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The Project 64 etext of the Artic Fox manual

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ARCTIC FOX

BACKGROUND:

Although the alien task force has been active in Antarctica since about 2005, we became aware of its existence only recently, when a member of the doomed Hagerty Expedition managed to escape the alien force field with information about the activities taking place within its boundaries.  Most significantly, it seems the aliens have been very productive in the relatively short time they have occupied the area, and have succeeded in building a number of oxygen converters in an attempt to replace the earth's atmosphere with one more suited to their physiological makeup.  The atmosphere surrounding their native planet, STV-7X, is made up of equal parts of ammonia, methane, and chlorine gas, and is obviously hostile to human existence. It is  also volatile, and so long as any traces of oxygen remain in the atmosphere, will cause atmospheric disturbances of a spectacular nature, mainly in the form of intense electrical storms.

At our present stage of technology, we have no weapons capable of penetrating the alien force field directly, although indirect methods may be available.  One possible approach is to temporarily weaken one side of the force field by causing a magnetic disturbance on the other. Preliminary tests show that this method may cause sufficient disruption of the force field to allow entry of a single combat vehicle into occupied territory.  The obvious choice for the combat vehicle is the new supertank from General Polemics, the Slye-Hicks MX-100, Codename: ARCTIC FOX.

Arctic Fox is the most advanced terrain vehicle of its kind.  Specially designed for polar combat, it features full missile-launching capability as well as standard shelling and mine-placement functions. In addition, Arctic Fox can "dig in" into snow, allowing it to escape detection from all but the most sophisticated radar equipment. Finally, Arctic Fox's four-speed automatic transmission provides low-end torque as well as a top speed in excess of 100 kilometers per hour.

Combat plan involves infiltration into alien territory at 0900 hours. This coincides with the enemy's greatest energy usage, and is thus considered optimal for attempting to penetrate the force field. Once inside enemy territory, all radio communication with HQ will be terminated to reduce the possibility of detection.  The Arctic Fox operator is therefore advised to become familiar with combat strategy as outlined in this manual, as no further information will be available from HQ once penetration has been achieved.

SKILL LEVELS:

In addition to the two advanced levels (Beginner and Tournament), Arctic Fox includes two preliminary (pre-game) levels to let you preview the enemy resources and develop proficiency in controlling your equipment.  Although you can start playing at the advanced levels right away, you will get more out of the game if you spend a little time at the preliminary levels learning about the enemy and about Arctic Fox.

Preliminary Levels

1. Enemy Preview : When you select this mode, the enemy's resources parade before you, appropriately labeled, so you can see what you will be up against.  While doing this, you may want to refer to the descriptions in ENEMY RESOURCES below.

2.  Training Level : At this level you can roam around the terrain and shoot the enemy to your heart's content, but you cannot complete the game (which requires blowing up or otherwise disabling the Main Fort). At training level, your armor is tougher, and you have a large supply of ammunition, while the enemy is weaker (i.e., has weaker armor) and is less intelligent.  In addition, when you start playing at this level, you don't start at the same map location as you do in the advanced levels, but at a different location.

Advanced Levels

1.  Beginner : Start at this level if you are still learning the basics.  At this level you have an ample supply of mines and missiles, and your armor is tougher.  In addition, there are fewer enemy resources to contend with, and the enemy is weaker than it is at the Tournament level.  

2.  Tournament : This level is for the true aficionado.  At Tournament level the enemy is very intelligent and has use of a tracking device which provides a constant readout of your location.  In addition, all advanced hazards (such as slide, friction and acceleration physics) are in full force, making it more difficult to maneuver.  Your starting position in Tournament level varies among eight preselected locations.  Upon selecting Tournament level, you are given the opportunity to select the starting location and enemy configuration from the available choices.

INSTRUMENTS :

1. Warning Light : The warning light indicates whether or not the Arctic Fox has been spotted by the enemy.  A green light means that Arctic Fox has not been spotted; a yellow light indicates that Arctic Fox has been spotted by the enemy locally, i.e., only by the enemy in the local sector.  A red light means that Arctic Fox's location is known by the enemy throughout the entire area.  When this happens, the Communications Fort will mobilize search patrols and strike forces.  However, because the Arctic Fox's location during Condition Red in relayed through the Communications Fort, destruction of the Fort will effectively counteract transfer of that information.

