EMPIRE EARTH Version 1.

0 Readme File 10/12/01 [ To read this file, select Edit/Word Wrap from the menu above ] *********************************************************************** About This Document: Thank you for purchasing EMPIRE EARTH. This document contains last-minute information about EMPIRE EARTH and other info rmation about the program not found in the Help Files. This README file include s information that pertains to general problems and questions you may have conce rning the game or your computer. Should you experience any problems with EMPIRE EARTH, please refer to this file for additional help on answering questions abou t the game and solving technical difficulties. You can also refer to the official Empire Earth Web Site for more information. The address is: www.empireearth.com *********************************************************************** TABLE OF CONTENTS I. II. III. tion) IV. CONTACTING SIERRA MINIMUM & RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES GENERAL GAME ISSUES (Including updated game play informa

I. MINIMUM & RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS ----------------------For Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP CD-ROM* MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Multimedia PC with Pentium II - 350 MHz or higher processor 64 MB of RAM 450 MB of hard disk space; additional 100 MB of hard drive space for swap file Super VGA monitor supporting 1024 x 768 resolution AGP (4 MB) or PCI (8 MB) 3D video card that supports 1024 x 768, 16 bit color re solution CD-ROM drive Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device 28.8 Kbps modem (or higher recommended) for Internet or head-to-head play (56 Kb ps modem or higher to host a game) DirectX compatible sound card (speakers or headphones recommended) DirectX 8.0a or later Internet/Multiplayer: Internet access required for Internet play. May require payment of a separate f ee to an Internet Service Provider. Connect time charges may apply. RECOMMENDED: Multimedia PC with Pentium III or Athlon - 600 MHz or higher processor

128 MB of RAM (or more) 450 MB of hard disk space; additional 100 MB of hard drive space for swap file Super VGA monitor supporting 1024 x 768 resolution 32 MB AGP 3D video card that supports 1024 x 768, 16 bit color resolution CD-ROM drive Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device with mouse wheel 56 Kbps modem (or higher - e.g., cable modem or DSL) for Internet or head-to-hea play DirectX compatible sound card (speakers or headphones recommended) DirectX 8.0a or later

* For Windows XP users, see II. GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES, F) Specific Issues wit h Windows XP II. GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES ---------------------------A) Blurry Text in Low Screen Resolutions B) Hosting Games on 'Multihomed' Computers (or computers with more than 1 Networ k Adapter) C) Trouble Hosting Games (e.g., Behind a Firewall) D) Supported Video Cards E) Modem Disconnects During/After Games F) Specific Issues with Windows XP G) Graphics Issues on Computers with AMD Chips and GeForce Video Cards H) Mouse Seems to Lag or Feels Sluggish I) Voodoo 5500 and Graphics Problems J) Graphic Problems when Pressing Alt-Tab A) Blurry Text in Low Screen Resolutions ---------------------------------------In 640 x 480 and 800 x 600, some text can be hard to read display Large Fonts in Windows. To address this problem, mall Fonts (96 dpi) as follows: 1) Launch Display Properties (right click on your Windows perties from the menu) 2) Select the Settings Tab 3) Select the Advanced button 4) Select the General Tab 5) Under the Display options, ensure the Font Size is set

if you have chosen to set the font size to S desktop and choose Pro

to Small Fonts

B) Hosting Games on 'Multihomed' Computers (or computers with more than 1 Networ k Adapter) -------------------------------------If your computer has more than one Network Adapter (e.g., modem, network card, e tc.) you may need to specify which one you want Empire Earth to use when you hos t a multiplayer game. When hosting a game, Empire Earth automatically chooses a Network Adapter to use for the game. If you have more than one Adapter, there is a chance the Adapter chosen will not permit other players to connect to your game (for example, if it is behind a firewall). You can tell Empire Earth which Network Adapter to use on the Game Settings Screen. To do this: 1) From the Main Menu, go to the Game Settings screen 2) Choose the Interface tab 3) Under Network Adapter Options, select the particular Adapter you want to use from the list

