Games PC THIS MEANS WAR User Manual

THIS MEANS

THIS MEANS

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THE TECHNICAL STUFF

For This Means War to work, there are a few things your computer

h a v e .

• The processor has to be a 4 8 6 or better. Basically, any computer with
“4 8 6” or “Pentium” in its name should do just fine. The system speed
should be at least 3 3 MHz (megahertz). However, for best play, we
recommend a system speed of at least 6 6 M H z .

• You must have a CD-ROM drive. The drive must be running with
MSCDEX (the Microsoft CD-ROM Extension) version 2.2 3 or newer.

• You must have a version of DOS (Disk Operating System) numbered 5.0
or higher. Almost all 4 8 6 and Pentium computers include DOS in the
standard software package.

• You must have Windows version 3.1 or higher installed on your
c o m p u t e r .

i

• There must be at least 8 Mb (megabytes) of RAM installed in

your computer.

• There also must be at least 6 1 4 4 Kb (6,2 9 1,4 5 6 bytes) of free EMS

(expanded) memory. To find out whether you have enough, type
m e m / c at any DOS prompt and press [ E n t e r ]. Somewhere in the mess
of information that pops up will be a line that tells you how much free
EMS you have.

• Since the installation program will copy parts of This Means War

onto your hard disk, you must have some empty storage space on your
hard drive. The Windows File Manager notes how much free space you
have, or you can find out by typing d i rat any DOS prompt and pressing
[ E n t e r ]. One of the last things listed will be how much hard drive space
you have free. (Sometimes, the space is listed in bytes. It can help to
know that 1,0 4 8,5 7 6 bytes make a megabyte.)

Disk Size: 0-128 Mb 128-256 Mb 256-512 Mb 512 Mb-1 Gb 1-2 Gb 2-4 Gb

Ty p i c a l 3 1 3 2 3 3 3 6 4 1 5 3
M i n i m u m 1 4 1 5 1 5 1 7 2 1 3 0

• The graphics must be SVGA quality or better. We strongly advise that

you play the game in 2 5 6 colour, 6 4 0 x 4 8 0 m o d e .

• You must have a mouse attached to your computer in order to play this

game. The mouse driver must be MS Mouse version 9.1 or higher, or
something fully compatible with this.

If you think you have all of these, but still have a problem running the

game, please contact Sold Out Customer Support for assistance.

THE TECHNICAL STUFF

CONFLICTS WITH OTHER PROGRAMS

If you run This Means War at the same time as other programs are

running, there could be weird problems. (Don’t worry, nothing
This Means War does can damage your computer; the problems we’re
talking about are the game not working correctly.) To help avoid this,
we’ve listed the known conflicts here. Please note that this list includes
only the possible problems we about. Since no test procedure can
ever be totally complete, you may run into undiscovered problems. Please
consult with Customer Service if you do.

This game has n o t been fully tested under Microsoft Windows 9 5.

Therefore, we suggest that you not use it with Windows 9 5.

We strongly recommend that you not have any Terminate-and-Stay-

Resident programs (TSRs) loaded into memory when playing
This Means War, except for memory managers. Not only will TSRs
decrease the amount of free memory available, thus slowing the game, but
weird things could happen. The manuals that came with your computer
should tell you how to remove any TSRs.

We also recommend that you not have any other applications open

while playing This Means War.

iii

CUSTOMER SERVICES

If you experience difficulty with the game, you might need some help
from MPS Customer Services. As we receive many calls every day, we will
be able to deal with your inquiry more efficiently (and more quickly) if you
have the following information handy when you call:

• The correct name and version number of the game.

• The type of computer you are using— the brand, type of processor

(e.g. “Pentium”), and speed.

• The numbers of your versions of DOS and Windows.

• How much free Conventional, Extended (EMS), and Expanded (XMS)

memory you have.

• The exact error message reported (if any).

• The version and make of your mouse driver.

It is also handy to be near your computer when you call.

THE TECHNICAL STUFF

INSTALLING AND PLAYING

Before you can play This Means War, the installation program

must copy some files onto your hard disk. To have it do so, follow
these instructions:

• Turn on your computer. The Microsoft CD-ROM Extension should load

when the computer starts up. (If you have problems installing, this
extension may not be loaded. Check your computer manuals for
instructions on making it load itself.)

• If your computer is set up so that Windows does not start

automatically, start up Windows.

• Open the CD-ROM drive, place the This Means War CD in there, and

close the drive.

• In the Windows File Manager, double-click on the file s e t u p . e x e o n

the CD-ROM. (If you’re using Windows 9 5, the installation begins
automatically.) You’ll have a chance to change your mind, then you’ll
have a couple of decisions to make.

