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Star Wars X-Wing Alliance Manual
Star Wars X-Wing Alliance Manual
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L U C A S A RT S E N T E RTA I N M E N T C O M PA N Y
PRESENTS
B Y L A W R E N C E H O L L A N D
I N S T R U C T I O N
M A N U A L
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L OADING I NSTRUCTIONS 6
S ENSORS 13
E NERGY L EVELS 14
I N -F LIGHT C OMMUNICATION 22
I N -F LIGHT M AP 24
C OMBAT S IMULATOR 39
Q UICK S TART 9
Q UICK S KIRMISH 41
F AMILY T RANSPORT 10
T ARGETING C RAFT 18
R UNNING
THE
G AME 8
M ISSION B RIEFING 11
H ANGAR 12
H OW
TO
F LY 12
I DENTIFYING C RAFT
C ANNONS
T YPES
V IEW C ONTROLS 13
T YPES
AND
H UD 13
C ARGO 19
W ARHEADS 19
F IRING G UN T URRETS 20
T HROTTLE C ONTROLS 12
C OCKPITS
AND
AND
D OCKING
OF
OF
AND
A WARDS
P ICKING U P O BJECTS 22
AND
P ROMOTIONS 26
T HE C ONCOURSE 26
T ECH L IBRARY 26
P ILOT P ROVING G ROUND 27
B EAM W EAPONS 21
K EYBOARD C OMMANDS 29
C OUNTERMEASURES 21
G ENERAL O PTIONS 34
S HIELDS 21
V IDEO O PTIONS 35
S OUND O PTIONS 37
T IPS F OR S UCCESS 45
M ULTIPLAYER S PACE C OMBAT 48
C USTOMER S UPPORT 65
P RODUCT L ICENSE A GREEMENT 65
C REDITS 68
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W
EMPIRE
SPREADING
AS
STORAGE COMPANY.
COMMERCIAL,
ITH THE
REBELLION
TO
BUILD THEIR
BUSINESS
IN X-WING ALLIANCE,
MORE AND
FLYING
CONGLOMERATES.
IS A WORLD
AMONG THESE
THEIRS
SERIES
OF
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Your Family
Members
Tomaas Azzameen Your father has
been the head of the family shipping
company, Twin Suns Transport
Services, since its inception, as well as
leader of the family. His decisions are
usually derived from calm, but
calculated, reflection. His success at
making the family business grow has
caused a rivalry with Viraxo Industries,
a less-than-honest shipping business
with ties to the Empire.
Antan Azzameen Your uncle
cofounded the family cargo company
with your father. He tries his best to
keep the family neutral and avoid
possible reprisals from the Empire,
especially after the narrow escape
from Hoth. My first and foremost
concern is the Azzameen Family, he
once stated. It is not healthy to
become involved in the struggle
between the Empire and the Rebels.
Our only enemies are the Viraxo.
Family Friends
Family Enemy
ANTAN AZZAMEEN
EMON AZZAMEEN
DUNARI
AERON AZZAMEEN
OLIN GARN
KARMYN VIRAXO
EMKAY
GALIN AZZAMEEN
TOMAAS AZZAMEEN
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Loading Instructions
To install X-Wing Alliance on your PC:
1 Close all open windows on your desktop and
quit all other applications.
2 Put the X-Wing Alliance Disc 1 in your CDROM drive.
3 The X-Wing Alliance Installer will appear.
If Autoplay is disabled and the games
Installer does not appear when you insert the
CD-ROM in the drive, youll need to open the
Installer manually. To do this, double-click the
My Computer icon, then double-click the CD-ROM
INSTALLER SCREEN
icon in the window that opens. Double-click the
Alliance.exe file to open the Installer. It has these options:
Install X-Wing Alliance Installs the game on your hard drive.
Readme & Troubleshooting These
documents give you the most up-to-date game information, and we strongly
suggest you read them. See the Troubleshooting Guide for detailed installation and
troubleshooting tips. You can also view the Software License Agreement or install
DirectX 6.
Analyse Your Computer Checks your
system to see if it meets game requirements.
Exit to Windows Returns you to your desktop.
4 To install, click the Install X-Wing Alliance button. Follow the onscreen
instructions.
5 Choose an installation size, either minimum or complete. (You must do the
complete install to play multiplayer.)
6 Next, choose the destination for X-Wing Alliance installation. The default
directory is: C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance. If you wish to install
elsewhere, specify
a different drive or directory name.
7 Youll be given the option to create a series of shortcuts in your Start menu.
Creating a shortcut will make it easier for you to launch the game. Click the
tickboxes to deselect any shortcuts you dont want.
8 Setup will create an X-Wing Alliance Program Folder for the program icons.
Click Next to choose the default (Start Menu\
Programs\LucasArts\XWingAlliance),
or create a new folder or select an existing folder, and then click Next.
9 Youll be prompted to create a shortcut for your desktop. Youll also have
another opportunity to view the Readme.
10 Youll be prompted to calibrate your joystick before playing.
11 A Setup Complete screen will now appear if the program successfully installed.
12 After installing the program, youll be prompted to install DirectX 6.0, which is
necessary to run the program. If DirectX 6.0 (or a later version) is detected on
your system, the tickbox to install it will remain empty, and you wont need to
install DirectX. Click Finish to complete the Setup.
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If You Have
Trouble Installing
See the Troubleshooting Guide for more
detailed installation instructions and
troubleshooting tips. To access the
Troubleshooting Guide:
1 Insert an X-Wing Alliance disc,
then double-click the My Computer
icon.
2 In the window that opens, doubleclick the icon for your CD-ROM drive.
This opens the Installer. You may also
need to double-click the Alliance.exe
file to open the Installer.
3 From the Installer, click Readme &
Trouble- shooting, then Troubleshooting
Guide.
Running the
Game
1 To run the game, insert the X-Wing
Alliance Disc 1 into your CD-ROM drive.
The games Launcher will appear
automatically if Autoplay is active.
2 If Autoplay is disabled, find the XWing Alliance directory on your hard
drive. Double-click the X-Wing Alliance
application icon (Alliance.exe), or
double-click the CD-ROM icon on My
Computer, then double-click
Alliance.exe file.
