Black Prophecy Manual En

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Black Prophecy Quick Start Manual

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Index

1. Introduction7

2. Getting started8

2.1 Login8

2.2 Server selection9

2.3 Character selection10

2.4 Character creation11

3. Playing the game16

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)21

4.1 Gameplay22

4.2 Reporting a bug / the latest information22

5. Troubleshooting24

5.1 Logging in to the game24

5.2 Performance issues

246. Appendix default keyboard controls

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Quick Start Manual

This manual will give you an overview of the functions within the Black Prophecy Game.

Installation

Before installing the game, please be sure to follow the instructions in the invitation e-mail very closely. Doingso will ensure that you have the correct user name and password to log in to the game.

Once you have downloaded the BlackProphecy.exe file via the download link provided in the e-mail, run thefile. Windows Vista and 7 users may need to allow the program to run via the user account control dialogue.

The Black Prophecy Downloader may install Pando Media Booster, so please take time to read the Pando

license agreement carefully. You will then be prompted to set a download destination path. Select the

directory you wish to download the Black Prophecy installation files to and click 'Next'. The game will then be

downloaded. This may take a while depending on the speed of your Internet connection.

Once the game has been downloaded, the installer should run automatically. If it does not, or if you wish toinstall at a later time, then navigate to the folder where the game was downloaded and run the Autorun.exeor Setup.exe file. Again, Windows Vista and 7 users may need to allow the program to run via the useraccount control dialogue.

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Select your language and follow the installation prompts, taking time to read and accept the End UserAgreement.

You will then be asked to set the game installation path. You can use the default path or can change it if youwish.

Next confirm the name of the Start menu shortcut. As in the step above, you may use the default name asdisplayed or change it to something else.

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Next you will be asked to confirm if you wish to add a desktop shortcut and an exception to the Windowsfirewall for Black Prophecy. We recommend adding the exception to the Windows firewall to prevent

connectivity problems later on. You may also wish to add exceptions for any other personal firewall or anti-virus software you have installed.

Once you have done this, review the details you entered and click Install. Installation of the game will nowbegin.

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Once the game has been installed you will be prompted to install the latest version of DirectX andMicrosoft .NET Framework. We recommend doing this to ensure that the game will run properly. Please note

that DirectX9 is also required to run the game and that DirectX10 is not backwards-compatible.

Once this is completed, run the Black Prophecy game launcher from your desktop or Start menu shortcut.When the launcher runs, it will check the current game version and attempt to update the game if required.Once the game is up to date the Launch button will light up. You are now ready to run Black Prophecy forthe first time!

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1. Introduction

Minimum specs

As a result, in order to run the game properly, your PC will require at least:

CPU Intel Core2 Duo 2Ghz / AMD Athlon X2 2GHz or aboveGPU Geforce 7900 series / Radeon 3800 or above at the bare minimum

Geforce 8 series / Radeon 4850 or above recommended

RAM At least 2 GB, 3 or more recommendedOS Windows XP, Vista or 7Internet Broadband Internet connection with less than 100ms latency

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2. Getting started

2.1 Login

At the login screen, enter the user name and password of your Black Prophecy Account:

Please note that these are the account details that you provided when registering for BlackProphecy. Your gamigo or forum account details wont work unless you decided to use the samedetails for all of your accounts (we strongly recommend not doing so to ensure greater accountsecurity).

You can look up your account details by logging in to your gamigo account (here, top right) andselecting 'My Profile'. You can also change your password if you cannot remember it by selecting'Details' from under 'My Profile'.

Your user name and password are case sensitive.

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2.2 Server selectionOn the next screen, select the server and click Select to proceed:

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2.3 Character selectionIf this is your first time playing Black Prophecy, youll need to create a character. Click Create in the

character selection screen:

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2.4 Character creationCreate a character using the character creation menu. The tabs on the top left are used to switch between

the general settings, detail facial morph settings and gadgets/tattoo settings. Youll also need to choose aname for your character. Select Create to finish creating a character:

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You will then be taken back to the character selection screen. Select your new character and click Next toenter the game world with that character.

New characters will be taken directly to the first prologue missions.

