Hardwar
v1.25, 21 November 2003
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T H E F U T U R E I S G R E E D Y \________/
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Hardwar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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CONTENTS
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1. Preface
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- 1.1 Notes
- 1.2 Credits and Legal
- 1.3 Version
- 1.4 Is this FAQ official?
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2. Introduction
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- 2.1 What is Hardwar?
- 2.2 Who made and published Hardwar?
- 2.3 Where did the Software Refinery go?
- 2.4 What are the minimum system requirements to run the game?
- 2.5 Can I run Hardwar on Linux, BeOS or MacOS?
- 2.6 What versions/patches are there and what features do they add?
- 2.7 Where do I get official patches?
- 2.8 Are there patches in other languages?
- 2.9 Where can I download the demo?
- 2.10 Where can I get the game?
- 2.11 Will there be a re-release?
- 2.12 Will there be a Hardwar 2?
- 2.13 What happened to the PlayStation release?
- 2.14 Where did everyone go?
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3. Gameplay
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3.1 Combat
- 3.1.1 Why do I keep getting killed?
- 3.1.2 Who is killing who?
- 3.1.3 How do I tell who has a bounty?
- 3.1.4 A faction has asked me to attack a building. How do I do that?
- 3.1.5 Can I avoid paying fines?
- 3.1.6 What is an enforcer and how do I get rid of one?
- 3.1.7 How do I get "double amnesty"?
3.2 Piloting and Equipment
- 3.2.1 What moths are available?
- 3.2.2 What equipment is available?
- 3.2.3 How do I dock? Can I speed up docking?
- 3.2.4 How do you target salvage dropped on Titan's surface?
- 3.2.5 Why can't I salvage Origin Unknown?
- 3.2.6 How do I get power?
- 3.2.7 Where do I repair?
- 3.2.8 Can I change the order weapons cycle?
- 3.2.9 What differences are there between starting options?
3.3 Hangars
- 3.3.1 How do I find buildings?
- 3.3.2 What do different hangars do?
- 3.3.3 How do I buy a hangar?
- 3.3.4 Can I buy pirate/scavenger hangars?
- 3.3.5 Can I get a loan?
3.4 Economy
- 3.4.1 How can I find where to buy or sell a particular item?
- 3.4.2 How does the economy work?
- 3.4.3 How do I get rare moths (Deaths Head, Police, Swallow)?
- 3.4.4 How do I get a fusion cell?
- 3.4.5 How do I get rare missiles (Tac Nuke, Big Bob)?
- 3.4.6 How do I get a Death Ray?
3.5 Transport
- 3.5.1 Can I run my own taxi firm?
- 3.5.2 Can I ride the monorail?
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4. Walkthrough
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4.1 Crash
- 4.1.1 Overview
4.2 Port Decoy
- 4.2.1 Overview
- 4.2.2 How do I target the Mass Driver Part?
- 4.2.3 What are the garbled messages about?
4.3 Mystery Package
- 4.3.1 Overview
- 4.3.2 What does the Cloaking Device do?
- 4.3.3 Can I remove the Cloaking Device?
- 4.3.4 How can I tell I have the Cloaking Device?
4.4 Secret Bases
- 4.4.1 Overview
- 4.4.2 What do the secret bases look like?
4.5 Procure Trigger and Matter
- 4.5.1 Overview
- 4.5.2 Why do the gang transports only ever carry one thing?
4.6 Base Attack
- 4.6.1 Overview
- 4.6.2 Can I attack both bases?
- 4.6.3 How do I sell surplus Origin Unknown?
4.7 Gang Boy
- 4.7.1 Overview
4.8 More Trigger or Matter
- 4.8.1 Overview
- 4.8.2 Can I use Trigger or Matter I have already?
4.9 Port Clearance with Tac-Nuke
- 4.9.1 Overview
4.10 Port Clearance with Big Bob
- 4.10.1 Overview
4.11 Psycho Bobs Closure
- 4.11.1 Overview
4.12 Rescue Syd and meet Xavier Lazarus
- 4.12.1 Overview
- 4.12.2 Why do I have a cargo of BodyParts when I leave the Prison?
- 4.12.3 How do I get into Lazarus Hightower?
4.13 Final Run
- 4.13.1 Overview
- 4.13.2 I keep on dying before I reach Port. Any hints?
- 4.13.3 Can I use the Monorail to complete the final run?
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5. Cheating
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- 5.1 What is God Hangar?
- 5.2 What are the startup cheat codes?
- 5.3 Are there any other hidden features or Easter Eggs?
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6. Online
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6.1 Gameplay
- 6.1.1 How do I play online (client)?
- 6.1.2 Does the online game have a plot?
- 6.1.3 Is there an online etiquette? Can I kill other players?
- 6.1.4 Why can't I buy any engines or pods when playing online?
- 6.1.5 Why am I not added to the Police's wanted list when I kill innocent
pilots in an online game?
- 6.1.6 I disconnected and now my character is dead. What should I do?
6.2 Technical Issues
- 6.2.1 Why can't I connect to an online game?
- 6.2.2 How do I play online across a firewall? What TCP and UDP port do I
need to open?
- 6.2.3 In an online game, when I buy and sell, the server crashes. What am I
doing wrong?
- 6.2.4 The frame rate in online games seems very low. Online games seem to
lag a lot. There are some small graphic corruptions. Is that normal?
- 6.2.5 When launching a dedicated server session I get an error message
saying that the VFX COM class is not registered. What should I do?
6.3 Hosting
- 6.3.1 What are the technical requirements for hosting an online game?
- 6.3.2 What is the difference between a dedicated network server and a
network game?
- 6.3.3 What should I tell people connecting to my game?
- 6.3.4 I am hosting an online game, but I need to know my IP address to allow
other people to play. How do I tell what my IP address is?
- 6.3.5 How do I stop people using God Hangar to cheat in my online game?
- 6.3.6 Nobody joined my game. Am I wasting my time?
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7. General Technical Issues
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7.1 Installation and Patching
- 7.1.1 When installing the game on Windows 2000 or XP I get a message "not
enough free space on target drive" - how do I install?
- 7.1.2 I have just patched the game and now I cannot reload a save. What is
wrong?
- 7.1.3 On startup I get an error message saying that the VFX COM class is not
registered. What should I do?
- 7.1.4 Why does the game crash when I enter Hardwarp FM? What about "FixVhID:
Error!" during play?
7.2 Video
- 7.2.1 How do I stop the game crashing when moving the mouse?
- 7.2.2 Is OpenGL video mode supported?
- 7.2.3 How do I stop the game crashing in 3DFX, particularly on Voodoo
Banshee cards?
- 7.2.4 How do I stop the screen jittering in flight, particularly when using
a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro joystick?
- 7.2.5 Why does the game crash with "ResOpen - could not find Internal
resource data - the resource has been freed" when trying to play video in the
patched version?
- 7.2.6 I don't have a version that includes the video. Why can't I finish the
plot?
- 7.2.7 How do I take a screenshot?
7.3 Sound
- 7.3.1 The sound inside hangars is getting on my nerves. Can I remove it?
- 7.3.2 Why does the music stop playing after I dock for the first time?
7.4 Gameplay 'Bugs'
- 7.4.1 My taxi driver is drunk and/or won't get me to my destination. What
should I do?
- 7.4.2 Why does the game crash with "no more police enforcers can be
generated"?
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8. Editing and Customising
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8.1 Setup
- 8.1.1 Can I run Hardwar without a CDROM?
- 8.1.2 Can I change the music?
8.2 Skins
- 8.2.1 How do I skin a moth?
- 8.2.2 Why are my custom moth skins are not working?
- 8.2.3 How do I change the look of craters?
8.3 Utilities
- 8.3.1 What is HardLuck.exe and how do I use it?
- 8.3.2 Are there any modifications to change game balance?
- 8.3.3 Where can I get the Hardwar font?
8.4 Editors
- 8.4.1 Are there any editors or Software Development Kits for Hardwar?
- 8.4.2 Where can I find the game's sound/graphics files?
- 8.4.3 How can I read .spr files?
- 8.4.4 Can I edit .shp files (moth models)?
- 8.4.5 Can I create custom maps?
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9. Upgrade 3
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9.1 History
- 9.1.1 What happened to U3?
- 9.1.2 Why was U3 released?
- 9.1.3 Where can I get U3?
- 9.1.4 What differences are there between U3 versions?
- 9.1.5 Which version is best?
9.2 Terminal Commands and Scripting
- 9.2.1 What does the Terminal Interface do?
- 9.2.2 What does the Terminal Server do?
- 9.2.3 How do I connect a telnet client to the Terminal Server?
- 9.2.4 What terminal commands are there?
- 9.2.5 How do Admin permissions work?
- 9.2.6 Can I script events and 'bots? Can I redesign the game world?
- 9.2.7 How do I build rooms?
- 9.2.8 How do I get market/economy information?
- 9.2.9 What are framesy, newmothsw, and similar?
- 9.2.10 How are items cited in the economy commands?
9.3 Setup
- 9.3.1 What does the Persistent Game option do?
- 9.3.2 What is Phil's Ending?
- 9.3.3 What's the difference between high and low speed links?
- 9.3.4 Can I unpatch U3 betas? Do I have to patch each of them one at a time?
9.4 Gameplay
- 9.4.1 How do I manufacture things?
- 9.4.2 Why doesn't Central Industrial make a Narcotron?
- 9.4.3 How do I find and hire staff?
- 9.4.4 Can I give staff multiple orders?
- 9.4.5 If I can order my staff to sell, why can't I order them to buy?
- 9.4.6 How do I walk around?
- 9.4.7 What are Air Filters, Pleasure Cubes, and Servant Droids, and where
can I get them?
- 9.4.8 How do I get Fumblers, Disablers and Blasters?
- 9.4.9 Where did the Debriefing Zone/Vacant 0006/0007/0008/0038 go?
- 9.4.10 Who is Brother Kahuna?
9.5 Bugs and Modifications
- 9.5.1 Are there any patches for the U3 betas?
- 9.5.2 How can I stop beta 5 games crashing after reloading?
- 9.5.3 I logged a beta 5 game and I'm running out of disk space. Why?
- 9.5.4 Why won't my joystick throttle work?
- 9.5.5 What is wrong with the beta 5 economy?
- 9.5.6 Why won't Downtown Moths sell moths? Why won't Shears Yard fit pods?
- 9.5.7 How can I get my staff out of limbo?
- 9.5.8 Are my thugs supposed to do _that_?
- 9.5.9 Why don't custom hangar names display?
- 9.5.10 Why don't AI pilots sell to my hangar?
- 9.5.11 There is a stack of AI moths waiting to enter a hangar. How can I get
rid of them?
- 9.5.12 Why do AI pilots get stuck in the Alpha-Downtown tunnel?
- 9.5.13 Can faction moths be made to respawn?