This Launcher appears whenever
you insert a game disc, when you
QUICK START
THE LAUNCHER
The X-Wing Alliance Launcher
displays
the following options:
Play X-Wing Alliance This launches
the game.
Pilot Options Use this option to
create, delete, or load a pilot. To create
a pilot, press Create New Player, then
enter a name and click OK. To load a
pilot, select a name from the list of
pilots you have created, then click the
Load Player button. To delete a pilot,
select the name from the list, then
click Delete Player. Click Done when
you are finished.
Hardware Configuration This
option lets
you analyse your computer to see if it
meets system requirements, install
DirectX and calibrate your joystick.
Registration, On-line Options and
Documentation Here, you can view
the Readme document, or see the
Troubleshooting Guide for detailed
installation and trouble- shooting tips.
You can also join the LucasArts
ExpressClub or go to the LucasArts Web
site if you have Internet access.
LAUNCHER SCREEN
Getting Started
NAVIGATING
You use your mouse to move through
the front end screens, and press your
mouse button to select options. Youll
use a joystick when its time to fly
your missions.
\
[
]
Full Stop
Full Throttle
6 In the mission it is best to follow
Aeron and Emkays instructions
precisely. Target (T key) and pick up
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Family Transport
After youve launched the game, and
moved through the opening screens,
youll find yourself in a room with
Emkay in the foreground.
Combat Simulator
Medal Case
Play Mission
Mission Briefing
Selecting Play Mission from the Family
Transport brings up a brief text
description of your mission, under the
heading Mission Overview. This
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Hangar
How to Fly
View Controls
Sensors
Throttle Controls
These increase or decrease your crafts
current speed. Throttle is measured on
a scale from zero (no throttle) to 100
percent (full throttle). Use:
[
]
Speed
Engine Thrust
Percentage
Warheads
Available
Laser Cannon
Recharge level
Shield Recharge
Level
Ship I.D.
Mission Clock
Rear Sensor
Engine Power
Level
Forward Sensor
Targeting Sight
Shield/Hull
Strength Indicator
Targeted Ship
Combat Multiview
Display (CMD)
Left Multifunction
Display (MFD)
Right Multifunction
Display (MFD)
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Speed
Engine Thrust
Percentage
Warheads
Available
Ship I.D.
Mission Clock
Laser Cannon
Recharge level
Shield Recharge
Level
Forward Sensor
Engine Power
Level
Laser Cannon
Recharge level
Shield Recharge
Level
Targeted Ship
Forward Sensor
Targeting Sight
Shield/Hull
Strength Indicator
Combat Multiview
Display (CMD)
Laser Cannon
Charge
Left Multifunction
Display (MFD)
Right
Multifunction
Display (MFD)
X-WING COCKPIT
Speed
Engine Thrust
Percentage
Rear Sensor
Energy Levels
Each craft has Energy Level Indicators
for weapons, shields, and engines
displayed as coloured vertical bars. The
Weapons and Shields Energy Level
Indicators are located left of the left
Sensor Display. The Engines Energy
Level Indicator is located right of the
right Sensor Display. If your craft is
armed with a beam weapon, its Energy
Level Indicator will be located below
the Engines Energy Level Indicator. (See
the HUD diagram above.)
You can redirect power to the
different systems from your engines.
Warheads
Available
Ship I.D.
Mission Clock
Engine Power
Level
Beam Weapon
Recharge Level
Beam Weapon
Indicator
Targeting Sight
Shield/Hull
Strength
Indicator
Targeted Ship
Combat Multiview
Display (CMD)
Left
Multifunction
Display (MFD)
Rear Sensor
Laser Cannon
Charge (green)
Right
Multifunction
Display (MFD)
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Multifunction
Display (MFD)
These two displays, located in the two
lower corners of the cockpit, give you
important mission information.
Pressing the DELETE key brings up the
left MFD, and the PAGE DOWN key
brings up the right MFD. The display
that has the brighter border is the active
MFD. Press the inactive MFD key (either
DELETE or PAGE DOWN) to make it the
active MFD. Press this key again to turn
the MFD off. Press the LEFT and RIGHT
ARROW keys to cycle through these
display modes within the active MFD:
Flight Commands This MFD mode
contains the interface for giving orders
to your wingmates and support craft.
(See the In-Flight
Communication/Wingmates Commands
section on page 22 for detailed
information and instructions.)
Friendly Craft List Displays a list of
friendly craft in the area, along with
information about shield and hull
damage theyve
sustained, and their targets. If the list is
long, press the UP and DOWN ARROW
keys to see all the craft.
Combat Multiview
Display (CMD)
In the lower middle section of your
cockpit, youll see the Combat
Multiview Display, or CMD. It will show
the image of any friendly or enemy
craft, station, buoy, or mine youve
targeted, its name, what activity its
doing, along with the following
information once you have identified
the target:
SHD% Shows the strength of the
targeted crafts shields.
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Targeting Craft
In space combat, youll have numerous
targeting options, which youll want to use
depending on your situation in a mission.
To cycle through all the available
targets, press the T key repeatedly.
Press the Y key repeatedly to cycle
backwards through these targets. Press
the N key to target the nearest nav
buoy that locates a hyperspace jump
point. To locate and target nearest
enemy craft, mine or weapon, press
the R key. Press the E key repeatedly to
cycle through the enemy craft that are
targeting your craft. Press the I key to
target the nearest warhead that is
targeting your craft. If you arent
being targeted by a warhead, pressing
this key will target the nearest enemy
warhead. Press the U key to target the
most recent craft to arrive in the
combat area.
TARGETED CRAFT
YOUR TARGETING
RETICULE
This round sight above the CMD is used
as a targeting device for your primary
weapons, your cannons, as well as
your secondary weapons and your
warheads. As youre flying in combat,
try to line up a target inside the
reticule. When youre firing laser
cannons at a target, the reticule will be
illuminated green and youll hear a
beeping noise when you have a shot
lined up with the targeted craft.
