Alex Builds His Farm Ubi Soft Entertainment --------------------------------------------------------------- If you are previewing this text using Notepad, select the automatic "word wrap" option from the Edit menu for the text to fit into the width of your window. --------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================== Thank you for playing "Alex Builds His Farm". We hope that you will enjoy the game. We strongly recommend that you read this document in order to fully benefit from the game's most recent information and installation requirements. =============================================================== TABLE OF CONTENTS ================= I. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION II. HOW TO INSTALL THE GAME III. THE UBI ASSISTANT IV. GRAPHIC SETTINGS V. 3D CARD DRIVERS VI. GAME LAUNCH AND ABORT VII. MAXIMIZING GAME PERFORMANCE VIII. HOW TO UNINSTALL THE GAME IX. MENUS X. USING COLORED STICKERS XI. CONTROLS OF GAMEPAD JOYSTICK XII. IN THE EVENT OF GAME MALFUNCTION XIII. IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS XIV. HOW TO CONTACT UBI SOFT ENTERTAINMENT? I. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION ======================= Minimum requirements -------------------- Pentium 166 MMX 32 Mb RAM 1 or 2 3Dfx Voodoo accelerator cards or compatible Direct X cards CD-ROM PC, Windows 95, 98 compatibility CD-ROM drive 12X minimum Keyboard or gamepad SVGA screen 16-bit video card 16-bit sound card minimum After installation, you need a minimum of 100Mb of free space on your hard drive. Recommended configuration ------------------------- Pentium 200 MMX or higher 64 Mb RAM It is obvious that the faster the computer and the more RAM of free memory, the better the game performance. 3D graphic card technologies supported by the game -------------------------------------------------- Here are the supplier websites where the latest drivers for your 3D card can be found. NVidia: Riva 128 Riva 128 zx Riva TNT Riva TNT2 http://www.nvidia.com Matrox: G100 G200 G400 http://www.matrox.com ATI: Rage Pro (4Mb - 8Mb) Rage 128 http://www.atitech.ca 3Dfx: Voodoo Graphics Voodoo II Voodoo Rush Voodoo Banshee Voodoo III http://www.3dfx.com Rendition: V2200 http://www.rendition.com Intel: I740 http://www.intel.com 3DLabs: Permedia 2 Permedia 3 http://www.3Dlabs.com S3: Savage 3D Savage4 http://www.S3.com Sound cards supported by the game --------------------------------- Creative : Sound Blaster 16 Sound Blaster 32 Sound Blaster 64 Sound Blaster 128 Sound Blaster Live Ensoniq 64 pci Turtle Beach: Montego 2 Malibu Surround 64 Daytona pci Montego A3D Diamond: Monster Sound mx200 Guillemot: Maxi 16 Maxi ess Maxi 64 Yamaha: Waveforce 192 digital (wf192d) Videologic: SonicStorm pro pci Xitel: Storm VX II. HOW TO INSTALL THE GAME =========================== Identified problems ------------------- 1. "Alex Builds His Farm" is a high-performance multimedia application. This game was created to obtain the maximum capacity from your multimedia computer. Before installing the application or starting the game, we recommend that you close all active applications. 2. Ensure that you have the latest drivers for your 3D card. This is very important to ensure maximum game performance. Refer to section "Choice of the version to be installed according to your 3D card". Installation ------------ * Close all active windows and quit all other applications. * Insert the CD-ROM into the drive. The installation program will run automatically and will give you two options to either install the game, or to play, if the game is already installed on your computer. If the installation program does not run automatically when inserting the CD-ROM into the drive, double-click on the Desktop icon, then double-click on the CD-ROM icon. If the installation program still does not appear on the screen, run the SETUP.EXE file that is on the CD. To access the SETUP.EXE on the CD: * Double-click on "My Computer". * Place your cursor on the CD-ROM and click on the right mouse button. * Select Explorer. * Double-click on SETUP.EXE At installation: Three installation options will be suggested to you, according to the memory available on your computer: Full installation Medium installation Small installation Full vs Medium vs Small installation ------------------------------------ The voices can either be placed on CD or on your computer's hard drive. * When