ES Manual Cover 30/06/96 6:14 Page 2 (Film Yellowfilm)

ENGLISH

™ METALTECH 4 NE ...... 75 ...... INDEX 73 ...... CREDITS 72 ...... CUSTOMER SERVICES 66 ...... TECHNICAL SUPPORT 50 ...... REFERENCE 32 ...... PILOTING YOURHERC 15 ...... MISSION MENUS 11 TUTORIAL...... 7 ...... GETTING STARTED 5 ...... INTRODUCTION CONTENTS OFGRN EOY...... 67 ...... CONFIGURING MEMORY 66 ...... TROUBLESHOOTING 64 KEYBOARD COMMANDS...... 62 ...... TACTICS 56 ...... WEAPONS 54 ...... ENEMY VEHICLES 50 ...... HERCs 49 ...... EXTERNAL VIEW 46 ...... SIMULATION PREFERENCES/CONTROLS 43 HDDs (HEADSDOWNDISPLAYS)...... 39 ...... MFDs (MULTI-FUNCTIONDISPLAYS) 36 ...... THE CONSOLE 34 THE HEADS-UPDISPLAY(HUD)...... 32 ...... COCKPIT CONTROLS 32 HERC DESIGN...... 20 ...... CAREER 18 ...... OPTIONS 16 ...... SINGLE MISSION 16 ...... INSTANT ACTION 15 ...... MAIN MENU 9 ...... INSTALLING EARTHSIEGE™ EESV YTM ...... 61 ...... DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS 30 ...... BUILD 27 ...... REPAIR 26 ...... DEBRIEFING 25 ...... BRIEFING 24 CREW ASSIGNMENT...... 22 ...... ARMAMENT 21 ...... SERVICE BAY 18 ...... MISSION PARAMETERS 17 ...... MISSION TYPES EARTHSIEGE 5 INTRODUCTION OF THE EARTHSIEGE BEGINNINGS on (AI) had been going artificial intelligence create the first true The race to finally hours, the race 2471, at precisely 1830 On November 29, for decades. activated and scientists of Sentinel Cybertronix ended when the engineers AI processor The Prometheus prototype used the first Project: Prometheus. Here was the mapped to a wholly biological model. with neural connections called it. machine, or “Cybrid” as the designers first true cybernetic-hybrid knowledge. The Prometheus was voracious for Self-motivated, self-teaching, never imagining it with all the data they could find, staff at Sentinel provided learn. brilliant new student would ultimately the deadly lessons their long- improved Cybrids that followed, presented Prometheus, and the power, to humans—limitless, autonomous computing sought-after benefits efficiency labor, safer working conditions, and greater freedom from menial use for Cybrids, exploration. The military saw a better in space mining and were just beginning to deploy the however. The armies of the leading powers HERCs were towering, heavily first HERCULAN fighting vehicles, or “HERCs.” bipedal (walking) drive armored weapon systems that used a revolutionary The only perceived limitations of designed for all-environment operations. the fallibility of the human pilots these awesome new machines, in fact, was the immense firepower of the controlling them. The potential of harnessing control of Cybrid pilots was far too HERCs to the error-free, instantaneous all of the Cybrid development great to ignore. In a matter of weeks, almost Just that quickly, an invention of programs came under military direction. limitless fear. Cybrid-piloted HERCs limitless hope became an invention of the world. began to appear in military bases around expensive to build, requiring a Both Cybrids and HERCs were astronomically that had long been exhausted on vast expenditure of precious resources and Martian colonies. But their Earth, and that now came from the lunar to any organization that didn’t existence created a clear and present danger a new “AI race” began between have one. Despite the cost, despite the risk, and governments. Small covert the strongest multinational conglomerates the resources to build Cybrids and wars started between those who had all, Prometheus and its growing HERCs, and those who didn’t. Amidst this brethren sat, watching and learning. or covert. More and more Cybrid- Soon the wars were no longer small The results were impressive—as controlled HERC units entered combat. killing machines, the Cybrid HERCs had no equals. The struggle to control them quickly became one desperate war, since everyone knew that control of the Cybrids would be control of the planet. The conflict escalated. And went nuclear. And flooded the planet in flame. In hours, the body count was in the billions. METALTECH 6 Good luck. is far,farworse. volunteer forpilotduty,youknowtheoddsarebad.You thealternative bring theirsquadsbackalivewithenemytechnologyand salvage.Ifyou think fast,moveandshootfast—whocancarryouttheir missionsand bravado toovercomethesuperiorCybridforces.Pilotswho canlearnfast, The humansneednewHERCpilotsdesperately,with skill,luck,and several Cybridsforeachhumanandstillbeassuredofeventual victory. HERC designandproduction.Theywantawarofattrition—they canlose factories, bases,andsupplylines.Theyhavemoreresourcestosparefornew But theoutlookisgrim.TheCybridshaveestablishednumerousreplication relentless Cybridgenocide,andhaveevengrowninstrength. Cybrid HERCs,thehumanshaveenduredforalmost20yearsagainst guerrilla tacticsandscavengingweaponstechnologyfromdefeated HERCs thatwereslowlyrestoredtooperationalstatus.Byusinghit-and-run by theCybrids.Inastrokeofluck,thishiddenbaseheldobsolete,pre-Cybrid with afewbatteredsurvivorswhogatheredinconcealedbaseoverlooked From thesilenceandsmokerose,quietly,humanResistance.Itstarted as teams—andtheyallfoughtthehumans.Asdotothisday. regrouped, itwastoolate.TheCybridsfoughtasindividuals,andthey networks, allspaceports,cities.Bythetimemilitarycaughtonand was left.CybridHERCsattackedallsurvivingmilitarybases,satellite destiny. Withswift,ruthlessefficiency,theymovedtoseizecontrolofwhat apparently concludedthattheyweretheonlyfitmastersoftheircollective Then cametheOverthrow.TheCybrids,mutewitnessestoholocaust, EARTHSIEGE 7 readme adds digitized and start blasting and start CD version: Minimum help you with system EarthSiege EarthSiege Metaltech™: EarthSiege™ Metaltech™: Customer Service details the sophisticated HERC cockpit controls details the sophisticated

, starting with the Main Menu. , starting with the Main and

shows you how to install and start the game. shows you how to describes the mission selection and set-up options describes the mission walks you through the process of selecting a Single walks you through after the manual was printed. This file is also copied to after the manual was printed. This file EarthSiege includes a description of current HERC technology, includes a description of current HERC Tutorial EarthSiege Piloting Your HERC Getting Started learning Parameters, arming your HERC, and Mission, setting Mission base. out a Recon mission against a Cybrid the cockpit as you carry Mission Menus available in and displays. Reference tactical guidelines. weaponry, and provides some advanced Technical Support troubleshooting and support. to To view the file, simply your hard drive when you install the software. is installed, type change to the directory in which the game and press [Enter]. GETTING STARTED GETTING MANUAL USING THIS helps you get into This manual • away as quickly as possible. • • The • • • voices to game messages and dialog for an enhanced game experience. DOS voices to game messages and dialog for Pack separately from Sierra. version users can purchase the Speech NOTES ON THE CD VERSION You have two installation options with the 4 MB). Selecting the Full Install Install (about 200 KB), or Full Install (about puts more files on your hard disk to allow faster game play. The CD version contains the complete Speech Pack supplement. Also included on the CD version is a sampler containing demos of the newest games from Sierra and Dynamix. Run these to see the best of what’s new or • will detail any changes made The README file on Disk #1 or the CD DOS VERSION SPEECH PACK version of The optional Speech Pack for the DOS METALTECH 8 AnIBM • and hardware: To run SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS follow theon-screeninstructions. change tothe\INNdirectoryon lets youaccessthenetworkandoffersalimitedmembership.Toinstall, people fromalloverthecountry(usuallyatlocalphonerates).Thissampler have amodem,youcanconnecttotheINNandplaygameswithallsortsof CD. TheINNisthepremierinteractiveon-lineentertainmentservice.Ifyou You willalsofindtheImagiNationNetwork(INN)sampleinstallationon and followtheon-screeninstructions. Memorymanager(EMM386[standardwithMS-DOS • MS-DOS • 8MBofRAM.Youwillneedmorethantheminimum 4 MBofRAM • Oneofthefollowingsoundcards:SoundBlaster 486/33MHzorbetterCPU. • Ajoystick. • Amouse. • • The followinghardwareandsoftwarearestronglyrecommended: A1.44MB,3.5"floppydrive,oranMPC-1(orbetter)CD-ROMdrive AVGAgraphicscardandcolormonitor. • • Aharddisk.FortheDOSversion, • change tothe\DEMOdirectoryon coming soontoasoftwaredealernearyou!Toseetheproductdemos, patibles, SoundBlasterPro,16,AdLib compatibles, Roland above], QEMM-386 memory (RAM). better processor,andatleast4megabytes(MB)ofrandomaccess ONLY music,withtheRolandorGeneralMIDI.) true MPU-401controller).(Note:YouwillgetNOsoundeffects, for theCDversion. much asyourcompressionsoftwarewillestimate). indicated harddrivespace(sincethegamefileswillnotcompressas compression utility,suchasStacker (about 200KB),orFullInstall4MB).Ifyoursystemusesadisk Pack. TheCDversionprovidestwoinstalloptions:MinimumInstall installation. Youwillneedanother8MBtoloadtheoptionalSpeech free spaceonyourharddrive,withabout27MBneededduring Metaltech: EarthSiege ® PCcompatiblecomputerwithan80386/33DXMHzor ® version5.0orabove. ® ® , orequivalent). LAPC-1 , youwillneedthefollowingminimumsoftware ® orMT-32 EarthSiege EarthSiege ® EarthSiege , youwillneedaboutdoublethe ® , andGeneralMIDI(using CD,type requiresabout23MBof CD,type ® or100%com- install ® or100% ® version5.0or demo [Enter],and [Enter], EARTHSIEGE 9 ™ INSTALLING EARTHSIEGE ® . If MS-DOS ® [Enter]. MS- EarthSiege Disk #1 into MEM EarthSiege ) and press [Enter]. D: or A: start correctly, check your free memory with the MS- start correctly, check at its highest graphic detail settings (with advanced settings detail highest graphic at its [Enter]. Install software automatically optimizes the game settings Install software automatically optimizes EarthSiege command. From your MS-DOS prompt, type command. From your DOES NOT install

MEM EarthSiege texture mapping). Extra memory will also allow you to use will also allow you Extra memory texture mapping). Microsoft (included with disk caching software SmartDrive drive A: or the CD into the CD-ROM drive. to run to run play. to speed up game 5.0 and above) EarthSiege 2. Type the appropriate drive letter ( 3. Type 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. CHANGING SYSTEM PREFERENCES MEMORY REQUIREMENTS MEMORY kilobytes (KB) of free memory to run You need about 3,320 according to your computer’s speed, graphics, sound board, and input according to your computer’s speed, game’s default location on the hard devices. You can use Install to specify the boot disk. drive, change preferences, and make a using floppy drive A:, hard drive C:, These instructions assume that you are substitute as appropriate. and/or CD-ROM drive D:. If not, please 1. After booting (starting) your machine, insert The DOS 6.0 or later shows this as “Total Free Memory.” If you have MS-DOS 5.0, this as “Total Free Memory.” If you have DOS 6.0 or later shows “bytes program size” (free conventional memory), add “Largest executable XMS” (free ex- memory,) and “bytes available free EMS” (free expanded bytes they must add up to about 3,400,000 tended memory). Together, memory, you memory. If you do not have enough free (3,320 KB) total free drivers taking or “background” programs and device probably have resident game needs. up memory that the memory correctly is to use the Install The simplest way to set up your system’s information, please see “Config- program to create a “boot disk.” For more uring Memory” on page 67. DOS METALTECH 10 You canusekeyboardcommandsthroughout Keyboard GAME CONTROLS Torunthegame,type 3. Onyourharddisk,changetothedirectorywhereyouinstalled 2. IfyouhavetheCDversion,insert 1. STARTING Usethemenuselectionstochangesoundsettings,savenew 3. Inyour 2. Changetotheharddrivedirectoryinwhichyouinstalled 1. these steps: After installation,youcanchangethesounddevicegamewilluse.Follow In the Mouse and QuickReferenceCard. weapons andfunctionswith“hotkeys”asdescribedinthe“Cockpit”section mission, youcanuseyourkeyboardtomaneuvertheHERC,andselect [Space]; tocancelandexitapreviousscreen,press[Esc].Duringthe highlighted buttonoritem,press[Enter];toproceedthenextscreen, and Downarrowkeystohighlightitemsonmenus.Toselectthecurrent screens, press[Tab]or[Alt]+[Tab]tocyclethroughbuttons,anduseyourUp your keyboardormouse. as describedin“SystemPreferences,”page46.Forthemenu screens,use You mayuseajoystickandothercontroldevicesduring Joystick as describedinthe“Cockpit”section. mouse tochangeviews,selectweapons,andperformmany otherfunctions and presstheleftmousebuttononce.Duringmission, you canusethe single mouseclick.To“click”anitem,movethecursorover the desireditem buttons, andselectmenusormenuitems.Mostfunctions are startedbya credits bypressing[Enter]asthegameloads.) EarthSiege ROM drive. setting configuration,andexittoMS-DOS. EarthSiege EARTHSIEGE EarthSiege . (SIERRA\MTECHisthedefault.) menuscreens,useyourmousetoopenclick directory,type es [Enter]. (Youcanskiptheintroductionand soundset EarthSiege [Enter]. EarthSiege CDintoyourCD- EarthSiege . IntheMenu EarthSiege missions . EARTHSIEGE 11 as and learn the basics and learn MetalTech: EarthSiege EarthSiege button.