- 9.5.14 Why won't the plot advance? How do I get Trigger, Matter or Fusion
Parts?
- 9.5.15 Can I remove the beta 5 negative deposit cheat?
- 9.5.16 I am experiencing video related crashes. Any hints?
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10. And Finally...
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- 10.1 What's the deal with BodyParts?
- 10.2 Origin Unknown
- 10.3 It's art, mate
- 10.4 Fooling the AI
- 10.5 Final tip
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Appendices
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- A. Hangar List
- B. Non-Moth Production Requirements and Locations Table
- C. Moth Production Requirements Table
- D. Plot Video Transcripts
- E. Non-Plot Video Transcripts
- F. Modifications
- G. Hacking
- H. CD Music Track Listing
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1. PREFACE
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1.1 Notes
Many gameplay tips and technical fixes are available in the game's readme.
More detailed, illustrated information is generally available from fan sites.
This FAQ is designed to primarily provide quick answers to some of the most
common questions. It mostly contains answers to actual questions asked on
forums and usenet. It does not specifically aim to hold your hand and guide
you step by step through the game, although I have added a few entries that
provide an introduction to key areas like moths, equipment and hangars. This
style reflects the nature of the game, which contains a lot of hidden depth
and, in spite of its storyline, is very open ended. The FAQ includes large
sections dealing with parts of the game that have been changed by subsequent
upgrades, notably online play and upgrade 3. Currently the U3 section is split
from other sections because U3 is unofficial and unstable, and so you might
not be running it. If you are running U3 please consider referring specific
questions to the both the U3 section and topic area elsewhere in the FAQ.
Sorry for the confusion this will cause.
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1.2 Credits and Legal
This FAQ was written by Tim Howgego (also known as timski), copyright 2000-
2003, unless otherwise stated. Errors and suggestions should be reported to
tim (at) capsu (dot) org . Please put "Hardwar" somewhere in the email subject
field. The information contained in this FAQ comes from a pool of knowledge
built up between a large number of Hardwar players over the last 5 years.
Without the ideas of Jeff, Zedo, Wez and Solidox, this FAQ would be much
shorter than it is. Particular thanks also to Ouch, Hammer, smurph, Arago
Fett, Kazymyr, Fedor von Bock and Sniper; and Max for some fantastic U3 beta
patches. This FAQ is in the public domain: You may copy and repost this FAQ,
but the content of the document, including the credits, must remain unchanged.
Informing the author that you are hosting it is appreciated, but not
mandatory. Ensuring you host the most recent version is also appreciated, but
not mandatory. The original game Hardwar (TM) Copyright (c) 1998-2000 Gremlin
Interactive Ltd. Technology Copyright (c) 1993-2002 Software Refinery Ltd.
Other trademarks and copyright are owned by their respective trademark and
copyright holders.
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1.3 Version
This is version 1.25, 21 November 2003. This update has been long over-due -
sorry for the delay. I have rewritten large parts related to Upgrade 3
(notably dealing with bug work-arounds and use of the Terminal Server), added
a list of all known Modifications to the appendix, a huge Hacking appendix, CD
Music Track Listing, and made various other small alterations.
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1.4 Is this FAQ official?
No. This is not an official FAQ. It is not endorsed by the game's former
developers or publishers.
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2. INTRODUCTION
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2.1 What is Hardwar?
Hardwar is a futuristic combat flight simulator. It is set in 'Misplaced
Optimism', a series of craters on a neglected corporate mining moon, Titan.
Players fly moths, which are tiny craft capable of flying at low altitude. The
game features a complete economy, and can be played as a trading game. The
combination of flight combat, trade and a futuristic setting led many players
to draw similarities with the Elite series of games. Hardwar is sometimes
written Hardw[a]r - this reflects the design of the name on the game box.
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2.2 Who made and published Hardwar?
The game was developed by The Software Refinery Ltd, formerly based in Leeds,
England. Development was led by Mark Griffiths, Ciaran Gultnieks and Ian
Martin. Ade Carless designed the game. Warp Records provided the sound track,
with additional design by the Designers' Republic. The game was published in
Europe and Asia by Gremlin Interactive Ltd and released in September 1998.
Interplay subsequently published the game in North America.
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2.3 Where did the Software Refinery go?
The Software Refinery were actively developing patches for Hardwar until mid-
2002. Things then went very quiet. In December 2002 the content of their
website disappeared, leading to further speculation. In January 2003, Zedo
received a credible message that "The Software Refinery Ltd went into
voluntary liquidation in December 2002."
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2.4 What are the minimum system requirements to run the game?
Microsoft Windows 95 or greater; Intel Pentium 166 (or equivalent); 16Mb
memory or greater; 1Mb DirectX 5 compatible video card; DirectX 5 compatible
soundcard; 2X CD-ROM; hard disk with approx 35Mb free space. It will probably
play on a slightly slower processor. Patched versions U1.0 and U2.0x require
Direct X 6 or greater. Certain patch video setting, such as far fog depth,
require video cards with more onboard memory, perhaps as much as 8-16Mb.
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2.5 Can I run Hardwar on Linux, BeOS or MacOS?
No. The game relies too heavily on DirectX to handle network play, sound, and
in most cases, graphics.
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2.6 What versions/patches are there and what features do they add?
The release version of Hardwar was almost bug-free. The worst bugs related to
3DFX support. Subsequent patches have tended to add further features, and
improve video or multiplayer support. Only a brief summary is given below of
the important changes:
- D1.6: 1998 : Demo version - 20 minutes play in Alpha Crater only (including
the "Dibsey" mission).
- F2.0: 1998 : European release version.
- F2.1: 1998 : North America release version.
- U1.0: 2000 : Added clones; new starter options; improved video performance
and options, although some 3DFX and DirectX support was buggy.
- U2.01: 2001 : Added swallows; further video improvements and bug fixes.
- U2.02: 2001 : Opened the monorail to the public; greatly improved online
multiplayer; added custom moth skins; added Trojan; added 'Dealer' starting
option.
- U2.03: 2001 : Bug fixes from previous patch.
- U2.04: 2001 : Bug fixes from previous patches.
There is no 'Hardwar 3' - sites advertising it are thought to be selling a
standard release version. There was however a U3 under development - see What
happened to U3? and What differences are there between U3 versions? below.
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2.7 Where do I get official patches?
Download the latest U2.04 patch from http://zedo.hardwar.org.uk/dexdown.htm .
You do not need to apply older patches first. For the latest unofficial patch,
see Where can I get U3? below.
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2.8 Are there patches in other languages?
No. However non-English versions of the game can be patched, patching
apparently turns most of the text to English.
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2.9 Where can I download the demo?
Try http://www.hardwar.info/downloads/ftp/list.php?dir=demo/ ,
http://david.hedbor.org/hardwar/downloads.html , or
http://www.gamesdomain.com/demos/demo/30.html .
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2.10 Where can I get the game?
New copies of Hardwar can occasionally be found lurking in game shop bargain
bins. The most reliable source of copies is probably eBay, which normally has
new boxed or jewel-cased US release versions available for around $5. The full
game CD ISOs can be found at certain fan sites and have been posted (mid March
2003) on usenet in alt.binaries.old.games (total size is about 0.5GB). These
ISOs can either be burnt to CDs, or extracted to your hard drive using
utilities such as WinISO or WinImage (from kazymyr). A lite version of the
full game is available at the Underdogs, http://www.the-
underdogs.org/game.php?id=4234 and
http://www.hardwar.info/downloads/patchdemo.htm . This version has been
created by patching the demo and adding missing files to hardwar.res - videos
and music are omitted, but the game is playable. The only real limitation is
the difficulty in following the plot, which relies on videos to introduce most
missions.
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2.11 Will there be a re-release?
Gremlin Interactive's ownership of the name and game transferred to
Infogrames, although sources within Infogrames suggested they no longer owned
it and that nobody did. Infogrames has since disappeared into Atari. Interplay
had marketing and distribution rights in North America. Neither has shown any
interest in re-releasing the game. The developers retained technology
copyright until they went into liquidation - see Where did the Software
Refinery go? above.
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2.12 Will there be a Hardwar 2?
It is unlikely that there will be a Hardwar 2 because the developers do not
own the rights to the name, they only own the technology. The developers have
actively continued to add features to Hardwar in the form of upgrade patches.
They have stated that, "the long term goal for the game is to have a permanent
online internet game running. It won't be 'Hardwar' ... but it will use the
Hardwar engine." This aspiration now looks unlikely - see Where did the
Software Refinery go?. From Anon: "According to one beta tester, there was a
concept for subsequent Hardwar games. The aliens would drop you off on another
planet. This would be a new game using the same basic 3D engine and gameplay,
but different ships, weapons, economics, and politics. And, of course, new
places to go. You would be able to escape this new planet as well and continue
to Hardwar 3 and so forth. The final game would return you to Earth."
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2.13 What happened to the PlayStation release?
A Sony PlayStation version was originally thought to be in development during
1996. Early in 1997 Gremlin (?) decided to make the game PC only, citing lack
of PlayStation gamer interest.
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2.14 Where did everyone go?
The most popular community board remains Captain Zedo's, here:
http://web16.denver010.server4free.de/hwboard/ . On Internet Relay Chat (IRC):
irc.cocytusuk.org #hardwar .
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3. GAMEPLAY
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For things specifically related to U3, see Upgrade 3 section.
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______________________________________________________________________________
3.1 Combat
______________________________________________________________________________
3.1.1 Why do I keep getting killed?
To quote David Hedbor, "When I first started playing Hardwar, I quickly got
very frustrated. I almost returned it to the store twice. Both times I played
it, I gave up after about half an hour of death and mayhem." You are not
alone. You will be attacked either because you have made an enemy of someone,
or because you are carrying a cargo that a pirate wants to take from you. The
starter moth and equipment is not particularly good for combat. Initiating
combat will give you the edge, but finish the fight quickly because the
opposition will probably be better equipped. Do not engage more than one moth
at a time. Avoid the caves initially - Haven and Midway. Avoid attacking
faction (Lazarus or Klamp-G) and gang (Skinner or Scrubber) moths initially.
Make use of tunnels to escape and evade: Computer controlled pilots stop
before entering a tunnel, where you can probably curve into them at full
throttle. Alternatively, find a relatively safe crater, such as Riverside,
trade and run away using countermeasures (such as Chaff) at the first sign of
trouble. Once you upgrade your moth combat will become a lot easier. The new
starter options introduced in U1.0 make Hardwar much easier to survive - see
What differences are there between starting options? below.
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3.1.2 Who is killing who?
Titan's politics can initially be somewhat confusing. There are two major
factions, Lazarus and Klamp-G, who are permanently at war with one another.
