Birth of the federation game manual

Quick links. Game Manual This forum contains threads from main General Chat forum older than 3 months. Game Manual Post by Bariel » Thu Jul 17, pm New poster here Reinstalled my Botf after buying a new PC, and you can keep your bells and whistles, this game still rocks Just wondering whether there is anywhere where i can legally download the manual for this game, as I still have my original CD, but I can't find the manual for love nor money.

Not looking for any kind of dodgy site - i just want to know if i can download, say, a pdf of the manual from somewhere please. Post by Martok » Fri Jul 18, am Forget the manual -- it's useless. The strategy guide by Brady Games is better. Clicking on the Options button brings up the Options menu, from which you can set various game parameters. For further information, see. Click on the Hall of Fame button to bring up the Hall of Fame screen, which lists the top 10 games.

The name of the winning empire, description of the victory and the winning score are listed. If you wish to change the name of the empire, click on it and type in your text.

Click on this button to display the Power Graph, which shows the current progress of each empire in relation to each other. Click on the OK button to exit the game. Destroying i an empire i to win in a war is is no victory, i , and ending i a battle le to save an empire i is is no defeat. Located under each empire name, the Civilization Level button determines what type of structures and starships that empire can construct at the start of the game. An empire with a higher civilization level has an advantage over an empire at a lower level.

Beginning is the lowest level of civilization technology level 1 , and you start with a single solar system. Early technology level 2 starts with a fully developed homeworld within a single solar system. Developed technology level 3 starts the game with a single solar system. Expanded technology level 5 starts with two solar systems and a large amount of credits.

Advanced technology level 8 starts with three solar systems, an extra starship and a large amount of credits. For more information about technology levels, see Chapter Technology Screen. Civilization Level defaults to Early. To select a Civilization Level, click on the currently listed option to change it. Press the s key and click on any Civilization Level button to change all empires to the same technology level. Press the s key and click on any Civilization Level button a second time to change the Civilization Level to the next choice for all empires.

You can encounter other races besides the five major empires. Each minor race which is controlled by the AI has its own set of characteristics and governing philosophy to allow it to react differently to each society. For instance, the Bajorans are more likely to be favourable to the Federation than they are to the Cardassians. The Nausicaans, with their violent nature, are more likely to be sympathetic towards the Klingons than the Ferengi. Depending upon how your empire treats these minor races throughout the game, any minor race can grow to like your empire more or come to care about it less.

There are four different options for the number of minor races: None, Few, Some and Many. To select the number of minor races, click on the currently listed option to change it. The more minor races you can encounter, the more likely it is that empires can expand through diplomacy or though conquest.

Fewer minor races mean that empires have to. Select from several different predetermined time limits or None no time limitation. The selected time limitation will be the same for each player. Click the right arrow to increase the time limit. Click on the left arrow to decrease the timer. For more information on strategic turns, see Chapter 2: Game Overview. You can decide how long each tactical turn in combat is.

A tactical turn is the time when you order tactical commands to your starships in battle. While you are in tactical combat, the Strategic Timer is paused. The selected time limitation will be the same for each. The tactical timer defaults to None. For more information, see Chapter 2: Game Overview. Click the Random Events button to set whether you want random circumstances in your game.

Click on the currently listed option to change it. The Random Events button defaults to On. Random events can increase or decrease the population of a solar system, destroy structures, improve or weaken diplomatic relations, add to or take away from your credits, and temporarily block warp travel or trade revenues.

These random events can take the form of unusual phenomena, from the destructive Crystalline Entity to the cybernetic Borg collective. Click the Tactical Combat button to set either Manual and Automatic control in tactical combat. Manual gives you control as to how to manoeuvre your starship and plan tactics. Automatic has the combat occur offscreen. If you choose Automatic, you will only see a summary of the combat.

To select a Tactical Combat option, click on the currently listed option to change the choice. The Tactical Combat button defaults to Manual. The size of the galaxy can be Small, Medium or Large. The smaller a galaxy is, the sooner the empires will come into contact with each other and the sooner the game will end. The earlier competing empires meet, the less time there is to develop their strategic strengths.

On the other hand, a larger galaxy makes it more likely that the empires will be significantly advanced by the time they encounter each other. Welcome to ManualMachine. We have sent a verification link to to complete your registration. Log In Sign Up. Forgot password? Enter your email address and check your inbox. Please check your email for further instructions. Enter a new password. Games PC. Table of Contents Game Resources. Table of Contents Main Galactic Panel.

Table of Contents Management Button. Table of Contents Ships Filter. Table of Contents Troop Transport. All you need do is to boldly go where no one has gone before. Game Installation 1 1. Using the Tutorials We recommend that you learn how to play Birth of the Federation by first playing the four tutorial saved games. Select the tutorial you want to load by clicking on its slot. Tool Tips When you pass your cursor over a button, slider or icon on the screen, a Tool Tip appears. Turns There are two types of turns since Birth of the Federation has two gamemodes: strategic and tactical.

