each of
these options once for best appearance. For the hooded and robed
image, 2nd and 3rd Color hoth adjust the robes.
Universal Controls and Menu Bar
GAME MENU--SAVED GAME: This option is only enabled at certain points
in the game, mainly when at a city inn, when travelling in the
countryside, or when camping in the country- side. We regret the
inconvenience, but it was the only way to keep saved game files
compact and reliable.
"GAME" MENU--VISUALS: This option is not available. Testing after
manual creation revealed little advantage in removing visuals.
"GAME MENU--MUSIC: If you turn off the music when you turn it on
again, the sound does not restart until a new tune occurs.
PARTY MENU--CHANGE MARCHING ORDER (ALT O): This option allows you to
specify which characters are first, second, and third in line. This
is important in battle, influenc- ing which character start closest
to the enemy, and who follows whom when moving in single file. The
manual description about which character leads (pages 36-37) no
longer applies once you change the marching order.
"PARTY" MENU--AMBUSH (F7) AND CAMPING (F8): These options are only
available from the keyboard. Neither are available on the "Party"
pull-down menu.
Note that both options are only possible on the travel map.
Furthermore, the ambush option is primarily useful within the lands
of a Raubritter (robber-knight).
Character Information:
About Equipment
QUICK SCROLL: YOU can scroll quickly through the equipmentlists
using the "PgUp" and "PgDn" keys on the numeric keypad.
MASS TRANSFERS: If you wish to transfer all items of a certain type
from one player to another, hold down the shift key while either
clicking the mouse on the character box (if using a mouse), or while
tapping the appropriate number key (if using the keyboard). This is
especially handy for transferring, say, 30 arrows at one time,
rather than moving them one by one.
MISSILE AMMUNITION: In Darklands, some missile weap- ons require
ammunition. Bows use arrows, crossbows use quar- rels, and handguns
use balls. A missile weapon without ammu- nition is useless. For
simplicity, any bow can use any arrow, any crossbow any quarrel, and
any handgun any ball. Missile am- munition quality has virtually no
effect on weapon perfor- mance in this version of Darklands (but may
have an effect in future versions or sequels).
IMPROVING ARMAMENTS: Potions or saintly aid used to improve weapons
or armor only apply to the weapon or armor currently "in use"
(appearing on the "in use" board). There- fore, be sure to arm with
the desired item before applying the potion or calling a Saint!
Travel and Interaction
FAST TIME: Darklands frequently illustrates the passage of time with
an animating clock-calendar timepiece. If you find watching this
tedious, simply tap the space bar.
ALCHEMICAL KNOWLEDGE: At various points, you may be asked to
identify an alchemical symbol. These are found in the bottom right
corner between pages 43 and 83, listed alphabetically.
Battle
ENEMY INFORMATION: Due to space limitations, the informa- tion about
enemies can be confusing. For each enemy involved in the battle,
enemy information shows a picture of the enemy and a descriptive
title (such as "Sergeant," "Guard,i' or "Wolf").
Below that, the vitals (V:) and limbs (L:) armor is described.
Below that, if a shield is carried, its size is listed.
Below that the character's current hand-to-hand weapon is listed,
followed by the character's skiil with the weapon. For example,
"Halberd -poor" means the character is using a Halberd, but has poor
skill.
Finally, if a character has a missile weapon, that is men- tioned,
along with the character's skill wirh that.
Skill estimations are not included if you select "Expert" difficulty
level.
A "+" after an attribute, skill, weapon, or armor indicates it has
been alchemically or magically enhanced. Beware of such opponents.
ENEMY POTIONS AND MAGIC: Some enemy characters can use magic or
potions to enhance others in their party (see above).
In addition, remember that enemy potions can affect your characters.
For example, if the entire party is stunned by an enemy sunburst,
your characters will not respond for a while. Enemy potions and
other magic can have strange effects.
INDEPENDENT THINKING: Sometimes members of your party will have
their own ideas about what to do in battle. Sometimes they may be
hesitant to continue fighting. Other times they may ignore
instructions.
