============================================================================

   BACKLASH
                  
   Assault On Omicron Station

   Online Instruction Guide / LCR

============================================================================

=== =====
THE STORY
=== =====

STARDATE 1422.332 : ORDERS

Effective immediately, you are assigned to the System Defense Craft SD-2707
in Sector M as Turret Gunner 1st class.  Proceed to Omicron station,
quadrant M01.01 where you will report to Captain Masters.

Dirian activity in Sector M is high and although peace talks are about to
begin on Zhinda III, loss of this sector would be a major blow to the war
effort.

Admiral Horn

End Transmission

=== ====
THE GAME
=== ====

BACKLASH is a turret gunner simulation.  It is a 3D science fiction action
game for DOS.  The player must defend the mothership from over a series of
missions against an increasing onslaught of enemy spacecraft, mine fields,
asteroids and drones.  The rewards from successful missions can be used to
upgrade the defense systems and purchase more powerful weapons.

Requirements
------------
   o IBM/PC compatible computer with 386 or later processor
   o 2 megabytes of RAM with 500k available conventional memory and
     750k available extended or expanded memory
   o Fixed disk drive with approximately 6 megabytes available
   o VGA compatible graphics adapter
   o MS-DOS 5.0 or above

Recommended
-----------
   o 486 or later processor
   o Microsoft compatible mouse
   o Analog joystick
   o Creative Labs Sound Blaster compatible sound card

===== =====
QUICK START
===== =====

The game begins at the docking bay terminal interface.  Start a new
game in the OPERATION BACKLASH campaign by selecting confirm.  Select
the OPTIONS screen and configure the controls for the game.  Calibrate the
joystick if it is to be used.  Select DIFFICULTY and choose either ROOKIE
( easy ) or REBEL ( medium ) level.

Select MISSION and review the instructions for the sortie.  Experiment with
the other options in the terminal interface.  Click LAUNCH and CONFIRM to
enter the mission.

Once the mothership has completed the launch sequence, press the H key to
view the control help screen.  Press ESCAPE to return to the game.

The first mission is a training mission.  Use the opportunity to become 
familiar with the weapons, radar and interface components.  To move on to
to the real action, press ALT-F8 to abort the mission. 

===== =========
QUICK REFERENCE
===== =========

TERMINAL INTERFACE SUMMARY : Options available between missions.
   
Mission Menu
------- ----
Orders         Review information regarding the next mission         
Details        Review turret configuration and mission objectives
Maps           Review the mothership flightpath for the mission
Summary        Review the results of the previous mission

Equipment Menu
--------- ----
Next           Select the next available equipment upgrade
Previous       Select the previous available equipment upgrade
Purchase       Acquire the current upgrade
Single Reload  Restock one missile to the current missile rack
Full Reload    Completely reload the current missile rack
         
Launch Menu
------ ----
Confirm        Enter the next mission

System Menu
------ ----
Load           Load a previously saved game
Save           Save the current game
New            Start a new game in a selected campaign
Options        Configure sound, music, detail, controls
Difficulty     Set the difficulty level of the current game
Help           Terminal interface help.
About          Display information regarding the game version
Exit           Exit the game

GAME CONTROL SUMMARY  : Controls available during a mission.

Keyboard Controls                      Control Functions
-------- --------                      ------- ---------
ARROWS         Orientation             F1, TAB     Switch Target
SPACEBAR       Fire Guns               F2, S       Increase Shield Power
ENTER          Launch Missile          F3, E       Increase Weapon Energy
                                       F4, W       Switch Weapon
Mouse Controls                         F5, T       Select Tactical Display
----- --------                         F6, N       Select Navigation Display
LEFT BUTTON    Fire Guns               F7, O       Select Objectives Display
RIGHT BUTTON   Launch Missile          F8, A       Abort Mission *
CENTER BUTTON  Switch Target           F9, D       Increase Detail Level
                                       F10, C      Toggle Crosshair
Joystick Controls
-------- --------                      System Functions
BUTTON 0       Fire Guns               ------ ---------
BUTTON 1       Launch Missile          H           Display Control Help
BUTTON 2       Switch Target           P           Pause Game
BUTTON 3       Switch Weapon           ESCAPE      End the Game

System Options
------ -------
ALT-M          Toggle Music            ALT-B       Toggle Background Rendering
ALT-S          Toggle Sound Effects    ALT-D       Toggle Debris Rendering
ALT-R          Restart Mission         ALT-X       End the Game


* Use ALT-F8 to confirm the abort of the mission.  Not all missions can be
  aborted.

