Preliminary mandatory procedures.

1) Windows XP users MUST use Windows 98 Compatibility mode.
After installation of the game, within the game directory "Lander" we find the "LanderD3D" directory. It contains the executable file "Lander.exe". Right-click on "Lander.exe", and we will go from here to Properties->Compatibility. In this tab we will put a tick mark next to "Run this program in compatibilty mode for", and from the list choose "Windows98/ME"

2) To play Lander you MUST turn off mouse acceleration. Windows XP users must turn off mouse acceleration using two steps. Firste one:
In the tab Mouse Properties->Pointer Options we will remove the tick mark next to "Acceleration" "Enhance pointer precision".
Further, we will adjust the Registry(Second step). Click Start->Run and type the word "regedit" (without quotes) and press the "Enter" key.
The Registry editor window will appear.
In it, we will click on Edit, and then Find. In the Search window which appears we will type MouseSpeed and click Enter. As soon as the search finds the variable, we will alter its value to 0. Click F3, and we will find the next MouseSpeed, and we will also correct it. And so on to the end.
We will also conduct the same operation with the variables MouseThreshold1 and MouseThreshold2.
All of them must be equal to 0.
After the operations are completed, the system should be rebooted.


That''s it, now you can play.
And make use of the following advice:


1.

In the beginning, the default control key arrangement should be changed.
cv - turns
x - leveling
za - camera
shift - change weapon
b - change direction

2.

A very convenient system of aiming is used in the game.
Three small green squares, arranged one behind the other, very precisely and conveniently show exactly where in space the nose of the ship (or more precisely the cannon) is pointed. As soon as a target is found in the crosshairs of the sight on the first green square (counting from the small ship), a line appears signifying the acquisition of the target. This is very convenient because sometimes it is difficult to determine if the sight is aimed precisely or not.
It sometimes happens that the target is located somewhere outside the field of vision, but in the first small square a line will appear - this means that it is time to fire :) the weapon is aimed precisely on target.

3.

Read the briefing carefully - branching of the plot and secret missions are sometimes hinted at there. Although it is possible to go through the game without reading a word of the briefings. As a rule, precise adherence to the instructions leads to one particular succeeding mission, and lack of adherence leads to another.

4.

If a joystick is available, then turning to the right and to the left is better with it than with a keyboard. A magnificent duet is obtained with the mouse which allows much more precise maneuvering with the ship. In the beginning it may appear that this is not quite so. But as soon as the left hand becomes accustomed to the joystick, it will
become much more interesting to play than with a mouse+keyboard combination. Nevertheless, the left hand is not well-adapted to complex maneuvers with analog devices, but after some practice, it will very quickly make up for the omission and work very handily.

5.

By default, the sensitivity of the mouse in the game is very high, and




indeed, because of this it is difficult to learn to fly in the beginning. It is desirable to reduce it a bit. Then the ship can be controlled more precisely, and it is simpler to learn.

6.

Lander has unbelievably high demands on the game controller, and indeed on the mouse. It is necessary to make sure that your mouse is from Logitech or from Microsoft. Only these two companies produce models with which it is possible to control in Lander. The models from other manufacturers are less competitive. It is also necessary to make sure you have a high-quality mouse pad - either cloth or an expensive model pad with a plastic or glass base.

7.

A blacklist of mice exists with which it is categorically recommended not to play in spite of their "noble" origin. This list includes all models of Logitech with asymmetric placement of optical sensors(eyes), for example DualOptical and several radio models. Therefore, examine well the bottom of your rodent before you attempt to play. The second category of mice on the blacklist are the various Logitech optical models which have high clearance. This is the distance to which it is necessary to raise the mouse so that the cursor ceases to track the mouse. And mice with a "left" assembly are naturally unsuitable for play, the inexpensive Geniuses and the like.

8.

If you have a PS2 mouse, it will be necessary for you to increase the working frequency of the device.
In Windows XP this is done simply, in Mouse Properties. Through Control Panel we will go into Mouse Properties. And further from here Control Panel -> Mouse Properties -> Hardware -> Properties -> Advanced Settings
In this window it is possible to establish the important parameter Sample Rate.
This parameter is set by default to a value of 100 reports per second.
For any shooter-type games and especially in Lander, it is necessary to increase the value to 200! For Windows 98 users, I recommend for these same targets the use of the program PS2Plus producing analogous operation but in Windows 98.

9.

In spite of the demanding need for a high-quality game controller and a series of limitations on optical models, trackball mice from Logitech and Mitsumi are splendidly suitable for play in Lander.
If you have a trackball mouse from Logitech or Mitsumi, all that you need is to drive the PS2 port to 200 Hz and obtain a cloth mousepad, preferably of white color.
In the case with trackball mice, the game process of Lander is not noticeable, but is qualitatively improved because of the special dynamic of the movement of trackball mice.

10.

Three small green squares show the aim of the cannon. If it is positioned on board not symmetrically, but to the side, it becomes much easier to gauge the spatial position of the ship. For accurate and constant control on transverse banking of the ship, it is sufficient to follow behind the parallel displacement (in space) of the green tunnel of small squares. In the case of central placement of the cannon on board the ship, the green tunnel of small squares in no way reacts to transverse banking, regardless of the bank, which complicates control over it and as a result control over the ship as a whole.
Thus, it is desirable to have an assymetric placement of the cannon in the game. This depends on the model of the ship. "Distria" combines high maneuverability on the one hand with assymetric placement of the cannon on the other, which makes it the best choice for the game. The more maneuverable and expensive "Roach 81" has a strictly symmetric placement of the cannon which strongly reduces its fighting qualities.

For more detail about the hardware for Lander, read the material in the article "Hardware for Lander."