CHARLIE II

Version 3.11 for Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista and DOS
© Copyright 2001-2008, by Mike Wiering / Wiering Software

http://www.wieringsoftware.nl/

LICENSE

This software is distributed as SHAREWARE, see the file license.rtf for more details.

HISTORY

31-01-08 - Version 3.11 (DOS & Windows)

•	fixed: Compatibility with Windows Vista (warning about d3drm.dll).

27-12-06 - Version 3.10 (DOS & Windows)

•	added: Training mode, 2 new levels.
•	fixed: The Wiering Software logo had a vertical black line at the right on bright screens.
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•	  8-12-06 - Version 3.01 (DOS & Windows)
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•	fixed: Total score was not displayed (level selection screen).
•	fixed: Small bugs in levels 13 and 17 (of the expansion pack).
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•	23-10-06 - Version 3.00 (DOS & Windows)
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•	added: Expansion Pack, 18 new levels.
•	fixed: Lots of small bugs fixed.
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•	09-02-06 - Version 2.07 (Windows, newest DOS version is still 2.05)
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•	updated: Several small updates, mainly Internet links.
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•	27-02-05 - Version 2.06 (Windows, newest DOS version is still 2.05)
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•	added: The game can now be played in six languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.
•	fixed: The status line would sometimes get messed up after displaying a message.
•	changed: A few small additional changes to the menus.
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•	17-06-04 - Version 2.05 (DOS & Windows)
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•	added: Higher resolution graphics (no longer blurred) in 640x400 mode (to see this, just swich to full screen mode using 640x400x8). It is possible to use high resolution while running the game in a window (press Ctrl+H to turn this on/off), but that can be very slow.
•	changed: It is now only possible to exit a level after you have collected the required percentage of coins/diamonds (except for boss levels). Before exiting, you can check the current percentage and decide whether or not to exit.
•	added: Fast 256-color modes (320x200x256 and 640x400x256).
•	changed: A few small changes in the interface to avoid confusion.
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•	23-11-03 - Version 2.04 (DOS & Windows)
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•	changed: New installation program with language selection.
•	added: Just before the exit of a level (at the arrow sign) you will now see the percentage of coins and diamonds you've collected, the percentage that is required and which letters you've found.
•	changed: Some minor changes in the music.
•	fixed: Some performance problems with music have been fixed (the game was slow when background music was disabled).
•	changed: A few very small (visual) changes in the levels (no difference in numbers or placement of items).
•	changed: Some changes in the shareware version (new ending screen, added order form, etc).
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•	02-02-03 - Version 2.03 (DOS & Windows)
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•	fixed: Better error message for systems without DirectX 6.0 or higher (before, you would get the message: “Exception EDXSoundError in module CHARLIE2.EXE at … Primary buffer cannot be made.”).
•	fixed: When using the [Up] key for jumping, it wouldn’t work correctly in menus.
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•	14-01-03 - Version 2.02 (DOS & Windows)
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•	fixed: Progress, scores and settings were not saved if you quit using the [x] button at the top.
•	added: Smooth (sometimes blurry) display can now be turned on or off (View, Smooth).
•	fixed: Under Windows XP the game would sometimes show an ‘access violation error’ during the game or just after shutting down.
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•	30-12-02 - Version 2.01 (DOS & Windows)
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•	fixed: Joystick was not recognized on some systems.
•	added: Keyboard and joystick configuration is now available (Game, Controls…) a few options and a few keys to choose from (note that Space and Ctrl remain active as well). 
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•	18-12-02 - Version 2.00 (DOS & Windows)
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•	changed: New style installation program.
•	added: The most recent DOS version is now included in the distribution.
•	changed: Updated documentation.
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•	14-12-02 - Version 2.00 BETA (Windows)
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•	first release of DirectX version (changes to display, sound, controls)
•	added: Background music and new sound samples.
•	changed: Keyboard configuration is not (yet) possible in the Windows version. However, the [Up] arrow key can now also be used to jump, just like [Space].
•	added: The activation and deactivation of moving platforms is now indicated by a sound.
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•	18-02-02 - Version 1.02 (DOS)
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•	fixed bug: Charlie could get stuck somewhere in the pipes (registered version).
•	added: Check to see if you can leave a level yet (in case you missed the "find the exit" message). Jump in front of a brown exit sign and Charlie will turn to the left (collect more) or to the right (enough, you may leave).
•	fixed: On older PC's (with the Y2K bug) running Windows 2000, the game would set the date back to 1900.
•	added: Changing the keys for Jumping and Accelerating is now possible by editing CHARLIE2.INI.
•	fixed: Better installation program for Windows.
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•	19-11-01 - Version 1.01 (DOS)
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•	fixed: Black screen on certain video cards.
•	added: You can now quit the game directly (from the title screen) by pressing [Shift + Esc].
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•	01-11-01 - Version 1.00 (DOS)
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•	first public release
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•	SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
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•	To run Charlie II for Windows, you must have a PC with one of the following Windows versions:
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•	Windows 95
•	Windows 98
•	Windows Me
•	Windows 2000
•	Windows XP
•	Windows Vista

You will need to have DirectX 6.0 or higher on your system. You can download DirectX from http://www.microsoft.com/directx/.

