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CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
8
9
10
10.1
10.1.1
10.1.2
10.1.3
10.1.4
10.2
10.2.1
10.2.2
10.2.3
10.2.4
10.3
10.3.1
10.3.2
10.3.3
10.3.4
10.4
10.4.1
10.4.2
10.4.3
10.4.4
PREFACE / GAME DESCRIPTION
STORY
INSTALLING AND STARTING THE GAME
MAIN MENU
OPTIONS
CONTROLS
BUILDINGS AND RESOURCES
THE BASE
THE POWER PLANT
UPGRADES
WARP GATES
SPECIALS
ITEMS AND ITEM PLACES
ITEMS OVERVIEW
GREEN ITEMS
REGENERATION
HOLY ARMOR
INVINCIBILITY
FOG PROTECTION
YELLOW ITEMS
QUAD DAMAGE
INVISIBILITY
SPEED
TOXIC MISSILE
RED ITEMS
WEAPON BLOCK
INSANITY
SLOWDOWN
HIGH VOLTAGE
BLUE ITEMS
VIRUS
TIME FREEZE
ION CANNON
ASTEROID ATTACK
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3
4
5
5
6
7
7
7
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
1
1 P REFACE / G AME D ESCRIPTION
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
12
12.1
12.2
12.3
13
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
13.6
14
15
16
17
18
19
19.1
19.2
19.3
19.4
19.5
20
21
22
UNITS
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THE BUGGY
13
THE SPIDER
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THE WALKER
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THE DESTROYER
14
THE BERSERKER
15
THE ARTILLERY
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GAME MODES
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CAPTURE THE FLAG (CTF)
16
BOMBING RUN (BR)
17
DOUBLE DOMINATION (DD)
17
TOURNAMENTS (SINGLE PLAYER)
18
1 vs 1 TOURNAMENT CAPTURE THE FLAG 18
2 vs 2 TOURNAMENT / COOPERATIVE
18
TOURNAMENT CAPTURE THE FLAG
BOMBING RUN TOURNAMENT
18
DOUBLE DOMINATION TOURNAMENT
18
FUN TOURNAMENT
18
INSANE TOURNAMENT
18
CUSTOM GAME (SINGLE PLAYER)
19
TUTORIAL (SINGLE PLAYER)
19
REPLAYS
19
EDITOR
20
MULTIPLAYER LAN
20
MULTIPLAYER INTERNET
21
LOGGING IN
21
SERVER ICONS
22
PLAYING ONLINE
23
LADDER SYSTEM (PLAYER RANKING)
23
LADDER RANKING
25
VOICE AND WEBCAM SUPPORT
26
SERVICES AND SUPPORT
27
CREDITS
27
Arena Wars (AW) is an innovative 3D real time strategy game,
combining the gameplay and interface of conventional real time
strategy games with the fast-paced action of first person
shooters.
Arena Wars is not only a multiplayer game supporting up to
eight players but also a single player game. In multiplayer
mode, players from all over the world can either challenge
each other or form teams to fight fierce battles via game
servers. Single player mode offers action-packed single player
missions against one or more computer opponents.
There are three different game modes:
o
Capture the Flag
o
Bombing Run
o
Double Domination
The idea of the game is not simply to destroy your opponent,
but to steal his flag, to place a bomb in his base or to seize
and hold domination points for a defined period depending on
the game mode that has been selected. The winner is the
player who scores the defined number of points first; for
example, in a Capture the Flag game with a capture limit of 5
the winner is the first player to capture the opponent’s flag
five times and to carry it back to his base successfully.
2 S TORY
It’s the year 2137. From a military training simulation a new
kind of sport has evolved: Arena Wars. The sport has
attracted the greatest minds and the richest syndicates
across the globe, each seeking to become legends in their own
right, balancing strategy, speed and teamwork.
Only the best can win the tournament and become
immortalized in the new world of Arena Wars.
3... 2... 1... FIGHT!
