
        Age of Empires 1.0b Beta patch release information - 20 April 1998
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This document explains the terms and conditions of the public beta release of Microsoft's Age of Empires, version 1.0b, referred hereafter to as the "Beta patch".  

First the disclaimers.    In plain English..

1) This is a beta release only, and as such, there will be no official support from either Microsoft or Ensemble Studios.  The release of the Beta patch is an action undertaken solely by Ensemble Studios.  Microsoft will not be providing any technical support for the Beta patch.
2) Microsoft and Ensemble Studios make no claims or warranty of any kind as to the functionality and operation of the Beta patch.  It is provided "as-is."  By downloading and installing it, you take full responsibility for anything that results.   Neither Microsoft of Ensemble Studios will be held liable for anything resulting from use or misuse of the Beta Patch.
3) Failure to read this document is not an excuse.
4) The Beta patch is not guaranteed to be the same as the official patch which is forthcoming from Microsoft.  If public testing of the Beta patch reveals new problems, they will be corrected in the official patch release.
5) All the information contained within this document is accurate to the best of  the author's knowledge.  It is however subject to change and revision at any time.

Now, on to the good stuff.

The version 1.0b Beta patch fixes the following problems with prior version of Age of Empires.

1) The Bug which allowed players to received extra resources when canceling building construction multiple times by exploiting lag in a multi-player game.
2) The Bug which allowed players to construct multiple Town Centers without a Government Center by exploiting lag in a multi-player game.
3) The Bug which allowed units to operate on an object a distance away from them by setting waypoints.

How to install the Beta patch files:

1) Unzip the Beta patch archive to a temporary directory.
2) Locate the directory that you have installed the game, Age of Empires, to on your hard disk.
3) Replace the EMPIRES.EXE file in the Age of Empires game directory with the newer version from your temporary directory.
4) If you have the ENGLISH Language version of Age of Empires only, replace the LANGUAGE.DLL file in the Age of Empires game directory with the newer version from your temporary directory.

What to do if you have problems or find bugs with the Beta patch.

1) Post a message in the appropriate forum at 'Age of Empires Heaven' at http://age.gamestats.com/age/index.shtml   The operators at 'Age of Empires Heaven' will be collecting the information and send it to Ensemble Studios where it can be evaluated.
2) Send feedback to Ensemble Stuidios through their web site at http://www.ensemblestudios.com.  It is recommened that you go through 'Age of Empires Heaven' first.

The Age of Empires Beta patch is being provided to the online gaming community as a measure of good faith on the parts of Ensemble Studios and Microsoft.   
