CHARLIE THE DUCK Version 2.4 (English) (C) Copyright 1996-2004, by Mike Wiering/Wiering Software www.wieringsoftware.nl, info@wieringsoftware.nl LICENSE This software is distributed under the license described in the file LICENSE.TXT. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS To play CHARLIE THE DUCK, you'll need a PC with: - 286 processor or higher (486 or Pentium recommended) - VGA graphics card - at least 475K of free memory in DOS Also supported: - sound card (MPU401 / Adlib) - joystick STARTING CHARLIE If you used the special installation program for Windows, you can start the game by clicking the 'Charlie the Duck' icon on your desktop, or you can start the game via: Start, Programs, Wiering Software, Charlie the Duck. If you have problems running the game, try the 'Help me!' program. To start CHARLIE THE DUCK in DOS, go to the directory where you installed the game and type: CHARLIE The following command line options are available: CHARLIE -E Start the game in English. CHARLIE -N Start the game in Dutch. CHARLIE -L Try different method for smooth scrolling. CHARLIE -M Skip MPU401 (Midi) sound detection. CHARLIE -A Use Adlib only, not SoundBlaster (Pro) if detected. CHARLIE -S Skip soundcard detection, use PC speaker. CHARLIE -P Create CHARLIE.PIF file for Windows. CHARLIE -R Register CHARLIE THE DUCK. CHARLIE -W Create a new CHARLIE.CFG file with saved games for world 1, 2 and 3 (registered version only). CHARLIE -H Run a demo of level 1-4 (big fish). CHARLIE -V Show detailed version information. This version includes a HELPME.BAT program, which makes most options described above available from a menu. To start it from DOS, type: HELPME CONTROLS All menus are controlled with the [Up] and [Down] arrow keys on the keyboard and [Space] or [Enter] to select an option. You can always use the [Esc] key to go back or to quit the game. If you have a joystick, from the main menu, select OPTIONS, then CONTROLS to configure it. Default controls during the game: [Left] / [Right] - Walk [Down] - Dive (in some places) [Alt] - Jump [Ctrl] - Run (together with [Left] / [Right] To use other keys, select OPTIONS from the main menu and then choose CONTROLS and REDEFINE KEYS. Other keys during the game: [F1] - Help [F2] - Save game [F3] - Load game [F4] - Sound on/off [F5] - Change method for scrolling (try this if scrolling is not smooth) [P] - Pause [Esc] - Quit game FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Here are some of the questions that were asked frequently over the past few years: ---- Q: How can I beat the big fish at the end of the first world? A: You have to land on top of its head (right above the eyes) five times. Run CHARLIE -H for a demo (new in version 1.9) or run the HELPME.BAT program. ---- Q: Have you made any more games? A: Yes, they can be found on the Internet (see the URLs below). Select CATALOG in the main menu to see some screen shots. ---- Q: Have you made any new games yet? When will the next one be ready? A: I don't know. I'm usually working on several games at the same time and I don't release a game before its completely finished. ---- Q: I've registered the game, but everything is still exactly the same as in the unregistered version! What's going on? A: So far, everyone who has asked this had both versions on disk and was still running the unregistered version. If you install the game again in a different location, you should update any shortcuts in Windows that point to the game. The registered version does begin with the first world, just like the demo version, but it also contains a second and a third world. If you use the HELPME.BAT program to register and to start the game as well, everything should work properly. ---- Q: How do you make this kind of games? A: I programmed CHARLIE THE DUCK with Borland Turbo Pascal 7.0 (using lots of inline assembly), all drawings were made with my own sprite editor GRED. You can find some information about creating games on the Wiering Software web site, including links to some resources. ---- Q: I just can't get through level ..., I'm frustrated. Can you give a step-by-step description and also tell where all the hidden items are? A: No, I don't think it would be much fun anymore if you knew all the secrets. Just keep practicing, all of the levels are playable! ---- Q: How can I make an icon for this game on my Windows desktop? A: Run the HELPME.BAT program. ---- Q: The game is really slow. Is there a way to make it any faster? A: The settings for the background layer can make a great difference on some (older) computers. From the main menu choose OPTIONS and then BACKGROUND. The default is PARALLAX, which can be slow. Change it to STATIC or NONE. ---- Q: If I have saved my progress in Level 3-3 for example, is it still possible to start at the beginning of that world? A: Yes, press [Shift]+[Enter] instead of [Enter] when selecting a game and you will start at the beginning of that world. CONTACTING THE AUTHOR If you want to contact me, send an e-mail! My address is: mike@wieringsoftware.nl Please don't try to call me by telephone. I like to hear what you think about my games. So if you have any remarks, suggestions or if you find bugs, please let me know. I want this game to be as "bug-free" as possible. You should be able to find the newest information about my games at the following Internet sites: http://www.wieringsoftware.nl/ http://home.wxs.nl/~mikewiering/