Game Overview 2 Strategic Turns A turn is the time in the game when you can relay orders to your starships, give specific strategic commands, and review your supplies and territory. For more information, see Chapter 5: Single Player Game.

Tactical Turns When starship combat between your empire and an enemy race starts, you will go to the Tactical Combat screen.

Instead, combat is resolved dur ing tactical turns, which is the time when you order tactical com- mands to your starships in battle. Screen Saver When you have been inactive in the game for more than 20 minutes, a screen saver will play. Playing Empires You must select one of five empires to control in Birth of the Federation. The five empires are: The Cardassian Union is structured around a highly efficient military intelligence organisation that conquers other races to ensure its continued survival.

The United Federation of Planets is based on Earth and is devoted to peaceful relations with other races, the exploration of space and the pursuit of scientific knowledge. The Ferengi Alliance is mainly an economic power interested in continued financial gain. The Klingon Empire is a warrior society pledged to honour and strength through conflict.

The Romulan Star Empire is a reclusive society that protects its privacy mainly through its military intelligence agency and cloaked starships. For fur- ther information, see Chapter 3: Empires. These minor races will. Game Overview 2 interact with differently.

You may form partnerships with them or fight starship battles. For more information, see Chapter 5: Single Player. Empire Selection Screen Cursor Your cursor changes to indicate its current function. General Cursor This cursor is used to click on buttons and select onscreen items. The General cursor looks like this: Move Cursor This cursor is a flashing green and purple square with arrows pointing out of all four sides.

It appears only on the Galactic Map window when a task force has been ordered to move. The cursor changes back to a General cursor when a destination has been selected.

The move cursor looks like this: 9. While this cursor looks slightly different for each empire, all look like a set of cross hairs. The Selection cursor looks like this: Wait Cursor This cursor appears while your commands are being processed. The cursor will change into a rotating icon. Game Victory Conditions The victory conditions determine the criteria for winning vs. Vendetta The Vendetta victory condition requires your empire to eliminate its two mortal enemies.

Each empire has two mortal enemies: The Federation vs. Game Overview 2 The Romulans vs. Game Screens Birth of the Federation has seven main screens. Main Menu From this menu, you set the basic game parame- ters and save or load games.

For further informa- tion, see Chapter 4: Main Menu. Main Galactic Displaying a grid map of the galaxy, this screen serves as a base of operations from which to move starships, order task forces and receive a summary of game actions.

For more information see Chapter 6: Main Galactic Screen. Tactical Combat This screen appears when your starship prepares to fight a potentially hostile vessel. All ship-to- ship battles are conducted on this screen. For a complete description, see Chapter 7: Tactical Combat Screen. Solar System This screen shows what resources are in each of your solar systems. You also construct buildings and starships here. For a complete description, see Chapter 8: Solar System Screen. Intelligence From this screen, you select what espionage 11 and sabotage activities to conduct.

Diplomacy On this screen, your empire establishes relation- ships with other races. You also review basic information about any race you encounter. For more information, see Chapter Diplomacy Screen. Technology This screen is where you research and review what structures and starships your empire can build. For a complete description, see Chapter Technology Screen.

Marker Window The Marker is a menu with six buttons, each identified with an icon for the it represents. With the exception of the Tactical Combat screen, window and Redeployment window, right- clicking on screens will bring up the Marker window. Game Overview 2 Clicking on a button brings up the particular screen: Main Galactic screen for ship movement and summaries of game actions. Clicking outside of the Marker window or on its centre will close it. You can also move between screens using these function keys: 1for the Main Galactic screen 2for the Solar System screen 3for the Intelligence screen 4for the Technology screen 5for the Diplomacy screen Game Resources In gaining allies or new solar systems, an empire increases its resources, allowing it to build new structures and to power existing ones.

Food, energy and industry system-level resources. These resources cannot be stockpiled or between solar systems. Energy is needed to power shipyards, tures. Without energy, many special. Food Food sustains the population of a. Food shortages lead to starvation and a drop in population.

A surplus stimulates population growth as long as the solar system has reached its maximum popula- tion limit. Food is produced by food structures. Industry Industry is a basic requirement to build structures and starships within a solar system. Industry units are generated by Cardassian Assembly Yard development structures, such as industrial replicators.

This resource will determine the amount of credits produced when. Game Overview 2 solar systems are ready to build products routes. For more infor- mation on trade routes, see Chapter 6: Galactic Screen. Empire-Level Empire-level resources are generated solar system but can be used by an empire across all its solar. These resources, with the exception of credits, cannot be stockpiled. Credits are automatically stockpiled turn based on the cash production of the empire.

