ETHERLORDS. Update 1.05beta for US/English version of the game
==============================================================
February 28, 2002


(C) 2001, 2002 FishTank Interactive, (C) 2001, 2002 Nival Interactive


1. INSTALLATION
===============

This is the fourth official update patch for the English version of the game 
since its release. Update patch version 1.05beta includes all opportunities 
offered by versions 1.02, 1.03 and 1.04 and can be installed either directly on 
the original version of the game or on top of update patches versions 1.02, 1.03 
and 1.04.

To install the patch, please launch EL105beta_ENG.exe file and follow on-screen 
instructions.

By default the patch is installed into C:/Program Files/Fishtank 
Interactive/Etherlords folder. 

After installation you can launch the game in the usual way, either by using 
your computer's Start menu or by double-clicking on Etherlords.exe file in the 
game's folder.


2. PROBLEMS FIXED BY UPDATE PATCH VERSION 1.05beta
==================================================
Update patch version 1.05beta offers an opportunity to play a multiplayer game 
on strategic 
mission map, plus play a multiplayer game in duel mode on a single computer 
 (duel hot seat).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NB: UPDATE 1.05beta INCLUDES BETA-VERSION OF MULTIPLAYER GAME ON STRATEGIC MAP. 
WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THE BETA VERSION WILL WORK IN A STABLE AND ERROR-FREE 
WAY 
IN THIS MODE. PLEASE PLACE YOUR COMMENTS AND BUG REPORTS AT THE SPECIAL WEB 
FORUM AT 
http://forum.nival.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=64 OR SEND BY EMAIL AT 
support@nival.com.

THE FINAL VERSION FOR MULTIPLAYER GAME WILL BE RELEASED IN THE SECOND HALF OF 
MARCH, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beta-version of multiplayer game on strategic map allows playing via a LAN or 
the Internet using a direct IP address. Playing via GameSpy server is NOT 
SUPPORTED by this version.

Duel hot seat mode allows two players play at the single computer 
simultaneously, taking turns to make their moves. Players will be prompted to 
make a move. The player who's making a move will be automatically shown the 
sequence of events which took place during his opponent's previous move.

Multiplayer game via GameSpy server and hot seat mode for strategic game (full 
hot seat) will be supported by the final version of strategic multiplayer game; 
the release is scheduled for the second half of March, 2002.

Update patch version 1.05beta also fixes the following problems discovered after 
the release of update patch version 1.04:


Strategic phase of the game
----------------------------

- introduced diplomacy in multiplayer game on strategic map
- fixed incorrect messages appearing after destruction of Castles
- implemented all global spells and fixed several bugs with global spells
- the winner now gets all artefacts previously owned by the losing player


The game's combat phase
------------------------

- fixed the bug with "Change Of Command" enchantments: if control over a 
creature has changed several times, when one of "Change Of Command" enchantments 
was dispelled the creature used to be returned to a wrong controller

- fixed the bug with casting "Desintegrate" spell after installation of update 
patch version 1.04 causing the game to "hang" during combat

- fixed the bug causing crash of the game in both single- and multiplayer (duel) 
modes if "Greater Unsummoning" spell has been used while having three or more 
"Walking Horror" creatures present on the arena

- changed "Vitality of Finguses" specialisation's probability of taking effect 
in case fingus was sacrificed - now this probability amounts to about 30% of the 
probability of the specialisation taking effect in case fingus dies of the 
damaged inflicted.


3. PROBLEMS FIXED WITH THE EARLIER UPDATES
==========================================

Update patch version 1.04 fixes the following problems identified after the 
release of update patch version 1.03:

Change of spells and artefacts balance
--------------------------------------
- made significant changes to artifacts' prices
- made changes to several spells
- made changes to several specializations, in particular changed probabilities 
of specializations occuring
- the cost of several spells in terms of resources is increased
- the cost of the highest level of abilities' development in terms of resources 
is increased

Specific detailed information on changes are shown in tables included in Balance 
changes.rtf file which is placed in the game's root folder after update patch 
installation. All changes are shown in blue font.


Increased protection from cheating
----------------------------------
- eliminated the chance to see your opponent's "hand" before dueling.


