============================== First Eagles: Expansion Pack 1 Readme File ============================== ----------------- Table of Contents ----------------- 1. Installation Notes 2. Multiplayer Notes 3. Troubleshooting 4. Contacting Customer Support --------------------- 1. Installation Notes --------------------- The minimum system requirements for Expansion Pack is slightly higher than the baseline First Eagles. If you're playing the game on mid- to low-end machines, you may have to turn some Graphics Options down to get the same frame rates as before. Expansion pack is not compatible with previous campaign saved data, and installing this expansion pack will delete any saved campaign in progress. If you have installed any mods to the game, please be sure to back them up prior to installing this expansion. The installer may delete files that have been changed by the expansion (please see the list below). If you wish to re-apply your mods that were deleted, we recommend you don't simply re-copy the old files, but instead, extract the updated files from new .CAT file and make the changes to the update files. List of new features and changes in this Expansion Pack include: * Blip Switch control is added for Camel and Fokker Dr.1. When HARD flight model options is used, the throttle can only be set at 0 or 100%. Move the throttle past half-way position to get 100%, or move it below the half-way position to get 0%. Blip Switch key (by default Numpad Enter key or Joystick button 3), while pressed down, can also be used set the throttle to 0%. * During campaign play, unit name is now displayed on HUD instead of aircraft type. * Terrain engine can now use seasonal texture sets, which are automatically selected based on mission date. * Older style German insignia are added - they're used when the mission date is before March 1918. * New and more detailed pilot 3d models are included. * Shadows can now be cast using more detailed geometry model. * Airfields in Single Mission and Campaign play now include randomly placed parked aircraft. * Machinegun fire sometimes not stopping correctly in Multiplayer has been fixed. * Individual aircraft data.ini can now contain customized Dogfight and ground-attack AI Data. * Flight Model and AI have been further tweaked. * Version numbering system has been changed to show month and year in less ambiguous format. * And many more minor fixes and improvements. List of files are explicitly deleted by the installer. Additional files may be over-written by newer files. Flight\FLIGHTENGINE.INI Flight\COMMDATA.INI Flight\HUDDATA.INI Flight\MISSIONCONTROL.INI Flight\MISSIONSUMMARY.INI Flight\NATIONS.INI Menu\DEFAULT.BAK Menu\DEFAULT.INI Objects\AIRCRAFTOBJECT.INI Objects\Aircraft\AlbatrosD5a\ALBATROSD5A.INI Objects\Aircraft\AlbatrosD5a\ALBATROSD5A_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\AlbatrosD5a\ALBATROSD5A_LOADOUT.INI Objects\Aircraft\DFWC5\DFWC5.INI Objects\Aircraft\DFWC5\DFWC5_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\DFWC5\DFWC5_LOADOUT.IN Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7\FOKKERD7.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7\FOKKERD7_COCKPIT.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7\FOKKERD7_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7\FOKKERD7_LOADOUT.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7F\FOKKERD7_COCKPIT.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7F\FOKKERD7_LOADOUT.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7F\FOKKERD7F.INI Objects\Aircraft\FokkerD7F\FOKKERD7F_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\Salmson2A\SALMSON2A.INI Objects\Aircraft\Salmson2A\SALMSON2A_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\Salmson2A\SALMSON2A_LOADOUT.INI Objects\Aircraft\SE5a\SE5A.INI Objects\Aircraft\SE5a\SE5A_AVIONICS.INI Objects\Aircraft\SE5a\SE5A_COCKPIT.INI Objects\Aircraft\SE5a\SE5A_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\SPAD13\SPAD13.INI Objects\Aircraft\SPAD13\SPAD13_COCKPIT.INI Objects\Aircraft\SPAD13\SPAD13_DATA.INI Objects\Aircraft\SPAD13\SPAD13_LOADOUT.INI Terrain\wwiVerdun\WWIVERDUN.INI Terrain\wwiVerdun\WWIVERDUN_DATA.INI Terrain\wwiVerdun\WWIVERDUN_TARGETS.INI Terrain\wwiVerdun\WWIVERDUN_TYPES.INI PilotData\SQUADRONLIST.INI -------------------- 2. Multiplayer Notes -------------------- * For information on which ports are required for multiplayer connection, please consult the Microsoft Knowledge Base article "DirectX: Ports Required to Play on a Network", at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q240429 * The network module relies on DirectX/DirectPlay, and you must have the same or higher version of DirectPlay to connect to a host. If you're having problem connecting to a host, check to make sure the latest version