This README file contains technical information about FINAL FANTASY VIII PC.
For the latest FFVIII PC information and updates browse http://www.ff8-pc.com.
Please refer to the FFVIII PC manual for details about gameplay.
 
 

Table of Contents
--------------------------------------

I. Minimum System Requirements
II. Installation/Uninstall
III. Configuration Instructions
IV. Yamaha Software Synthesizer
V. Supported Chipsets
VI. Known Issues With Chipsets
VII. Troubleshooting
VIII. FINAL FANTASY VIII PC Website
IX. Important Notes
 
 

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==  I. Minimum System Requirements  ==
======================================

The minimum system requirements to run FINAL FANTASY VIII PC are:

 Computer:  Must be Intel or 100% Intel compatible.

 CPU:  With 3D Accelerator: Pentium 200MHz or equivalent
   (Pentium II 266MHz is recommended).
   Without 3D Accelerator (i.e. software rendering):
   Pentium II 266MHz.

 Video Card: 8MB Direct3D-compatible 3D accelerator for 3D hardware
          accelerator.  4MB SVGA Video Card for software
     rendering.
 
 Sound Card: DirectMusic and DirectSound compatible sound card.

 CD-ROM:  8X CD-ROM

 Memory:  32MB of RAM (64MB is recommended)

 DirectX: Microsoft DirectX 6.1 or later is required to be
   installed to play FINAL FANTASY VIII PC.  DirectX 6.1 is
   included on the installation CD.

 HDD Space: FINAL FANTASY VIII PC requires at least 300MB of hard
   drive space to install.  In addition, the player may
   install Optional Game Data which will enhance the speed
   of the screen transitions.  However, this requires an
   additional 300MB.  The player will also need to have
   enough disk space for the Save Games and Windows Swap
   file!
 

**Please be aware of the minimum system requirements for FFVIII PC.  If any of
these requirements are not met the game may not install or run properly.**

**Also please note that the minimum specifications are what is required for
FFVIII PC to run.  To fully enjoy the game, the way it was meant to be, we
highly recommend system components that meet or exceed the recommendations.**
 
 

==================================
==  II. Installation/Uninstall  ==
==================================

To install FINAL FANTASY VIII PC on your system, insert the Install CD into your
CD-ROM drive.  If you have Autorun enabled, the startup screen will display
momentarily.  Otherwise:

 1)  Double-click on Startup.exe at the root directory of the CD,
   OR
 2)  Go to Run... in your Start Menu and type d:\Startup.exe (substitute
     your CD-ROM's drive letter if different from "d:")
 

From here you will have four selections to choose from:

 1)  Install.  An install wizard will guide you through the installation
     process for FINAL FANTASY VIII PC.

 2)  Install DirectX 6.1.  If DirectX 6.1 is not currently installed
     on your PC or if you need to upgrade a previous version of DirectX,
     the player must click this selection.

 3)  Readme.  View and print this FFVIII PC README file.

 4)  Exit the installation menu.
 

** Note: If you wish to uninstall FINAL FANTASY VIII PC please do so through the
Add/Remove Programs option in the Control Panel Settings.
 
 

=======================================
==  III. Configuration Instructions  ==
=======================================

The FFVIII PC Configuration utility, FF8Config.exe, can be located in either of
the following places (assuming the game is installed under the default
directory):

 1) Program Files\Square Soft, Inc\FINAL FANTASY VIII directory,
   OR
 2) Start Menu\Programs\FINAL FANTASY VIII folder
 
 

The FFVIII PC Configuration utility consists of four sections:

1) Current Settings

 This section summarizes the current settings in effect for the game.

 
2) Graphics

 This section allows the player to alter their graphics configuration for
 the game.  Also, the results of a Direct3D Capabilities test are
 displayed under the heading 'Required 3D Features for Direct3D'.  If any
 one of these fields fail, we can not guarantee that the game will
 display graphics properly.  If so, please contact your video card
 manufacturer for the latest driver-set.

 Display: This allows the player to choose between the Primary
   Display Driver or any other display drivers installed
   on the PC.

 Renderer:  This allows the player to change between Software or 3D
   Accelerator Hardware rendering (if a Direct3D Compatible
   Display device is present).

