Proto:Platoon (Windows)

This page details one or more prototype versions of Platoon (Windows).

A demo of Platoon was officially released online for free on October 31, 2002, just five days before the full game's release. The demo can be downloaded here.

To do: The demo crashes when attempting to open this Demo version of the game with the Editor Mode activated. Find out why the Editor is so unstable that this happens. Are there any files missing or corrupted? Is there a way this instability problem can be fixed? Find anything else that exists in this demo but not the final game.

General Differences

• No opening FMV.
• Skipping cutscenes in the demo requires pressing Ctrl + Enter. In the final, this was simplified to just Enter.
• The only playable level is Level 8: Convoy Security.
• In the file "Inf\program.inf", there's more details that were removed just before the game was released: "Editor Mode", "Debug Mode", and "FmvOn". By default, all of these are set to 0. In order to re-enable the Editor Mode, the Editor Mode value must be set to 1.

Demo

Final

[Default] { DrawModelBoxes = 0 DrawModelSpheres = 0 DrawObjectBoxes = 0 DrawObjectSpheres = 0 EditorMode = 0 DebugMode = 0 FmvOn = 0 Level = "" Language = English PreloadParticles = 1 } [Screen] { FullScreen = 1 SkipStartScreen = 0 XResolution = 800 YResolution = 600 } [Sound] { MusicVolume = 0 } [Messages] { Subtitles=1 } [Log] { ProgLogDebug = 0 ProgLogRelease = 0 MultiLogDebug = 0 MultiLogRelease = 0 SystemLogDebug = 0 SystemLogRelease= 0 ErrorLogDebug = 0 ErrorLogRelease = 0 InfoLogDebug = 0 InfoLogRelease = 0 WantToDebugInReleaseMode = 0 }

#include "GlobalIncludes.inf" [Default] { DrawModelBoxes = 0 DrawModelSpheres = 0 DrawObjectBoxes = 0 DrawObjectSpheres = 0 Language = English PreloadParticles = 1 } [Screen] { FullScreen = 1 SkipStartScreen = 0 } [Sound] { MusicVolume = 100 } [Messages] { Subtitles=1 } [Log] { ProgLogDebug = 0 ProgLogRelease = 0 MultiLogDebug = 0 MultiLogRelease = 0 SystemLogDebug = 0 SystemLogRelease= 0 ErrorLogDebug = 0 ErrorLogRelease = 0 InfoLogDebug = 0 InfoLogRelease = 0 WantToDebugInReleaseMode = 0 }

Graphical Differences

Demo	Final

The destination marker seen at the area of the map that a unit was ordered to move is a pair of turquoise footprints. Notably, both the footprints and the final's green artow use the same file name, footprint.dds.

Demo	Final

Dust can be seen flying up from the wheels/treads of moving vehicles. In the final game, the only vehicle that kicks up dust is the UH-1 Huey Helicopter.

Demo	Final

The Stamina icon on the HUD is a smiley face.

Audio Differences

At least a couple voice lines exist in this demo that differ from their final version counterparts.

Demo Audio	Final Audio	Character	Quote Demo	Quote Final
		O'Brady	"Sir, the bridge is safe. No way these Yellow-Skinned Snakes can get the better of us!"	"Sir, the bridge is safe. No way Charlie can get the better of us!"
		Truck Driver	"Mayday! Mayday! We've come under attack from 2 armored vehicles! We need assistance, we're defenseless!"	"Mayday! Mayday! We've come under attack, we need assistance, we're defenseless!"

Editor Mode

In the demo, attempting to start the game with Editor Mode enabled will crash the game, probably due to the lack of some required files. However, the functions of the Editor Mode are still in the final, and the removed options can be restored in the "Inf\program.inf" of the final game. While the game can be opened with Editor Mode reenabled, attempting to use the File-Open method of accessing a game level will crash the game, indicating that it's not stable. However, there is a way to get around this problem:

1. Go to the top menu, click the "Game" button, and select "Switch to Game".
2. Once in Game Mode, press Escape and click "Quit to Main Menu".
3. Once at the main menu, click "Scenario" and select the level you want to edit.
4. Once the level has finished loading, hit the Multiply key to switch back to Editor Mode.

As mentioned before, the Editor is unstable, so editing won't be easy to do.