Darkened Skye
Release 1.0 for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP

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Congratulations on your purchase of Darkened Skye.

To supply you with up-to-the-minute information, we have included this ReadMe
file.

(Please open this window to maximum size and/or select the Word Wrap option in
the Format menu above for better readability.)

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CONTENTS:

1. Introduction
2. System Requirements
3. Installation Instructions
4. Running the Program
5. Uninstalling Darkened Skye
6. Manual Updates
7. Hints & Tips
8. Known Issues/Incompatibilities
9. Troubleshooting and Tips for Improving Performance
10. About Graphics Cards and 3D Accelerators
11. Technical Support


1. INTRODUCTION
==================================
Thank you for buying Darkened Skye. The information below is current as of
December 14, 2001, and new updates may be available on www.ssinteractive.com.


2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
==================================
- Windows 98/ME/XP/2000
- DirectX 8.0 or higher (included on Disk)
- Pentium II - 350 MHz (Pentium III - 500 MHZ Recommended)
- 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM Recommended)
- 8 MB Direct3D-capable Video Card (16 MB Recommended)
- Install requires about 400 MB of HD Space for Minimum install (high-res
movies not copied onto hard drive), about 600 MB for full install (hi-res
movies copied to hard drive).
- Mouse
- Gamepad (optional)
- Joystick (optional)


3. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
==================================
1. Exit all running applications.
2. Place the Darkened Skye CD into the CD-ROM drive.
3. If AutoPlay is enabled, click the install option on the AutoPlay menu that
appears. If the Autoplay menu does not appear, run the Setup.exe file from the
contents of the CD.
4. Darkened Skye requires that DirectX 8.0 be installed on your computer. The
program will look for DirectX 8.0. If it does not find it, it will give you the
opportunity to install DirectX 8.0 from the CD during the game installation
process.
5. After installation you must run the Darkened Skye Configuration program. It
will appear automatically after installing. If you want to find it later, on
the Windows START Menu go to the Start / Programs / Darkened Skye / Darkened
Skye CONFIGURATION.
6. On the Darkened Skye Config window, make sure the appropriate 3D device is
selected. You will usually want to set the game for Full Screen. 640 X 480 is
a good resolution with which to start, especially if you are concerned about
game speed. This is the default setting.
7. To change configurations later, click on the Windows START Menu, then click
on PROGRAMS, then on Darkened Skye and finally on Darkened Skye CONFIGURATION.
8. To run the game, you will need to place the Play CD (CD #2) in the drive
from which you installed the game.


4. RUNNING THE PROGRAM
==================================
Place the Play CD in the drive from which you installed the game. Follow the
Autorun prompt for playing the game.

or:

Double click the Darkened Skye desktop icon which was created during the
installation. The start-up screen will appear. Follow the on-screen prompt.

or:

1. Click on the Windows START button.
2. Click on PROGRAMS.
3. Click on Darkened Skye.
4. A submenu will open. Click on Darkened Skye. The start-up sceen will appear.
Follow the on-screen prompt.


5. UNINSTALLING DARKENED SKYE
==================================
1. From the Windows START Menu select Programs and then select the Darkened
Skye program group.
2. Select UNINSTALL Darkened Skye. The CD is not required for the uninstall
process.


6. MANUAL UPDATES
===================================
The following features have been added or changed after the manual went to
print:

1. In addition to the character moves described in the manual, Skye can move
diagonally. If you press the walk command (default W) and the left or right
strafe commands (default A,D), she will walk in a diagonal motion. Using this
combo frequently gives you better control and more fluid animation.
2. Skye has a slow walk. Press the walk command and the CAPS LOCK key on your
keyboard. Handy when caution is needed.
3. Skye has two attack combos in addition to her regular hit and her overhead
swing. In the manual, the second combo is described somewhat inaccurately as
the "spin move." It's not really a spin, but try it, it's cool.
4. Skye can take injury when she jumps from high places. Occasionally you'll
need to do it anyway.
5. When a new Note or Quest is entered into Skye's journal, the Open Journal
button from the Main Menu flashes on screen for a second. It will remain
highlighted until you choose to open the journal. The manual states that there
is a special icon for this, but there is not. Nor is the number of new entries
shown.
6. When you find a SKITTLES in the game, the Magic Interface button from the
Main Menu flashes on the screen. It will remain highlighted until you choose to
open the Magic Interface.
7. RIGHT CLICK on magic spells in the Magic Interface to see a short
description of the spell.
8. RIGHT CLICK on inventory items in the Inventory Screen to see a short
description of the item.
9. The Spell shown as Resistance in the manual is now called Spell Shield.
10. The manual incorrectly states that text in the journal is marked according
to whether you have read the entry, completed the quest, etc. All text is in
one standard font and color.
11. Life Potion and Magic Potion vials carry over from level to level only
within a given world. After you return to Lynlora and head off for a new world,
you'll have to start fresh.
12. Some spells, such as Prismatic Pulse and Lightning, can be most effective
if you hold down the mouse button.


7. HINTS & TIPS
====================================
1. Be sure to try spells in combination against difficult enemies. Some
creatures may be beaten by a number of different methods, but there are a few
for which you'll need exactly the right spell or spell combo. Some spells
weaken enemies in some way (e.g. Strength Sap, Impede, Affliction, etc.). Some
spells add to your powers (e.g. Spell Shield, Magnify Magic, Veil, etc.). And
some just deliver the blow.
2. As you get to the later levels in the game, you'll need to scroll the Magic
Interface in order to see all the spells. Don't forget to do this or you'll
miss out on some potent magic.
3. Remember to right click on spells and inventory items in order to see the
short text about them. Occasionally this text provides key pieces of
information, so don't forget to check.
4. Mastering the quick-enable and quick disable spell commands will save you
time and frustration in places where you need to do a lot of spell-switching.
As the manual states, left and right click together on a spell in order to
quickly enable or disable it (provided you have enough free SKITTLES). Press
the left button first, then quickly add the right. Quick disable ALL spells by
left/right clicking on the SKITTLES tray at the bottom of the screen.
5. You need to talk to some characters more than once. When a character stops
talking or starts repeating himself, you've gotten everything you can from
him/her, at least for now.
6. Liberal use of the Quick-Save command will help you work your way through
tough areas. If you're struggling, then Quick-Save after every monster you
defeat. Make sure to use the normal Save command from time to time, because you
might Quick-Save in a bad spot. Since there is only one Quick-Save file, this
could end up being your only save unless you have used the normal Save
command.
7. Sometimes a spell is needed to solve a puzzle. A few of the spells have both
combat and non-combat applications.
8. The journal contains helpful information. Maybe there's a hint or two in
something a character told you (quotes) or in one of Skye's observations
(notes).
9. A new Quest appears in the journal as soon as you've learned about it. You
cannot necessarily complete all listed quests within the current level. Some
quests are solved only by completing all three levels within a given land.
10. Spongites can be a hero's best friend in the watery world of Ogmire. If you
can't figure out how to get somewhere, maybe spongites can help.
11. The red Yarrow in the Ogmire dungeons can regenerate his blue buddies.
12. In the Tikniki Swamps (2nd Ogmire level), you need to jump over lily pads.
This can seem difficult, but if you keep your finger on the forward button for
a whole series of jumps, letting Skye occasionally run a step or two before
jumping to the next pad, it becomes much easier.
13. There are a few places in the swamp where only turtles can take you.
14. If you see a message and you can't read it, odds are you need to cast True
Sight first.
15. Remember to use Rune Mines as part of a strategy for beating enemies.
16. Always check in with Gannish when you return to Lynlora.
17. Those squiggly, glowy things on the ground in Stoneheath? If you want to
stop them from chasing and killing you, cut them off at their source.
18. In the goblins' lair, that strange kinetic device on the top floor (with
the planet-like things going around it) is sitting in water. This may not be
obvious to the eye.
19. Those dopey dudes you resurrect and fight in the Bone Lands are pretty
tough. Think a four-spell combo. Protect, double weaken, strike.
20. After you find all of Gwenella's items and place them where instructed,
there is one more step.
21. Every vampire in the cemetery level has his own "bed."
22. After you beat a certain three-headed gentleman near the end of the game,
you'll need to disable the Dark Prism before you get to Necroth's inner lair.
Hit its 3 energy sources with your greatest power.
23. Look closely at Necroth's seal after you disable the Dark Prism. This final
seal has an interesting feature.


