------------------------------------------------------------------------                             Robot Arena 2                               Readme
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Robot Arena: Design & Destroy(tm) version 1.20

Thank you for purchasing Robot Arena 2.  We hope you enjoy battering and 
bashing mechanical creations.

Contents:			
1.  Changes since Gold Release
2.  System Requirements
3.  How to install
4.  How to run
5.  Last-minute items
6.  Notes on game options
7.  Notes on performance
8.  Troubleshooting
9.  Technical Support

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1.  Items Changed since Gold Release:
Patch 1.20:
  - added fix for King of Hill matches with fractured parts in zone or
    anomalous phantom events from Havok
  - fixed AI pathfinding for getting stuck in hazards in hilltop arena
  - fixed event crash with fractured components
  - fixed Havok crash with fractured items
  - added graphic to repair screen for fractured items
  - removed force and torque data from sync message
  - removed guaranteed messages from host (changed to synced, non-guaranteed)
  - decreased bandwidth and update intervals for internet connections
  - hitting teammates no longer adds points
  - server list is sortable
  - added connection speed to server list
  - remove shadow when player quits multiplayer match
  - added spectator names to pre-match screen and match results screen
  - added new skin with slots for AI EMERGENCY bot
  - fixed ready state crash in multiplayer when bots are ejected
  - fixed bug where borders weren't showing up on server list ping column
    the first time in

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2.  System Requirements

Required:
  Operating System: Windows 98/2000/Me/XP
  Processor: 450 MHz Pentium II or higher
  Memory: 64 MB RAM
  Hard Disk Space: 170 MB Free
  CD-ROM Drive: 4X Speed (8X recommended)
  Video: 16 MB 3D Window 98/Me/2000/XP-compatible video card* (software mode
         not supported)
  Sound: Window 98/Me/2000/XP-compatible sound card*
  Multiplayer: TCP/IP (LAN or Internet)
  Modem: High-speed Internet connection required for online play (DSL or cable
         modem, or faster)
  DirectX: DirectX version 8.1 (included) or higher
  Controllers: Mouse/keyboard (Gamepad optional)
  * Indicates device should be compatible with DirectX version 8.1 or higher.


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3.  How to install

To install the game, insert the CD-Rom into your CD-Rom drive. If autorun 
is enabled on your computer, the installer will launch automatically. If 
autorun is disabled, browse to your CD-Rom drive and run the program 
called launcher.exe.

>From the menu shown, click the Install button to begin the setup program.

If you do not have DirectX installed, the setup program will prompt you
to install it.  This is required for the game to run.

To remove the game from your system, use the same menu to select 
uninstall, or run the uninstaller from your Windows Start menu under the 
Robot Arena group.


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4.  How to run

After you have installed the program, you can run the game from the 
autostart menu that appears when the CD is inserted into the CD-Rom
drive.  Or you may run it from the shortcut created in the Windows
Start menu under Robot Arena.


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5.  Last-minute items

Internal damage:  hits to the chassis will cause damage to surrounding
components based on their distance from the hit.  Motors, batteries,
and other internal components will become less effective as they take
damage.  Although they may generate quite a bit of smoke or other
effects, they will not become completely inoperative.

Event size:  to help accommodate slower computers, a selection was
added to the options screen to allow a player to reduce the maximum
number of participants in an event match from 4 to 2.  If you notice
your single-player events with 4 robots are too slow, try changing the
setting to 2.  You will end up having to win more matches, but they
should run more quickly and be more responsive.  Please Note: changes
to this setting will not take effect until the start of the next event.

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6.  Notes on game options

Some of the game options need a little more explanation, especially
since they can affect performance quite a bit.

From the Options menu you will find:

Graphic detail:

Medium detail - all normal features

Low detail - no multitexturing (shaded arenas); no specular (no
shiny robots); no chassis deformation (crushed, damaged chassis)

High detail - adds shadows of robot chassis; more particles (sparks,
shrapnel)


Graphic effects:

On - all normal effects

Off - no particles (sparks, shrapnel); no decals (chassis scratches,
etc.)


Damage messages:

On - all normal damage indicators

Off - no immobility warnings; no player status bars; no scoring
indicators

Event size:  2 or 4.  This setting determines the maximum number
of robots per match in a single-player event.  If the game runs
too slowly on your computer with 4 robots but is ok with 2, try
changing this option to 2.  Note: changes to this setting will
not take effect until the start of the next event.

To find out what settings work best on your system, follow these
steps:

1. Start with High detail and effects and messages on.  Try a few
exhibition matches and see how the game plays.  A faster computer
should handle these settings easily.

2. If the game is sluggish or feels like it's in slow motion, switch
to medium detail.

3. If it's still too slow, turn off Graphic effects.

4. If it's still too slow, switch to Low detail.

Finally, turning off Damage messages may help a tiny bit.  (Mostly,
turning off damage messages would be for the serious competitor who
doesn't feel like he/she should know how healthy his/her opponents'
robots are.)


On the Multiplayer Create Server screen you will find:

Connection speed - this setting determines the number of
synchronization updates sent by your server to all players.  The
faster your connection, the more updates that will be sent and the
smoother the game will feel to players.  (However, players' must also
have a fast connection to receive and process the number of updates
you are sending.)


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7.  Notes on performance

Please note that while there is a maximum weight for robots, this does
not prevent a player from creating a robot with many parts
(motors, pistons, etc.) which can cause slower performance and longer load
times.

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8.  Troubleshooting


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9.  Technical Support

Technical support via email is available by visiting http://www.ina-support.com




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Robot Arena 2(tm)
Developed by Gabriel Interactive, Inc.
www.gabrielinteractive.com
Copyright (c) 2000-2003, Gabriel Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.
Published by Infogrames

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