• You decide the name of the directory into which the game is installed.
Leave the default or click on Change Directory to enter a different
path and name. When you’re satisfied, click C o n t i n u e to go on.

• Next, you must decide how much of the game you want installed on
your hard drive and how much you want to remain on the CD-ROM.
There are three options:

The T y p i c a l installation takes up the most hard drive space, but

ensures that the game will run most quickly. In addition, after the first
time you start the game, you can remove the game CD from your drive.
(In fact, you can put in a music CD, and the game music will be replaced
by selections from that CD!)

Using the C o m p l e t e / C u s t o m option, you can choose exactly which

parts of the game are installed on your hard disk. The more you install,
the faster the game plays, but the more disk space is taken up. You will
also need to keep the CD-ROM in the drive while you play.

v

The M i n i m u m takes up the least space. If you use this, however,

you must keep the CD-ROM in your drive at all times while playing, and
the game will run a bit slower.

• When the installation program has finished copying files, you must

decide in which Windows Program Group you want the game icon to
appear. Choose a name from the list or leave the default, then
click C o n t i n u e.

The latest information on last minute updates to the game is contained

in the R e a d m e file. For your convenience, the text of this file is displayed
immediately after the installation is complete. (If you need to read it
again, you can do so with any text viewing utility. Just open the file
r e a d m e . t x t on the CD-ROM.)

TO START PLAYING:

• Make sure that the This Means War CD-ROM is in its drive. (That is,
unless you chose the T y p i c a l installation option and have played at
least once before. Even in this case, however, if there is no CD in the
drive, there will be no game music.)

• If Windows is not already active, start up Windows.

• Make sure that no other applications are running.

• Double click on the This Means War i c o n .

Have fun!

THE TECHNICAL STUFF

MICROPROSE ON-LINE SERVICES

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accessing http://www.microprose.com from your Web Browser
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vii

SOLD OUT CUSTOMER SERVICES

United Kingdom

T e l e p h o n e : [phone] (0900-1730) GMT/BST)
Fax: [phone] (0900-1730) GMT/BST)

Monday to Friday

Unit 308, The Chandlery, 50 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 1 7QY.

The Ridge, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS17 6BN, UK.

Tel: [phone]

MADE IN THE UK

MP191236T/SR

THIS MEANS WAR

™

MicroProse

The Ridge, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS17 6BN, UK.

Tel: [phone]

©1995 MicroProse Software, Inc.

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by mimeograph or photocopy or any other means without

permission, with the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose of reviews.

MADE IN THE UK

MP191236MANR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii,iv

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

TUTORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

INTERFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

10
11
13
13
13
19
24
24

COMBAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

26
27
28
30

UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

31
32
33
35
40

YOUR ALLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

46
47
48
49

YOUR OPPONENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

50
51
52
53
53

APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

9

THIS MEANS WAR

CREDITS

Doug Kaufman

Jeff Johannigman

Jeff Dee

Ellen Guon

Benjamin Ellinger

Jonah Ellinger

Stephen Beeman

Susan Hustace

Steven Ray Austin,

Greg Burrow, Dr. Cat,

Michael J. Crossmire,

Cody A. Davis, Jeff Dee, John Funk,

Jodi Hickcox, ‘Manda,

George Purdy

George Sanger, Dave Govett,

Joe McDermott, Kevin Phelan

Tracy Goudie

John Gillies

Tracy Goudie

Naomi Anise

Steve Austin

Cody A. Davis

Corel Professional Photos

Expert Software, Inc.

Todd Wolfson

Katherine Lawrence

‘ M a n d a

Taylor Gibler

Dennis Bleier

Michael Silverstone

Cannon Pritchard

iii

Beth Kaufman

Ellen Guon

Lewis Sims

Jamie Bard

Teresa Avallone, Jeff Dee, ‘Manda,

Dave Govett, Joe McDermott,

Kevin Phelan, and George Sanger

Ted Paulsen, Lisa Smith

M. Christine Manley

John Possidente

Christopher Nisseley

Cesar Novoa

Bill Krauss

Lindsay Riehl

Teresa Avallone

Ron Evans

Sean Owens

Don Emmel, Tammy Talbott

Mike Prendergast,

Mike Richardson, Frank Brown,

Robbie Motai

Geoff Gessner, Dan Walker,

Darren Brown, Vaughn Thomas

Sean Owens

Dave Ellis

Special Thanks to

Colonel Kamndowsky &

Camp Mabry of Austin, Texas

system technology provided by Illusion Machines Incorporated.