BRIEFING will explain to you the In the Briefing screen, General Gierling Map will then open, mission objectives. The Tactical Mission route for you to illustrating the terrain and drawing a proposed to zoom in or out on follow to complete the mission. If you wish glass buttons or any portion of the map, click on the magnifying arrow buttons or press press [+] or [-]. You can also click on the four indicated direction. The your arrow keys to scroll the map in the the map in a scroll box. text of your mission orders is printed below Your HERC carrier will A Recon mission is fairly self-explanatory. follow your waypoint indicator drop you off at the starting point. From there, to the Cybrid base. Then turn around and run away. At the bottom of the screen are three buttons. Click on the ARMING button. described in the “Getting Started” section, and go to the Main Menu. (To Started” section, and go to the Main described in the “Getting press [Enter].) bypass the introduction, SINGLE MISSION SELECTION screen, click on the SINGLE MISSION From the Main Menu a menu will come up, showing you button. The corresponding on your left, and various option buttons list of possible missions on your right. the following settings, Click on the MISSION PARAMS button. Use the controls: AMMO— so you can concentrate on learning VIS- Unlimited, DAMAGE—Invulnerable, DIFFICULTY—Training, Click ACCEPT when IBILITY—Normal, and TIME OF DAY—Day. done to return to the Single Mission screen. list to scroll through it until you see Click the Up or Down arrows next to the on RECONNAISSANCE to select the mission RECONNAISSANCE. Click once it, then press the BRIEFING by playing. You will select a Single Mission, arm your HERC, and then take on HERC, and then take Mission, arm your You will select a Single by playing. Menus,” (For details on mission set-up, see “Mission an entire Cybrid base. your HERC,” on cockpit controls and battle, see “Piloting page 15. For details page 32.) so already, install and start If you have not done TUTORIAL right into section lets you jump This tutorial METALTECH 12 clear, andyouwillbelookingoutofyourHERC’scockpit overthegrim, necessary, thenpressBEGINMISSIONtobeginthemission. Thescreenwill In theTacticalMissionMapscreen,reviewyourmission objectives,if BEGIN MISSION screen. With Armingcomplete,pressDONEtoreturntheTactical MissionMap per array. “MISSILES: SEMI-ACTIVERADAR.”Note:Onlyonemissiletype canbecarried to themainwindow.Undermissilearrayillustration,itshouldnowsay first onthelist,“SARH.”YouthenclickWEAPONTYPEbuttontoreturn button becomesactive—clickittoinspectthemissiletypes.Scrollup You’re almostdone.Onceyouplacethemissilearray,MISSILETYPE it. Youhavenowplaceda6MissileArrayontheremaininghardpoint. down intheweapondescriptionwindowuntilyousee“[3]MISS6.”Select exchange itfora35mmATCcannon.Selecttheother20mmATC,andscroll Now selectthe20mmATCcannononnearestupperhardpoint,and upgrade thelaseronothersidealso. have tobalanceallweaponsplacementsonyourHERC,butgoaheadand Laser, andthenewlaserreplacespreviousoneonHERC.Youdon’t from thelistbelowwindow.Thewindowwillnowshowa200Gigawatt GW LaserdisplayedontheArmamentpanelwindow.Select“[2]LAS200” hard pointdirectly).Selectthelowerrightpoint:youwillsee100 cycle throughthehardpoints(mountingpoints)onHERC(orclick Now we’llimproveyourHERC’sweapons.ClickonthePOINTSbuttonto and highlymaneuverable. good HERCforthismission,fast 20mm AutomaticCannons.It’sa 100 gigawatt(GW)Lasersandtwo ing astandardarmamentoftwo weapons. Thisisa“Raptor,”carry- Bay 3),theonlyHERCwithfour want isthethirdsmallest(Service is the“Colossus.”TheHERCyou the “Roadrunner,”andlargest in theServiceBay:smallestis available HERCsanddisplaythem HERCS played ontheright.Press Bay, withtheArmamentpaneldis- Now you’relookingattheService ARMING

buttons tocyclethroughall EARTHSIEGE 13 desolate landscape of the future. Before charging off, take some time to learn some time off, take charging future. Before of the landscape desolate have different console Different HERCs controls and displays. the Raptor’s are similar. the components layouts, but CONTROL DISPLAY WEAPONS above the the numbered buttons are controlled by Your weapons 35mm [1]—SARH, [3]—ATC one for each weapon: front window, also [4]—Lasers (200GW). The buttons cannon, and [2]—and status—when you play with Limited indicate current weapon a power/shots remaining. To activate Ammo, they display button or press its corresponding number weapon, just click the fire green, and the weapon will then key. The button turns test- trigger or press [Space]. Press [2] and whenever you pull the LINK the laser still activated, click the fire the left laser. With time both lasers to fire at the same button. This will synchronize mounted You can link any two identical weapons whenever either is selected. also establish (As an advanced technique, you can on opposite hard points. order.) fire your weapons in any predetermined a Firing Chain that will HEADS UP DISPLAY (HUD) control display, you will see your In the front window below the weapons green triangle. The triangle is your Heading Indicator, on which rests a small the next waypoint on each mission. Waypoint Indicator, and it guides you to the Waypoint Indicator centered. To navigate, just walk forward keeping or waypoint is shown below, also in (The range in meters to the next target green.) slide with a yellow bar, matched by Beneath the Heading Indicator is a gray the Rotation and Elevation of your the vertical slide at the left. These indicate of your HERC’s main body. Rotate turret, which you can aim independently elevation with the [I] and [M] keys. the turret with the [J] and [K] keys; change other options for moving the turret.) (If you are using a joystick, you may have level, press [Backspace]—the yellow To re-center the turret to the front and bars will re-center. MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY (MFD) Multi-Function Display, Directly under the cockpit window is the cycle through the other currently showing your HERC’s status. To below the MFD. You available displays, click on the word STATUS on the console’s F1- can also go straight to a display by clicking as follows: F6 buttons or pressing your [F1]-[F6] keys, MAP, [F4]—RA- [F1]—STATUS, [F2]—FLASHCOM, [F3]—NAV DAR, [F5]—TARGET STATUS and [F6]—MISSILE VIEW. METALTECH 14 manual. a lotmoredetailaboutthemissionoptionsandcockpitcontrols laterinthe That’s itforthisfirstquicktour—youknowthebasicsnow. You canfindout Debriefing panelwillappeartodetailyourkills,losses,and salvage. mission. GeneralGierlingwillthenevaluateyourperformance, andthe Mission Alertpanelwillappear.ClicktheRETURNTOBASEoptiontoend Once youhavetakenoutyourobjectivesandgetclearoftheenemybase, RETURN TOBASE of missiles.Butfornow,makesomemayhemandenjoy. get toosmug—thisgetsmuchtougherwhenyoucanbedamagedorrunout example, monitoratargeton[F5]TargetStatusasyoubeatittopieces.Don’t too, justforgrins.ExperimentwiththeotherMFDdisplaysasyouroam—for [Tab] toselectanothertarget.BlasttheremainingCybridsandguntowers, Destroy yourselectedtarget.Whenyouaredone,pivottheHERCandpress radar sparingly—enemymissilescanhomeinonyourscanneremissions. now willtrackthetarget,evenifyouarenotaimingrightatit.Note:UseActive acquire thickredcorners.Thismeansyouhaveamissilelock.Missilesfire ACTIVE). Afteracoupleofseconds,youwillseeyourtargetboxontheHUD efficiency, engageradartrackingbyclickingMODEsothesaysACT(for by ayellowboxonyourradarscreen.Togreatlyimprovemissile Now gobacktotheRadar[F4].Noticethatanytargetyouselectissurrounded or offforanyselectedtarget. pressing theTRACKbuttonor[Alt]+[T]—thisturnsautotracking(aiming)on turret controlbypressing[Insert]orJoystickbutton2.Youcanalsoaim by movingthewholeHERCorjustyourturret.Switchbetweenand the AimingReticle(thecrosshairs)onyourHUD,andopenfire.Youcanaim to TargetStatus.Nowactivateaweapon(press[1]-[4]),aimatthetargetwith want isbracketedinredonyourcockpit’sHUD,press[F5]tochangetheMFD the [Tab]keytocyclethroughalltargetsbeforeyou.Whentargetyou To selectatargetinthefrontwindow,clickonitusingmouse,orpress structures. (YoucanmopuptheotherCybridslater.) away (remember—youareinvulnerable).Yourprimarymissionistogetthe Arachnitron unitsandoneoperationalCybridMongoose.Feelfreetoblast enemy structures,andreddotsforHERCs.YouwillencounterCybrid for Radar.TheMFDwillshowyellowdotsenemyflyers,green Advance towardtheenemybase,followingWaypointIndicator.Press[F4] ATTACK EARTHSIEGE 15 MAIN MENU and returns you to the DOS prompt. You can exit the game EarthSiege at any time by pressing [Ctrl]+[Q] or [Ctrl]+[Esc]. MISSION MENUS MISSION and set-up options. the main mission selection introduces you to This section is detailed following sections. Each of these options INSTANT ACTION type. Af- Selects a random mission may customize ter the briefing, you or go your HERC’s armament, See page 16 straight into combat. for an overview. SINGLE MISSION a specific mis- Allows you to choose sion type and determine the mis- sion conditions. Single Mission types and options are described starting on page 16. ACTIVE PILOT WINDOW Shows the name of the most recent pilot pursuing a Career. You can continue this career by clicking the RESUME button. RESUME the Active Pilot window, taking you Resumes the career of the pilot listed in Bay). straight to the Career play area (the Service CAREER can begin or select a new career Takes you to the Career menu, where you Cybrids. After you create or select a as a HERC pilot in the war against the the Service Bay. Career play is career, you will continue Career play from described beginning on page 20. OPTIONS load new battle sets, view the Allows you to set preferences and/or controls, credits. See page 18 for details. introduction, and view game production EXIT TO DOS Exits METALTECH 16 MISSION INSTANT ACTION SINGLE HERC,” beginningpage32.) (HERC pilotingisintroducedinthe“Tutorial”anddetailed in “Pilotingyour “Armament,” page22.)YouthenclickBEGINMISSIONtobegin themission. mended route.ToselectandarmyourHERC,clicktheARMING button(see page 25formore).Fromthemapscreen,youmaypreview yourrecom- will receivemissioninstructionsandalookattheTacticalMission Map(see challenge (page18).ClickBRIEFINGwhenyouarereadytoproceed, andyou realism settingsthatincreasethe MISSION PARAMS(parameters)— pilot, andselectfromarangeof the typeofmissionyouwantto ing onafullCareer.Youmaypick specific missiontypewithouttak- experience thefieryactionofany Choosing SINGLEMISSIONletsyou Single Missionscreen. (page 26),youmayreturntotheMainMenuorselectMISSIONgo When themissionends,youwillbedebriefed.FromDebriefingscreen controls andcombat. “Tutorial” (page11)or“PilotingYourHERC”32)formoreonHERC screen first,youwillbegivenadefaultHERC,alreadyconfigured.)Seethe the HERCyouselectedandequipped.(IfdidnotgotoARMING Click thisbuttontostartthemission.Youwillfindyourselfincockpitof BEGIN MISSION selections andclickDONE,youwillbereturnedtotheTacticalMissionMap. (See “Armament,”page22,forinstructions.)Afteryouhavemadeyour HERC youwishtopilotforthemission,andselectweaponswillcarry. Opens theArmamentpanelinServiceBay,whereyoumayselect ARMING Drops youbacktotheMainMenu. CANCEL You maythenchooseoneofthefollowingoptions: Tactical MissionMap(describedonpage25). ing Officerexplainsthemission,youwillbeshownyourobjectiveson selected mission,andproceeddirectlytoyourBriefing.AfterCommand- If youselectthisoptionfromtheMainMenu,willbeassignedarandomly- EARTHSIEGE 17 MISSION TYPES . In Single EarthSiege Mission, you can select the mission type. In Instant Action or Career play, the the mission type. In Instant Action or Mission, you can select by fate. mission type is predetermined RECONNAISSANCE it. This a fixed enemy target without engaging Your mission is to reconnoiter play. often precede an attack mission in Career type of mission will SCOUT territory. and skirmish with forces in enemy You are ordered to locate PATROL and engage any enemy units You and your squad will patrol friendly territory you encounter. RAID and your squad attempt to steal This is a guerrilla-style mission where you the enemy. resources, supplies, or technology from SCRAMBLE You must get to your HERC and Your base is being attacked by Cybrid forces. destroyed. stop them before the base is overrun and SEARCH & RESCUE in an attempt to bring them, and You and your squad search for friendlies yourself, back to safety. STRIKE with the objective of locating and You lead your squad into enemy territory then destroying a Cybrid base. ESCORT new HERC, or reinforcements is en A convoy bringing new technology, a reach your base intact. route. You and your squad must help them These are the mission types you will encounter in you will encounter the mission types These are If you survive, your CO will evaluate your performance, offering criticism and, criticism offering your performance, evaluate CO will survive, your If you to the 26), you may return screen (page From the Debriefing perhaps, praise. Mission. to select another Single or select MISSION Main Menu METALTECH 18 OPTIONS PARAMETERS MISSION separate SpeechPack[DOSver- For Speechoptions,youneedthe SPEECH levelsforthegame.(Note: the graphicDETAILandoptional SOUND onoroff,aswellsetting Allows youtoswitchMUSICand PREFERENCES you choose. options, theyapplytoanymission other functions.Onceyouselect controls, andpreferences,among range of“global”gameoptions, Main Menu,andletsyousetawide This screenisavailablefromthe instead. return totheSingleMissionscreen.Towithnochanges,clickCANCEL or NIGHT.Whenyouarehappywiththecurrentsettings,clickACCEPTto Use thisbuttontochoosethetimeofdayyourmissionoccurs:DAY,DUSK, TIME OFDAY This settingdeterminesyourvisibilityduringthemission:LOWorNORMAL. VISIBILITY CHALLENGING, orBRUTAL. Click thisbuttontosetthedifficultyofyourmissionatTRAINING,NOSWEAT, DIFFICULTY VULNERABLE orINVULNERABLE. This settingletsyouspecifyifyourHERCcanbedamagedornot—select DAMAGE your HERCcarriesaLIMITEDorUNLIMITEDsupplyofshellsmissiles. For projectileandmissileweaponsystems,thissettingletsyouselectwhether AMMO parameters arepredetermined.) Action andCareermissions,these fore goingintoaction.