Maelstrom: The Battle for Earth Begins

Platform(s): PC
Genre: Strategy
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: KD Labs
Release Date: Feb. 20, 2007

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'Maelstrom' Demo Available NOW

by Rainier on Aug. 15, 2006 @ 9:37 a.m. PDT

Maelstrom is a strategy action epic which takes place on a devastated future Earth. In the wake of an apocalyptic ecological disaster, the planet is threatened by an alien invasion, thus becoming the battleground as a divided human race fights for survival.

Get the Maelstrom demo off WP (400mb)

Thank you for playing the MAELSTROM demo. This file contains detailed technical information so please read it through carefully.

Minimum Specification:

- Windows XP
- DirectX 9.0c
- Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or Athlon XP 2000+
- 512 mb RAM
- Supported 128MB Graphics card
- DirectX 9 Compatible Sound Card
- 2 Gb Hard Drive Space

Recommended Specification:

- Windows XP
- DirectX 9.0c
- Pentium 4 at 3.0 GHz or Athlon XP 2800+
- 1 Gb RAM
- Graphics Card: GeForce 7800 or Radeon X1800
- DirectX 9 Compatible Sound Card
- 2 Gb Hard Drive Space

Supported Graphics Cards:

- ATi Radeon 9600 - X1900
- nVidia GeForce 4(Not MX) - 7950

Not compatible with all integrated sound/graphics solutions (inc. Laptops). Performance and supported hardware set is not representative of the final game.

II. Installation

Run "Maelstrom.exe". To continue installation simply follow the on screen prompts.

III. Running the Game

After you install MAELSTROM DEMO there will be a MAELSTROM DEMO shortcut on your desktop. Double-click this to start the game.

Alternatively you can start the game by going to: Start Menu -> Programs -> Codemasters -> Maelstrom Demo -> Maelstrom Demo.

IV. Controls

The default keyboard controls are given below.

Camera:
-------
KEYBOARD MOUSE
Scroll up Up arrow Cursor to top of screen
Scroll down Down arrow Cursor to bottom of screen
Scroll left Left arrow Cursor to left of screen
Scroll right Right arrow Cursor to right of screen
Look up " MMB held + move up
Look down : MMB held + move down
Turn left Del MMB held + move left
Turn right PgDn MMB held + move right
Zoom in Num+ Scroll wheel up
Zoom out Num- Scroll wheel down

Units:
------
Attack RMB on target
Heal RMB on target (Manipulator only)
Select LMB
Select all LMB double-click
Move RMB

Misc:
-----
Music on/off Shift + M
SFX on/off Shift + S
Pause Pause
Screenshot* F11

* Saved in xScreenShots - where x is your Maelstrom install directory.

V. Performance Issues

Maelstrom Demo requires at least 512 MB of RAM and a 2 Ghz processor; the performance of the game will improve if you have more RAM, a faster processor and graphics card. Regardless of your machine specs, you can maximise your available memory and increase the overall performance of the game by doing the following:

• Shut down all non-essential Windows programs especially online chat programs, virus checkers and screen layout utilities.
• Regularly defragment your hard drive.
• Increase your amount of free hard drive space
• Turn off "Reflections" under Options -> Graphics
• Turn down "Shadows" setting under Options -> Graphics
• Turn down "Particle Intensity" under Options -> Graphics
• Set "Effects Smoothing" to "Disable" using "ConfigurationTool.exe"

VI. Known Issues

1. On Radeon X1300, X1600, X1800 X1900 cards, the water appears white when "Reflections" are turned on.

2. On GeForce 4200, 4600, 4800 and Radeon 9200 and below, minor graphical corruption on some liquid surfaces.

3. On Radeon cards, Gamma cannot be changed.

4. On some ATI and nVidia cards the initial splash screens will be corrupt or white the first time the game is run.

5. Display flickering between menu and loading screens.

6. Timer missing upon changing GFX settings in game. If changes aren't accepted within 15 seconds the settings will revert to default.


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