Introduced duel log
-------------------
- the log includes the player's deck and all messages displayed on the screen in 
tactical mode, such as spell casting, artifact usage, specialization activation, 
and creatures using their abilities.

At the beginning of each player's turn the following information on each hero is 
put into the log: current value of life, amount of ether channels, quantity of 
spells in hand (and a list of spells for your hero), quantity of creatures on 
the field, a list of creatures on the field with attack/defense parameters, 
quantity of creatures in graveyard.


C++ Runtime error at the beginning of the game
----------------------------------------------
- fixed the bug causing game to "hang" with "C++ Runtime error" message on some 
computers at the beginning of the game during a mission map loading.


Gameplay errors
---------------
- fixed the bug causing game to "hang" during combat when one of the 
participating heroes has the "Adhesive" specialization.
- fixed the bug with using "Adhesive" specialization: when this specialization 
took effect, a player did not have to expend any ether to dispel the 
enchantment.
- fixed the bug with using "Halos' Twins" and "Velos' Twins" specializations: 
the summoning creature spell was cancelled if the specialization took effect 
while the hero had 9 creatures on the field.
- fixed the bug with the missing message about the "Rebirth" specialization when 
it took effect.
- fixed the bug causing "Spiritual Web" enchantment to take effect after de-
incarnation of a creature.
- fixed the bug causing a game crash after using the "<" or ">" characters for a 
saved game name.
- "Tap Life" spell and "Lifetap" creature ability now do not give the hero using 
them more life than the enemy hero had.
- if you try to delete a saved game, a warning message now appears on the 
screen.
- fixed the bug causing "Data Attraction" spell to take effect just after it's 
cast.


Interface errors and additions
------------------------------
- if you try to delete a set of spells (spell book), a warning message now 
appears on the screen.
- filters that control choosing a spell book now work differently; when a filter 
is on, only spell books of the filter's resource level are shown
- spell books, compiled before the patch 1.04 release, and now not matching 
their resource level (specified earlier) due to the increase of artefacts' price 
are distinguished with color in the list
- fixed the bug casuing incoorect save of the duel log option's state 

================================================================================

Update version 1.03 fixes the following problems identified after update version 
1.02 was released:

Increased protection from cheating
---------------------------------
- improved process for checking integrity and correctness of the enemy's Spell 
Book in duel mode.

System errors 
----------------
- fixed the bug which caused the game to crash occasionally after losing a 
combat.

Gameplay errors
----------------
- fixed the bug with "Alpha Strike" spell action.
- fixed the bug which prevented the player from using Pteros' ability to break 
enchantments.
- fixed the bug with using Chaots' "Stones' Wrath" and Kinets' "Winds' Wrath" 
specializations, causing the specializations to work only on rare occasions.
- fixed the bug which allowed a 3rd level mine to transform into a 1st level one.
- fixed the bug with "Change of Command" spell action.



=========================================================================

Update version 1.02 fixes the following problems identified in the release 
version of the game:

Windows XP problems
-------------------
- fixed the bug which frequently caused a game freeze after end of duel.
- fixed the bug which occasionally caused a game freeze or crash when exiting to 
Windows.


C++ Runtime error at the beginning of the game
----------------------------------------------
During installation, a program component responsible for correct processing of 
certain types of files used by the game will be installed on your system. It's a 
standard component which normally comes with all MS Internet Explorer versions 
newer than 4.0.

Systems using MS Internet Explorer versions 4.0 or lower may have been lacking 
this specific component, causing the game to fail with an error. Installing this 
patch addresses this problem.


Launching the game in Windows 2000
----------------------------------
- Fixed the bug which caused an error when trying to launch the game after 
logging on under different user accounts in Windows 2000.

If the game has been installed by the user while logged on with one user 
account, and then launched while logged on under a different one, the game would 
usually fail with a C++ runtime error. Patch 1.02 fixes this problem. After 
installing this update, we recommend launching the game immediately under the 
same user account. From that point forward, you'll be able to launch the game 
successfully after logging on under any user account. 