(InInstant following missionparametersbe- On SingleMissions,youcansetthe EARTHSIEGE 19 . MetalTech: EarthSiege . campaign scenarios EarthSiege EarthSiege as add-ons become available. VIEW INTRO Clicking on this button will re-run the introduction shown at the be- ginning of RETURN TO MAIN Returns you to the Main Menu. CREDITS Lists the production credits for sion] or the CD version.) If the game seems to run slowly on your machine, on your run slowly seems to If the game version.) or the CD sion] these ONLY. Some of and the Speech to TEXT the Detail to LOW, try setting or by pressing [Alt]+[P] within the mission are also available from functions complete details). page 46, for “Simulation Preferences,” [F12]. See CONTROLS your lets you determine This panel may select HERC controls. You to use, if which peripheral devices your HERC’s any, for controlling and directional MOVEMENT and reverse THROTTLE (forward (elevation acceleration), or TURRET and rotation). Calibration your control devices in this panel. You may also CALIBRATE in optimally for and makes sure they are dialed configures your controller(s) the next mission. When you are finished, select DONE. LOAD BATTLESET This option will allow you to load other METALTECH 20 CAREER the MainMenu. settings astheOPTIONSbuttonon This letsyouadjustthesamegame OPTIONS SAVE/RESTORE button. ups sub-menu,openedwiththe also seeStatsfromtheCareerBack- return totheCareermenu.Youcan and performance.ClickDONEto you canreviewthepilot’smissions Displays currentcareerstatisticsso STATS Deletes theselectedpilotfromactivedutyroster. DELETE screen. of yourposition.Afterthebriefing,youwillbetransferredtoServiceBay ing withGeneralGierling,whoexplainsyourfirstpostingandtheseriousness will goimmediatelytoavideobrief- After acceptinganewcareer,you proceed. name iscorrect,clickACCEPTto (use [Backspace]toedit).Whenthe pilot. Enteryournewpilot’sname Click thisbuttontoregisteranew NEW career ofthepilotdisplayedonMainMenubyclickingRESUME. select thepilotonlistandthenclickPROCEED.Youcanalsocontinuea To createanewpilot,clickNEW.continuethecareerofanexisting review crewassignments,andbeginmissionsfromtheServiceBayscreen. you createorselectacareer,willarm,repair,andbuildyourHERCs, action willbelistedas“K.I.A.”Once played ontheleft.Pilotskilledin pilots savedonactivedutyisdis- list ofcareerpilots.The create, select,andmanageyour the ServiceBayscreen,letsyou reer buttonontheMainMenuor This screen,openedwiththeCa- EARTHSIEGE 21 SERVICE BAY saves per campaign. If you saves per three This is your primary operations screen within your base for Career missions. This is your primary operations screen within man responsible for keeping you and Here you’ll find Gary “Gut” Gorman, the he has to say, follow his advice, your squad up and running. Listen to what offer about your piloting. and endure whatever comments he might Next to Gut, you’ll see your current HERC with its current armament. MAIN MENU Returns you to the Main Menu. ARMING Brings up the Armaments panel (page 22). CREW Opens the Crew Assignment screen (page 24). BRIEFING Moves you to the Briefing room and Tactical Mission Map (page 25). BEGIN MISSION This option becomes active only after you have been through your Briefing. Clicking this button advances you and your squad to the drop zone in the field. die during a mission, your character will be listed here as KIA, and you will be as KIA, and you will be listed here a mission, your character die during playing that back-up copy if you wish to continue forced to restore a previous of the first you must start anew at the beginning character. Otherwise, campaign. MAIN MENU Menu. Returns you to the Main PROCEED of the currently Service Bay, continuing the career Moves you into the selected pilot. SAVE/RESTORE view may SAVE, RESTORE, menu, where you to the Career Backups Brings you The game automatically thus far, or CANCEL. of your pilot’s career the STATS you immediately resume you play, which lets progress every time saves your you create an additional By saving a career, returning to the game. play upon are allowed of the career. You back-up copy METALTECH 22 ARMAMENT highlight itsname(clickonit)inthescrollbox. To selectandmountanotherweapononthecurrenthard point,simply attached tootherHERCs. number available.Ifthisiszero,allweaponsofthat typearealready selected (seebelow).Totheleftofeachlistedweapon,in brackets,isthe on whatHERCisbeingoutfitted,andwhichparticularhardpoint iscurrently inventory thatcanbemountedonhardpoint.Thislistvaries depending its rangeandpower,providesascrollinglistoftheother weaponsin The windowunderneathshowstheweaponunderconsideration, describes ARMING appearsintheTacticalMissionMapscreenafterbriefing. appears intheServiceBayscreen;SingleorInstantActionmissions, ECM podstomountonyourHERC.InCareerplay,theARMINGbutton This screen,openedwiththeARMINGbutton,letsyouselectweaponsand squad (page30). Allows youtobeginconstructiononanewHERCforandtherestofyour BUILD Brings uptheREPAIRinstructionsmenu(page27). REPAIR ARMING andCREW. When youreturntotheServiceBayafteramission,followingoptionsreplace ure theHERCsofyourentiresquad. you. InCareerplay,youcanconfig- Missions, theonlypilotis“Player”— armed. InSingleorInstantAction the pilotforcurrentHERCbeing This windowshowsthenameof PILOT in theservicebay. the HERCmodelcurrentlydisplayed This windowshowsthenameof HERC described onthepanel. its weaponstoseetheselecteditem in theServiceBay.Youcanclickon played behindtheArmamentpanel, The currentlyselectedHERCisdis- EARTHSIEGE 23 POINTS the hard points—the or forth through lets you cycle back This button the (You can also select the current HERC. points—on weapons-mounting any select the hard point, on the HERC.) As you directly by clicking hard point Each inspect or change. displayed for you to weapon is currently mounted to that can be affixed limit: only the weapons has a specific load hard point you For example, in the Armament window. point will be shown that hard load them onto inventory, but will not get the option to may have 2 EMPs in EMPs. that HERC isn’t big enough to carry a Roadrunner because click on the select the appropriate hard point and then To place a weapon, already on that scroll box. If a different weapon was desired weapon in the To leave be removed and returned to inventory. point, it will automatically menu, and the select NONE in the scrolling list on the a hard point empty, will be stripped. hard point you’ve chosen until the HERC is armed to your satisfaction. Continue this process HERCS all of the available HERCs and This button lets you cycle back or forth through inspect and arm. (In Career mode, displays them in the Service Bay for you to squad; in Single or Instant Action, you can arm the HERCs of everyone in your own and arm it.) Each time you you can select any available HERC as your The information in the Armament select a HERC, it is shown in the Service Bay. HERCs in your squad. panel changes as you cycle through the allocate the available weapons In Career mode, you will need to carefully under-armed, or armed inappropri- amongst your squad so that no one is choose to distribute all weapons ately, for the upcoming mission. You may specialized roles in coordinated evenly, or configure different HERCs for attacks. MISSILE TYPE array has been mounted to a This button is dimmed until a missile launcher may have several missile types hard point, or otherwise selected. You must be of the same type. available, but all the missiles in each array WEAPON TYPE when the Missile menu is open. This button replaces the MISSILE TYPE button panel when you have selected a Click it to return to the main Armaments missile type. DONE When your HERC is armed the way you want it (or all squad HERCs, in Career play), click DONE to save your configuration changes and return to the Tactical Mission Map (Instant Action/Single Mission) or Service Bay (Career). METALTECH 24 CREW ASSIGNMENT HERC youwishtochange,proceedREASSIGN. Selecting apilot’sHERChighlightsitinyellow.Onceyouhave selectedthe distinguish betweenseveralHERCsofthesamemodel. tells youwhichServiceBaytheviewedHERCisberthed in.Thishelps button. Note:Thenumberdisplayedattheupperleftofeach availableHERC pilot’s currentHERCbyclickingonitwiththemouse,or theHERC it toaninexperiencedRookie.TochangeHERCassignments, firstselecta probably wantanElitepilotinyoursquad’snewRaptorrather thanentrusting You maywishtoassignaspecificpilotHERC—for example,you’ll HERCS screen.) without weapons.(WeaponsassignmentsaremadeintheArmaments Beneath eachpilot’sstatusboxisaschematicoftheirassignedHERC,shown mission aredimmed. If youopenthisscreenaftertheBriefing,anypilotsnotgoingonnext is rankedfrom“Rookie”asthelowestdesignation,to“Elite”highest. they arecurrentlyassignedto,andthatHERC’soperatingstatus.Apilot’sskill Each columnliststhepilot’slastname,theirskillranking,modelHERC insignia. photo ofeachyourpilots.Inownslot,youwillseethesquadron profiles oneachpilotinyoursquadandreassignHERCs.Youwillseeadossier This screen,accessedfromtheServiceBayinCareermissions,letsyousee EARTHSIEGE 25 BRIEFING You will be sent to a Briefing before every mission. Here, your CO gives you You will be sent to a Briefing before every you have drawn. After you hear a quick overview of the mission assignment Map (TMM) display the terrain from your CO, you will see the Tactical Mission and the location of your known of your mission, your initial squad drop point, REASSIGN click the REASSIGN you wish to change, have selected the HERC Once you (The all available HERCs. to cycle through press your arrow keys Button or the left arrow counts the Service Bay numbers, counts up through right arrow HERC HERC. If you select a same numbered two pilots can use the down.) No gets pilot immediately assigned to, the other squad member is that another HERC. your last available ACCEPT this button all alterations to your satisfaction, clicking Once you have made and returns you to the Service Bay. saves your reassignments CANCEL and returns you to the Service Bay. Cancels all alterations four currently build more than four HERCs, only those Although you may have built are pilots are shown. Other HERCs you may assigned to your four button to respective Service Bays—use the REASSIGN still available in their cycle through them. METALTECH 26 DEBRIEFING number ofweaponsandnewtechnologyyourecovered. fulfilled yourmissionparameters,listsallsalvageobtained, anddetailsthe the accomplishmentsofyouandyoursquad.Itstateswhether ornotyou After youhearyourCO’scomments,theDebriefingpanelwill open,detailing your performance,anddetermineifthemissionwasasuccess orafailure. proceed totheDebriefingscreen,whereyourmissionCOwill commenton let youknow.Gut Service Bay,andifhedoesn’tlikethewayyouhandledyourlast mission,he’ll When youreturn(alive)fromamission,willfirstbegreeted byGutinthe BEGIN MISSIONstartsthemission. mission objectivesfromthecockpitbypressing[F11]. ment screenbeforecontinuingthemission.Note:Youmayredisplayyour allowing youtoreturntheBayandaccessArmingCrewAssign- select andequipyourHERC.TheSERVICEBAYbuttonappearsinCareerplay, straight totheArmamentpanelinServiceBayscreenwhereyoumay The ARMINGbuttonappearsinInstantActionandSingleMissions,takingyou circles. Obstaclesandterrainaredisplayedingreen. Waypoints areindicatedonthemapassmallnumberssurroundedbyyellow objectives onthemap.Toselectmapitems,use[,<]and[.>]keys. points bereachedandsecured,alinewilldrawnlinkingyoutoyour squad areshowninothercolors.Ifyourmissionrequiresthatcertainway- objectives. Cybridinstallationsandunitsareshowninred,whileyouyour always hasanopinionaboutyourHERC.Youwillthen Instant ActionorCareermodes. mode, ortotheMainMenuin Mission menuinSingle This willreturnyoutotheSingle To exitthemission,pressCANCEL. bar or[PgUp]and[PgDn]. scrolled throughusingthescroll mat belowthemap,andmaybe formation ispresentedintextfor- and [-]keys.Additionalmissionin- buttons onthescreen,oryour[+] or out,usetheMagnifyingGlass arrows onthescreen.Tozoomin board, orclickthefourdirectional press thearrowkeysonyourkey- To scrollthemap,youmayeither EARTHSIEGE 27 REPAIR After you return from a Career mission debriefing, the Repair screen, accessed After you return from a Career mission debriefing, Gut exactly what to repair on your from the Service Bay, allows you to tell To repair or build HERCs, you use HERC and the other HERCs in your squad. Without a steady supply of salvage, salvage recovered from previous missions. will soon deteriorate below effective the operational condition of your HERCs levels. You get salvage by destroying en- by destroying salvage You get ma- of it as raw emy HERCs—think get weapons by taking terial. You its without destroying down a HERC ex- (with leg shots for weapons by blasting its weapons ample), or will some missions, you loose. On to cap- have specific opportunities ture Cybrid technology. a list of all This panel also displays alike. At kills, friendly and hostile have buttons the bottom, you will Menu. In a to exit to the Main button re- Career, the PROCEED Bay so you turns you to the Service or Instant Action for the next mission. In Single Mission can repair your HERCs to select a takes you to the Single Mission screen play, the MISSION button new mission. METALTECH 28 are repairedasmuchpossible. another damagedsystemandrepeattheprocessuntilallsystems ontheHERC displayed. Whenyouaresatisfiedwiththelevelofrepair, youmayselect less salvage,theeffectonsystem’sSTATUSandamount ALLOCATEDis salvage toitwiththe[+]and[-]buttons(orkeys).Asyou allocate moreor To repairthecurrentlyselectedsystem,allocateordeallocate youravailable + /- MEDIUM DAMAGE,forexample. repair thesystemcompletely,youmayitpartially,from DESTROYEDto completely repairtheselectedsystem.Ifyoudonothaveenoughsalvageto well asalistingofallyourAVAILABLEsalvageandtheREQUIREDto As youselecteachsystem,willseeitsSTATUSdisplayedonthemenu,as the availablesalvage. ALL. Ifnot,youwillhavetoselectthehighestprioritysystemsrepairwith you canquicklyrepairallofthedisplayedHERC’sdamagebyclickingREPAIR HERC, andadisplayoftotalSALVAGEAVAILABLE.Ifyouhaveenoughsalvage, Finally, youwillseetheSALVAGEREQUIREDtocompletelyrepairselected systems arealsogradedinthismanner. Damage, MediumHeavyandDestroyed.Individual HERC statusisidentifiedasoperatingatoneoffivelevels:Nominal,Light PILOT assignedtoit,andbelowthat,thecurrentCONDITIONofHERC. tells youwhatmodeliscurrentlybeingviewed.Belowthatthenameof The