FLAIL PENETRATION: The manual on page 77 is incorrect in two
respect. First, two-handed flails just match plate and penetrate
chainmail or brigandine. Second, military flails just match
chainmail or brigandine and penetrate scale. This makes flails
rather useful weapons.
SAINTS IN BATTLE: Do not expect saints to have much effect on
enemies while a battle is raging. Saints are more effective before a
battle is joined. To this end, Genevieve and Godfrey help prevent
battles with humans, Aidan, Januarius, Pantaleon, Perpetua and
Tarachus have some use with ani- mals, and Hubert is useful in many
woodland encounters. It is also worth noting that the demons in this
version of Darklands are especially powerful: don't expect much help
from saints against them.
ESCAPE FROM BATTLE: If the enemy is chasing you, you can escape by
running out certain doors or moving to certain edges on a
battlefield. When you get to such a door or battlefield edge, switch
to orders pause and pull down the "Orders" menu. If "Exit
Battlefield" is enabled as an option, you can escape.
Protecting Your Game
Although MicroProse has spent considerable extra time testing
Darklands, a few problems may still exist. We suggest you save the
game periodically. If a problem occurs, restart from your latest
saved game. We would appreciate hearing about these problems, so
please send a brief description to: Darklands, MicroProse Software,
180 Lakefront Drive, HuntValley, MD 21030.
Religious Issues
In case you missed the notices in the manual (see pages 87 an( 98),
Darklands is not intended as an attack on any religion. Tht game
uses the state-of-mind in the later Middle Ages as a setting for
your adventures. The portrayal of religion is an historica
interpretation and opinion of the designer, Arnold Hendrick.
NOTES FOR ADVANCED USERS
Configuring Your Computer for Darklands
Darklands is designed for use with Microsoft DOS 5.0. Darklands may
work with DOS 4.x or DOS 3.x in conjunction with some special
memory-manager programs. However, we recommend that you upgrade to
DOS 5.0.
DETERMINING AVAILABLE MEMORY: To determine the memory currently
available to run a program, as the DOS prompt type mem /c and tap
Return. Note that mem is unavail- able in DOS 4 or earlier.
The number after "Largest executable program size" is the number of
bytes you have "free" in main memory. Also note the amount of "free
EMS memory," if any is listed. Compare this ~o the amount of memory
needed by viewing README.TXT.
You may discover that you machine has insufficient main memory,
and/or does not have any EMS (expanded) memory. However, virtually
any 386-or 486 with 2MB or more of RAM can be configured to provide
the necessary memory in the right places. What you need in this case
in an alternate configuration for your computer.
The Boot Disk Concept
A boot disk creates an alternate configuration for your computer on
a separate floppy disk for the A:drive if you boot (start up) your
computer system with the boot disk in the A: drive you get the
configuration on the disk. If you boot normally with the drives
empty, you get the usual configuration stored on your hard disk.
Using a boot disk eliminates any chance of Darklands interfering
with normal operation. However, remember to reboot your machine
after quitting Darklands. The Darklands "install" program includes a
"Create Boot Disk" option. This attempts to simplify the process of
creating a boot disk. How- ever, certain special computer
configurations may require you modify some boot disk files.
POTENTIAL PROBLBMS: If your computer uses special hard-disk
compression software to increase disk space, a boot disk will not
work unless that software's drivers are added, or Darklands is
installed in a non-compressed portion of the hard disk. If you use
this software, be careful with boot disks. We suggest you back up
the hard disk before trying any new boot disk in your machine.
If your computer has an automatic virus-checker, and you run from a
boot disk, temporary and saved-game files may be identified
(incorrectly) as "virus" programs, even though they are not. To
avoid this either include the virus checker on the boot disk (if
memory permits) or adjust the virus checker to ignore file changes
and additions in the Darklands subdirectory.
In general, for safety we recommend that you try Darklands without a
boot disk. Then, if you have insufficient memory, back up your hard
disk and create a boot disk.