As a result, be saved for future use. Credits are automatically used to maintain the extra starships instead of population units. Whatever support for starships that is generated by population is sub- tracted from the total maintenance cost, with the balance subtracted from the credit reserve each strate- Ferengi Festival of Fun gic turn. Players can buy structures with credits before their standard completion time, thus speeding up their construction. Dilithium is produced by dilithium refineries.

The total number of dilithium refineries in an empire determines how many shipyards can build star- ships. One dilithium refinery can supply a shipyard with enough dilithium to build a fleet, but only if each starship is built one at a time.

The more dilithium refineries Klingon Mining Prison an empire has, the more shipyards can each construct a starship. Since dilithium cannot be stockpiled, must have one dilithium mine or refinery for every starship under in a given turn.

For more information on dilithium refineries, Appendix B: Structures. Intelligence Points Intelligence points are a basic requirement conduct espionage and sabotage on other empires. The more intelligence points your empire has, the more resources it has to spy on the.

Intelligence points are generated by intelligence structures. Research units are generated research structures. For further information, see Chapter Technology Screen. Game Overview 2 Population Population is the number of people within a society. Morale is measured on the Solar System screen, as one of eight terms fanatic, loyal, pleased, content, apathetic, disgruntled, defiant and rebellious—with fanatic as the best morale for an empire and rebel- 17 lious the worst.

Since each empire has particular gameplay strengths, you should follow its unique philosophy full advantage of its specific strengths.

But understand that the specific mentioned in these descriptions have not taken place in the game. Stargazer dedication plaque Founded in , the United Federation of Planets is an alliance of several planets dedicated to peace and scientific exploration.

Through the Khitomer Peace Accords of , the Federation 20 founded a friendship with their former adversary, the Klingons. In combat, the Federation also has an advantage with strong starship shields and hulls, receives a large bonus for liberating inhabited solar systems. In Vendetta games, both the Romulans and Cardassians, with their active distrust of Starfleet, will always be significant threats the Federation. This readiness for battle at any moment is its main gameplay advan- 21 tage.

The Klingon Empire is quite effective in ground combat. Then came the when the Surak taught strength of logic and the peace that came with it. In their first battle with Earth in , the Romulans kept their appearance hidden from enemies.

By , the Romulans had developed a cloaking device that rendered their starships invisible to enemy sensors. Nevertheless, the Romulans have entered into military alliances with the Klingons 22 and with the Cardassians when these empires shared common foes.

Their starships, with the exception of Colony and Troop Transports, can cloak and have efficient targeting systems with powerful plasma. In Vendetta games, the Romulans target the Federation the Ferengi as being their most significant enemies. In Vendetta games, the Ferengi see the Romulans and Klingons as their greatest threat since neither galactic power is willing to let the 23 Ferengi do business in their territory.

With the Detapa Council controlling both the military units of the Central Command and the spy network of the Cardassian Union grew strong by gaining ter- ritory and technology through war, at the price of several million deaths. Onscreen, the Cardassian Union is represented by. From here, you load, start, retire, quit or change the options for a game.

To opening movie, press the q key. This brings up the Configuration screen, where you set the diffi- and technology levels for the game. Once you set those game parameters, the Empire Selection screen 26 appears, where you select which empire to play. The other empires will be controlled by the AI.

When the game starts, a movie about. Main Menu 4 Configuration Screen your empire plays. Any remaining empires are controlled by the Should you already have a game in progress that you have not saved, it will be erased when clicking on the New Multiplayer Game button. To select a slot, click on the slot in either the Name Field or the 28 Description Field. In the Description Field, the galaxy type of the saved game will appear. If you wish to change the text, click on the.

Options Button Clicking on the Options button brings up the Options menu, from which you can set various game parameters. For further information, see Chapter Game Options. You can only edit your entry on the Hall of Fame screen immediately 29 after completing a game.

The latest entry will be lit with a blinking. Retire Button Click on this button to display the Power Graph, which shows the current progress of each empire in relation to each other. Although AI controls the other four empires, each empire still acts according guiding philosophy.

Whenever you new single player game, you erase the current game unless you it. For a complete description of saving games, see Chapter You can also accept the game defaults. After choosing the Configuration settings, click on the Accept but- ton to continue to the Empire Selection screen. If you wish to exit There is no reason not to include stats in the manual if they let you know why you want to play a certain race.

As it is, the manual says the Romulans have good intelligence, but it says the same for the Cardassians. One other thing that bothered me were the voice-overs during combat. I wish there were a way to shut them off without turning voice off altogether.

Otherwise, tactical combat is fine. At least you can zoom in and out and rotate at will. While games of this nature tend to have very drawn-out mxnual, Birth of the Federation addresses this problem to an extent by counting 60 percent conquest of the galaxy as victory. Birth of the Federation is a good game, if you are willing to forgive the interface and the amount of micromanagement required.

It definitely has a Star Trek feel to it, right down to the humanoid aliens and confusing technobabble. Get the latest news and videos for this game daily, no spam, no fuss.

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