8. KNOWN ISSUES / INCOMPATIBILITIES
====================================

1. VIDEO DEVICES

The following are supported but have problems in certain configurations:

A. Matrox Millennium G250 - Unplayable in OpenGL; select Direct3D in
configuration window.
B. Diamond Stealth III S540 Xtreme - Unplayable in OpenGL; select Direct3D in
configuration window.
C. ATI Radeon 32Mb - No textures appear in OpenGL; select Direct3D in
configuration window.
D. 3Dlabs Permedia 3 Create! - Corruptions on all sides of the screen in
OpenGL; select Direct 3D in configuration window.
E. Hercules 3D Prophet 4500 - perspective correction error in OpenGL; select
Direct3D in configuration window.
F. ATI Rage Pro Turbo 2x - textures are missing or corrupted in Direct3D and
OpenGL; install latest drivers.
G. ATI All In Wonder Radeon 32 Mb - no textures appear in OpenGL; select
Direct3D in configuration window.

The following are unsupported:

A. Hercules Dynamite 3D GL 4Mb - can't init render in OpenGL, textures
corrupted or missing in Direct3D.
B. Jaton Video 97P 4Mb - very poor performance in Direct3D and OpenGL;
unplayable.
C. Matrox Productiva G100 - can't get into game in OpenGL, textures corrupted
or missing in Direct3D.
D. Creative Labs Graphics Blaster Extreme (3Dlabs Permedia 2) - unplayable in
both Direct3D and OpenGL due to lack of textures or extreme slowness.

2. AUDIO DEVICES

A. Creative Labs Awe - in OpenGL and Direct3D the game performance is extremely
poor.


9. TROUBLESHOOTING AND TIPS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE
====================================
1. When using 3Dfx Voodoo, it is better to select Glide in the configuration
window.

2. The configuration window can be opened at any time after installing. Look
for the Darkened Skye program group in the Windows Start menu. Select Darkened
Skye CONFIGURATION.

3. LOWERING VIDEO SETTINGS IN CONFIG WINDOW - If the system is working slowly,
you may want to change the Darkened Skye video configuration and change
settings to a lower resolution. You may also uncheck the Fit Video to Screen
and/or Full Screen options.

4. CHANGING VIDEO SETTINGS WITHIN THE GAME - If you are having problems running
the game, you can also experiment with the settings in the Options screen
(select from Main Menu). Lower texture quality or disable Dynamic Lighting,
etc.

5. DISABLE BACKGROUND APPLICATIONS - Disabling any programs that are running in
the background will often solve many software problems. To disable background
applications on a Windows 98 or higher machine, click on START, then RUN, type
in MSCONFIG and click OK. Click the Selective Startup in the General tab and
uncheck the box next to "Load Startup Group Items", click APPLY, then OK, and
reboot when prompted.

6. CLOSE ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS - If your computer locks up or crashes while
running the game, it may be because you have other applications running. This
may include screensavers and internet connections. To disable a screensaver,
read the documentation that came with the screensaver or with your computer's
operating system. We strongly recommend you disable INTERNET CONNECTIONS while
running the game.

7. UPDATE VIDEO AND SOUND DRIVERS - Frequently, driver issues can cause unusual
software problems. If problems persist after disabling background applications,
contact the manufacturer of your computer to obtain the latest drivers for your
video and sound cards. Go to your manufacturer's website and search for
information about updated drivers. If you still have problems, please contact
our technical support as listed at the end of this document.

