BBC DOCTOR WHO - DESTINY OF THE DOCTORS
DOCTOR WHO CD-ROM HOTLINE:
We hope you enjoy Destiny of the Doctors, and have
many hours of fun playing it. If, however, you have any
questions or concerns about the content, design or playability
of the game, we would like to know.
Please e-mail us at: [email protected]
In this README you will find a section concerning frequently
encountered problems, as well as various hints and tips.
If having read this file you still have a problem and require
further assistance you may call the BBC Multimedia UK
Technical Support Line on 0181 308 6544.
Please note the staff on the technical support line cannot
enter into general discussions about the game so please direct
non-technical comments to the above e-mail address.
ON-LINE HELP:
Please note that a concise summary of user controls is
available by pressing the H key at any time during the
game.
PAUSING THE GAME:
You can pause the game at any point by pressing the
P key.
SKIPPING VIDEO:
Pressing SPACEBAR skips any video clip. Note that this applies
to video clips held in the City of Thoughts and Monster Database
as well as video clips which play in the main programme.
FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS:
1 VIDEO BREAK-UP
Destiny of the Doctors utilises DirectX for the playback of
video. Your computer may not have the very latest
graphics/video card drivers which enable smooth playback of
video through DirectX. If you experience difficulties,
please contact your graphics/video card supplier.
2 GENERAL PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE
Although Destiny of the Doctors runs well on a wide range
of P60 computers with 16MB RAM, you may encounter
performance problems on some machines. Your first port of
call should be to your hardware supplier to ensure that
your computer is in good working order, supplied with the
very latest graphics/video drivers and a full multimedia
installation of Windows 95. Then make sure all programme
settings (accessed from the Settings Screen when you start
up the programme) are at minimum values. You should also
make sure that during installation you opt for a full
install of sound files to the hard disc. If you have not
already opted for a full install, uninstall the programme
and then re-install, selecting a full sound installation.
Note that Destiny of the Doctors will not run smoothly on
any machine fitted with a 486 processor.
3 SOUND BREAK-UP
Destiny of the Doctors is designed to run on a computer
fitted with a 100% SoundBlaster 16 compatible sound card.
If you experience sound problems (such as clicks and noisy
interruptions) please ensure that you have the very latest
drivers available for your sound card. If in doubt, please
contact your hardware supplier.
4 SCREEN FLASHES
Destiny of the Doctors incorporates software which changes
the screen resolution of your computer at various points
in the programme, for example, before the playback of
video. This may result in some screen disturbance on some
machines; however, making sure you have installed the very
latest graphics/video drivers will help. To minimise the
effect, make sure you set the programme to run with the
default resolution setting as displayed in the Setting
Screen (certainly no higher than 640 X 480).
5 SCREEN FRAME RATE
The Setting Screen enables you to customise the programme
to match your machines capabilities. Please note however
that simply because your machine can support resolutions
of 640 X 480 and higher does not mean that the programme
will run smoothly with such high settings. (You will need
a machine operating at least 200mhz to achieve smooth
playback at resolutions higher than 640 X 480). Generally,
to ensure smooth gameplay, please ensure that you set the
screen resolution to the default value or lower and do not
exceed your machine's actual processor speed in the
Settings Screen.
Note also that the smoothness of playback is also affected
by the size of the display window. You may wish to
decrease the size of the display window using the minus
key to ensure a satisfactory frame rate.
6 PROGRAMME FREEZE
You may find that having started a game the programme
freezes and that the problem can only be rectified
by re-booting the computer. In this instance, please make sure
that on restarting the game you select an alternative Screen
Resolution from the Settings screen. If the problem persists,
select a Screen Resolution of 640 X 480.
This problem is related to graphics/video drivers. Please
ensure that your PC is loaded with the very latest drivers.
7 COLOUR CHANGES
On some machines over three years old you may notice unusual
colour tints as you move from room to room in the TARDIS (for
example, the corridors may appear with a pink hue). The problem
may easily be rectified by setting your PC screen colour depth
to 256 colours. If the problem persists, please ensure that
your PC is loaded with the very latest graphics/display
drivers.
HINTS AND TIPS:
1 ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE DOCTOR - AND THE BRIGADIER
Thank goodness you are not alone on your mission! Pay
careful attention to the advice the Doctor gives
you - especially his first hint regarding the radio
transmitter. The radio transmitter is one of the most
valuable objects at your disposal but be warned: guard
it safely and never let it get into the Master's hands.