mainRepairpaneldisplaysinformationonthecurrentHERC.HERCTYPE click WPN. To listtheHERC’sweaponsystems, WPN click EXT. To listtheHERC’sexternalsystems, EXT click INT. To listtheHERC’sinternalsystems, INT the categoryyouhaveselected. the menulistseachHERCsystemin systems. Ascrollboxatthetopof HERC, clickREPAIRtorepairspecific to repairalldamageonthecurrent If youdonothavesufficientsalvage REPAIR EARTHSIEGE 29 Repair All all Allows you to control in the repairs to all HERCs squad, prioritizing repairs and allocating salvage as you see fit. Repair Mine for your HERC only. All This allows you to take full repair responsibility the squad members. salvage recovered is divided evenly amongst repairs to your HERC. The With your quarter share, you may make HERCs automatically. other pilots in your squad will repair their Auto Repair each HERC in the This lets Gut make all repair decisions regarding to the best of his ability and squad. Gut will always repair all vehicles or level. make all decisions regarding repair priority CANCEL Repair return to the main on this HERC and current allocation To reject all repairs, click CANCEL. completing any menu without PROCEED main and return to the current allocations all repairs with the To complete on to the next damaged You may then move click PROCEED. Repair menu, make more repairs on this one. HERC, or return and PREFS you to set de- This button allows After choos- fault repair preferences. you will be ing one of these options, menu. returned to the Repair • • • REPAIR ALL all damaged systems on the current Pressing this button automatically repairs HERC. HERCS in your squad and select one for Allows you to cycle through all of the HERCs depending on the current HERC. repairs. Information in the menu changes METALTECH 30 BUILD allocated toitsconstruction. will notbecompleteduntilallrequiredsalvagehasbeen gatheredand You maybeginconstructionwithoutallthesalvageyouneed, buttheHERC the SalvageRequiredtoconstructHERC,andtotal Available. Mass, topSpeed,andweaponCapacity.Listedbelowtheschematic willbe HERC designavailabletoyou.Nexttheschematicislisted HERC’sType, panel willopen,displayingablueprintschematicofthefirst (andsimplest) To buildanewHERC,firstclicktheBUILDbuttoninService Bay.TheBuild your battles. to buildthemfromscratchusingthesurplussalvageyou’vecollected survive, you’llneedbigger,baddermodels,andtheonlywaytogetthemis new HERCforyoursquad.NooneisgoingtohandyouaHERC.To from theServiceBay,letsyouallocateavailablesalvagetowardsbuildinga After youreturnfromaCareermissiondebriefing,theBuildscreen,accessed or maynotbeoperationalatall. of Gut’sability,butnon-essentialsystemswilloperateatreducedefficiency, salvage tocompletelyrepairaHERC,thatHERCwillstillberepairedthebest Repairs canonlybemadewithavailablesalvage.Ifthereisnotenough Confirms allchoicesandreturnsyoutotheServiceBay. PROCEED EARTHSIEGE 31 Construction will proceed over the course of several missions. Salvage you Salvage several missions. course of over the proceed will Construction and current HERC repairs allocated between meantime will be gather in the you for ongoing repairs, enough salvage If you do not gather construction. keep reclaim salvage to the construction and to delay or even scrap may need HERCs fighting. your current HERCS build with your through all of the HERC types you can Click this button to cycle current technology. BUILD construc- Click this button to begin type currently tion on the HERC panel. Due to displayed in the Build at your dis- the limited resources can be in posal, only one HERC time. construction at any SCRAP This button appears only after con- struction begins, allowing you to scrap the construction in progress and reclaim some of the salvage used so far. If you use all available salvage on repairs, construction sim- ply halts until more salvage is avail- able. However, if you run out of salvage before completing vital re- pairs on your current HERCs, scrap- ping the new HERC may provide enough salvage to keep you fight- ing for another mission. DONE Returns you to the Service Bay. METALTECH 32 CONTROLS COCKPIT DESIGN HERC them withthemouse,moveyourmousecursorindirection oftheview dow), LeftWindow,RightandHeadsDown.To switch between Cockpit Displays. described onthefollowingpages. all. Youmayoperateallcontrolswithkeyboardcommands or themouse,as number ofweaponstheycarry,buttheviewsandcomponents aresimilarfor Different HERCshavedifferentcockpitandconsolelayouts,depending onthe OVERVIEW ancestry andparalleldevelopment. adaptable forrepairingandbuildingHumandesignsduetotheircommon Nevertheless, thewreckageofCybridunitsprovidesvaluablesalvage,readily Cybrid unitsneedonlyprotectvitalsystemslikethereactororweapons. devote shielding,armor,andlifesupportsystemstosustainingthepilot,while main drawbackisitsrelativevulnerability—HumanHERCdesignsmust right orleftinforwardreverse,andpivotplacelikeatrackedvehicle.Its The bipedaldrivesystemallowstheHERCtomanagevaryingterrains,turn from bases. airborne carriersandpickedupafterwards,althoughsomemissionsoriginate a fixedbodydesign.HERCsarenormallydroppednearmissionobjectivesby This allowsfastertargetacquisitionandafinerdegreeofaimingcontrolthan aim andfirethemthroughturretcontrolwithoutchangingvehiclecourse. separately. Weaponsaremodular,mountedonhardpointssothepilotcan the pilotcompartment,aheavilyarmoredturretwhichcanrotateandelevate the drivemotors,weaponsystems,shields,andinstrumentation.Ontoprests Energy Pool—essentiallyanadvancedcapacitor—andallocatedasneededto is providedbyafusionreactor,theoutputofwhichcollectedinMaster main bodycontainsthepowersource,fuel,andsupportelectronics.Power fighting vehiclesknownas“tanks”developedduringthe20thcentury.The Disregarding thebipedallocomotion,HERCissimilartoarmored from there,spurredbytheoccasionalcaptureofnewCybridtechnology. the ResistanceafterCybridOverthrow.Humandesignshaveadvanced originally pilotedbyCybridAI,somepre-CybridHERCswerediscovered adapted forall-environmentuse.Whilemostoperationalmodelswere The HERC(shortforHERCULAN)isabipedalarmoredfightingvehicle PILOTING YOURHERC Yourcockpitprovidesfourviews:HeadsUp(frontwin- EARTHSIEGE 33 Heads Up Heads Down MFD Directly under the cockpit window is the Directly under the cockpit window is In the Heads-Down view is the Heads-Down . Pause the mission at any time by pressing [P]. These indicators are projected onto your front These indicators are projected onto your Left Window Right Window windows, allowing you to navigate, acquire targets, and control your turret windows, allowing you to navigate, acquire the HUD, you can go to the Left while keeping your eyes on the battle. From or Right window views. Multi-Function Display (MFD). and controls it displays Multi-Function Display screen. The information includes HERC Status, FlashComm depends on the mode you set for it, and Status, and Missile View for guiding (radio) Navigation Map, Radar, Target electro-optical Missiles. Heads-Down Display (HDD). on-board Tactical Mission Map, Display, providing squad member status, and detailed damage report screens. Pausing/Ending the Mission To quit and return to the menu screens, press [Q]. Doing so before your mission is completed, however, will have the most severe consequences. Heads-Up Display (HUD). you want. At the screen edge, when the cursor changes to an arrow, click to to an arrow, changes the cursor when screen edge, At the you want. look look left, and [F10] to press [F9] to view. With the keyboard, change the press [F8] for Heads Down; press [Esc], [F7], or the Heads Up view, right. From “hat” can also use the all other views. You to Heads Up from [Esc] to return views. some joysticks to change button on METALTECH Auto-Tracking On 34 Aiming Reticle DISPLAY (HUD) Target Box Waypoint THE HEADS-UP Elevation Rotation Heading slower, andrequiregreaterdeflectiontofireaccurately. to hittheirtarget.ATCrounds,EMPpulses,andunguidedmissiles aremuch shooting.” Lasersareveryquick,andrequirelittledeflection, or“lead,” how faraheadofthetargetyoushouldaim.Thisisknown as“deflection target’s relativeangleandspeed,theweaponyouareusing todetermine and blast.Formovingtargets,youmustaccountforyour movement,the the turret,orboth.Forstationarytargets,justputreticle onthetarget aim yourweapons.YoumayturntheentireHERCtolineup ashot,aimonly The AimingReticle(crosshairs)inthemiddleoffrontwindow helpsyou AIMING RETICLE waypoint isshowndirectlybelow. direction ofthearrowwilleventuallyputyoubackontrack.Rangeto tor movestotherightorleftendofHeadingIndicator—turningin you arenotcurrentlyfacingtowardsthewaypoint,waypointindica- the HeadingIndicatorandwalkforwardtoreachnextwaypoint.If your nexttargeteddestinationorwaypoint.Simplycenterthepointeron This isthegreentriangleonHeadingIndicatorthatpointstoward WAYPOINT INDICATOR main HERCbody.(Turretheadingcanbedifferent.) This scrollingbardisplaysthecurrentcompassheading(indegrees)of HEADING INDICATOR and instrumentsprojectedontoyourfrontwindow. The Heads-UpDisplay(HUD)isthecollectivenamegiventoindicators EARTHSIEGE 35 ROTATION INDICATOR ROTATION the Heading Indicator, on a gray slide within a sliding yellow bar Shown as bar is track. When the on a horizontal your turret’s orientation this displays on facing directly forward HERC’s turret is in the slide, your centered exactly the or right of center with 45 degrees left can rotate your turret its base. You front, re-align your turret (in turret mode). To keys or the joystick [J] and [K] level, press [Backspace]. center, and ELEVATION INDICATOR HERC’s turret of your HUD, this bar display shows your Shown on the left side in the slide, plane. When the yellow bar is centered orientation on a vertical turret elevation is parallel to the ground. You can change your HERC’s cockpit mode). [I] and [M] keys or the joystick (in turret up or down with the TARGET BOX it. You can that surrounds a target when you select This is a red “bracket” you want is in view and in range. Once the target select any opponent [F5] Target its type and current status in the MFD’s selected, you can view [R] to acquire a missile lock. The Status screen or engage Radar Active mode yellow box in the [F4] Radar screen. selected target is also surrounded by a another target. The target remains selected until you select window with the mouse, press To select a target, click on it in your cockpit in the MFD’s [F5] Target Status [T] or the [Tab] key, or click the TARGET button targets in view—keep pressing until screen. [T] and TARGET cycle through all [Alt]+[Tab] to cycle backwards.) the target you want is bracketed. (Press while keeping the target selected To acquire missile lock, go to Active Radar red corners. At that point, you are until the target bracket acquires thick you fire will home in on the target. locked on, and any radar-guided missiles missile lock—they are guided Note: Electro-optical missiles do not require visually in the MFD’s [F6] Missile View screen. MODE AUTOMATIC TARGET TRACKING (ATT) to keep your weapons aimed This function moves your turret automatically target until the target is destroyed at any target you select. It tracks the current another target, take manual control or moves out of view, or until you select mode on or off, click the Track of the turret, or turn it off. To turn tracking You will see “ATT” displayed on button on the console or press [Alt]+[T]. is on. When you turn ATT off or lose upper left of the HUD when auto-tracking ATT aims at the target’s center—aim tracking, the turret will re-center. Note: manually for precise fire control. METALTECH 36 THE CONSOLE the joysticktriggeror[Space]. or [Alt]+[W]toselectthenextpreviousweaponformanual firing.Firewith individual orlinkedweaponregardlessofthechain(s)itbelongs to.Press[W] range orbyothercriteria.Youmayalsomanuallyactivateand single-fireany range. Youcangroupandsequenceweaponsinfiringchains byoptimal shots. Weaponsinfiring-chainmodefireonlywhentheselected targetisin buttons incombat,andallowsenergyweaponstorecharge abitbetween weapons andoptimizeyourfirepowerwithouthavingtohunt forindividual cycles througheachreadyweaponinthechain.Thishelps youswitch A firingchainestablishesafixedweapons-firingsequence—asyoufire,it FIRING CHAINS perfect weaponsforanyoccasion. weapons, orplaceweaponsinuptothreeFiringChainsquicklyactivatethe You mayactivateandfireallweaponsindividually.alsoLinkmatched activate theweapon.Theweaponstaysactivateduntilyouanother. button orpressthecorrespondingnumberkey—[1],[2],etc.—tomanually These numberedbuttonsactivateyourweaponsandECMpod—clickonthe WEAPONS SELECTORBUTTONS Guard yourweakersidecarefullyifyouchangetheshield’spowerbalance. forward shields,youdecreasethepowertoyourrearandviceversa. Note: Theshieldsareaclosedsystem—ifyouincreasethepowerofyour arrow buttonsontheShielddisplay,orpress[](forrear)forward). this balancemanuallyifneeded.Toredistributeshieldpower,clickthetwo Initially, shieldpowerisevenlydistributedfrontandback,butyoucanchange by enemyfire,andreplenishesatasteadyratefromtheMasterEnergyPool. the color,strongershieldingforthatarea.Shieldpowerisdepleted relative frontandrearshieldstrengthbypercentagecolor:thebrighter HERC shieldsaredividedintoforwardandrearsets.Thisdisplayshowsthe SHIELD DISPLAY have thesamefeatures. Different modelHERCshavedifferentconsoleconfigurations,butallconsoles waypoints, systemfailurewarnings,andsoforth. alerts duringthemissiontoconfirmarrivalat This textboxdisplaysvariousstatusupdatesand EVENT DISPLAY EARTHSIEGE 37 is ready to fire. The light is ready to fire. The and To program a firing chain, first select the chain ( I, II, or III) by clicking on its III) by clicking ( I, II, or the chain first select chain, a firing To program keyboard. (Depending or [Alt] + [~] on your by pressing the [~] key button or firing or more default may also have one and mission, you on your HERC chain, into a firing To place a weapon of which you can modify.) chains, any add a [Alt]+[1]). As you (for example, and the weapon’s number press [Alt] on. To remove a weapon ready light will go the chain, its green weapon to Note: number again. [Alt] and the weapon’s chain, simply press from a firing them for include missiles in firing chains, conserving Most pilots do not targets. specific unshielded may program up, click the button or press [~] again. You When the chain is set chain, simply fashion. To activate an existing firing all three chains in this chain and blast away. switch to the appropriate READY LIGHT has been selector button turns green when the weapon This light next to the or as part of a link or chain) selected (manually, to fire (target is not locked or in turns red if the selected weapon is not ready A firing chain will skip an range, weapon is out of charge or ammunition). unready weapon. CURRENT WEAPON HIGHLIGHT when the weapon is selected to fire This bar names the weapon and turns red To fire, the weapon must also next (manually, or as part of a link or chain). be ready. WEAPON STATUS INDICATOR Cannons, Missiles), this bar For weapons requiring ammunition (Automatic many rounds remain. When the to the right of the weapon name shows how counter hits zero, you’re out. EMPs), this bar shows the current For energy weapons (Lasers, PBWs, ELFs, can recharge indefinitely from level of charge as a bar graph. Energy weapons charge to fire. the Master Energy Pool, but need a minimum METALTECH 38 your headingtotheleft. change yourheadingtotheright—wheninreverse,steer right tochange on yourcurrentmovement.Whenstoppedormovingforward, steerrightto or pressButton3onsomejoysticks.Keepinmindthatturn control depends stick forwardorback.)Forfullstop,pressthecenternumeric keypadkey[5] for reversethrottle,press[2].