2942 Game

HOW TO INSTALL:
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Use the windows installer to put all the files in place 
-or -
unzip all of the files somewhere, keeping the directory structure that is inside the zip files.

"cd" to the  directory and look for "2942.exe" file.

You can right click and create a shortcut - to place on your desktop.
Or simply double click to start the game.


DIRECT X 9+ Runtime ?!
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If it gives you an error about missing d3d???.dll or such -- you're missing the latest Direct X runtime.
Its used by this game, as well as any game written for Direct X -- so no harm in updating it.

(required the March 2009 version-currently the latest one)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&DisplayLang=en


KEY COMMANDS
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+	when docked at a sun or planet (yellow ring appears when docked) ... "zooms" you into that sun/planet view.
-	"escape" from the current view to the next higher view ... or in space, teleports you back to "base"
        NOTE: It also HEALs the player ship when doing so - hence its the "escape" feature.

SPACE	fires main gun (bottom, orange meter under player shows the reload cycle of main gun)
or L Mouse Button

CONTROL	fires the alt gun (missiles or torpedo)
or R Mouse Button

1	Switches Main Gun to : Plasma Blaster
2	Switches Main Gun to : Dual Pulse Laser
3	Switches Main Gun to : Auto Cannon

4	Switches Alt Gun to : Missiles
5	Switches Alt Gun to : Torpedoes


GAME PLAY
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Initially, there are (8) suns with planets ... These are the (8) systems invaded by the aliens.
Each of the systems will have 3-5 planets which contain alien boss creatures plus thier "spawn".

Destroying an Alien Boss -- "clears" that specific planet of alien infestation.
No more aliens will appear when you zone in and you'll see the "Score" update when a boss mob dies.

Clearing all the planets in a system will flag that system as "cleared".


TIP:
One clue to how many planets are left to clear in a system ... when you log into that system, it spawns (1) monster for each un-cleared planet.
But for "difficulty" its currently capped at MAX: 5 spawn at a time.


"Status" readouts 
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Under the players ship are the following "health bars";
-Shields
-Armor
-Hull
-Solar Power
-Gun Reload/recycle meter

Under the aliens;
-total hit points (sum of armor+shields+hull)
-Solar Power
-Gun Reload/recycle meter

DEATH
-----
When your ship reaches 0 hp, the health bars are no longer displayed.

The game should heal your ship and place you at your starting location. 
(i.e. The space station on the space view)

If this doesnt occur, the player can keep going but will notice their health
bars are now gone. Hit "-" to "zoom out" and you'll be healed back to full Health.