If your craft is carrying warheads,
the number available will be displayed
below the reticule. When you have
these weapons armed, yellow brackets
will appear within the reticule when
you aim it at a targeted craft in range.
The brackets will turn red when youve
locked in on a target, and you should
fire your weapon. Youll also hear a
solid tone. Press the first button on
your joystick to fire your weapons.
Identifying and
Inspecting Craft
and Cargo
During some missions, youll need to
identify unknown craft and see what
theyre carrying. To identify a craft,
target it, then fly close to it (the
distance varies from craft to craft).
Youll then see the crafts name, along
with other important statistics,
displayed on your CMD. To inspect a
craft, target it, then fly within about
0.5-0.2 km of it. A description of the
ships contents will appear on your CMD.
Selecting and
Firing Cannons
and Warheads
Depending on the craft youve chosen,
and the way youve configured it,
youll have a variety of cannons and
warheads to fire at a target. Press the
W key repeatedly to cycle through the
different available weapons for your
TYPES OF CANNONS
Laser Cannons The galaxys most
commonly used weapon, these fire
bolts of coherent light that inflict
significant damage.
Ion Cannons These weapons are
useful for disabling craft. Its drawback
is that it has a shorter range than a
laser cannon.
Turbolasers Advanced laser
cannons typically found only on
starships, these awesome weapons
cause much more damage than a laser
cannon and can also go farther.
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TYPES OF WARHEADS
Concussion Missiles Best used
when dogfighting with slower craft,
these weapons can be avoided by a
quick, last-second turn.
Advanced Concussion Missiles
Swift and deadly, these powerful
weapons are difficult to avoid.
Proton Torpedoes The most
commonly used warhead in the galaxy,
these weapons are too slow to use
against fighters, but devastating
against much larger capital ships.
Advanced Proton Torpedoes Fast
and powerful enough to be used
against fighters and larger ships alike.
Heavy Rockets These slow
weapons can be easily shot down, but
if they hit a ship or installation, they
can inflict significant damage.
Space Bombs They are more
powerful than heavy rockets and are
much harder to shoot down. Their
minimal guidance systems make them
most useful for destroying stationary
or slow moving, heavily armed targets.
Mag Pulse Warheads While one of
these weapons wont damage a crafts
shields or hull, it can knock out its
weapons systems for 30 seconds.
Ion Pulse Warheads The latest in
warhead technology, these weapons
act like proton torpedoes to damage
shields, and act like ion cannons to
disable a craft once its shields are
down.
Types of Beam
Weapons
GUN TURRET
Firing Gun
Turrets
If youre flying in a craft equipped with
laser gun turrets, such as the
Millennium Falcon, you can operate its
gun turrets yourself. Press the G key to
move to the turret. Your craft will
continue to fly in a straight line, but
you can press the F key to have Emkay,
your droid copilot, follow your target
and keep it in range.
When youre inside the gun turret,
move your joystick up, down, left, and
right to look all around. Your laser
cannons are mounted in the upper
section of the turret. Youll see a round
targeting reticule in the upper-middle
of the screen. Press your first joystick
button to fire at the target.
To cycle through multiple turrets (if
the craft has them) or return to the
cockpit, press the G key again. You can
fire your gun turret lasers from the
cockpit by linking them with your
forward lasers. Press the X key to do this.
You can also have your gun turret laser
automatically track and fire at your
current target by pressing the F key.
Types of
Countermeasures
These weapons help you defend your
craft against enemy warheads. The
two kinds of countermeasures are:
Chaff This electromagnetic energy
shoots out from behind your craft to
deflect warheads and beam weapons.
Flare When fired, this miniature
warhead will go after the nearest
enemy warhead that is bearing down
on you. If no warhead has been
launched, it will target the nearest
enemy craft.
Shields
When your craft is hit, its shields deflect
much of the harmful energy to prevent
your craft from being damaged or
destroyed. As your shields weaken,
however, your craft will be more likely
to sustain damage. Your Shield Charge
Indicator, located on the left side of the
screen below the Forward Sensor
Display, will show you how your front
and rear shields are holding up.
The ship outline icon displays the
integrity of your crafts hull. If the icon
is green, your craft is undamaged; if
its yellow, your craft is damaged; if
its red, your craft is in serious danger.
The oval surrounding that icon shows
the integrity of your crafts shields, and
are also green if undamaged, yellow if
damaged, and red if critical. If your
shields go down, your crafts hull will
begin to weaken. To recharge your
shields, press the (apostrophe) or
SHIFT+F9 keys to transfer laser energy
to shields. Press the SHIFT+
(apostrophe) to transfer all laser
energy to shields.
If your shields have been
damaged, and you need to retreat
from battle or defend against frontal
attack, press the S key to cycle through
the shield settings, and move your
shield energy to the front, rear, or
wherever you need it most.
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Docking and
Picking
Up Objects
Occasionally, during the course of a
mission, youll need to dock with
another craft or pick up a floating
object in deep space. To dock, first
target the craft you want to dock with.
When youre within 1 km of the craft,
press SHIFT+D. This initiates the
docking sequence. Its also used for
delivering an object already being
carried. To pick up an object, target it,
then press SHIFT+P when your craft is
within .2 km of the object. Press
SHIFT+R to release the object.
In-Flight
Communication/
Wingmates
Commands
Pressing the TAB key defaults to the
Flight Commands menu in your left MFD.
You will see a list of the first six ships in
your squadron, as well as options to
select your whole squadron, access the
Support Craft sub-menu, and request
reinforcements. Press the
corresponding number key to select
TACTICAL SUB-MENU
1 Attack my target.
This tells the selected craft to attack
the craft you currently have targeted.
2 Attack target component.
This tells the selected craft to attack an
individual part of the craft you have
targeted, indicated in the lower-right
corner of the CMD.
3 Attack target type.
This tells the selected craft to attack all
targets of the same type as the craft
you currently have targeted. Thus, if
you have a TIE bomber targeted, you
are asking the selected craft to attack
all enemy TIE bombers.
