                                    "SIEGE"
                                   =========              

               To print this file, copy "README.TXT" to printer!
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                             Machine Requirements
Required:
- IBM-PC/AT 12MHz '286 or faster
- 640 K Memory  [Roland Music requires at least 590K RAM free (of 640K)]
- Hard drive (requires at least 5.5 Mb free space to install)
- Mouse, 100% Microsoft (or Logitech) Compatible
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                    Additions/Clarifications to Game Manual:

    A New option to the Menu Bar has been added: CHANGE SPEED.  This allows 
    the player to slow down the speed of the program on their computer by 
    selecting a number between 0 and 4 (0 is the fastest, 4 the slowest). 

    A difficulty level setting has been added which will appear when 
    starting a scenario.  The options vary from 0=Wimpy to 8=Hopeless.  The
    setting affects the number of total troops that can be deployed on the
    field at any time.  A setting of 2 equals 300 troops maximum for each
    side, while a setting of 8 equates to 100 for the player and 500 for
    the computer opponent.

    To have engineers place flags, select the ENGINEER command and if the 
    engineer group is carrying flags then they will automatically head to 
    the castle's flag base and place a flag. 

    Purple Wizards and Zorlims heal (increase hit points) of friendly troops 
    in their immediate vicinity.  They do not need to be in the same group to 
    heal, in fact it is a wise idea to put them in their own groups only,
    and move them around the battlefield as needed.
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    Scenarios are rated toward the attacker or defender as if the game were 
    being played with the computer controlling both sides.  This is a true 
    balanced game.  Depending on your play style, the game balance in each 
    scenario could switch to either the attacker or defender.  Use the 
    suggested outcomes in the manual simply as a guideline. 
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                        "SIEGE" - KEYBOARD EQUIVALENTS

    The Opening Screen keyboard commands are highlighted and are listed in 
    the game manual.  The Command Icon keyboard equivalents are shown on 
    the icon (the A on the Attack Icon, for example) and are also covered 
    in the game manual.  The Menu Bar hot keys for the orders menu selection 
    are list on the menu bar. 

                1 = Fire at Will               6 = Escort
                2 = Extended Patrol            7 = Release
                3 = Reinforce                  8 = Split
                4 = Relieve                    9 = Double Time
                5 = Replace                    0 = Full Retreat
    
    Listed below, however are keyboard equivalents not listed in the game 
    manual and not identified on the game screens. 

                     F1, F2, F3 = Zoom directly to a view :

                F1 = 16 x 16 tile view (individual soldiers)   LOCAL VIEW
                F2 =  4 x 4 tile view (red & blue blocks)      AREA VIEW
                F3 =  1 x 1 tile view (red & blue points)      CASTLE VIEW

                 Q = Quit Game in progress
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     - Special Note for 486/50 Mhz machines and Sound Blaster soundcards -

    Problems may occur with Sound Blaster soundcards when attempting 
    to play music on a 486 machine running at 50 Mhz speed.  Included with 
    "SIEGE" are 2 files: ICD.EXE and ICE.EXE - the former to disable the 
    internal cache on the 486 and the latter to reenable the cache. 

Usage:   icd - disables the internal cache 
         ice - enables the internal cache

** WARNING:  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A 486 COMPUTER, DO NOT RUN THESE PROGRAMS!! **

    Thanks to Michael Spertus - CompuServe #70313,2520 for these programs.
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             PREVIEWS AND INFORMATION ON OTHER MINDCRAFT PRODUCTS:       

 - To read descriptions of available & upcoming Mindcraft games, type GAMEINFO 

 - To see screen captures of Mindcraft's "Magic Candle II" game, type MC2PICS

 - To see a sneak preview of the upcoming "Mercenaries" game, type PREVIEW 
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                 - SIEGE v1.1 Changes -

Computer playing Attacker in scenario Usk644 used to "lock up," now fixed.

Re-targeting rules for the "Extended Patrol" order changed to disregard
retreating enemy units.
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                 - SIEGE v1.2 Changes -

Various improvements to the Computer Opponent to speed play and
make the Attacker and Defender more challenging.

The Fire At Will order will target an area with friendly troops
if there is a 2:1 ratio of Enemy:Friendly in the area.