2
3
3 I NSTALLING A ND S TARTING T HE G AME
4 M AIN M ENU
Insert the Arena Wars CD into your CD-ROM drive. If autorun
is activated the autoplay menu will appear. Simply click on
“Install” to commence installing Arena Wars. If autorun does
not work you can start the autoplay menu manually by
clicking on the “Start” button on your Windows taskbar, click
“Run” and type “d:\autorun.exe” (without the “”at the beginning
and the end of the line), where “d:\” designates your CD-ROM
drive. Another way to start the autoplay menu manually is to
access your CD-ROM drive via “My Computer” and double click
on “autorun.exe”.
When you start the game for the first time, the Main Menu
appears. Here you can select:
Arena Wars requires .NET Framework 1.1, DirectX 9.0b and
multimedia codecs for Windows Media Player 9 from
Microsoft in addition to the game data.
Single player (see chapt. 13)
The single player mode boasts an extensive tutorial. You can
create custom games or participate in tournaments.
The installation routine will check your system by default and
look for previously installed versions of these applications. All
the required data is on your CD and will be installed if
necessary.
Replays (see chapt. 16)
Here you can watch replays of saved games.
Note! Arena Wars will not run properly without these
required applications, therefore you should always install the
game with the default standard options (check for .NET
Framework 1.1, DirectX 9.0b and Windows Media Player 9
codecs).
The Readme file contains important technical details and the
latest changes. You can access the Readme file by clicking on
Start/Programs/Arena Wars.
Before starting the game for the first time, you will be
prompted to configure your player name, the game language,
graphics settings, texture caching etc. You can always change
these settings later in the game via the Options menu.
Multiplayer Internet (see chapt. 19)
Connect to the Arena Wars server to team up with other
players or challenge them online.
Multiplayer LAN (see chapt. 18)
Challenge other players in your local network, or team up to
fight against computer opponents.
Editor (see chapt. 17)
Create new maps with this landscape map editor or modify
existing ones.
Options (see chapt. 5)
Adjust your configuration and game settings, for example your
graphics settings or your player name.
Credits (see chapt. 22)
Find information about the developers and contributors.
Exit
Exit Arena Wars and return to your operating system
5 O PTIONS
The basic game settings are adjusted here. You can choose
your player name and player logo. A variety of sound and
graphics options are available to suit your individual
4
5
preferences. The resolution as well as quality and quantity of
effects can be altered to improve performance.
T
E
R
6 C ONTROLS
Backspace
Left / J
Right / L
= Execute special of all selected units
= Scroll left
= Scroll right
Up / I
Down / K
Q
= Scroll up
= Scroll down
= Toggle items
REPLAY:
F1
F2 to F8
F9
P
N
+
-
= Toggle view to player 1
= Toggle view to player 2 to 8
= Observer view
= Pause
= Default speed
= Increase speed
= Decrease speed
You can control almost everything in the game with the
mouse. For example, left clicking selects units or items, right
clicking orders units to move or attack. However, there is also
a hotkey for nearly every action to make it easier for you to
give orders like building new units or executing a unit’s special
ability while you are fighting.
Important hotkeys (all hotkeys will be displayed at the bottom
end of the screen in tooltips and may be changed under
options):
MAIN MENU:
M
= Multiplayer Internet
L
= Multiplayer LAN
S
= Single player
R
= Replays
E
= Editor
O
= Options
C
= Credits
X
= Exit
IN-GAME:
F1
= Build Buggy
F2
= Build Spider
F3
= Build Walker
F4
= Build Destroyer
F5
= Build Berserker
F6
= Build Artillery
S
= Stop Unit
H
= Hold unit at current position
A
= Attack
B
= Buggy special Self-Destruct
X
= Spider special Mass-Rockets
W
= Walker special Jump-Jet
6
= Destroyer special Teleport
= Berserker special Energy-Storm
= Artillery deploy/mobile modes
7 B UILDINGS A ND R ESOURCES
You do not have to build a base or collect resources in Arena
Wars. Each player has $1000 at their disposal to build units.
When a unit is destroyed, the full value is instantly credited to
your account so you can produce new units right away.
7.1 THE BASE
The base of each player consists of a teleporter
where the units are built. Completed units will
gather at the assembly point, which is shown
by the player’s logo.