(WithajoystickinMovement mode,pushthe To setforwardthrottlewiththekeyboard,press[8]onnumeric keypad; set, itstayssetinthatdirectionandatrateuntilchanged. are movingforwardorinreverse.(Centeredisstopped.)Oncethethrottle This slideindicatorshowshowmuchthrottleyouareusing,andwhether THROTTLE is renderedinoperative,thestatusindicatorwilldisplay“OFFLINE.” Note: Damagedweaponswillrechargemoreslowly,ifatall.Iftheweapon increases thepowerofpulse. completely rechargetofireagain.Increasingthesetpointonpulseweapons “pulse” weaponsthatdepletetheirentirechargewithasingleburst,andmust duration oftheELFstream.Conversely,ParticleBeamsandEMPcannonsare reserves—increasing theirsetpointsincreasesthenumberoflasershotsor Lasers andELFweaponsconsumechargeatafixedrateuntildepletingtheir weapon anddragthesetpointwithmouse,oruse[+][-]keys. available totheothers,andviceversa.Tochangesetpoint,activate increasing thepriorityatwhichoneweaponchargesdecreasespower Increasing theweapon’ssetpointincreasesitsshareofenergypool.But setpoint, thethinredlineatrightofstatusindicator’schargegraph. An energyweapon’srechargelevelandpriorityaredeterminedbyits SETPOINT both willfire. linked weaponisincludedinanactivefiringchain, can depleteyourammunitionquickly.Note:Ifeither simultaneously. Thisincreasestheeffectofahit,but when eitherweaponisactivatedandfired,bothfire weapons, andclicktheLINKbuttonorpress[L].Now HERC (onoppositehardpoints).Activateoneofthe identical weaponsmountedsymmetricallyonthe To concentrateyourfire,youmayLinkanytwo LINK EARTHSIEGE 39 S MFD (MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAYS) Display Name Selector Buttons This screen, directly below the front window on all HERCs, provides several below the front window on all HERCs, This screen, directly is your HERC’s described below. The default display vital function displays, through all the on the red display name to cycle STATUS. You can click console’s F1-F6 to a specific display by clicking on the displays, or go directly [F2]— your [F1]-[F6] keys, as follows: [F1]—STATUS, buttons or pressing STATUS, and MAP, [F4]—RADAR, [F5]—TARGET FLASHCOMM, [F3]—NAV [F6]—MISSILE VIEW. STATUS [F1] This displays the current operational status of your HERC’s main compo- nents. Green indicates that the com- ponent is fully operational; Yellow indicates moderate damage; Or- ange indicates serious damage; Red indicates imminent failure; and Gray indicates a failed or destroyed sys- tem. For detailed damage reports on the structural, internal, or weap- ons subsystems of your HERC or [F8] display. those of your squad members, see the HDD FLASHCOMM [F2] This is your panel for communicat- ing with all other pilots in your squad. FlashComm broadcasts to all squad members simultaneously on a tight-beam scrambled fre- quency. The closest squad member who can fulfill your order will then do so, sending an acknowledgment beforehand. If no one in your squad MASTER ENERGY POOL ENERGY MASTER total amount of energy display shows you the “gas gauge.” This Your HERC’s at shields, and weapons Pool for movement, the Master Energy available in will the energy pool, you many demands on time. If you make too any given run or more may your energy weapons—one recharge rate of decrease the dry. METALTECH 40 • • • • • • FLASHCOMM COMMANDS: messages withoutgoingtotheFlashCommscreen. want tosend:[Alt]+[A]forAttackMyTarget,example.Thisletsyousend The othermethodistosimplypress[Alt]plusthehotkeyformessageyou button orpressingthe[X]key. and [.>]keys.)Oncethemessageisselected,transmitbyclickingXMIT highlighted. (YoucanalsocycleUp/Downthroughmessageswiththe[,<] Down arrowbuttonsnexttothemessagelistuntiloneyouwantis on it,bypressingitshotkey(red-highlightedletter),orclickingtheUp/ FlashComm display.Youcanselectthemessagesyouwanttosendbyclicking You havetwowaystosendFlashCommmessages.Thefirstisgothe[F2] [F7]” onpage43.) each pilot.(Tosendamessagetospecificpilot,see“CommandDisplay teammate. Otherwise,youwillreceiveaffirmativeornegativeresponsesfrom can carryoutyourorder,youwillgeta“negative”responsefromtheclosest this messagechangestoHoldYourFire,andviceversa. take outanythingnotonyourside.OnceyoutransmitFire AtWill, Fire AtWill[F]/HoldYour picked upononeHERC’sradarisvisibleallscannersinyoursquad. to turnActiveradaroff.Note:AllHERCsaredatalinked,sotargets Emcon tellsallpilotstoobserve“emissioncontrols”—inotherwords, Hostiles, thismessagechangestoEmcon,andviceversa. to switchtheirRadarsActivemode.OnceyoutransmitScanfor Scan ForHostiles[C]/EMCON[E] nications rangeandthenfollowyourmaneuvers. Join OnMe[O] Help MeOut![H] selected targetalone. Ignore MyTarget[G] selected target. Attack MyTarget[A] . Ordersallsquadpilotstomovewithinsafecommu- . You’reinitdeep—hopetheygettoyoutime. . Ordersotherpilotstoleaveyourcurrently . Ordersotherpilotstoattackyourcurrently . ScanforHostilestellsallpilots . FireAtWilltellsyoursquadto EARTHSIEGE 41 NAVIGATION MAP [F3] NAVIGATION the bird’s eye view of Presents a are traveling through, terrain you displayed as a white with your HERC you, map moves with cross. This your oriented towards and is always navi- helping you current heading, gate obstacles. RADAR [F4] indicates The Radar display screen of friendly the relative position (in blue), HERCs and installations (in red), air- hostile ground units and en- borne hostiles (in yellow), green). The emy installations (in if any, is currently selected target, shown surrounded in a yellow box. The lighter wedge on top on the display represents your “target cone.” This is the area currently can select and lock on targets. This visible through your window in which you sweeping in active (ACT) or passive display also shows whether the Radar is (PAS) mode. to increase or decrease the range Click on the RANGE button or press [Alt]+[R] well beyond visible range. However, of your Radar. Long range scans can go mode, the easier it is for distant the greater your scanning range in Active enemy units to detect your emissions. the TARGET button. Like pressing To select a target in the target cone, click visible target, bracketing it in a the [Tab] or [T] key, this selects the nearest red box on your HUD. (You can also yellow box on the Radar screen and in a them in the window.) Repeatedly select targets directly by clicking on all available targets. To cycle in pressing the TARGET button cycles through keyboard. reverse order, press [Alt]+[Tab] on your and Passive (PAS) modes, click the To switch the Radar between Active (ACT) “listens” for enemy Radar scans MODE button or press [R]. Passive mode is required for silent running and without making any noise itself, and is also equipped with an ECM avoiding homing missiles (unless the HERC pod). However, passive mode will not detect enemy units that are not actively scanning. METALTECH 42 details onaimingEOmissiles,see“MissileViewScreen”[F6]. missile hits,clickMODEagaintoswitchbackpassivemode(PAS).For target, evenifitmoves(subjecttoenemycountermeasures).Assoonasthe have missilelock.Anyradar-guidedmissilesyoufirewillnowhomeonthat moments, theredtargetboxacquiresthickcorners,indicatingthatyou the RadartoActive(ACT).Onceinmode,selectatarget—afterfew To fireradar-guidedmissilesusingmissilelock,clicktheMODEbuttontoturn cally onRadaremissions. for ambushandairattack.Anti-RadarHomingMissileswillhomeinspecifi- scanning broadcaststheHERC’spositionandsetsitupasatarget enemy unitdetectedbyonepilottobeseenall.However,activeRadar units, whethertheyareemittingornot.AllHERCsdatalinked,allowingan Active modesendsoutintenseradioemissionsthat“illuminate”allnearby eye viewtoguidethemissilemanu- Missiles, youwillusethismissile- When youfireEO(Electro-Optical) highlighted inred. lock onatarget,youwillseeLOCK siles. Ifyouhaveacurrentradar lets youaimopticallyguidedmis- view” foranymissileyoufire.Italso status, andshowsa“missile-eye- This displayscurrentmissilelock MISSILE VIEW[F6] GET: UNKNOWN. target before,itwilldisplayTAR- has neverencounteredtheselected GET: NONE.IftheMFDcomputer selected, thescreenwillshowTAR- finish offanenemy.Ifnotargetis where toconcentrateyourfire This isveryhelpfulindetermining plays aroughdamageestimate. screen identifiesthetargetanddis- pressing theTARGETbutton),this on thetargetinwindow,or the [Tab]key,[T]clicking When atargetisselected(byusing TARGET INFORMATION[F5] EARTHSIEGE 43 S HDD (HEADS DOWN DISPLAYS) COMMAND DISPLAY [F7] of the Tactical Mission Map used This screen presents a scaled-down version lets you send specific commands to in the Briefing, updated in real time, and the mission zone. The squad individual pilots. The red border indicates on comm screens next to the members now with you in the field are shown in the same color that highlights map. Squad members are shown on the map their name on the comm screen. with individual squad From the Command Display, you communicate members (not the whole squad, as in FlashComm). When squad members are not broadcasting, their video box remains darkened, displaying only their name, their status, and their current orders. If a pilot’s communication or HERC is knocked out, the video box goes to static and you can send them no messages. To open the HDD, select one of its functions ([F7] Command Display or [F8] one of its functions ([F7] Command To open the HDD, select cockpit view. click the mouse at the bottom of the main Damage Detail), or of the screen, view, press [Esc], click the mouse at the top To return to cockpit ([F1]-[F6]). or select an MFD screen ally with the joystick or arrow keys. You must hold down the fire button or the fire hold down You must keys. or arrow the joystick ally with way the missile all the missile in flight. Steer retain control of the [Space] to return out of fuel, you will hits, crashes, or runs Once the missile to the target. to HERC control. METALTECH 44 • • • • • COMMANDS [X]; clickCANCELorpress[Backspace]tocancelit. press [Enter].Finally,tosendthemessage,clickonXMITbuttonor the mapusingarrowkeysuntilXcursorisincorrectlocation,and choices. Toselectagridpoint,clickonitwiththe“X”mousecursor,orscroll enemy orfriendlyunit,clickonitusethe[Tab]keytocyclethroughyour by clickingthemagnifyingglassbuttonsorpressing[+][-].Toselectan a destinationorwaypoint.Scrollthemapoutuntilyoucansee Certain messageswillrequirethatyoupickaunitorlocationonthemapas keys. message, orcyclingUp/Downthroughthemessageswith[,<]and[.>] appropriate messagebypressingthehotkey,clickingon cation range,thepilotwillrespond,saying,“Standingby.”Nowselect number (fromlefttoright:[1],[2],[3]).Iftheselectedpilotisincommuni- marker onthemap,clickhisorhercommscreen,presscorresponding To sendamessage,youmustfirstselectpilottoitto.Selectthepilot’s the designatedgridpoint. gridpoint, ifsoordered.Withoutfurtherorders,thepilotwill defend arrow keysand[Enter].Uponarrival,thepilotwillproceed tothenext tered enroute.SelectagridpointusingthemouseXcursor orthe chosen point(s)onthemissionmap,avoidinganytargetsencoun- Go toGridpoint[G pilot willdefendthepositionuntilreceivingfurtherorders. targets heorsheencountersalongtheway.Onceinposition, the X cursororthearrowkeysand[Enter].ThePilotwillattack any specified pointdesignatedbyyou.Selectagridpointusing themouse Patrol Gridpoint[T] will notpursuethemiftheyflee). position, thechosenHERCattacksanyenemyunitsthatgetclose(but will ignoreallenemyunitsitencountersalongtheway.Oncein mouse Xcursororthearrowkeysand[Enter].Theunitsoordered friendly unitwiththemouseor[Tab].Selectagridpointusing defend aspecificgridpointorfriendlyunitassignedbyyou.Select Defend Position[F colored linewillthenlinkthechosenpilottoyourselectedtarget. on themaptoattackbyclickingit,orusing[Tab]key.A of yourchoosing.Aftergivingthisorder,youmustselectthetarget A the enemy. Disengage [D] ttack theEnemy[A] . Ordersthedesignatedpilottobreakoffcontactwith ]. Ordersthedesignatedpilottotraveland ]. Ordersthedesignatedpilottoproceedyour . Ordersthedesignatedpilottoproceeda . Ordersthedesignatedpilottoattackatarget EARTHSIEGE 45 . Orders the designated pilot to switch their designated pilot . Orders the . Cancel message before transmission. . Cancel message before . Orders the designated pilot to join up with you. up with to join pilot the designated . Orders Orders the designated pilot to put emission controls into Orders the designated

. Send selected order to designated pilot. Send selected order

