cH!PDM/SAC

AGE OF EMPIRES II - THE AGE OF KINGS (c) ENSEMBLE STUDIOS

Supplier.....: DOUG LOWENSTEIN    │  Release Date...: 09/22/99
Cracker......: JIM HALL           │  Game Type......: RTS
# of Disks...: 2,88 x 48          │  Game Rating....: 95%

REQUIREMENTS: Win9X, CPU 166 MHZ, 16 MB RAM, 300 MB HD Space, and DX6.1.

RELEASE NOTES:

Age of Empiresr II: The Age of KingsÖ is the sequel to the
award-winning, best-selling real-time strategy game Age of Empires.
Age of Empiresr II spans a thousand years, from the fall of Rome
through the Middle Ages in which players control the destiny of
humankind. The game keeps the epic scope of Age of Empires' game
play while evolving the combat and economic features.

Starting with minimal resources, players are challenged to build
their nations into great civilizations. Gamers can choose from several
ways to win, including conquering enemy, accumulating wealth by extensive
trading and diplomacy, building and defending wonders of the world.
Age of Empires II, being developed by Ensemble Studios, features the
expertise of Bruce Shelley, co-designer of Age of Empires and the hit
strategy game Civilization.

FEATURES:

Combat. Players can use garrisoning, military formations, and advantages
in direction facing add interesting tactical choices. Units are also
smarter, with new artificial intelligence (AI) options like Guard, Patrol
and Follow as well as multiple aggression levels. Also boats will be able
to ram or board enemy ships to capture them.

Alternatives to combat. Players can improve the economy of their
civilization through trade and diplomacy options. In addition to
gathering resources, they can trade at their own market or use trading
routes with their allies. A market-based economy gives new options for
players to buy, sell, and speculate on resources.

Diverse cultures. Gamers command one of 13 mighty civilizations. These
include the Frankish, Japanese, Byzantine, Viking, Mongol and Celtic
civilizations. Each civilization has unique attributes, buildings and
technologies as well as a unique combat unit based on its historical
counterpart.

Ease of use. Production queues, improved navigation points and
customizable hot-key systems have been added. In addition, more audio
cues make empire management easier. Map shortcuts like gathering points
make it easier for players to organize their forces and plan their battles.

Achieve victory in many ways. In contrast to the linear game play found
in other real-time games, Age of Empires II lets gamers choose one of
several ways to achieve world domination and ultimate victory:

-   Domination of enemy civilizations

-   Economic victory through accumulation of wealth

-   Building and defending wonders of the world

Choose a technology path. Age of Empires II lets gamers choose from
numerous technological paths to help lead their civilization to greatness.
From an economic path of farming and craftsmanship to a military route of
siege and naval warfare, the game comes with a technology tree that has
more than 100 nodes, larger than one player could possibly complete in
just one game.

Experience intense single and multiplayer game play. Enhanced historical
campaigns, a random map generator and a scenario and campaign editor
offer players extensive replay value.

Story based campaigns focus on historical figures and their struggles like
Joan of Arc, William Wallace, Genghis Khan, etc bring the player much
deeper into the game as they strive with the hero to victory.

A new expert system driven computer player with artificial intelligence
providing a solitaire opponent who seems human.

Maps are larger which adds to the sense of exploration and allows more
options for extended play particularly in multiplayer.

The very popular Random map generator brings unlimited replay value for
both multiplayer and single player.

In addition to the traditional Deathmatch option, there is a new gameplay
mode: Regicide, where players have to protect their Queen or King while
they try to assassinate the enemy one.

A Campaign editor extends also the game play by allowing users to create
and exchange scenarios or link them into campaigns.

Multiplayer game support Internet play for up to eight players via the
MSN Gaming Zone, over a LAN or modem to modem.

INSTALLATION:

Unzip and unace manually or run our installer to install/unpack the game.
If you haven't done so already, install DPlay 6.1a from the first disk.
Unzip (with paths) the SYSTEM.ZIP from the first disk to your C:\WINDOWS -
those are some needed fonts and .dlls for Intel Indeo. Then unzip the
CRACK.ZIP, also included in the first disk, to your installation directory.
Run SETUPREG.EXE to setup your registry. You can start the game with
EMPIRES2.EXE now. Enjoy!

RIPPED:

Movies, mission description speech and the credits music.

GROUP NEWS:

We are looking for a few good people. If you think you can contribute in
a useful way to the success of the best group in the scene, feel free to
contact us at pdm2000@email.com. We are especially looking for people who
can supply new games from stores or any other point of distribution. If
you live on the East Coast in the US, have an Electronics Boutique, CompUSA
or Babbages near you, access to a fast connection and enough freetime on
weekday mornings, contact us now.

Check out this fine rip, if you like the game, buy it!

Do not request CD's, missing disks or anything of that sort.
We do not distribute.

Paradigm was, is and will always be a non-profit group - we do it all for
fun, and only for the fun. If you enjoy the games, buy them - the
developers deserve the money.

PARADIGM IS HERE FOR FUN ONLY AND NOT FOR MONEY HUNGRY GIMPS !

PARADIGM SITES: WHQ, USHQ, EHQ, GHQ, HQ.

HOW TO REACH US: That's the question now. Try Praying.

P.S. Make sure you listen to the TK4.MP3 included in the last disk.