4 X 4 OFF-ROAD RACING READY TO ROLL Gear up and get ready, cause this is rough and tumble, off-road racing at its grittiest. You'll start by choosing from four torturous courses. Brave the rugged Baja. Belt through the sweltering Death Valley. Go "bogging" in the mudflats of Georgia. Or take on the treachery of Michigan in the winter. Once you've settled on a course, you pick your rig. Choose between a big American beast, a classic pick-up, a Japanese import or a British military vehicle. Your choice MIGHT be determined by the terrain you're going to be traveling through. But then again, it might not. Once you get your new 4 X 4 out of the showroom, bring it over to AUTOPARTS row. It;s here that you'll make it ALL YOURS. Give it bigger and better tires. Build in more power. And equip it with all the extras you'll need to get past the finish line. Finally - when you're sure that it's all just perfect - you're ready to put your 4 X 4 to the true test: The Race. But it won't be all that easy. There'll be armies of obstacles along the way. Dodge'em. Or use'em to make your rig airborne. There'll be rivers to cross. Ice patches to maneuver. And quick-sinking mud to worm your way out of. Plus there's the competition: the other racers. And some of them are downright impolite - and that's putting it politely. So get it in gear, bud. And get your 4 X 4 on the off-road. To victory. LOADING AND START UP For Commodore 64/128: * Set up your Commodore Computer as shown in the owner's manual. NOTE: for Commodore 128, set system to C64 mode. * Turn on your computer and disk drive. * Plug a joystick into port # 2. (Try the EPYX 500XJ joystick for better maneuverability!!!) * Insert the 4 x 4 OFF ROAD RACING diskette into the disk drive and type LOAD "*",8,1 and press RETURN. With the EPYX FASTLOAD cartridge: * Turn on the computer and disk drive. * Insert the 4 x 4 OFF ROAD RACING disk into the disk drive, label side up. * Press the C= (Commodore) key and the RUN/STOP key to load the program. For the IBM PC and compatibles: * Set up your IBM PC or compatible as shown in the owner's manual. * Plug your joystick in as shown in the owner's manual or refer to the keyboard command card for keyboard controls. * Insert your DOS disk into the disk drive (drive A on a two drive system) and turn on your computer. * When DOS is loaded, insert the 4 x 4 OFF ROAD RACING disk into the disk drive, label side up. * Type the command 4 X 4, and press ENTER to load the program. Pick your own Torture Test Once the loading sequence is complete, press the FIRE BUTTON to view the SELECT TERRAIN and SELECT LEVEL screen. It is here that you determine just WHERE it is you plan to punish your customized super rig. Select Terrain Choose between four types of treacherous terrain. Each has its own breed of excitement and challenge. To select one of the four areas, move the joystick FORWARD or BACK to highlight the TERRAIN of your choice. Then move the joystick RIGHT or LEFT to select your LEVEL. 1) BAJA - 1,000 miles of the roughest, toughest, survival tests on earth. From dry dusty desert and caked, crusty lake beds to boulder-stewn mountain plateaus. Take it head on - if you can. 2) DEATH VALLEY - They don't call it what they call it for nothing. This treacherous desert terrain will rip your spirit as harshly as it rips into your truck. So try and keep your cool. No matter how hot things get. 3) GEORGIA - If you like mudbogging, you're going to go for this trip in a big way. Mile after mile of some of the slimiest stuff the Eastern Seaboard has to offer. So get out there and get in it. 4) MICHIGAN - Snow. Ice. Mud. And winter madness. When it comes to finding nature at her worst, this place has got it. Make sure you've got the right tires. (And make sure your heater works.) Then punch it! Select Level You can adjust your races for different levels of off-road prowess. Choose your LEVEL by pressing the joystick UP and DOWN to highlight your choice. When both your TERRAIN and your LEVEL have been selected, press the FIRE BUTTON. These are the LEVELS you can choose from: 1) BEGINNER - This is a good place to start. At this level, you don't customize your truck. You go directly to the race. And your truck automatically has very high endurance. 