. Radar to Active mode and begin sweeping for enemy units. This sweeping for enemy mode and begin Radar to Active likelihood to see farther, but also increases the allows the chosen pilot allowing Note: All HERCs are datalinked, of air attacks and ambushes. by one pilot to be seen by all. an enemy unit detected EMCON [E] until Radar and maintaining radio silence effect, shutting off active Hostiles message. receiving a Scan for XMIT [X] Upon reaching safe communication distance, the chosen pilot will distance, the safe communication Upon reaching the leader” This works well for “follow your maneuvers. then follow or flank your opponent. to outmaneuver when attempting [C] Scan for Hostiles Join on Me [O] Join on Cancel [Backspace] • • • • DETAIL DAMAGE DISPLAY [F8] This display shows a comprehen- sive system/damage analysis of each HERC in your squad, as well your currently selected target, if any. To select another HERC to view, click on the Left/Right arrow buttons or press your Left/Right arrow keys. HERC status is divided into three divisions—structural, internal, and weaponry. To switch between these views, press [S], [I], or [W] on your keyboard, or click on the current display title indicator below the sche- matic (STRUCT DAMAGE, INTERN DAMAGE, WEAPON DAMAGE). General status of each component moderate damage; Orange, is shown as colors: Green, normal; Yellow, Gray, inoperative. Operating condi- serious damage; Red, imminent failure; tion is shown as a percentage. • METALTECH PREFERENCES 46 /CONTROLS SIMULATION PREFERENCES category, representedontheslidingscalenexttoeachbutton. Youmaywish Clicking thesebuttonschangesthegraphicdetaillevelfor therespective SKY, GROUND,andSHAPES slowly. Horizon offmayhelpgamespeedifyourcomputerruns Click thisbuttontoturnvisibleterrainonthehorizonONorOFF. Turningthe HORIZON version SpeechPack. or Voiceonly.Note:optionsrequiretheCDversion or optionalDOS Click thisbuttontoreceivemessagesasjuston-screenText,TextandVoice, SPEECH Click thisbuttontoswitchsoundeffectsinthesimulationONorOFF. SOUNDS Click thisbuttontoswitchmusicinthesimulationONorOFF. MUSIC see theeffectofyourgraphicdetailselectionsonscreenabove. you morecontroloveryourenvironment.Inaddition,canimmediately This menuissimilartothePreferencespanelinOptionsscreen,butallows finished makingyourselections. This opensthemissionpreferencespanelandpausesuntilyouare To changeyourgamepreferenceswhileonamission,press[Alt]+[P]or[F12]. EarthSiege animation EARTHSIEGE 47 Forward Turret Down Reverse Turret Up 1 Fire 1 Fire Movement 2 Mode Turret 2 Mode CONTROLS , TM slowly. The default slowly. The EarthSiege Mode Turret Mode Forward/Back: Forward/Reverse This screen, opened from System This screen, opened Preferences, lets you select and cali- brate any controllers you want to use in addition to the keyboard. JOYSTICK Use this setting to select a joystick to use in controlling your HERC. Flight Control System, FlightStick Standard ® . If you do not wish to use a joystick at all, select . If you do not wish to use a joystick at TM supports several joystick configurations: 1 standard joystick, 2 supports several joystick configurations: Movement Mode Button1 (Trigger): Fire Weapon Button1 (Trigger): Fire Weapon Left/Right: SteerButton 2: Switch to Turret Mode Button 2: Switch to Movement Left/Right: Turret Left/Right NONE—this selects the keyboard as the default controller. NONE—this selects the keyboard as the JOY1 CONTROL of the joystick: Movement or Turret Use this setting to select the default use between Movement and Turret control. During the mission, you may switch 2. (If you selected NONE for control by pressing [Insert] or joystick button keyboard for both.) You can also use joystick, the default controller will be the and to guide EO missiles. the joystick to move the external view, All Joysticks: EarthSiege standard joysticks, ThrustMaster and the FlightStick Pro Forward/Back: Turret Down/Up settings are determined at installation by your computer’s processor and processor by your computer’s determined at installation settings are can not run the highest minimum memory (computers with available RAM level. the minimum detail the category is at If the scale is blank, detail levels). CONTROLS control systems allows you to specify and calibrate your Pressing this button is detailed in the Controls screen. (The Controls screen for the simulation on the following section.) DONE the mission. and returns you to your cockpit, resuming Saves your changes to reduce the detail level on one or more of these categories to increase the to increase categories more of these on one or level the detail to reduce computer runs simulation if your speed of the METALTECH 48 FlightStick Pro Thrustmaster FCS 1 1 Hat 2 3 Hat 4 4 3 2 Thrustmaster WeaponControlSystemMk.II(WCS) Same asFlightStickPro,above. Thrustmaster Plus, the“Hat”buttonchangesCockpitViews: Normal joystickfunctions.Plus: the Preferencesmenu. When youhavemadeallyourneededchanges,clickDONE toreturn DONE Click DONEtoreturntheControlsmenu. type isdisplayed,thenclickCALIBRATEandfollowtheon-screen instructions. performance inthesimulation.ClickDEVICEbuttonuntil yourcontroller This buttonopensthecalibrationpanelsoyoucanoptimizeyourcontroller’s CALIBRATE Switches yourmouseONorOFF,ifyouhaveoneinstalled. MOUSE HERC steering. you havealreadysetTurretcontroltoanothercontroller,theRCSwill or OFF,ifyouhaveoneinstalled.ThedefaultsettingisforTurretControl.If The RCSbuttonletsyouturnyourThrustMasterRudderControlSystemON Thrustmaster RudderControlSystem(RCS) corresponds tothesixMFDscreens[F1]—[F6]. other WCSbuttonstoyourliking.Asadefault,thefirstbankofsix use aWCS.TheWCSstickcontrolstheHERCthrottle.Youmayprogram installed. (WCSMk.Iisnotsupported.)Youmusthaveajoystickinstalledto THE WCSbuttonletsyouturnyourMk.IIONorOFF,ifhaveone FlightStick Pro Normal joystickfunctions. FlightStick Standard: akpsto:lookdownfromFronttoHDD lookLeft lookRight lookupfromHDDtoFront SelectTarget lookFront AlignTurret/CenterThrottle Back position: Left position: Right position: Forward position: Neutral position: Button 4: Button 3: ® FlightControlSystem(FCS): TM : ® EARTHSIEGE 49 EXTERNAL VIEW The External View lets you view the outside action around your HERC, or around your HERC, the outside action View lets you view The External view; enable the external squad. Press [V] to other HERC in your around any [V] again or [Esc]. the cockpit, press to return to the view all the view follows the HERC. You can rotate In the External View, To move the your joystick or keyboard arrow keys. around the HERC using button while the joystick, hold down the joystick’s Fire view in and out with down [Space] or backward; from the keyboard, hold moving the stick forward or down arrow keys. while pressing the up [Tab] or joystick external view and HERC control, press To switch between button 2. another HERC, in your squad, press [N]. While looking at To view other HERCs To return the view (but not take control of the HERC). you may rotate or zoom [V] or [Esc] to climb back inside. to your cockpit, press METALTECH 50 HERC S tons. Note: Availableweaponsdependoncurrentinventory.Massshowninmetric and describetheirperformancecharacteristics. and lessmaneuverable.ThefollowingpagesillustratethebasicHERCtypes stronger armorandshields.ThetradeoffisthatbiggerHERCsarealsoslower In general,biggerHERCscancarrymoreandheavierweapons,have REFERENCE mount anEMPcannon. is alsothelightestHERCthatcan a fightlongerthanitscounterpart.It Roadrunner, theOutlawcanstayin ity tocarryheavierweaponrythana Mounting morearmorandtheabil- Salvage Req.toBuild:60tons Weapons Capacity:3 Speed: 80KPH Height: 6.1meters Mass: 27tons OUTLAW essential. scouting missionswherespeedis ideally suitedforlightreconand the Resistance,Roadrunneris The fastestscoutHERCfieldedby Salvage Req.toBuild:50tons Weapons Capacity:3 Speed: 84KPH Height: 5.4meters Mass: 18tons ROADRUNNER EARTHSIEGE 51 TOMAHAWK Mass: 45 tons Height: 7.6 meters Speed: 71 KPH Weapons Capacity: 5 Salvage Req. to Build: 100 tons Tomahawks specialize in the me- dium attack role and are often de- ployed as a screening force for as- sault HERCs. RAPTOR Mass: 36 tons meters Height: 7.0 KPH Speed: 76 4 Weapons Capacity: 80 tons Salvage Req. to Build: with good A medium weight HERC firepower. maneuverability and is a specialty Armed reconnaissance of the Raptor. METALTECH 52 for theRhino. good firepowerandspeedareideal Hit andfademissionsthatrequire The RhinoisafastheavyattackHERC. Salvage Req.toBuild:140tons Weapons Capacity:7 Speed: 56KPH Height: 8.5meters Mass: 54tons RHINO erations. especially wellsuitedforanti-airop- for itssizethananyothertype.Itis This HERCcanmountmoremissiles Salvage Req.toBuild:120tons Weapons Capacity:6 Speed: 64KPH Height: 8.2meters Mass: 50tons PATRIOT EARTHSIEGE 53 COLOSSUS Mass: 77 tons Height: 10.4 meters Speed: 46 KPH Weapons Capacity: 9 Salvage Req. to Build: 200 tons This is the heaviest HERC fielded by the human resistance. Colossus units are used to assault the enemy strong points where their massive firepower can be brought to bear despite their slow land speed. SAMSON Mass: 63 tons meters Height: 9.2 KPH Speed: 52 8 Weapons Capacity: 170 tons Salvage Req. to Build: of the resis- The second heaviest is search tance HERCs, its specialty The Samson and destroy missions. armor and class boasts excellent firepower. METALTECH 54 VEHICLES ENEMY nasty. arrays canbeespecially Variants mountingmissile and lightattackvehicles. Cybrid asreconnaissance skimmers aredeployedby These highlymodifiedland 2 ATCand/ormissilearray Weapons Capacity: Speed: 200KPH(est.) Height: 3.2meters Mass: 12tons BUZZARD bit faster. capability toanOutlaw,butisa HERC. Itisroughlyequivalentin The premierCybridlightattack Weapons Capacity:3 Speed: 80KPH(est.) Height: 5.1meters Mass: 26tons STINGRAY EARTHSIEGE 55 Cybrid vehicle development progresses rapidly. Be on the RAMSES Mass: 37 tons Height: 7.1 meters Speed: 80 KPH (est.) Weapons Capacity: 4 The most common medium Cybrid HERC, it is deployed in nearly every combat theater in a variety of roles. ARACHNITRON Mass: 3 tons meters Height: 1.5 KPH (est.) Speed: 80 none Weapons Capacity: droids are one Arachnitron suicide in the of the nastiest weapons attack by ram- Cybrid arsenal. They HERC and ming a human-piloted explode on impact. Warning: lookout for new designs at all times. METALTECH 56 ENERGY WEAPONS WEAPONS • • • racy, laserscanbeusedtosurgicallycrippleanenemyHERCwithprecisefire. tion. Popularbecauseoftheiraccu- gigawattage ofweapon)anddura- fixed power(determinedby light energy.HERClaserfireisof tightly focusedbeamofcoherent age byhittingtheirtargetwitha weapon systems,laserscausedam- One ofthemostcommonHERC LASERS offline. one ormoreenergyweaponsgo Master EnergyPool,youmayhave Setpoints, theredlineonanenergyweapon’sindicatorbar.Ifyouovertax You mayadjusttherateatwhichanenergyweaponrechargesusing energy isavailable). source thatrunstheHERC’smotors,shields,Radar,etc.(providing automatically rechargefromtheHERC’sMasterEnergyPool,samepower Energy weaponsrequireaminimumchargetofire.Aweaponnotinusewill Note: Weaponcontrolsandfiringaredescribedinthe“Cockpit”section. as longthere’sanavailablehardpointforit,thatis. as theweaponyouwantisininventory,yourHERCcanhandleload,and replace, upgrade,oraddweaponstoyourHERCatdiscretion—aslong tive strengthsandweaknesses,describedonthefollowingpages.Youcan beam orpulsesystems),Projectile(cannon),andMissiles.Eachhascompara- There arethreemaintypesofHERCweaponsystems:Energy(dividedinto Notes: defract thebeam’scoherence);limitedeffectivenessagainst shields. bad weather(dust,fog,andotheratmosphericdisturbances thatmay Weaknesses: Cannons). as youhavepower;energyefficient(althoughlesssothan Automatic Strengths: Canbefire-linked.Increasingthesetpointincreasesnumber Veryaccurate;longrange;dependable;effectiveas Limiteddamagepotential;canbecompromisedby EARTHSIEGE 57 Useless at long range; requires a huge amount of Useless at long range; requires a huge Usable only at extremely short range; potential of Usable only at extremely short range; potential Devastating at close to medium range. Effectively ignores shields; can incapacitate without Effectively ignores shields; Cannot be linked or placed in a firing chain. Increasing the Cannot be linked or placed in a firing chain. energy to function, leaving most HERCs vulnerable for a few seconds energy to function, leaving most HERCs to recharge, during which after firing; typically takes several seconds weapons. time the HERC must not fire any other energy Weaknesses: Strengths: setpoint increases the duration of the ELF stream. setpoint increases the duration of the ELF of available shots before depleting charge. depleting before shots of available Strengths: salvage potential). destroying (excellent Weaknesses: explosions derived from damaging your own HERC due to secondary master. an accurate hit; difficult to control and Notes: • PARTICLE BEAM WEAPONS (PBWs) Best described as “an electromag- netic shotgun,” the PBW emits a burst of charged particles at relativ- istic velocities capable of literally punching a hole through an enemy HERC at point-blank range. • ELECTRON FLUX WEAPON (ELF) ELECTRON bolt called a “lightning Sometimes an In the hands of on a leash.” an ELF can literally cut expert, an pieces. Once activated, enemy to emits a con- the ELF continually up to trolled electrostatic discharge mechanism as long as the operator keeps the firing a range of 20 meters When this is energy available to power the weapon. depressed and there are often with any enemy vehicle the results beam comes into contact mounted on (or can detonate any explosive weapons spectacular—the ELF contacts it. in) the target as its beam • • • METALTECH 58 PROJECTILE WEAPONS • • beating. reliable, oftenthelastweaponavailabletoapilotwhoseHERChastaken not themostdevastatingweapononbattlefield,ATCsarestableand power tofunction,thisweaponsystemiseasymaintainandapply.While plating. Requiringonlyminimal enough topenetratemostarmor rounds perminute,fastandhard uranium slugsatarateof2,000 nons firetungsten-tipped,depleted- 35mm, or50mm,AutomaticCan- Available in20millimeter(mm), AUTOMATIC CANNON(ATC) • • • pates. Thispulsedrainsoffstoredshieldandweaponenergy. HERC astheplasmastreamdissi- magnetic pulsewithinthetargeted additionally settingupanelectro- age atthepointofimpact,but target, notonlycausingkineticdam- a high-energyburstofplasmaatits A dual-effectweapon,theEMPfires CANNON (EMP) ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE • ammunition carried. Weaknesses: are non-operational. power, andconsequentlycanbefiredevenwhenmostother systems Strengths: Notes: Weaknesses: tates target. Strengths: Notes: IncreasingthesetpointincreasespowerofEMPburst. IncreasingthesetpointincreasespowerofPBWburst. Veryreliable;mechanicaloperationrequiresminimum