EA GAMES(tm) presents

Need for Speed(tm) Most Wanted PC Demo README

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ATTN: CUSTOMER SUPPORT.
(C) 2005 Electronic Arts Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
WHAT THIS FILE IS
=================
This file contains information that explains important demo functionality.
NOTE: Content of Web Links within this document may not be under the
control of Electronic Arts.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
************************************************************
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

INSTALLATION
BASIC KEYBOARD CONTROLS
SETTINGS AND OPTIONS
TROUBLESHOOTING
ONLINE
CONTROLLER INFORMATION
UNINSTALLING

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1.

INSTALLATION

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MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

===========================
Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional,
or Windows XP Home operating system
Intel Pentium 4 (or equivalent) CPU running at 1.4GHz or higher
32MB DirectX 9.0c compatible video card (Geforce2MX or higher) using a
supported chipset (see below)
256 MB RAM
DirectX compatible sound card
1 GB of HD space
8X CD-ROM (if using demo disc)
To play online a network card is required for broadband connectivity
Installation Instructions:
Exit all applications. It is recommended that you do not run unnecessary
background applications when installing the game.
For demo disc installation, insert the demo disc into your computer's CD drive.
The Autorun menu will appear as soon as your disc drive recognizes the disc. Se
lect Install to
Install the game.
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2.

BASIC KEYBOARD CONTROLS

************************************************************
The basic keyboard controls required to play the game are:
In Game Controls:
Steer Left
Steer Right
Throttle
Reverse
Shift Up
Shift Down
E-brake
Speedbreaker
Nitrous
Camera
Look Back
Enter Race / Shop
World Map
Read SMS
Blacklist
Reset Car
Pause

Left Arrow
Right Arrow
Up Arrow
Down Arrow
Shift
Left Ctrl
Space
Right Ctrl
Alt
C
L
Enter
M
Tab
B
R
Esc

Menu Controls
Highlight Menu Items

Up, Down, Left and Right Arrows

Cycle Choices / Move sliders Up, Down, Left and Right Arrows
Select / Go to next Screen
ENTER or left mouse click on selection
Return to previous screen
ESC
Take Screenshot
F12
(Screenshots are saved to My Pictures in the My Documents directory)
************************************************************
3.

SETTINGS AND OPTIONS

************************************************************
VIDEO CARD SUPPORT
==================
Although Direct3D is supported, this support is only officially
extended to certain 3D accelerator devices. The following major D3D
chipsets are supported.
ATI Radeon 7500
ATI Radeon 8500
ATI Radeon 9xxx series
ATI Radeon Xpress 200
ATI Radeon X300, X600, X700, X800 series
NVIDIA GeForce 2 (GTS, MX, Ultra/Ti)
NVIDIA GeForce 3 (Ti)
NVIDIA GeForce 4 (MX, Ti)
NVIDIA GeForce FX series
NVIDIA GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800, 7800
Intel 950/i915g
S3 GammaChrome S18 Pro
While Direct3D supports a wider variety of 3D accelerator devices, the
behavior of Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo cannot be predicted in these
situations. In extreme cases, running Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo with
a Direct3D device that is not officially supported can lead to an
unstable PC environment.
SOUND CARD SUPPORT
==================
Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo supports DirectSound. If your sound card
driver does not support DirectSound you may experience choppy or
stuttering sound or sound that cuts in and out. If your sound card
driver does not support DirectSound, we recommend obtaining updated
drivers from your sound card manufacturer.
CD-ROM DRIVES and DVD DRIVES (IF USING DEMO DISC)
==================================================
Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo requires at minimum an 8x CD-ROM/DVD
drive. Disc 1 must be in the CD-ROM/DVD drive when you start the
game. If your system has more than one CD-ROM/DVD drive, be sure the game
disc is in the same drive from which you installed the game.
DEFAULT GRAPHICS SETTINGS
==============================
The first time Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo is run, a system check is