C) Trouble Hosting Games (e.g., Behind a Firewall) ----------------------------------If you receive a message that you cannot host a game, there are 2 reasons this m ight happen: 1) you are behind a firewall or 2) your Internet address may be obs cured because your LAN or ISP is translating your Internet (IP) address. If you are behind a firewall you can host games as long as the firewall does not obscure your computer's internet address (IP address). Certain firewalls requi re that specific UDP and TCP ports be open in order to play to Empire Earth game s on Sierra.com or directly via IP address. These ports are: UDP Port: 33334 TCP Port: 33335 Refer to your firewall's documentation if you aren't sure how to open ports or s ee your Network Administrator if you are behind a company's firewall. If your LAN or ISP is translating your network address: With the growing number of users on the Internet, some ISPs (especially DSL providers) have begun to ut ilize network address translation (also called NAT) to dynamically allocate thei r limited number of IP addresses. We are investigating various means of allowin g players behind a NAT to host games, but there is no solution at this time. Yo u should still be able to join games hosted by someone else or host a game yours elf by giving other players your IP address so that they can connect to your gam e directly (i.e., Join By IP). D) Supported Video Cards* -----------------------Empire Earth supports video cards based on the following 3D chipsets: nVidia Riva128 (excluding 4MB PCI) nVidia TNT nVidia TNT2 nVidia GeForce 256 nVidia GeForce2 nVidia GeForce3 3dfx Voodoo3 3dfx Voodoo4 3dfx Voodoo5 S3 Savage 4 S3 Savage 2000 Matrox G200 Matrox G400 Matrox G450 ATI Rage Pro (excluding 4MB PCI) ATI Rage 128 ATI Rage Fury MAXX ATI Radeon PowerVR Kyro II PowerVR Kyro Series3 Savage 3D (only with the Beta 6.13.28 drivers, available at http://www.s3graphic s.com/) To ensure that Empire Earth runs properly, make sure you have the most up to dat e drivers for your video card installed on your computer. Drivers are usually a vailable for download from the video card manufacturer's web site. Empire Earth also requires DirectX 8.0a or above to run. DirectX 8.0a can be fo und on the Empire Earth CD, and is available for download at Microsoft's website

. http://www.microsoft.com/directx/ * Some chipsets did not yet have drivers available for Windows XP at the time th is Readme was written. The Savage3D and Riva 128 cards do not allow Empire Earth to run in Windows XP. E) Modem Disconnects During/After Games -----------------------Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) periodically drop connections that seem t o be inactive in order to save bandwidth. If you are playing multiplayer games of Empire Earth over a dial-up modem and you are experiencing occasional disconn ects, you can try the following to prevent that from happening (this is not reco mmended for users with minimum systems): 1. Get and install an instant messaging program such as ICQ (from ICQ Inc.) or A IM (from AOL), or get a "keep alive" program such as Keep it Alive. Programs su ch as these are readily available for download from various web sites. 2. Before you play a multiplayer game of Empire Earth, run the instant messaging or "keep alive" program. Have it running in the background during your game (w e recommend closing all other programs). This should keep your Internet connect ion active. F) Specific Issues with Windows XP -----------------------On some video cards, the following problems were noted when playing under the Wi ndows XP Operating System: - AutoSaves can take up to 1 minute - Empire Earth may pause for long periods of time but does not state it is AutoS aving - After a save is complete, up to 20 seconds may elapse before any actions regis ter - Play may seem a little choppy Note that the AutoSave feature can be turned off in Empire Earth's Game Settings (Interface tab). The following video cards won't allow Empire Earth to run in Windows XP: - Savage3D - Riva 128 The ATI Rage Pro and the Matrox G200 both exhibited minor graphical problems, bu t were able to play the game fine. Additionally, some chipsets did not yet have video drivers available for Windows XP at the time this Readme was written. G) Graphics Issues on Computers with AMD Chips and GeForce Video Cards ------------------------------On computers with AMD chips (K6-2, K6-3, or 700-1000 Mhz Athlon or Duron process ors) AND GeForce video cards, users may experience problems with the graphics on Empire Earth's menus, including possible crashes that require rebooting in orde r to play Empire Earth. The configuration that can cause these problems is as f ollows: , AMD K6-2, K6-3, or 700-1000 Mhz Athlon or Duron processors (Thunderbird is OK) AND GeForce cards using Nvidia 21.81 drivers (12.41 drivers are OK), AND Graphics Settings utilizing "Direct3D Hardware TnL"

