Getting Started

Playing SubSpace with the Continuum client is an easy process to get started. Simply stated, download the files, install the game, and chose a zone. Gaining skill, however, is a bit more complicated. To start out, here's some helpful information for first time users.

System Requirements:

SubSpace/Continuum requires very little in terms of current standards to operate. Minimum requirements for the game include the following:

90MHz Pentium or better IBM-compatible PC

Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

16MB RAM

Video card with at least 2MB of onboard memory

56K Modem

Stereo Sound Card

While those minimums work, because of how the Internet has changed over the last few years, SSBase recommends the following system requirements be met to fully enjoy SubSpace:

200MHz Pentium II or better

Windows 98SE/ME/NT/2000/XP

128MB RAM

Video card with at least 16MB of onboard memory

ISDN/DSL/Cable High-speed Internet Connection

Stereo Sound Card

Download the files:

The last release of the original SubSpace client was v1.35. However, nearly all currently available zones have moved to Continuum only. Continuum is a new client for SubSpace; you will not be able to discern a difference in gameplay from SubSpace to Continuum. Click here to download the SubSpace/Continuum installation files manually. The web installer is no longer available for Continuum .40.

Setting Up An Account With Username and Password:

After downloading and installing the game, locate the Continuum.Exe file or shortcut. Once you have located the Continuum.exe file, double click it. This will start Continuum. The first thing that you will see is another license agreement. Once you have read and agreed to these terms, click OK. This will continue to the next step. You'll see the Continuum splash screen and hear the startup sound. A small window will appear gives you information about the different files the game is creating for you, including a profile list and zones list. Once this has completed, click OK. At this point, you will be prompted that your Zone list will now be refreshed, click OK. You will see this window come up:

If you chose to download the latest zone file from the Web Installer, most of this should already be correct for you. However, the client will use the directory server that is provided automatically and give you a new list of zones that are not currently in your list. You can add and delete zones as you like. We encourage you to pay a variety of zones to see what you like best. Once you have completed any additions or deletions from the zone list, click OK. This will bring you to the main Continuum screen:

The next thing you need to do is set up a profile with a username and password. In the top left of the screen, you'll see the word Profile. Click on this, and it will bring up the profile window:

There are several fields here, but for the purposes of getting started, we're going to cover the important ones only. More information about the rest of it can be found in the Player's Guide. The first field you need to look at is the Profile Name. This is just a name for the profile on your computer, NOT your username in the game. You can name this whatever you like. Below that is this Player Name field. This IS your username in the game. It must not match another username already registered with the game, or you will receive an error that says you have the wrong password for the specified username when you try to enter a zone. Additionally, your username MUST start with an alphanumeric character.

Below that is your password field. Enter a password that is not easily guessable for someone else but that you will be able to remember. After you enter a password, you may want to adjust the resolution and/or refresh rates for your profile to a setting that best works for you. SSBase recommends setting the resolution the same as your desktop resolution so that anything else you may be running in Windows isn't skewed when you exit the game (not that you would ever leave, right?). More information about the other options can be found in the Player's Guide.

Once you have your profile set up correctly, click OK. This will return you to the main screen of the Continuum client. You're now ready to enter the game. Select a zone you want to play in, and click Play. If your username is already taken, an error will display saying that you have the wrong password. If this happens, you'll need to choose a new username and place that into the Player Name field in your profile. Once you have a username that is not already taken and try to enter a zone, the following message will appear:

Success! You're almost there. Click Yes, and the next screen will appear:

This is the final information screen. The first field asks for and e-mail address. This field is required. MAKE SURE you enter a valid e-mail address. This is the e-mail address that your password can be sent to in the event that you forget your password. The other information is not required, but helps the billing staff determine the rightful owner of an account in the event of a dispute. This information is not used to send you spam or anything else lame. You will never receive anything based on the information you enter here, and the information is secure. Once you have entered the information, click Submit Information.

Once these steps are completed, the game will become full screen and you will see a ship flying through space. Since you have never played before, you will be prompted to read the current zone news. SubSpaceHQ recommends that you read the news for the zones you try to enter. The news usually contains any rules and other important information about the zone. Once you have read the news, the level files for the zone you have chosen will begin to download. Once these files are downloaded, you'll be in the game! That wasn't so bad, was it? Remember to read the Player's Guide for more information about all of the other advanced options for SubSpace/Continuum.

Getting Help:

If you have any problems with the installation or playing the best method of getting assistance is to leave a message on the SSForum.Net Tech Support Forum. Several experienced players read the forums on a daily basis and help out wherever they can.