Faction influence varies across Titan: Lazarus strongholds are Highrise,
Alpha, the western side of Reservoir, and the northern side of Mines; Klamp-G
strongholds are Riverside, Gamma, the eastern side of Reservoir, and the
southern side of Mines. There are also two gangs, Scrubbers and Skinner, who
are also at war with one another. Gangs are less powerful than the factions,
and tend to side with Lazarus (Scrubbers) and Klamp-G (Skinner) respectively.
Attacks against faction/gang moths are taken as an attack against the whole
faction or gang. In the unpatched game, killing a gang moth would often also
make you an enemy of the supporting faction, but in the patched game the links
are less strong. Outside of the faction/gang structure there are various other
minor players, independent pilots, and the Police. The Police will assign a
fine/bounty for unprovoked attacks on non gang/faction moths. Certain
independent pilots are rather gun-ho, notably pirates, who will attack to
steal cargo, taking a bounty in the process. Minor players normally restrict
their combat activities, for example, loan companies will only engage in
combat to collect bad debts.
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3.1.3 How do I tell who has a bounty?
Police, faction and gang hangars maintain lists of wanted pilots. Killing them
will pay you a bounty and will clear any record with the group paying the
bounty. Collecting bounties on independent pilots will not lead to any
reprisal, however killing bountied faction and gang moths will upset their
owning faction. Spotting pirates without consulting the list is an art.
Pirates seem to always use medium pods and laser turrets. Pilots carrying
Matter, Trigger or Fusion Parts have normally stolen it from gang transports.
The moths of one faction are always on the wanted list of the other faction.
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3.1.4 A faction has asked me to attack a building. How do I do that?
Laser turrets defend some buildings. These become active if you are wanted by
whoever owns the building. The laser turrets can be removed by a few well-
aimed cannon shots at the turret. Attacks on building turrets are counted as
attacks on buildings. You can also attack the buildings themselves by firing
'nukes' at them - they order ConstMat for a while, which depletes their cash.
There are no specific rewards for attacking buildings. (U3 beta 5 developed
this feature, allowing players to damage one another's hangars. It was never
completed and created a bug that could trap a builder's moth in your hangar if
you forgot to pay them for their ConsMat.)
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3.1.5 Can I avoid paying fines?
Yes. Once you receive a message from the police that you have been fined do
not visit a police station. If you do the fine (in cash or in kind) will be
taken from you. You now have one Hardwar day to kill another pilot on the
wanted list of whomever you have offended. Killing a wanted pilot will clear
your record, and net you the bounty for the kill. If you delay by more than
one day, you risk having an enforcer sent out after you.
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3.1.6 What is an enforcer and how do I get rid of one?
Enforcers are particularly dangerous moth pilots who pilot Police or Deaths
Head moths. They will follow you and attempt to kill you until you or the
enforcer dies. The police will send out an enforcer if your bounty with the
police rises above $2000, or you are credited with killing a member of the
police. Gangs send out enforcers called assassins if you have a bounty of more
than $2000 with that gang. Loan companies send out enforcers in Deaths Head
moths if you fail to replay a loan for 2 days. The first thing to do in most
cases is to try and clear your record. Now stop the current enforcer from
hassling you by using one of: several Groundbase missiles, which aren't
counted as an attack; a single Devastator - the first hit isn't counted as an
attack; bump the enforcer against tunnel walls, or trap them in the exit bay
of a hangar and wait for the hangar to cancel entry/exit clearance - after 7
seconds the hangar defences will destroy the enforcer; disable the enforcer's
engines so it can not follow you around (this is the one case where you should
not bother to clear your record beforehand); evade the enforcer for a few days
- eventually they may forgive and forget. If you are going to kill an enforcer
it is important that you are not registered as killing it. The best way to
deal with enforcers is to not call one out: Ensure that you pay your loans on
time, and clear your record with whoever you have offended by killing another
pilot on their wanted list. If you continue to kill Police enforcers you will
eventually crash the game (see Why does the game crash with "no more police
enforcers can be generated"? below).
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3.1.7 How do I get "double amnesty"?
When you kill a faction or gang moth, you get put on their wanted list as an
enemy. In order to clear your name, you need to kill a pilot on the wanted
list of the group you have offended. Since the factions are always at war,
killing a moth of the opposite faction, will get you an amnesty, but will also
add you to the opposing wanted list. Continually swapping between factions'
wanted lists works most of the time. However there are times when it is useful
not to have either faction gunning for you, notably at certain points in the
plot such as the Gang Boy mission. Double amnesty involves simultaneously
clearing your record with both groups. The most common method involves seeking
out the few independent pilots that from time to time appear on faction wanted
lists. Find one using faction A's wanted list and lock them in. Now kill a
moth belonging to faction A (swap wanted lists). Finally kill the independent
pilot, which clears your record with faction A, without upsetting faction B.
There are other more inventive methods. For example (for Narcotron), buy
weapons from a weapons reseller belonging to the other faction. They will
probably send out a transport for supplies. Wait for a pirate to attack the
transport, make sure you kill the transport first (swap wanted list), and then
kill the pirate to clear your record with the first faction.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
3.2 Piloting and Equipment
______________________________________________________________________________
3.2.1 What moths are available?
There are six player moths in the original game, with an additional type added
in U2.01+ versions. Common types can be brought from moth factories,
especially Downtown Moths. Rarer types may need some work first - see How do I
get rare moths (Deaths Head, Police, Swallow)?:
Deaths Head:
- Offensive: High weapons capacity, plus Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Very strong hull, but with huge profile.
- Handling: Slow with a maximum speed below 400 mph. Reasonable turning.
- Availability: Hard to find, and expensive.
- Recommended for: Combat pilots that don't need to escape, but do want a huge
weapons platform.
Hawk:
- Offensive: Average weapons capacity, plus Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Fairly strong hull, with large profile.
- Handling: Average speed, at just above 400 mph, and turns well.
- Availability: Fairly common. Sold at just above average prices.
- Recommended for: Multi-role applications, and things such as scavenging,
where a mix of manoeuvrability, speed and firepower is needed.
Moon Moth:
- Offensive: Slightly below average weapons capacity, plus Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Moderate hull and profile.
- Handling: Below average speed, but with very impressive turning.
- Availability: Fairly common, and cheap.
- Notes: Can carry a passenger. Cannot fit Engine #3.
- Recommended for: Cab drivers, aspiring pilots (it is a reasonable early
upgrade), and skilled pilots that can exploit its turning and make use of its
respectable loadout in combat.
Neo Tiger:
- Offensive: Slightly above average weapons capacity, plus Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Moderate hull, with sleek profile.
- Handling: Fast, at almost 500 mph (fastest moth in the unpatched game), pods
make little difference to handling, but suffers when it comes to turning.
- Availability: Fairly common, at average price.
- Recommended for: Traders, because it can normally escape with cargo, and
combat pilots who can accept the poor turning and use the high top speed.
Police:
- Offensive: Slightly below average weapons capacity, plus Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Strong hull, with mid-range profile.
- Handling: Turns on a dime with an above average top speed.
- Availability: Rare, but fairly cheap.
- Notes: Cannot fit rare missiles.
- Recommended for: Dogfighting combat pilots.
Silver-Y:
- Offensive: Poor weapons capacity, with no Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Weak hull but with slender profile.
- Handling: Lowest top speed.
- Availability: Common (you'll probably start with one of these) and cheap.
- Notes: Cannot fit Engine #2 and #3, Medium, Large and Largest pods, or Pulse
Laser.
- Recommended for: New pilots - who perhaps don't get the choice - but you
could do worse for a training ship.
Swallow:
- Offensive: Average weapons capacity, but no Laser Turret.
- Defensive: Fairly strong hull, with thin profile.
- Handling: Fastest moth, but with moderate turning.
- Availability: U2.01+. Rare and expensive (unless you steal one).
- Notes: Cannot fit rare missiles.
- Recommended for: Traders, who benefit from the speed even when loaded, and
purist combat pilots, who don't need to use Laser Turrets, but can make use of
the speed and profile.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.2 What equipment is available?
Here is a short summary of moth equipment, excluding plot specific items:
Guns - Offensive, use energy. Buy/fit at weapons factories and weapons
resellers:
- Laser: Fast firing, moderate energy use, with moderate damage to shields and
hull. Good all-round laser.
- Laser Turret: Less damage than regular Laser, but able to track and fire on
targets as you turn. Useful addition for dogfights.
- Plasma Kannon: Slow firing, but highly damaging against shields. Good combat
opener, but only use later in combat if you specifically want to damage the
opponent's software.
- Pulse Laser: Fast firing with moderate damage, but high energy requirement.
Good for disabling weapons systems once shields are down.
Missiles - Offensive, consumed on use. Buy/fit at weapons factories and
weapons resellers:
- Devastator: One hit kill, if it hits. It is possible to evade,
countermeasure or escape from these. Works well in combination with other
tactics, notably Groundbase, which immobilises the target first.
- Fireburst x10: Damages engines when target has weak shields, making them
good for disabling moths or just slowing them slightly in combat.
- Groundbase x5: Forces the enemy to drop to the ground, which can inflict
collision damage and makes them sitting ducks.
- (Power) Leach x10: Drain energy from target, particularly when their shields
are low.
- Sprat x10: Good damage for the price, with high rate of fire. Easily
countered with Chaff or evaded with skilled piloting.
- Swarm x10: Breaks into several sections on launch, so normally hits in part.
- Underkill x5: Fast fire rate, and first do damage to shields, then to
software. Often regarded as an expensive version of a Plasma Kannon, but
potentially useful if you want to strip shields very fast.
Countermeasures - Defensive, consumed on use:
- Chaff x10: Releases debris which one hopes a missile targeted on you will
hit. Buy/fit at component factories.
- Flares x10: Releases heat source, which may fool a missile targeted on you
to target the flare instead. Flares also light up the surrounding area. Buy
from Chemicals factories, buy/fit at certain weapon resellers and breaker
makers.
- Hologram x5: Creates a mirror image of your ship for 5-10 seconds, which
confuses your attacker into firing at it rather than you. Buy/fit at weapons
factories and weapons resellers.
- Trojan x2 (U2.02+): Drops a fake cargo container, which explodes when picked
up. Buy/fit at weapons factories and weapons resellers.
Engines - Engines make your moth move. Bigger engines make your moth move
faster, but don't seem to affect power consumption. Buy/fit at certain breaker
maker and trading posts:
- Silver-Y moths can only fit an Engine #1.
- Moon Moths can only fit Engine #1 or #2.
- Other moths can fit Engine #1, #2 or #3.
Cells - Cells store energy. Influence stall height. Buy/fit at component
factories and breaker makers.
- Cell #1: Poor (rapid) discharge and poor (slow) recharge. Best avoided.
- Cell #2: Moderate recharge rate, but has huge staying power. Can be a good
choice if you often fight away from Lightwells.
- Cell #3: Good rate of recharge with respectable discharge, making it
arguably the best regular cell.
- Cell #4: Recharges quickly, but also discharges quickly. Interesting cell to
use if you fight in Lightwells, but not the best all-rounder.