If your computer has this configuration, there are 2 things you can do to correc t the problem: 1) Go back to the Nvidia 12.41 drivers for your GeForce card. This will fix the problem. 2) If you decide to keep the 21.81 drivers, you must disable the Transform and L ighting (TnL) option. Use the "Direct3D" option in the Game Settings in Empire Earth. Additionally, if you turned on Full Screen Antialiasing for your GeForce video c ard (through the Advanced options of the Settings for your Display Properties) t his could cause abnormalities with the game, including loss of text on buttons a nd the mouse cursor leaving trails behind it. You should disable Full Screen An tialiasing for your video card (see the manual or instructions for your video ca rd). H) Mouse Seems to Lag or Feels Sluggish --------------------------------------If your mouse pointer seems sluggish or slow to respond to movement of the mouse , go to the Game Settings, Video tab, and make sure the Vertical Sync (VSync) op tion is turned ON (i.e., the box is checked). Having Vertical Sync ON should al leviate the problem. I) Voodoo 5500 and Graphics Problems -----------------------------------If you are using a Voodoo 5500 video card in Windows 9x or Me, the graphics can become corrupted in Empire Earth in 32 bit color mode (e.g., 800 x 600 x 32 bit) . To fix the problem, select a 16 bit color mode in Empire Earth's Game Setting s (e.g., 800 x 600 x 16 bit). J) Graphic Problems when Pressing Alt-Tab ----------------------------------------On some computer systems, users might experience graphics problems using Alt-Tab while playing Empire Earth. To correct such problems during a game, try the fo llowing: 1) Zoom all the way in using the mouse wheel or bracket key. 2) Press Alt-Tab to go out of the game. Then use Alt-Tab to re-enter the game. This often fixes the problem.

III. GENERAL GAME ISSUES (Including updated game play information) -----------------------A) Difficulty Setting for User-Made Scenarios B) Illegal Characters in Sierra.com User Names C) Priests Can Convert Ships D) Changes to the Predefined Civilizations E) Hand Cannoneer, Trench Mortar, and Heavy Mortar Incorrectly Listed F) Barbarian Hit Points Changed G) Heroes H) Priest Conversions in Scenarios I) Commercial Law Technology Change J) Fullscreen Antialiasing Removed from Game Settings K) Zoom Option Always On L) Resetting the Technology Tree in the Scenario Editor M) Stable Ends in Industrial Age (Epoch 9) N) Firestorm Calamity Does Not Affect Walls or Towers

A) Difficulty Setting for User-Made Scenarios --------------------------------------------When creating and saving a new scenario, the scenario is automatically saved wit h a default level-of-difficulty setting based on the last setting used when play ing a single player random map game (this includes Deathmatch, which is a Resour ce option). In other words, if you played a single player, random map game agai nst the computer and set the Difficulty to Easy, then your scenario is saved as 'Easy'. (Note that this does not necessarily mean the scenario is actually easy , just that the Difficulty Setting is 'Easy'.) This Difficulty Setting is perman ent for your scenario and there is no way for end-users to check a scenario to f ind out what Difficulty Setting it has. There is also no way to change the Diff iculty Setting of the scenario later, for example by re-saving it. To ensure a new scenario is saved with the Difficulty Setting you want: 1) Start a single player, random map game against the computer and set the Diffi culty to the level you want 2) Quit the single player game 3) Start the Scenario Editor and begin creating your new scenario, then save the scenario. B) Illegal Characters in Sierra.com User Names ---------------------------------------------User names on Sierra.com are not permitted to include the following characters: " ' @ \ ` | ? % . / C) Priests Can Convert Ships --------------------------Contrary to what it says in the Empire Earth user's manual, Priests CAN convert ships. It just takes longer than converting land units. D) Changes to the Predefined Civilizations -----------------------------------------In order to ensure proper game balance, several of the predefined (historical) C ivilizations in Empire Earth have changed since the printing of the user's manua l. Therefore, some of the bonuses listed in Appendix A of the manual are incorr ect. These changes are outlined below. Note also that the "Siege Weapon" catego ry also includes Mobile Anti-Aircraft units and that "Wood Cutting" and "Wood Ch opping" are the same bonus. (Remember that you can view the bonuses for each Ci vilization during a game by pressing the Crown button to enter the Civilization Selections screen.) EPOCHS 1-6 -----------Babylon Removed Infantry-Spear 25% Attack Added Infantry-Spear 20% Speed Byzantine Rome Removed Siege Weapon & Mobile AA 20% Area Damage Added Infantry-Sword 20% Speed EPOCHS 7-9 ---------Kingdom of Italy Removed Cavalry-Ranged 20% Armor