Options

The options screen can be accessed from the login menu or the main menu in the game ('Esc' key). In thegame options tab you can switch languages, reset the interface windows, alter the chat window appearanceand switch crosshair models.

The sound options control the sound settings.The graphics options allow you to tweak the games graphics settings to suit your computer.

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If the performance on your computer is poor, try the following:

set Shadow Quality to None

set Anti-Aliasing to None reduce the LOD distance with the slider (move it to the left)

reduce the Quality Preset setting

The controls options allow you to view and change the keyboard shortcuts as well as configure the mousesettings.

Flying the shipThe ship is controlled by using the mouse and keyboard.

W AccelerateS StopA Strafe leftD Strafe right

Q Roll leftE Roll right6 Increase cruise speed7 Decrease cruise speed / reverse

Flight / Mouse Mode and Menu

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Press 'Space' to activate what is known as mouse mode. This highlights all objects and ships within radarof your ship and lets you select them with your mouse. It also opens the top icon bar that you can use toaccess various information screens.

Left to right: Starmap, Sector Overview, Inventory, Storage, Mission Log, Character, Ship Info, Clan,Encyclopedia & News, Game Menu, Premium Shop

Sector target list (keyboard shortcut: U)Hostile targets are on the left, friendly targets in the middle, and neutral targets on the right. A single click onsomething on the list will target that object, double-clicking will target the object and close the menu. Right-clicking will open a menu with context-sensitive options.

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3. Playing the game

What can I do in Black Prophecy?After the first two story missions, youll find yourself in the Spire hub. Note that hub sectors are no-fire zones.By targeting and docking with the station (keyboard shortcut: P), you can access its vendor and its dynamicmissions. Alternatively you can talk to Commander Noah outside the Spire station and access his open worldmissions (jobs). These will unlock several new sectors that you can jump to in your starmap. Open worldsectors are persistent and you can encounter other players to complete the missions with or to fight a PvPbattle against.To continue with the story mission, talk to Admiral Gira by using the Contact option on the Spire hub(keyboard shortcut: O). A new mission sector will appear in your starmap - jump to it to start the storymission. Additional story missions are generally unlocked by talking to NPCs in stations in hub sectors.

Starting missionsEnter the space station by targeting it and selecting the Dock command symbol on the top left of thescreen or by choosing the option in the context menu.Inside the station, the topmost icon in the right-hand icon bar opens the mission terminal. By default, allavailable dynamic missions are listed. Clicking on one of the different mission types listed at the top willselect that mission type (i.e. click on group to see only group missions). There are also filters for PvE andPvP missions.Alternatively, you can quickly enter a mission using the Quick Play button located on the radar while you areundocked.To leave an active mission, open the starmap (M key) and jump back to one of the hubs.To start an open world mission (job), talk to an NPC who is offering those missions (like Commander Noah inthe Spire hub) and accept his job(s). This will add a new sector to your starmap. Simply jump to the sectorand start completing the objectives. Once the objectives are completed, jump back to the hub the NPC is in,contact him, select the job and click Finish.

DebriefingWhen you complete a mission successfully, the Debriefing button will appear and will offer you a reward. Youcan choose from a small selection of different items.

Clicking the Debriefing button will show you the rewards you can choose from.Choose your reward and click OK orLeave sectorYou will be sent a notification about what has been transferred to your inventory on the screen and chat.

Chatting & forming groupsPress 'Enter' to type a message directly into the chat box. If you have activated mouse mode, you canswitch the active channels and customize which chat is displayed in each by right-clicking on the three chattabs. To switch between chat modes, just prefix your message with the channel you want to talk in.These are:

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/s, /sector - sector chat message

/f, /faction - faction chat message

/t, /trade - trade chat message /w, /whisper - private chat message

/p, /team - team chat message

/c, /clan - clan chat message

/a quit - quit game

/a show_connection [0|1] - show network statistics (latency, packet loss)

The chat box will then remember your last channel for subsequent typing.

An icon above the chat box opens the Communicator window. By default it will display all players in thesector you are in, friends, and team members. Use the drop-down box on top to switch between the different

display modes.Right-clicking a players name will open the context menu with all the available options, like adding the playerto your friends list or inviting the player to your group. Please note that you cannot start a single-playermission if you are in a group with other players.

