Reading & Spelling Adventure 1 additional information.
This file contains all of the printed information you received with the CD-ROM as well as extra information that may be useful.
1 - INSTALLATION
2 - DIRECTX
3 - GETTING STARTED
4 - DIFFICULTY LEVELS
5 - CONTROLLING MICK
6 - THE PUZZLES
7 - 220 WORD LIST
8 - HELP! I HAVE A PROBLEM
1 - INSTALLATION
Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive. Please wait a few seconds for the auto-run program to load. Then follow the on screen prompts.
If the Auto-run screen did not appear, Open the "My Computer" folder on your desktop. Now open your CD-ROM folder, and run the "SETUP.EXE" file, follow the on screen prompts.
This game will run entirely from your CD-ROM drive, requiring the smallest amount of Hard disk space for save games. During the installation you will be asked if you want to "Install all files to hard disk" We recommend doing this if you have a slow CD-ROM drive, (less than 20 speed) and enough Hard disk space.
Note: You will always require the CD-ROM in the CD Drive to allow the CD Music to play.
2 - DirectX
This game requires DirectX version 5 or higher. If after running the game, you get a "Direct ..........." Error message, or you know you don't have DirectX 5 or higher on your system, you must install it from the CD.
Installing directX 7.
Open your CD-ROM Folder via "My Computer" as outlined above. Open the "Directx7" folder, and run the dxsetup.exe file. Follow the prompts. You may be asked to restart windows.
3 - GETTING STARTED
After installing the game, it will automatically start up. Alternatively, you can run the game via the "Programs / Reading & Spelling Adventure 1" menu item.
NOTE: If you have used software before, you can probably jump straight in without reading on. We have made this CD-ROM very easy to use.
Select an empty space on the "Super Hero Sign in" screen and enter your name. From the "Current Hero" screen, click on "New Mission". Select a difficulty level to start the Mini Movie which introduces the game. (Note: always use your own name slot when starting your game, as this keeps track of which spelling words you have done etc.) Your game is saved progressively as you play, as well as when you return to base, ie. The current hero screen or sign in. The game is made up of levels, which are introduced by mini movies. You should pay attention to the movies, as they will give you clues about what to do in the next level. (Click mouse or press "Esc" key to skip the movie)
The screen will go black for a few seconds when loading levels, please be patient.
4 - DIFFICULTY LEVELS
Beginner: Recommended for non readers, showing a visual clue for most puzzles, or having a 50/50 trial and error approach. The spelling section leaves the word permanently on screen so they can copy it, and become familiar with the keyboard. 4 words must be correctly entered per visit.
Capable: Recommended for readers that think they know these words. Sentence puzzles now have 2 words missing and 5 to choose from. The spelling section lets them view the word until they start typing. 8 words must be correctly spelt per visit. Note. If they are having difficulty spelling the words, get them to copy the word onto a piece of paper before typing the first letter, this is good practice anyway. Most other areas have a 33/66 % Trial and error approach.
Expert: Recommended for good readers, presenting maximum mental and physical challenge. Sentence puzzles now have 3 words missing and 7 to choose from. The spelling section lets them view the word for half a second, 12 words must be correctly spelt per visit. Most other areas have a 25/75 % Trial and error approach.
5 - CONTROLLING MICK
You assume the roll of Mick Millennium, and need to control his movement by one of two methods.
Virtual Joystick Control. (VJ) Place the mouse cursor either in the 3D window, or on the VJ panel, hold the left mouse button down whilst dragging the mouse. Use small movements to get used to it. Release the left button to stop moving and use the mouse normally. Click the other buttons to see what they do.
Keyboard Control is recommended for situations where precise control is required. (eg. In space, or the Lava planet) Once you have started a mission, press the "H" key to bring up the keyboard Help panel. Some keys have alternates for ease of use / compatibility.
FUNCTION KEY ALTERNATE
Walk Forward Up Arrow
Walk Backward Down Arrow
Turn Left Left Arrow
Turn Right Right Arrow
Fast Speed SHIFT + Arrow keys 1 + Arrow keys
Jump / Raise Home A
Crouch / Dive End Z
Look up Pg Up
Look down Pg Dn
Slide left <
Slide Right >
Throw Object Ctrl Right Mouse button
HELP H
NOTE: Some keyboards may not fully support the alternate keys.
We have also provided several HOT keys to access certain functions directly. These are not necessary to know to play the game, however they may be convenient for some users.
FUNCTION HOT KEY
Options menu to EXIT. Esc or move mouse to top right of screen, click Options
Read ACTIVE sent. or Clue Enter
Quick Save F1
Load Game F2
3D Window Size F3
Previous Music Track F4
Next Music Track F5
Decrease Volume F7 Does not affect Music volume, (See below)
Increase Volume F8
Toggle Music mode M
Music Volume. In game music is played directly from the CD as normal CD-Audio Tracks. ie. Just like a normal Music CD. Therefore the volume should be set using the speaker Icon, on the windows task bar, to bring up the Mixer control. Set the CD-Audio control to the required level, before starting the game. Make sure it is NOT muted.
6 - THE PUZZLES
Sentence puzzles are completed by replacing the missing words.
