trace effects users manual

1. The 3D Adventure Game
You control the main character, Trace. Trace Effects is played in the 3rd person.
This means that you see what Trace is doing, rather than seeing through Trace’s
eyes. Trace is a student from the future who accidentally traveled backward
through time. He needs to complete certain actions in order to be able to return
home. Each chapter contains a set of objectives for Trace. Trace moves around
the game world, collecting items and interacting with different people. A console
that appears at the lower left of the screen displays the choices for what Trace
can say in an interaction.
The object of the game is to complete the objectives given to you. If you are
successful, Trace will be able to return home to the future. All of the language in
Trace Effects is there for a reason. Listen carefully to all dialogs for clues and
important information.
Character Movement / Controls
To navigate Trace through the game-world, use the following keys on a standard
keyboard:
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W = Walk Forward
S = Walk Backward
A = Rotate Counter Clockwise
D = Rotate Clockwise
E = Interact with a nearby object or character
Spacebar = Jump
Shift = Run
The mouse lets you view the world from above as well as from different sides
after you press CRTL.
Interacting with characters or objects
When Trace encounters a person or an object that he can interact with, you can
press “E” to start the interaction.
Collecting Items
While moving through the game-world, Trace will encounter “collectables” that he
can use in his “Actions tab” (described below). These collectable items fall into
two categories:
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1. Action Words
These are giant floating action words (verbs) scattered throughout the gameworld.
Trace can collect them by simply touching (passing over) them. The word
then disappears from the game-world and can be used through Trace’s action
tab. Make sure to collect all the words you see or you may get stuck and be
unable to perform a needed action. If you are stuck, look around for the word you
may have missed. Note: Action words only remain within Trace’s action tab for
one chapter. Once a new chapter begins, Trace will start with no action words
and will need to collect new ones.
2. Inventory Items
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Like action words, inventory items (nouns) are scattered throughout the gameworld.
In the game, these appear in the inventory when Trace interacts
appropriately with the right people or objects. You can collect items by directing
Trace to touch them or walk through them. After collecting an object, Trace will
be able to access that object through the “Actions tab.” Note: Inventory items only
remain within Trace’s action tab for one chapter. Once a new chapter begins,
Trace will start with no inventory items and will need to collect new ones.
Character and Object Interaction
Certain characters and objects within the game world are designated as
“interactive.” This means that Trace can engage with them by approaching and
pressing the “E” key. Once engaged with an interactive object or character, you
will have access to two “tabbed” menus in the console on the left side:
The “Options” Tab
This menu allows the player to select things for Trace to say from a variety of
choices. This tab contains a scroll bar. Be sure to view all options available. If
you would like to hear the character repeat the line and view it as text, select
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"Hear again" from the options list. If you would like to end a conversation, choose
the option "Walk away" from the options list. Choose carefully what Trace will say
and listen to the response. A good choice will gain points. A choice that is not
polite or that doesn’t make sense may lose points.
The “Actions” Tab
When engaging with an object, Trace can also choose to “do something” in
relation to that object, as opposed to speaking. Do this by selecting the actions
tab where you combine the action words with items in the inventory. For
example, when interacting with a locked door, you can combine the “Unlock With”
action word with the “Key” inventory item - thus causing Trace to unlock the door
with his key. You must have the words and items in the inventory to use them.
Points
You gain points in the 3D game by completing objectives. You can also gain
points by choosing the correct dialog choices at certain key points in the game.
Sound cues within the game let you know when points are being added or taken
away from your total score. Chapter-specific points are displayed in the game
interface.
Points earned in the 3D game will go towards your TOTAL SCORE, which is
located in the top right of the screen.
You can also add points by using the practice exercises or engaging in the multiplayer
challenges. All points earned through various activities are combined and
displayed in the “Total Score” area at the top right of the webpage.
Game Interface
Primary Interface
This is what you see when you can move Trace (i.e., when Trace is not engaged
with an interactive object):
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Stats
The stats menu item will show you all of your game progress and objectives.
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Inventory
The inventory menu option will show you all the action words and objects in your
inventory.
Dialog History
The dialog history keeps a record of all conversation in the game.