7.2 THE POWER PLANT
Depending on the game mode, the power plant assumes a
slightly different role. In Capture the Flag mode (see 12.1), it
7
provides energy for the flag base and the
teleporter. While a power shield protects the
teleporter, the power plant is defenseless and
can be destroyed.
Upgrade facilities can be attacked and destroyed. In that case,
the upgrade will be lost and the building is once again neutral.
Upgraded units will have a different look and a yellow star
attached.
When the power plant is destroyed, it causes
a huge explosion at the flag base annihilating all
units in its vicinity. This will devastate players defending their
flag with all or most of their units. The power plant will rebuild
itself within a few seconds but you are unable to build units
during that period.
7.4 WARP GATES
In Bombing Run mode (see 12.2), the power plant is connected
to the bomb drop zone. Destruction of the power plant will
cause an explosion at the bomb drop zone destroying all
nearby units.
In Double Domination mode (see 12.3) you have to keep two
points under control at the same time, each of them is
connected to a power plant. Once your opponent has taken
his domination key to one of these points and seized it, you
have two options to gain control. You can seize it yourself or
destroy the corresponding power plant to reset the
domination point to neutral. Again, the explosion will destroy all
units close to it.
7.3 UPGRADES
You can find upgrade facilities at various
locations on the map. Use these to upgrade
your units and enhance their abilities. To
upgrade a unit you will have to move it into
the upgrade facility.
An upgrade will cost you $200, plus the amount required to
build the unit. You must have that amount in your account
before you can start upgrading. When the upgrade is finished,
you will get your money back and all units of this particular
type will have received the upgrade as well.
8
Warp gates allow you to take shortcuts and
move across the map swiftly. They are
especially useful for multiplayer maps, as they
enable you to reach players further away and
not only the ones adjacent to you. There are
regular and one-way warpgates.
8 S PECIALS
All units have “specials” which give them additional abilities for
a brief period. For example, the Destroyer is able to teleport
itself, the Walker is able to fly. A right click on the selected
unit or using a hotkey will activate these specials. When using
the Buggy’s, Destroyer’s or Berserker’s special you will have
to right click a second time on the map to set the destination.
Each special requires energy to be executed. The energy for
the special is displayed below the life energy bar of a unit and
it recharges itself continuously. The special is available when
the bar turns blue.
! See 11 UNITS for a detailed description of the specials.
9 I TEMS A ND I TEM P LACES
Items may add enhancements or special abilities to units, or
they may be detrimental. The items are the actual resource in
the game. When you obtain an item, you will randomly receive
one of the four effects from the corresponding color.
Collected items are not instantly used; instead, a bar on the
left side of your screen displays an item icon. You can hold up
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to five items before using them on a unit. The latest item you
picked up will appear at the top of the bar. If you collect more
than five items, the one at the bottom of the bar will be
dropped from the list. There are various item places all over
the map. Collected items can be used on any unit – either your
own or your opponent’s - by left clicking on the item icon and
then right clicking on the chosen unit. Once activated, each
item will be active for a defined period. However, when an item
is applied to a unit carrying a flag, a bomb, or a domination key,
it will only remain active for half of its normal duration.
10 I TEMS O VERVIEW
10.1.3 Invincibility
The unit is surrounded by a shield and cannot be
harmed for 15 seconds. It will also be immune to
other items.
10.1.4 Fog Protection
Fog surrounds the unit for 20 seconds protecting it
and any other units nearby from direct hits. Area
damage (for example, Asteroid Attack), however,
will still harm the unit.
10.2 YELLOW ITEMS
10.2.1 Quad Damage
This will cause the unit to inflict four times its usual
damage for 20 seconds.
Unlike unit specials, items can be applied to units carrying a
flag, a bomb, or a domination key.
10.2.2 Invisibility
This will render the unit invisible for 25 seconds so
that the opponent can neither see nor attack it.
o Green items protect units or give them more energy
o Yellow items give units special abilities
10.2.3 Speed
o Red items damage units
The unit receives a 50 % speed bonus for 20
seconds.
o Blue items have global effects
Therefore green and yellow items should be used on your
own or allied units, red and blue items on hostile units.
10.1.1 Regeneration
The unit regenerates constantly for 30 seconds. It
also receives additional special energy and 50 %
increased hit-points for the duration.
