Manic Marbles Trial Version Read Me
  
PSS ID Number: Q156125
Article last modified on 05-11-1999
 
WINDOWS:1.0,95
 
WINDOWS
 

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Trial Version
WINDOWS
kbreadme kbfaq
 
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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Manic Marbles for Windows, Trial Version 
 - Microsoft SideWinder game pad, version 1.0 
 - Microsoft Windows 95 
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SUMMARY
=======
 
This article contains the complete text of the Read Me file for the Manic
Marbles for Windows, trial version, included with SideWinder game pad version.
 
NOTE: This copy of Microsoft Marbles is not the complete retail version, and not
all retail features are included. Look for the full retail version Spring of
1997. This copy has been tested on North American operating systems.
International users play at your own risk. Technical support is only available
for the full retail version.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
MICROSOFT MARBLES READ ME
AUGUST 1996
(c) & (p) 1996 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 
Developed by Gray Matter, Inc. in conjunction with Microsoft Corporation.
 
This computer program is protected by copyright law and international
treaties. Reproduction and/or redistribution of this trial version is
permitted for non-commercial, personal and testing purposes only. Any
other use is prohibited.
 
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE SIDEWINDER GAME PAD
VERSION OF MICROSOFT MARBLES.
 
CONTENTS
 
A. Installation Notes
 
   Minimum System Requirements
   Recommended System Features
   Troubleshooting Microsoft Marbles Setup
 
B. About Microsoft Marbles
 
C. Playing Microsoft Marbles
 
D. Microsoft Marbles Characters
 
E. Game Setup
 
F. Playing Fields
 
G. Tips And Tricks
 
H. Music Credits
 
I. Known Issues
 
J. Disclaimer
 
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A.  INSTALLATION NOTES
 
Minimum System Requirements
 
*486dx/66 MHz or higher processor
*8 Mb of memory (RAM)
*Microsoft Windows 95
*8 MB of available hard disk space
*2x Or Faster CD-ROM Drive
*Local Bus SVGA Video, 256-color display
*sound board plus speakers or headphones to hear audio
 
Recommended System Features
 
*Pentium
*Microsoft Sidewinder Game Pad or other game pad control
*Microsoft Mouse or other pointing device
 
Troubleshooting Microsoft Marbles Setup
 
If Microsoft Marbles does not run properly once it is installed,
please try reinstalling:
 
Run Microsoft Marbles setup.
If you are prompted with three choices (reinstall, add/remove, and
   remove all), click remove all, and then run setup again to
   reinstall Microsoft marbles.
If you are not prompted with these choices, simply follow the setup
   instructions on your screen to install Microsoft marbles.
 
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B. ABOUT MICROSOFT MARBLES
 
Microsoft Marbles is a wacky 3D game where bizarre Marbles characters try
to knock, and avoid being knocked off different playing fields. The trick
is the playing fields are out to get you too. Up to four people can play
on one PC with Microsoft SideWinder Game pad.
Each marble has special offensive and defensive capabilities. Every marble
has the ability to "Charge" at an opponent. Also each player has the
ability
to jump. The jump option will help you avoid charging marbles or playing
field objects.  In addition to theses core abilities, each marble its own
unique abilities. See the "MICROSOFT MARBLES CHARACTERS" section of this
file for more detail.
 
The retail version will have:
20+ playing fields
9 Unique Characters
Single Player Tournament
Multi-player Tournament
Special Bonus Rounds
 
--------------------------------------------
C. PLAYING MICROSOFT MARBLES
 
To run the product simply insert the SideWinder game pad CD into
   your CD drive.
 
If your CD-ROM drive doesn't support AutoPlay or you've disabled AutoPlay
you can start the product by doing the following:
 
Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
Double-click the CD-ROM drive icon.
Double-click the Marbles folder
Double-click the Setup icon.
 
or if you already installed Microsoft Marbles:
 
Click the "Start" on the bottom of your screen.
Select "Program", "Microsoft Kids", "Microsoft Marbles".
The game will start automatically.
 
On the Main Menu select "New Game" and press the "Enter" key.
 
On the Character Selection screen use the arrow keys or the D-pad
   on the game pad to move scroll through the different characters
Press A on the keyboard or game pad to select your character.
   Press B on your keyboard or game pad to view information about the
   character. See the "MICROSOFT MARBLE CHARACTERS" section of this
   file for complete character descriptions.
 
**note**  You can only select the Characters with the white background.
The other characters are only available in the full retail version.
 