Windows sound drivers supplied by John Miles of Miles Design.

THIS MEANS WAR

INTRODUCTION

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity”

n the last years of the twentieth century, lifestyles reached a climax
of avarice and greed. Governments became entangled in economic

I

competition against super-conglomerates. Entire nations defaulted
on loans, causing banks to falter worldwide. People rushed to withdraw
their life savings, dealing severe financial damage to the remaining banks.
Just as had happened in 1 9 2 9, the world was plunged into a time of want,
imbalance, and desperation.

Most companies went bankrupt, but the mightiest amongst them were
merely reduced from mega-powerful corporations to major companies.
One such firm, M.R., Inc., bought Microfirm, once the most promising
computer game manufacturer. As is typical in such takeovers, the top
executives of Microfirm were fired and replaced by administrators sworn
to uphold the new policies. Sheldon Hawkins II, founder and former CEO
of Microfirm, was so distraught at the loss of his company that he tried to
commit suicide. He was committed to a mental institution. M.R., Inc.
continued to thrive as the need for escapism grew.

Two years ago, a new game was released by a brand new manufacturer
called Mad Rabbit Software. The game “Snark Hunter” first appeared on
various networks and on-line services, with the first level as a free sample.
No one knew anything about the game’s creator save that this creative
genius went by the name “Shadowhawk”. The demo spread
like wildfire to every college and university campus throughout the world.

1

Within six months of ’s commercial release, everyone was
playing the game and it was on every home computer, office computer,
and notebook; there was even a special version for hand-held computers.
The multi-player version was introduced via satellite to all the cable and
telephone systems. Everybody loved .

On Monday morning, March 1 5, at 1 2:0 1 A M, the world was set back one
hundred fifty years. The computers that had run heating and air
conditioning, yielded stock prices, printed term papers, and given the
populace relief from stress died. At first, no one knew what was
happening. American and European satellites confirmed that Japan had
suffered a nationwide power outage. When the Smolensk nuclear reactor
melted down, the world panicked.

Trying desperately to contact countries inside the spreading blackout,
Europeans and Americans worked frantically to comprehend the situation.
Was the source of the devastation from Asia or another continent, from
outer space, or from inside the planet’s core? No one knew.

The enigmatic answer first emerged in a radio message from Germany
to England: “Unknown (ssh)rus attache(sshzz) to computers program. Shut
down all(sshzz... shzhzz...)” It was too late; Germany and the rest of
Eastern Europe fell to the blackout that was rapidly covering the world. It
was the computers; they were the source of the problem. The remaining
nations quickly debugged all computer programs, finding nothing wrong.
When England finally succumbed, the two American continents shut down
all nuclear reactors and declared martial law.

THIS MEANS WAR

A very few small regions managed to retain the power and
conveniences of modern living. There were mass migrations to these
areas, which were not equipped to support the sudden population
explosion. Mass transport ground to a halt, and food became scarce.
Famine overtook both the darkened major cities and the tech-possessing
enclaves. Violence followed.

Survivors of the violence formed into groups centred around cunning,
charismatic, and powerful individuals. The search for food evolved into a
search for weapons and technology. At first, it was only to protect against
looters, but eventually weapons once again became a means to
acquire power.

Universities with their own backup power sources and isolated
computers had found the source of the mayhem. It was .
Expertly hidden computer viruses with specific purposes and the ability to
spontaneously mutate to avoid detection had brought the world to its
knees. Efforts to locate went into high gear. Strangely, no
trace of could be found. She, he, or they seemed to
never have existed.

Rumours about began to circulate, originating with the
Riot Tribes that ravaged the countryside. had supposedly
returned, this time with an army and the power to take over the world. No
one knew who, where, or what was, but occasionally a
straggler would be found stumbling across the countryside babbling about
UFOs, humans with eyes like cats that could see in the dark, and other
such strangeness.

3

A few months ago, General Noah Adams rallied the remnants of the US,
Canadian, Mexican, and Nicaraguan military under a single banner. By
using his charisma and the theories of history’s top commanding officers,
General Adams welded his troops into a single fighting force. One day,
General Adams’ Aide de Camp shows up on your doorstep, introduces
herself as Major Cassandra Clark, and tells you that your are needed. She
has the papers ready to push through your promotion to Colonel; all you
need to do is pack.

SPECIAL NOTE:

THIS MEANS WAR

TUTORIAL

elcome to This Means War, a combat simulation in which
you, a soldier of the Free World Alliance forces, fight for the

W

fought over precious food supplies, a world where power matters more
than morals, a world where only the strong survive.