- Fusion Cell: Permanently charged. Essential acquisition, if you can get it -
see How do I get a fusion cell? below.
Pods - Pods allow cargo to be transported. Larger pods slow your ships down
and make you easier to hit in combat. Buy/fit at certain breaker maker and
trading posts:
- Smallest Pod: 2 different cargoes, up to 10 units each.
- Small Pod: 3 different cargoes, up to 10 units each.
- Medium Pod: 3 different cargoes, up to 20 units each. Cannot fit to Silver-Y
moth.
- Large Pod: 4 different cargoes, up to 30 units each. Cannot fit to Silver-Y
moth.
- Largest Pod: 5 different cargoes, up to 30 units each. Cannot fit to Silver-
Y moth.
Accessories:
- Afterburner: Increases speed for a short period of time. May only be used
once approximately every 30 seconds. Buy/fit at certain breaker maker and
trading posts.
- Drone: Allows targeted salvage to be recovered and placed in your pod.
Buy/fit at component factories and weapon resellers.
- Star Shells x10: Illuminate a dark area of a crater. Poor pilot's InfraRed
and consumed on use. Buy at Chemicals factories. Buy/fit at weapons resellers.
Software - Adds HUD features and improves equipment performance. Most software
comes as a series of upgrades. Install at software providers:
- Autopilot: Automatically docks you at hangars.
- Flight: Adds bells and whistles to the HUD.
- InfraRed: Adds option to see better in the dark.
- Navigation: Adds options such as crater names on the HUD compass.
- Power: Adds cell monitoring meters to the HUD, and makes cell recharge
faster.
- Radar: Improves ability to target objects, for example target salvage.
- Shield: Makes shields sustain more damage.
- Target: Improves munitions accuracy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.3 How do I dock? Can I speed up docking?
Docking can be done manually or automatically. For manual docking (no
autopilot software fitted), move into the rectangular targeting tunnel that
shows when close to a hangar, point at and then move towards the doors, the
doors will open, drive in and stop just in front of the internal air lock
doors. To dock automatically, fit autopilot software, and then fly into the
rectangular targeting tunnel - the autopilot will do the rest. To speed up
docking, go to a software provider's hangar and remove the autopilot. You will
have to steer your way into each hangar, but if you are skilled you will be
able to dock far quicker than before.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.4 How do you target salvage dropped on Titan's surface?
Upgrade your Target software at a software provider's hangar to level 3. You
can then target salvage in the same way as moths and hangars.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.5 Why can't I salvage Origin Unknown?
You need a Super-Drone. Psycho Bob will fit one to your moth when the time
comes to liberate some origin unknown from the faction secret bases. Once you
have the Super-Drone fitted, gather all the origin unknown you can - in
certain versions it sells for $99,999 at Trading Posts. Do not unload origin
unknown in your hangar - you will not be able to reload it. You can always
jettison the origin unknown and pick it up later without risk of losing it,
because you will be the only pilot on Titan with a Super-Drone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.6 How do I get power?
All conventional cells are based on solar energy. As you fly around,
particularly as you fire weapons, stored power will decline. Cells can be
recharged by hovering directly under a Lightwell. Note that upgrading Power
software will add a recharge meter to the HUD, which helps to ensure you are
directly under the Lightwell. Fusion Cells do not require recharging in
Lightwells - see How do I get a fusion cell? below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.7 Where do I repair?
Breaker Makers and a small number of other hangars (for example, Flyers
Retreat in Gamma) offer repair facilities. Each moth system (Hull, CPU,
Weapons, etc) can be repaired in 10% blocks. You need to pay to use public
repair facilities. Private hangars (see How do I buy a hangar? below) come
with repair facilities, that will repair your moth for free, which is one of
the big advantages of private hangars. You can also sell repair services to
other pilots.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.8 Can I change the order weapons cycle?
Yes and no. The order normally reflects the order items were installed in,
although if you remove one item and add another, the new item will tend to
occupy the first available free position, which will probably be the position
the removed item was in. If you have your own hangar, you can remove all the
non-missile weaponry and then fit it again in the desired order, and generally
experiment without any financial penalty. Remember that missiles can't be
removed once installed, so your options with those are more limited.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2.9 What differences are there between starting options?
Ultimately it does not matter what career you pick at startup. These choices
don't restrict what you can or cannot do. All they do is equip you with a moth
that favours a certain style of play initially. Patched versions introduce new
startup options, some of which make the early part of the game far easier.
Each option has the following starting conditions, based on U2.04:
Aggressor - Basic pure combat setup:
- Moth: Silver-Y.
- Equipment: Laser, Plasma Kannon, Swarm and Flares.
- Software: Flight 1, Power 2, Shield 2, Navigation, Radar 3, Target 2 and
InfraRed.
- Assets: $10,000.
- Starts: Gamma Monorail Depot.
Agitator - U1.0+:
- Moth: Neo Tiger.
- Equipment: Laser, Laser Turret, Afterburner, Fusion Cell, Engine #3,
Hologram, Devastator, Leach, Fireburst, Flares, Chaff and Star Shells.
- Software: Flight 1, Power 2, Shield 2, Navigation, Radar 3, Target 2 and
InfraRed.
- Assets: $10,000.
- Starts: Riverside Monorail.
Corrupt Cop - U1.0+:
- Moth: Police.
- Equipment: Laser, Laser Turret, Afterburner, Engine #3, Fusion Cell, Largest
Pod, Drone, Hologram, Swarm and Flares.
- Software: Flight 1, Power 2, Shield 2, Navigation, Radar 3, Target 2 and
InfraRed.
- Assets: $10,000.
- Starts: Sewage Control, Downtown.
- Note: Although characterised as a Police defector, your record with the
police starts clean.
Dealer - U2.02+:
- Moth: Moon Moth.
- Equipment: Laser, Medium Pod and Drone.
- Software: Flight 1, Power 2, Shield 2, Navigation, Radar 3, Target 2 and
InfraRed.
- Assets: $100,000, and Vacant 0030 with Clone installed and a few low grade
munitions stocked.
- Starts: Vacant 0030, Downtown.
- Note: Starts with enemies, Nelson Column and Clifton Bridge, who will try to
kill you early in the game.
Godfather - U1.0+:
- Moth: Moon Moth.
- Equipment: Laser, Laser Turret, Afterburner, Engine #3, Fusion Cell, Largest
Pod, Drone, Devastators (20 >:) ), Fireburst, Groundbase, Flares, Chaff and
Star Shells.
- Software: Flight 1, Power 2, Shield 2, Navigation, Radar 3, Target 2 and
InfraRed.
- Assets: $10,000.
- Starts: Recycling Joint, Highrise.
- Note: This is the only way to get an Engine #3 on a Moon Moth. Remove the
pod and this moth will reach about 450 mph.
Scavenger - Basic collector/multi-role setup:
- Moth: Silver-Y.
- Equipment: Laser, Small Pod, Drone, Flares and Star Shells.
- Software: Flight 1, Power 1, Shield 1, Navigation, Radar 3, Target 2 and
InfraRed.
- Assets: $10,000.
- Starts: Conurbation 2, Downtown.
Trader - Basic trading setup:
- Moth: Silver-Y.
- Equipment: Laser, Small Pod, Sprat and Flares.
- Software: Autopilot, Flight 2, Power 1, Shield 1, Navigation, Radar 3,
Target 1 and InfraRed.
- Assets: $10,000.
- Starts: Alpha Trading Post.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
3.3 Hangars
______________________________________________________________________________
3.3.1 How do I find buildings?
Certain key buildings can be targeted from the local services menu. You can
select target from messages. Alternatively, fly close to the building,
targeting it, and lock the target for future reference. For new pilots,
finding anything in the fog of Titan is difficult, particularly in the larger
craters such as Downtown. Try to remember how a few important buildings relate
to different tunnel mouths. You may find it useful to refer to maps of Titan,
which can be found here: http://www.capsu.org/hardwar/ (or
http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/game/24605.html ).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3.2 What do different hangars do?
Here is a list of important hangar types within the game. Most hangar names
are fairly self explanatory, for example "Downtown Chemicals" is a chemicals
factory, so I have only noted names that are not immediately obvious. All
businesses buy small amounts of Food. Note that faction owned hangars may not
be prepared to trade with independent pilots - this is particularly true of
their weapon and moth production facilities. A full Hangar List is in the
Appendices:
Raw Materials:
- Mines: Supply Ore, Gems, and Constmat.
- Chemical factories (includes AgroChem): Supply Chemicals, Plastics,
Explosives, Flares, and Star Shells.
- Purifiers: Supply Water.
- "Sewage Control": Supply Water and Chemicals.
- Macros (also "Charlie's Pizza"): Supply Food and Furs.
- Conurbations (various housing such as "Hunger City" and "Misery Heights"):
Supply BodyParts.
- "Bill Moritz" and "Scrubber Outpost": Supply Cigars.
Equipment Related:
- Ore Proc (and similar, also "The Ore House"): Produce ExMetal and
Sheetmetal. Buy Ore.
- Recycling (also "Scrubber Xchng" and "Junkyard"): Produce Sheetmetal. Buy
Scrapmetal.
- Component factories: Produce CompComp, MachParts, Cells, Drone, and Chaff.
Buy Water, Chemicals, Gems, ExMetal, Sheetmetal, and Plastics.
- "Techparts": Produces CompComp only. Buy Gems, ExMetal, and Plastics.
- Weapons factories ("...Munitions", "Dr Jobes Weapons", "Klamp-G Arms"):
Produce Sprat, Swarm, Devastator, Leach, Fireburst, Underkill, Groundbase,
Hologram, Laser, Plasmakannon, Laser Turret, and Pulse Laser. Buy Gems,
ExMetal, SheetMetal, CompComp, MachParts, and Explosives.
- Moth factories (also "Highrise Motors"): Produce Moths. Also notionally
produce Pods and Engines, although they do not sell them in all game versions.
Buy Ore, SheetMetal, CompComp, MachParts, Plastics, Cells, and Lasers.
Luxury Related:
- "Waterfront Booze" and "Skinners Outpost": Produce Alcohol. Buy Chemicals
and Water.
- "General Industrial": Produce Narcotics. Buy Chemicals.
- Bars ("The Slum", "The Waterfront", "The After Dark", "The Shanty Inn",
"Jupiter Four", "Flyers Retreat", and "Traders Rest"): Buy/sell Narcotics,
Alcohol, and Cigars.
Service Related:
- Trading Posts (also "Trade Central"): Buy/sell everything (but not as
profitable as supplying other businesses), and contains list of local needs
and sales.
- Weapons resellers ("Psycho Bobs", "Reservoir Central", "...Weapons Shop",
"Special Arms Co"): Buy/sell what weapons factories make, plus Flares, Star
Shells, and Drones. Note that "Special Arms Co" specialises in more expensive
munitions like Leach and Groundbase. They also fit and remove equipment.