=== ==
HOW TO
=== ==

START A NEW GAME : Click SYSTEM, NEW.  Select a campaign. Click CONFIRM.

REVIEW MISSION : Click MISSION, ORDERS for a description of the mission.
   Click MISSION, DETAILS for specific information on the objectives.
   Click MISSION, MAPS to review the flight path.  Click MISSION, SUMMARY
   for a review of the results of the previous mission.

FLY A MISSION : Click LAUNCH, CONFIRM to enter the next mission. It is a
   good idea to save your game before launching.

SAVE A GAME : Click SYSTEM, SAVE.  Select a slot ( click EMPTY ).  Type a
   description for the save game and press ENTER.

LOAD A GAME : Click SYSTEM, LOAD.  Select the game to load by clicking the
   description.

BUY UPGRADES : Click EQUIPMENT.  Use NEXT and PREVIOUS to cycle through
   the list of upgrades.  Click PURCHASE to buy the upgrade.

RELOAD MISSILES : Click EQUIPMENT.  Use NEXT and PREVIOUS to find the
   missile rack to be reloaded.  Click SINGLE to buy one missile at a time or
   FULL to reload the rack to capacity.

CHANGE DIFFICULTY : Click SYSTEM, DIFFICULTY. Select a diffulty level from
   the menu.  New players should start with REBEL ( the easiest ).  Use
   the other levels to increase the challenge.

CONFIGURE : Options can be toggled in the SYSTEM, OPTIONS screen. To set
   up a sound card, use the configuration program ( SETUP.EXE or
   CONFIG.EXE ).

======= ====
PLAYING TIPS
======= ====

o Concentrate on enemy ships moving at the mothership.  Avoid chasing ships
  that have broken off and are difficult to hit.  Wait for a good shot and
  fire short bursts that can destroy evading ships with multiple hits.

o Use the radar to find targets that are out of view by moving the turret
  until the enemy craft is centered on the gray marker.

o Use the threat indicator ( green radar blip ) to find enemy crafts that
  are firing at the mothership.  Target the firing ship.  Ships that are
  on attack runs are usually good targets for the turret.

o Use the turret orientation indicator to track the orientation of the turret
  with respect to the mothership.  Try to keep the turret near center in
  order to have the best view of attacking enemy ships.

o Missiles can be shot down with cannon fire.  Use your cannons to defend
  against bomber attacks.

o Buy system upgrades as soon as enough credits are available.

========= =======
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
========= =======

Refer to the read.me file for a list of outstanding problems with the current
release of the software.

Technical support for BACKLASH is available through electronic mail.  Please
do NOT contact Beaucomm Interactive for support as the fullfillment office is
unable to provide assistance.

Please provide a return e-mail address on all electronic submissions.  We 
welcome feature requests and recommendations.

Electronic inquiries should be directed to:

)|( Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc. BBS (216)677-0229  ( 2400+BPS N81 )

   or

E-Mail : CompuServe 72734,3357  ( Internet 72734,3357@compuserve.com )

The BBS is the recommended method for getting technical support.  The 
solutions to problems encountered by other users are posted.  Patches and
the latest release are available first on the BBS.   

Owners of the LCR release of BACKLASH can apply for extended access to the
SANCSOFT BBS.  Send a private message to the SYSOP with your name and
registration number so your account can be updated.

======== =========
SOFTWARE AGREEMENT
======== =========

This is the LCR release of BACKLASH, available only from Sanctuary Software
Studio, Inc. and Beaucomm Interactive.

=======
CREDITS
=======

BACKLASH is the product of )|( Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc.

                    Game Design ........ Sanctuary Software Studio
                       Software ........ Michael Terry
         Graphics and Animation ........ Tony Fienman
                 Mission Design ........ Brian Simonton
                Sound and Music ........ Brian Simonton
             Product Management ........ Stacey Simonton
                      Publisher ........ Beaucomm Interactive


BACKLASH would not have been possible without: Ken Kuhlmann, Robert Terry,
Jim Haffner, Amy Masters, Devin Dellagnese, Randall Jarrell, Kevin Beauchamp.

BACKLASH is a trademark of Sanctuary Software Studio, Inc.  Other trademarks
are the property of their respective holders.
