
System Requirements
-------------------

 WIN32 version
 -------------

  - Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0 (SP3+) or Windows 2000 or newer
  - DirectX 3 or better
  - WinSock 1.1 or better and installed TCP/IP protocol

 Amiga version
 -------------

  Required:
  - AGA chipset or graphics card (256 colors needed)
  - gn_m68k.exe: 68020 or better
  - gn_m68k_fpu.exe: 68020+68881 or better
  - gn_ppc.exe: PPC CPU and WarpUP
  - 16MB memory
  - Kickstart 3.0
  - AmiTCP or compatible TCP/IP stack
  Recommended:
  - graphics card
  - 68040 or PPC

  Notes:

   - GN requires lot of stack space (>150000 bytes)

   - Processes GN-MAIN and GN-SERVER (only running if you are
     hosting game) must have same priorities or GN may run very
     slowly. Also note that GN requires fast and fair scheduling,
     all ready processes must be scheduled many times per second or
     result is massive slow down! (This may be problem with some
     schedulers from Executive package)
   
   - If you have problems starting GN, try "gn.exe -gfxmode 1"


Command line parameters
-----------------------

 - fullscreen <0/1>   run in fullscreen or windowed mode
 - width <width>      width of game screen
 - height <height>    height of game screen
 - colorcycling <0/1> windowed color cycling on or off
 - dedicated          dedicated server mode (not fully working)
 - loadgame <1-8>     loads saved game automatically
 - connect <server>   connects automatically to server
 - imagecache <mem>   size of image cache (default 2MB)

 Mainly for debugging:

 - debug <0/1>        debug mode on/off
 - log <0/1>          outputs all console messages to log file (log.txt)
 - datainfo           writes all help pages to file (gn_list.txt)
 - multistart <1-8>   automatically loads multiplayer saved game and
                      spawns and joins GN subprocesses

 Amiga specific:

 - gfxmode <0/1>      force system legal (1) or chunky to planar
                      directly to display memory (0)
 - wpa <0/1>          Do not use WriteChunkyPixels(), use WritePixelArray8()
                      instead (Kickstart 3.1 only)

Important information
---------------------

 - expect to find bugs.
 - cost of registeration and other information about registeration will
   be released (much?) later when 'final' version is ready.
 - only map editing is possible in this demo version, editing/creating
   units, buildings, inventions, etc.. will be available later for
   registered users only.
 - If you have problems starting GN or GN crashes with 'fatal error',
   please create log file with "GN -log 1" and include log.txt with
   bug report.

 Please don't ask about release dates or registerations. We really don't
 know. (We will only answer 'in two weeks'...) but bug reports, comments
 and suggestions are gladly accepted!


Features
--------

 - very customizable
 - spy statistics and diagrams
 - trading between nations (inventions, units, towns etc..)
 - public and private chat windows
 - build in help
 - nation borders
 - units have realistic(?) line of sight and 'fog of war'
 - world size limited only by available memory (10 bytes/map square)
 - one hand-drawn tile set (32*32 pixels), one scaled-up tile set 64*64
   and two scaled-down tile sets (16*16 and 8*8) for viewing large areas
 - all 256 color graphics modes supported
 - freely sizeable game window (windowed mode only)
 - number of units and towns limited only by available memory
 - real flying units with different flying heights
 - real submarine units with different depths
 - max 8 different nations
 - serial/network play (client/server)
    hotseat and network multiplayer supported
    serial port and TCP/IP link play is compatible with different platforms
 - terrain types, units, buildings, inventions and town names are
   completely customizable just by modifying text files. You can also
   add new terrain types, units etc. very easily.
 - world map(s) are just pictures. (very easy to make custom maps)
 - customizable random terrain generator
 - users can create new unit graphics and own worlds by using drawing
   program (Brilliance, Deluxe Paint etc..)

Some of these features are only available in registered version

Incomplete or missing features
------------------------------

 - music and sound effects
 - isometric view (under construction)
 - lots of small (and some big) things we forgot
 - enemy AI (don't expect this soon...)


Current developing team
-----------------------

Programming    : Toni Wilen <twilen@gameshock.com>
Graphics/Ideas : Jani Wilen <jani@arabuusimiehet.com> 
Misc           : Mikko Nieminen <break@gameshock.com>

Great Nations HQ website at:
----------------------------
http://gn.gameshock.com/