To start this tutorial, click on the START GAME button found in the Main
Menu. After Major Clarke gives you a briefing of the current situation, a
geopolitical map appears. This map outlines areas owned by the FWA and all
other groups in their organisational colours. After each victory, the area that
you fought for changes to orange, the colour of the FWA. Your enemies,
however, are also trying to expand their territories, so don’t be surprised
when an area that was previously neutral comes under enemy ownership.

fate of a world gone insane. It is a world where battles are

When you are finished looking at the map, click anywhere on the screen
to get to the battle. The game starts paused, giving you a chance to look at
your forces. Right now, your forces consist of two Light Infantry units and
one Battle Bike. Also, you have a Steel Mill, two Oil Wells, a Command
Centre, and a Farm. Finally, you have a Barracks from which you can
create more Light Infantry units or Engineers. It’s a good thing, too,
because you’re going to need a larger force if you plan to protect your
complex from invasion.

5

Before we continue the game, get used to moving the map around with
the arrow cursor. Do this by right dragging towards the Battle Screen
border. If you would prefer to move the map by using scroll bars, click on
the option in the menu. Just as in any other Windows
application, the horizontal scroll bar moves the map view left and right
and the vertical scroll bar moves the map up and down.

Now, click on the different structures that you see. Notice that each
structure has a specific toolbar. For a description of each button inside
that toolbar, refer to the section on Basic Toolbar Information and Orders.
After you have examined each toolbar, click on the option in the

menu. This starts the game at a slow pace. As soon as possible, click
and drag on the Command Centre up and to the right, until the red square
that appears turns green. After it turns green, release the mouse button.
You have just built your first Tent City. Seconds later, you will see your
Tent City grow into luxurious houses.

By this time, your soldiers have spotted enemy troops coming from the
east. Before they charge to intercept, click on one of your Light Infantry.
In its toolbar, click on the Stop button. Do the same for the other Light
Infantry Unit.

THIS MEANS WAR

Setting the Light Infantry units to Stop makes the units hold their
positions. When an enemy unit comes into range, the Light Infantry units
will fire but maintain their position.

Now, click on the Barracks structure. When the toolbar appears, click
on the bottom button. From the unit menu, click on Light Infantry. Next,
click on the Quota button until a two rows of tanks appear inside of the
button. Finally, you’re going to have to set the Barracks on go by clicking
on the Go button and attack by pressing the Attack button. You have just
ordered your Barracks to produce Light Infantry units indefinitely.

When the new Light Infantry unit appears, click on it to view its
toolbar. In a unit toolbar, you can see the amount of damage that the unit
has taken (noted by the colour bar) and the amount of kills that the unit
has (noted by the skulls). Obviously, your new unit has no damage and no
kills. Click and drag on the Light Infantry unit to an enemy unit. When the
cursor turns into a crosshair, release the mouse button. Your Light
Infantry attacks the enemy unit. Notice that the target for the Light
Infantry unit is outlined in red. This designates that unit as a target. As
each new Light Infantry unit appears, click and drag on that unit to a
target, just as you did with the first unit. Now, watch the fire fight.

Eventually, you’re going to have enough units to overcome the enemy
opposition. When that happens, you’re going to have to hunt for the
enemy complex and destroy their Command Centre. To send your troops
out, click on a unit and drag it to the east. Once you reach a point far
enough away from your complex, release the mouse button. Notice that a
small white oval appears over the place in which you just released the
mouse button. This signifies that point as the unit’s destination. Move all
of your units in the same manner.

After a little time, your units find the enemy complex and start to
attack it. Continually send new troops in the direction of the enemy
complex to help in its destruction. After your troops find the enemy
Command Centre, order them to destroy it by clicking on a Light Infantry
unit and dragging that unit to the enemy’s Command Centre. Once the
Command Centre is destroyed, you win.

7

As an overview, here are some suggestions you should keep in mind

each time you play This Means War.

• Always make sure you have enough population and food to support

your military. Do this by clicking on any population centre that you
own. Look at its toolbar. If you don’t have enough population to
support your military, it becomes harder to create more units.

• Always leave a defensive force behind to protect your complex. Just

because you are on the verge of victory doesn’t mean you can’t
still lose.

• Lastly, a note from Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher whose

works on war still apply today. “In general, the strategy for
employing the military is this: If your strength is ten times theirs,
surround them; if five, then attack them; if double, then divide your
forces. If you are equal in strength, engage them. If fewer,
circumvent. If outmatched, avoid them.”

THIS MEANS WAR