ARCTICFOX DOC BACKGROUND Although the allen task force has been active in Antarctica since about 2005, when a member of the doomed Hagerty Expedition managed to escape the alien force field with information about the activities taking place within its boundaries. Most significantly, it seems the aliens have been very productive in the relatively short time they have occupied the area, and have succeeded in building a number of oxygen converters in an attempt to replace the earth's atmosphere with one more suited to their physiological makeup. the atmosphere surrounding their native planet, STV-7X,, is made up of equal parts of ammonia, methane, and chiorine gas, and is obviously hostile to human existence. It is also volatile, and so long as any traces of oxygen remain in the atmosphere, will cause atmospheric disturbances of a spectacular nature, mainly in the form of intense electrical storms. At our present stage of technology, we have no weapons capable of penetrating the alien force field directly, although indirect methods may be available. One possible approach is the temporarily weaken one side of the force field by causing a magnetic disturbance of the other. Preliminary tests show that this method may cause sufficient disruption of the force field to allow entry of a single combat vehicle into occupied territory. The obvious choice for the combat vehicle is the new supertank from General Polemics, the Slye-Hicks MX-100, codename: ARCTICFOX. Arcticfox is the most advanced terrain vehicle of its kind. Specially designed for polar combat, it features full missile-launching capability as well as standard shelliling and mine-placement functions. In addition, Arcticfox can "dig in" into snow, allowing it to escape detection from all but the most sophisticated radar equipment. Finally, Arcticfox's four-speed automatic transmission provides low-end torque as well as a top speed in excess of 100 kph. Combat plan involves infiltration into alien territory at 0900 hours. This coincides with the enemy's greatest energy usage, and is thus considered optimal for attempting to penetrate the force field. Once inside enemy territory, all radio communication with HQ will be terminated to reduce the possibility of detection. The operator is therefore advised to become familiar with combat strategy as outlined in this manual, as no further info will be available from HQ once penetration has been achieved. SKILL LEVELS In addition to the 2 advanced levels (beginner and tournament), Arcticfox includes two preliminary (pre-game) levels to let you preview the enemy resources and develop proficiency in controlling your equipment. Although you can start playing at the advanced levels right away, you will get more out of the game if you sp[end a little time at the preliminary levels learning about the enemy and about Arcticfox. PRELIMINARY LEVELS ENEMY PREVIEW: When you select this mode, the enemy's resources parade before you, appropriately labeled, so you can see what you will be up against. TRAINING LEVEL: At this level you can roam around the terrain and shoot the enemy to your heart's content, but you cannot complete the game (which requires blowing up or otherwise disabling the main fort). At training level, your armor is tougher, and you have a large supply of ammo, while the enemy is weaker and less intelligent. In addition,when you start playing at this level, you don't start at the same map location as you do in the advanced levels, but at a different location, ADVANCED LEVELS BEGINNER: Start at this level if you are still learning the basics. At this level you have an ample supply of mines and missiles, and your armor is tougher. In addition, there are fewer enemy resources to contend with, and the enemy is weaker then it is at the Tournament level. TOURNAMENT: This level is for the aficionado. AT tournament level the enemy is very intelligent and has use of a tracking device which provides a constant readout of your location. In addition, all advanced hazards (such as slid, friction and acceleration physics)are in full force, making it more difficult to maneuver. Your starting position in Tournament level varies among 8 preselected locations. Upon selecting Tournament level, you are given the opportunity to select starting location and enemy configuration from the available choices. INSTRUMENTS WARNING LIGHT; The warning light indicates whether or not the Arcticfox has been spotted by the enemy. A green light means that Arcticfox has no been spotted; a yellow light indicates that Arcticfox has been spotted by the enemy locally, ie., only by the enemy in the local sector. A red light means the Arcticfox's location is known by the enemy throughout the entire area. When this happens, the communications fort will mobilize search patrols and strike