
          iF/A-18E Carrier Strike Fighter README
               Update Version 1.2
             	 Interactive Magic

This file contains information concerning the Update Version 
1.1 for Carrier Strike Fighter (CSF).  This update should be 
installed over the original retail version (version 1.0) or
the patch (version 1.1) of CSF.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

   I. UPDATE INSTALLATION
  II. EXPLANATION OF UPDATE CONTENTS
 III. MULTIPLAYER COOPERATIVE MISSIONS

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I. UPDATE INSTALLATION

 Update version 1.2 consists of two files:

    if18_v12.exe   - A self-extracting file that will update CSF.
    readme_v12.txt - This file.  It outlines the update contents for
                     Version 1.1 and Version 1.2, installation 
                     instructions and outlines Multiplayer Coop
                     Mission instructions.

 To install the update: 

 * Ensure that no other programs are running and that unnecessary 
   Run and Stay Resident applications are closed.
 
 * Download if18_v12.exe into the location of your choice on any 
   hard drive.  If you download it to the iF/A-18E CSF root directory,
   skip the next step.

 * Once you have downloaded the file, you can execute it from any 
   location.  Simply move it to wherever you wish.
 
 * To begin the installaion, double click on the if18_v11.exe file.
 
 * if18_v11.exe will automatically open an application to unzip
   the update files and place them in the proper location.

 * This application will prompt you for the location of CSF on your 
   drive.  The default location will be c:\IMagic\iF18. 
   If you have installed CSF in a different location, type that 
   location in the window and then click on Unzip.  All files 
   in the update will be automatically inserted replacing certain 
   version 1.0 and version 1.1 files and creating a Joystick directory.

 * After completion of the installation and before playing CSF 
   Version 1.2 for the first time, reboot your computer to ensure all
   changes are complete.

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II. EXPLANATION OF UPDATE CONTENTS

   The following items were updated for version 1.1 (originally shipped
   in Germany):

   1. Fixed the "Hang on exit" error that caused black screen.

   2. Fixed crash of aircraft that occurs 4 seconds after landing 
      realistic flight model.

   3. Added Cooperative Single Mission Multiplayer. 

   4. Corrected operation of the fire extinguishing system to match 
      actual aircraft operation.

   5. Improved AI landings.

   6. Fixed intermittent problem where various combinations of views 
      resulted in incorrect cockpit graphics.

   7. Added automatic switching of weapons mode to A/G when selecting 
      a ground target with guns selected.

   8. Got rid of crash smoke plume when resurrected in multiplayer.

   9. Improved appearance of GMR during blackout/redout.

  10. Fixed error where autopilot could fly you into the ground when 
      you encountered the No Fly Zone.

  11. Improved mission target descriptions.

  12. Allows waypoints on all non-escorted flights to be editable.

  13. Fixed text bug so that labels on mission route in NIMPS now 
      indicate Target and IP waypoints for certain ground strike 
      missions.

  14. Fixed repeated "bolter" message upon resurrecting in 
      multi-player missions.

  15. Other miscellaneous multi-player fixes.

  16. Added Thrustmaster F22 Pro joystick files.  These are located
      in the Joystick directory now in the iF18 directory.

  17. Added other enhancements/tweeks to various parts of the sim.

  The following items were added for version 1.2:

   1. Fixed error where calibrating the joystick from within the game
      caused sounds to no longer be heard.

---------------------------------------------------------------

III. MULTIPLAYER COOPERATIVE MISSIONS

 Multiplayer Information - Version 1.1 provides Cooperative Single 
 Mission Capability.  This new feature allows you to fly dynamically 
 generated single missions with up to 3 of your friends.  Here's a 
 list of procedures and helpful hints to make this experience more 
 enjoyable.

 * The player creating the session will act as the server.

 * The minimum number of players is 2, the maximum number of players 
   is 4.

 * Payload setting is always "Custom" for cooperative missions.

 * Winning Score setting is always "N/A" for cooperative missions.

 * Session Preferences settings change to reflect differences for
   cooperative missions.

 * If you want to host a mission and a window pops up asking for an IP
   address, simply click OK and leave the address blank.  If you are
   joining a session you need to type the host's IP address.

 * When you are presented with the list of missions, there will be a
   "mission set number" at the top of the screen.  Members should check 
   that this number matches on all machines in the session.  If they 
   do not match there is a good possibility that the session will not 
   'synch up'.  To solve the problem, terminate the session and restart.

 * Server can assign and unassign pilots, but only the top 4 slots
   are for cooperative missions.  If your name has a squadron listed
   next to it then you are in the game.  Players without a squadron
   listed are not assigned and will be dropped from the session when
   the player who is the server presses the Takeoff button.  

 * If six players join a session and the server decides he/she wants
   to play COOP, the last two players will automatically be made 
   "Unassigned" since four players is maximum in COOP.

 * If an uninvited player joins a session and refuses to leave, the 
   server can change his/her squadron to "Unassigned" and the player
   will be left when takeoff is selected.