10.3 RED ITEMS
10.1 GREEN ITEMS
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10.2.4 Toxic Missile
The unit will fire toxic missiles. Up to five
consecutive hits will stack on the same unit and
cause increasing intoxication levels: the first level
will cause 100 hit-points damage for 15 seconds, level five will
cause 500 hit-points damage for 15 seconds.
10.1.2 Holy Armor
10.3.1 Weapon Block
This item doubles the unit’s hit-points. You can apply
it twice to the same unit or once to two different
units.
The unit will take the damage from its own shots
rather than inflicting it on other units for 15
seconds.
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10.3.2 Insanity
11 U NITS
The owner no longer has control over the unit. It
moves around and even allied units are randomly
attacked for 10 seconds.
11.1 The Buggy
10.3.3 Slowdown
The unit slows down by 50 % and it will lose hitpoints while moving. You can apply this item twice
and the effect lasts for 16 seconds.
10.3.4 High Voltage
The unit and all nearby units will receive damage
from high voltage for 15 seconds.
10.4 BLUE ITEMS
10.4.1 Virus
The player affected by virus is not able to build any
units and loses the minimap for 16 seconds.
Additionally the virus deactivates all green and
yellow items.
The Buggy is a fast, light
armored unit that causes only
minor damage. It is very
effective against the Artillery,
but beware it also takes the most damage from the Artillery.
Due to its high speed, it is especially good at Capture the Flag
missions and when used to collect items.
Special: Self-destruct (Kamikaze). The Buggy launches like a
rocket and explodes causing a lot of damage over a wide
area. However, as soon as you activate the special the Buggy
will lose half of its hit points, so it might be destroyed before
impact.
Upgrade: The upgraded Buggy is faster, has slightly increased
armor, does more damage and its special will also be more
powerful.
Cost: $ 50
10.4.2 Time Freeze
Time for the affected player passes at half the
normal rate for 8 seconds. This means that building
units will take twice as long and they will move 50
% slower etc.
10.4.3 Ion Cannon
You can aim the Ion Cannon at any point on the map.
It will cause heavy damage to that area when it is
fired. After a short period of recharging, you can
fire it for a second and a third time.
11.2 The Spider
The Spider is a small
mechanoid with four legs. It
has a long range and
therefore qualifies as a
support unit. It is very
effective against the Walker but very susceptible to
Berserker attacks.
Special: Mass Rockets. The Spider can load up to 15 rockets
and fire them all at once.
10.4.4 Asteroid Attack
Asteroids will constantly fall on the specified area of
the map for 25 seconds causing heavy damage.
Upgrade: The upgraded Spider is faster, more heavily armored
and the rockets cause more damage. The duration of the
special is increased and the damage caused by the weapons is
devastating.
Cost: $ 75
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13
11.3 The Walker
11.5 The Berserker
The Walker is a mechanoid
with medium armor and laser
weapons. It is very effective
against the Destroyer but is
very vulnerable to the Spider.
It is especially good at
capturing the enemy flag due
to the combination of good armor, speed and its special action.
The Berserker is a heavily
armored mechanoid able to
inflict heavy damage on
several units at the same time
by firing spikes. It is very
effective against the Spider
but is susceptible to Destroyer attacks. Its speed and heavy
armor make it especially good at Capture the Flag missions.
Special: Jump Jet. The Walker has nozzles, which enable it to
take off and fly. It is able to fire on ground units while airborne
but only the Spider’s rockets will hit it.
Special: Energy Storm. The Berserker unleashes several
energy bolts inflicting heavy damage on all units in the target
area.
Upgrade: The upgrade slightly increases armor and speed.
Additionally, the Walker receives a plasma cannon, which
causes a lot more damage and has a longer range. The
Walker’s flight speed also increases considerably.
Upgrade: The Berserker gains more speed and increased
armor, its special has a wider range and it fires the spikes in a
v-shaped arc rather than in a straight line.
Cost: $ 150
Cost: $ 100
11.6 The Artillery
11.4 The Destroyer
The Destroyer is a heavily
armored, yet slow moving
tank with great firepower. It
is very effective against the
Berserker but does not stand
a chance against the Walker.