executing a full or medium installation, the music is placed on the hard drive. * When executing a small installation, the music remains on the CD. For a quicker access, you should place the music on the hard drive, which therefore provides a better game flow. However, if you do not have enough space on your hard drive, you will then have to leave the music on the CD. «64MB RAM or higher» vs « less than 64MB RAM » ---------------------------------------------------- * When selecting an "64MB RAM or higher " installation, the voices will be loaded into the memory during the game launch and in this case, you will need more RAM memory in order to play (64 Mb RAM or higher). * When selecting an installation with no "64MB RAM or higher " annotation, the loading of the voices will be executed in real-time, therefore avoiding an overload of your RAM memory. It is always preferable to load the voices into the memory ("64MB RAM or higher " installation), since loading from the hard drive or from the CD takes longer, thus creating a small shift. However, if you have a configuration using 32Mb RAM, we strongly recommend that you select the real-time mode option (less than 64MB RAM ). Access path ----------- You must then select the location on the hard drive where the game will be installed. By default, the system will suggest to you the "C:\\ UbiSoft\Alex Builds His Farm" option. III. UBI ASSISTANT ================== The Ubi Assistant application is launched after the installation and is used to help you in selecting the best configuration for your computer according to the 3D card used. It is always possible to gain access to it, once the installation is completed. You can proceed to various game settings on your computer. This type of configuration depends on the 3D card being used and the free memory available on your computer. According to your 3D card ------------------------- "Alex Builds His Farm" is optimized to operate with two 3D card driver options: DirectX6 and Glide3. By default, Ubi Assistant will suggest that you use DirectX6 .Unless it finds a version of « Glide » on your computer. In that case, Ubi Assistant will offer to update your Glide pliots if necessary or use Glide if they are recent enough. However, if you are using a 3Dfx card, the game will provide you with a higher performance using the Glide3 version. If you do not wish to use the default settings option, select the game version of your choice by clicking on "Change" and by then making a selection from the list that is provided to you. In both cases, please refer to your card's user manual to become more familiar with the specifications. If the installation system detects an obsolete version of the required DirectX "drivers", it will install the drivers' correct versions, if deemed necessary. Only these versions will enable you to play "Alex Builds His Farm". During the game launch, the driver versions will be tested and an error message will inform you that you do not have the latest drivers at your disposal. Warning: ******** * If you are using a 3D AGP card. The game requires a minimum of 8 Mb of AGP memory. This value can be adjusted from the computer's BIOS. If you do not have enough AGP memory, an error message will be displayed during the game launch. * If you are using a 3D AGP card with only 32Mb RAM of free space. It is quite possible that you may encounter problems during the game's proper functionality. In this case, please refer to the AGP section below, in order to reduce the AGP memory level being used. IV. GRAPHIC SETTINGS ==================== You will find these options in the Ubi Assistant's "Advanced video settings" section. "Low Graphic Quality" mode -------------------------- This mode is used to play the game on less powerful settings (low performance 3D cards, 32 Mb RAM, etc). When this mode is activated, the graphics will be dimmed to increase game performance. Use this mode only if the game is really too slow, or if you are having problems during the execution of the latter with less performing 3D cards. AGP: --- If you have an AGP 3D card, you can specify the quantity of RAM memory that will be used for the graphics. By allowing an 'AUTO' adjustment, the game will automatically determine the optimal memory location for the graphics. In this manner, if you only have 32Mb RAM and the game is sensitively slowed down on a periodic basis, we suggest that you