 Added Cavalry-Ranged 30% Build Time Decrease Ottoman Empire Removed Resource Gathering 20% Wood Cutting Added Resource Gathering 20% Farming EPOCHS 10-12 ----------Great Britain Removed Fighters & Fighter/Bombers 20% Speed Added Fighters & Fighter/Bombers 20% Cost Reduction Russia Removed Resource Gathering 20% Wood Chopping Added Resource Gathering 15% Iron Mining France Removed Resource Gathering 15% Iron Mining Removed Field Cannon & AT Guns 20% Speed Added Resource Gathering 15% Gold Mining EPOCHS 13-14 -----------Rebel Forces Removed Infantry-Ranged 25% Hit Points Removed Cyber-Combat 20% Cost Reduction Added Buildings, Walls, & Towers 50% Hit Points Added Citizens & Fishing Boats 35% Range Added Cyber-Combat 25% Hit Points Added Civilization-Wide 20% Mountain Combat Bonus Novaya Russia Added Cyber-Combat 20% Speed China Removed Civilization-Wide 20% Mountain Combat Bonus Added Tanks 20% Attack Added Galleys, Transports, & Subs 20% Attack E) Hand Cannoneer, Trench Mortar, and Heavy Mortar Incorrectly Listed -------------------------------The Hand Cannoneer, Trench Mortar, and Heavy Mortar are incorrectly listed on th e Technology Tree Foldout as being Field Weapons. The Hand Cannoneer, Trench Mo rtar, and Heavy Mortar are actually Infantry-Ranged. F) Barbarian Hit Points Changed ------------------------------The Barbarian, trained at the Barracks beginning in the Dark Age, has 325 Hit Po ints (not 250). G) Heroes --------For game balancing reasons, players can have only one Hero (either Warrior or St rategist) at a time. Also, Heroes can NOT have their attributes (Hit Points, At tack Strength, and Speed) improved. Heroes CAN be upgraded.

H) Priest Conversions in Scenarios ---------------------------------Scenario Designers take note: when using Priests in a Scenario, 25 game seconds must elapse before a Priest can perform a conversion. This is due to a built-in "reload time" for this unit. After 25 seconds have passed, Priests work normal ly. I) Commercial Law Technology Change ----------------------------------The Commercial Law Technology (at the University in the Dark Age) is incorrectly listed on the Technology Tree Foldout as providing a 50% reduction in tribute c ost. It is actually about a 40% reduction in tribute cost. J) Fullscreen Antialiasing Removed from Game Settings ---------------------------------The Fullscreen Antialiasing option, described in the manual, has been removed fr om the game. If you have an AMD processor, please also see G) Graphics Issues o n Computers with AMD chips and GeForce Video Cards in Section II: GENERAL TECHNI CAL ISSUES. K) Zoom Option Always On -----------------------The ability to turn off the Zoom option, described in the manual, has been remov ed from the Game Settings. Players can always use the zoom feature. L) Resetting the Technology Tree in the Scenario Editor ------------------------------When creating a scenario in the Scenario Editor, technologies (including units) are automatically loaded into the editor depending on what you set the starting Epoch for a player to be. For example, if Player 1 is set to start in the Bronz e Age, all the units, technologies, and building art for the Bronze Age are cons idered to be already researched by the player. You may find that you want to "reset" the technology tree, for example if you de cided to set Player 1 to start in the Stone Age rather than the Bronze Age. Thi s will essentially "unload" those technologies and units, etc., that no longer n eed to be in memory so that the Player must research them during the scenario if and when they advance past the Stone Age. To reset the technology tree for any players: 1) Go to Player Page 1 and set the Start Epoch to Prehistoric and the End Epoch to Nano Age for the players you want reset. If that is already how the Epochs a re set, select a range different from the one you're using for any players you w ant to reset. 2) Go the Unit Placement page. You should see text in the upper right corner of the screen that states that it is loading the appropriate Epochs. 3) Quick-save then quick-load your scenario. 4) Now return the Epoch settings on Player Page 1 to the Epochs you want for the player(s). This fully resets the Technology Tree for those players to the Epoc hs you have set. M) Stable Ends in Industrial Age (Epoch 9) -----------------------------------------In Chapter 13 of the Empire Earth manual, it says the Stable is available from E pochs 3-10. In fact, you can produce Stable units only from Epochs 3-9.

N) Firestorm Calamity Does Not Affect Walls or Towers ---------------------------------------------------In Chapter 10 of the Empire Earth manual it says that the Firestorm Calamity can affect Buildings, Walls, Towers, and Ships. In fact, Firestorm affects only bu ildings and ships.

