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                        ---Ultima: The Dark Core---
                          Interactive Fan Fiction
                             Michael D. Hilborn

                   Official Release 1.0, January 18, 1998
             Produced by Biggles 2000: Gateway to the Next Generation

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Thank you for downloading Ultima: The Dark Core, the first interactive fan fiction game that can be played off the web or your own computer! 

This document is divided into the following sections:

(1) Requirements
(2) Starting Ultima: The Dark Core
(3) Instructions for Playing
(4) Troubleshooting
(5) Feedback and Addresses
(6) Legal Stuff and Disclaimers


(1) REQUIREMENTS

    This version of Ultima: The Dark Core requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. It cannot be run correctly with previous versions.

(2) STARTING ULTIMA: THE DARK CORE

    To start The Dark Core, use Internet Explorer to open the DarkCore.html file in the DarkCore folder. Alternatively, double-click on the DarkCore.html icon if your browser is configured to recognize the .html extension. You will be presented with the main menu of the Dark Core. A brief explanation of the options follows:

    Introduction:   Views the introductory sequence of The Dark Core.
    Journey Onward: Initiates a new game. You may play with or without
                    sound. Playing without sound removes LiveAudio and
                    Crescendo requirements.
    Documentation:  Menu for tutorial, instructions, credits, etc.

(3) INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLAYING
    
    All instructions for using the game can be accessed by selecting the Documentation option from the main menu. Most instructions are formatted so that your browser can easily print them.

(4) TROUBLESHOOTING

    If you are having trouble running Ultima: The Dark Core, first consult the "Optimizing Your System" and "Just Another Bug Hunt" documents from the Documentation menu. If you follow ALL instructions in "Optimizing Your System" and your problem cannot be explained by the quirks found in "Just Another Bug Hunt", then feel free to e-mail me at the address shown in FEEDBACK. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

(5) FEEDBACK AND ADDRESSES

    Please send all questions, comments, criticisms, bug reports, and jokes to my e-mail address. Before submitting a bug report, please double-check "Just Another Bug Hunt", which can be viewed from the Documentation menu, to make certain your bug has not been covered.

    It is also recommended that you periodically check the "Goodies" section of the Dark Core home page for updates, fixes, and patches, and the latest news.

Personal E-mail:     mhilborn@bilbo.bio.purdue.edu
Personal Home Page:  http://bilbo.bio.purdue.edu/~mhilborn/
Dark Core Home Page: http://bilbo.bio.purdue.edu/~mhilborn/darkcore/

(6) LEGAL STUFF AND DISCLAIMERS

    Ultima: The Dark Core, all original artwork, text, sound effects, HTML and Javascript code are (C) Copyright 1997 by Michael D. Hilborn with All Rights Reserved.

    Ultima, Britannia, and Origin are registered trademarks of ORIGIN Systems, Inc. Avatar is a trademark of ORIGIN Systems, Inc. Some of the artwork and all music are copyrighted by ORIGIN Systems, Inc. and its creator, Richard "Lord British" Garriott.

    Feel free to use or distribute my original work for your own purposes. I ask only that you e-mail me to inform me about it. If, for some odd reason, you wish to use this material for commercial purposes, then you MUST contact me first.

    These statements take precedent over any of those included in headers contained within the HTML documents and/or Javascript code of Ultima: The Dark Core.

--Signed
   Michael D. Hilborn
   January 18, 1998

   Thanks again for trying out the game! Send me your feedback.