2 FINDING THE GREAT DIVIDE
When you first arrive in the TARDIS at a chosen
incarnation of Doctor, you will find the TARDIS in a
state of severe trauma. The ship's spatial orientation
will change at will and the location of the Great Divide
may at first seem elusive. The TARDIS is in fact making
every effort to keep you from finding the Great
Divide - out of fear that you might rush to save the
Doctor too eagerly and so come to an early demise.
However, for all its qualities the TARDIS is not
particularly quick-witted. Try doubling back on yourself
and re-entering the doorway you have just passed through.
3 KEY CONTROLS IN THE CHALLENGES
The Master will invent challenges to satisfy his
egotistical whim. In some instances he will provide the
Graak with a vehicle appropriate for the challenge
setting. For instance, in the underground zone he will
provide you with a tube train. These vehicles are all
driven using the arrow keys and SHIFT provides
acceleration. However, you will find that not all the
Graak's usual controls are effective in the vehicles.
In particular, Page Up and Page Down - which are usually
used to look up and down respectively - have no effect
on the control of space ships. Nevertheless, A and Z are
used to control altitude so you will not find yourself
without adequate control of your craft.
4 CHALLENGE OBJECTIVES
Your aim in any challenge is to find the imprisoned
Doctor. This is never easily achieved and it may take
you some time just to work out what's going on! By the
Laws of Absolute of Siralos nobody - not even the
Doctor - can divulge the secrets of victory in the
Determinant. Having said that, the odd hint is
permissible:
Challenge 1 - Toybox: Seek and find - keep your eyes
open for bottomless pits
Challenge 2 - Tube: Cut up and slam on the brakes
Challenge 3 - Space: Don't be afraid of using your
weaponry - you're outside the TARDIS
Challenge 4 - Brain: More pits and a Raston Warrior
for good measure
Challenge 5 - Joust: Just keep plugging away and
listen to the Doctor
Challenge 6 - Ice Caverns: One star for each
incarnation of Doctor
Challenge 7 - Countryside: Beware on-coming traffic
5 DON'T FORGET
In addition to the cursor keys which you use to navigate
you can:
-pick objects up either by running into them or
touching them using the mouse
-activate/action objects using the SPACEBAR
-access your inventory of objects using the TAB key
-access the City of Thoughts and Monster Database by
clicking on the entry screens
6 THE GRID OF STONES:
The Master may give you a riddle to solve at the Great Divide
to which the solution is a word. When you return - hopefully
having solved the riddle - you will be presented with a grid
of floating and rotating stones, each with a letter on every
face. To cross the Grid you will need to step only on those
letters which make up the word. For instance, if the solution
to the riddle were 'Quark' you would be able to step (in any
order) on the letters A K Q R and U.
Note: If you are making good progress, the Master may decide
to make crossing the Grid of Stones even more difficult! The
stones may oscillate up and down as if they were on the
surface of a turbulent sea. In this case you MUST jump
towards stones which are lower than the stone from which you
jump.
7 SELECT A SYMBOL WITH CARE...
Once you have selected a symbol at the Great Divide, the Master
compels you to complete the task he has set... Many of these
tasks are hazardous and you may feel inclined to return to the
Console Room and travel to another incarnation of Doctor. This
is strictly forbidden. In fact you will find that the Master
disables time travel capabilities during quests.
8 GETTING TRAPPED BEHIND DOORS BY MONSTERS
You may find yourself, at some stage, trapped by a monster
behind a door or in some other confined space. In some cases
there is no way out and the Graak may die. Re-starting from
your last save point you should adopt an alternative strategy
to complete your quest.
9 FALLING OUT OF THE TARDIS ENVIRONMENT
The dimensionally-transcendental nature of the TARDIS sometimes
results in discontinuities in the space-time continuum. In such
cases you may find yourself able to move outside the interior
spaces of the TARDIS into the void. Take great care to re-enter
the normal environment - as soon as possible - via the rupture
point. Failure to do so may result in permanent exile to the
void, and ultimately, Graak death.
DESTINY OF THE DOCTORS - BOOKLET TEXT
Minimum system requirements
The Destiny of the Doctors CD-ROM requires the following
minimum system to work correctly:
A Multimedia PC with Pentium (or equivalent) 60MHz
processor (90 MHz recommended) and 16MB of RAM
Double-speed CD-ROM drive (Quad-speed recommended)
16-bit (64K) colour display
SoundBlaster 16-bit (or 100% compatible) audio card
Suitable loudspeakers or headphones
Mouse or other pointing device
Windows 95
At least 50 MB of free hard disk space
Uninstalling Destiny of the Doctors
Destiny of the Doctors can be uninstalled by selecting the
uninstall icon or program listing.