Special: Teleport. The Destroyer is able to teleport itself twice
within a limited radius. This makes up for the slow movement
rate and allows it to launch a surprise attack against an
opponent.
Upgrade: The upgrade increases armor considerably and the
unit receives a double cannon inflicting even more damage. The
destroyer is now able to teleport itself up to three times.
Cost: $ 125
The Artillery has to be
mounted (deploy mode) to be
able to fire. It has the longest
range of all units and inflicts
very heavy damage. Due to its long range, it excels when
used to defend the flag and to attack enemies from a distance.
The Artillery is very effective against the Buggy; however, it
also needs to watch out for fast approaching Buggies,
because they can easily avoid the long-range shots.
Special: Healing Aura. The Artillery heals all nearby units, friend
or foe. It will heal three times better when it is in mobile mode,
but it is not able to heal itself at all.
Upgrade: The Artillery moves faster and has increased armor.
The most important upgrade, however, is a faster and more
precise shot with an even longer range than before. The
Healing Aura also increases another three times.
Cost: $ 175
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12 G AME M ODES
12.2 Bombing Run (BR)
12.1 Capture the Flag (CTF)
Each player owns a flag base with a
flag. The goal of the game is to collect
the enemy flag and return it to your
own base. Each successful capture
scores one point. The player to
reach the capture limit first has won
the game.
The unit carrying the flag moves slower than usual and is
unable to execute specials. Any items used on it will last for
only half of their usual duration.
If a flag is dropped anywhere on the map the opponent or the
owner may pick it up. Once the owner moves a unit across
the lost flag it is “returned” and resets at the home flag base.
This makes it easier for you to retrieve your own flags when
they are far away from your base.
To pick up the flag at your opponent’s flag base you have to
reach the outer ring of the base and the flag will automatically
move to your unit; to pick up a flag anywhere on the map you
have to move your unit right across it.
Each player also owns a power plant that provides energy
for the base. While a power shield protects the teleporter, the
power plant is defenseless and can be destroyed.
Destroying the power plant causes a huge explosion at the
flag base annihilating all units in its vicinity. This will devastate
players defending their flag with all or most of their units. The
power plant will rebuild itself within a few seconds but your
opponent will not be able to build units during this time, which
makes it easier for you to capture his flag.
16
You have to place a bomb in your
opponent’s bomb drop zone and
when it explodes, you score. Bombs
are neutral and anyone can pick
them up. Once you place the bomb
into the drop zone, it takes a maximum
of 20 seconds to explode. Removing the
bomb from the drop zone before it explodes
freezes the countdown. (Note: bombs will only explode at drop
zones). As soon as the bomb is correctly deposited in a drop
zone again, the countdown will continue, so the bomb becomes
gradually more dangerous and more difficult to remove.
12.3 Double Domination (DD)
There are two domination points on the
map, A and B. The player has to seize
both points and then keep control of
them for 20 seconds to score. To
seize a point, you have to take a
domination key, which you can find at
your home base, to a domination point.
As soon as you seize a domination point, the key will reappear
at your home base so you can take it to the other point.
Once your opponent has taken his domination key to one of
these points and seized it, you have two options to gain
control. You can seize it yourself or destroy the
corresponding power plant. The explosion will destroy all
nearby units and reset the domination point to neutral.
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13 T OURNAMENTS ( SINGLE P LAYER)
14 C USTOM G AME ( SINGLE P LAYER)
All tournaments consist of 10 missions/levels. At first, the
opponents are easy but during the tournament, they will
increase in difficulty. You will receive a “scalp” each time you
complete a level. The “scalp” is the opponent’s player logo that
you can use for yourself from now on. Once you have
defeated all opponents of a tournament, you will receive a
trophy icon that indicates this tournament has been finished
successfully.
You can play all multiplayer maps teaming up with one or
more computer allies against one or more computer
opponents. The computer difficulty level can be selected as
well as an additional handicap for each computer opponent.
This way you can simulate and practice multiplayer games.
It is also possible to test modified or self-created maps. Finally,
you can choose to let computers play against each other and
merely participate as an observer.