 Display Res.: This allows the player to toggle between Quarter Screen
   or Full Screen.  If your machine is close to, but not
   below the minimum requirements for the game, then you
   may want to make sure that you are running in Quarter
   Screen to achieve a higher framerate.  However, with
   Quarter Screen turned on, the player will be unable to
   display High Resolution Movies.

 Movie Res.: This allows the player to toggle between High resolution
   or Low resolution for the full motion video.  High
   Resolution is only available when running the game in
   Full Screen.  High resolution movies also require a
   fast CPU.

 Perf. Options:  Adjusting these options will allow for better
   performance in the game, but you will lose some
   graphical quality when checking these boxes.
 

   No World Map Color Animation--With this option checked
   there will be no color animation implemented on the
   world map.

   No World Map Fog--With this option checked there will be
   no fog effect on the world map.

   No World Map Texture Animation--With this option checked
   there will be no texture animation implemented on the
   world map.

   No Field Bilinear Filtering--Checking this option will
   disable Bilinear Filtering in the field screens.  This
   will increase the framerate while in the field but lower
   the quality of the backgrounds.

   Use High Res Fonts--With this option checked a high
   resolution font will be utilized throughout the game.
   However, this requires 8MB of VRAM.  If this option is
   not checked, then a low resolution font will be applied.
 

3) Sound

 This section allows the player to manipulate their sound configuration.
 You can adjust minor sound issues to increase the performance of your
 game, but be warned, you may reduce the music quality.  These
 adjustments can be made by unchecking the Reverb and/or Chorus options
 at the bottom.

 Sound Driver:   This allows the player to choose between the Primary
   Sound Driver or any other sound drivers installed on
   the PC.

 EAX:  This allows the player to utilize Creative Lab's
   Environmental Audio Extensions.
 

 Test Speaker: In this section the player can test the speaker output.

 DMusic Port: This allows the player to choose between the Microsoft
   Synthesizer or any other synthesizer installed on
   the PC.

** Note:   Please ensure that the Audio Compression component of Multimedia is
    installed.  Windows 95 users may not have this feature installed by
    default.  In the Start Menu\Settings\Control Panel, click on
    Add/Remove Programs, click on the Windows Setup tab, click on
    Multimedia, click on Details, and check to see if the Audio
    Compression option box is checked.  If the box is not checked, check
    the box and click OK.  Follow the instructions on the screen to
    complete installation.
 

4) Input

 In this section the player can change the default button mapping for the
 keyboard and a gamepad controller (if installed).  The player can map
 any of the letters of the keyboard to the game controls (i.e. you cannot
 map the  keys PAGEUP, INSERT, etc.)  If the player has a gamepad
 installed, it can be configured in the same fashion.

 To map the letters of the keyboard to certain game controls the user
 simply has to click with the mouse in the particular control they want
 to change and then press the key they want.
 
 

=======================================
==  IV. Yamaha Software Synthesizer  ==
=======================================

An update for Yamaha Software Synthesizer S-YXG50/70/100 is included on the CD.
If you currently have one of these Yamaha Software Synthesizers, then you may
use this to update your software synthesizer. To install the update look in the
\Yamaha S-yxgdm directory on the installation disc.  Click on the setup icon and
the update will be installed.

To utilize the Yamaha Software Synthesizer, run the FFVIII Configuration
utility, then click on the Sound tab. From here you will see your Sound Driver
and DirectMusic Port.  Click on the DirectMusic Port list box and select Yamaha
Synthesizer.
 

**Note: If the player is using a Yamaha Software Synthesizer, when the game is
 paused, the music will slow down considerably.
 

=============================
==  V. Supported Chipsets  ==
=============================

FINAL FANTASY VIII PC was tested on the following graphics chipsets:

 nVidia:  TNT, TNT2
 3DFX:  Voodoo2, Voodoo3, Voodoo Banshee
 Matrox:  G200, G400
 ATI:  Rage Pro, Rage 128
 3D Labs: Permedia 2
 S3:  Savage3D, Savage4
 

**Note: Your video card may require the latest Windows 95/98 Drivers for correct
and optimal performance.
 
 

======================================
==  VI. Known Issues With Chipsets  ==
======================================

nVidia:
  TNT/TNT2: FFVIII PC requires that texture coordinates begin at
     the top, left corner of a texture map.  If you notice
     the texture mapping and fonts are misaligned please
     check the TNT/TNT2 texel alignment setting.  Ensure
     that it is set to the upper-left corner.  If your
     current drivers do not support this feature, you may
     need to use nVidia's reference drivers.
 