- Breaker Maker (also "The Knocking Ship" and "Traders Rest"): Buy/sell
assorted Cells, Engines, Afterburner, Drone, and Pods. They also fit equipment
and repair moths.
- "The Garidge": Repairs moths.
- Builders ("...Construction"): Buy ConstMat. Repair local hangars that get
damaged.
- Police ("Cops"): Allow fines to be paid and criminals to be targeted.
- Faction and Gang buildings ("...Lazarus...", "...Klamp...",
"...Scrubber...", "...Skinner..."): Normally (but not always) allow their
enemies to be targeted.
- Estate Agents: Allow certain (mostly "Vacant") hangars to be purchased.
- "Clone Farm" (U1.0+): Sells clones, which you can install in your hangar and
use when you die.
- Monorail stations: Allow access to the Monorail. There are a few oddities,
like "Mines Monorail Depot" - MonoRail access is actually via the "Mines
Trading Post".
- Cabs: Base for taxis. Can be called out from any local hangar.
- Loan Agents ("Charlie Wadsworth" and "MisOp Finance"): Provide loans.
- Software: Installs and changes moth software.
The remaining hangars are either bases for individual, faction or gang pilots,
plot related locations, or in a few cases, such as Colony HQ and Flight
Academy, background filling.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3.3 How do I buy a hangar?
Visit the estate agent in the same crater as the hangar you want to buy.
Hangars cost about $16,000. Downtown Estates only sells about 20 properties at
a time. This means that you may not be able to purchase a particular hangar in
Downtown until you own several hangars in that crater.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3.4 Can I buy pirate/scavenger hangars?
Yes. Kill the current occupant just after 00:00, 06:00, 12:00 or 18:00. Wait
until the start of the next full hour and then go to the estate agent in the
same crater as the hangar. You must reach the estate agent and purchase the
hangar before the next time in the sequence. You cannot buy properties in
Haven or Midway. It is not clear whether properties can always be purchased in
Mines and Reservoir - this may vary by patch. Occupying pirate hangars will
greatly reduce the number of pirates in the game - this is the only way to
stop the majority of them 'respawning' after you kill them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3.5 Can I get a loan?
Yes. Go to MisOp Finance (Downtown) or Charlie Wadsworth (Riverside), and
arrange one. Three are available: Small ($5000 over 2 days), medium ($10,000
over 3 days), and large ($25,000 over 5 days). Interest rates are 10-20%. You
can take up to one loan from each financier at any one time. This means you
can get up to $60,000 (including starting cash) at the very start of the game.
Taking such a loan is not recommended for new players, however an experienced
trader may be able to use it to gain advantage very quickly. Failing to repay
a loan will eventually bring out an enforcer - see What is an enforcer and how
do I get rid of one? above.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
3.4 Economy
______________________________________________________________________________
3.4.1 How can I find where to buy or sell a particular item?
Use the needs and sales lists available at Trading Posts. Each post lists
nearest and cheapest sales across Titan, and local business needs. Some items
are not manufactured and may eventually run out, see Why can't I buy any
engines or pods when playing online? below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4.2 How does the economy work?
The economy model is based around production and use (often destruction) of
items. The core of the economy is based on equipment production, however there
are also trades for luxuries (Narcotics, Foods, and similar), and "export
goods" (like BodyParts). Raw materials are automatically produced at certain
locations, which are then transported to businesses in other places to be
processed. For example, Ore might be transported from mines in the Mines
crater to Ore Procs in Downtown, where it is processed into SheetMetal and
ExMetal. In most cases multiple commodities are needed for production
processes to work. So, in order to produce a pack of Swarm missiles,
SheetMetal (see above) and Explosives (made from Plastics and Chemicals at
Chemical manufacturers) needs to be taken to a weapons manufacturer. The
finished product may then be transported and sold to a weapons reseller, such
as Psycho Bobs, before being equipped by pilots and used in combat. The
production recipes may use differing proportions of materials. Businesses
often make a variety of products using similar materials: Sometimes in order
for them to produce rarer items you will need to first get them to produce a
full stock of more mundane items. Most businesses have restrictions on how
much stock they can hold or any one item (rarely more than 35, but often less
than 5), and also have limited cash: Don't be surprised when previously
profitable trade routes dry up temporarily due to over-supply. Note that
faction (Lazarus/Klamp-G) facilities will normally not trade with you. A full
list of Non-Moth Production Requirements and Locations is in the appendices.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4.3 How do I get rare moths (Deaths Head, Police, Swallow)?
Swallows are only available in U2.01 and later. In U2.0x games you can freely
hop into a Swallows parked at Highrise Construction, Riverside Construction,
Waterfront Booze or Alpha Construction. To produce the rare moths you need to
supply Downtown Moths with: about 2-8 Sheet Metal, 3-9 Plastics, 4-9
MachParts, 2-3 Ore, 1 Laser and 1 Cell. Supply Cell #1 for Swallows, Cell #3
for Deaths Head and Police. Since Downtown Moths will only produce three or
four moths at a time, you will probably need to purchase one or more other
moths before the desired moth appears. Buying whatever moth is in bay #3 may
help. Deaths Head moths will generally appear before Police. Unless you are
lucky, you will need a hangar to store spare moths. You can always remove and
trade the laser on the spare moth, and trade-in some of your spare moths for
the rare moth when it appears for sale. Bargain moths will produce Swallows,
and because it produces fewer other moths, it will tend to produce Swallows
quicker than Downtown Moths. For precise requirements see appendix Moth
Production Requirements Table.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4.4 How do I get a fusion cell?
The 'Gang Boy' mission part of the plot will provide you with a fusion cell.
In U2.0x games the free swallows (see How do I get rare moths? above) all come
fitted with fusion cells, which can be removed by fitting a different cell
type. Fusion cells can be manufactured by supplying fusion parts to component
shops - ensure that the component shops are also supplied with Chemicals,
Water, and Plastics. Fusion parts can be pirated from gang transports, taken
from pirates that have done this, or occasionally purchased at Trading Post.
Fusion parts will not appear until after Port crater is closed, specifically
not until you get an email entitled "nuclear ships out". Fusion cells are well
worth producing early in the game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4.5 How do I get rare missiles (Tac Nuke, Big Bob)?
A Tac Nuke is first fitted to your moth by Psycho Bob to destroy one of the
faction secret bases, as part of a plot mission to retrieve Origin Unknown.
Use one Tac Nuke to destroy one of the bases, but do not retrieve the Origin
Unknown. Return to Bob's and he will fit another Tac Nuke to your moth.
Alternatively straight after your first moth has been fitted with a Tac Nuke,
fly it to your hangar, swap to a second moth and return to Bob's to get
another Tac Nuke. Repeat for a third or fourth moth if you wish. A Tac Nuke
will also be fitted to your moth during the Port blockage clearance mission. A
Big Bob missile is fitted to your moth in the following mission. Tac Nukes and
Big Bobs can be made by supplying Dr Jobes, Special Arms Co or Downtown
Munitions with fusion parts. The missiles have little or no use outside of the
plot. Note that Police and Swallows cannot mount rare missiles.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4.6 How do I get a Death Ray?
The Death Ray is a cannon that slowly fires deadly white balls of energy,
thought to be fitted to the inside of airlocks, to vaporise trapped ships that
don't leave quick enough. It can only be accessed as weapons by hacking the
game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
3.5 Transport
______________________________________________________________________________
3.5.1 Can I run my own taxi firm?
A game reviewer seems to have started this rumour. A Gremlin representative
suggested that you could use a Moon Moth to carry passengers on alt.fan.elite.
You can own a taxi (Moon Moth), but you cannot transport passengers or run a
taxi firm in the offline game. You can transport other player characters using
a moon moth in an online game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5.2 Can I ride the monorail?
Only with U2.02 or later. Fly to a monorail station hangar, leave your moth
and walk to the monorail platform. You can press N to see where the monorail
cars are. Routes are:
- Downtown Central Monorail - Highrise Monorail Depot and return: One service
every 3 hours 40 minutes.
- Downtown Central Monorail - Downtown Vacant 0030 - Alpha Depot - Mines
Lazarus Mine and return: One service every 8 hours 45 minutes.
- Downtown Central Monorail - Custom Block/Research Facility - Port Abandoned
Terminal (in some patches it does not stop here) - Mines Trading Post and
return: One service every 5 hours 45 minutes. Plot events will alter how this
service runs.
- Downtown Central Monorail - Gamma Monorail Depot - Mines Klamp-G Mine and
return: One service every 7 hours 55 minutes.
- Riverside Monorail - Reservoir Jupiter Four and return: One service every 3
hours 10 minutes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
4. WALKTHROUGH
==============================================================================
This section offers a simple overview of the plot, and addresses specific
problems. For a basic semi-official walkthrough, see Phil Eckford's (one of
Hardwar's testers) walkthrough, http://david.hedbor.org/hardwar/solution.html
. If you are looking for a detailed walkthrough with tips and forward planning
suggestions, I recommend Zedo's, http://zedo.hardwar.org.uk/plot.htm . Note
that the plot is only available in the single player game, or to the game's
host in a network game. Plot critical emails are marked with asterisks either
side of the subject. Most events within the plot will only start once the
player decides to start them. There is no need to complete the plot, indeed
you can play forever without plot related changes by ignoring the Port Decoy.
The plot can be completed in 21 days, but don't worry if it takes a lot
longer. Use spare time between missions to develop your character (cash,
moths, hangars, etc), because completing the plot using a starter moth will be
very hard. If you are playing a version of the game without the video, you may
have problems understanding what is happening, because key instructions are
only given via video sequences - refer to Arago Fett's Plot Video Transcripts
in the appendices.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.1 Crash
______________________________________________________________________________
4.1.1 Overview:
- TIMING: After your first significant action is complete (normally making a
sale or killing another pilot).
- EMAIL: "Cover up?", from Hardwarp FM.
- REWARD: None.
- REQUIREMENTS: None.
- LOCATION: Above Lightwell 3, Downtown.
- EVENT: Alien ship appears in the sky, temporarily disabling your ship once
you get close, before exploding.
- POLITICS: None.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.2 Port Decoy
______________________________________________________________________________
4.2.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Day after previous sighting and crash.
- EMAIL: "Decoy Required", from Klamp-G HQ. "Good Work" on completion.
- REWARD: $5000 on completion.
- REQUIREMENTS: Any weapon fitted - the starting Laser is adequate. Target 3
software upgrade and any cell upgrade will help.
- LOCATION: Port.
- EVENT: Fly to Port crater via Mines, shoot at the Mass Driver Part (on the
north side of the crater, near the Mass Driver, close to Laz Repair moth), and
when the sky darkens escape via Mines. The mission finishes when a Klamp-G
moth (which you were providing the decoy for) reaches their HQ in Riverside.