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Notes
You can keep notes during each chapter by choosing the notes button in the
menu. This is meant for temporary notes to help keep track of information during
a chapter. These notes are temporary, and they will be erased once a new
chapter begins.
Help
In the help menu you can find a link to this user's manual, access to a dictionary
tool from Merriam-Webster, and a record of all the help instruction pop-ups that
you have encountered throughout the game.
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Map
The full map graphic can be viewed by clicking the globe icon in the top right
corner, next to the compass.
Interactive Object Interface (Options Tab)
You see this menu when you approach an interactive object and press the “E”
key. The “Options” tab is selected by default, where you can select what you
would like Trace to say.
Interactive Object Interface (Actions Tab)
This menu is displayed when you are engaged with an interactive object and
select the “Actions Tab.” Here you can select an action word in the first box, and
an inventory item in the second box. After you choose both, you can press the
“Do This Action” button to make Trace perform the action.
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Conversation Interface
When someone is speaking, you see a “letterbox” format. It displays a simplified
interface that shows who is speaking. When that character has finished
speaking, you can use the conversation controls to repeat the last line or to move
on. Note: If you ask for the line to be repeated, you can see the words as text at
the top of the screen.
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Chapter Beginning and Ending Videos
Each chapter has an introduction video and a closing video that have important
story elements and clues. Listen and read carefully!
Chapter Completion Screen
After each chapter is completed successfully, you will see a completion screen. It
shows you the language skills that you practiced during that chapter. The screen
also alerts you to what is coming up in the next chapter. From this screen, you
can choose to play the chapter again for more points or to move on to the next
chapter. There are a number of links from this completion screen:
1. Link to the chapter comic: Each chapter has a graphic novel summary of the
chapter's story, which opens in a pop-out PDF.
2. Link to the language practice activities: Each chapter has a group of language
practice activities that relate to the story. (See Language Practice section)
3. Link to chapter completion certificate: Each chapter has a printable completion
certificate to celebrate your success in completing the chapter.
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2. Language Practice
If you want more language practice, select "Language Practice" from the main
navigation menu across the top of the webpage. The chapter’s practice exercises
are unlocked after you complete each chapter. You can gain points each time
you practice. Select an exercise from the drop down menu to begin. Follow the
on-screen instructions.
Exercises are made up of several types including multiple choice, fill in the blank,
ordering, and matching.
3. Multiplayer Challenges
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Multi-player challenges are only available in the online version of Trace Effects.
Some require two players to play. After you choose the game you want to play,
you will see the instructions while you wait for other players to join. Once they
join, the game will begin. Timed games will count down before they start.
Multiplayer games will contain several rounds of play. Once the rounds are
complete, the overall scores of each player are displayed, and a winner is
announced.
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4. Comics
Each chapter in the Trace Effects 3D game has a companion graphic novel that
summarizes the chapter’s storyline. The graphic novel is available after you
complete a chapter successfully. If you have a printer, you can print out the
graphic novel and take it with you.
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5. Links
This page contains many useful U.S. Department of State-approved links to help
support your language learning experience. They are categorized for easy
reference by theme and chapter.
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6. Points
Many activities in Trace Effects award points. You can earn points by
successfully completing tasks within the 3D games. You can also build up points
by practicing language through the practice exercises or engaging in the multiplayer
challenges. All points earned through various activities are combined and
displayed in the top right of the webpage, where you see "Total Score."
Underneath, there is a leaderboard button. Can you beat the top score?
7. Log Out
If you are playing Trace Effects on a shared computer, be sure to log out when
you finish. If you are playing online, all your points will be stored in an online
database and will be there when you log back in. Once you close the browser,
you will automatically be logged out.
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8. Troubleshooting FAQ
Gameplay Questions
1. How do I know what to do when playing Trace Effects?
Each chapter has an introduction video and a closing video that has important
story elements and clues. Listen and read carefully! Also characters in the game
can help Trace by giving suggestions or directions. Finally check the objectives
list on the right side of the game screen.
2. How do I give items, like sandwiches, to other characters?
Trace can also choose to do something as opposed to speaking. Do this by
selecting the actions tab and combine the verb, with an item in the inventory. For
example, when interacting with a student, you can combine the “Give” action
word with the “Sandwich” inventory item - thus causing Trace to give a sandwich
to a hungry student. You must collect the words and items before you can use
them.