forces. However, because the Arcticfox's location during condition red is relayed through the communications fort, destruction of the fort will effectively counteract transfer of that information. RADAR/AFT VIEW: The Arcticfox's radar view is a bird's eye view of the surrounding area with the Arcticfox in the center of the screen. The radar will not reveal the enemy hiding behind terrain objects. The aft view is provided by a camera attached to the rear of the Arcticfox. The radar view always keeps north at the top of the screen, regardless of the direction the Arcticfox is facing, making it easy to coordinate direction with the compass (see below). Pressing the radar/aft key when the missile is active toggles between the view from the missile and the radar view, on the small viewport. OXYGEN: Shows the percentage of oxygen remaining in the atmosphere. The rate of conversion can be slowed down by destroying the enemy's air converters. COMPASS: Shows the Arcticfox's heading using standard compass orientation MINES: Indicates the number of mines remaining. GUIDED MISSILES: Indicates the number of guided missiles remaining. POSITION: Shows the Arcticfox's current position in degrees and minutes for both longitude and latitude. CLOCK: No prize for guessing this one. However, you should be aware that the clock always starts at 0900 hours each time you start the game. SPEEDOMETER: Indicates Arcticfox's speed in kpm. The needle points to the right of center when the Arcticfox is moving forward. and to the left of center when the Arcticfox is moving backward. The needle is centered when your not moving. GUNSIGHT: The 4 converging diagonal lines in the main viewport meet to become crosshairs as soon as an enemy; your vehicle is within range. Note that during the reload cycle (see controlling arcticfox, below) the square brackets in the sight disappear until Arcticfox's cannon is ready to fire again. DAMAGE INDICATOR: The damage indicator is green when Arcticfox is undamaged, and slowly turns yellow and finally red as Arcticfox sustains damage. CONTROLLING ARCTICFOX To fire the ARcticfox's canon, press your joystick button. Note that Arcticfox needs to reload between shots. Although reloading is automatic, it may take up to 5 seconds. In addition, you can access the following functions through the keyboard, using either of two sets of keys. Right- handed players may perfer to use the set of keys on the left hand side of the keyboard, while left-handed players may with to use the keys on the right. thereby reserving the preferred hand for joystick control: The following table summarized these extra functions. You might want to make up a reference card for the keyboard controls . GUIDED MISSILE: Firing a missile changes the view out of the small viewport to the camera on the missile. Once you have fired a missile, you can use the joystick, to guide it. This means that the missile viewport can act like a mini flight simulator, so that you can use it for reconnaissance if you wish. When you find a suitable target, press the same key a second time to lock the missile onto the target and return you to Arcticfox's viewport. Missiles have a range of one radar screen beyond the current location, in all 8 directions. MINE: This function causes a mine to drop out of the back of the Arcticfox. These mines are live, so it's not a good idea to run over them.. In addition, mines will self-detonate after a certain time period. AFT VIEW: This function let you toggle between the overhead radar and the aft view. The control panel button lights up when in aft view mode. CANNON INCLINATION: By accessing this function you can use the joystick to control you cannon's inclination and its sights in the viewport. Pressing the button a second time turns this function off. When you are using the joystick to control cannon inclination, it is not available to control Arcticfox's forward or reverse movement. So while you are manipulating the cannon, the Arcticfox will continue moving forward or backward in accordance with your last joystick command.. You can still control the Arcticfox's heading, however, by moving the joystick right or left. RELATIVE REVERSE: This is used in conjunction with cannon inclination and works only in that mode. Accessing this function causes the Arcticfox to reverse direction, so that if it is moving forward when the button is pressed, it will change to reverse, and vice versa. In addition, pressing the button when Arcticfox is stationary will cause it to move forward. DIG IN: This function buries the Arcticfox when it is in snow. but has no effect at other times. When the ARcticfox is buried, there is no view from the viewport, although radar still functions. You can dig out by pressing the same key a second time. Note that you can still fire missiles when you