- POLITICS: Makes you an enemy of Lazarus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2.2 How do I target the Mass Driver Part?
Target the Mass Driver initially by selecting Target Subject from the email.
When you are close look for a moth marked "Laz Repair" - the mass driver part
will be on the ground below. Fire at the part close up and you won't need it
targeted to hit. If you wish to target the part you need to have installed
target level 3 software beforehand, which allows objects on the surface to be
targeted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2.3 What are the garbled messages about?
Around this time you will start to receive email messages from the Abandoned
Terminal, none of which can be read. Save them for now, Xavier Lazarus will
translate them for you much later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.3 Mystery Package
______________________________________________________________________________
4.3.1 Overview:
- TIMING: About 8 days after Port Decoy mission.
- EMAIL: "Important Mission" from Unidentified. Also "Concerned" about a day
before.
- REWARD: Cloaking Device installed on your moth.
- REQUIREMENTS: Pod and Drone fitted. The moth you are flying during this
mission will be fitted with a cloaking device, so consider using a moth that
will benefit from this addition.
- LOCATION: Rock formation near Lightwell, Mines.
- EVENT: Recover package from top of rock formation near the Lightwell in
Mines.
- POLITICS: None.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3.2 What does the Cloaking Device do?
When flying below 100 feet, your ship will be masked on radar. This is
indicated by a blinking red margin of your radar HUD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3.3 Can I remove the Cloaking Device?
No. You must be flying the moth you want to fit the device to during this
mission. Consider delaying this mission until you have upgraded to your
preferred moth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3.4 How can I tell I have the Cloaking Device?
Fly below 100 feet, and watch to see if your radar HUD flickers. There will
not be any other indication on your ship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.4 Secret Bases
______________________________________________________________________________
4.4.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Immediately after recovering Mystery Package.
- EMAIL: "Congratulations" from Unidentified.
- REWARD: None.
- REQUIREMENTS: None, but amnesty with both factions will avoid constantly
being attacked whilst searching.
- LOCATIONS: Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown; Lazarus Secret Base, Reservoir, rear of
island with Lightwell on it, western side of crater; Klamp-G Secret Base,
Riverside, towards western side of crater.
- EVENT: Fly to Psycho Bobs 1, then fly to each of the secret bases, target
them and lock their targets.
- POLITICS: None.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4.2 What do the secret bases look like?
The Lazarus base is set into a cave in a large rock formation, close to water
level. It has a large red Lazarus logo on the door. The Klamp-G base is
probably harder to spot because although out in the open, at first glance it
looks like a set of storage containers. The secret is to look for a series of
large containers running east to west, with a slightly larger structure at the
western end. The larger structure is the base.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.5 Procure Trigger and Matter
______________________________________________________________________________
4.5.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Immediately after targeting secret bases. Note that you can collect
Trigger and Matter beforehand - it will start appearing a few days after the
Decoy mission (you may see an email "Nuclear Ships Out" from Hardwarp FM).
- EMAIL: "Good Job" from Psycho Bobs 1.
- REWARD: None, although excess Trigger and Matter you may sell, and Fusion
Parts you can use to get a fusion cell produced - see How do I get a fusion
cell? above.
- REQUIREMENTS: Pod fitted. Other equipment (pirating or scavenging) depending
on method.
- LOCATIONS: Deliver to Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown. Trigger and Matter locations
vary by method, but most likely to be found on routes between the gang bases
(Gamma and Alpha) and the Downtown tunnel to Port.
- EVENT: Return to Psycho Bobs 1. Then find and deliver one unit of Trigger
and one unit of Matter to Psycho Bobs 1. These materials are being traded by
the gangs (Scrubber and Skinner) for BodyParts, using the Customs Block
between Downtown and Port. Recover the cargo by pirating these transports.
Alternatively wait for others to pirate them and then either scavenge, pirate
the pirate, or buy the booty from trading posts pirates/scavengers sell too.
- POLITICS: Depends on method. Attacking gang transports directly will make
you their enemies (pre-U1.0 it will also make you the enemy of their aligned
faction - Scrubber to Lazarus, Skinners to Klamp-G).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.5.2 Why do the gang transports only ever carry one thing?
If you kill a transport, the next transport that gang sends out will buy the
same (missing) item. Continuous killing of transports may therefore net you a
lot of one of the three cargoes, and none of the other two. When you see a
transport loaded with something you don't need, let it go. Consider protecting
it from other pirates if you are having real problems here. When the moth
comes back for another cargo, it should buy a different item.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.6 Base Attack
______________________________________________________________________________
4.6.1 Overview:
- TIMING: About 2 days after delivering Trigger and Matter.
- EMAIL: "New Instructions" from Psycho Bobs 1. "Come on Home" once first unit
of Origin Unknown recovered.
- REWARD: Drone upgraded to Super Drone at start of mission (even if it does
not say that). $99,999 per surplus unit of Unknown Origin (see below).
- REQUIREMENTS: Not flying a Police or Swallow moth (you need to be able to
fire rare missiles, and these moths cannot fit them). Pod and regular Drone
fitted.
- LOCATIONS: Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown -> Lazarus Secret Base, Reservoir or
Klamp-G Secret Base, Riverside.
- EVENT: Attack either one of the secret bases by firing a Tac-Nuke at it,
which Bob will provide. Entering the Lazarus base is fairly straightforward;
entering the Klamp-G base requires you to fly down through the hole into a
cave, which can be tricky - try flying a corkscrew pattern. Steal at least one
unit of Unknown Origin using the Super Drone, and deliver it to Psycho Bobs 1.
- POLITICS: Makes you an enemy with the owner of whichever base you attack.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6.2 Can I attack both bases?
Yes, if you are a little underhand. If you return to Psycho Bobs 1 without
completing the mission, and without a Tac-Nuke, Bob will fit another one. So,
by attacking one base and not recovering anything initially, or by swapping
moths half way through the mission, and then returning to Bob's, you can get
enough Tac-Nukes to enter both bases. Attacking both is clearly harder, but
will give you additional Origin Unknown.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6.3 How do I sell surplus Origin Unknown?
All the Origin Unknown you return to Psycho Bobs 1 with will be taken from
you. However, you only need 1 unit to complete the mission. Since Origin
Unknown sells for $99,999 in most versions, it is worth trying to sell any
excess before completing the mission. In the first instance try to sell to
trading posts. Not all will have enough money to buy, and none are likely to
buy more than one unit. Buying a few high price items from a trading post will
give them enough cash to buy the Origin Unknown from you. If you can't sell
all the excess, or don't want to waste time now trading, don't unload it into
your hangar because you won't be able to reload it. Instead jettison it and
pick it up later. You are the only pilot with a Super Drone, so it should
remain where you left it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.7 Gang Boy (Optional)
______________________________________________________________________________
4.7.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Two or three days after the base attack. The events must take place
at the time stated in the email, which you will receive about 36 hours before
the mission starts. Unlike other missions, you cannot delay this, but you can
alternatively ignore it completely.
- EMAIL: "Help", for Gang Boy. "Safe" on arrival at destination, followed by
various other bits of news.
- REWARD: Fusion Cell on completion, replacing your existing cell.
- REQUIREMENTS: None, although amnesty with both factions will make the
mission easy.
- LOCATIONS: Normally Scrubbers HQ, Highrise -> Reservoir -> Klamp-G HQ,
Riverside. However, pay attention because Gang Boy has been noted (by Zedo) to
start at Skinners HQ, Gamma, and travel to Lazarus HQ, Alpha.
- EVENT: Wait outside the starting HQ until the appropriate time (22:00), then
escort Gang Boy's Silver-Y. Once you both reach the destination HQ you will be
fitted with a Fusion Cell, which will replace whatever cell you had before, so
make sure you have a cheap cell fitted when you dock at the HQ ;-) . Gang Boy
won't be attacked, making this a very easy mission if you have amnesty with
both factions.
- POLITICS: None related to you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.8 More Trigger or Matter
______________________________________________________________________________
4.8.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Two or three days after Gang Boy.
- EMAIL: "New Developments", from Psycho Bobs 1. "Reminder" after talking to
him.
- REWARD: None.
- REQUIREMENTS: Pod and Drone. Also note the requirement for the next mission
(Port Clearance with Tac-Nuke), which this leads directly into.
- LOCATION: Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown.
- EVENT: Recover a unit of Trigger or Matter. See Procure Trigger and Matter
above for method. As you recover the first unit, you will receive some bad
news about Bob. Return to Psycho Bobs 1.
- POLITICS: Depends on method.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.8.2 Can I use Trigger or Matter I have already?
Yes. Indeed this is the safest way to complete the mission. Load up one unit,
jettison it, and then immediately salvage it again. If scavengers cause a
problem, jettison the cargo in a tunnel - AI pilots won't salvage things
dropped in tunnels.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.9 Port Clearance with Tac-Nuke
______________________________________________________________________________
4.9.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Immediately after recovering a unit of Trigger or Matter, above.
- EMAIL: "Bad News", from Psycho Bobs 1. "Urgent" following mission failure.
- REWARD: None.
- REQUIREMENTS: Not flying a Police or Swallow moth (you need to be able to
fire rare missiles, and these moths cannot fit them). Note that you do not
need the Trigger or Matter in your hold from the previous mission, but it will
make you an attractive target for pirates and slow you down in the meantime.
- LOCATIONS: Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown -> Mines to Port tunnel.
- EVENT: Bob's assistant will fit a Tac-Nuke, fly to the blockage in the Mines
to Port tunnel, target the blockage, and fire the nuke. The blockage remains,
and you will get a message to return to Psycho Bobs 1. Arrival completes the
(failed) mission.
- POLITICS: Apparently none.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.10 Port Clearance with Big Bob
______________________________________________________________________________
Before starting the final series of missions, consider making a backup of your
saved game (copy the .sav file outside of the game). If you complete the plot
the game will end, however you may wish to continue playing as an open-ended
game. Reverting back to this position will give you that option - all you need
do is ignore Psycho Bob. It can be hard to break out of the plot much after
this point, and you should expect to play these final missions as a series of
mad dashes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.10.1 Overview:
- TIMING: A day after Port Clearance with Tac-Nuke.
- EMAIL: "New Toy", from Psycho Bobs 1. During the mission, "Investigate"
after the clearance, and "Close Call" after the alien rescue.
- REWARD: None.
- REQUIREMENTS: Not flying a Police or Swallow moth (you need to be able to
fire rare missiles, and these moths cannot fit them). Consider removing
surplus equipment that will slow you down, such as pods.
- LOCATIONS: Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown -> Port, near to Abandoned Terminal (in
the middle of Port crater).
- EVENT: Repeat initial events in Port Clearance with Tac-Nuke, but with a Big
Bob missile, which will clear the blockage. Head towards the Abandoned
Terminal, and look what has landed on it. The sky will darken again, and you
will loss shields and HUD display. Don't panic, the aliens will pick you up
and drop you in the center of Mines crater.