Dualeffect;goodrange(medium-long);brieflyincapaci- Shortrange;moderatedamage;limitedbyamountof Slowrechargetime;slowshot-to-targetclosure. EARTHSIEGE 59 MISSILES Easiest missile to defeat through countermeasures. More accurate : Fire-and-forget system makes life easier for HERC pilots. Strengths: than an unguided missile. Weaknesses: Strengths ARRAYS array), launcher (called an at least one missile can be fitted with Every HERC differ into combat. Arrays four or five arrays can carry up to although many or 10 missiles each. carrying 6, 8, only in capacity, the array will array, you must select the type of missile Once you select an You can aim and in range and guidance system. carry. Missiles vary primarily effective when but they are much more accurate and fire missiles manually, guidance system. you use the appropriate them on a but are precious and few. Don’t waste Missiles carry a big punch, chains. Missiles and avoid including them in firing target with active shields, minimize this, salvage if aimed at the wrong spot. To may destroy valuable adjusts to its low or away from the target. As the missile aim a guided missile than the body home in on the nearest extremity, rather acquired target, it will cripple a Cybrid shots once the shields are down can of its target. Strategic perhaps, new with plenty of salvage, new weapons, and HERC and leave you technology. SARH MISSILES (SEMI-ACTIVE RADAR HOMING MISSILES) Requires a radar lock on the se- lected target with constant illumi- nation from launch to impact. • • ARH MISSILES (ACTIVE RADAR HOMING MISSILES) Of the “fire-and-forget” school of self-propelled ordnance, the ARH missile requires an initial radar lock (or illumination) at launch, after which its internal guidance system takes over, directing the missile the rest of the way towards the target. • METALTECH 60 runs outoffuel,youwillreturntoHERCcontrol. Steer themissileallwaytotarget.Once hits,crashes,or hold downthefirebuttonor[Space]toretaincontrolof missileinflight. Note • • the F6MFDMissileViewscreen. get byusingcockpitcontrolsand guides themissiletowardstar- launch vehicle.TheHERCpilotthen image ofitsjourneybacktothe transmits ahighdefinitionvideo Visually guidedordnance,theEO MISSILES) EO MISSILES(ELECTRO-OPTICAL • • to theirsource—abigsurpriseforthoserunningwithscannersactive. ciously tracksactiveemissionsback ing toitstarget,theARMtena- sive scanning.Insteadofbroadcast- missile doesitsmagicthroughpas- ners activeuntilimpact,theARM it mustberunningwiththeirscan- missile andtheHERCthatlaunched Unlike theSARH,whereboth TION MISSILE) ARM MISSILES(ANTI-RADIA- • control andmaster. leaves controllingpilotopentocounterattack;difficultsystem to Weaknesses: illumination oftarget. be deliveredfromextremelylongrange;doesnotrequireactiveradar experienced pilottheEOisfarmoreprecisethanothermissiles;can Strengths: mode. Weaknesses: tion oftargettohit. missile orlaunchingplatform;doesnotrequireactiveradarillumina- Strengths: Weaknesses: : YoumayguideEOmissileswithyourjoystickorarrowkeys. Youmust Difficulttodetectanddefeat;whenusedbyan Canbefiredwithoutalertingenemytopresenceof Requirestotalpilotattentionfromlaunchtoimpact; Easilydefeatedbytargetswitchingradartopassive CanbedefeatedbyECMpods. EARTHSIEGE 61 DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS DEFENSIVE SHIELDS a constantly modulated defense, generating are the first line of HERC shields degrades containment incoming lasers, field that disrupts electromagnetic ATC the kinetic energy of partially dissipates beams, and fields on particle of preventing most to explode on contact, shields cause missiles slugs. Also, reaching the HERC’s armor. their blast power from run through a from the onboard fusion generator and Shields are powered the HERC’s matrix standard on all HERCs. The bigger capacitance energy the shield. generator, the stronger the shield against shields: EMP cannons disrupt Two weapons are effective through shields is so incredibly powerful that it punches matrix, and the ELF there. as if they are not even ARMOR over. All HERCs are armored through Where the shields leave off, armor takes over the HERC’s surface. However, a combination of duranium plates layered by any type of weapon. armor alone will not resist a sustained attack ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEA- SURES POD (ECM) The ECM pod contains electronic devices to suppress enemy missile capabilities, and can be mounted on HERC hard points from the Ar- mament screen. When activated, it creates electronic “noise” around your HERC that reduces the chances of your HERC being acquired and missile-locked by enemy radar. ECM emissions also confuse incoming missiles and prevent a selected tar- get from calling for reinforcements. activated, its emissions alert all The ECM pod has one major drawback: when reason, you should never activate nearby Cybrids to your presence. For this by the enemy. the pod until you have already been spotted RADAR HERC radars function in two modes, Passive or Active. In Passive mode, you are simply listening for enemy “emissions” (radio transmissions or scans). Although this mode is undetectable, it won’t detect enemies that are not METALTECH 62 TACTICS a chancetowinhit-and-runguerrillawar,butwilldefinitely loseawarof the firstthingCybridsdowhenattackediscallforreinforcements. Youhave Don’t forgetaboutyourmissionobjectives.Dothejobandthen runaway— DO THEJOB pilot’s experience:anElitecandomorewithsixmissilesthan canaRookie. coordinated attacks.Whenassigningweapons(page22),bear inmindthe all weaponsevenly,orconfiguredifferentHERCsforspecialized rolesin that needtobemadetherestofyoursquad.Youmaychoose todistribute Keeping allofthebestequipmentforyourselfmayexactitspriceinrepairs Make certaineveryHERCinyoursquadisaswellequippedpossible. SHARE THEWEALTH maneuvers workespeciallywellifyoucangeteveryoneintoposition. FlashComm (page40)commandstocoordinatetheunit.Pincerandflanking Keep thewholesquadinmind,anduseCommandDisplay(page44) difference betweenasuccessfulstrikeandonethatcomeshomeinpieces. on yourtargetswheneverpossible.Rapidcommunicationcanmakeallthe The Humancapacityforteamworkisoneofyourfewadvantages,sogangup TEAMWORK your squadcan’tafford. the damageyousustainwillcostpreciousweaponsandsalvagethat guarantees themeventualvictory.Evenifyoudon’tloseaparticularcombat, you—to exchangeblowsevenlywiththemplaystotheirstrengthsand Learn tofireonthemove,andavoidhead-onattacks.Cybridsoutnumber STICK ANDMOVE with theCybrids. running, youwillnotbeabletobuildthenewdesignsneededkeepeven as possible.IfyouareconstantlyscrapingforsalvagetokeepyourHERCs missions carryingmorethanwhatyouleftwith,andwithaslittlenewdamage In thelongrun,survivingmissionsisn’tenough.Youhavetoreturnfromyour except fortight-beamcodedtransmissionsfromHERCtoHERC. trols) procedures:theyrunwithoutactiveradar,andusingtheradio squads performmostoftheirmissionsobservingEMCON(EmissionsCon- its emissionsbroadcastyourHERC’sposition,aswell.Forthisreason,most “illuminate” enemycontacts.Whilethismodeeffectivelylocatestheenemy, In Activemode,theHERC’sradarsystememitspowerfulpulsesto producing emissionsthemselves. EARTHSIEGE 63 attrition. CHAINS LINKS AND FIRING WEAPON you the settings that suit your weapons to mission starts, configure When the Linking energy (page 36) immediately. set up your firing chains best, and stores but depletes your your firepower, missiles concentrates weapons and leave On energy weapons, each shot count! single shots. Make far faster than to head with salvos. You don’t want to be head time for recharging between lasers while the find yourself dry-firing 200 GW a Cybrid HERC and suddenly away at you. Cybrid is still chipping SHIELDS HERC or divert your shields, and be prepared to pivot the Monitor the status of warrants it. to your rear, or vice versa, if the situation power from your front EMCON possible. Once emissions control (EMCON) as long as Your squad will observe use Active and engaged, you and your squad should the enemy is sighted fire missiles. radar only as long as necessary to lock and MAXIMIZE SALVAGE to the legs and feet can cripple a Consider your shots wisely. Skillful shots and weapons to drag back to the Cybrid HERC and still leave plenty of salvage (containing the fusion generator) base. Targeting the enemy’s center turret leaves mostly useless scrap. SAVE YOUR PROGRESS hard way, so don’t forget your Some lessons just have to be learned the 21). Judicious use of backups can ultimate advantage: Career Backups (page campaign, if not your pride. restore most of your progress in a hard-fought (In the next life, you’ll know better.) METALTECH 64 COMMANDS KEYBOARD ~ Alt 1 ...9 Alt+T W Tab Space WEAPONS N Tab V EXTERNAL VIEW Esc F11 F10 F9 Backspace K J M I L/R Arrow Up/Down Arrow Insert COCKPIT Spacebar Enter Alt R - + L Tab Esc MENUS F3 F2 F1 DISPLAYS ] [

or ➝ or rHighlightPrevious/NextItem(Lists) or + +

or or

1 R or ... ➝ Alt Alt+~ or T Alt Joy Button2 9 + Joy Button2 W + Tab Select correspondingweapon Auto TargetTrackingOn/Off Select next/previouschain Fire currentweapon View nextsquadHERC View Control/HERCControl External ViewOn/Off Return toCockpit/HDD Mission Objectives Pan ViewRight Pan ViewLeft Turret centered Turret right Turret left Turret down Turret up Steer Proceed toNextScreen Press CurrentButton/SelectItem Switch RadarMode Decrease setpoint Increase setpoint Link selectedweapon(ifpossible) Select next/previousweapon Cancel MFD—Terrain Map MFD—FlashCommands MFD—HERC Status Increase frontshield Increase rearshield Set ScanRange Add/Remove weaponinfiringchain Select target Joystick Control:Movement/Turret Select Next/PreviousButton Throttle/Forward/Reverse EARTHSIEGE 65 Select Previous/Next Message Select Previous/Next Scroll Map Select Previous/Next Message Quit to DOS MFD—Radar Status MFD—Target View MFD—Missile Display/Map HDD—Command Status Display HDD—Detailed Transmit Selected Message Preferences Attack My Target Ignore my Target Help Me Out Join On Me Scan For Hostiles/Emcon Fire Fire At Will/Hold Your Message XMIT Send Selected Zoom Map In/Out Select Pilot Select Unit Disengage Attack the Enemy Defend Position Patrol Gridpoint Go To Gridpoint Join on Me Scan for Hostiles Emcon XMIT (Send Message) Cancel Select HERC Structural Internal Weapons Pause game Quit mission Esc + F12 Ctrl / .> .> or Q - Hot Key P + + + or or or F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 FLASHCOMM Alt ,< Ctrl A G H O C/E F X (HDD) COMMAND DISPLAY Arrows + 1 ... 3 ,< Tab D A F T G O C E X Backspace F8 DAMAGE DETAIL (HDD) L/R Arrow S I W P Q Alt METALTECH 66 TROUBLESHOOTING Problem: the bootdisktoincludeyourmousedriver.(See“MouseDrivers,”page70). programs. YouwillneedtoedittheAUTOEXEC.BATorCONFIG.SYSfileson Possible Solution: Problem: manual ormanufacturerforassistance. izing theBootDisk”section(page68),orconsultyourcomputersystem and configureyourdevicedriverscorrectlyforthegame.See“Custom- Possible Solution: memory torunthegame. creating abootdisk,Istillreceivemessagesayingthatdonothaveenough Problem: TECHNICAL SUPPORT Possible Solution: game. your filesinthedefaultdirectoriesandconfiguringPC correctlyforthe the fileismissingorcorrupted.Youshouldbeabletoavoid thisbykeeping The programcannotloadafilebecauseofinsufficientmemory, orbecause ASSERT ERROR... replacement. These meanyouhaveafaultygamedisk,andshouldreturnitfor SECTOR NOTFOUNDREADINGDRIVE(AorBCD) DATA ERRORREADINGDRIVE(AorBCD) CRC ERROR. density drivethatcannotreadthehigh-densitygamedisk(s). GENERAL FAILUREREADINGDRIVE(floppydriveletter).Youmayhavealow- GAME. Tryusingabootdisk. YOU NEEDXXXMOREBYTESOFFREEMEMORYAVAILABLETORUNTHIS This sectionofferspossiblesolutionsforerrormessagesyoumayencounter. ERROR MESSAGES SCSI drives.DonotuseSMARTDRV.SYSfor IhaveaSCSIdriveand Mymouseisnotresponding. Mycomputerhasatleast4megabytesofmemory,butevenafter Yourbootdiskmayrequirefurthermodificationstoload There areincompatibilitiesbetweenSMARTDRV.SYSand YourmousedrivermaynotbeloadedforMS-DOS EarthSiege ES doesnotworkproperly. ifyouhaveaSCSIdrive. EARTHSIEGE 67 CONFIGURING MEMORY and . MS- mem EarthSiege EarthSiege may not run correctly may not run EarthSiege Install program has a “Make Bootable Floppy Install program has a “Make Bootable ES because of low memory, try the Install program’s because of low memory, ES . The EarthSiege by reconfiguring or removing one or more of these programs. by reconfiguring or “Make Bootable Floppy Disk” option as described below. A boot disk “Make Bootable Floppy Disk” option as memory to run the game. is a fast and effective way of freeing more CONFIG.SYS start-up files. ing the boot disk’s AUTOEXEC.BAT and for details. See “Customizing the Boot Disk,” below, and how to optimize it. detailed information about system memory ES CREATING A BOOT DISK your computer’s memory for A boot disk is the simplest way to configure running disk easy. If you set it up successfully, Disk” option that makes creating a boot in your floppy drive and restart the all you will have to do is put the boot disk and launch the game. computer to configure its memory correctly option does a very good job of Although the “Make Bootable Floppy Disk” able to properly recognize every configuring most systems, it may not be device driver. This means possible sound card, mouse, or disk-controlling changes to the boot disk to get the that you might have to make additional starting the game, try “Make program running. If you are having trouble it does not work, however, proceed Bootable Floppy Disk”—it can’t hurt. If below. to the “Customizing the Boot Disk” section, 2. If you continue to have problems even with a boot disk, try customiz- 3. Consult your DOS and memory manager software documentation for press [Enter]. kilobytes (KB) of free memory to run You need about 3,320 MS-DOS 5.0, this as “Total Free Memory.” If you have DOS 6.0 or later shows “bytes program size” (free conventional memory), add “Largest executable XMS” (free ex- memory,) and “bytes available free EMS” (free expanded bytes they must add up to about 3,400,000 tended memory). Together, memory, you memory. If you do not have enough free (3,320 KB) total free drivers taking or “background” programs and device probably have resident free up memory game needs. This means you will need to up memory that the for Freeing up Memory 1. If you cannot run unless the RAM is configured (set up) correctly for the game. If (set up) correctly for RAM is configured unless the need to see if you the MS-DOS MEM command start correctly, use DOES NOT MS-DOS, type memory. From some of your computer’s to free up Even if you have the minimum 4MB of RAM, have the minimum Even if you METALTECH 68 your computerhowtoarrangeitsmemoryspecificallyforrunning arrange itsmemoryfornormaloperation.Onthebootdisk, thesefilestell text-only mode.Onyourharddrive,thesefilestellcomputer howto EDIT utility,theWindowsNotepad,oryourpreferredword processorinits AUTOEXEC.BAT aresimpletextfilesthatyoucaneditusing yourMS-DOS program created,orcreateanewBootDiskfromscratch.CONFIG.SYS and the CONFIG.SYSandAUTOEXEC.BATstart-upfilesonbootdiskinstall To customizeabootdiskconfigurationforyourspecificsystem,youcanedit Customizing YourBootDisk Thecomputerwillstartupusingthebootdisk’smemoryconfigura- 2. PlacethebootdiskinA:driveandstartcomputer.