=========================================================== MASTER OF ORION II: Battle at Antares Update to Version 1.2 Readme File 11/25/96 =========================================================== How to Update to Version 1.2 ============================ 1) Download the updater file named "MOO2V12.EXE." Please be sure to note which directory you download the file to. 2) Copy MOO2V12.EXE to the Master of Orion II directory on your hard drive. This directory is usually \MPS\ORION2 (for the DOS version) or \PROGRA~1S\MICROP~1\ORION2 (for the Windows 95 version). For example, you would type "COPY MOO2V12.EXE C:\MPS\ORION2" at the DOS prompt if you installed the DOS version. 3) To update your copy of Master of Orion II to version 1.2, type "MOO2V12" at the DOS prompt and the updater will self-extract. 4) Type "Y" for "Yes" when the updater asks, "OK to continue (Y/N)?" 5) After updating the necessary files, the updater will inform you that your copy of Master of Orion II has been sucessfully updated to version 1.2. 6) You can read about the changes in version 1.2 either in this Readme file or the text file named "README.TXT" in the Master of Orion II directory. Version 1.2 Changes =================== The game no longer crashes in space combat if the Antarans capture ships. The game no longer crashes if you cycle through the opening menus. The game no longer crashes if the name of the home system has too many letters. The game no longer crashes if the player wins by being voted leader of the galaxy and the name of the player's emperor has more than 10 characters in it. The game can now play head-to-head over a null-modem serial connection more reliably. The Hall of Fame now records players' high scores. Long emperor names can now fit in the Hall of Fame. Evolutionary Mutation will now correctly give the player 4 points to distribute instead of a random amount. Offering gifts to other races will no longer hurt the player's diplomatic relationship. When a system is demanded in the diplomacy screen, the proper message is sent to the other player. Music no longer gets cut off when exchanging technologies during hot-seat play. Clicking Alt+spacebar no longer displays a drop-down menu. Planetary shield graphics have been improved. The hand icon no longer turns black before combat. The bombing explosions no longer turn black if bombing is resumed. Changes and Additions to the Game ================================= The following items were changed or added after the manual had already gone to print. Custom Race Screen ------------------ -1 food was changed to -0.5 food and its cost changed to -3. A new special has been added. "Poor home world" costs -1 and makes your home world mineral poor. Ship defense bonuses have been increased from +20 to +25 and from +40 to +50 at the same cost. Tactical Combat --------------- When playing tactical combat vs. a computer-controlled empire, there is a super-fast resolution mode. Press the "Z" key to turn on the super-fast mode. Click anywhere to turn off the super-fast mode. Combat graphics displays are minimal in super-fast mode, greatly speeding play. Hall of Fame ------------ To reset the Hall of Fame high scores, press Alt+C. Star Name --------- After you colonize a planet for the first time, you will be allowed to enter a new star name. The length of the new name will be limited by the amount of horizontal space available on the main galaxy map. Bear in mind that each letter takes up a different amount of space. (For example, a "W" is wider and takes up more space than an "I."). In any case, you will be limited to 15 characters. Network ======= The Windows 95 network mode requires both Microsoft Client and IPX protocol. Unfortunately, the DOS and Windows 95 versions of the game are not compatible across the network. Therefore, you cannot play head-to-head if you are playing the DOS version and another player is using the Windows 95 version. All players wishing to play in a network game must use the same version (DOS or Windows 95). Once you have selected "JOIN" in a network game, you will not be able to cancel. TEN is only supported in the Windows 95 version of the game. We suggest that the player with the fastest computer be the one to start the multiplayer game. 8MB RAM Version =============== If you have only 8MB RAM, do not load any extended memory manager (such as EMM386 or QEMM) or else the game will not have enough free memory to run. Games created on a computer with 8MB RAM or network games involving a computer with only 8MB RAM will not have nebulae. If you are playing the Windows 95 version, you must set Virtual Memory to be at least 16MB. To do this, select "System" from your Control Panels. Click the "Performance" tab and then the "Virtual Memory" button. Set "Minimum" to "16." Video ===== If you have an older video card that is not supported by Microsoft's DirectX, we recommend that you play the DOS version of Master of Orion II. Otherwise, if you install the DirectX drivers while installing the Windows 95 version of the game, the DirectX drivers may overwrite your existing Windows 95 video drivers. Customer Support ================ If you having problems with Master of Orion II, we can best help you if (1) you are at your computer when you call and (2) you have the following information handy: * Version number of Master of Orion II * Your computer's brand and model * Your computer's BIOS brand and version number * Total RAM installed in your computer * Name and version number of your operating system (such as MS-DOS, Windows 3.1 or Windows 95) * Name and version number of your memory manager (such as QEMM, 386Max or EMM386) * CD-ROM brand and model name * Sound card brand and model name * Mouse brand and version number of mouse driver * The size of your Windows swap file * The exact error message displayed (if any) * Contents of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files * At the DOS prompt, type "mem/c" and write down the information onscreen MSD Report ---------- Occasionally, Customer Support may request an MSD report from you. MSD is a diagnostic program that can help establish the cause of most compatibility problems on your computer while attempting to run our games. This program is supplied with all versions of DOS and Windows. However, Windows 95 users will first need to copy the program from the Windows 95 CD-ROM to the hard drive by typing the following command at the DOS prompt: copy d:\other\msd\msd.exe c:\windows\command To generate your MSD report, first exit Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. Place a formatted floppy disk in drive A and type the following at the DOS prompt: msd /f a:report.txt You can then print this report or send the file on the floppy disk to MicroProse (should this be required). How to Contact Customer Support ------------------------------- Have a pen and paper handy when you call. You can also write to Customer Support at the address shown below. Due to the many different hardware and software configurations available for modern computers, you may still have to talk to your computer dealer or hardware supplier in order to get our game to run with their product. USA: ---- MicroProse Customer Support 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 Telephone: (510)522-1164 (9:OO am-5:00 pm Pacific Time) Fax: (510)522-9357 United Kingdom: --------------- MicroProse The Ridge Chipping Sodbury, South Glos BS17 6BN Telephone: +44 (0) 1454 893900 (0900-1730 GMT/BST) Fax: +44 (0) 1454 894296 Germany: -------- MicroProse Bartholomausweg 31 33334 Gutersloh Telephone: +49 (0) 5241 946480 (Monday to Wednesday 1400-1900) Fax: +49 (0) 5241 946494 France: ------- Electronic Arts Centre d'Affaires Telebase 3 rue Claude Chappe 69771 St. Didier au Mont d'Or Cedex Telephone: +33 (04) 72 53 25 00 Bulletin Boards: ---------------- United Kingdom +44 (0)1454 327083 (14,400 baud) Germany +49 (0)5241 946484 (28,800 baud) USA (510)522-8909 (14,400 baud) America Online: --------------- Send e-mail to MicroProse Customer Support at "MPS1." Press Ctrl-K for "Go to Keyword" and enter "MicroProse" to reach MicroProse's forum and library areas. CompuServe: ----------- MicroProse-Europe 71333,314 MicroProse-Germany 74777,3326 MicroProse-USA 76004,2223 Type "GO GAMBPUB" and select "Section 2" to reach MicroProse's forum and library areas. Internet: --------- Send e-mail to MicroProse Customer Support at support@microprose.com (or if you're in Germany to service@microprose.de). FTP: ---- The MicroProse FTP site features a complete library of the latest updates, demos and product information. The address is: ftp.microprose.com World Wide Web: --------------- Tp access our Web site, use your Web browser software to point to: http://www.microprose.com Software Fault ============== In the unlikely event of a software fault, please return the complete package, with your receipt, to the place of purchase. ============= This documentation, accompanying manual and CD are copyrighted. The owner of this product is entitled to use this product for his or her personal use. Except for the quoting of brief passages for the purposes of reviews, no one may transfer, copy, back-up, give or sell any part of the manual or the information on the CD, or transmit in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Any person or persons reproducing any part of this program, in any media, for any reason, shall be guilty of copyright violation and shall be subject to civil liability at the discretion of the copyright holder. Not for rent or hire. Made in the USA/UK