This release also contains a DOS version of Charlie II, so you can run the game on older computers with DOS or Windows 3.x. To do that, copy all the files in your CHARLIE II directory to the other PC (you won't need Charlie2.exe) and start CH2DOS.EXE. The DOS version is almost identical to the Windows version, except it has no background music and only runs full screen.

RUNNING CHARLIE II

If you installed the game using the included setup program, you can start it by simply clicking the Charlie II icon on your desktop, or by choosing CHARLIE II from the Start, Programs, Wiering Software menu.

At the title screen, press [Enter] to activate the main menu. 

CONTROLS

During the game, use the following keys to play:

	[Space]	or [Up]			Jump
	[Left] [Right]			Walk
	[Ctrl + Left] [Ctrl + Right]		Walk faster
	[Down]				Dive into the water

	[Ctrl + P]			Pause game
	[Alt + Enter]			Switch between window and full-screen mode
	[Esc]				Quit

If you have a joystick that is supported by DirectX, it should automatically be supported.

HOW TO PLAY

The shareware version of CHARLIE II contains six levels, of which two are hidden (indicated by the question marks). The objective of each level is to collect coins and diamonds and then find an exit. Some levels have a secret exit which leads to a hidden level. To exit the last level of each row, you must defeat a large enemy.

From the OPTIONS menu, you can select the difficulty: EASY, NORMAL or HARD. To complete a level, you must collect at least the following percentage of coins and diamonds, which varies per difficulty:

	EASY     	45%
	NORMAL	60%
	HARD     	75%

In earlier versions this was (55%, 65% and 75%).

Because the amount of items is different in each level, just keep collecting them until you see the message "Find the exit!". If you leave a level without the required percentage of coins and diamonds, you will have to retry it. However, normally you can't leave the level before you have the required numbers of items.

The hearts at the top left indicate Charlie's health. The number of hearts at the beginning depends on the selected difficulty. A super heart increases the maximum number of hearts you can have and can be found somewhere in most of the levels.

Just like in the original CHARLIE THE DUCK game, Charlie can beat most of his enemies by jumping on top of them, but some can only be defeated using a shield. Items are hidden in the yellow crates.

In each level, you can find the letters to spell the name "CHARLIE". If you find them all, Charlie receives an extra life and all hearts are restored.

Each level has a check point. After touching it, you can start there if Charlie loses a life. However, if you exit the game and start again, you will always have to start at the beginning of the level.

When you start playing, you have to select file 1, 2 or 3. Your progress is automatically saved in this file. Normally, you can't play levels you have completed earlier, but after completing the entire game (complete version), you may choose any level to play. After reaching 100% for every single level, you may add your total score (of all the levels together) to your list of high scores!

Wiering Software keeps a world-wide high score list for Charlie II, see the Wiering Software web site. To add your own high scores, you must send an e-mail to highscores@wieringsoftware.nl and attach the file HISCORES.SAV to it. Please only send in your scores if your highest score is above any of the existing ones. Do NOT send messages with "My high score is 999999999" or whatever, these will be ignored. Instead, send the file HISCORES.SAV (which can be found in your Charlie II folder).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

See the separate file faq.rtf, which can be viewed from within the game (Help menu, Frequently Asked Questions).

REGISTER CHARLIE II AND PLAY ALL OF THE LEVELS!

The SHAREWARE version of Charlie II contains only one third of the entire game. If you want to play all of the levels, you must order a registration code. This code will unlock the remaining levels. 

A registration code for Charlie II costs $15. You can order using a secure on-line ordering form, or with the included registration form in the file ORDER.TXT. There are several payment methods. For more information, see http://www.wieringsoftware.nl/ch2/.

Only with your support, Wiering Software can continue to write new games!

BUG REPORTS

Please send any bug reports to bugs@wieringsoftware.nl. Describe what the problem is and what kind of computer and operating system you are using.

CREDITS

Programming:	Mike Wiering

Artwork:		Mike Wiering

Music:		Mike Wiering

Sound effects:	Mike Wiering

Special thanks:

DelphiX library:	Hiroyuki Hori

Help with translations:	Babel Fish
(alphabetical)	Celso Riva
	Chicca
	Erika Medeiros
	Gabriel Gambetta
	Karl Hofer
	Monika
	Stan
	Sergio Paz
	Taryn

Quacking sound:	One of the ducks swimming in a pond in Lankforst

Support / testing:	Thanks to the members of the Yahoo forum who have been spending a lot of time helping other players get through the game by answering their questions, Wiering Software would never be able to provide this kind of support by itself. And thanks to everyone who submitted bug reports to help improve Charlie II.