    River Run v0.9 Final Beta (12-7-96)
    ====================================

    Produced by:  Run Productions 
    Address:      PO Box 338, Cookeville, TN 38501, USA
    Email:        Runpro@multipro.com
    Internet:     Http://www.multipro.com/runpro
    Distribution: Shareware, fully functional

    System Requirements
    -------------------
    All system requirements should be met if running Windows 95.

    If not running Windows 95, the following conditions must be met:
    VGA Graphics
    DOS 3.3, or later
    386/40 or faster processor (486/33+ runs game smoothly)
    536k free RAM and 2240k free XMS must be available for sound/music
    or 480k free RAM and 1440k free XMS for play without sound/music

    Optional goodies:
    Mouse or Joystick highly recommended
    Soundcard highly recommended

    Extra Surprise Bonus Features
    -----------------------------
    + Easy setup
    + Minimal plot - Immediate jump right in nonstop action
    + 16-channel digital surround sound with great sound effects
    + Rich music adapted from an original CD-quality score
    + Special two-player mode (supports two joysticks too) 
    + If you finish the whole river, you win a free live plant
    + Available Flight Pro flight instructor complete with many 
      different accents 
    + Too many additional features to list (sorry)

    Installation
    ------------
    If running Windows or Windows 95, run WinSetup.exe; otherwise
    run, or type in Setup at the DOS prompt.  This configures your
    soundcard and input device, and should only take about half
    a minute.

    To play from Windows, click the River Run icon from the program
    group or start menu.  Otherwise, from DOS, run, or type in River.

    Tips/Suggestions
    ----------------
    River Run follows a simple concept in gameplay which should
    allow you to jump in and play instantly.  Mastering the game
    won't be so easy.  The basic instructions can be viewed from
    the main menu in the game.  Most of the following tips can be
    learned simply by playing and noticing things closely, but
    again, if you want to jump right in, these tips might help:

    Your fuel decreases at a constant rate, so you can fly fast or
    slow with the same amount of fuel.

    While fire can cause damage to your plane, it won't always, so
    if you're faced with a decision to fly over fires, or dodge the
    fires and run into something else dying miserably, fly over
    the fires as you might not even be damaged at all.

    Everybody loves to fly fast, especially since there is no speed
    limit, but it takes longer to slow down and you have less
    reaction time when flying fast, so keep an eye on the speed
    and the areas you fly fast in.

    You only have 4 4D bombs at your disposal the entire game, so
    use them wisely.  	

    Some channels of the river are better than others, especially
    later in the game.  Some channels may be rich in fuel, rich in
    points, and easier to fly through, while others may contain no
    fuel, no points, or could be much more difficult to navigate.
    After playing a while, get to know the river and its channels
    better.

    Flying over an exploding carrier will almost always cause major
    damage to your plane, but the carrier is worth the most points.

    Points are crucial if you want the most upgrades at the end of
    a zone, so shoot the right enemies.  For example, if one channel
    of a river has all gunboats, and the other is lined with choppers,
    choose the chopper route if you need points, because a chopper is
    worth twice the points of a gunboat.  Jets and fighters are worth
    even more.

    In the two-player version, you each have unlimited lives, so don't
    worry so much about being destroyed.  Just fly your fastest to beat
    your opponent.  Also, each time you shoot your opponent, it damages
    their plane, and 6 hits destroys them.

    For more hints, a full color map guide is available containing
    information on special oil spills that instantly refuel, tips
    and suggestions on difficult portions of the river, hints on which
    channels are best, full color maps that detail every round, channel,
    and enemy, and even some dreaded cheat codes to entertain your 
    desire to blast through the river at ridiculous speeds. 

    Other Notes/Troubleshooting 
    ---------------------------
    This is the first public release of River Run and is also what
    should be the final beta-test version.  Being that it is still
    in beta-testing, there are a couple of areas that have not been
    fully developed and tested.  These areas deal mainly with the 
    two-player version.  Currently, you are only allowed to race
    through the first zone.  The next release, or what should be
    the final full-release version 1.0, should allow you to race
    through all the zones.  In addition, plans have been made to 
    create a computer opponent for you to race against.  If you
    register before version 1.0 is available, you will receive
    any updates as they become available as part of your registration. 	

    If you encounter any memory problems, you may decrease memory
    requirements by disabling the sound and music by running the Setup
    program and choosing no soundcard.  This will allow you to play the
    game with approx 480k RAM and 1440K XMS.  However, if you are
    running the game from Windows or Windows 95, you will also need to
    adjust the River.pif file.  If using Windows 95, right click on 
    River.pif, select the memory tab, and change the 541 to 485, and
    the 2240 to 1440.  If not running Windows 3.11 or earlier, you must
    use the Pif editor utility to adjust this value.
 
    A joystick or mouse is highly recommended to control the plane.
    If neither is available, or you want finer control during key
    navigation routes, the keyboard may be used.  The following
    keys control the plane: Ctrl - Moves plane left; Alt - Moves
    plane right; Left Shift - Speeds up; Right Shift - Slows down;
    Spacebar - Fires; Enter - 4D Bomb.

    A lot of work went into the music for the game.  The music
    started on a 32-voice 24-bit synthesizer and had to be painfully
    converted down to 8-voice 8-bit music for the game.  If you
    would like the crystal clear high-fidelity version of the music,
    the original soundtrack is available on high quality chrome
    cassette or compact disc.  Short samples are available on
    our website.

    Please direct any further questions/comments to any of the
    contacts listed at the top of this document.

    Shareware Concept
    -----------------
    River Run has been distributed as shareware.  Shareware
    distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying
    it.  If you try River Run and continue using it beyond a reasonable
    time period, you are required to register.  Registration provides
    you with the commercial version which includes many additional
    rounds, the right to continue using the software, and much,
    much more.  Shareware is like awesome.

    Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software.
    Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial
    authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases,
    there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the
    method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to
    copy and distribute the shareware version.  

    Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
    should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
    whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
    fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
    And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
    has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the
    product, you don't pay for it.  Unbelievable concept.
