"Ralph's Adventure" Ver. 1.6 February 24, 2001

If you have a version prior to Februaty 24, 2001, do not use it as it contains a "bug" which will not allow you to complete the game. My apologies.

If you have trouble reading this file, go to "EDIT" and select "Word Wrap."

This file contains information pertaining to the installation, set-up and playing of "Ralph's Adventure.".

This is my first attempt at compiling a game. The game is distributed as freeware and carries no guarantee. If your computer gets a case of indigestion, I am not responsible! 

This file is in "Zipped" format. You will need a program such as "PKZIP" or WINZIP" to extract the files contained within. These are the files contained here:

ralph.txt - The file you are now reading.
ralph.exe - The actual game file.
Setup.bat - A file used for configuring your game.
Setup.pif - The result of the 640 X 400 configuration.
acsetup.cfg - The configuration file derived from Setup.
"Includes CWSDPMI DPMI host, copyright 1997 by Charles Sandmann"

Extract these files to folder (directory) of your choice on your hard drive. Example: C:\Ralph. No changes or additions will be made to any of your windows, auto.exec.bat, or config.sys. files.

Run the file "ralph.exe" to play the game. This is a DOS program but it runs best in a DOS window rather than actually running it under DOS. I discovered that running under DOS will give you some problems with sound.

The game has a simple "point and click" interface with instructions for new players contained within the game. It also allows you to save and restore your game. 

The game is configured for 640X400 resolution and seems to run best in this mode. You may use the setup.bat file if you wish to change this to either 300X200 or 960X600 resolution. 640X400 gives you better graphics quality but 300X200 may play a bit faster although you will lose some graphic detail. I do not know how the 960X600 looks as my computer does not have that resolution capability. If you wish to try it, please inform me as to how it looks and runs. The setup program also allows you to select a sound and midi card but these selections are very limited and it is probably best to leave them set to auto-detect..

Any character references contained within the game to persons, living or dead, is completely intentional.



Helpful Hints:

Save often. This will keep you out of trouble. Especially when you think you are about to do something you are not too sure of.

The game is limited to 20 saves. After that you will have to select a saved file to replace.

There is a Help Menu available when you start the game. Read it to familiarize yourself with the basics.

This is a "point and click" interface game. There is no use of your keyboard involved.

To reveal the menu bar, simply scroll your mouse cursor to the top of the screen.

There are various functions there to select from.

To select a function from the menu bar, left click on it.

There are four basic icons that you can select to do various actions.
	
	"The Hand Icon" This allows you to interact with something or someone. Like open a door, pick up an item, use one inventory item on another, etc.
	 Interact meaning: use, take, pick up, examine,manipulate, perform an action, etc.
	"The Eye Icon" This allows you to look at an item.
	"The Walk or Foot Icon" This allows you to move your character from one place to another.
	"The Mouth or Speech Icon" This allows you to speak to someone or something. Usually someone!

Besides using the menu bar, you can right click your mouse to cycle through the various icons.

The following keys may also be used:

	Ctrl-Q Quit the game.
	F5 Save the game
	F7 Restore a saved game.
	F9 Restart the game.
	F12 Saves a screenshot to your game folder. However, you can only 	take one screenshot unless you go back and rename your screenshot 	file, otherwise it will be overwritten.

As you collect objects, they are added to your "Inventory". You can use the "suitcase" on the menu bar to view these items.

Explore everything! No matter how silly it may seem!

It is always SAfEST to LOOK before you INTERACT.


Part of the fun of the game is experimenting and learning as you go.



The program used to create this game is "Adventure Games Studio" (AGS) by Chris Jones. Ver. 2.15. You may access the AGS web site at:

http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk

Special thanks to Carol Gortat, Judy Spence, Phil Bartol, and Chrille Blomqvist for help in getting all (I hope) the "bugs" out.

Thank you. I hope you have fun playing "Ralph's Adventure."

Ralph Gortat
rgortat@earthlink.net