13.1 1 vs. 1 Tournament Capture the Flag
You have to accomplish 10 CTF missions against just
one computer opponent.
13.2 2 vs. 2 Tournament / Cooperative Tournament
Capture the Flag
You have to accomplish 10 CTF missions teaming up
with a computer ally against two computer
opponents.
15 T UTORIAL ( SINGLE P LAYER)
The tutorial explains the basics of Arena Wars. It introduces
the rules, the interface and all the elements of the game in
easy steps. Once you have successfully completed the tutorial
you will have learned all you need to know to embark on the
missions. The loading screens also offer further help and
explanations, displaying tips and tricks for you to read while
loading. This help is also accessible via the Single Player menu.
13.3 Bombing Run Tournament
You have to accomplish 10 BR missions against a
computer opponent.
13.4 Double Domination Tournament
You have to accomplish 10 DD missions against a
computer opponent.
13.5 Fun Tournament
You have to accomplish 10 missions of the various
game modes. All levels are a little crazy, for
example: 1 vs. 4 opponents, extremely small maps,
an extremely high number of items available,
unbalanced levels etc.
16 R EPLAYS
Every game in Arena Wars can be recorded and viewed as a
replay later. During a replay, you are able to adjust the game
speed and perspective. You can watch all actions of a human
player in player view, which means seeing things exactly the
same way the player saw them during the game.
Players can exchange replays easily. However, to watch them
you need to have Arena Wars because the files are not
stored as video files but rather as game data.
13.6 Insane Tournament
You have to accomplish 10 missions of the various
game modes. The difficulty is, however, somewhat…
“insane”
18
19
17 E DITOR
observers. The player starting the network game hosts the
server. If this player leaves the game, another player will step
into his place. You can activate additional computer opponents
in network games to fill up teams.
19 M ULTIPLAYER I NTERNET
The Multiplayer Internet mode allows players to meet, chat,
team up or play against each other via the internet. Arena
Wars has a dedicated game server administering both chat
and games.
You are able to create your own maps and levels with this
editor. You can choose from three landscape options:
grassland, desert, and volcano. The intuitive editor interface
allows you to control everything with your mouse and
programming knowledge is not required to create your own
levels.
All landscapes may be individually shaped by placing textures
and objects. You can also adjust the lighting to immerse your
terrain in bright sunshine, dusk, or dawn.
As soon as you have placed all relevant game objects like
teleporters, flags, power plants etc. you can test your map in
a custom game.
The server manages the games but they take place on the
players’ systems. Each player receives a rank according to
the number of games he has played. You can view these
ranks by accessing the Ladder Ranking on the server.
It is also possible to store a list of friends and their details in a
Friends List. The Friends List will show you whether your
friends are online and what they are doing on the server so
you can find them easily and join them.
19.1 Logging in
You need a valid activation key to be able to log onto the
Arena Wars server and activate your account. This key will
be emailed to you. When you log in for the first time, you will
have to enter the serial number (CD Key) that is printed on the
back of the manual.
The computer AI is able to adapt to all maps and does not
need adjusting. To identify map problems more easily you might
find it useful to let two computer opponents play against each
other and observe.
18 M ULTIPLAYER L AN
You can play Arena Wars in a local network. Up to 12 players
may participate at the same time; however, only eight players
will be able to play, the other four can merely participate as
20
21
Once you have logged in you can create a new player. You
can create as many players as you want but bear in mind
that periodically, inactive players and accounts may be deleted.
If you want to keep your account and your players, you will
have to use them.
To indicate connection speed these icons are displayed after a
player name:
(No icon) Ping below 100 ms (very good)
Ping up to 250 ms (good)
19.2 Server Icons
It is possible that several icons could be displayed at the same
time, i.e. “Ignore” will always appear on top of all other icons
concerning this player.
These are the server icons:
This is the standard Arena Wars Icon for players
Text mode: The player can only chat but not play.
(Start the “AWOnlyChat.exe” to talk to the player)
Ping up to 500 ms (playable)
Ping above 500 ms (very bad)
19.3 Playing online
If you want to host a game, click on “Games” and then click on
“Create Game”. This way other players can join you.