3dfx:
  Voodoo Graphics: Not supported.

  Voodoo 2: Use the latest version of reference drivers.

  Voodoo 3: DirectX 6.1 drivers have no issues.  Use the
     latest available version of these DirectX 6.1
     reference drivers.  The DirectX 7 driver set has very
     minor graphical issues which are currently being
     worked on.

 
Matrox:
  G200: Use driver version 5.30 or later.
 
  G400: Use driver version 5.40 or later.

  Mystique: Not supported.
 

ATI:
  Rage IIc: Not supported.

  Rage Pro: Use the latest available drivers, version
     rpro_540-1b02k.

  Rage 128: Use the latest drivers.
 

S3:
  Savage 3D: Not supported.
 
  Savage4: Supported.
 

3D Labs:
  Permedia 2: Use the latest drivers.
 
 

============================
==  VII. Troubleshooting  ==
============================

 Q: I seem to be having a problem with slow frame rates during a magic
    effect.  How do I fix this problem?

 A: You may have a lower specification machine.  To fix this situation,
    change your screen size to Quarter screen and low resolution fonts.
    If you are using a faster machine and do not want to play in the
    Quarter Screen size disable the performance options.
 

 Q: Some of the magic effects or other graphical content do not look
    correct.  Can I fix this problem?

 A: You may be using an older version of the drivers for your video card.
    Visit your video card manufacturer's website and download the latest
    drivers.
 

 Q: When I am playing the game, the sound sometimes pauses between field
    transitions.  What is wrong?

 A: Your system may be trying to swap a large amount of data while
    playing sounds/music.  You may want to install Optional Game Data as
    well.  This may speed up screen transistions and alleviate the
    problem.
 

 Q: When watching movies, the music/sound sometimes skips.  How do I
    resolve this problem?

 A: Your PC may not meet our minimum requirements to run the movies at
    high resolution or full screen.  Go to the FFVIII Configuration
    applet and either lower the movie resolution and/or the screen size.

 
 Q: I do not hear any sound effects or music at all.

 A: The player needs to have the Audio Compression component in the
    Multimedia section installed.  In the Start Menu\Settings\Control
    Panel, click on Add/Remove Programs, click on the Windows Setup tab,
    click on Multimedia, and click on Details.  If the Audio Compression
    option box is not checked, add the component by checking the box and
    clicking OK.  Follow the instructions on the screen to complete
    installation.
 

 Q: I do not hear the song "Eyes on Me"?

 A: Make sure your system can playback regular Audio CD's.  Typically
    this means that you will need to have an audio cable connecting your
    CD-ROM to your sound card.  Review your CD-ROM and system
    documentation on how to install an audio cable.
 
 

============================================
==  VIII. FINAL FANTASY VIII PC Web Site  ==
============================================

The Final Fantasy VIII PC Website can be located at http://www.ff8-PC.com.  The
website will have the latest information regarding FINAL FANTASY VIII PC.
 

===========================
==  IX. Important Notes  ==
===========================

 1) Using 'ALT + Tab', 'CTRL + ESC', or minimizing the game may cause
    graphical problems.  Simply restart the game to address the problem.
 

 2) At the end of each FINAL FANTASY VIII PC game disc the player will be
    prompted to insert the the next game disc.  After inserting the disc
    the user must press 'X', the action key, to proceed.
 

 3) Once the final credits have scrolled by at the end of the game the
    screen will stay black.  To exit the game, the user must press
    'CTRL + Q' or 'ALT + F4'.

============================================================
==  Legal:        ==
==  (C)1999, 2000 Square Co., Ltd.  All rights reserved.  ==
==  FINAL FANTASY, SQUARESOFT, and the SQUARESOFT logos   ==
==  are registered trademarks of Square Co., Ltd.         ==
============================================================