2. Radar/Aft View : The Arctic Fox's Radar View is a bird's eye view of the surrounding area with the Arctic Fox in the center of the screen. The radar will not reveal the enemy hiding behind terrain objects.  The Aft View is provided by a camera attached to the rear of the Arctic Fox.  The radar view always keeps north at the top of the screen, regardless of the direction the Arctic Fox is facing, making it easy to coordinate direction with the compass (see below).  Pressing the Radar/Aft key when the missile is active toggles between the view from the missile and the radar view, on the small viewport.

3. Oxygen : Shows the percentage of oxygen remaining in the atmosphere. The rate of conversion can be slowed down by destroying the enemy's Air Converters.

4. Compass : Shows the Arctic Fox's heading using standard compass orientation.

5. Mines : Indicates the number of mines remaining.

6. Guided Missiles : Indicates the number of guided missiles remaining.

7. Position : Shows the Arctic Fox's current position in degrees and minutes for both longitude and latitude.

8. Clock : No prize for guessing this one.  However, you should be aware that the clock always starts at 0900 hours each time you start the game.

9. Speedometer : Indicates Arctic Fox's speed in kilometers per hour. 

10. Gunsight : The four converging diagonal lines in the main viewport meet to become crosshairs as soon as an enemy vehicle is within range. Note that during the reload cycle (See Controlling Arctic Fox below) the square brackets in the sight disappear until Arctic Fox's cannon is ready to fire again.

11. Damage Indicator : The Damage Indicator is empty when Arctic Fox is undamaged, and slowly increases as Arctic Fox sustains damage.

CONTROLLING Arctic Fox

To fire the Arctic Fox's cannon, press your joystick button.  Note that Arctic Fox needs to reload between shots.  Although reloading is automatic, it may take up to five seconds.

In addition, you can access the following functions through the keyboard:

Guided Missile : Firing a missile changes the view out of the small viewport to the camera on the missile.  Once you have fired a missile, you can use the joystick to guide it.  This means that the missile viewport can act like a mini-flight simulator, so that you can use it for reconnaissance if you wish.  When you find a suitable target, press the same key a second time to lock the missile onto the target and return you to Arctic Fox's viewport.  Missiles have a range of one radar screen beyond the current location, in all eight directions. (Use the " ; " key)

Mine : This function causes a mine to drop out of the back of the Arctic Fox.  These mines are live, so it's not a good idea to run over them.  In addition, mines will self-detonate after a certain period of time.  (Use the " * " key)

Aft View : This function lets you toggle between the overhead radar and the aft view.  The control panel button lights up when in aft view mode.  For more information, see Instruments, above.  (Use the " @ " key)

Cannon Inclination : By accessing this function you can use the joystick to control your cannon's inclination and its sights in the viewport.  Pressing the button a second time turns this function off. When you are using the joystick to control cannon inclination, it is not available to control Arctic Fox's forward or reverse movement.  So while you are manipulating the cannon, the Arctic Fox will continue moving forward or backward in accordance with your last joystick command.  You can still control the Arctic Fox's heading, however, by moving the joystick right or left.  (Use the " P " key)

Relative Reverse : This function is used in conjunction with the Cannon Inclination and works only in that mode.  Accessing this function causes the Arctic Fox to reverse direction, so that if it is moving forward when the button is pressed, it will change to reverse, and vice versa. In addition, pressing the button when Arctic Fox is stationary will cause it to move forward.  (Use the " : " key)

Dig In : This function buries the Arctic Fox when it is in snow, but has no effect at other times.  When the Arctic Fox is buried, there is no view from the viewport, although radar still functions.  You can dig out by pressing the same key a second time.  Note that you can still fire missiles when you are dug in.  (Use the " = " key)

THE ARCTIC TERRAIN :

Your theater of operations is made up of geological formations and conditions that can work either for or against you, depending on your strategic ability.  This means you not only have to outfox the enemy, but you also have to be aware of your geological surroundings to avoid problems with the terrain.  At the very least, you should be ware of the following features:

Ridges : The Arctic Fox can drive up and over this type of terrain to obtain strategic viewpoints and hide from the enemy.  Best of all, ridges are fun to drive over. On the negative side, however, because ridges provide better views of the surrounding area, the enemy tends to install strategic gun and radar emplacements there.

