Cobra Gunship 1.3.2 (DOS)                                        RELEASE NOTES
Copyright (c) 1997-98 Elysium Digital, L.L.C.                      12 MAY 1998
==============================================================================

This README helps you get started with Cobra Gunship.  It contains:

  - Revision History
  - Overview
  - System Requirements
  - Installation
  - Getting Started
  - Registering
  - Known Issues and Incompatibilities
  - Troubleshooting
  - License

Additional information can be found in the MANUAL.  There are text (.txt) and
Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) versions.  The Acrobat version has nice formatting and
images.  The Acrobat Reader is available at: <http://www.adobe.com>

This is version 1.3.2 of Cobra Gunship.  Please check our web site at:

  <http://www.elys.com>

to verify that this is the latest version of this program.  If not, please
download the newer one.  It may contain program improvements, bug fixes or
documentation changes.



REVISION HISTORY
==============================================================================
1.3.2 - 12 May 1998
  * Stability improvements

1.3 - 30 January 1998
  * Added three difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, and Hard.
  * Revised mission 26 to prevent a rare crash on some DOS machines.
  * Fixed a minor bug which caused a crash if a bridge blew up with multiple 
    vehicles on it.
  * Choppers now occasionally leave cash when you destroy them.
  * Added some frequently asked questions to the Troubleshooting section.
  * Fixed a bug which resulted in very faint audio on old SoundBlaster Pro
    cards.

1.2 - 5 December 1997
  * IMPORTANT: Fixed a copy-protection related bug which could result in loss
    of data.
  * Fixed a serious bug which prevented external maps from being playable.
  * Now shows the correct version number in the main menu.
  * Minor gameplay tweaks to make early levels a little less frustrating.
  * The program no longer quits if you have a sound card installed but no
    BLASTER string set.
  * Numeric keypad now really does work.

1.1 - 18 November 1997
  * Removed the confusing default text from the registration menu.
  * Fixed minor bug that exited if a previously installed device was removed.
  * Numeric keypad now works in the text entry widgets.
  * Added TROUBLESHOOTING section to the README.

1.0 - 14 November 1997
  * Initial release.



OVERVIEW
==============================================================================
Cobra Gunship is a side-view scroller helicopter arcade game.  Using
the keyboard, mouse or joystick, you control your chopper, flying it
through a variety of missions.  Along the way, you will use an arsenal
of weaponry to destroy your opponents.  Between missions, you will
customize your chopper, adding newer engines, better armor, and
improved weapons.



SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
==============================================================================
Cobra Gunship was designed to be very configurable.  As a result, it
runs on many lower-end machines, while still taking advantage of the
extra power that faster machines offer.  If you install the game on a
slower system, please refer to the section on Options to see how to
configure the game to run at an acceptable speed.

Required                               Recommended
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 486DX33                              * Pentium 150
* VESA 1.2 compatible SVGA card
* SoundBlaster-compatible sound card   * SoundBlaster16-compatible sound card
* 12MB RAM                             * 16MB RAM
* DOS 6.2 or Windows 95.               * Windows 95



INSTALLATION
==============================================================================
Just unzip the files into a directory called Gunship and run GUNDOS.EXE.
That's it!  The program is completely self-contained.  Note that the game
was carefully engineered to run perfectly from within Windows95.  Just
double-click on GUNDOS.EXE from the Explorer, or run it from a DOS window.
If you do run the game from real DOS, it would be better if you loaded a
mouse driver, since the game does make good use of the mouse.  

If you have trouble unzipping the file, try getting the latest version of 
pkunzip from:

  <http://www.pkware.com/pkz204g.html>



GETTING STARTED
==============================================================================
When you start the game, you will see the Elysium Digital, L.L.C. logo
and then the game startup screen.  After that, the game will take you
to the Main Menu.

Click on NEW GAME.  From the window that appears, select the desired
difficulty level. On the right side of the screen, the stats for your
new game will appear.  If desired, you may EQUIP your chopper with fancier
gear.  Now, click on MISSIONS.  This takes you to the Mission Tree.  Click
on MISSION 0, and read the Mission Briefing that pops up.  Click ACCEPT to
start playing the mission.

How you control your Cobra during a mission depends on your settings.  If you
have a mouse, then the default settings are to use the mouse for control.
Move the mouse crosshairs to where you want the Cobra to fly, and your chopper
will accelerate towards the cursor.  The further you move the cursor away from
your Cobra, the faster it pursues it.

If you have no mouse or have turned off mouse control, you can use the 
keyboard to control your Cobra.  The default settings have you use the arrow
keys to move the Cobra up, down, left and right.

Regardless of how you move the chopper, you will also need to flip which way
it is facing, select weapons and fire.  The default keys for these are:

Flip Direction:      E
Select Primary:      S
Select Secondary:    F
Fire Primary:     <SPACE>
Fire Secondary:      D

You can also use keys { 1, 2, 3, 4 } to select a particular primary weapon, 
and keys {5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, - } to select a particular secondary.

NOTE: Your chopper can hold more than one kind of primary and secondary weapon
at a time.  You may switch between purchased weapons by using the weapon
selection keys.



REGISTERING
==============================================================================
When you first download your copy of Cobra Gunship, it is unregistered.  You
will be allowed to play only missions 0-5, you can't load external missions, 
and some of the weapons are turned off.