The game defaults to one human player and three computer players.  The
computer will select the remaining players available. See the "GAME SETUP"
section of this file for more information.
 
The game will start automatically after all characters are selected.
 
* move your player around the field by pressing the D button on your
  Sidewinder Game pad.
* Avoid other players and obstacles by moving and jumping.
* Use your CHARACTER'S special offensive and defensive options to
  knock your opponents off the playing field or into danger areas.
 
Win all three games to become the Microsoft Marbles champion.  You can
change the number of wins, difficulty, level choice and volume in the
"Options" section of the game.
 
DANGER AREAS
Every playing field has special marks to help the player recognize safe
and dangerous areas. At the start of each round all areas of the playing
fields are safe for 5 seconds. Before the end of the 5 seconds, the
danger areas will start flashing to warn the players the they are about
to turn on. This will help players from dying very quickly at the
beginning of the game.
 
GREEN STRIPES
A green glow along the edge of a playing field indicates a safe area.
If an edge is marked by a green glow you will not fall off the edge of
the playing field.
 
BLACK/WHITE STRIPES
A Yellow and Black stripes indicate possible danger. These stripes
indicate areas that could harm your marble. These stripes surround
breakaway glass, collapsing walls, and fences.
 
YELLOW/BLACK STRIPES
A Yellow and Black stripes indicate danger. Your marble will be harmed
if it enters these areas. These stripes surround ends of playing fields,
lava pits, trap doors.
 
SECOND CHANCE CONTROLS
One of the great features of Microsoft Marbles is that you are never
out of the game. Even if your marble falls off the playing field, you
still can play. Using the power of Second Chance control. Every playing
field has special Second Chance controls. These include controlling trap
doors, pinball bumpers, and elevators. You can't personally win a round
using Second Chance controls, but in Team Mode you can help your teammate
win the round and get the point for your team. (See each individual
playing field for individual Second Chance control)
 
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D. MICROSOFT MARBLES CHARACTERS
 
BERTHA BURP
Bertha is a private school brat who finds great humor in anything
involving bodily functions. She's twelve years old and wants to be either
a micro-surgeon or the captain of a starship when she grows up. Her
favorite beverage is Gasser's cream soda and drinks it constantly, fueling
mind-warping belches that she feels gives her a distinct personality.
Surprisingly, she is an 'A' student at Green Hedges middle school and is
gifted with an almost psychic knowledge of the nearest retailer of
Gasser's cream soda.
 
A. Charge
Aim your marble at its target and charge into the target for an extra
punch.
 
B. Jump
Your marbles jumps into the air briefly.
 
C. Bubble Burp
Marbles that are hit by Bubble Burp are trapped in a bubble that carries
them above the playing fields which you control with your movement keys.
 
Z. Bubble Shield
Pressing the Bubble Shield will protect Bertha for a short period of time.
All marbles and objects will bounce off her.
 
FARMER PETE AND BESSIE
Farmer Pete (Earthling) is the owner of a dairy farm and also breeds midget
cows for wrestling competitions in the nearby town of Cheesewater, U.S.A.
The might of his greatest prize fighting cow Bessie is her ability to
squirt milk from her udders with the intensity of a hydraulic jack-hammer.
The two characters have a love-hate relationship, yet both are uncultured
and rough around the edges.  Farmer Pete believes that he is the dominant
one in their turbulent relationship, but it's Bessie that calls the shots.
 
A. Charge
Aim your marble at its target and charge into the target for an extra
punch.
 
B. Jump
Your marbles jumps into the air briefly.
 
C. Squirts Milk
Aim Bessie to squirt milk and drive opponents away.
 
Z. Brakes
Pressing the Brakes key will bring Pete and Bessie to a quick stop.
 
WIGGLY SQUIGGLY
Wiggly Squiggly is from the planet Twine. He is eighty-seven percent
'string matter' except for his head, which is made of a putty-like
substance. He is extremely timid and fearful of anything mobile but
unleashes an incredible barrage of defense mechanisms if he is taunted
(much like a scared skunk). If there is any creature in the universe who
needs to relax, it's Wiggly Squiggly (or "Wiggs"). He has the ability to
unravel and form into other objects, which is very useful in his defense
maneuvers. Wiggly Squiggly enjoys chewing on a substance known as
Yarnish, which is similar to gum. This substance is also used for many
purposes such as food, projectiles, medicine, and currency on his planet.
 