Starting a group missionInvite up to 3 other players, target the station, and dock. Select the group mission and then click on Auto-Assign to assign the players to the mission slots. Please note that only the group leader can start a groupmission.

Starting a PvP missionPvP missions are only available in hub sectors after the prologue because all players are Sapiens (human) inthe prologue. A PvP mission requires 2 players from each faction. Each factions players have to form a team

and they should also meet in the same sector. The team leader of one team docks in the station and selectsa PvP mission. To do so, click Auto-Assign and then Start. If it was a mission with a gray icon, you will seethe message Mission starting... and need to wait for the other team. The leader of the other team will nowsee a PvP mission that has a blue icon in his mission list. This is the same mission as the one the leader ofthe first team just initialized. Select that mission and click Auto-Assign, then Start. This launches mission.

Buying itemsDock in a station to get access to its vendor. The second icon in the icon list on the right opens the vendorsitem list and the third icon from the left in the top icon list opens your ships inventory. To purchase items,simply drag them into your inventory and click Accept when youre done shopping. Please note that thenumber displayed in the item icons is not the price, but the items level. The three yellow symbols indicatethe items mass: one symbol means light, two means medium and three means heavy. If an item is red, it

means you do not meet the skill requirements to equip it.

If you press Shift while dragging an item stack, a dialogue will appear that allows you to choose the numberof units to move. If you don't press Shift, only one item will be moved from the vendor.

Ship configuration menuShip set-ups can only be modified when docked in a station. The hangar is accessed by using the third iconon the icon bar on the right. To equip an item from your inventory, simply drag it from the inventory windowinto the corresponding ship slot.

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The total mass of the ship as well as the engines mobility values greatly influence how your ship handlesand turns. If your ship feels sluggish and turns slowly, you probably built a very heavy ship with high armor

values and heavy weapons. Ships like that work well when combined with lighter ships in group or PvPmissions, but are not really recommended for single-player missions, so you might want to try out how theship feels with some lighter equipment. The meter on the bottom right of the ship configuration menu showsan approximation of the ships mass/mobility ratio.

Character menuThe character menu is opened through the top menu or by pressing the 'C' key. The first tab shows generalinformation as well as character stats. When you first start the game you will have a small number of skillspoints you can assign. You can do this under the Skills tab. As you level up, you will gain more skill pointsthat you can distribute amongst the various skills. To equip higher level items, you will need to level up theappropriate skills. For example, with an engine skill of 10, you can equip engines up to level 10.

Skills

Ship (unlocks cockpits)

Energy (unlocks energy weapons)

Mechanical (unlocks projectile weapons)

Engine (unlocks engines)

Shield (unlocks shields)

Hull (unlocks wings and missile launchers)

Explosives (unlocks missiles)

Tactics (unlocks different tactics, but not any items)

ConcentrationConcentration describes the characters stamina and ability to learn. Each character is only receptive for acertain amount of time each day, which is displayed in the concentration bar. This bar is refilled each day regardless of the amount consumed on the previous day.

Once the concentration bar reaches zero, the character will only receive the regular amount of XP. If thecharacter is concentrated enough, the character will receive a bonus in addition to the regular XP.The chance of success in constructor processes also increases if the character has enough concentration.Each player has 160 concentration points at the beginning of each day. As long as you have oneconcentration point, the bonuses will remain active.

The following actions reduce the concentration level:

Repairing items and removing modifications

Playing missions

Sector jumps (will not be added when playing missions)

Constructing clan stations

Ship menuThe ship menu shows the ship's equipped items (it is, however, impossible to equip different items in thismenu. That can only be done in a station's hangar).Clicking on one of the numbers next to a weapon activates or deactivates a weapon for that particularweapon group. Weapon groups allow you to fire a particular combination of weapons at the same time.To switch between the different weapon groups during combat, use the 1-5 keys.

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EncyclopediaAccessible via the menu at the top, the encyclopedia is a detailed guide to everything in the Black Prophecy

universe! Information is added as you encounter things in the game.

Stellarvox NewsAccessible via the menu at the top, visit the Stellarvox News to keep up-to-date on the latest in-game newsand stories.