- POLITICS: Makes you an enemy of Lazarus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.11 Psycho Bobs Closure
______________________________________________________________________________
4.11.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Immediately after the aliens rescue you from Port.
- EMAIL: "Close Call" from Psycho Bobs 1. "Hangar Closed" from Lazarus HQ when
trying to enter Psycho Bobs 2.
- REWARD: None.
- REQUIREMENTS: None.
- LOCATIONS: Psycho Bobs 1, Downtown -> Psycho Bobs 2, Downtown -> Prison
Oubliette, Mines.
- EVENT: Return to Psycho Bobs 1, then head to Psycho Bobs 2 to find Syd.
Psycho Bobs 2 is now closed and the occupants have been arrested. Head towards
the prison complex in the mines.
- POLITICS: None new.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.12 Rescue Syd and meet Xavier Lazarus
______________________________________________________________________________
4.12.1 Overview:
- TIMING: An hour after trying to visit Psycho Bobs 2.
- EMAIL: "Rescue Prisoner?" from Psycho Bobs 1.
- REWARD: Syd and possibly some BodyParts.
- REQUIREMENTS: None.
- LOCATIONS: Prison Oubliette, Mines -> Lazarus Hightower, Downtown (southern
side of crater, high up).
- EVENT: Enter Prison Oubliette and speak to Syd. Now head for Lazarus
Hightower. Talk to Xavier Lazarus, who will reveal a few things of interest,
including translating the garbled messages from the Abandoned Terminal. Now
head to Syd's Workshop to pick up a special moth.
- POLITICS: None.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.12.2 Why do I have a cargo of BodyParts when I leave the Prison?
This only happens if you have a pod fitted. They might be regarded as part of
the story - you may have noticed the weird meat (bodyparts) related humor, and
perhaps this is the last laugh. Krool comments: "I reckon that the body parts
are probably what's left of either Bob, or Syd." Well, I didn't like to say
it... You can, and probably should, jettison them once you launch, because
they will slow you down and attract pirates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.12.3 How do I get into Lazarus Hightower?
The hangar is very close to stall level. While all moths can get there
eventually, some, such as poorly equipped Silver-Ys, may struggle. But then,
what are you still doing in a Silver-Y after 20 or more days of play ;-) ? Try
climbing at a very gentle gradient when close to stall level, and when you get
a stall warning nose down slightly, stop, and wait a moment. The important
point is not to actually stall while getting close to the hangar. Take the
whole operation very slowly, climbing in several little steps. Using this
method you can get a Cell #1 Silver-Y to an altitude of 2419 feet without
stalling. You can open the doors to the hangar at this height, but you can't
casually fly in. The trick is to get the doors open, then very rapidly fly
into the hangar, ensuring the stall occurs once your moth is inside the
hangar. Attempting to dock with a Cell #1 Silver-Y is very tricky, so some
level of upgrade is recommended. There is a myth that you need a Fusion Cell
or a certain type of moth for this, which is not true.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
4.13 Final Run
______________________________________________________________________________
4.13.1 Overview:
- TIMING: Immediately after leaving Lazarus Hightower.
- EMAIL: None.
- REWARD: Escaping Titan ("The End", for now at least).
- REQUIREMENTS: None. You will given a special Moon Moth for the final run.
- LOCATIONS: Syd's Workshop, Downtown (south east side of crater, near Central
Monorail) -> Abandoned Terminal, Port.
- EVENT: Head to Syd's Workshop and board the Moon Moth. Now run to the
Abandoned Terminal without being killed. Congratulations. You won. For added
amusement, before you dock at the Abandoned Terminal, stop and watch what
happens to all those moths in pursuit.
- POLITICS: Every other pilot regards you as an enemy during this sequence;
even the Cabs want to rip you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.13.2 I keep on dying before I reach Port. Any hints?
Don't waste time leaving Syd's Workshop. Keep at full throttle throughout.
Don't stop to engage your attackers - you don't have any guns anyway. Travel
via Gamma, since the route is shorter and you can skirt round the edge of
Gamma crater to avoid most of your attackers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.14.3 Can I use the Monorail to complete the final run?
No. At least not in U2.04. You take the monorail to the Abandoned Terminal,
but nothing then happens.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
5. CHEATING
==============================================================================
5.1 What is God Hangar?
God Hangar works in both online and offline games. God Hangar creates a
virtual hangar which you can jump into. Once there you can 'blag' unlimited
cash, fit certain equipment to your moth, jump to a different location, change
your position in the plot and change the speed of the game. God Hangar can be
assigned to a joystick button on the controls tab of the launcher. Hitting the
button in game takes you to the hangar. If you have enabled test/cheat
functions in hardluck.exe (see What is HardLuck.exe and how do I use it?
below), you can enable cheat keys in the Misc tab, and then press G at any
time to enter God Hangar. You can also use the same utility to access the
debug keys.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2 What are the startup cheat codes?
In multiplayer online games type Castleford, Fangfoss, Skipton, Scunthorpe, or
Sheffield as the pilot name to start with different types of Moth. In offline
games select trader, then type bond001, bond003, bond004, bond005, or bond006
as the pilot name to start with a different type of Moth. For a fully equipped
Hawk type zmax. Most of these cheats have been removed in U3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.3 Are there any other hidden features or Easter Eggs?
Yes. You expect me to reveal them all now? ;-) Try naming a pilot 'gandalf'
and you will be asked to type a name that is not inherently sad (David Hedbor
writes: "This came about after Ian Martin had been playing Quake 2 on the web,
and joined a game full of Lord of the Rings fans. When he used a distinctly
un-tolkien like greeting, Bilbo, Gandalf and the rest asked him rather un-
politely to leave. So that is Ian's revenge."). Holding the left hand crtl key
down while the game is loading changes 'initialising world' to 'testing
patience'. The last ten music tracks on the CD are shared with the game
Loaded, except the last music track on disc 2, which on certain European
versions has three Gremlin employees singing along (from sol, who was
singing). Many of the AI pilots are named after characters from the film
"Hackers". One of the assassins introduced in U2.02 (Nelson Column) relates to
the military strategist Horatio Nelson - Nelson's Column is a statue in
London, England. The other, Clifton Bridge, is a little more obscure: 'He'
probably relates to a bridge of the same name over the River Avon near Bristol
(England), which has a reputation as a suicide spot...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
6. ONLINE
==============================================================================
For things specifically related to U3, see Upgrade 3 section.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
6.1 Gameplay
______________________________________________________________________________
6.1.1 How do I play online (client)?
Ensure you are using the most recent patch. The online game plays badly with
versions before U2.02. You'll also need to have your client running the same
version as the server - the server will probably be running the latest patch.
Find an existing game - you will need an IP address for the server running the
game. Try looking on http://web16.denver010.server4free.de/hwboard/ to find
games. You can also install Hardnet, which allows lobby chat and organising
games (download currently unavailable). From the Hardwar launcher, select
Launch - Connect to a network game (client) - TCP/IP option for Internet play
- enter the IP of the server you want to connect to - select one of the games
running on the server (there will probably only be one). Hardwar will now
load. Enter a pilot name (you may need to type slowly) and click Play. If you
are connecting across a firewall, see How do I play online across a firewall?
below. For general online troubleshooting see Why can't I connect to an online
game? below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1.2 Does the online game have a plot?
Only the host's pilot can take a direct part in the plot in a network game.
However certain key events, such as the Port blockage and gang trading of body
parts will affect all pilots. These will affect the availability of items such
as fusion cells.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1.3 Is there an online etiquette? Can I kill other players?
This varies from game to game. Often the host will announce certain rules,
such as limited use of God Hangar, or no devastators. In short term or death
match games player vs player combat is common. Players commonly use God Hangar
to equip their moths. In long term games player vs player combat normally only
occurs between consenting players. Killing newbies (players with no hangars,
low financial reserves, and/or few registered kills) is unacceptable. Killing
computer controlled taxis is unacceptable, because Killing too many taxis will
result in a general slow-down of the economy, eventually forcing a new game to
be started. Before logging off, park your moth in an infrequently used hangar
with many spare bays. Logging on as another player's character is
unacceptable, except perhaps to move a moth which is occupying a bay in an
important hangar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1.4 Why can't I buy any engines or pods when playing online?
Engines, pods, and some other items of equipment such as afterburners, are
manufactured by Moth factories. They are only sold to the public by trading
posts, which don't manufacture them. In long term popular online games it is
common for these items to eventually run out. God Hangar may be used to
restock the main game arena, although some items of equipment can never be
restocked. Engine and pod shortages should be fixed by the introduction of
Shears Yard in Upgrade 3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1.5 Why am I not added to the Police's wanted list when I kill innocent
pilots in an online game?
The feature has been suspended in U2.0x games, possibly to avoid a video being
played when you pay a fine - the video might crash an online game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1.6 I disconnected and now my character is dead. What should I do?
Start a new character. When you disconnect your ship keeps on doing whatever
it was doing before. If you were in flight or in combat (and you probably
were), it is likely that by the time you re-connect, your moth would have
crashed and been destroyed. You need to adopt special tactics for long term
online play. Your priority should be to buy a hangar, and then buy and install
a clone, available from the clone farm. When you die, for whatever reason,
your character is cloned. You lose your moth, cargo, and one clone. It is
advisable to store spare moths and/or a large cash float to deal with online
deaths.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
6.2 Technical Issues
______________________________________________________________________________
6.2.1 Why can't I connect to an online game?
If you enter an IP address and no games appear, or the game crashes on startup
try: (1) checking with the host that the game hasn't crashed or been taken
down, (2) checking that you and/or your host have configured firewalls and
routers to allow online play (see How do I play online across a firewall?
below), (3) pinging the host's IP address to check that the connection is
reliable (UO Trace is useful for this -
http://www.blackcastlesoft.com/uotrace/ ), (4) running dxdiag (usually
Drive:\Program Files\directx\setup\DxDiag) and checking the network tab for
errors, or (5) starting a standard offline game to see if the same problems
occurs offline.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.2.2 How do I play online across a firewall? What TCP and UDP port do I need
to open?
See the following Microsoft knowledge base article 'DirectX: Ports Required to
Play on a Network, Q240429':
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q240429 . U2.0x uses
DirectX 7 settings. The first Hardwar client normally uses TCP port 2300 and
UDP port 2350, both incremented by 1 per subsequent client.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.2.3 In an online game, when I buy and sell, the server crashes. What am I
doing wrong?
You are probably clicking the buy/sell buttons too quickly. This can result in
your moth becoming overstocked. When you sell the overstock the game seems to
suffer a logic flaw and crashes the host game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.2.4 The frame rate in online games seems very low. Online games seem to lag
a lot. There are some small graphic corruptions. Is that normal?