4 Disable target.
This tells the selected craft to use ion
cannons or ion pulse warheads to
disable the craft you have targeted. If
the selected craft is not equipped with
these weapons, it will attack the target
until its shields are down. Be careful in
this situation, because the selected
craft will continue to monitor the
target until it is disabled.
5 Inspect target type.
This tells the selected craft to inspect
all craft of the same type as the craft
you currently have targeted. Thus, if
you have a bulk freighter targeted, the
selected craft will inspect all enemy
bulk freighters.
DEFENSIVE SUB-MENU
1 Defend my target.
This tells the selected craft to attack
anything that attacks your current
target.
2 Watch my six.
This tells the selected craft to attack
anything that attacks you.
3 Help me out.
This tells the selected craft to attack the
nearest craft currently attacking you.
This is different from the Watch My Six
command in that it only applies when
something is currently attacking you.
4 Evasive manoeuver.
This tells the selected craft to fly a
pattern designed to avoid enemy fire.
3 Line up.
In this formation, each craft flies
directly below the next, forming a line.
4 Vic.
In this formation, craft arrange
themselves in a V shape.
5 Finger four.
In this formation, each craft flies
above, forward, and to the left of the
next craft.
6 Star.
In this formation, craft arrange
themselves as if they were the points
of a star, with the centre craft in the
middle.
7 Tighten formation.
This command causes all craft
currently flying in formation to fly
closer together.
8 Loosen formation.
Causes all craft currently flying in
formation to fly further apart.
STATUS SUB-MENU
1 Report in.
This tells the selected craft to tell you
its current orders.
FORMATION SUB-MENU
PLAYER SUB-MENU
1 Rejoin formation.
This tells the selected craft to stop what
its doing and fly in formation with
you, using the default formation for
the current mission or the last
formation you selected. Each of the
commands in this menu includes this
command.
2 Line abreast.
In this formation, each craft flies sideby-side with the next, forming a line.
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2 Pick up target.
This initiates a docking sequence with
the craft you currently have targeted,
and picks it up. You can only dock if
you are within 0.2 km of the targeted
craft. This can also be achieved by
pressing SHIFT+P.
3 Release carried object.
This causes the object you are
currently carrying to be released. This
can also be achieved by pressing
SHIFT+R.
4 Gunner Autofire.
If your craft is equipped with cannon
turrets, this tells your gunner to fire at
the craft you currently have targeted.
This can also be achieved by pressing the
F key when you are in the pilots seat.
5 Autopilot.
If you are in the gun turret, this tells
your copilot to keep your current
target in your sights. This can also be
achieved by pressing the F key when
you are in the gun turret.
6 Eject!
This will activate you crafts autoejection sequence, destroying it in the
process. This can also be achieved by
pressing ALT+E.
In-Flight Map
Pressing the M key brings up your InFlight Map. Note that while youre viewing
this map, you cannot control your craft,
and it will fly in a straight line.
The In-Flight Map is a large grid
that gives you a tactical overview of
the combat area.
It displays your craft, along with other
craft, stations, buoys, and mines. This
map can be viewed in either 2D or 3D
Zooms in on
target on map
m
c
IN-FLIGHT MAP
h
/ *
+ -
and
and
Turns target
tracking on map
on/off
Toggles between 2D
and 3D map viewing
mode
Ending Your
Mission
Your mission can end several different
ways. You can complete your mission
goals and safely return to the Hangar,
you can be shot down, the amount of
time allotted for a mission can be used
up, or you can end your mission by
pressing the Q then SPACEBAR.
If you get shot down or press Q
then SPACEBAR after you have won a
mission, your victory may turn into a
failure. This will happen if you get shot
down near hostile craft or you press Q
then SPACEBAR in a hostile region. To
make sure you secure your victory, pay
attention to the Mission Ending
Warning message when you press the
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Tech Library
Awards and
Promotions
The Calamari
Cruiser Concourse
THE CONCOURSE
TECH LIBRARY
Pilot Proving
Ground
If you want to enjoy success while
flying your X-Wing Alliance
missions, practice in the Pilot Proving
Ground. It is located at a salvage yard
used to recycle metals by the Alliance.
Flying the salvage yard has been a
tradition with Rebel pilots since its
construction. Although not condoned by
Alliance High Command, there is no
organised effort to stop pilots from
using the extremely dangerous yard to
test their skills and burn off energy.
28
In-Flight Controls
Propulsion Controls
KEYBOARD COMMANDS
= Increase throttle
- Decrease throttle
\ Full Stop
[ 1/3 Throttle
] 2/3 Throttle
Match targeted crafts speed
Full Throttle
ESSENTIAL CONTROLS
= Increase throttle
- Decrease throttle
\ Full Stop
[ 1/3 Throttle
] 2/3 Throttle
Match targeted crafts speed
Full Throttle
j
e
30
or
w
x Switch firing-linking modes
b Toggle beam weapon on/off
c Fire countermeasure
+ 2 Fire weapon
through Gun
z Cycles
Harmonisation modes
g
f
Communications Controls
32
Brings up/highlights/removes
Left Multifunction Display.
Brings up/highlights/removes
Right Multifunction Display
.
l
a
Ignore my target
+ i
Cover me
+ c
Wait for orders
+ w
Go ahead
+ g
Board to reload
+ b
Evade
+ e
Head home
+ h
Report in
+ r
Wingmate Commands MFD
Wingmate MFD
1thru 0
+
Attack my target
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
.
/
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Options Menu
Pressing the ESC key brings up a Main
Menu of game options, which you can
use to set all the configurations in XWing Alliance. Youll see the
following options displayed:
GENERAL OPTIONS
Click on this to adjust basic game settings
that affect Tour of Duty flight, not
missions reflown in the Combat Simulator.
GENERAL PERFORMANCE
TUNING
Choose between three general levels of
performance settings that
automatically adjust your other detailed
video and sound options depending on
your computers capabilities.
VIDEO OPTIONS
Use this to adjust your display settings.
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SOUND OPTIONS
Lets you change the music and sound
effects settings in the game.
Concourse Music Click the space
between Off and Max to adjust the
music volume levels inside the
Calamari Cruiser and the Family
Transport.