- Click on a word from the word list (on the right) to pick it up.
- Move it into a missing word position and click to drop it.
- Repeat the above two steps for any other missing words.
- Click the ? button (or press Enter on KB) to test the sentence to see if it is correct.
- If it is incorrect, you must remove the incorrect word by clicking on it, return it to the list, and select another word to try in its place. (Only incorrect words can be removed from the sentence.)
Word Doors are opened by dropping (clicking) the correct word on the door, in sequence from top to bottom. Click the Door (with ?) for a clue.
Picture sentences are compiled by flying through the words that the commander calls out. Once all words are collected, wait for the commander to read the sentence, before flying into the correct picture. In difficulty 3, you don'' have to wait, because the commander doesn't read the completed sentence. (It's up to you to read it, if you're not sure click on each word in sequence, to hear it read!)
Laser Locks are similar to word doors, however each laser beam has its own computer console that must be programmed with the correct word to turn off its beam. Move close to lasers to bring the consoles out of floor.
Parent / Teacher. Please spend a couple of minutes explaining these instructions to the user.
7 - 220 WORD LIST
a come had many round together
about could has may run too
after cut have me try
again he much said two
all did help must saw
always do her my say under
am does here myself see up
an done him seven upon
and don't his never shall us
any door hold new she use
are down hot no show
around draw how not sing very
as drink hurt now sit
ask eat six walk
at eight I of sleep want
ate every if old small warm
away in on so was
for into once some wash
be far is one soon we
because fast it only start well
been find its open stop went
before first or were
best five jump our what
better fly just out take when
big for over tell where
black found keep own ten which
blue four kind thank white
both from know that who
bring full pick the why
brown funny laugh play their will
but let please them wish
buy gave light pretty then with
by get like pull there work
give little put these would
go live they write
call goes long think
came going look ran this
can good read those yellow
carry got red three yes
clean green made ride to you
cold grow make right today yours
8 - HELP! I HAVE A PROBLEM
Please read the previous sections first to make sure your problem is not solved there.
Q: Why does the game freeze from time to time?
A:
a) This will happen when the automatic save game feature runs.
b) When a CD Music track finishes it must seek to the beginning of the song. You may not notice this, depending on your CD-ROM drive speed.
c) Windows may be doing something in the background, we recommend having no other applications running whilst playing the game.
Q: Why does the game and mouse cursor run jerky sometimes?
A:
a) Once again windows may be doing something in the background. See c) above.
b) Some levels with complicated topography require a lot of power to generate each image. If you have a Pentium 166 or lower you may need to reduce the 3D window size. (press F3)
Q: Mick is difficult to control, I'm having trouble completing a level!
A:
a) This may be due to you having a slower computer, see b) above.
b) The virtual joystick, was mainly provided for the first couple of levels, so you can just leave your hand on the mouse, to do all functions of the game. We suggest using the keyboard in the frictionless environment of space, and on the treacherous Lava Planet.
Q: There is no music playing at all!
A:
a) This is dependent on you windows mixer controls, (see Music Volume above)
b) The game music is played exactly like an Audio Music CD. This requires a CD-Audio cable connected from your CD-Drive to your sound card. This is an internal cable and should be installed by a qualified person. In any case you can plug a headphone into the headphone socket of your CD-Drive to test it is working.
c) If you have more than 1 CD-DRIVE. Ensure your windows Multimedia Properties have CD MUSIC set to the correct CD-ROM Drive.
Q: There are no voices or sound effects.
A:
a) Even though we have In game Sound effect volume controls (F7 & F8). They still use the windows mixer volume as a maximum level. So double click the speaker icon in the task bar, and check the volume level of the "Wave" and main "Volume Control". Make sure none are muted.
b) Ensure that your speakers are plugged in and fuctioning.
Q: The music stops intermittently!
A:
a) Whenever a main educational puzzle starts, the music stops so you can hear the words. This is the default music setting, when starting a new mission. This can be changed to "Always Enable Music", in the options menu, or by pressing the "M" key a couple of times.
b) You may have a dirty CD.
Q: The "Start Menu" method of starting the game no longer works, it can't find the CD.
A:
a) Ensure that you have the correct CD in the drive and it is clean, give your CD-Drive a few seconds to read the disk. (If you have more than 1 CD-Drive you must use the one you installed from. See below)
b) The most likely cause for this is that you have installed a new drive in your System, ie. your CD-DRIVE letter has changed. Simply use the "UnInstall: Reading & Spelling Adventure 1" menu item. Then re-install the game, Note: This will maintain your save games if you install to the original directory, you first installed to!!
Q: Why does my monitor click or flash when the mini movies play.
A:
This is due to the movies playing back in a different resolution to the game. (320*200). Some monitors may bring up some numbers and need to store a setting for this resolution. Please consult your monitor manual if this happens.
Q: If I exit the spelling room with the exit button, when I resume my mission, I start at the first word in the spelling room, is this normal?
A:
Yes, your game is only saved at the beginning of this level, so this is where it restarts the mission. We recommend letting the next level start before exiting the game.
If you have any feedback / future game requests or Technical Support inquiries please refer to out website: www.nodtronics.com.au