IV. CONTACTING SIERRA ======================= A) Customer Service, Support, and Sales B) Technical Support C) Legal Information A) Customer Service, Support, and Sales ---------------------------------United States U.S.A. Sales Phone: (800) 757-7707 Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week International Sales: (425) 746-5771 Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM to 4 PM PST FAX: (916) 939-1010 Sierra Direct P O Box 629001 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-9972 Email: customer.support@sierra.com http://www.sierra.com United Kingdom Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing UK Ltd. Main: (0118) 920-9111 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fax: (0118) 987-5603 Disk/CD replacements in the U.K. are 6.00, or 7.00 outside the UK. Add "ATTN.: Ret urns." 2 Beacontree Plaza, Gillette Way, Reading, Berkshire RG2 0BS United Kingdom France Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing France 32, Av de l'Europe Bt Energy 1 (2e tage) 78 140 VELIZY-Villacoubaly France Tlphone: 01-30-67-90-50

Lundi au Jeudi de 10h 19h Vendredi de 10h 18h Fax: 01-30-67-90-65 Germany Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing Deutschland Gmbh. Tel: (0) 6103-99-40-40 Montag bis Freitag von 10h - 19Uhr Fax: (0) 6103-99-40-35 Paul-Ehrlich-Strae la 63225 Langen Deutschland

On-Line Sales CompuServe United Kingdom:GO UKSIERRA CompuServe France: GO FRSIERRA Internet USA: http://www.sierra.com Internet United Kingdom: http://www.sierra-online.co.uk Internet France: http://www.sierra.fr Internet Germany: http://www.sierra.de Disk and or Manual Replacement: Product Returns*: Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing International Sierra On-Line Returns 4247 S. Minnewawa Ave. Fresno, CA 93725 Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing International Sierra On-Line CD/Doco Replacement 4247 S. Minnewawa Ave. Fresno, CA 93725 NOTE: To replace your cd(s) please send only the damaged cd and copy of your dat ed Receipt, if less then 90 days. After 90 days please include a $10.00 handlin g fee along with the cd(s). For Documentation replacement, please include a $5. 00 handling fee and a photocopy ONLY of either your disk or cd. Payment should be made at the time of your request. Sorry, no credit cards. * Returns to this address valid in North America only. B) TECHNICAL SUPPORT ------------------------North America Sierra On-Line offers a 24-hour automated technical support line with recorded a nswers to the most frequently asked technical questions. To access this service, call (425) 644-4343, and follow the recorded instructions to find your specific topic and resolve the issue. If this fails to solve your problem, you may still write, or fax us with your questions, or contact us via our Web site. Sierra On-Line Technical Support

4247 South Minnewawa Avenue Fresno, CA 93725 Main: (425) 644-4343 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST Fax: (310) 258-0755 http://www.sierra.com support@sierra.com United Kingdom Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing UK Ltd. offers a 24-hour Automated Tech nical Support line with recorded answers to the most frequently asked technical questions. To access this service, call (0118) 920-9111, and follow the recorded instructions to find your specific topic and resolve the issue. If this fails t o solve your problem, you may still write, or fax us with your questions or cont act us via our Internet or CompuServe sites.

Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing UK Ltd. 2 Beacontree Plaza, Gillette Way, Reading, Berkshire RG2 0BS United Kingdom Main: (0118) 920-9111 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fax: (0118) 987-5603 http://www.sierra-online.co.uk France Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing France 32, Av de l'Europe Bt Energy 1 (2e tage) 78 140 VELIZY-Villacoublay France Tlphone: 01-30-67-90-50 Lundi au Jeudi de 10h 19h Vendredi de 10h 18h Fax: 01 30 67 90 65 http://www.sierra.fr Germany Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing Deutschland Gmbh. Technischer Kundendienst Paul-Ehrlich-Strae la 63225 Langen Deutschland Tel: (0) 6103-99-40-40 Montag bis Freitag von 10 - 19Uhr Fax: (0) 6103-99-40-35 Mailbox: (0) 6103-99-40-35

http://www.sierra.de Spain Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing Espaa NUESTRA SEORA DE VALVERDE N 23 28034 MADRID Spain Tech Support Telfono: 91 735 24 37 Soporte tcnico de lunes a Viernes de 09:30 a 15:00 y de 16:00 a 18:30 www.havasinteractive.es Soporte Tecnico: soporte@havasinteractive.es Comercial: comercial@havasinteractive.es Italy Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing Italia spa Contattare il vostro distributore. C) Sierra Warranty & Legal Information ----------------------------------Sierra's end user license agreement, limited warranty and return policy is set f orth in the EULA.txt, found on the CD, and is also available during the install of the product. Copyright (2001 Sierra On-Line, Inc.) Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other copyrights and trademarks are properties of their respective owners.