Please note that files relating to your save points (Time
Winders) are NOT removed from your hard disc when the
programme is uninstalled. These files are held in a
directory which by default is:
C:\Program Files\BBC\Dod\savegame.
The files themselves have the extension .DOD and can be removed
manually.
System configuration
Please ensure that you run Destiny of the Doctors with your
display set to 8-bit (256) or 16-bit (64k) colour, and that you
are using the latest drivers available from your hardware
supplier. If you need to change any settings, refer to the
documentation for Windows 95 and for your particular system.
Doctor Who - Destiny of the Doctors: First Play
On starting up the program, you will be presented with an
Options screen.
From this screen you should select Settings. This gives you
the opportunity to tailor Destiny of the Doctors to your
computer's specification. There are four settings that you
can change from the default values: Graphics, Screen
Resolutions, Sound System, Performance.
If your computer's specification does not exceed the
minimum system requirements described above, you should not
change the default settings.
If your PC is equipped with at least 32MB of RAM you may
wish to set the Textures and Sound setting to enhanced.
You may wish to experiment with the various screen resolutions
available at the Settings Screen. However in most cases, the
higher the Screen Resolution, the less smooth the action in
the game.
You may also wish to experiment with the Video setting which
by default will play in a window. Note however that video may
not play smoothly at the Full Screen setting on some machines.
The default mouse setting is Software. By selecting Hardware
Mouse you will control the 'Graak finger' rather than simple
cross-hairs. However, if you experience problems controlling
the 'Graak finger' (for example, some 'blockiness') you should
revert to the Software Mouse.
Having confirmed your settings, if it is the first time you
have played Destiny of the Doctors, you should choose New
Game from the Options screen. On subsequent occasions, you
will be able to restart the action from a save point.
Also note that should you fail during a particular stage
of the game, you can restart the action from the beginning
of your last saved level, without delay, by selecting
Replay.
When you first play Destiny of the Doctors, following an
introductory sequence, you will find yourself in the
Console Room of the fourth incarnation of Doctor. You will
then have the opportunity to set the TARDIS to travel through
time to another time frame - and another incarnation of Doctor.
To do this, you will need to explore the functions on the
Console.
Having selected a Doctor, you can activate the TARDIS to
take you to the corresponding time frame. This may take a
minute or so, depending on your computer's specification.
Soon you will find yourself back in the Console Room, but
in your chosen time frame. To progress further you will
need to explore the TARDIS - but be warned: the ship is
in a state of trauma. You will find that rooms within the
TARDIS realign their spatial orientation at will...
Doctor Who - Destiny of the Doctors: The Story
The game is set in the orbit of the planet Siralos, one of the
Seven Thousand Wonders of the Galaxy. Siralos is composed
entirely of malleable psychic energy, which has been hijacked
by the Master, allowing him to physically merge his TARDIS
with the Doctor's.
Using the energy of Siralos, the Master has captured the
first seven incarnations of the Doctor, scooping them out
of their own time streams and placing their semiconscious
forms at the far end of a vast combat arena known as the
Determinant.
You are the Graak, an energy-dependent, amorphous plasma
matrix with telepathic links to the Doctor. It is your
mission to release each incarnation of the Doctor, one at a
time, via intelligent gameplay, physical and mental dexterity,
and some working knowledge of Doctor Who mythology.
People not familiar with the mythology shouldn't
worry - everything you need to know is easily accessed via the
in-game Monster Database (located in the Master's TARDIS) or
the Doctor's TARDIS Log, also known as the City of Thoughts
(accessible from the Doctor's Console Room). But be warned,
your energy is not limitless and will deplete at various rates
depending on your status; slowly when you are at rest - or
quite rapidly when you are facing monsters or using either the
Monster Database or City of Thoughts.
You will encounter ten of the Doctor's most fearsome
enemies, all of which interact with you and respond to your
movements with intelligent behaviour and, where appropriate,
speech. You have to find ways to disable them without losing
too much energy.
You play the Graak from a first-person perspective - in
other words, you see the action as the Graak sees it. As
the Graak, you possess a full range of directional moves
and views. The Graak can also briefly transfer his energy
into any of the security cameras inside the TARDIS, so he
gets a different perspective of a room.