Crevices : Driving into crevices is not recommended, since it spells death for the Arctic Fox and the end of the game.

Mud Flats : The Arctic Fox behaves unpredictably on mud flats. In particular, the rear of the tank has a tendency to slide, making steering and stopping less accurate than it is on snow or ice.  You should be especially careful around crevices when driving on a mud flat.

Snow Fields : The Arctic Fox is slowed down by snow (by a factor of about 50%), but so is the enemy.

Rocks : Watch out for the enemy hiding behind rocks.  On the other hand, you can use rocks to hide from the enemy.

Mountains : You can use the larger mountains as landmarks to give you a better sense of where you are.

Force Field : The enemy force field is impossible to drive through.  The force field appears as a red line on the ground and on the radar screen.

Weather : Watch for lightning and blizzards.  As more of the oxygen is converted, the sky becomes darker and lightning more prevalent. Blizzards can cause a whiteout, resulting in partial loss of visibility for both you and the enemy.  Nevertheless, radar will still function properly.  Note, however, that radar will not function in a lightning storm. Fog looks similar to a blizzard except that there are no snowfields and it dissipates more quickly.

ENEMY RESOURCES :

Heavy Tank :  Slow moving, heavy armor, heavy shells. This tank is more likely to be defending strategic areas rather than patrolling. Its heavy shells will do extensive damage on a direct hit, so you will need to exercise your tactical skills in its presence.  You will know when a heavy tank is shooting at you by the presence of large shells.

Light Tank : Medium speed, light armor, light shells.  The Light Tank is usually implemented in patrols as protection for the Recon Tank or in ground strike forces.

Recon Sled : Medium speed, light armor, does not shoot. The Recon Sled has long range spotting capability and is usually found in patrols.

Fighter : High speed, light armor, light shells.  The Fighter is very dangerous because of its speed.  It is usually found in strike forces or accompanying Recon Flyers for protection.

Recon Flyer : High speed, light armor, does not shoot.  The Recon Flyer is usually found in long range recon patrols.

Rocket Launcher : Stationary, heavy armor, shoots guided missiles which can do massive damage on a direct hit.  Guided missiles do not need to make a direct hit to do damage, so you should approach a Rocket Launcher with extreme caution.  If you spot a Rocket Launcher, it is best to approach it from the rear, since it only has a forward field of vision of 140 degrees.

Radar Station : Stationary, heavy armor, does not shoot.  Radar stations have very long range spotting capability.  In addition, Radar Stations are able to cloak other enemy resources from detection by Arctic Fox's radar and jam missile-tracking systems.

Floating Mines : Stationary until the Arctic Fox is spotted, light armor, does not shoot.  Floating mines are strategically placed to guard stationary objects or passages.  Once a Floating Mine spots you, it will continue to track you slowly.

Air Converter : As the name implies, Air Converters do nothing but convert oxygen into an alien atmosphere that supports the enemy.  Destroying these installations slows down the conversion of oxygen, thereby extending the amount of time you have to destroy the Main Fort.

Communications Fort : The Communications Fort handles all radio communication between enemy patrols and strike forces.  By destroying the Communications Fort you can disable the enemy's ability to call in strike forces against you.

Main Fort : Destruction of the Main Fort will effectively destroy the enemy, and is the goal of the game.  Needless to say, the Main Fort is strategically placed and heavily guarded (by Heavy Tanks, Fighters, Floating Mines, etc.), so its destruction will require strategy and tactics of the highest order. Destruction of the Main Fort requires two direct hits with missiles or ten direct hits with cannon shells on its vulnerable top.

STRATEGY AND TACTICS :

1.  It is inadvisable to stand in one spot during battle.  Keep moving if you can.  One way of doing this is to use Relative Reverse, which causes Arctic Fox to follow its last command.

2.  Dropping mines is one of the most effective ways of dealing with the ground units.

3.  Destroying the Communications Fort will make it impossible for Recon Sleds and Recon Flyers to reveal your position.  This will make it easier for you to approach the Main Fort when the time comes.

4.  Destroying the enemy's oxygen converters will reduce the rate of oxygen conversion, giving you more time to succeed in your mission.

5.  Following the force field protects one side of the Arctic Fox.

6.  Make sure you reserve at least two guided missiles and/or ten cannon shells for the last stand against the Main Fort.