regulate the AGP memory AGP at a value lower or equal to 2 Mb (2048). Warning! ******** The quantity of RAM memory reserved to the AGP is also determined by your computer's BIOS. Please refer to the retailer for more information. MipMapping ---------- Mipmapping is used to obtain a superior graphic quality. However, the latter requires more resources. If you prefer to execute the game without using this option, you can deactivate it by setting it at OFF. In AUTO mode, the game will select, according to your 3D card, if the mipmapping will be present or not. If ON is selected, the mipmapping will always be active. The Interpolation option ------------------------ It will automatically be activated with the installation. It allows for a better graphic quality. However, it is possible to deactivate it by passing through the Ubi Assistant's « advanced configuration » menu. V. 3D CARD DRIVERS ================== It is EXTREMELY important that you be equipped with all of the latest drivers for your 3D card. All of the 3D cards manufacturing companies upgrade their drivers frequently. There are quite strong chances that the drivers that you installed when you purchased the card are already obsolete. By installing the last drivers for your card, you will fix problems and will increase the performance of the game. However, the update of the drivers requires several rather complex stages. For cards using the 3Dfx technology ----------------------------------- The drivers required by the game are Glide 3.01 or a higher version. A version of these drivers are included with this CD-ROM. To recover the drivers: * Double-click on "My Computer". * Click on the CD-ROM icon with the right mouse button. * Select "Explorer". * Click on the 3Dfx directory. * Choose the directory according to your 3D card. In order to help you, we have included a file on the CD-ROM that will guide you through the installation of the latest drivers. Please refer to the "Installation of Glide 3.txt" file on the CD-ROM. To access the "Installation of Glide 3.txt" file: * Double-click on "My Computer". * Click on the CD-ROM icon with the right mouse button. * Select "Explorer". * Choose "Installation of Glide 3.txt". For cards not using the 3Dfx technology --------------------------------------- The DirectX 6.1 version is installed by the game application. However, you will need the latest drivers specific to your 3D card. These drivers can be recovered on your 3D-card supplier's website. For suppliers' Internet addresses, please refer to the " 3D cards supported by the game" section. VI. GAME LAUNCH AND ABORT ========================= Once installed, the game can be launched from Window's "Start" menu or by reinserting the disk in the CD drive (if "Auto play" is activated). The default path is: "Start/Programs/Ubi Soft Games/Alex Builds His Farm/Play Alex Builds His Farm". The CD-ROM must always be inserted into the CD drive in order to be able to play. If the CD is removed during the game, it may react in a strange manner and you will have to therefore quit the game in order to start it again (using the CD-ROM). Once the game is launched, you will automatically have access to the game's introduction page. (Please refer to the "Menus" section). "ALT"+ "TAB" ------------ During gameplay, we strongly recommend that there be no toggling between applications while pressing on "Alt" +"Tab". Windows main keys We strongly recommend that the "Windows" main keys not be used during the game. It is also advised not to press « Esc. »+ »Ctrl » keys. Loading time ------------ Loading a level of the "Alex Builds His Farm" game can take some time due to the large amount of graphical resources that are loaded in this level. The average loading time on a 32 Mb RAM P166 system is 1 minute and 15 seconds. The install progression bar may not always be accurate since loading time depends on your system performance. So, don't worry, if the bar is complete and you still need to wait a few seconds to access the level. How to quit the game? --------------------- During gameplay, the "ESC" key enables you to pause during the game by going to the "Main menu". The new game will automatically be saved. (Besides, a regular backup is made every 10 minutes). In the Main menu, select "Exit". You will be asked to confirm your selection. VII. MAXIMIZING GAME PERFORMANCE ================================ "Alex Builds His Farm" will perform very well on some computer systems and less on others. The performance and the flow of the game are directly linked to the performance of your PC, 3D card, and sound card. Here are a few tips on how to maximize the game flow, without having to run to the store to buy a new PC! 1. If your card supports the Glide3 technology, select the « 3d FX installation » option in Ubi Assistent. Please refer to the "Ubi Assistent" section. 