README FILE FOR IRVINE QUIK & THE SEARCH FOR THE FISH OF TRAGLEA

Thanks for downloading Irvine Quik & the Search for the Fish of Traglea, a sci-fi comedy for ADRIFT 4.  Adventure!  Cats!  Karate!  Interstellar intrigue!  Even a sort of memory mini-game thingy!  There's much to be enjoyed, unless you don't like those things.

PLAYING ON A MAC:
While this game has been tested in its native, Windows-only environment, it has also undergone testing in a SCARE-based interpreter, so it should run alright on either a PC or a Mac.  However, the quality of the game's appearance and functionality is almost guaranteed to be better in its native environment: the ADRIFT 4 Runner.  If you are using Gargoyle, Spatterlight, or another interpreter to play the game and run into some strange problems with it, please let me know so I can update the game.

You can find Gargoyle here: http://code.google.com/p/garglk/downloads/list
Spatterlight can be found here: http://ccxvii.net/spatterlight/

Mac users may also find included with the game a series of maps.  In the ADRIFT Runner, these would normally display along with the game.  They have been provided to help you orient yourself spatially in the world of Irvine Quik.

PLAYING ON A PC:
If you are using a PC, you can run this game in its native environment, the ADRIFT 4 Runner.  Please note that although the ADRIFT 5 environment is available as an open beta at this time, it is not fully backwards compatible with ADRIFT 4.  If you try running Irvine Quik in ADRIFT 5, you will run into all sorts of weirdness and broken stuff.  Please don't.

If you have both ADRIFT 4 and ADRIFT 5, please make sure you have the latest version of ADRIFT 4 (release 52, posted at adrift.co on 6 Sept 2012).  The latest install of ADRIFT 5 is known to cause problems in the Runner for earlier releases.

If using the ADRIFT 4 Runner, you will want to select a layout which includes a map and graphics, as both are included in the game (while neither is essential, the map can be very helpful and there is a neat title graphic for the game).  To do so, click "Options" in the ADRIFT Runner, then "Display & Media"... "Layout."  Select a layout with graphics and a map, preferably on the right, and adjust the screen to a size which pleases you.  Also please ensure that you have not checked "Always use my font" under "Appearance" in the "Display & Media" window, as this game uses a special pixel font for that full retro feel.

You can find ADRIFT 4 at adrift.co, under "Downloads."  Yes, it's .co and not .com.  I always find that a bit odd to write out.

ON WHATEVER YOU USE:
The game has a complete hint system available in-game should you get stuck.  You'll also find a walkthrough document enclosed if you get really stuck, or if you're running out of time and just want to see the end or whatever.  In general, the hint system will try to nudge you toward an answer (some nudges are more overt than others, true), while the walkthrough will simply spell the answer out for you, step by step.  You may also feel free to skip ahead in the game using the chapter select option offered at the title screen.

I hope you'll enjoy Irvine Quik & the Search for the Fish of Traglea!

-Duncan Bowsman