In U2.02 and later, the frame rate in online games is clamped to 10 frames per
second (compared to 27 frames per second in offline games). Online games also
suffer lag. Lag is particularly bad when using 56K modems. Lag gets worse the
more players are online. Other small graphics corruptions occur in online
games, for example hangar names are blank and hangar doors are shown as part
open unless you are close to them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.2.5 When launching a dedicated server session I get an error message saying
that the VFX COM class is not registered. What should I do?
This appears to be due to a bug in the installer, which turns force feedback
on, even if you have no joystick. Change the controller to mouse in the
standard game launcher. That will clear the greyed-out force feedback
checkmark, which can not otherwise be changed. Then change the controller
option back to keyboard, close the Hardwar launcher and then start the
dedicated server.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
6.3 Hosting
______________________________________________________________________________
6.3.1 What are the technical requirements for hosting an online game?
The basic computer specification is similar to that for the standard game (see
What are the minimum system requirements to run the game? above). The memory,
sound and video requirements for a dedicated network server are lower (see
What is the difference between a dedicated network server and a network game?
below). Although a network game can be hosted using a 56K modem, the game is
almost unplayable because of lag. Any broadband connection (256kbit/s or
better) should be able to host a game effectively. Faster connections and
higher specification computers seem to be able to handle games for more
players before experiencing game slowdowns. Precise conditions for optimum
performance are not known.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.3.2 What is the difference between a dedicated network server and a network
game?
A network game is one that requires the host to keep a full version of Hardwar
running throughout. The game is started or loaded as 'network game (server)'.
To save the game the host saves their game as if playing offline. U2.02 or
later allows a dedicated network server to be run. This runs Hardwar in a
console window, auto-saving every 10 minutes. This mode does not render the
game world, and only requires 4-5Mb of memory. There is no game specific
requirement for video or sound. If the host wishes to join their own dedicated
network server, and they have a powerful machine, they can use HardLuck (see
What is HardLuck.exe and how do I use it? below) to allow multiple instances
to be enabled in the Misc tab.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.3.3 What should I tell people connecting to my game?
The only thing they absolutely need to know is your IP address (see How do I
tell what my IP address is? below). It is useful to state your approximate
location in the world because servers on different continents normally have
longer ping times, which may affect play. You should state the type of game
you are running (for example, short term death match, long term, experimental)
since this will affect who joins and how they play. Also announce any special
rules or conditions, such as the use god hangar, or whether the plot is
running. Other setup conditions such as moth hopping or blood money are less
important, since they are regulated by the game's code and are fairly obvious
to players.
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6.3.4 I am hosting an online game, but I need to know my IP address to allow
other people to play. How do I tell what my IP address is?
In Windows 9x run winipcfg.exe from the command prompt. In Windows 2000/XP run
ipconfig.exe from the command prompt. Alternatively, if you are behind a
firewall or using a router, try http://checkip.dyndns.org/ or
http://www.dslreports.com/ip/ . Remember that your IP address may change each
time you connect to your ISP.
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6.3.5 How do I stop people using God Hangar to cheat in my online game?
The traditional method was to ask them not to. The alternative method is to
download Solidox's Hardwar Hangar Editor (see Are there any editors or
Software Development Kits for Hardwar? below) and use it to edit a savegame
file so that God Hangar menus are disabled. Then load that save game as your
online game.
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6.3.6 Nobody joined my game. Am I wasting my time?
Probably not. Even popular games can be empty for hours at a time. Host as
often as possible, and as long as possible. If your server is available often
and the connection is good, your game will become more popular. You'll rarely
get more than about five players at a time because the game isn't that
popular.
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==============================================================================
7. GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES
==============================================================================
For things specifically related to U3, see Upgrade 3 section.
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______________________________________________________________________________
7.1 Installation and Patching
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7.1.1. When installing the game on Windows 2000 or XP I get a message "not
enough free space on target drive" - how do I install?
This problem often occurs where the free space on the installation drive is
more than a few GB. Mun and PlaguedMind have written a utility that skips the
free space check when installing F2.0 or F2.1:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/muneer_ilyas/ . The best manual solution for W2K
is to temporarily fill the disk until there is less than 2GB free space - copy
some large files a few times and/or change the swap disk/page file size.
Remember to reset the changes after you have installed. Alternatively
partition your disk to make a smaller disk onto which to install Hardwar. In
XP locate setup.exe on the CDROM drive, select properties (right click), and
then turn on 'Compatibility mode for Win98'. Now run setup.exe. Compatibility
mode can also be enabled in W2K - see
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279792 (thanks
Seamonkey). Alternatively copy the contents of disk 1 to the hard drive and
double click on the hardman icon, then the install button (from sniper). W2K
method should also work with XP.
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7.1.2 I have just patched the game and now I cannot reload a save. What is
wrong?
U1.0 and later, and U2.02 and later will not load save games created using an
earlier game version.
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7.1.3 On startup I get an error message saying that the VFX COM class is not
registered. What should I do?
This appears to be due to a bug in the installer, which turns force feedback
on, even if you have no joystick. Change the controller to mouse in the
standard game launcher. That will clear the greyed-out force feedback
checkmark, which can not otherwise be changed. Anti_trend adds: "If you're
running a non-CD version of Hardwar, in the Audio tab of the setup screen
'Music (CD Audio)' is checked by default. Uncheck it, and you should be able
to play."
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7.1.4 Why does the game crash when I enter Hardwarp FM? What about "FixVhID:
Error!" during play?
You are probably using a patched demo of the game that is missing some of the
resource files from the full game. Download and install missingres.exe from
http://www.hardwar.info/download.htm .
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7.2 Video
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7.2.1 How do I stop the game crashing when moving the mouse?
This issue affects Windows XP, and may occur when using the navigation screen.
Upgrade to at least U2.04. Turn off the software mouse pointer, by un-ticking
"Use software mouse pointer" on the Display tab of the Hardwar launcher.
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7.2.2 Is OpenGL video mode supported?
No.
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7.2.3 How do I stop the game crashing with my video card, particularly on 3DFX
and Voodoo Banshee cards?
Download the latest game patch. You need at least patch U2.01 to solve all
problems. Prior to U1.0 you could solve some of the problems by enabling
HardLuck (see What is HardLuck.exe and how do I use it? below) and running the
game in windowed mode. Some modern video card drivers are buggy, and may cause
the game not to work correctly with the latest game patch/driver/DirectX
version combination. These problems can normally be resolved by experimenting
with different video card driver versions, or using the software render mode.
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7.2.4 How do I stop the screen jittering in flight, particularly when using a
Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro joystick?
For MS Sidewinder Precision Pro joystick, try turning off 'use rudder for
pilots head' on the launcher controls tab, or try downloading and installing
Shrekken's setup file:
http://mysite.freeserve.com/shrekkens_hangar/hangarbay_1/Download/HardControl.
zip . Poorly calibrated joysticks can also result in jittering. You cannot set
the deadzone within the game. There may not be a solution other than to try a
different controller.
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7.2.5 Why does the game crash with "ResOpen - could not find Internal resource
data - the resource has been freed" when trying to play video in the patched
version?
Try upgrading Direct X to version 6 or later. You may also need more recent
sound and video drivers. If that does not work, try renaming or moving
media.txt which should result in no video being played.
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7.2.6 I don't have a version that includes the video. Why can't I finish the
plot?
You can complete the plot without the video, however at some critical plot
moments the screen will momentarily go black, and you won't see the plot
related instructions contained in the video that should have played. Consider
referring to a walkthrough and/or Arago Fett's Plot Video Transcripts in the
appendices.
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7.2.7 How do I take a screenshot?
Pressing CTRL + K will save the screenshot into the main hardwar directory as
grab0000 (from Husky).
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______________________________________________________________________________
7.3 Sound
______________________________________________________________________________
7.3.1 The sound inside hangars is getting on my nerves. Can I remove it?
Yes. Download hangloop.wav and copy it into the main Hardwar directory. You
can get the file here: http://zedo.hardwar.org.uk/hangarloop.zip .
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7.3.2 Why does the music stop playing after I dock for the first time?
This has been reported due to a combination of factors: U2.04 or higher,
Windows XP, and having more than one CD-ROM installed on the machine (commonly
including a CD-burner). The Kurgan writes: "The two 'workarounds' so far are
to have an MP3 player playing your own favourites, or use the Windows audio CD
player to play the Hardwar music. Start the CD player before you start the
game."
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______________________________________________________________________________
7.4 Gameplay 'Bugs'
______________________________________________________________________________
7.4.1 My taxi driver is drunk and/or won't get me to my destination. What
should I do?
Sue them for breach of contract ;-) . In U2.04 this often occurs when taking a
taxi to monorail stations, particularly Vacant 0030. The solution is to revert
to an older saved game, or use God Hangar if possible.
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7.4.2 Why does the game crash with "no more police enforcers can be
generated"?
You have killed too many police enforcers - at least 80, although the precise
number seems to vary. You could reload and see What is an enforcer and how do
I get rid of one? above; or just enjoy the 'glory' of having destroyed the
police.
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==============================================================================
8. EDITING AND CUSTOMISING
==============================================================================
______________________________________________________________________________
8.1 Setup
______________________________________________________________________________
8.1.1 Can I run Hardwar without a CDROM?
Maybe, if you are confident about editing the registry - if not, don't do it;
I won't be held responsible for system re-installs caused by reading this
paragraph. This technique does not work for everyone. Install the game as
normal. Download and copy HardLuck.exe into the Hardwar directory (see What is
HardLuck.exe and how do I use it? below). Run HardLuck and tick cheat/test
functions enabled. In the registry, find
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Refinery\\hardman\\Config and modify the path of
all keys pointing to the CDROM drive to point to the installed directory
instead (probably just the GDVPath set). Now you have two options: (1) run
without the video by deleting or renaming media.txt, or (2) run with video by
copying all the video *.GDV files into the install directory. You will not be
able to copy the music. Note that U3 allows all video to be skipped (see
launcher Misc tab).
Alternative suggestions from krool: "Install Demo, and update to 2.04. Copy in
missing textures. OR: Install full version from Disc 1 as normal. Copy all GDV
files from Disc 1 into Hardwar folder (if install was from full version,
they'll already be there). Copy Media.txt file into game folder. Create new
folder (eg "GDV") in game folder, and copy all GDV files from Disc 2 into this
folder. Install HardLuck (I'm not sure this part is necessary, but it can't
hurt.) Fire up Regedit, and open up the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Refinery\hardman\Config - change the entry
"GDVPath2" to read the disc2 folder, for example, from c:\games\hardwar to
c:\games\hardwar\gdv ."
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8.1.2 Can I change the music?
To play audio CDs, follow the steps in Can I run Hardwar without a CDROM?
above, so that the game no longer requires any files on the CDROM drive.
Insert any audio CD into CDROM. The game will now play random tracks from your
chosen CD when you leave hangars. Other audio players can be run in the
background by turning music (CD audio) off on the audio tab.
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8.2 Skins
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Walkthroughs 
