From: yoshi@ultranet.ca (Adam Yoshida) Subject: 688i FAQ Version 2.0 I know I haven't released a new version since about November :) 688i Hunter/Killer Faq Version 2.0 Index: 1.0 What is 688i Hunter/Killer ? 1.1 How Realisic is this Game ? 1.2 How Do I Play Multiplayer ? 1.3 Where is X Ship ? 1.4 Who is Paul Grace ? 1.5 When Will the Expansion Pack be Avaiable ? 1.6 Which Ship Upgrades are Best ? 1.8 688i vs Red Storm Rising 1.9 Is There Anywhere I can Play on the Internet ? 2.0 Why Can't I get Points in a Custom Mission ? 2.1 My turn/dive rate is too fast ! 2.2 How Do I evade a torpedo ? 2.3 How Much Damage can my Boat Take? 2.4 AEGIS? 2.5 Multiplayer Chat-Team Chat 2.6 Will there ever be a Dynamic Campagin? 2.7 What does MMX support do? 2.8 Hot Keys? 1.0 What is 688i Hunter/Killer ? 688i is a game from Jane's Combat Simulations which simulates the Improved version of the American Los Angles class Attack Submarine. 1.1 How Realisic is this Game ? The original version of the game is VERY unrealistic, it features instant torpedo reload times, fast turn rates, very fast tube reload and fast tube unload time. However there is now a patch available at ftp.ea.com/pub/patches/ which corrects the problem. There is both an English and German version. However it has been reported that this patch causes the game to crash more often, alothough I would still advise you to get this patch as it greatly improves gameplay. 1.2 How Do I Play Multiplayer ? Here is a guide made by VADM Corsair VCNO of the Seawolves which explains how to play on the Internet:The SeaWolves - Step by Step Guide to Multiplayer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1)Find some people to play with: The Seawolves mainly use ICQ to connect to games. If you don't have it, we HIGHLY recommend you get it. I also recommend adding members of SeaWolves to your list, so you can always find a match if you want one. Just request a chat, and get all who are going to play together. 2) Decide who is going to be host: This has to be a person who has the best computer AND is going to stay throughout the entire match. The person with the best processor and connection is the best host. 3) Get the host's IP address: This is done in ICQ by right clicking on the host's name in the ICQ list and selecting "Info". You should then see the IP address. be sure to write it down 3a) *IN CASE OF PLAYING A CUSTOM MISSION*: in case you feel like playing a custom made mission in 688i, make sure everyone who is playing has it. if everyone doesn't, make sure everyone gets a copy and saves it into their 688i/scenarios folder. 4) Shut off all Applications except your net service and windows. This includes ICQ (after everyone has decided to leave to go play game) and Netscape or IE. Also, be sure not to be downloading anything, because this lags the game also.5) Start the game: make sure your CD is in! 6) Goto Multiplayer section: in the main menu you should see a button called "Multiplayer". Click on it. 7) Click on TCP/IP game: This is a button in the multiplayer menu, below all the ones about IPX and Modem play. 8) Click on Server if you are host and Client for everyone else. 9) Click on Settings, next to the TCP/IP button. (if you are host skip 9 through 11)10) Insert Host's IP: In the top Box on the left, above broadcast. 11) Click OK.12) Select which side you wish to be on: Either Allied, Neutral, or Threat.... make sure you decide sides back in ICQ before you connect. 13) Click Connect. 14) Wait for Host's name to pop up: This may take a few seconds... if you don't see it after a few minutes, abort game and go back to ICQ and find out what happened. 15) Click on Host's name: The name might be different then in ICQ, but it is definitly the same guy.16)Chat using the message box. 17)Select mission (Host only): Click Start (be sure all people are who are coming have arrived!). 18)Play Game: Use Radio Room to chat. Have fun and kick ass! 19)Quit: when ever you are done, just quit using the way you normally do in Single player. Make sure to read and review the debriefing andlog reports. 1.3 Where is X Ship ? I can't really awnser this one in the way you would like, all I can say is that a lot of ships which most of us would like are missing. The only available ships are the ones in the mission editor, however Paul Grace has promised an expansion pack which will add the Typhoon and other ships. 1.4 Who is Paul Grace ? Paul Grace is the designer of 688i, 688 Attack Sub, Seawolf, USNF and ATF among others. Her has been known to post to the Comp.sys.games.naval newsgroup on occasion. 1.5 When Will the Expansion Pack be Avaiable ? I don't know, no one knows. I do hope that it comes soon. It will feature an "under the ice" campaign and various enhansments such as new upgardes, 3DFX SUpport, a more comprehnsive mission builder etc. 1.6 Which Ship Upgrades are Best ? It depends on your point of view and wjhat you prefer. Personally I like the combination of a new propeller and own ship quieting. But many prefer improved sonar. I can't give you any definitive awnserreally. 1.7 How do you Escape When you Ground Your Sub ? To me it seems that the only way to escape is an emergency blow. But, some people have said that you can speed up and sit there for a while and escape. As well you can Go into full reverse and escape. 1.8 688i vs Red Storm Rising This is a matter of personal taste. From a techincal Standpoint 688i is more impressive but (especially if you've read Clancy's brilliant novel) Red Storm Rising is much more compelling storywise. However for it's time Red Strom Rising was ceritanly superior and should you ever find a copy I would strongly recommend you purchase it. 1.9 Is There Anywhere I can Play on the Internet ? Yes, you can meet people at the Janes site, or you can go to the Seawolves hopepage at http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4218/ and join up. There are also othe online fleets like the Submariners at www.submariners.ord/submariners.html and the Maruders at http://members.xoom.com/ericfree/fleet.htm. 2.0 Why Can't I get Points in a Custom Mission ? Acording to EA they did this to make sure that no one creates a mission where they get enough points ,to get every upgrade a top level crew etc, without doing anything. 2.1 My turn/dive rate is too fast ! You need the realisim patch which should be avialble atftp.ea.com/pub/ patches/. This will correct any problems. 2.2 How Do I evade a torpedo ? In order to evade an active torpedo you should increase to flank, drop decoys and make wild course and depth changes. However, passive topedos are harder to evade. The best stratgey is to drop jammers and run in an attempt to confuse the passive sonar of the torpedo. 2.3 How Much Damage can my Boat Take? Usually one fish will finish you're boat off at the Los Angles class SSN's don't have a piticularly strong hull. However sometimes (depending on where you taske the hit) you can survive up to 2 impacts. SOme Submarines piticularly the Russian Alfa, Typhoon and Oscar types can survive many hits. 2.4 AEGIS? AEGIS is an upcoming simulation of the DDG-51 class ships. It is said to be fully interoperable with 688i in multiplayer and support 3DFX. 2.5 Multiplayer Chat-Team Chat Yes there is a utility available now. It is on the Serawolves site under ssubschool. 2.6 Will there ever be a Dynamic Campagin? No, Paul Grace has beyond reason established his oppisition to this type of campaign. 2.7 What does MMX support do? It dosen't really do anything. It just enhanses the graph8ics a bit and make the "3D Control Room" run more smoothly. 2.8 Hot Keys? Yes there are undocumented HotKeys. You can switch rooms by pressing the alt key and the first letter of the room you wish to go to. It is also known that you can use this to swith rooms after death.