are dug in THE ARCTIC TERRAIN Your theatre of operations is made up of geological formations and conditions that can work either for or against you, depending on your strategic ability. This means you not only have to outfox the enemy, but you also have to be aware of you geological surroundings to avoid problems with the terrain. At the very least, you should be aware of the following features: RIDGES: The Arcticfox can drive up and over this type of terrain to obtain strategic viewpoints and hide from the enemy. Best of all, ridges are fun to drive over. On the negative side, however, because ridges provide better views of the surrounding area, the enemy tends to install strategic gun and radar emplacements there. CREVICES: Driving into crevices in not recommended, since it spells death for the Arcticfox and the end of the game. MUD FLATS: The Arcticfox behaves unpredictably on mud flats. In particular, the rear of the tank has a tendency to slid, making steering and stopping less accurate than it is on snow or ice. You should be especially careful around crevices when driving on a mud flat. SNOW FIELDS: The Arcticfox is slowed down by snow (by a factor of about 50%), but so is the enemy. ROCKS: Watch out for the enemy hiding behind rocks. On the other hand, you can use rock to hide from the enemy. MOUNTAINS: You can use the larger mountains as landmarks to give you a better sense of where you are. FORCE FIELD: The enemy force field is impossible to drive through. The force field appears as a red line on the ground and on the radar screen. WEATHER: Watch for lightning and blizzards. As more of the oxygen is converted, the sky becomes darker and lightning more prevalent. Blizzards can cause a whiteout, resulting in partial loss of visibility for both you and the enemy. Nevertheless, radar will still function properly. Note, however, that radar will not function in a lightning storm. Fog looks similar to a blizzard except that there are no snowfields and it dissipates more quickly. ENEMY RESOURCES (SEE F1) STRATEGY AND TACTICS 1. It is inadvisable to stand in one spot during battle. Keep moving if you can. One way of doing this is to use Relative Reverse, which causes Arcticfox to follow its last command. 2. Dropping mines is one of the most effective ways of dealing with ground units. 3. Destroying the Communications Fort will make it impossible for Recon Sleds and Recon Flyers to reveal your position. This will make it easier for you to approach the Main Fort when the time comes. 4. Destroying the enemy's oxygen converters will reduce the rate of oxygen conversion, giving you more time to succeed in your mission. 5. Following the force field protects one side of the Arcticfox. 6. Make sure you reserve at least 2 gulded missiles and/or 10 cannon shells for the last stand against the Main Fort. SKILL LEVELS In the training mode, you have access to these special features: F1 TURBO - Arcticfox moves at 400 kph: missiles at 800 kph (toggle) F2 INVISIBILITY - Arcticfox can't be spotted by enemy (toggle) F3 BLIZZARD - Starts / Stops a blizzard (toggle) F4 STORMS - Starts / Stops lightning storms (toggle) F5 JUMP UP - Arcticfox jumps up into the air, then back down F6 BIG RADAR MAP - View all 8 sectors adjacent to your location (toggle) F7 SMART BOMB - Destroys all aliens in your sector F8 BIG SCREEN MISSILE - Use main screen for missile view (toggle: works on all levels) F9 TOUGH FOX - Renders Arcticfox indestructible (toggle) F10 COCKPIT OFF - Hides all the cockpit instruments (toggle) In tournament Mode, you have the option to choose your enemy configuration and starting location thought additional keyboard prompts, or you can ask the computer to make the selection. Also the enemy's Recon Flyers are equipped with a tracking device in Tournament Mode-and they won't hesitate to use it against you. CONTROLLING ARCTICFOX MOVEMENT - Use your joystick or mouse to control the Arcticfox's movement just move the device in the direction you want toe tank to go. In mouse mode, you can press the spacebar to center your mouse on the screen. Fire your cannon by pressing the mouse or joystick button. To fire repeatedly, hold the button down. KEYBOARD COMMANDS - The keyboard layout parallels the layout of your six onscreen control panel buttons. (you can only use the number on the numeric keypad.) CANNON INCLINATION--------------------- Q OR 7 AFT-VIEW------------------------------- W OR 8 DROP MINE------------------------------ E OR 9 RELATIVE REVERSE----------------------- A OR 4 GUIDED MISSILE------------------------- S OR 5 DIG IN--------------------------------- D OR 6 OTHER KEYBOARD COMMANDS: RESTART GAME------------------ CONTROL - R (ANYTIME) SOUND ON/OFF------------------ CONTROL - S PAUSE/RESUME------------------ ESC EXIT MISSION EVALUATION SCREEN ANY KEY