2. To reduce the graphic quality, do the following: * Select "Options" from the Main menu. * Then, choose "Graphic Quality". * Select Average or Low and press on "Enter". VIII. HOW TO UNINSTALL THE GAME =============================== If you already installed the game on your computer, it is possible to uninstall it or to change the type of installation. If you want to change the type of installation, it is preferable to first uninstall the game, if not, some files are likely to take unnecessary space on your hard drive. To uninstall the game, select the Uninstall option in the introduction page or click on the "Start" menu in Windows using the following path: Programs\Ubi Soft Games\Alex Builds His Farm\select the Uninstall Alex Builds His Farm option. IX. MENUS ========= Adjusting graphic quality ------------------------- "Alex Builds His Farm" presents you with graphics of very high quality. However, according to your computer settings, graphic density may slow down the game. By choosing the Average or again the Low level, you will reduce the graphic display quality. This will enable your computer to offer a greater game flow. You can access the "Graphic Quality"/"Options" menus from Main menu and the "Pause" menu, by activating the Esc key during gameplay. ** It is possible that you may be unable to access this menu, if your 3D accelerator card is too powerful. In this case, your game will see work at high graphic resolution since your configuration allows it. Volume control -------------- Some sound cards do not respond well to software audio settings. If you are having problems in adjusting the game's audio sound, set the volume of your computer manually by double-clicking on the speaker at the right-hand bottom corner of your Windows screen or by going to your computer's Control panel. To access it, double-click on "My Computer". X. USING COLORED STICKERS ========================= In the game box, you will find a sheet of sticker. Its purpose is to attach them on the keyboard keys for children to easily recognize them. The game instructions refer to the colors of the keys, in order to maximize young players' comprehensibility of the game. How to place the stickers ------------------------- Blue = Space bar Green = Enter Yellow = Shift Orange = Tab Red = ESC * The pink sticker is not used in this game. * According to the keyboard model at your disposal, you will have to either use the small or large yellow sticker. You may have to cut out the green sticker to fit it to the shape of the Enter key on your keyboard. * You are offered 2 types of stickers. XI. CONTROLS OF GAMEPAD JOYSTICK ================================= You can play "Alex Builds His Farm" with the majority of joysticks. Here is the information regarding key settings. Here are a few examples of the most common settings --------------------------------------------------- KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING T-LEADER GUILLEMOT A = TAB (Open Book) B = ESC (Menu or go back to the previous menu, exit game screen) C = SPACE BAR (Select) D = ENTER (Activate) L = N/A R = ENTER (Activate) R Upper right button = ENTER (Activate) L Upper left button = N/A Lower middle button = SHIFT (Run) KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING SIDEWINDER MICROSOFT MODE = N/A START = N/A M = N/A X = ENTER (Activate) Y = SHIFT (Run) Z = ENTER (Activate) A = TAB (Open book) B = ESC (Menu or go back to the previous menu, exit game screen) C = SPACE BAR (Select) R Under right button = N/A L Under left button = N/A KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING GRAVIS EXTERMINATOR L = N/A R = N/A X = ENTER (Activate) Y = SHIFT Z = ENTER (Activate) A = TAB (Open book) B = ESC (Menu or go back to the previous menu, exit game screen) C = SPACE BAR (Select) KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING POWERPAD PER4MER A Turbo = TAB B Turbo = ESC A =TAB B =ESC C = SPACE BAR D = ENTER KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING MAD CATZ (6 Playstation style function keys) T1 = TAB T2 = ESC T3 = SPACEBAR T4 = N/A 1 = TAB 2 = ESC 3 = SPACEBAR 4 = N/A KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING TRUSTMASTER RAGE 3D A = TAB B = ESC C = N/A X = ENTER Y = SHIFT Z = N/A KEYS TO USE WHILE PLAYING SPACE ORB 360 A = TAB B = ESC C = SPACE D = ENTER E = SHIFT F = N/A XII. IN THE EVENT OF GAME MALFUNCTION ===================================== Non-existent or defective files ------------------------------- It is possible that the game may not be able to locate the right files on your hard drive if they are non-existent or defective. In this case, you must reinstall the application. In doing so, it is not necessary to uninstall the game. You only need to launch the installation again as for the initial one. Graphic resolution problem in Windows ------------------------------------- If a problem occurs in the game and it suddenly returns you to Windows, it may be because the initial graphic resolution has not been restored. Typically, your desktop display will be larger than normal and you will no longer see the application icons. To reconfigure the appearance of your desktop: * Click on the desktop with the right mouse button. * Click on "Properties". * Select the "Settings" tab. XIII. Network troubleshooting ============================= ATI Rage Pro ------------ If you are having problems with the display (texture appearance or lack of lighting effect) on your ATI Rage Pro, it could be caused by your display-driver. We are aware that there are problems with w82560 pilots. If you have installed the previous w82440 version, the problem should be solved. NVidia Riva 128 --------------- If you are having problems with your NVidia Riva 128 transparency, it is possible that it is because of your display-driver. It automatically generates mipmaps which do not always work properly with our game. If you are experiencing this problem, you can deactivate the auto-mipmapping with more recent NVidia Riva 128 pilots. You must go to "My Computer", then to "Control Panel". Then, select "Display" and click on the "Settings" tab. Now, click on the "Advanced..." button and on "RIVA 128". (If you do not have such a tab, you must get more recent pilots). In the "Direct3D Mipmapping" section, the "Per pixel mipmapping" must be set at "Disabled" and the "Automatically generate" "mipmap levels" at 0. 3Dfx Banshee ------------ If you be unable to make the game work on your Voodoo Banshee and if you have already installed a Voodoo Graphics or Voodoo2 card on your computer, it may be due to wrong input in your Windows entry log. In this case, you may visit the 3Dfx (www.3dfx.com) site in the "Technical Support", "FAQs" section to obtain the procedure to be followed, in order to fix the problem. XIV. HOW TO CONTACT UBI SOFT ENTERTAINMENT? =========================================== > FRANCE 28, rue Armand Carrel 93108 Montreuil Cedex Technical Support: 08 36 68 46 32 Technical Support E-mail: hotline@ubisoft.fr Web: http://www.ubisoft.fr > CANADA 5505 Boulevard Saint Laurent, Suite 5000 Montreal, Quebec H2T-1S6 Canada Technical Support: 514-490-0887 or 1-800-UBISOFT Technical Support E-mail: tech-support@ubisoft.qc.ca Web: http://www.ubisoft.qc.ca > GERMANY Zimmerstraße 19, 40215 Düsseldorf Tel.: 0211 - 3380033 Technical Support E-mail: redline@ubisoft.de Web: http://www.ubisoft.de > UK Vantage House, 1 Weir Rd. Wimbledon, London SW19 8UX. Tel.: (0044) 0181 944 9000 Technical Support E-mail: techsupport@ubisoft.co.uk Web: http://www.ubisoft.co.uk/ > USA 625 Third Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107 Technical Support: 514-490-0887 Technical Support E-mail: tech-support@ubisoft.com Web: http://www.ubisoft.com/ > ITALY Indirizzo: Via Anfiteatro, 5 - 20121 Milano Tel.: 02/861484 Technical Support E-mail: ubisoft@ubisoft.inet.it Web: http://www.ubisoft.fr/italia/ > SPAIN Plaza De La Union, 2, 08190 Sant Cugat, Barcelona Technical Support: +34 3 589 89 95 Web: http://www.ubisoft.com/spain > AUSTRALIA 3/79 New Beach Road, Darling Point, Sydney NSW 2027 METRO GAMES Tips and tactics 190 224 0527 > CHINA 17F Times Square, 500 Zhan Yang Road, Pudong 200122, Shangai Technical Support: 21/ 64 15 14 33 Web: http://www.ubisoft.com.cn/ > JAPAN Aoyama Jung Bldg 5F, 2-1-6 Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150 Technical Support: 0886-65-7333 Web: http://www.ubisoft.co.jp/