Concourse SFX Click the space
between Off and Max to adjust the
sound effects volume levels inside the
Calamari Cruiser and the Family
Transport.
Flight Engine Music Click the space
between Off and Max to adjust the inflight music volume levels.
3D Sound Enabled Turn option on if
you have a compatible 3D sound card.
Turning 3D sound on if you do not have
a sound card that supports it will result
in decreased performance.
Number of Channels Lets you set
the maximum number of sound effects
that can play concurrently. Reducing
the number of sound effects played at
SOUND OPTIONS
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GAME CONTROLLER
OPTIONS
With this, you can adjust the settings
of your joystick or other controller.
Rudder Enabled If you have rudder
pedals or a joystick that has a rudder
feature, this activates those controllers.
Rudder control rolls your craft around its
line of flight. (You can also press and
hold your second joystick button while
turning left or right.)
Invert Rudder Switches the
direction in which your ship rotates.
Force Feedback Activates Force
Feedback if your joystick supports it.
Force Feedback Strength Click the
space between Weak and Strong to adjust
the intensity of Force Feedback effects.
NETWORK OPTIONS
Once you are connected to a game
session, only the host can change these
options.
Password Required Specifies
whether or not a password is required
to join a multiplayer game.
Password Specifies the password for
a multiplayer game.
Internet Specifies whether a
multiplayer game is being played over
the Internet.
Update Rate Use this setting to
control the frequency in which game
data is sent across the network.
VIEW CREDITS
This rolls the names of the people who
contributed to the creation of X-Wing
Alliance. Press the ENTER, ESC, or
SPACEBAR keys or your mouse button
to stop the credits.
VIEW CUTSCENES
This lets you view animation of
important scenes in the game. Clicking
on this brings up several thumbnail
images from cutscenes. Cutscenes will
unlock as the player progresses
through the campaign missions. Click
on one of these thumbnails to view.
RETURN TO GAME
Sends you back to the place in the
game where you chose to enter the
Options menu.
EXIT TO WINDOWS
Returns you to your desktop.
GAME CONTROLLER OPTIONS
COMBAT SIMULATOR
Combat Simulator
Heres where youll be able to re-fly
missions youve already completed, fly
missions with or against live
opponents, and create your own
missions. When you play the game for
the first time, youll only be able to get
to the Combat Simulator from the
Family Transport. However, once you
complete the family missions and join
the Rebellion, the Calamari Cruiser
Concourse is open and you wont be
able to get back to the Combat
Simulator through the Family Transport.
When you click on Combat
Simulator, youll move to a screen
depicting a simulator. Click on SinglePlayer to move to a mode where youre
flying solo. Click on Multiplayer to take
on other players over the Internet or
other network. (See Multiplayer Space
Combat on page 46 for more
information.)
Clicking on Single-Player sends you
to a Mission Selection screen. Youll see
the name of the battle at the top of the
screen, with the names of the missions
you can fly within that battle at the
bottom. To switch battles, click on
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Quick Skirmish
In Quick Skirmish mode, you can
customise missions any way you want,
within the limits of the game. Youll
even be able to fly a variety of craft
that cant be flown in other
X-Wing Alliance missions, including
Imperial craft. NOTE: Skirmish mode
was designed to be as flexible as
possible, but some setting
combinations a player creates may
cause performance problems.
Clicking on the Quick Skirmish
button
in the Combat Chamber brings up a
Quick Skirmish Setup screen. In
building a mission, youll activate and
configure teams and flight groups, and
give them a mission goal. A flight
group contains one to six craft of the
same type that fly together as a unit.
At the bottom of the screen, youll
see a row of icons, which you can click
on to configure your mission. These
are labelled:
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GOALS SCREEN
FLIGHT GROUP
CONFIGURATION
SCREEN
Below is a description of all the options
on the screen. See the Flight Group
Assignment section on page 44 to go
through the steps for using it.
Piloted By Cycles through the
various Artificial Intelligence levels for
each flight group. If you assign
yourself to this flight group, this setting
applies to your wingmates and your
turret gunner.
Countermeasures (Starfighters
only) Cycles through the available
defenses for your craft. (See Types of
Countermeasures on page 21 for more
information.)
Primary FG This determines
whether a flight group is considered a
primary target for the purpose of goal
resolution. For example, if you assign
the goal Destroy Primary Targets to
your team, and your opponent has a
Star Destroyer and a corvette designated
as primary flight groups, then your
goal is to destroy the Star Destroyer
and the corvette. If set to Yes, a red
exclamation point appears next to the
flight group.
Duty Cycles through the different
duty assignments you want to give to
this flight group:
Superiority Attack fighters, then
primary flight groups.
Strike Attack primary flight
groups, then fighters.
Escort Protect primary flight
groups.
Disable Disable primary flight
groups.
Capture Disable and capture
primary flight groups.
Recon Inspect (determine cargo
of) primary flight groups.
No Duty Craft is stationary.
Once youve finished configuring
the mission and flight groups, you can
click on the LEFT ARROW in the upper
middle of the screen to scroll through
flight group information, armaments
and orders. Click on the RIGHT ARROW
to see how these craft are armed.
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F LY A S K I R M I S H
To fly a skirmish, first load or create
one. Once youve dragged your pilots
name to a flight group, a Begin button
will appear in the lower right of your
screen. Click on this to start flying.
When your mission is over, youll move
to a Debriefing screen, which displays
T I P S
F O R
S U C C E S S
PRESET YOUR POWER AND THROTTLE SETTINGS. DO THIS IN THE DATAPAD UNDER GENERAL
OPTIONS OR WITH SHIFT+F11 AND SHIFT+F12 KEYS. THEN USE THESE PRESETS TO CHANGE
YOUR THROTTLE AND REDIRECTS BY PRESSING F11 AND F12.
THIS CAN BE USEFUL IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR SHIP READY FOR SITUATIONS
SUCH AS DOGFIGHTS , WHEN YOU WANT LOTS OF ENGINE AND WEAPON POWER.