2) AMATEUR - As you build initial confidence, move up to this gear. 3) SEMI-PRO - For a true 4 X 4 torture test. 4) PROFESSIONAL - You've gotta be crazy to try this one! Choosing your Four Wheeler There are four different types of basic trucks to choose from. They are: THE STORMTROOPER, FROM COX MOTORS - This big American workhorse comes with build-on "cap". So you can save your money for some of those big American tires. TARANTULA, MADE BY VENERABLE MOTORS - A heavy metal American pick-up that's built for action. ANY kind of action. THE HIGHLANDER, BY TARTAN LORRIE - From Great Britain, this military-styled, jeep-like vehicle was designed for the bleaker reaches of Her Majesty's empire. THE KATANA, FROM OYAMA MOTORS CORP - Don't be fooled by the sleek styling of this peppy Japanese import. It's as tough as it is fun to drive. Each truck is rated for these seven factors: POWER - This is a combination of the truck's horsepower (how much it can handle) and gear output (how fast it accelerates). WEIGHT - The lighter your rig, the better your speed, MPG, and maneuverability. A heavier truck burns more fuel - but it also takes more punishment. GAS MILEAGE - This is your truck's estimated miles to the gallon (MPG). But remember: if your truck is weighted down with too much equipment, you'll burn gas at a faster rate. ENDURANCE - How much your truck can take before you have to take it in for repairs. E.R.F. (Ease of Repair) - How long it takes to repair it. PAYLOAD (VOLUME) WITHOUT CAP - How much your rig can carry without a camper back. PAYLOAD (VOLUME) WITH CAP - How much your rig can carry with a camper back. FUEL CAPACITY - How big your fuel tank is. Or, more importantly, how far you can go before you run out of gas. TO CHOOSE YOUR TRUCK - To view your options, cycle through them by pressing the joystick FORWARD or BACK. When you've reached a decision, press the FIRE BUTTON. Outfitting your Rig Once you buy your basic truck, you're ready to equip and customize it. After your press the FIRE BUTTON to purchase your selection, you'll be whisked downtown to auto-parts row. It's here that you'll put those finishing touches on your 4 X 4 rig. And it's here that you choose exactly what you want your truck's specialty to be. This is where careful strategy and planning play a part. The parts you choose have something to do with WHERE you're going to be racing. (You're not as likely to overheat in a cooler climate. And be sure to keep an eye on your weight and volume!) And a whole heck of a lot to do with WHAT you like. There are two different stores you'll want to check out. To do this, move your man up to the door or window of the store and press the FIRE BUTTON. Here's what you'll find in each store: The Custom Shop This is where you buy the stuff that makes your truck totally unique. And totally yours. You'll find: A WINCH - It goes on the front of your rig. And when you have to pull yourself out of a sticky situation - like a mud bog - it could save you valuable time. EXTRA CAPACITY FUEL TANK - A handy item. Because when your first tank runs out of gas, you can just switch to this second tank. It'll save you valuable time in a race. And can be a life-saver if you're not near civilization when your first tank runs dry. A CAP - A camper that lets you increase your carrying capacity. TIRES - Choose from standards, mudder and all-terrain tires. Try to pick the right tires for the right course. And remember to make sure your spares match up. TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE ABOVE CUSTOM ITEMS - Use your joystick to move the "hand" on to the item and press the FIRE BUTTON. TO RETURN ANY OF THE ABOVE CUSTOM ITEMS - Use the same procedure as you used for purchasing them. NOTE: EXCEPT FOR TIRES. To return or change tires, simply point to the tire of your choice and press the FIRE BUTTON. TO LEAVE THE CUSTOM SHOP - Use your joystick to place "the hand" over the "EXIT" sign and press the FIRE BUTTON. The Auto Mart Here's where you gear up on essential items you'll need for your trip. Plan carefully, and keep an eye on your volume, weight, and cash. TO BUY THESE ITEMS - Use your joystick to place the "hand" over the item you wish to purchase, then press the FIRE BUTTON to buy it. NOTE: The text at the bottom of the screen will tell you what the item is, how much it will cost, and how much weight and volume it will add to your rig. Here are some of the items you'll be able to purchase: WATER - Some places need it more than others. OIL - If you get a leak, you're gonna need this. COOLANT - Consider the weather and terrain you'll be racing on. You may need coolant if your radiator gets smashed. TRANSMISSION FLUID - You never know.... EXTRA BATTERY - Is it worth the added weight? SPARE PARTS - Always handy. SPARE TIRES - At least take ONE. A MECHANIC - Heavy? Sure. But a real time saver when it comes to repairs. A SIX-PACK - It's up to you. A CAN OF GAS - It can't hurt to be prepared! A MAP - It comes in handy when you want to see where you are in the race. A FLASHLIGHT - Saves time with under-hood repairs. TOOLS - Just about a necessity. TO SEE WHAT YOU'VE BOUGHT - Use the joystick to place "the hand" over the "MENU" box and press the FIRE BUTTON. Move the joystick UP or DOWN to cycle through all the items. When you're done, press the FIRE BUTTON again. TO RETURN AN ITEM - Use your joystick to place "the hand" over the "REFUND" box and press the FIRE BUTTON. Move the joystick UP or DOWN to cycle through all the items. When the item you