performed and default levels are set for the various graphics
settings. These default levels are set to provide the best game play
experience possible based on the hardware detected in your system.
These settings can be adjusted in the Video menu of the Options.
Resolution: Use the arrows to increase or decrease the game
resolution. Increasing the game s resolution may slow down system
performance.
Level of Detail: Use the arrows beside the Level of Detail bar to
increase or decrease global graphics setting. Increasing the Detail
setting to high will improve the game s graphics but may slow down system
performance.
Advanced Display Settings: Tweak individual graphics settings. (See
below.)
Default Settings: Reset your graphics settings to the default for your
hardware configuration.
Selecting Advanced Display Settings in the Video menu takes you to
the Advanced Display Settings menu. The following individual settings
are available to tweak to change the game s graphics output and game
performance. Turning all the settings to on may slow down system
performance.
Full Screen Anti-Aliasing: Adjust slider to increase/decrease pixel smoothing.
Texture Filtering: Adjust the slider to increase/decrease the Quality of the te
xtures.
Vsync: Updates the screen based on the refresh rate of your monitor.
World Level of Detail: Increase the amount of detail visible in world geometry.
Decreasing world geometry detail may increase overall system performance.
Road Reflection Detail: Increase or decrease reflections visible in the road.
Shadow Detail: Increase/decrease car shadow detail. Decreased shadow detail ma
y improve
system performance.
Car Geometry Detail: Setting this to High increases geometry details
on the car.
Car Reflection Detail: Setting this to High increases the detail of
reflections visible on the car.
Car Reflection Update Rate: Increase or decrease how quickly reflections
are visible on the car update.
Rain Effect: Rain splatter effect on/off.
Over Bright: When on it increases brightness of bright areas in the game.
Visual Treatment: Increase or decrease the effect of the visual treatment in the
game.

Not all graphic details are available for all video cards due to
hardware limitations.

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4.

TROUBLESHOOTING

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FAST USER SWITCHING
===================
You will not be able to run two versions of the game using two different
windows accounts via the fast user switching (windows key + L).
DEVICE DRIVERS
==============
It is highly recommended that the latest versions of all device
drivers (i.e. video and sound card drivers) be obtained and installed.
Please consult your card manufacturer for their newest drivers. Also,
keep in mind that video chip manufacturers sometimes provide drivers
in addition to the card manufacturer.
If you are experiencing issues with an unstable PC environment please
make sure your Motherboard drivers (AGP, miniport) are up to date. For
further information please contact your Motherboard manufacturer.
VIDEO & GRAPHICS PROBLEMS
=========================
If you are experiencing performance problems on the default graphics
settings, try lowering some of the settings or the game resolution.
This game requires DirectX 9.0c
It is available for download by going to:
www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/
Graphic Cards: Graphical settings and features available in-game are
dependant on Graphics Card capabilities. Settings not supported by your
Graphics Card hardware are disabled in the Options Menu to prevent
adverse effects on the game and your computer.
NVIDIA Cards: All supported NVIDIA cards were tested using ForceWare
driver version 81.84 beta (Win2k/XP). It is highly
recommended this driver or a more recent version be used when running
Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo.
ATI Cards: All supported ATI cards were tested using Catalyst driver
version 5.10 (Win2k/XP). It is highly recommended
this driver or a more recent version be used when running
Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo.
BACKGROUND PROGRAMS
===================
Avoid running other programs in the background.

Programs starting up automatically can cause Need for Speed

Most Wanted PC Demo to lose control of the screen and keyboard, possibly
causing an unstable PC environment. We strongly recommend that you
shut down or suspend applications that start up automatically or
programs that automatically run other applications at specified times
before running Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo. These include, but are not
limited to:
- Windows System Agent
- Windows Task Scheduler
- Windows "Disk Cleanup" utilities
Similarly, message boxes and dialog boxes from other programs or
Windows itself can also cause Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo
control of the screen and keyboard, possibly causing an unstable
environment. We strongly recommend that you shut down all other
applications before running Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo.
include, but are not limited to:
- Email programs
- Calendar, appointment, or contact applications
- Network or Internet chat programs
- Automatic Update on Anti Virus software

from
to lose
PC
These

Also, connections to/from non-dedicated servers can be disrupted when

background programs or screen-savers launch. We recommend that you shut
down other applications (including virus scanners) and run Need for Speed
Most Wanted PC Demo by itself whenever possible.
POWER MANAGEMENT SUSPEND/SLEEP MODES
============================================
Systems (i.e. laptops or other portables) that automatically power
down into "sleep" or "suspended" modes can cause Need for Speed
Most Wanted PC Demo to lose control of the screen and keyboard, possibly
causing an unstable PC environment. We strongly recommend that you
disable these features before running Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo.
WINDOWS VIRTUAL MEMORY ISSUES WITH 256MB RAM
==================================================
If you experience any Virtual Memory issues while running the game, try increasi
ng
the page file size on your hard drive. Please consult the Microsoft Windows hel
p
pages to determine how to tweak your virtual memory settings.
CHOPPY PLAYBACK DURING VIDEO SEQUENCES
==================================================
If you experience choppy playback during video sequences, try increasing
the page file size on your hard drive. Please consult the Microsoft Windows hel
p
pages to determine how to tweak your virtual memory settings.
SAFE MODE
=========================
The safe mode option can be found under the game directory in the Start Menu. I
f this
option does not appear, go to www.microsoft.com/downloads and install the .NET F
ramework.
Then re-install the game.