IF YOUR SHIP HAS GUN TURRETS, FIRE THEM AT CRAFT THAT ARE
F KEY WHILE IN
THE COCKPIT . Y OU CAN ALSO USE THEM FOR ATTACKING A LARGE
TARGET THAT YOU DON T WANT TO GET TOO CLOSE TO .
CHASING YOU OR ARE BEHIND YOU BY USING THE
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M U L T I P L A Y E R
S P A C E
C O M B A T
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Multiplayer Space
Combat
Hosting a Game
The host must choose mission settings,
assign players (including himself) to
flight groups, and become the server
for the game session. As the host, you
must set the following options to start
the network game before clicking the
Connect button:
MULTIPLAYER MODE
FEATURES
Play Up to Eight Players Up to
eight players are supported on a LAN,
four players over the Internet, and two
players over serial or modem
connection, using Microsoft DirectPlay.
Play over the Internet on MSN
Gaming Zone Access free Internet
play on the MSN Gaming Zone, the
popular and easy-to-use Internet
gaming Web site, using your Web
browser. (Internet Explorer or Netscape
Navigator and an account with an
Internet Service Provider are required.)
Starfighter Racing Modes Compete
in series of starfighter races through
the rings of the Pilot Proving Ground.
Multiplayer Quick Skirmish Set up
your own mission parameters or load
one of the ready-made missions and fly
with friends.
Fly Imperial or Rebel Starfighters
Pilot 28 different craft in multiplayer
combat. These include all of the
superiority fighters used by the Rebel
Alliance, as well as all of the various TIE
fighters, gunboats and missile boats in
service for the Galactic Empire. You can
also pilot a number of civilian and
pirate craft in combat, including the
Millennium Falcon itself!
SIMULATOR PODS
SERVICE PROVIDER
Choose the type of connection for the
game. Just click the icon for the
service provider you wish to use for
the game session.
IPX Choose this service provider to
host a game on an IPX LAN. Click Begin
to start the multiplayer session once
you are ready.
TCP/IP
Choose this
service
provider to
play over
the Internet or
IPX
TCP/IP
LAN. As the
host, you
must give
your IP
address to
each client
TCP/IP
so they can
connect to your game. For information
on finding your IP address, refer to the
IP Configuration Viewer section on
page 59. Click Begin to start the game
session once you are ready.
How to Play a
Multiplayer Game
To play a multiplayer game from the
Family Transport or Concourse, click on
the Combat Simulator door to enter the
Simulator room. Click on the large
group of simulator pods to go to the
Multiplayer Setup Screen. NOTE: You can
set multiplayer video settings, just as
you can for single-player games. You
may wish to use different multiplayer
video settings to improve performance.
See page 35 for details on Video Options.
Select whether you wish to Host
Game, Join Game, or connect to the
MSN Gaming Zone. (For more
information about playing on the Zone,
see MSN Gaming Zone on page 57.)
Currently Selected
Service Provider
Game Name
Password
Internet Yes/No
Update Rate
Select Service
Provider
Back
Connect
(Start Game)
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DIRECT MODEM
Direct Serial
Choose Direct
Serial to play a
two-player
game between
two PCs
DIRECT SERIAL
connected via a
null modem cable. You must have each
end of a null modem cable connected
to a free serial port on the back of
each PC. Then you must set the COM
port to match the port that the cable is
plugged into (usually 1 or 2 on most
computers). It is recommended that
you leave Baud Rate, Stop Bits, Parity,
and Flow Control settings at their
defaults. If you have changed any of
the other settings or experience any
problems, click the Restore Defaults
button. Once you are ready, click Begin
to start the game session.
GAME NAME
Default is YourPilotnames Game. You
can change it to anything you wish,
just click in the field below Game
Name and type in the new name,
followed by ENTER.
PASSWORD
Allows you to password-protect your
game, allowing only the players to
whom you have given the password to
join your game. Click Yes or No to
enable/disable password protection.
Click in the field below Password to set
the password.
Joining a Game
After clicking Join Game you must
select one of the following service
providers. (For definitions, see the
Glossary on page 62.)
TCP/IP
IPX Choose
this service
provider to
join a game
on an IPX
LAN. Click
IPX
Connect to go
the LAN Game Join Screen.
INTERNET YES/NO
This setting affects they way in which
network communication is handled by
X-Wing Alliance. Choosing Yes
enables optimisations for Internet play.
Click on the word Yes or No to toggle
between the two settings. Default is Yes
for TCP/IP games and No for all other
Service Providers. If you are hosting a
TCP/IP LAN game, you should turn this
off for the best performance.
Currently Selected
Service Provider
Select Service
Provider
Back
UPDATE RATE
Use this setting to control the
frequency in which game data is sent
across the network. Click on Low or
High to toggle between the two
settings. The High setting reduces the
amount of warping in-flight, and is the
recommended setting. Use Low only if
you are experiencing performance
problems.
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PLAYER ASSIGNMENT
Racing Missions
Choose Game to
Join from List
Selected Game
Back
Query All Games
Join Selected Game
DIRECT MODEM
CHAT
Type a message any time the Chat
Interface is visible at the top of the
screen. Press ENTER to send the
message. Click the T key to send to
only players on your team, and click
the A key to send to all players. Click
the DOWN ARROW on the right of the
Chat Interface to enlarge the Chat Box,
click it again to shrink the Chat Box.
Chat Interface
Players Craft
Player Slots
Cycle Through
Courses
Boot Player
Cycle Game
Race Options
DIRECT SERIAL
Back
Switch to Quick
Skirmish Mode
Ready Button
RACING MISSIONS
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RACING MISSION
OPTIONS
Only the host can modify these
settings. Clients can view the hosts
current settings.
Laps To change the length of a race,
modify the number of laps from one to
10. This setting only applies to Ringer 1,
Ringer 2 and the Crazy Eight race
courses.
Craft Selection Selecting Off means
craft cannot be changed from the
default. Allows players to choose their
own craft and its settings by choosing
On. Selecting Host Only allows only the
host modify the craft settings.
Finish Time Limit Sets the time
limit for when the game ends after the
first player finishes the course.