TacticsTactics are special flight maneuvers that can be used during combat. While a maneuver is being performed,the player has no direct control of the ship other than its weapons. Tactics are triggered by using the analogstick on a gamepad or the movement keys on a keyboard. Tactics are unlocked at specific skill levels of theTactics skill.To use these tactics, a certain amount of adrenaline is required (represented by a rising bar next to thespeed bar on the HUD). Adrenaline is gained while shooting at other ships and while being shot at.

The following tactics are currently implemented (based on default key mappings):

Boost WW Tactics level 1

Stop SS Tactics level 1

Looping down WSS Tactics level 14

Looping up SWW Tactics level 14

U-Turn left WAS Tactics level 1

U-Turn right WDS Tactics level 1Double Bend left AA Tactics level 15

Double Bend right DD Tactics level 15

Barrel Roll left ADD Tactics level 25

Barrel Roll right DAA Tactics level 25

Zigzag ADWS Tactics level 25

Adrenaline Value Passive Tactics level 1

Retaliation Passive Tactics level 1

Combat Readiness Passive Tactics level 1

Note: Double Bend left/right are only available to the Tyi faction only and Barrel Roll left/right are onlyavailable to the Genide faction.

Repair kitsRepair kits can be bought from vendors on stations and provide you with an essential lifeline during battle.You can use these kits both during and out of combat. Note that there is a cool-down timer to prevent misuseof these kits. They can also be bought at various levels. The F1 key triggers the lowest level repair kits, F2triggers the next level, etc.

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CraftingYou can create your own ship parts and weapons by choosing from a variety of blueprints for different levels.

These can then be combined with the materials required for crafting in the constructor. How long it takes tocraft a specific item depends on the level of the blueprints.

What's next?After finishing the 10 story missions, you can join either the Tyi or Genide faction. After that, continue levelingup to unlock new mission hubs at various points. You can also create a clan and develop your own sectorwith a station.

Forming a clanTo create a clan:

Have a character of Level 14 or higher with 20,000 corons (credits).

Go to the Spire station and contact the Spire Administration NPC from space.

Agree to the NPC's price to obtain a Clan License. Proceed to a faction-friendly station and dock there.

Click on the Clan Admin button

Fill in your clan details and click CreateNow you will be able to click on the Clan Admin button and access clan features such as members,accounting, ranks and sector creation.

Clan Station ConstructionAs a leader of a clan you have the opportunity to build a station in your clan sector with features like adealer, a hangar, a mission terminal and a constructor. To upgrade your modules, the faction module willneed to be at least one level above the other modules. You will need materials like gas, metal and plasma toupgrade the modules.

Good luck, pilots!

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4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

4.1 Gameplay

Can I use my joystick to play Black Prophecy?Joystick use is enabled but there is not currently a list of supported models. So it is possible that notall buttons can be utilized.

The mouse controls are very sensitive and I'm having a hard time aiming at enemy targets.How can I improve the controls?You can adjust your mouse settings in the Options menu. You can adjust mouse sensitivity andmouse deadzone to fit your needs.

I spent my skill points on the wrong skills and would like to reset them. Is this possible?

This is not currently available. In the future we will offer a special item that will allow you to reset yourskills.

Im not finding any new prologue missions after finishing Commander Noahs missions. Whatcan I do?Fly to the Spire Station sector and contact the station.

I always have to have W pressed to keep up my speed. Is there some kind of Autorunavailable?Yes, hit the keys 6 and 7 to adjust your ship's cruise control to the speed you want.

How can I select a faction?You will be able to select your faction after you have completed the prologue.

No matter how much I fly towards a waypoint, I cant reach it! Why? You may need to target the waypoint, then either enter mouse mode and click the Autopilot buttonunder your target info (top right) or press G.

4.2 Reporting a bug / the latest information

In order to improve the quality of Black Prophecy, we need feedback from you about any issues or bugs youmay encounter while using the software. Please report these issues and bugs in the Forum. There you willalso find all the latest information about the game as well as help with any technical problems you mayencounter.

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How do I report bugs?Rules for reporting bugs:

1. Check that your issue has not already been reported by searching the forums.

2. Try to find the correct sub-forum for your bug report.

3. Make a new thread for every issue and give it a self-explanatory thread name. Do not put severaldifferent issues in one thread.