To play all 31 levels, be able to load external map files and buy all weapons, 
you need to purchase a serial number by registering.  You may order by one of
the following ways:

1) Order on our web site (credit-card only) for a $1.00 discount:

      http://www.elys.com

2) Fill out this form and mail or fax it to us for a $0.50 discount.
   
      EMania.Com
      c/o Agile Systems, Inc.
      P.O. Box 221
      Raritan, NJ  08869-0221

      (908) 369-1317 FAX

3) Place an order by telephone (credit-card only):

      (888) 369-0047  (U.S. only, 9am-5pm Eastern Time)
         or 
      (908) 369-0084  (International, 9am-5pm US Eastern Time)

Once you have you serial number, just click REGISTER from the Main Menu.  You
will see a window with entry buttons for your name and serial number.  Enter
them here and click OK.

NOTE: Both your name and your serial number must be entered EXACTLY as they
are listed.  If you make a mistake entering one or the other, the game will
tell you which one is incorrect.  Just correct your typo and hit OK.

That's it!  Once that is done your purchase is complete.  The entire game will
be available to you.



KNOWN ISSUES AND INCOMPATIBILITIES
==============================================================================
1. Cobra Gunship does not support Windows NT, but does run on some Windows NT
   systems.

2. In Windows 95, you may not be able to switch out of the Cobra Gunship
   application and back in again.
   
3. On some Windows 95 systems, Cobra Gunship must be run from a full-screen
   DOS prompt.



TROUBLESHOOTING
==============================================================================
If you have trouble running Cobra Gunship, type "set xdev=1" at the DOS
prompt, then run it again.  You will see a screen that describes what hardware
has been recognized by the program.


Q: The cool weapon I just purchased disappeared.

A: Your chopper can hold more than one kind of primary and secondary weapon
   at a time.  You may switch between purchased weapons by using the weapon
   selection keys.  You currently have one of your inferior weapons selected.


Q: I just failed a mission and now the only available mission is Mission 0.

A: You need to save your games explicitly from the Main Menu.  Your game is
   not automatically saved after you successfully complete a mission.  After
   all, you might discover that you really should have collected more cash on
   Mission 16.  When you fail a mission, you then load your previously saved
   game to resume where you left off.


Q: When I run Cobra Gunship, I get an "X-DEV" screen which tells me that my
   video card does not have the VESA 1.2 BIOS.

A: Either your video card does not have the VESA 1.2 (or later) BIOS built in
   or your system does not support running Cobra Gunship from within a DOS
   window.  

   First try running Cobra Gunship from a full-screen DOS prompt.  If the
   problem persists, you may need to update your video drivers.  There
   are drivers for most video cards which will bring them up to date.
   Check the web site of your video card manufacturer.  We also have a
   collection of common video drivers at:

     <http://www.elys.com/software/vesa>
  
   If you can't find a VESA driver in either place, try Scitech Display Doctor
   at:

     <http://www.scitechsoft.com>


Q: The game's graphics seem to be crunched into the top half of the screen.

A: Either your video card does not have the VESA 1.2 (or later) BIOS built in
   or your system does not support running Cobra Gunship from within a DOS
   window.  See the answer above for instructions to resolve this problem.


Q: I'm not getting any sound and I have a sound card installed.

A: Cobra Gunship requires a SoundBlaster-compatible sound card in order to
   play audio.  If you run the game from DOS (not from Win95), your BLASTER
   environment string must be properly set.  See your sound card documentation
   to find out how to do this if it is not already done.  If you run Cobra
   Gunship from Win95 (even if it is from a DOS prompt), you don't need to
   do this manually.



LICENSE
==============================================================================

BY COPYING, USING OR DISTRIBUTING THIS SHAREWARE PROGRAM, YOU INDICATE YOUR
AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE:

Terms: "Program" shall refer to the game "Cobra Gunship", with all
associated files. The "Trademarks" consists of "Elysium Digital, L.L.C.",
any Elysium Digital, L.L.C. logo, "Cobra Gunship" name, and any associated
labels and trademarks.

Ownership: The content, layout and format and associated Trademarks of this
Program are the property of Elysium Digital, L.L.C.

Terms of Distribution and Use:

  1. The unregistered version of this Program may be freely copied or
     distributed, provided that:

        o All of the files from the original archive are distributed
          together, unmodified. The distributor is responsible for making
          sure that he distributes no version of the Program that is
          missing files or contains modified files.

        o No charge of any kind is levied for distribution of the Program.
          If a charge is to be levied, specific written permission must
          first be obtained from Elysium Digital, L.L.C.

  2. The registered version of this Program may NOT be distributed in any
     way. The Program and its accompanying documentation are protected by
     United States copyright law and also by international treaty
     provisions. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this package,
     or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal
     penalties.

  3. Any distributor or user agrees not to modify, reverse compile,
     disassemble, or reverse engineer the Program, or use or disclose any
     confidential information that it contains.

  4. Any distributor or user agrees to the Warranty below.

The attached VENDINFO data record is hereby incorporated by reference.  Any
distribution satisfying all the distribution requirements in that data record
is hereby authorized.

Warranty: This program is provided "as is" with no warranties of any kind,
including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose. Under no circumstances will Elysium Digital, L.L.C. provide any
remedy for direct, indirect, special, consequential, incidental or other
damages arising from the use of this Program, including such from
negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty or contract, even after
notice of the possibility of such damages.

==============================================================================
Copyright (c) 1997-98 Elysium Digital, L.L.C.
Updated 30 January 1998.
