E:SL Alpha Demo V0.1 (PART 1 OF 2) file

If you enjoy playing this, please consider checking out the Kickstarter. Any support is appreciated. The most up to date readme is posted below for everyone's convenience.

INSTALLATION

To install the game is pretty simple, extract the "ESLdemo": folder
to where you want it (desktop, program files, etc). Then once it's
copied over out of the zip, simply enter either the Bin32 or Bin64
folders, depending on your system, and then click the "ESLdemo.exe" to
start the game. That simple. You can also create a shortcut by
right-clicking on the .exe, then moving the shortcut to your desktop or
other place you'd prefer. Please be sure you have the DirectX End-User
Runtime (June 2010), Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable Package (both x86
and x64) and that your graphics card drivers are up to date. More info
on the game's requirements HERE

PLAYING THE GAME

E:SL is a pretty hard game, be prepared to die pretty quick the
first few plays. Basic controls are as follows: WASD + space and control
to move/jump/crouch. F is your primary use button to pickup entities,
and enter vehicles or interact with your environment. G is your
alternate use key that interacts with entities in your hand, or vehicles
you're already in (toggles ignition). Q is your melee attack, which
allows you to defend yourself even with a loaf of bread. Mouse controls
are standard of any FPS game. You can hold the H key to bring up your
inventory list, this will show you if your player is sick, hungry,
injured, etc. It does not update real time, so you have to let it go and
bring it back up to see changes. P is used to take medication for any
illness you have. Of course, you must actually have the medication
needed for the symptoms you have, otherwise nothing happens. Shift runs
and R reloads.

TACTICS

Avoid combat at first, try to find a safehouse and firearm BEFORE
going up against even 1 enemy. Even with a gun, avoid going rambo unless
you like to die. Try to pick off enemies 1 by 1, without engaging
multiple at once. Learn from your mistakes, if one area is too hard,
wait until you're better equipped to handle it. In the end have fun,
that's the point! You can carry 1 large item (AK, gas can, or medkit),
and 2 small items such as food, drinks, or a handgun. Choose what you
carry wisely. Pills and diamonds do not take up inventory space.

GOALS

Your only goal is to escape the island, there are two ways to do
so. I won't tell you them and ruin the fun, but explore around and
figure it out!

SAFEHOUSES

The only way to save your game is to use the bed at a safehouse. If
you're tired, your character will sleep and time will pass. To reload a
save after exiting the game, you need to press the F9 key in the main
menu. This is placeholder, until we can design a UI. If you die in the
game, you'll automatically reload back, or you can press F9 any time
while in the level to reset back to the last save.

PERMANENTLY MODIFYING CONTROL/VISUAL SETTINGS

Currently settings for graphics can be permanently set in the
"system.cfg" file present in the ESLdemo directory. To change quality,
modify the "sys_spec=" field. 1 is low, 2 is medium, 3 is high, 4 is
ultra. For resolution, adjust the "r_width=" and "r_height=" fields to
fit what you desire. "r_fullscreen=" is straightforward, 1 is on, 2 is
off. Controls are a bit more tricky, they're located in the
"defaultProfile.xml" file which is present in the
ESLdemo\GameSDK\Libs\Config directory. It's a little confusing to
navigate, but all controls can be rebound there as needed. Look on the
IndieDB page for a more detailed tutorial on modifying controls, if you
need.

VEHICLES

These need fuel and won't work without it. The car's fuel gauge
doesn't work right now, but the boat's does. Press G when in a vehicle
to start it. Press G outside a vehicle with a fuel canister in hand to
refuel it.

FINAL NOTES

This is an early alpha build, meant to give a taste of the
gameplay. There are many issues that must be addressed. The alpha does
not in any way represent the final quality of this game, and it will be
vastly improved and expanded upon in later revisions. This was released
to allow people to decide if they enjoyed the overall gameplay
experience.

KNOWN ISSUES:

• M1911 slide gets stuck sometimes after shooting.
• AK-47 is missing animations for reloading.
• Grass doesn't angle properly on steep hills.
• Gauges in vehicles don't work, and the damage model needs improvements.
• A proper menu UI is needed with a way to properly change graphics and control settings.
• AI can be unpredictable and inconsistent.
• There are issues with the entities not loading properly sometimes.
• Audio is missing for AI weapons, chatter, and many other aspects of the game.
• Ambient audio sometimes stops working.
• Animations for items in your hand are placeholder.
• Many other bug fixes, optimization, and tweaks have to be done.
• After using an item, it remains in your inventory. Simply pick up another item with that one in hand, and it'll get cleared out.