3. What if the game has words I don’t know?
Trace Effects includes a dictionary tool from Merriam-Webster to help you look
up definitions for problem words. You can find the dictionary by clicking the ?
icon at the bottom left of the game screen.
4. How do I earn points playing Trace Effects?
You can earn points by correctly responding in English to other characters in the
game. Questions or replies with correct grammar and details are awarded the
most points. Commands or rude responses can result in negative points so be
careful! You can also earn points by completing objectives that help Trace on his
mission. In addition to earning points by successfully completing tasks within the
3D games, you can also build up points by practicing language through the
practice exercises.
5. Can I listen to the dialogues again?
When a character has finished speaking, you can use the conversation controls
to have the last line repeated or to move on. Note: If you ask for the line to be
repeated, a transcription is displayed at the top of the screen. You can read the
dialogues by clicking the on the bottom-left of the game screen.
6. What if I can’t finish the chapter?
The Trace Effects game has checkpoints in the chapter after you complete
objectives. When you reach an objective the game saves. When you return to
the game you will begin at that checkpoint.
7. Where can I learn more about the places Trace visited?
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The Helpful Links page contains many useful U.S. Department of State-approved
links to help support your language learning experience. They are categorized for
easy reference by theme and chapter.
Technology Questions
1. What if an error in the game or a ‘glitch’ occurs?
In video game vocabulary a ‘glitch’ is an unexpected error in the game. Should
an unexpected game error occur where the game freezes or the character of
Trace falls through the environment, please restart the chapter and play from the
last checkpoint. The game saves automatically so if the game is restarted
students will not need to restart from the beginning, but from the last checkpoint.
2. In my lab, how can I “start over” if a new student plays the game at the same
computer?
On the DVD version, the main menu has a chapter button and a “start over”
button. Click on the “start over” button and the game will re-set and clear the
previous game play and scores.
3. Why don’t the multiplayer games work?
Word Builder and Head to Head require two players to play, while Word Soup
and Phrases in Space can be played alone. After you choose the game you want
to play, you will see the instructions while you wait for other players to join. Once
they join, the game will begin. Timed games will count down before they start.
Multiplayer games will contain several rounds of play. Once the rounds are
complete, the overall scores of each player are displayed, and a winner is
announced.
If another player does not join after ten seconds then you will be asked to play as
a single player. If this does not occur there may be a Internet connection issue.
Refreshing the webpage can correct this problem.
4. Why does the game crash in Chapter 4?
This particular issue has to do with memory allocation of the Internet browser.
Chapter 4 is a big chapter memory wise. If your Internet browser has too many
Internet pages open it will run out of memory and crash the game. Restarting the
chapter of course will bring you back to the checkpoint before the crash.
This is only a problem in Chapter 4. Before students play make sure that the
Trace Effects webpage is the only webpage they have open.
5. How do I change the screen resolution?
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Windows Trouble-Shooting
The Trace Effects game is designed to run at a screen resolution of 800x600.
1. Click the Start button and the select Control Panel. 2.
2. Under Screen resolution select the new resolution; 800x600 is
preferred for Trace Effects. Click Apply.
3. Click OK. Your screen may go dark. This is normal when Windows
changes resolution.
4. After changing the resolution, you have 15 seconds to confirm the
change. Click Yes to keep the new resolution. To keep the old resolution
do nothing and the resolution will revert to the old setting.
6. Why has the display mode changed on my Mac?
If you attach your Mac to a TV screen, it might “remember” the display mode and
not automatically revert back to a normal resolution. To change it manually,
follow these steps:
1. Open a new Finder Window
2. Hold command shift and press the G key
3. Type ~/Library/Preferences
4. Delete the file named "unity.Department of State.U.S. Department of
State - Trace Effects.plist"
5. Relaunch the app, and it should open in the correct sized window
7. How do I install Trace Effects from the DVD?
Upon insertion of the Trace Effects installation DVD, your computer should
prompt you to run the disk. If it does not, double-click to open the DVD, and then
choose the traceeffects.exe file.
Have fun and enjoy playing Trace Effects!