Table of Contents

Minimum Requirements

400 mhz cpu
Intel 2700G Graphics Accelerator
15mb free RAM
23mb free disc space

Installation

Installation

Close active sync before running the installation program. Please double click on the Solterra installer (Solterra.exe). Follow the directions in the installation window. Once the installation program is running it will ask you to connect your device. Once Solterra has finished copying its files to your device you can hit the launch button to immediately start playing.

Uninstall

Run the file ("Solterra.exe") you used to install Solterra from your PC. This will automatically detect if you have the game installed. Follow the instructions in the program to finish the uninstall process. Solterra will not show up in your add/remove programs feature on your Pocket PC.

Registration

To play the full game you need to purchase Solterra from www.blacksmithstudios.com. After you have purchased Solterra you will receive and e-mail with a registration code.

Start Solterra, from the main menu go to "Options" and then click on "Register". Using the key pad provided on screen, enter your registration code. Once you have enter your code select enter. If your registration code was correct you will receive a thank you message on screen.

If an incorrect title appears you have entered an incorrect registration code. Make sure your Pocket PC Owner Name is the same name you entered when purchasing Solterra, then try registering again.

Further Problems

Visit www.blacksmithstudios.com for more information and updates.
E-mail troubleshooting@blacksmithstudios.com if you have any questions that are not already answered on our website.

Story

In the Utile Fith Region of the Elexian Galaxy lies the planet Solterra, a neutral commune which oversees and protects neighboring colonies. Recently, a foreign alien species has come through the nearby hypergate and has entered into the outer brinks of Solterra's territories. They have set up a small community on the planet Orides, and are requesting to trade resources with the colonies there. Negotiations with the aliens' ambassador have gone sour, and the colonies have reported a hostile situation. As a corporal in Solterra's Interstellar Combat Element, you are sent to assess the situation in the outer colonies. If the situation is indeed hostile, you will need to combat and expel the foreign aliens, while avoiding any damage to the colonies of Solterra. Solterra's mission control will alert you with any information they can offer.

Game Play

Summary

SOLTERRA is a fully 3D on-rail space fighter. The player controls a ship as he/she flies through space shooting enemy ships and completing objectives. Players are able to collect power-ups and ship upgrades as they proceed throughout the levels. The environments are lush with colors and full of activity. Nebulas and quasars fill the screen as the player fights off some of the fiercest looking enemies, while dodging space debris.

Controls

Ship Movement & Camera:

The palyer character is in constant forward motion. When the player character moves it will move within the screen. Once the player character moves across the screen to the certain point the screen will begin to follow at a slower pace than the player character. The player will eventually hit the edge of the screen not allowing the player to turn any further.

Buttons

Player

Personal Offensive Device (P.O.D):

The player's ship is based on a main P.O.D (Personal Offensive Device). This main P.O.D. consists of a weapon and basic thrust built around a small cockpit. A P.O.D can only take limited damage before being destroyed. P.O.D's are able to obtain nodes.

P.O.D.s

P.O.D.x (Xiphen):

Default player ship. Like a sedan, not the greatest but it will get the job done.

Maximum Hits: 1
POD weapon: Laser
Dynamic Node Type:
-Defensive
-Laser
-Homing Rocket
-Plasma

P.O.D.y (Dash):

Quick ship, with quick weapons but not able to take as much damage. Better than the Sedan (PODx) and quicker than the tank (PODz), sporty like a sports car.

Maximum Hits: 1
POD weapon: 2 Cannons
Dynamic Node Type:
-Cannon
-Beam Laser
-Dumb fire Rocket
-Shotgun Plasma
Unlocked at: 200,000 pts

P.O.D.z (Artemis):

Big, slow and deadly. A tank in space. The player should choose between wading through the battle with this guy or using the finesse of PODy.

Maximum Hits: 1
POD weapon: 2 Lasers
Dynamic Node Type:
-Overload
-Connector Beam
-Torpedo
-EMP
Unlocked at: 500,000 pts

Node System

Nodes are used for both offense and defense. The P.O.D. cannot be hit until all of the nodes have been destroyed. Each node can take only one hit. Two different types of nodes exist: Static and Dynamic.

Static Node:

When a player hits a static node pick-up a new ship component is added close to the P.O.D. Static node pick-ups increase the maximum stats of the P.O.D. (speed, power etc…) and remain until the static node is shot off. These are ship upgrades which make the pod perform better and look cooler.

Dynamic Node:

When a player hits a dynamic node pick-up, that node, when activated, will be added to a predefined position around the P.O.D. The player may have multiple dynamic nodes that they can switch between by hitting the button to the left of the rocker.

Example:

The player has the defensive node activated; he hits a dynamic quad laser node. Now the player can hit the button to the left of the rocker to switch between his defensive node or quad laser node.

Lives

The player has three lives at the start of the game. The player loses a life when the player's P.O.D is destroyed. The player gains a life for every 50,000 points achieved in a single mission.

Point System

Points are calculated at the end of each level. Points are awarded for enemies killed, nodes kept throughout the mission, and mission objectives.

Nodes:

Static Nodes = 1,000 pts
Defense = 100 pts
Laser = 300 pts
Rocket = 600 pts
Plasma = 900 pts

Enemies:

Bosses

Bosses come in many shapes and sizes. Many have a number of parts that the player needs to destroy before the boss can be destroyed. Some Bosses have nodes just like the players P.O.D. The player must shoot off each individual node to achieve victory.

Credits

Blacksmith Studios LLC

Special Thanks To:

Gene Buxton
Robert McNair
James Varga
Anthony Pabon
Kenneth Edwards
Will Paicius
Game Club of Cogswell Polytechnical College
Cogswell Polytechnical College
Rachael Sass
Rachel Wadoski
Ashley Monif
Gebus
The Colony