************************************************************
5.

ONLINE PLAY

************************************************************
To avoid poor performance during Internet play, be sure that you close
any file sharing, streaming audio, or chat programs prior to entering
gameplay. These applications can monopolize your connection s bandwidth,
causing lag or other undesirable effects.
Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo uses the following TCP and UDP port(s) for
Internet play:
TCP ports: 80, 13505, 30900-30999
UDP port addresses: 3658-3658
Please consult your router or personal firewall documentation for information
on how to allow game related traffic on these ports. If you are attempting to
play on a corporate Internet connection, contact your network administrator.
NOTE: Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo supports only broadband connections
for online play. When logging in to play Online you are logging into
the EA.com servers. If you already have one, you may use your existing
online EA.com account to play or you can create a new one.
Setting up an account: An EA online account is required for online play. At
the account log-in screen choose Create New EA online account . You will be
taken to menus where you enter account information and choose your
online user name.
NOTE: If your existing EA online account contains a space, you won t be able
to use it due to a limitation in the game.
Personas: Persona's are part of your EA online account and are used
for any EA online product you play. Deleting a persona that has been used in
other EA Products will also delete the persona and all associated
stats/rewards earned with that persona across all EA products.
The Online Lobby
================
The Online Lobby is where all created games will be displayed. Select
a game from the list to join that game.
The games list will be fluctuating all the time as new games are created
and players join those games. To keep the list of games as recent as
possible click the refresh button.
Performance Matching ensures that no matter what car others have selected they w
ill all equal the same performance. This is an option during the game setup and
something designated by the host.
Game Room Options

=================
Game Room Countdown:
Once the minimum number of racers has entered the Game Room the countdown timer
will begin to ensure the race will be started. The timer can not be stopped and
will only pause if a new racer enters the room. The timer will accelerate if n
o changes are being made by any player for a moment. In the last few seconds th
e positions are locked and no more changes can be made.
Client/Host Options:
When in another player's/or your own game room you will have access to
extra options. Select a player name from within the game room to view
the menu of available selections.
Send Private Message - This will enable you to send a private message to
the selected player.

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6.

CONTROLLER INFORMATION

************************************************************
CONTROLLER CONFIGURATIONS
================================
Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo can be played with many popular gamepads
and controller devices. If your device is not recognized, or if you'd
like to modify the configuration the game has pre-assigned to your
controller, enter Controls under Options in the Main Menu.
The re-mapping tools in this menu are useful for tweaking your
controller for optimal play.
CONTROLLER PROBLEMS
=======================
To correct these problems, properly configure and calibrate the device
from the Windows Control Panel. If problems continue to persist,
disconnect the device from your computer before playing Need for Speed
Most Wanted PC Demo. Ensure the latest manufacturer drivers are installed for
your device.
- The mouse pointer automatically scrolls through the buttons on menu
screens.
- Your car makes erratic movements that are not intended (i.e.
continually turning).
- Certain movements do not occur when the proper direction is pressed.
- Sluggish response on slower machines.
FORCE FEEDBACK SETTINGS
=============================
Force Feedback is not enabled on the Customize Controller screen of
the Options menu until proper, device-specific drivers are installed
for that controller. The default generic drivers provided by Windows
do not provide access to Force Feedback features.

KEYBOARD PROBLEMS
=======================
To adjust the feeling\sensitivity of the steering in gameplay when
using the keyboard, enter the Keyboard option in the Windows Control
Panel (Start - Settings - Control Panel). By adjusting the Repeat
Delay and Repeat Rate the user can adjust the controls to feel more
analog or digital depending on their preference.
Some newer keyboards do not allow certain combinations of more than
two keys to be depressed simultaneously. For example, if you were
pressing both the up arrow key to accelerate and the left arrow key to
turn, and you pressed the <C> key to change your view, the view may not
change. Unfortunately, this problem is due to a limitation of the
hardware.
While it is possible to bind game controls to the F12, Print Screen and
Windows keys, these keys will also retain their original function and can
interfere with gameplay.
The Windows key is not locked out during gameplay and it will bring
up the start menu during gameplay. This may interfere with gameplay.
************************************************************
7.

UNINSTALLING

************************************************************
The simplest method of uninstalling the Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo is to
use the "Uninstall Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo" shortcut in the Start Me
nu (usually "Start Menu/All Programs/EA Games/Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo
/Uninstall Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo").
Windows also has an "Add/Remove Programs" Icon in the Control Panel that you can
use to uninstall the game.
(C) 2005 Electronic Arts Inc. All rights reserved.
END OF Need for Speed Most Wanted PC Demo README