If you want to join a game, click “Join Game” or simply double
click the selected game.
19.4 The Ladder System (Player Ranking)
Demo mode: The account is valid for a limited time and
you can only play on certain maps.
Channel operator (private chat only): The player can
kick and ban players and change the topic.
Follow mode: As soon as this player joins a game or a
chat channel, you will also go there.
Friend online: This is displayed on your Friends list.
Ignore: You are ignoring this player
Friend offline: This is displayed on your Friends list.
22
Every game that is played on the server qualifies as a ladder
game. Each player receives points for every game that they
played, even if they lost. The Ladder lists all players according
to their achievements. An evaluation formula determines the
points each player will receive for the ladder system.
Evaluation formula:
Each player receives one point for every game that they
played. If you lose the game you receive one point, if you win
the game you will receive another 1 to 9 points depending on
the skill factor:
Skill factor:
1 (minimum value): The winner has 200 points more than the
loser does
5 (medium value): The winner and the loser have the same
amount of points
9 (maximum value): The winner has 200 points less than the
loser does
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Example: Player A wins a game against Player B. Player B has
200 points more than Player A:
Player A receives 10 ladder points – 1 basic point and 9 skill
factor points.
Ladder points are updated as soon as a game is finished. The
Ladder Ranking is updated every 5 minutes.
We do not want the ladder to rise indefinitely and want to
ensure that everyone still has a chance to catch the top
players up; therefore, the points will be reduced daily by 1 %
(rounded up). This will guarantee consistency within the ladder
if, for example, you have less than 100 points you will not lose
anything, from 101 to 199 you will lose 1 point, at 550 you will
lose 5 points etc. This means if you want to keep up your high
rank of 550 points you will have to achieve at least 5 points
every day by defeating an equally good opponent.
The ranking is updated every five minutes, the deduction of
points occurs every 24 hours.
A similar system applies for multiplayer games with more than
two players or several teams fighting each other. In team
games, the team player assessments are added up, divided by
the number of players in a team and then compared to the
ladder points of the opposing team (each player in the
defeated team gains one point). In an FFA game (free for all,
each player vs. all other players), the points for each player
are added up, divided by the number of opponents and then
compared to the ladder ranking of the winner.
The minimum duration for a ladder game is 3 minutes. Matches
shorter than 3 minutes will not be evaluated.
19.5 Ladder Ranking
The world ranking in an online game is always interesting,
exciting and a challenge to compete. Every game will win you
ladder points so you can advance in rank.
Find the online ladder rankings on www.ArenaWars.net
Additionally your player profile in the internet mode will display
the following ranking icons:
0 – 9 points:
10 – 24 points:
25 – 49 points:
50 – 99 points:
100 – 149 points:
150 – 199 points:
200 – 249 points:
250 – 349 points:
350 – 499 points:
500 – 699 points:
700 – 999 points:
1000 – 1499 points:
1500 – 2499 points:
Over 2500 points:
Buggy
Spider
Walker
Destroyer
Berserker
Artillery
Power Plant
Upgrade Facility
Upgraded Buggy
Upgraded Spider
Upgraded Walker
Upgraded Destroyer
Upgraded Berserker
Upgraded Artillery
20 V OICE A ND W EBCAM S UPPORT
Arena Wars supports real-time voice and live webcam
broadcasting while playing online. This way you can watch live
video footage and see whether your opponent is angry or
happy. You can even save all webcam and voice data for your
replays.
Observers cannot win or lose, simply observing a match or
watching a replay will not affect your ladder ranking.
24
25
21 S ERVICES A ND S UPPORT
If you encounter any problems while installing or playing Arena
Wars you have a choice of various support facilities:
Tips and latest changes
You can find important technical information in the “Readme.html” in
your Arena Wars directory (by default: C:\Programs\Arena
Wars\).
Here is how to create your dxdiag.txt file:
1. Click on “Start” in your Windows task bar and then click on “Run”
2. Type “dxdiag” in the dialogue field and click “ok”
3. The DirectX diagnostic tool will start now, please be patient while
it checks your system
4. Click on “Save all information” to create the file dxdiag.txt
If you wish to write to us or contact us by fax, you can do so:
Ascaron Forum
The Ascaron forum is located at www.ascaron-forum.com. This is
a platform where fans and players can discuss and exchange their
experiences. The developers also frequent these boards.
