The Main Menu

When you start up the Targetware application, you will be presented with the Main Menu, which offers seven menu choices: Play Online, Host Game, Practice Offline, Download Mods, Settings, Credits, and Quit.

Play Online

This menu choice takes you to the Select Server screen, and presents you with a list of Targetware game servers to choose from. If necessary, press the Refresh List button to update the server list. Select the server you want to play on, then click Join Game to connect to the server and begin online play.

Host Game

You may want to host a game of your own. By hosting your own game, you can control every aspect of the online experience for everyone who connects to your server. The degree of control you exercise is up to you: you can simply host a game using one of the publicly available TW "mods", you can mix-and-match planes and terrains from different mods, or you can create your own planes and terrains if you like. See the Targetware Developer's Guide for more information on customization and content creation.

Once you click the Host Game button, you will be taken to a screen where you can select the "mod" you want to serve. Target Korea, or Target Rabaul, for instance. The game is essentially asking you: Where are the scenario files you want to use? Once you select a mod, the next screen will let you specify which scenario you want to start with. Select the desired scenario, then click the Load Scenario button. The scenario will load, and your computer will be registered with the Targetware Meta Server as a game host so other people can find it. In this mode of hosting, you can fly at the same time you are serving.

Practice Offline

You are not limited to flying online. You can also practice your flying skills offline, in whatever scenario you choose. Offline is a great place to practice take-offs, landings, strafing runs, dive bombing, and level bombing. There are no enemy planes in offline missions, so you don't have to worry about being shot down by enemy fighters. The AA guns at enemy fields and fleets will engage you, however, so don't get too careless.

To fly a scenario offline, select Practice Offline from the Main Menu, then select the "mod" you want to use: Target Rabaul, for example. Then select a scenario and click Load Scenario.

Download Mods

To make sure that you have the latest data from Targetware hosted mods, click the Download Mods button. This will take you to a screen that shows you whether you your local data is current or not. If your mods are out-of-date, you can download the mods directly from that screen. Both full downloads and patches are available, if the mod creators have provided for them. In the event that your download is interrupted, don't worry, you will not have to start all over. Targetware will automatically resume the download from where it was interrupted.

Settings

This menu item can be used to enter your game ID (your Targetware account name) and password, as well as calibrate any joysticks or other devices and change any controls. This is also where you select your video settings and similar preferences.

Credits

A list of individuals and institutions that contributed to the development of the Targetware Flight Sim Environment and Target Korea.

Quit

Exit the game and return to the desktop.