 * A player can install a theater without leaving a session but must 
   hit 'refresh' when done.

 * All players will be viewing same screen.  Only the player acting as 
   the server can transition between screens.


COOPERATIVE MISSION SCHEDULE: (CMS)

 * Click on the chat bar to send a chat message.

 * The airplane icons on the chat bar indicate when players are 
   viewing the screen.  Grey=Not Viewing, Red=Viewing but Not Ready, 
   Green=Viewing and Ready.

 * The airplane icons on the chat bar can be toggled green/red 
   by clicking on them.

 * All players can view "Cooperative Mission Schedule" but only 
   the player who is the server makes selection.


COOPERATIVE MISSION PLANNING: (CMP)

 * Click on the chat bar on the bottom of the screen to send a 
   chat message.  Messages are displayed on the chat bar.

 * The airplane icons on the chat bar indicate when players are 
   viewing the screen.

 * The airplane icons on the chat bar can be toggled green/red 
   by clicking on them.

 * All players can view map and display info but only the player 
   who is the server can  Add/Delete/Edit/Move waypoints.

 * If a player has the "Send Chat Message" dialog displayed the map 
   does not refresh, but data is saved.


COOPERATIVE MISSION LOADOUT: (CML)

 * Click on the chat bar to send a chat message and are displayed 
   on the chat bar.

 * The airplane icons on the chat bar indicate when players are 
   viewing the screen.

 * The airplane icons on the chat bar can be toggled green/red 
   by clicking on them.

 * Each player can change their own airplanes fuel and loadout 
   (saved during transition).

 * The player acting as the server can also change the fuel and 
   loadout for non-player airplanes included in the flight.


CONCEPT OF COOPERATIVE MULTIPLAYER MISSIONS:

 When flying cooperative single missions the player acting as 
 the server is automatically assigned the role of flight leader.

 The flight leader is responsible for:

 * Selecting the mission you will fly.
 * Making any alterations to the mission waypoints.
 * The loadouts for own aircraft, as well as any 
   computer controlled wingmen.

 Other members of the flight are responsible for:

 * Making recommendations on mission selection, waypoints 
   and loadouts to the flight leader via the chat interface.
 * The loadout for own aircraft.

 The flight leader is the only one who can transition the 
 players from screen to screen, and is free to do so at any 
 time.  In an effort to coordinate pre-flight activities, a 
 set of player icons are displayed on the right side of the 
 chat bar, each icon representing a position in the flight 
 (your position is indicated by a white box).  Each icon is 
 surrounded by either a green (ready) or red (not ready) box, 
 clicking on your icon toggles between the two colors.   
 Flight positions not filled are grayed out.  These are 
 provided as a means for remote players to check-in when 
 they have completed reviewing or changing information on 
 any given screen.  The icons default to red meaning the 
 player is not ready to move on. When they click on the icon 
 it turns green.  When the flight leader sees all green icons 
 he knows everybody is ready to advance to the next step.  The 
 flight leader does not have to wait for all the icons to be 
 green to make a decision to move on, as commanding officer 
 they can always make the decision it's time to go now! 


MISSION FLOW:

 * Setup a session the same way you do a Head-to-Head session. 
   Player preferences are used to determine the session 
   preferences.

 * When everybody has joined the session and the server has 
   selected the desired preferences, the server should press 
   the "Takeoff" button.

 * All players must wait while TALON generates a new set of 
   missions.   When all players complete the generation process 
   the Cooperative Mission Schedule screen will be displayed.

 * The next screen lists available missions and targets associated
   with each.  Listed next to each mission is the number of allocated
   and/or recommended aircraft.  When selecting a mission the number
   of aircraft in your flight will be the number of actual players 
   or the recommended number of aircraft, which ever is greater.

 * All players can review the mission list and targets, but only 
   the server can actually select a mission.  Typically players will 
   use the chat interface to discuss the choices and the server will 
   select the mission by pressing either the "Takeoff" or "Mission 
   Planning" buttons. 

 * If "Takeoff" is pressed, all players are taken directly to the 
   cockpit.

 * If "Mission Planning" is pressed, all players are taken to NIMPS.  
   On the NIMPS main screen all players can display information and 
   move/zoom the map independent of one another.  The server can 
   edit waypoints and changes will be transmitted to all the other
   players.  When each player has finished with NIMPS, they can 
   click on their aircraft icon to indicate they are ready to 
   proceed.  The server can either return the group to Mission 
   Selection (where they can change missions or takeoff) or press 
   the "Loadout" button so players can customize their aircraft's 
   loadout.

 * If "Loadout" is pressed, all players are taken to loadout.  On 
   the loadout screen all players can alter their aircraft's fuel 
   and weapons independently.  The server can also alter any AI 
   controlled aircraft.  When each player has finished with loadout, 
   they can click on their aircraft icon to indicate they are ready
   to proceed.  The server can then return the group to Mission 
   Planning (and eventually back to Mission Selection to takeoff).