Other system errors 
-----------------------
- fixed the bug which prevented the game from running if there was no drive C: 
in the system
- fixed the bug which caused frequent connection loss when playing in duel mode 
via the Internet 
- fixed the bug which caused a failure to identify 3D hardware accelerator in 
certain systems


Gameplay errors
----------------
Update version 1.02 fixes a number of gameplay errors. 
The most serious of those are:

- fixed the bug causing the game to crash after using global spell "Warrior of 
the Realm" 
- fixed several bugs connected with using Ethereal forts 
- fixed the bug forcing two player's heroes to enter combat in case one of them 
was in a fort 
- fixed several global spells (in particular, spells "Hypnotism", "Lighting 
wrath", "Gifts of the Forest", "Channel Warp", "Regeneration" now work 
correctly) 
- fixed the bug which impeded heroes exchanging found global spells 
- in consecutive duel rounds, spells are now issued randomly 
- amended victory conditions in a number of missions 
- fixed the bug causing a game crash after inflicting very large amount of 
damage to enemy castle 
- fixed the bug connected with simultaneous use of a structure (e.g. Academy or 
Dungeon) by several heroes 
- fixed the bug in the 4th mission of the "Flying Leaf" campaign, which 
prevented completion of the mission after killing 9 Aviaks, in case there was 
another Aviak in the dungeons. When saved games are loaded with the completed 
mission condition, the mission will finish successfully.
- fixed specializations "Gibberlings' Restlessness" and "Lamias' Thievery"
- fixed the bug preventing use of certain spells in hand after switching to 
artifacts 
- fixed the bug which occasionally caused a shift of runes' value from the spell 
icon to an empty screen 
- fixed the bug causing a change of creatures' parameters in case the AI-
controlled opponent had the "Delusion" spell


Additional improvements achieved by installing the patch
--------------------------------------------------------
- new info messages during combat: information on using artifacts, recycling 
spells, creatures' abilities 
- new message about deployment of specialization 
- new messages for Master 
- more precise wording for several spells 
- in Multiplayer game chat, names of users who created their own games are now 
highlighted in colour, to distinguish them from other participants of the chat 
- introduced mechanism for checking correctness and integrity of opponent's 
Spell Book in the Duel mode 


4. ADDITIONAL ADVICE ON OPTIMISING THE GAME SPEED
=================================================

To avoid problems (especially low game speed), we do not recommend changing 
Windows swap-file to custom settings. In certain cases limiting swap-file size 
can cause a random exit to Windows. 

In any case you should have at least 500 MB of free hard disk space for the 
swap-file (after extended gameplay, it can become quite large).


5. Developer feedback and support
=================================
Nival Interactive and Fishtank Interactive companies do not guarantee full 
operability of this game on all hardware. However, experience has shown that 
most computers which meet the minimum system requirements will be capable of 
running the game. We greatly appreciate all notes and bug reports.

Fishtank Interactive offers technical support through the Etherlords web site, 
E-mail, and via phone.

If you have problems with the program, and the information in the manual and 
Readme file are insufficient, consult the support area on the Etherlords web 
site at http://www.etherlords.com. Our web site contains up-to-date information 
on the most common difficulties with our products, and is kept current with the 
most up-to-date information and patches.

If you have a problem and need to contact technical support:
- Go to Start menu and click <Run>.
- Type <dxdiag> in the message box and press Enter to run Microsoft DirectX 
Diagnostic Tool.
- Go through all tests.
- Once all tests are complete, click on <Save All Information>.
- Send the diagnostic text file created by dxdiag and a complete description
of your problem to fishtankgamessupport@romnet.com 

Please be sure to include the following information:

	Title of Game
	Version of Game (patch)
	Operating System
	DirectX version
	Type of CPU, and speed in MHz
	Amount of RAM
	Sound card type
	Video Card 
	Video Card's driver version 
	CD-ROM
	Mouse type and driver version (if available)

	And a detailed description of the problem you are having.

If you need to talk to someone immediately, you may contact Customer Service at 
(603) 382 - 0572. Please have the above information ready when you call. This 
will help us answer your question in the shortest possible time. Customer 
Service at this number is available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern time. Note 
that no hints or codes are available from this line.

Our web sites
=============
http://www.etherlords.com
http://www.fishtank-interactive.com
http://www.ravensburger.de/interactive
http://www.nival.com