Both the Doctor's TARDIS and the Master's TARDIS feature
a variety of different environments, where you may find
objects the Master sends you to retrieve, puzzles that
need to be solved, and power rods to replenish your
own energy.
Confronting you on your quests will be the various alien
menaces that the Master has captured, such as Daleks,
Cybermen, and Autons. Often the puzzles you need to
solve will involve defeating these monsters - so keep
your wits about you - To learn their weaknesses
(and strengths) use the Master's Monster
Database - he's made useful notes on all of his 'pets'.
The corridors also contain psychic links - glowing
energy matrices that enable you to communicate
telepathically with 'your' Doctor. Listen to him, and
take careful note of what he says.
You can also locate a radio set to get in touch with the
Brigadier back at UNIT HQ on Earth - he is one of Earth's
most experienced monster-fighters, and has more than a
few useful tips to impart.
Oh, and listen carefully to the Master's instructions and
comments as well - but remember: he's never been the most
trustworthy of fellows...
The Determinant is the vast arena created from the
Master's imagination using the power of Siralos. He has
built it to provide himself with amusement, and to taunt
the Graak with a series of fiendish challenges.
To enter the Determinant, you first have to cross the
Great Divide - and this isn't possible until you've
solved whatever task the Master has previously set for you.
If you would like to dive straight into a challenge without
completing a quest you can do so by selecting the 'blast'
symbol at the Great Divide, but be warned: the energy cost
of taking this short cut can be very costly.
When you select a symbol the Master will give you a clue.
This clue takes the form of a riddle or instruction,
accompanied by a note. Study this note carefully,
scribbling down anything you think might be important.
It could save you life...
Once within the Determinant, you are compelled to face the
Master in a challenge appropriate to the particular Doctor
you've chosen to rescue. This could be anything from a
joust against a Sontaran to a chase around the Celestial
Toyroom with the Quarks; from an underground train ride
with an Abominable Snowman to a battle against a Raston
Warrior Robot inside the Doctor's brain...
Should you win, the Master will release the incarnation of
the Doctor - then you can set the TARDIS to another time
frame, and so try to free another incarnation of the
Doctor. However, should you fail, the Doctor will be lost
to all times past and future. He will never have even
existed...
To wholly release the Doctor you must free all seven past
incarnations - and cope with any final twists the Master
may have lined up for you...
Doctor Who - Destiny of the Doctors: Gameplay
Controls
Use the four arrow (cursor) keys for simple navigation
Use A to jump up and Z to crouch down
Page Up and Page Down to look up and down respectively
SHIFT + forward and backward arrows increases speed
CTRL + left and right arrows enables you to strafe
F1 moves the Graak's energy into a room surveillance camera
F2 shows you which incarnations of Doctor you have released
SPACE BAR will fire or otherwise activate or place an
object
To pick an object up, walk into it, or click on it with the
mouse/pointer
TAB to browse your inventory
CTRL + TAB to browse backwards through your inventory
SHIFT + TAB to remove an item from your inventory
Note that objects carried in the inventory do result in an
energy drain over time.
Picking up an object you already possess, such as a fire
extinguisher, does not give you two fire extinguishers,
but does add to the life of the original.
ESC is used to exit the game at any point.
Please note that a concise summary of user controls is
available by pressing the H key at any time during the
game.
You can pause the game at any point by pressing the
P key.
Pressing SPACEBAR skips any video clip. Note that this
applies to video clips held in the City of Thoughts and
Monster Database as well as video clips which play in the
main programme.
Doors automatically open as you approach them, unless the
zones behind them are closed off to you at that point in
the game. In that case, the doors can be distinguished at
some distance by a difference in their appearance.
Note that you can increase and decrease the area of screen
dedicated to the Graak's view using the MINUS and EQUALS
keys. You will, however, notice a decrease in screen
refresh rate with larger screen areas which may make
game-play difficult.
Saving your game - Time Winders
To save the Graak's progress as you proceed, there is a
Time Winder located close by at the start of each quest.
By activating a Time Winder, you save your progress and,
should you die, you will be able to restart the game at
any Time Winder save point. The Time Winder creates a
Time Dam, stopping the action while you anchor your
achievement. If you choose not to select a Time Winder,
it will disappear after a short time.
When you restart the game, you can select any of your Time
Winder save points.
END