Locate Players Choose Automatic to
allow all players to see other pilots
craft info in the CMD without having to
Multiplayer Quick
Skirmish
Multiplayer Quick Skirmish, like in
single-player, allows you to create your
own missions from scratch or you can
load one of the ready- made missions.
Multiplayer Quick Skirmish mode
operates much the same way as it
does in single-player mode with a few
Chat Interface
Unassigned
Player List
Player Slots
Team Point
Total
Boot Player
Cycle Skirmish
Options
Quick Skirmish
Racing
Missions Mode
Load Skirmish
Save Skirmish
Clear
Start
CHAT
Type a message any time the Chat
Interface is visible at the top of the
screen. Press ENTER to send the
message. Click the T key
to only send to players on your team,
and click the A key to send to all
players. Click the DOWN ARROW on
the right of the Chat Interface to
enlarge the Chat Box, click it again to
shrink the Chat Box.
PLAYER ASSIGNMENT
The host must drag player names from
the Unassigned Player list to one of the
available team slots. If you load a
ready-made Skirmish mission, you must
assign to a slot next to a flyable craft,
replacing the computer pilot. The host
can eject an unruly player by dragging
the players name to the Boot Player
icon. All players must be assigned to
team slots before the Ready button will
appear for the host.
QUICK SKIRMISH
OPTIONS
Only the host can modify these
settings. Clients can view the hosts
current settings.
Craft Selection Select On to let
players choose their own craft and its
settings. Select Host Only so the host
can modify the craft settings and
armaments.
Number of Teams Cycles between
two, four, and eight teams.
Setting Cycles through the various
environments in space where your
mission will take place.
MaxTeamPts Shows the maximum
number of points available to any team
for Craft Selection and Armament. Every
craft setting has a point cost and this
tally is designed to keep teams balanced.
The host can set this from 500 to 10,000,
or Unlimited. If a teams point total
exceeds the maximum Team Points
value, the Team Points will flash red.
Your team point total must be under the
maximum point total set by the host or
the Ready button will not appear.
Finish Time Limit Sets the amount
of time before the mission ends, either
to when a team has completed its
mission goal or when only one team
has players left in it.
Start Distance Lets you set the
distance your teams will be from one
another when the mission begins.
Locate Players Automatic allows
all players to see other pilots craft info
in the CMD without having to first
identify them. With this turned off,
human pilots cannot be distinguished
from computer pilots without first
56
In-Flight
Multiplayer Options
IN-FLIGHT MESSAGING
Brings up Chat
Console.
Sends message
MULTIPLAYER SKIRMISH
ENDING A MISSION
If you lose all of the craft assigned to
you and your flight group, or you quit
using Q then SPACEBAR, the mission
will end for you and you will be taken
to the Map until the mission is over.
The rest of the players will continue to
play in the mission until they have lost
their craft, the mission ends due to
completion of goals or due to mission
time-out. If you dont want to wait,
you can press ALT+Q, then SPACEBAR
to disconnect from the game. To view
the final scores, you should remain
connected until the mission ends. If
you are a client and disconnect from
the game before its over, you wont
see your final score. If the host
disconnects from the game, all clients
will be disconnected too.
GET A FREE
MEMBERSHIP
ON THE ZONE
NOTE: If you already have a Zone account
and the software installed, you can skip
these steps. Go directly to the section
Playing X-Wing Alliance on the Zone.
1 Connect to your Internet Service
Provider.
2 Launch either Internet Explorer or
Netscape Navigator.
3 Type msn.zone.com and press
ENTER. This will bring you to the Zone
Web site.
4 At the Zone Web site, click New
Zone Users: Signup to Play Games if you
are not a member of the Zone.
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PLAYING X-WING
ALLIANCE
ON THE ZONE
1 Make sure both the X-Wing
Alliance and Zone software are
installed on your computer system.
2 Place your X-Wing Alliance Disc 1
or Disc 2 in the CD-ROM drive. If the
game Launcher appears, do not start
the game; instead, exit from it.
3 Connect to your Internet Service
Provider and launch either Internet
Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
4 Type msn.zone.com and press
ENTER.
5 At the Zone Web site, click Games
List and an entire list of games will
appear.
6 Find X-Wing Alliance in the Games
List and click it.
7 Type your Member ID and password
in the Sign In window. Click OK and the
Zone X-Wing Alliance page will
appear.
8 Begin playing by clicking one of the
X-Wing Alliance rooms listed in the
game room window.
9 A list of game tables will appear.
Move your mouse over any one of
them. If a table is unoccupied, a host
icon will appear. To host a game, click
Playing X-Wing
Alliance on the
Internet
X-Wing Alliance uses DirectPlay, the
multiplayer component of DirectX 6.0.
DirectPlay has support for TCP/IP, the
network protocol used on the Internet.
This means that you can challenge a
friend to a X-Wing Alliance game
anytime, provided you have access to
the Internet via an Internet Service
Provider (ISP).
GETTING STARTED
Weve provided some useful
information to help you play X-Wing
Alliance directly over the Internet
without the MSN Gaming Zone in case
you want to set up your own game.
199.3.89.200
5 Once you have entered a valid IP
Address and clicked OK, X-Wing
Alliance will search for the game. If
the game isnt found, click the LEFT
ARROW button to go back and try
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Useful Internet
Utilities Included
with Windows
95/98
IP CONFIGURATION
VIEWER
This utility allows you to view your
TCP/IP settings, such as your IP address.
To join an Internet game, you will need
to know the IP Address of the computer
hosting the game. The host can use the
IP Configuration Viewer to identify his
IP address and give this number to you
so that you can find his game on the
Internet. To obtain your IP Address:
1 Connect to your ISP.
2 Click the Start button.
3 Then click Run.
4 Type WINIPCFG, and press ENTER to
display the IP Configuration Viewer.
5 Click the arrow to the right of the
drop-down box and select PPP Adapter
from the list (if necessary).
6 Make note of the number in the IP
Address window. This is your current
Internet IP Address. You will need to give
this number to others who wish to join
your Internet game. This address will
usually change every time you disconnect
and re-connect to your ISP. You can now
minimise the viewer and your IP address
will be displayed on the taskbar.