8. REINSTALL DIRECTX - Any time the system drivers have been updated, DirectX
should be reinstalled to ensure that the system recognizes the updated
software. DirectX is provided on the Darkened Skye CD and can be reinstalled by
simply reinstalling the game. Be careful not to delete saved games.

9. RESOLUTION - Generally, the best resolution setting for the game tends to be
640 x 480. Even on fast machines the game may slow down at higher resolutions,
such as 1024 x 768. If the game is running poorly at 640 X 480, try changing
video configuration options explained above.

10. WINDOWED GAME - Running the game on a smaller game screen can also improve
speed and performance. To do this, open the configuration window and remove the
checkmark beside Full Screen. Now when you start the game it will play on a
smaller screen.

11. AUTORUN - If your PC does not read your CD automatically, this is probably
because the Autorun feature is not activated. To enable Autorun, double-click
on My Computer on your desktop. Double-click on Control Panel, then
double-click on System. Click on the Device Manager tab. Double-click on the
CD-ROM icon, then double-click on the CD-ROM device that opens below it. On the
window that opens, click the Settings tab. Make sure that the Auto Insert
Notification box has a check mark beside it. Click OK.

12. CD CARE - If you receive a message telling you that the CD is unreadable,
make sure that the CD is clean and dust-free and that there are no scratches.

10. ABOUT VIDEO CARDS AND 3D GRAPHICS ACCELERATORS:
==================================
1. This game requires a 3D accelerator. A 3D graphics accelerator card is a
specially designed video card that renders 3D graphics, freeing up your
computer's main CPU to do other jobs. A 3D accelerator means that your games
can run faster and in higher resolution. Most computers sold within the last
several years have one already installed. A new one can usually be purchased
for less than $100.

2. To find out which video cards and accelerators are installed on your PC,
click the Windows START button, then click RUN. In the text box type, DXDIAG
and then click on OK. The DirectX diagnostic tool window will open. Click on
the Display 1 and/or Display 2 tabs. The screen should list the name,
manufacturer, chip set and amount of memory your video card currently has. You
can also use this method for determining which sound card(s) you are using.
Just click on the Sound and Music tabs instead of the Display tabs.

3. If the game is not running properly (flickering or choppy graphics, error
boxes), you may need to update your video driver. Check your computer
documentation regarding drivers and updating drivers.

4. If you need the most recent driver for your 3D hardware, you can probably
download it from the Internet. If you cannot find it this way, contact the
manufacturer of the hardware and request that they send you the latest drivers.
Some sites for downloading drivers: www.drivershq.com, www.download.com,
www.3dfx.com, www.atitech.com.


11. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
==================================

If you need to call our technical support department, please make sure that you
are at your computer and that you have the following information readily
available:

1. The product name and version number, which can be found at the top of the
Readme file and on the disk itself.
2. The processor and clock speed of your computer (e.g. Pentium II 500).
3. Your operating system's version number (e.g. Windows 98) and the amount of
free memory and system resources you have available. (To find out, open Windows
Explorer and select About Windows 98 from the Help Menu.)
4. The brand name of the sound device, video card and 3D graphics accelerator
installed on your computer (see the above section, About Video Cards and 3D
Graphics Accelerators.)
5. The complete and exact error message (if any) reported by the program.

To Contact Us:
-----------------
On-line: www.ssinteractive.com
Email: support@ssi.teksupport.com
Phone: (303) 739-4020
Fax: (303) 739 4513

Published by Simon & Schuster Interactive, a division of Simon & Schuster, the
publishing operation of Viacom, Inc., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
10020.

© 2001 Simon & Schuster Interactive, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and
its licensors. All rights reserved.

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft
Corporation.

"SKITTLES" and "Taste the Rainbow" are registered trademarks of Mars, Inc. or
its affiliates. © Mars, Incorporated 2002.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

DESIGNED, WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY BOSTON ANIMATION, INC.

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