of DirectX is installed on your system. Also, please check to make sure your Windows is up to date by checking Windows update page. Different level of Windows service pack may create incompatibile DirectPlay sessions. * Different versions of the game are incompatible in multiplayer play, so please be sure that everyone has upgraded the game to the same version. * First Eagles allows you to customize data. For multiplayer sessions, various security checks are implemented to prevent players from playing using data sets that are different from other players. Whenever possible, the host machine automatically transfers the latest data if any discrepancies are found between players' data sets. However, due to the file size, not all data can be transferred by the game. When data files are found to be incompatible, that player is prevented from playing the game until he or she exits and installs the same data as the one used by the host. However, even without the latest data set, that player can still join any session and chat. For Dogfight Mode, incompatible data only affects the player with the different data set; the host can still launch the game normally. The data check is done in the Hangar screen, and the FLY button is simply disabled for the player who has data incompatible with that of the host. For Co-op Mode, the data check is performed in the Co-op Mission player assignment screen. If a player has incompatible data, he or she cannot select flight assignments. This prevents the host from launching the game, since all players must be assigned before the host can launch a cooperative mission. If you are unable to play due to incompatible data sets, chat with the host to see what data he or she has. Try to obtain the same data to make your game compatible. The following section summarizes what data files are checked and transferred by the game, and what must be downloaded and installed before you can play in a multiplayer session: (1) You must have all of the same aircraft that are installed on the host machine. If you are missing any aircraft installed on the host system, you cannot play. Note, however, that you can have additional aircraft installed on your system without experiencing any problems; your custom aircraft simply won't appear in the aircraft selection drop-down menu. (2) Data files can be different, as long as the host and all players have the same aircraft installed. For aircraft already installed on your machine, key aircraft data are checked (such as the flight model and damage model data). If any differences exist, the host automatically transfers data to your system. (3) Both you and the host must have the current terrain data installed. If the terrain currently in use is not installed, or the host or you have different terrain files, you are prevented from playing. Like aircraft, you may have additional, unused terrains installed without any problems. * The host controls all Gameplay options for a multiplayer session. However, you can set your own Graphics, Sound, and Control options. The only exception is the Terrain Mesh Detail option in the Graphics section. In multiplayer mode, this is always set to LOW. * In Co-op missions once the host accepts the players' flight assignments, the session is closed. No other player can join. Private Dogfight session via GameSpy is also closed once it is launched. In contrast, Public Dogfight mode always remains open, and players may join games in progress at any time. ------------------ 3. Troubleshooting ------------------ Troubleshooting Tips Before installing the game, please try the following: - Close all other applications. - Verify that your system meets the minimum system requirements. If you are experiencing difficulties in getting the game to run, please try the following solutions: - Obtain the latest drivers for your video and sound card. - Obtain the latest version of Direct X from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx - Install the latest service pack for your game from: http://www.thirdwire.com/support.htm - Please refer to the readme.txt included on your game CD. - Run scandisk and defragment your drive. ------------------------------ 4. Contacting Customer Support ------------------------------ To obtain further technical assistance regarding this product, please send an e-mail to: support@thirdwire.com. Please be sure to include the following information in your e-mail: · Processor type and speed · Operating System version · Memory (RAM) · DirectX Version · Video Card type · Error messages encountered and where/when you saw them. Or visit our forums at http://bbs.thirdwire.com/phpBB/ and leave us a message. For all other comments or suggestions, you can contact us by sending an e-mail to: info@thirdwire.com.com --