wish to return is highlighted in red, move the joystick RIGHT or LEFT to return the highlighted item. Then press the FIRE BUTTON to reactivate the hand. TO LEAVE THE AUTO MART - Use your joystick to place the "hand" over the "EXIT" sign and press the FIRE BUTTON. This will take you back outside the shop. The Race is On Once you've customized your rig and purchased your equipment, you're ready for the big race. TO START THE RACE - move your "man" (using the joystick) over to the far right section of the screen. Then press the FIRE BUTTON. You will now be instructed to flip the disk over. Do so and press the FIRE BUTTON when prompted. Go For It The day you've been working and waiting for is finally here: the day of the race. It's the day you test your truck, your talents and your instincts against nature herself - and against the other 4 X 4s in your class. When the man at the start of the race waves the green flag, put the pedal to the medal! TO START YOUR ENGINE - press the FIRE BUTTON TO STEER RIGHT OR LEFT - move the joystick RIGHT or LEFT TO ACCELERATE - press the FIRE BUTTON TO SLAM ON BRAKES - push joystick FORWARD Warning: Crashing early in the race makes it difficult to catch up to the other racers. The Dashboard As soon as you start logging on the miles across the countryside, keep an eye on the dashboard. It can give you lots of valuable information. Here's what you'll find: !---------------------------------------------------------------------! ! |- Game Time |- Condition of Engine Parts -| ! ! | \|/ \|/ ! ! | | | !-----------------------------! ! ! | \|/ \|/ ! | X | X | X | X | X | ! ! ! --> 8:00 MPH RPM !-----------------------------! ! ! /|\ /|\ ! | X | X | X | X | X | ! ! ! | | !-----------------------------! ! !----------------------|--------|-------------------------------------! Speedometer Tachometer Reading the condition of your engine parts Damage done to an engine part varies. It all depends on WHAT exactly you did to it. And, of course, WHAT SHAPE the part was already in when the damage was done. Your dashboard controls give you clues to the degree of damage a part has suffered by color. Here's how it works: GREEN - low damage BLUE - medium damage YELLOW - severe damage Damages On trips like this, it's almost impossible to avoid some kind of damage or mishap. When the damage is major, a special DAMAGE SCREEN will show you where the damage is and what's needed to repair it. The DAMAGE SCREEN will also give you clues as to how bad the damage really is. Because if time is starting to get tight, (near the end of a race) you may only want to repair whatever is absolutely necessary. Here's how to tell how bad the damage is: QUESTION MARK - a general breakdown LIGHTENING BOLT - an electrical problem THE PART SHOWN - some damage THE PART IS FLASHING SLOWLY - medium damage THE PART IS FLASHING RAPIDLY - severe damage To make a repair WITH the right parts - Using the joystick, point to the damaged area and press the FIRE BUTTON. The parts you need will appear in the LOWER row of boxes. The parts you HAVE will appear in the UPPER row of boxes. To complete the repair, point to the necessary parts you have and press the FIRE BUTTON. If the gas can icon appears, move "the hand" over it and press the FIRE BUTTON to top off your tank. To make a repair WITHOUT the right parts - Point to the sledgehammer and press the FIRE BUTTON. NOTE: This type of "make-do" repair will get you back on the road. But with reduced endurance. To make a repair at CHECKPOINT - Throughout the course you'll encounter several CHECKPOINTS. The CHECKPOINTS are marked with orange pylons. When you get to a CHECKPOINT, you will automatically pull in for repairs. All parts and labor are FREE! You just have to decide if you can spare the time for repairs! To fill your gas tank before you head out again, place "the hand" over the gas can icon and press the FIRE BUTTON. To get back on the road - After your truck has been repaired, point to the crossed flags and press the FIRE BUTTON. During the repair procedure, you'll be told how many other vehicles have passed you. And before you get back on the road, you'll be told how long your repairs took. NOTE: Certain items you may have purchased - like hiring the mechanic or carrying a flashlight - will help reduce repair time. To get back on the road without repairs - If you decide you can continue the race without repairs, press the FIRE BUTTON. Vehicular Recovery If you overestimate the prowess of your 4 X 4 - or underestimate the dangers of the terrain - you may find yourself immobilized. Or, in other words: STUCK. Here are two ways to get yourself out of such messes: 1) Use your winch. To do so, hold down the FIRE BUTTON. This will pull you out at about 5 miles an hour. 2) "Rock" your way out. If your rig isn't rigged with a winch, you're going to have to "rock" yourself out. It's not as fast as