Microsoft Age of Empires III Trial

Readme File
September 2005

Welcome to Microsoft Age of Empires III Trial version!

This file contains information to help you install the Age of Empires III Trial. It includes late-
breaking information not included in the in-game Help.

CONTENTS
A. Starting Age of Empires III Trial
B. Getting Help
C. Shortcut Keys
D. DirectX Troubleshooting
E. Video Troubleshooting
F. CD-ROM Drive Troubleshooting
G. Audio Troubleshooting
H. Age of Empires III Information
A. Starting Age of Empires III Trial
To start Age of Empires III

On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to Age of Empires III,
and then click Age of Empires III.

B. Getting Help
You can find information about Age of Empires III Trial in the in-game Help.

To display in-game Help

Pause your pointer over any button or interface item in the game to view rollover help text. You
can also right-click on any unit portrait or improvement icon in the game to view detailed Help.

C. Shortcut Keys

HOTKEYS
SPACEBAR Center View on Selected Unit
ALT Display Details on Selected Unit
H Toggle Home City Screen
/ Cycle Explorers
' Cycle Ships
. Cycle Idle Villagers
, Cycle Idle Military Units
; Cycle Wagons (Covered Wagon, Fort Wagon, Outpost Wagon, Factory Wagon)

FIND
T Town Center
CTRL+A Artillery Foundry
CTRL+B Barracks or Blockhouse
CTRL+C Church
CTRL+D Dock
CTRL+D House or Manor House
CTRL+F Fort
CTRL+I Mill
CTRL+K Bank
CTRL+L Plantation
CTRL+M Market
CTRL+O Outpost
CTRL+P Trading Post
CTRL+Q Field Hospital
CTRL+R Arsenal
 CTRL+S Stable
CTRL+V Livestock Pen
CTRL+W Wall
CTRL+Y Factory
CTRL+Z Capitol

Use the following shortcuts to create new buildings when a Villager is selected. For example, to
create a Dock, select a Villager and then press D.

VILLAGER BUILDS

A Artillery Foundry
B Barracks or Blockhouse
C Church
D Dock
E Town Center (this is for the Explorer only)
E House or Manor House
F Fort
K Bank
I Mill
L Plantation
M Market
O Outpost
P Trading Post
Q Field Hospital
R Arsenal
S Stable
W Wall
V Livestock Pen

D. DirectX Troubleshooting
DirectX 9c or later must be installed on your computer before you can play Age of Empires III
Trial. If you do not have DirectX 9c installed on your computer and you chose not to install
DirectX 9c when you installed Age of Empires III Trial, you will not be able to play Age of Empires
III Trial. Install DirectX 9c by re-installing Age of Empires III Trial, or download the software from
Microsoft Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>).

If Age of Empires III Trial installed DirectX 9c but could not update your video drivers to be
compatible with DirectX 9c, when you restart your computer you will receive the message "Age of
Empires III could not initialize DirectX. Make sure that DirectX 9c or higher is installed and contact
your hardware manufacturer for a video driver update." To fix this problem, either get updated
video drivers from Microsoft Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>), your
video adapter manufacturer, or install DirectX in safe mode, which will replace the video drivers.

If you experience sound or video problems using DirectX, go to

<http://support.microsoft.com/support/directx/> for the latest troubleshooting information.

You should also check with your video or sound card manufacturer for the latest DirectX-
compatible drivers.
E. Video Troubleshooting
Latest Drivers Make sure that you have the latest drivers from your video card manufacturer or
check Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>) for the latest drivers. Users of
motherboards with non-Intel chipsets should upgrade to the latest miniport drivers available from
their motherboard manufacturer.

DirectX If you experience video problems using DirectX, connect to the DirectX Web site for the
latest troubleshooting information at <http://support.microsoft.com/support/directx>.

F. CD-ROM Drive Troubleshooting

Age of Empires III uses SSI encryption technology. Some CD-ROM drives may not be compatible
with this technology.

G. Audio Troubleshooting
DirectX If you experience audio problems using DirectX, connect to the DirectX Web site for
the latest troubleshooting information, as explained in DirectX Troubleshooting. If this occurs,
make sure that you have the latest drivers from your sound card manufacturer or check Windows
Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>) for the latest drivers.

J. Age of Empires III Information

For more information about Age of Empires III, visit our Web site at
<<http://www.ageofempires3.com/>>.

& p 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Age of Empires, DirectX, Ensemble Studios, the
Microsoft Game Studios logo, The Age of Kings, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.