Creating A Boot Disk
The boot disk creation program used by "install" (above) moves the
DOS system files onto the floppy (using a "SYS A:" command), finds
DOS HIMEM.SYS, a mouse driver (if any), and an EMS (expanded) memory
manager such as EMM386.EXE, then copies them to the boot disk, and
then creates appropriate CONFIG. SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files.
If your DOS is standard Microsoft DOS 5. 0, if you use a Microsoft
mouse, and if you installed Darklands into the normal default
directory (C:\MPS\DARKLAND), the boot disk CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.
BAT might look something like this:
The config.sys:
DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH, UMS
DEVICE=EMM386.EXE RAM
BUFFERS=20
FILES=30
The autoexec.bat:
PROMPT $P$G
MOUSE .COM
c:
CD C:\MPS\DARKLAND
DARKLAND
The exact appearance may vary, depending on your initial machine
configuration.
ADJUSTMENTS: If the default boot disk doesn't work, your system
probably requires special mouse, memory, hard disk, video, etc.,
drivers. These are almost always placed in the AUTOEXEC.BAT or
CONFIG.SYS files. We suggest you examine the current CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BAT, try to find additional statements that may be needed,
and add them at the appropriate places in the above files. The edit
program included in DOS 5.0 is an ideal tool for this.
When considering what commands to included in CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BsAT make sure to separate mandatory commands from
desirable ones. Only mandatory commands should be included on a boot
disk. The "desirable" ones frequently take up precious memory space
without being required for operation. The best method is to start
with the boot disk created by the install program (above), then add
the minimum commands to make the boot disk run.
If you have trouble, check your computer supplier for more
information about the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT require- ments of
your machine.
Drivers & Improvements
For safety's sake, we recommend that all driver adjustments or
improvements be made to your boot disk, rather than your normal hard
disk configuration. If using new drivers, just copy them to your
boot disk.
SOUND DRIVERS: Darklands includes its own sound driv- ers for many
sound systems. In many cases you don't need the drivers supplied
with the sound card. If space is a problem, experiment with
disabling your normal sound drivers in CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT.
MOUSE DRIVERS: Darklands was designed for Microsoft mouse drivers.
If you use a different mouse, and experience mouse-related problems,
try new parameters. Sometimes changing speed or resolution will
solve the problem. In other cases, a newer driver may help. Also try
the Microsoft mouse driver with non-Microsoft mice (it's worked for
us!).
ADDITIONAL EMS (EXPANDED) AND XMS (EXTENDED) MEMORY: If you have
additional memory, after the first 64K of required EMS memory,
Darklands uses additional LIM 4.0 EMS (expanded) and XMS (extended)
memory to speed game operation. If using DOS 5.0 without special
memory manage- ment software, review the section on EMM386.EXE to
find the optimum memory configuration for your machine.
SPEED IMPROVEMENTS: Some parts of Darklands may seem to run slowly.
Darklands runs better on machines with a higher MHz rating. It also
runs better on advanced microprocessors. We recommend an 80386 or
80486 running at 20 MHz or faster. Like most software, Dark/ands
runs faster on DX processors, slower on SX processors.
A fast VGA board improves performance, such as a 16-bit board
(rather than an 8-bit). Unfortunately, Windows graphics accelerator
boards do not help, as they improve Windows graphics, not DOS VGA
graphics.
Hard disk access speed has a significant effect on game speed. If
your hard disk has an average access time of greater than 30ms, the
game will seem slow. Hard disk cache software improves hard disk
performance, especially for slow drives. On some machines cache
software provides better performance than just leaving the extra EMS
or XMS memory free for the game to use (see "Additional EMS and XMS
Memory" above). On others, the internal game software provides
greater speed. We suggest you experiment for best results.
ADVANCED CONFIGURATIONS: Our experience during development has been
that independent memory managers can be more effective than those
included in DOS 5.0. Early 1992 versions of Qualitas' 386MAX and
Quarterdeck's QEMM both worked well with Darklands. However, we
experienced problems when QEMM loaded the Microsoft SMARTDRV hard
disk cache.We found that QEMM and either SMARTDRV.SYS /A or SMARTDRV.
EXE /A frequently worked.