using a winch - but it DOES work. To "rock", press the gas pedal (FIRE BUTTON) repeatedly, over and over until you dislodge your rig. How long should it take? It all depends... On how thick the bog is. And on how fast you were going when you hit it. NOTE: "Rocking" may cause damage to your 4 X 4 - but it may be your only option. The Other Guys Along the way, you may notice other trucks passing you. If you want to win, you've got to catch up and pass them as soon as you can. (There are up to 16 opponents on each course.) The Doombuggy This is the most deadly obstacle in the whole race. He's not just another contender. No way. This guy is out for blood. You'll recognize his menacing looking black rig right away. And when he tries to ram and bump your truck off the road, you'll know for sure that it's him. But try not to let him have a chance. Stay as far away from this dude as possible - no matter what it takes to do it. Right Place at the Right Time In a race as long as this one, it's often difficult to gauge how well you're doing. Your goal is to finish the race FIRST. So, you'll want to pass all your opponents and leave them in the dust! To get an idea of WHEN to be WHERE for a shot at the victor's trophy, keep an eye on the dashboard clock. The race starts at 8:00 in the morning. In general, if you reach the first CHECKPOINT by 11:30 a.m. you are making good time. If you haven't reached it by 1:00 p.m. you should INCREASE your speed. If you reach the second CHECKPOINT by 2:30 p.m., you are making good time. However, your main goal should be reaching the CHECKPOINTS ahead of your opponents. If your opponents are having trouble on the track you may be able to afford more time for repairs! The Party's Over You begin the game with "3 lives" per race. Which means you can total yourself twice and still bounce back from where you were last seen. But the race is over when: 1) You lose your third rig - You'll be given a choice between starting the race over with the same rid, or, you can go back to the beginning and build up a different one from scratch. 2) You cross the finish line - Your position in the race will be calculated based on the number of trucks you passed. A score screen will appear, showing your placement and race time. Excellent race times will allow you to enter your name on the Hall of Fame screen (available on Amateur, Semi-Pro, and Professional levels only.) To qualify for King of the Road, you must race on all four terrains in a level, and finish with the best times. Hot Tips for Beating 'em Cold * Remember to pace yourself. The faster you go, the more fuel you'll burn. And it's a long, long way to the finish line. * You know those irksome obstacles you're always trying to avoid? Well, they DO come in handy sometimes. Use them to jump over rivers and mud bogs. * CHECKPOINTS are great - IF you can afford the time. So don't make repairs unless it's absolutely necessary. 4 X 4 OFF-ROAD RACING Command Card for the Commodore Amiga Loading and Start Up 1. Set up your system and plug in your mouse. If you're going to use a joystick to play the game, plug one into port 2. (It's strongly recommended that you use a joystick to play the game.) 2. Insert the 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing disk into floppy drive 0, label side up, and turn on the system. Note: The Amiga 1000 must be booted with Kickstart before you insert the game disk. Turn on the system with Kickstart version 1.2 in the drive. (Kickstart version 1.1 may cause graphics flickers during the game play.) When prompted to insert the Workbench disk, insert the 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing disk instead. 3. After the program loads, press the fire button, left mouse button, or Spacebar to continue. Making a Backup Copy You can copy 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing to a floppy disk for backup purposes. See the documentation provided with your Commodore-Amiga for instructions on copying or duplicating disks. If you use the Diskcopy command, you must give the backup disk a name other than 4 x 4 (the name of the original game disk). To play 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing with the backup copy, follow the instructions in the Loading and Start up section of this command card using the backup disk. When instructed by the on-screen prompt, insert your original game disk into a floppy drive for the copy-protection check. (If your system uses a single disk drive, remove the backup disk and insert the original disk at this time). When instructed by the on-screen prompt, remove your original disk. (If your system uses a single disk drive, reinsert your backup disk into the drive.) Keyboard and Mouse Commands After the title screen appears, press SPACEBAR or the left mouse button to see the Select Terrain and Ability screen. For selection screens and game play, press the