Patch / Website:
A patch is a program designed to optimize an already installed
program. On the Arena Wars website, you can find out whether
there are any patches available.
Websites:
www.ascaron.com
www.arena-wars.com
Ascaron Entertainment GmbH
Dieselstr. 66
33334 Gütersloh
Germany
Fax: +49 (0)5241 966610
Ascaron Entertainment UK Ltd
Chantry House
High Street
Coleshill, B46 3BP - UK
Fax +44 1675 465570
We will exchange defective or faulty CDs. Please send us the defective
CD and we will return a new one immediately. This warranty does not
extend to damage caused by improper handling. However, if your CD
does suffer scratches or other damage from mishaps we do offer an
exchange for a handling fee of 10 € (or £7.00). Please enclose a cheque
for 10 € (or £7.00) made payable to “Ascaron Entertainment”, when you
Due to the multitude of hardware and software components and
the wide variety of system configurations, it is very difficult to
eliminate all problems concerning the installation or operation of
any software product. Even though we make every effort to
eliminate these problems through extensive testing, isolated errors
may still occur but should be easy to fix.
In the unlikely event, that you encounter any problems while
playing Arena Wars you can contact our service number:
+49 (0)5241 96690 (Monday – Friday 14.00 – 17.00 hrs GMT)
Please make sure you are at your PC while phoning and have all
the relevant hardware information ready.
You can also contact us online at:
http://www.ascaron.com/gb/gb_service/gb_service_kontakt.asp
and fill out the contact form.
IMPORTANT N OTICE
Please include your hardware configuration and the
dxdiag.txt file with all support queries.
26
send your CD to us.
This warranty expires 1 year after your first purchase of the title. For
older titles, we are unable to provide any warranties. The exchange
service is a voluntary service of Ascaron Entertainment and does not
constitute a legal claim.
22 C redits
exDream entertainment
GAME & LEVEL DESIGN
exDream entertainment:
Leif Griga - GRAPHIC ARTIST
Boje Holtz - GRAPHIC ARTIST
Benjamin Nitschke - PROGRAMMING
Karsten Wysk - EFFECTS, WEB
MUSIC
Marcus Franke and Marco Richter of “Work in Progress”
27
ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT
PRODUCER
Ingo Mohr
QA LEAD TESTER
Lars Berenbrinker
QA MANAGER
Torsten Allard
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Game play
Ramses Schiller
Dennis Rehbock
Roman Grow
Mastering
Torsten Allard
Technical Lead QA
Markus Reiser
MANUAL & COVER
Design
Jürgen Venjakob
Alan Wild
Text
exDream entertainment
Editor
Torsten Allard
LOCALISATION MANAGER
Tim Plöger
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Christian Franke
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Holger Flöttmann
ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT UK
MANAGING DIRECTOR
(International)
Roger Swindells
Product Manager
(International)
Alan Wild
PR AGENCY
Between Us!
28
OUR SPECIAL THANKS GO TO...
... our Beta testers ~
Manuel Nitschke [Netfreak],
Imke Stiemert,
Tim Oetting [Bunsen Burner],
Stefan Schwarzien,
Felix Politt,
Marion Kronenberg,
Daniele Gasparini,
Daniel Kress [ViperDK],
Stephan Braun [DeSert-Fox],
[Pest Control],
[The Hattrick.Org Clique] ~
Helga [The Mistress],
Wickesy [Hand Jive],
Waynef [Funt Claps],
Andiell [The Crooklocker],
brianclifford [BigGayBear],
Legoless [Voice of Reason],
nick_s [Morrissey],
Ad_the_Lad [Abductee],
MOD-allanfc [Big Girl’s Kilt],
re_spite [Whistles]...
... Radio SAW for some voices ^^
... Island Games (hi there)
... all the Beta testers of Arena
Wars, who provided a lot of
determination, effort and fun
during the open Beta test
... Stefan "MrRenz" Renz aka
"Dosenbier rockt" for the Arena
Wars song