STARSHATTER(TM) DEMO 3.0.4
README FILE
Copyright  2002 John DiCamillo

http://www.starshatter.com
milo@starshatter.com

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for downloading the Starshatter Demo 3.0.4.  This README
will give you a brief introduction to the game and how to play it.
Additional instructions are included in the game itself.  The
final version of the game will also include a comprehensive player
manual.

What Is Starshatter?

Starshatter is a new space combat simulation game that is currently
in the final stages of development.  The game offers a new type of
combat experience in an original science fiction universe.  Unlike
most other games, which limit the player to flying fighters and other
small craft, Starshatter gives you the opportunity to directly command
a wide variety of ships, from agile atmospheric and space-based
fighters to giant cruisers and fleet carriers.  Starshatter aims
to simulate the complete space combat experience -- from planet
surface to interstellar space -- with several dynamic campaigns set
in a persistent simulated universe.

Starshatter is being developed for IBM PC compatibles running Microsoft
Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP.

Game Features

 Intelligent Combat Scenarios
 Realistic Physics
 	Newtonian Space Combat (with computer assist)
 	Hardcore Atmospheric Flight Modeling
 Realistic Sensors and Avionics
 Realistic Space Environments
 Stunning 3D Accelerated Graphics
 Stereo Sound

What Is This Demo All About?

This early demo is being released to solicit feedback from the space 
sim community.  If you've ever wanted to influence a space sim game
design, now's your big chance!  At this stage of development, the
graphics engine and basic gameplay mechanics are complete.  Advanced
AI, the dynamic campaign engine, and multiplayer features are still
being developed.

After you've had a chance to play the game a bit, please tell me what
you think of it!  Any and all comments are welcome -- good and bad
alike.  The main thing I want to know is: did you enjoy the demo? 
And are you interested in playing the full game when it is complete? 
Are there any other features you really want to see?  Send your
comments to milo@starshatter.com.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Recommended System:
Pentium II 400 MHz (or equivalent)
64 MB system RAM
32 MB available hard disk space
Direct3D compatible 3D accelerator with AGP 2x and 32 MB RAM
DirectX compatible Sound Card
3 or 4 Axis Joystick with 4 buttons and hat switch
Mouse

OPERATING SYSTEM AND DRIVERS

Starshatter is being developed for IBM PC compatibles running Microsoft
Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP.  Starshatter uses DirectX to
access audio and video hardware.  You must have at least DirectX 6.1
installed in order to use 3D hardware accelerated graphics.

INSTALLATION

The Starshatter demo is being distributed as a compressed archive (ZIP
file).  To install the demo, create a directory of your choice (e.g.
C:\Games\Starshatter) and unzip the contents of the archive into it.
To play the demo, double click the STARS.EXE icon in the new directory.

To uninstall the demo, simply delete the directory and all its contents.
The Starshatter demo will not modify the system registry, or any other
directory on your computer.

CONFIGURATION

By default, Starshatter comes configured for the "Standard" game
model, which uses realistic Newtonian physics and is a moderately
complex simulation of the vehicles involved.  This game model is
ideal if you enjoy flying military flight simulations such as
F22:TAW or Falcon 4.0.

Starshatter can also be configured for a more traditional "arcade"
style of space combat, using a simpler physics engine and more
streamlined HUD readouts.  This game model is ideal if you prefer
flying space combat sims such as Wing Commander or Freespace.
To configure Starshatter for the simplified game model, go to the
GAMEPLAY setup screen and choose "Simplified" or "Arcade" for
every setting that offers those options.

BASIC CONTROLS

This is the minimum set of controls you need to know to control your
ship and play the game:

Pitch Up                   Arrow Down     Joystick Back
Pitch Down                 Arrow Up       Joystick Forward
Yaw (Turn) Left            Arrow Left     Joystick Left
Yaw (Turn) Right           Arrow Right    Joystick Right

Increase Throttle          A
Decrease Throttle          Z

Target Ship in Reticle     T
Fire Primary Weapons       Ctrl           Joystick Button 1
Fire Secondary Weapons     Space          Joystick Button 2

Exit to Menu               Esc

There are many more controls available, and all of the keyboard
commands can be remapped to suit your preferences.  To manage
the keyboard, mouse, and joystick control mappings, access the
in-game CONTROL dialog from the main menu.

CONTACT INFORMATION

http://www.starshatter.com
milo@starshatter.com


The Starshatter Universe and all related indicia
Copyright  1997-2002 John DiCamillo
All rights reserved.
