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             Shadowbane

     Version 1.0.0. Readme file
           Oct 25, 2004

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Welcome to the Shadowbane readme file.  This file contains last minute revisions to our documentation.

Contents:
I. 	Minimum Requirements
II. 	Known Hardware Compatibility Issues
III.	Gameplay Issues
IV. 	Contact Information and Web Sites
V. 	Miscellaneous Issues


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I. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
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Minimum PC Configuration:
PROCESSORS:	P3 1.2GHZ  / ATHLON 1.3GHZ
MEMORY:	256
VIDEO CARD (3D):	GEFORCE3/ATI 8500 WITH 64MB RAM OPENGL COMPLIANT
SOUNDCARD:	SOUNDBLASTER COMPATIBLE
Optical Drive:	DVD-ROM 4x read
OPERATING SYSTEM:	WIN98SE with 2 gigs of free space

Recommended PC Configuration:
PROCESSORS:	P4 2GHZ
MEMORY:	1 GIG
VIDEO CARD (3D):	GEFORCE FX 5800 / ATI 9800 PRO  128 MB
SOUNDCARD:	SOUNDBLASTER
Optical Drive:	DVD-ROM 4x read
OPERATING SYSTEM:	WINDOWS XP with 2 gigs of free space

Minimum Mac Configuration: 
PROCESSORS:	G4 450
MEMORY:	256
VIDEO CARD (3D):	GEFORCE3/ATI RV250 64 MEG
SOUNDCARD:	
Optical Drive:	DVD-ROM 4x read
OPERATING SYSTEM:	10.2 with 2 gigs of free space



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II. KNOWN HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES 
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Video-Related Issues
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If you have technical compatibility questions about Shadowbane after launch, it is advised that you visit our Technical Support bulletin boards. These boards can be found at these locations
 PC:  http://ubbforums.ubi.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=sb_support_pc
 Mac: http://ubbforums.ubi.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=sb_support_mac
 General: http://ubbforums.ubi.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=sb_support_gen

Only higher level graphics cards will be able to take advantage of the normal mapping/per pixel lighting solution implemented in Shadowbane. All other cards will see this art without normal-mapping applied. Supported cards include nVidia FX series and ATI Radeon 9500 and newer cards.

Players with Mac versions below 10.2.8 may encounter difficulties. It is recommended that any Mac users upgrade at least to Mac 10.2.8 in order to play Shadowbane.

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The ATI 3.1 Catalyst drivers seem to cause problems with alpha textures; Older drivers do not display this behavior. We recommend Catalyst 4.9.

Graphical errors can occur when Shadowbane is run at the same time as other applications that are set to execute always on top.

To maximize frame rate, set dynamic lighting to low (DYNAMICLIGHTING=0), turn off all shadows, reduce terrain detail level from 4 to 2 or lower, turn off normal mapping, reduce particle density, and reduce texture detail. Use the SBConfig.exe utility to change performance settings outside of the game.

If you log in to the game with lowered game resolution settings and then change them to higher resolution settings, it will drop your frame rate. The workaround is to exit Shadowbane after the settings take effect, then re-enter.

Parhelia(TM) graphic cards will crash the Shadowbane client unless meshcache=false in the Arcane Pref. 

Some older ATI drivers (below 4.6) will show a triangle shaped graphical anomaly above the characters head in certain zones (starburst effect).



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III. GAMEPLAY ISSUES
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Poison Blade and Consecrate weapon will not work unless the weapon is 'Identified'.

There appears to be an issue with guards not patrolling their patrol points.

Doors sometimes appear to be open when they are not, preventing you from entering a building.

If you die while casting a spell, that spell will not be usable until you relog.

Players sometimes will find they get stuck after teleporting into into a runegate.
 
Using a water bucket on a door will waste the water bucket.

Scrolls are always destroyed, even when the spell fails to go off. 

Mobs teleport around too often while chasing players.   

Long weapons such as pole arms can make a player 'hop' while running.

Monster AI text strings will not display if the player is too far away from the monster.

When a monster dies, it can fall into an object, making that monster unlootable.

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IV. CONTACT INFORMATION
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Billing Support Information
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To access the billing FAQ, please go to: http://sbsupport.ubi.com 
On this page, you will be able to search our knowledge base to answer your
questions or contact a customer care representative (CCR) for
billing/account issues, technical support or in-game support by filling out
the online "Ask A Question" form.
 
To reach a billing/account customer care representative in North America by
toll-free telephone, call: 
 
1-866-824-6767
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM (EST), Monday to Friday. 
 
(Note: This number is for billing inquiries only!)
In Europe, please contact your local Ubisoft support line.
 