4. Check the bug reports you have posted to see if a developer or the GM team has any morequestions.Information that you should provide with your bug reports:

Client version (can be found in the launcher)

Character name (do not post account names)

Name of the sector or mission

If you are having issues with the graphics, post your video hardware and the graphics settings atwhich you are running Black Prophecy

A thorough description of where the bug was encountered

Frequency (always happens, sometimes happens, happens randomly)

Latest error log files, which are found under \Documents\Reakktor Media\BlackProphecy\LOG\BlackProphecy\GameClient

You should copy the error log file when a crash or an error occurs.

Make sure you attach the log file from your latest play session - check the file timestamp todetermine the latest one.

Please convert images to .jpg or .png and attach them directly to your post. Please do not use publicimage hosting services.

Please try and provide as much information as possible in your original post.

What do I need to consider when reporting bugs? Please make sure to stick to the aforementioned rulesand always attach your game client log files to each bug report.

Where can I find the game client log files? You can find the game client log files at \Documents\ReakktorMedia\Black Prophecy\Log

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5. Troubleshooting

5.1 Logging in to the game

Which account details do I need to use to log into the game? You will need the Black Prophecy account details you provided when you registered for BlackProphecy testing. You can look up your account details by logging into your gamigo account here.You can find all your active game accounts under Account System and then My Profile.

I keep receiving the error message Account not registered when I try to log in. Whats theproblem?Please make sure you are using your Black Prophecy game account details and not your forum orgamigo account details. You can look up your game account details under My Profile after logginginto your gamigo account here. If you still have trouble logging in, it might help to change thepassword of your Black Prophecy game account via the Details button. It may take a few minutesfor the password to change.

I keep receiving the error message Wrong password when I try to log on. Whats theproblem?Please make sure you are using the correct password for your Black Prophecy game account. Youcan change your password under My Profile after logging into your gamigo account here.

I crashed out of the game and when I try to log back in I receive the error message "Accountis online". What can I do?Your account remains online on the server if you instantly quit the game client and also if you crash

to the desktop in order to prevent character data loss. Please wait 5-10 minutes to allow the systemto log out your account properly.

5.2 Performance issues

When I enter the game, the textures load very slowly. What does that mean?

Texture pre-loading is still a work in progress, so it might take a few seconds to load all texturesentirely, depending on your PC.

The game is crashing frequently. What can I do?Please lower the quality settings in the graphics options for "Texture Quality" and "Shadow Quality".

Using very high settings for this can be a reason for frequent client crashes

I am encountering network lag while playing. How can I see my connection information?Write the following command in the in-game chat line:

/a show_connection 1 (displays connection details)

/a show_connection 0 (hides connection details)You can then see your connection details in the right-hand corner at the bottom of your screen.Please include this information along with your geographical location when reporting lag issues tothe forum.

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The game runs very slowly in terms of its graphics. How can I improve performance? If the performance on your computer is poor, try the following:

set Shadow Quality to None set Anti-Aliasing to None

reduce the LOD distance using the slider (move it to the left)

reduce the Quality Preset setting

6. Appendix default keyboard controls

You can customize all key-bindings to your liking in the Game menu,by clicking on the Controls section.

Speed up W

Brake S

Strafe Left A

Strafe Right D

Roll Left Q

Roll Right E

Left Left

Right RightDown Down

Up Up

Ascend Page Up

Descend Page Down

CC (cruise control) up 6

CC (cruise control) down 7

Fire LMB / X

Fire (secondary)

Pulse Wave

Quick Chat Enter

Quick Selection Ctrl-L

Mouse Mode Space

Target Enemy T

Select closest friend

Next Target ,

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Previous Goal .

Sector overview UStarmap M

Inventory

Log L

Character Information C

Ship info

Clan information

Stellarvox News

Scan F

Interaction G

Loot R

Trade I

Contact O

Dock P

Weapon group [prev.]

Weapon group [next]

Weapon group 1 1

Weapon group 2 2Weapon group 3 3

Weapon group 4 4

Weapon group 5 5

Special 1 F1

Special 2 F2

Special 3 F3

Special 4 F4

Show names Shift-L

Screenshot F11

Change View V

HUD Details

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