PING
You can use the DOS-based PING
command to determine latency
between you and the host. To use the
PING command:
1 Click on the Start menu, then choose
Programs.
2 Click MS-DOS Prompt to open a DOS
window.
3 At the MS-DOS Prompt, type PING
followed by the IP address of the host and
then press ENTER.
For example:
C:\Windows>ping 199.3.89.200 <Enter>
Internet
Performance Tips
for X-Wing
Alliance
YOU NEED A QUALITY
CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET.
The Internet is always changing and is
unpredictable by nature. If you have
performance problems while playing
online, you might want to disconnect
from your ISP and reconnect to attempt
to get a better connection. You may also
have a better experience by playing at
other times of the day or night, when
the Internet is less congested. Some
commercial membership online services
that offer Internet access may not
perform adequately. An independent or
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A
LOW LATENCY CONNECTION.
A latency of 500 ms (milliseconds) or
less between players is acceptable; it is
recommended that you have an average
latency of 300 ms or less. Refer to the
PING command in the Useful Internet
Utilities Included with Windows 95/98
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Glossary of
Internet-Related
Terms
BANDWIDTH
The amount of data that can be
transmitted or received in a given
amount of time. For example, a 28.8
modem can send and receive at 28.8 kbps
(kilobits per second) and an ISDN card
can transmit at speeds ranging from 56
Kps (Kilobytes per second) to 128 Kps.
CLIENT (also see Host)
In multiplayer gaming, a client refers to
a person who is joining a network
game that has been created by another
player. The player that creates the game
is referred to as the host (or server).
DIRECTX
DirectX is the API (Applications
Programming Interface) that X-Wing
Alliance uses to access your computers
hardware. DirectX has been developed by
Microsoft to integrate into the Windows
95/98 operating system and provides
games with a standard method of direct
access to the advanced features of your
computers hardware, without having to
develop specifically for that hardware.
DirectX is made up of five components:
Direct- Draw for 2D display capabilities,
Direct3D for 3D display, DirectSound for
sound capabilities, DirectPlay for
multiplayer capabilities, and DirectInput
for input devices such as mice, keyboards
and joysticks.
HOST (also see Client)
The host is the computer that creates
the multiplayer game for others to join.
The hosts computer also handles a lot
of the chores associated with
communication between participants
in a multiplayer game.
INTERNET
The Internet is an internetwork, or
network of smaller networks that
spans the entire globe. Since its
inception in the 1970s, the Internet has
grown to epic proportions and, in
essence, has become a public network.
IPADDRESS (Internet Protocol
Address)
This is a number, commonly referred to
as an IP Address, that is assigned to all
computers on a TCP/IP network. Your
ISP assigns one of these to you
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PING
This is a DOS command line program
(included with Windows 95/98) that
allows you to measure latency between
your computer and another computer
on a TCP/IP network or the Internet. It
sends a small amount of data to an IP
Address you specify and awaits a
response. When it gets a response from
the other computer, it will display (in
milliseconds) how long it takes for the
data to make the trip over the network.
This is called pinging the host.
CUSTOMER AND
TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN
EUROPE
PRODUCT LICENSE
AGREEMENT
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY: USE
OF THIS PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO THE
SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS SET FORTH
BELOW. "PRODUCT" INCLUDES THE
SOFTWARE INCLUDED WITH THIS
AGREEMENT, THE ASSOCIATED MEDIA, ANY
PRINTED MATERIALS, AND ANY ON-LINE OR
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION, AND ANY
AND ALL COPIES AND DERIVATIVE WORKS
OF SUCH SOFTWARE AND MATERIALS. BY
OPENING THIS PACKAGE, AND/OR USING THE
PRODUCT, YOU ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS
LICENSE WITH ACTIVISION, INC.
("ACTIVISION").
LIMITED USE LICENSE. Activision grants
you the non-exclusive, nontransferable, limited right and license
to use one copy of this Product solely
and exclusively for your personal use.
All rights not specifically granted
under this Agreement are reserved by
Activision. This Product is licensed, not
sold. Your license confers no title or
ownership in this Product and should
not be construed as a sale of any
rights in this Product.
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Credits
TESTERS
Jesse Moore
Marcus Gaines
PROJECT LEADER/
Darren Koepp
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lawrence Holland Brent Jay Andaya
Jalipa II
TECHNICAL LEAD
Philip Berry
David Litwin
Erik Ellicock
ART LEADS
Julio Torres
Jim McLeod
Torii Swader
Armand Cabrera Jeffrey Day
MISSION AND STORY
Jeff Sanders
SOUND DEPARTMENT
COORDINATOR
Judith Lucero
Kristen Becht
INTERNATIONAL
COORDINATORS
PRODUCT MARKETING
MANAGER
John Drake
ASSISTANT LEAD
TESTERS
John Buzz
Buzolich
Todd Stritter
3D TOOLS
PROGRAMMING
Wade Lady
Danny Gorlin
LAUNCHER/INSTALLER
PROGRAMMING
Nolan Erck
Michael McMahon
Peter McConnell
Michael Land
SOUND DEPARTMENT
MANAGER
Michael Land
MUSIC CREDITS
ALL MUSIC COMPOSED AND CONDUCTED BY
John Williams
FROM THE STAR WARS: A NEW
HOPE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE
SOUNDTRACK 1977
Imperial Attack
FROM THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK MOTION
PICTURE SOUNDTRACK 1980
Main Title
FROM THE STAR WARS TRILOGY
BOX SET 1993
TRILOGY SET DISC ONE:
Star Wars
Main Title
The Return Home
Inner City
Mouse Robot/Blasting Off
Rescue of the Princess
The Walls Converge
Bens Death/TIE Fighter Attack
The Last Battle
The Throne Room/End Titles
TRILOGY SET DISC TWO:
The Empire Strikes Back
Lukes Escape
The Imperial March (Darth Vaders
Theme)
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WWW.LUCASARTS.COM
T H E O F F I C I A L S TA R WA R S W E B S I T E
WWW.STARWARS.COM
41083.260.UK
TOTAL INVOLVEMENT
COMPUTER GAMES