A. Charge
Aim your marble at its target and charge into the target for an extra
punch.
 
B. Jump
Your marbles jumps into the air briefly.
 
C. Spit
Aim Wiggs to spit Yarnish at other opponents to keep them from getting
too close.
 
Z. Flatten
Pressing Flatten will cause Wiggs to unravel, causing opponents to roll
over him without causing any damage.
 
THE SCHRECKSTER
The Schreckster is from a planet by the name of Slayron Six. On Slayron
Six, crime is out of control and requires an elite group of guys who
basically scare the Heck out of everyone so that they'll be good. These
scary guys are called Schrecksters and are very useful for keeping people
in line. No one has ever seen The Schreckster's face.  If his face were
ever seen, the sight would be so terrifying that you would go into instant
shock. Ironically, despite this fellow's frightening appearance and gruff
voice he has the tendency to break down and cry like a baby if you taunt
him or treat him poorly.
 
A. Charge
Aim your marble at its target and charge into the target for an extra
punch.
 
B. Jump
Your marbles jumps into the air briefly.
 
C. Scream
Aim and hold down button to send a Sonic scream shockwave. This scream
pushes opponents back.
 
Z. Enlarge
Pressing Enlarge causes The Schreckster to grow to twice his normal size,
making it almost impossible for opponents to move him.
 
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E. GAME SETUP
 
In "GAME SETUP" you can change the following items
 
Number of players, human or computer.
Multiplayer or Team
Input device selection (Game pad, Keyboard)
Input configuration
 
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G. PLAYING FIELD DESCRIPTIONS
 
4 CORNERS
 
DESCRIPTION
In 4 corners, marbles battle it out on a square playing field with rising
and falling corner column elevators. If the corners are lowered, marbles
can roll off the playing field. Players must also be careful of the columns
rising, because they could be shot off the playing field.
 
QUICK OVERVIEW
* Death when you fall off corner edges.
* Elevators at corners go up when you go over them, go down when you
  collide with them.
* Solid walls around edges (Second Chance control will affect these
  walls).
* Second Chance control 1: Toggle Top elevators to move up or down.
  2: Toggle bottom elevators to move up or down.
 
TRAP DOOR
 
DESCRIPTION
The trap door playing field is a square surrounded by a solid wall.  The
danger area on this playing field is the trap door in the center of the
field. The trap door opens if a marble is on the door for longer than 2
seconds. The first player to assume Second Chance control controls the
tilting of the playing field while the second one controls the trap door.
 
QUICK OVERVIEW
* Trap door in middle is deadly, it opens if you a player is on it for
  2 seconds.
* All 4 walls are solid/safe.
* Second Chance controls: 1: Tilting of playing field. 2: Trap door.
 
BUMPERS
 
DESCRIPTION
This rectangular playing field has two ramps on the left and right sides.
The danger areas are the left and right playing field edges and the front
Plexiglas walls. The Plexiglas walls can be shattered over time. The Second
Chance controls are the two pinball-style bumpers on either side of the
field. The bumpers and be moved around half of the playing field in an
attempt to check the player through the Plexiglas or off the left or right
edge of the playing field.
 
QUICK OVERVIEW
* Death when you fall over left and right edge.
* Plexiglas walls at front breaks after multiple collisions.
* Safe areas at back and front sides, two bumpers.
* Second Chance controls one of the two bumpers; can slowly move them
  around.
 
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G.  TIP'S AND TRICKS
 
* Keep moving, you'll be tougher to hit.
* If someone is charge at you, try to jump out of the way.
* Know the danger areas on each playing field.
* Know your opponents strengths and weaknesses.
* Don't stand by danger areas for to long.
 
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H.  MUSIC CREDITS
 
Bass Samples by Marcus Miller- courtesy of Spectrasonics Bass Legends
 
Brass Samples By The Phantom Horns. Courtesy of Time & Space "Phantom
Horns".
 
WC Music sound samples used under license from WC Music Research.
 
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I.  Known Issues
 
Please close all background programs, they cause problems with the
   game
 
Alt+tab and Alt F4 during victory animations or play field
   selections may cause the game to hang.
 
On a laptop you may experience a delay after selecting the playing
   field before the game starts.
 
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J.  DISCLAIMER
 
Disclaimer:  This copy of Microsoft Marbles is not the complete retail
version, and not all retail features are included. Look for the full
retail version Spring of 1997. This copy has been tested on North American
operating systems. International users play at your own risk. Technical
support is only available for the full retail version.
 
Additional query words: msbhb msbss frizz kbmm multimedia multi-media multi media
 
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Keywords          :  kbfaq
Version           : WINDOWS:1.0,95
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.