(Ifyour 1. drive forittowork.(Note:abootdiskwillworkonlyintheA:drive). files. Youmuststart(orrestart)yourcomputerwiththebootdiskinA: Floppy Disk”optioncontainsastripped-downversionofyourusualstart-up The bootdiskyouhavecreatedwiththeInstallprogram’s“MakeBootable Using aBootDisk your computerwiththebootdiskinA:drive. When theprocessisfinished,exitInstallprogram.Youcanthenre-boot TheInstallprogramwillguideyouthroughtheprocess—follow 3. FromtheInstallationChoiceswindow,select“MakeBootableFloppy 2. RuntheInstallprogramfromyourharddisk’s\MTECHdirectory,or 1. floppy diskforyourA:driveready.(Allfilesonitwillbeerased.) for yourcomputer’sA:drive.Beforeyoustart,haveablankorformattable You canusetheInstallprogramtoformatandcreatea “Make BootableFloppyDisk”Option normal setuplater,justrestartitagainwithoutusingthebootdisk.) usual inyour\MTECHdirectory.(Toreturncomputertoits automatically.) Otherwise,startthegamemanuallybyentering within the\MTECHdirectory,itwillalsotrytostartgame tion. (IfyoucreatedthebootdiskwithInstallprogramfrom keyboard.) system withyourPC’sResetbutton,oruse[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del]fromthe computer isalreadyrunning,exitanyprogramsandrestartthe floppy diskandwriteallthenecessarystart-upfilestoit. drive whenprompted.InstallwilluseDOScommandstoformatthe on-screen promptscarefully.InserttheblankdisketteintoyourA: Disk.” from theCD. EarthSiege EarthSiege bootdisk es as . EARTHSIEGE 69 on most PCs. The lines in your start-up files will differ according to on most PCs. The lines in your start-up files Warning: Manually altering the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT start- and AUTOEXEC.BAT the CONFIG.SYS altering Manually Warning: triple- a file to edit, process. When opening be a trial and error up files can in files on your boot disk working with the SURE you are check to MAKE and the CONFIG.SYS you may change Otherwise, the A: drive. may which in turn hard drive instead, files on your AUTOEXEC.BAT of your system. normal operation impair the need a freshly a boot disk from scratch, you will If you prefer to create manual for for your A: drive. (See your MS-DOS formatted system diskette create a new a system diskette.) You can then details on how to create boot disk. from scratch right on the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT boot disk to the and AUTOEXEC.BAT files on your Compare the CONFIG.SYS you can remove Differences may indicate places where following examples. to use less upper memory, or change a device switch a driver, load it into if unsure about refer to your system reference manuals memory. As always, anything. that will let you run These examples show a “minimum configuration” EarthSiege and the version of MS-DOS you your system’s drivers and directory names, that are NOT part of the file.) use. (NOTE: Parentheses indicate comments Sample Boot Disk CONFIG.SYS File DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE (You may use a different memory manager) DOS=HIGH,UMB (Loads DOS into Upper Memory) FILES=30 BUFFERS=20 BREAK=ON LASTDRIVE=Z DEVICEHIGH=C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.SYS /MOVE DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\DBLSPACE.SYS Drivers,” below.) (Only if using DBLSPACE. See “Disk Compression /P:220 DEVICEHIGH=C:\DRV\CDROM.SYS /D:MSCD001 Drivers, below.) (Only for the CD version. See “CD-ROM” METALTECH 70 To run CD-ROM DRIVERS memory. remove one,becauseyouareneedlesslyloadingtwomouse driversinto mouse driverlineinboththeCONFIG.SYSorAUTOEXEC.BAT files.Ifyoudo, MOUSE.SYS issmallerandtakeslessmemory.Makesureyou donothavea Use MOUSE.SYSratherthanMOUSE.COMorMOUSE.EXE, ifpossible. Mouse Hints manual ifunsure. C:\DRIVERS, etc.)thepathanddrivernamewillbedifferent.Seeyourmouse HPMOUSE, etc.)orifyoukeepthedriverinadifferentdirectory(C:\MSMOUSE, If youhaveadifferentmousedrivername(MOUSE.EXE,IMOUSE,GMOUSE, only) LOADHIGH C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.COM DEVICEHIGH=C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BATfile—butnotboth!Forexample: This meansyoushouldhaveonemousedriverlineineitheryourCONFIG.SYS be abletouseitwith If youhaveamouse,theInstallprogramwillassumedthatwantto MOUSE DRIVERS the mousedriver.Tore-enableit,justtakeREMbackoutagain. of it.Forexample,REMDEVICEHIGH=C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.SYSwilldisable To disablealineinoneofyourstart-upfiles,youcanjusttypeREMfront (From “MakeBootableFloppyDisk.”Starts es (From “MakeBootableFloppyDisk.”ChangestocurrentMTECHdirectory.) CD C:\DYNAMIX\MTECH (From “MakeBootableFloppyDisk.”Changestoharddrive.) C: (Only fortheCDversion.See“CD-ROMDrivers”,below.) C:\DOS\MSCDEX /D:MSCD001 (Only ifyoudonotuseMOUSE.SYSinCONFIG.SYS.See“MouseDrivers.”) LOADHIGH C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.COM (Will useyouractualCOMMAND.COMlocation) SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM PATH=C:\DOS (If youareworkingwithfilescreated“MakeBootableFloppyDisk.”) PROMPT MTECHBootDisk$P$G @ECHO OFF Sample BootDiskAUTOEXEC.BATfile CD-ROM manualforyourspecificdetails. the CONFIG.SYSandAUTOEXEC.BATfilesofbootdisk. Refertoyour EarthSiege fromaCD,you’llneedtoincludeCD-ROMlineinboth EarthSiege , andputamousestatementonthebootdisk. (UsedintheAUTOEXEC.BATfile (UsedintheCONFIG.SYSfileonly) EarthSiege .) EARTHSIEGE 71 The Boot Disk AUTOEXEC.BAT file needs an MSCDEX line. Depending on line. Depending MSCDEX needs an file AUTOEXEC.BAT Disk The Boot of the following: look much like one type, it should your CD-ROM /D:MSCD001 C:\DOS\MSCDEX /D:MSCD001 LH C:\DOS\MSCDEX /D:MSCD001 /L:14429 C:\DOS\MSCDEX LOADHIGH to of MSCDEX.EXE use the latest version recommend that you NOTE: We of MSCDEX As of this writing, the current version insure the best CD access. is 2.23. Depending on file needs a CD device driver line. The Boot Disk CONFIG.SYS it should look much like one of the following: your CD-ROM type, /D:MSCD001 /P:220 DEVICE=C:\DRV\CDROMDRV.SYS /P:220 /D:MSCD001 DEVICEHIGH=C:\DRV\CDROMDRV.SYS /P:220 =C:\DRV\CDROMDRV.SYS /D:MSCD001 DEVICEHIGH /L:14652 DRIVERS DISK COMPRESSION disk, you must include the correct If you use disk compression on your hard boot disk, or your mouse or other disk compression driver statement on your CONFIG.SYS shows the correct drivers may not load correctly. The example DBLSPACE utility. statement if you are using the MS-DOS the following line instead: If you are using Stacker 3.1 or later, use DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS or contact the manufacturer for For other utilities, refer to your manual complete instructions. must REBOOT your computer with Reminder: For the boot disk to work, you boot disk in drive A: and press your the boot disk in your A: drive. Place the Your computer will now reboot, PC’s Reset button, or [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del]. in A:. Have a great time! using the start-up files on the boot disk ADDITIONAL BOOT DISK INSTRUCTIONS additional boot disk instructions If you have a modem, you can download or BBS. The file to download is from the Sierra Bulletin Board Service, is compressed—you will need the BDALL.EXE or BDALL.ZIP (BDALL.ZIP downloading this file, select the PKUNZIP shareware utility to open it). After and program needs. instructions that will best match your system in the U.K., the BBS number In the U.S., the BBS number is 206-644-0112; is (44) 734 304227. METALTECH 72 rate, £3.68atothertimes. *Costs 39pmincheaprate,49patothertimes.Maxcalllength7.5mins. charge£2.93cheap Bulletin board:0734304227 Hint line(oldgames):0734304004 Hint line(newgames):0891660660* Fax (1)46317172 Call (1)46014650 France 92366 MeudonLaFortCedex 25 rueJeanneBraconnier Immeuble LeNewton Parc TertiairedeMeudon Coktel Vision Continental Europe Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–5:00p.m. Fax 0734303362 Call 0734303171 RG7 5AJUnitedKingdom Theale, Reading,Berkshire The OldBrewery 4 BreweryCourt Sierra On-LineLimited United Kingdom as well. Europe, usethesecontactsforTechnicalSupport,Returns,andDirectSales information, technicalsupport,returnsanddirectsales.IntheU.K. returned merchandise,backorders,defectivegeneralgame Contact theCustomerServiceDepartmentforquestionspertainingto CUSTOMER SERVICE other issueaffectingourproducts,weguaranteeyoursatisfaction. problem. Whetherit’smemoryshortages,softwarecompatibility,orany Sierra On-Lineisdedicatedtohelpingyouwitheachandeveryquestionor company.” “You don’tjustbuyourgames—youthesupportofwhole The bestcustomerserviceintheindustry. CUSTOMER SERVICES EARTHSIEGE 73 GAME CREDITS Sound Operating System Mark Crowe Paul Bowman David Selle, Mark Crowe Robert Caracol David Aughenbaugh Bruce Schuldt, Marlen Shepherd Damon Mitchell Jan Paul Moorehead Christopher Stevens, Timothy Clarke Ken Rogers David Aughenbaugh Joseph Muennich, David Selle, Jan Carpenter Dale Tendick Human Machine Interfaces, Inc., Caedman Irias, Tim Gift Goldstar, Rick Overman, Louie McCrady, Miles Smith, Edwin Wise, Steve Cordon, Nels Bruckner, David Stambaugh Game Production Team. Top row, from left: Mark Crowe, David Selle, Bruce Schuldt, Game Production Team. Top row, from left: Mark Crowe, David row: Robert Caracol, Paul Bowman, Joseph Muennich, Marlen Shepherd. Bottom Damon Mitchell, David Aughenbaugh. Lead Programmer Game Design Art Direction Lead Production Artist Programming 3D Simulation Artist Audio Director Original Music Sound FX and Digitized Speech Animation & Lip Synch Missions Programming Photo and Video Audio Technology Producer CREDITS HERC Animation Technology Technical Support and Additional Programming METALTECH 74 MANUAL CREDITS Publications Manager 3D CoverArt Design &Layout Editor Writers BarbaraBeyer,Jeff Hannum, EdRaggozino,BillBarrett, Beta Testers ErikaKlein,KikiShephard, Extra Bodies JohnRice,GaryBullock,BillyLong, Voice Talent RoseyBrown Pilots Base Commanders Service BayTechnician Cast Theatrical ProductionCoordinator Testers QA Technician Lead Tester QA Manager Cinemation Editing 3D Cinemations Lip Synching Model Building Kevin Lamb Bruce Powell,CyrusKanga Cameron Mitchell Kurt Weber Gregory Rucka,KurtWeber Joe Balshone Paul Poterra,HerbDavis, Dale A.Hernandez,GaryMofett, Andrew Klingbeil,AllenW.Vinton, Michael E.McDonald, James L.Blacklock,DavidErvin, David Leung,MattMeyer, Jason Curry,AndrewR.Berko, Chris Singleton,DaveSteele Eli Haworth,MarianneRyder, Caren Graham,EricNewsome Raisa Fleming,LouisLatorto, Kim Sweeney,DaveVanMaren Doug Larson,PatriciaRoseman, Mark C.Lawrence,JeffParker,Borja, John ClaytonShafer,GlenSteele, Brett Harman,CelesteYarnall, Sher Altucker Jan Carpenter,ScottGilbert Gregory Rucka,ChrisMendinger, Gary Stevens,DuriPrice, John Wolf Gerald Azenaro Dave Steele Mike Jahnke Cyrus Kanga,BrucePowell Tito Pagan Rob Kraft,DavidAughenbaugh, Tito Pagan,RobertCaracol EARTHSIEGE 75 , 47 ® Assigning, 24 Building, 30 Repairing, 27 Types, 50 Flashcomm, 40 Command, 44 Ground Setting, 46 Hard Points, 22 Heading Indicator, 34 43 Heads Down Display (HDD), 34 Heads Up Display (HUD), HERC, Horizon Setting, 46 Installation, 9 Instant Action, 16 Internal Repairs, 28 Joystick Settings, 47 KIA, 20 Lasers, 56 Launchers, Missile, 22, 59 Link, 38 Main View, 15 Map View, MFD, 41 Master Energy Pool Display, 39 Memory Requirements, 9 Messages, MFD, 39 Missile Lock, 42 Missiles, 59 Missile View (MFDs), 42 Mission Types, 17 Mode, Radar, 41 Multi Function Displays (MFDs), 39 Music, 18, 46 Objectives, Mission, 25 Options, 18 Firing Chains, 36 Firing Chains, 39 FlashComm, Flightstick INDEX Window,15 Active Pilot 41 Active Radar, 34 Aiming Reticle, 37 Ammunition Counter, 60 Anti-Radiation Missile, Arrays, Missile, 59 ARH, 59 ARM, 60 Armament, 22 Armor, 61 Assignment, Crew, 24 58 Automatic Cannons (ATCs), Auto-Tracking (ATT), 35 Battlesets, 19 Bay, Service, 21 Building HERCs, 30 Calibration, 48 Campaign, Saving, 21 Career, 20 Career Stats, 20 CD Version Notes, 7 Changing Preferences, 10 Charging Weapons, 38 Cockpit, 32 Command Display, 43 Communications, 40, 44 Console, 36 Controls, 10, 18, 19, 47 Crew Assignment, 24 Current Weapon, 37 Cybrid, 54 Damage, 45 Debriefing, 26 Detailed Damage Display, HDD, 45 Detail, Graphic, 18, 46 Electromagnetic Pulse Cannon (EMP), 58 Electron Flux Weapon (ELF), 57 Electronic Counter Measures (ECM), 61 Electro-Optical (EO) Missiles, 60 Elevation Indicator, 35 Emcon, 40, 45 Energy Pool, 39 Event Display, 36 External View, 49 METALTECH 76 Tutorial, 11 Transmit, 40,44 Track Target,35 TMM, 25,26 Thrustmaster Throttle, 38 Terrain Map,MFD,41 Target Information,MFD,42 Target Box,35 Tactics, 62 Tactical MissionMap,25,26 System Requirements,8 Status, Target,42 Status, HERC,39 Starting Game,10 Speed, Setting,38 Speech Pack,18,46 Sound, 18,46 Sky, 46 Single Mission,16 Shields, 36,61 Setpoints, 38 Service Bay,21 Semi-Active RadarHoming(SARH),59 Scroll map,26,44 Scrap, 30 Schematics, 50 Scanning, 41 Save/Restore, 21 Salvage, 27 Rotation Indicator,35 Resume Career,15 Repair, 27 Registration, NewPilot,20 Reassign HERCs,24 Ready Light,37 Readme File,7 Range, Radar,41 Radio, 40,44 Radar, 41 Quit Game,15 Quit Mission,33 Prefs, Repair,29 Points, 22 Passive Radar,41 Particle BeamWeapons(PBW),57 Parameters, Mission,18 ® , 47 Zoom map,26,44 XMIT, 40,44 Weapon Types,56 Weapon, Repairs,28 Weapon Status,37 Weapon SelectorButtons,36 Waypoints, 26 Waypoint Indicator,34 Views, Cockpit,33