following ARROW keys or number keys on the numeric keypad in place of joystick moves. The mouse can only be used on selection screens and the repair screen. ARROW AND KEYPAD KEYS MOUSE MOVES JOYSTICK MOVES 8 /|\ /|\ /|\ | | | 4 <--- 0 --> 6 <-- 0 --> <-- 0 --> | | | | | \|/ \|/ \|/ 2 0 ON NUMERIC KEYPAD = LEFT MOUSE = FIRE BUTTON With the keyboard controls, press the Up or Down Arrow key to highlight an option. Press the Left or Right Arrow key to move between different sections of the same screen. After highlighting all the options you want, press 0 on the numeric keypad to select them and move on to the next selection screen. With mouse control, move the mouse to move the hand icon to the item you want to select. Press the left mouse button to select that item. After making all selections, move the hand icon to OK or Exit and press the left mouse button. For example, on the Truck selection screen, select Prev (previous) or Next to view your truck choices. When the truck you want is on the screen, select OK. After you select your truck, you find yourself on a street lined with shops. Walk in front of the building you want to enter and press the left mouse button or 0 on the numeric keypad. To see what you've bought in the Auto Mart, select Menu. With keyboard controls, use the Up and Down Arrow keys to scroll through your list of purchases. To scroll with mouse controls, move the hand to one of the scroll arrows and press the left mouse button. When you are done, select Menu again. To return an item in the Auto Mart, follow the same procedure selecting Refund instead of Menu. Scroll through your supplies until the item you want to return is at the top of the list. With keyboard controls, press the Left Arrow key to return the item. With mouse controls, select the minus (-) sign between the scroll arrows to return the item. When you are done, select Refund again. Select Exit to leave the Auto Mart and return to the storefront street. Entering the Alpha Racing building, on the right, will start the race. Press 0 on the numeric keypad to start a new truck after a crash. Then press it again to accelerate. To view the Game Options menu, press ESC after the race has started. Highlight one of the following options: exit to Amiga DOS, build a new 4 x 4, start the race over, or continue the game. Press the left mouse button or 0 on the numeric keypad to select your option. To restart 4 x 4 from the AmigaDOS prompt, type 4 x 4 and press RETURN to load the game. (If your system has only 512K of memory, you must restart by following the instructions under the Loading and Start Up section of this command card.) Press P to pause the game; press it again to resume play. Press S to toggle the sound on and off. Note: You don't need to flip the disk in the Commodore-Amiga version of the game. Damages and Repairs When an engine part is damaged, its corresponding icon on your dashboard changes color. When the damage is major, you are forced to stop and the Repair screen appears. If the damage is not major, you can press SPACEBAR to see the Repair screen. To make a repair, move the hand icon over the broken part and press the left mouse button, fire button, or 0 on the numeric keypad. Evaluate your vehicle's condition, then choose one of several options indicated by the following icons: dwell/tachometer (quality repair), hammer (make-do repair), gas can (add gas), map (view your current position and the position of the checkpoints), or checkered flag (return to the race). To make your selection, move the hand icon over the appropriate icon and press the left mouse button, fire button, or 0 on the numeric keypad. To select the checkered flag icon, press the button or key twice. Depending on your supplies, some icons may not appear on the Repair screen. For example, if you did not purchase a map, there will not be a map icon on the Repair screen. Certain items you may have purchased, such as tools, a flashlight, or hiring a mechanic, will help reduce your repair time. The Party's Over If you wreck your truck three times or cross the finish line, the race is over. The race is also over if you run out of gas when your gas can is empty. Select the gas cap and follow the prompts to exit to the Game options menu. After you cross the finish line, your position appears on the bottom of the screen. Your elapsed race time appears on the following scoring screen. To qualify for King of the Road, you must qualify on all four terrains in your level, and finish with the best combined time. Tips Practice as a Beginner because you'll have an unlimited number of lives. Avoid going off course. It will slow you down and may cause damage. ============================================================================ COMPLETE DOCS PROVIDED BY -+*+-THE SOUTHERN STAR-+*+- for M.A.A.D. ============================================================================