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Technical Support Information
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Technical Support 
Before contacting Ubisofts Technical Support Department, please first read through this file and the game's manual (the printed version and/or the electronic version available on the game CDs). Also browse through our FAQ listings or search our support database at our website, <http://sbsupport.ubi.com>. Here you will find the most recently updated information since the games release. 
Also please make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements, as our support representatives will be unable to assist customers whose computers do not meet these criteria. 
Whenever you contact the Technical Support Department, please include the following information or have it available if you are calling: 
 Complete product title (including version number).
 Exact error message reported (if applicable) and a brief description of the problem youre encountering.
 Processor speed and manufacturer. 
 Amount of RAM. 
 Operating system.
 Video card that you are using and amount of RAM it has.
 Maker and speed of your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
 Type of sound card you are using. 
Support Over the Internet
This is the best way to find answers to common issues seen with our games. Our Frequently Asked Questions list is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and contains the most up-to-date Technical Support information available. We update the Support pages on a daily basis, so please check here first for solutions to your problems: <http://sbsupport.ubi.com/>. 
Contact Us by Webmail
Due to high volumes of spam, viruses, and other non-support-related contacts, we no longer offer support via standard email. However, we do provide something better, webmail. By taking your questions directly through our website, we have completely eliminated all spam contacts. As a result, we are able to respond to your questions much quicker than we could through standard email. To send us a webmail simply log into our site at <http://sbsupport.ubi.com/>. 
>From this site, you will be able to enter the Shadowbane Solution Center, where you can browse through our lists of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), search our database of known problems and solutions, and send in a request for personal assistance from a Technical Support representative by using the Ask a Question feature on the Frequently Asked Questions page. 
Most webmail contacts are responded to within two business days. 
Contact Us by Phone
You can also contact us by phone by calling (919) 460-9778 (For our customers in Quebec, we provide French language support at (866) 824-6515). Please note that this number is for technical assistance only. No gameplay hints or tips are given over the Technical Support line. In-Game support is not handled by the Technical Support staff. You will need to contact the CCRs using the available channels mentioned. When calling our Technical Support line, please make sure you are in front of your computer and have all of the necessary information listed above at hand. 
Be advised that our Technical Support representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday from 9 am- 9 pm Eastern Time (French language support available from 7 am- 4 pm EST). 
While we do not charge for technical support, normal long distance charges apply. To avoid long distance charges, or to contact a support representative directly after these hours, please feel free to browse our Frequently Asked Questions lists or to send us a webmail. Webmail questions usually receive a response within two business days. 
Contact Us by Standard Mail 
If all else fails, you can write to us at: 
Ubisoft Technical Support
3200 Gateway Center Blvd
Suite 100
Morrisville, NC 27560 
Return Policy
Please do not send any game returns directly to Ubisoft before contacting Technical Support. It is our policy that game returns must be dealt with by the retailer or online site where you purchased the product. If you have a damaged or scratched CD, please visit the FAQ listing for your game and get the latest replacement policy and pricing. We will not accept unsolicited returns/exchanges without prior approval and an RMA (Return Materials Authorization) number from a support representative.


In Europe, please contact your local Ubisoft support line.
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In-Game Support Information
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Any and all feedback, reports of problems, or other issues that you need to
communicate to the development team should be sent via the CCR (Customer
Care Representative) Petition system. To access the Petition menu,
left-click the Petition CCR button on the Info/Help sub-menu, located in the
Command Bar from within the game.
 
The CCR Petition window contains a menu of options, each of which will open
a specialized Petition window. The option buttons tag the petition, ensuring
that it is sent to the correct place. The options available are:
 
* General Help - A request for basic help in Shadowbane about anything
from the user Interface to gameplay and the default hotkeys. Questions
concerning the world of Shadowbane itself (Hints, game information, etc.)
will NOT be answered. Refer to the Shadowbane Web site,
http://shadowbane.com.
 
* Feedback - Opinions about gameplay and requests for enhancements.
 
* Stuck - A request to be freed if trapped inside an object.
 
* Harassment - Files a formal complaint about another player's actions.
 
* Abuse/Exploit - Reports a system bug that, if used, will give an unfair
advantage.
 
* Bug - Reports all other system or game problems.
 
* Game Stopper - Reports a cataclysmic fault or problem.
 
* Tech Support - A request for help dealing with computer-related issues.
 
 
Selecting a petition type on the Petition menu opens a Petition window,
where you can enter the details of your comments or problems. Petition
windows have the following features:
 
* Name - Your character's name is recorded automatically.
 
* Location - Your character's current location (in-world coordinates) is
recorded automatically.
 
* Zone - The name of the zone your character occupies is recorded
automatically.
 
* Instructions - A brief statement indicating how likely or how quickly a
CCR can directly respond to the problem. Response varies based on the type
of petition and other circumstances.
 
* Description Field - Input a detailed description of your problem,
comments, etc. in this area. Left-click in the field to place a cursor, then
type your description. The more descriptive and detailed the information 
is, the more able the development and support team will be to assist you
or solve the problem.
 
* Submit Button - The check-marked button at the bottom of the window
submits your petition.
 
* Cancel Button - The [X] button in the upper right corner closes the
Petition window and cancels the petition.
 
 
Players may not have more than one petition in the system. In order to send
an additional petition, the last one must be canceled (does not apply to bug
or feedback petitions).
 
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WEBSITES
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Shadowbane websites:
 
Product site: http://www.shadowbane.com
<http://www.shadowbane.com/> 
Community site: http://chronicle.ubi.com
<http://chronicle.ubi.com/> 
Shadowbane forums: http://sbforums.ubi.com <http://sbforums.ubi.com/> 
Support site: http://sbsupport.ubi.com
<http://sbsupport.ubi.com/> 
Billing site: https://secure.ubi.com/billing
<https://secure.ubi.com/billing> 
