Freespace 2
<div class="IPBDescription">Just reinstalled it!</div> After years of not playing this game (about 3 years) i finally decided to reinstall it becuase of the lack of games to play atm. And OMG how much ive fallen in love with this game. Its simply amazing, the whole game immerses you, truely amazing. I remember ages and ages ago playing FreeSpace : The great war at a friends house that was ace as well.
However i wanted to try some online play but i cant seem to auth. Is PXO dead? is FS2 online dead?
Also are there any like mods or improvments that could be downloaded for this great game? seeing there is nothing that compares to it in this area.
However i wanted to try some online play but i cant seem to auth. Is PXO dead? is FS2 online dead?
Also are there any like mods or improvments that could be downloaded for this great game? seeing there is nothing that compares to it in this area.
Comments
The answer to all of your questions can be summed up in one sentence: "The source code of Freespace 2 has been released."
What does this mean?
The good news: Because the game is older, the mod community may not be huge...but because they have their hands on the source code, they're pulling off some amazing stuff. 32-bit textures. More useful 3D radar. 3d warp effects. Higher quality music & background graphics. Hi-poly ship models. Impact decals. Text-to-speech support so <i>all</i> lines of dialogue in-flight are read to you, not just the ones with .wav files from the discs (a big help when you're too busy flying to read!). And plenty of 3d-graphics-related buzzwords from mipmapping on up. I don't remember the original look of the game, so I can't compare...but I will say that ever since I added all of these things, I haven't considered going back.
The bad news: since almost everyone has their own unique setup, (different ship models, different field of vision angle setings, etc.) I imagine it'd be hellish to get a computer to cooperate with other friends' computers for a multiplayer game. And that's if you're like me and only installed cosmetic upgrades; if you installed gameplay-affecting mods as well, then...heh, good luck. Multiplayer is not something I've tried yet, and everything I've glanced at on the subject indicates it's "unsupported" with all the mods I have.
I got most or all of my mods from just the following two sites:
<a href='http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/fsdoc/' target='_blank'>http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/fsdoc/</a>
and <a href='http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/hlp/' target='_blank'>http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/hlp/</a>
Enjoy. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
the immersion of it is pretty much beyond compare; very few games have given me as much fun as FS2...
I may just reinstall it myself...
though as I remember, I hit a bug in the very last mission and couldn't complete it - it was a real drag <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> some incompatibility with my computer...
maybe some of the user-made tweaks Marik mentioned have ironed out such bugs since then...
It's not just you, I do remember seeing an explanation somewhere. When the .wav file of voice acting ends for the line of text, the line disappears...it's just that for some reason, your computer isn't finding the .wav file, so it thinks it's 0 seconds long <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
You should be able to fix it by reinstalling (make sure you have full retail copy with the sound files, instead of a ripped/pirated copy). Or it may fix itself when you get one of the mods I've listed above; the FS2 Open launcher has options for real-time text-to-speech that I mentioned briefly, and that may force the line to stay onscreen longer (plus you'll have your computer read it to you <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> ).
If neither of those works, you should be able to find the solution on one of the sites I linked to. At least that's where I (think I) remember reading that it's a known issue.
[edit]Oh, and Tycho...you know how I'm a big fan of TIE Fighter, right? Well...so far Freespace 2 doesn't beat TIE Fighter, but it does beat X-Wing Alliance. It's worth finding in a store.
When I say I downloaded mods for the game, I really just mean I got one thing -- FS2 Open -- and then dumped all the appropriate better graphics, music, etc. into it. Such goodies are available in packages often called "media VP's."
The wiki I linked to above explains these much better than I can. <a href='http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~freespace/fsdoc/index.php?pagename=Downloading%20and%20Installing' target='_blank'>This page</a> explains downloading and installing FS2 Open and its necessary launcher.
Just be aware that the wiki is meant as a source of information and instructions, and is <i>not</i> updated frequently enough to link to the latest version of downloads. I forgot to mention that most of the downloads I got came from <a href='http://scp.indiegames.us/download.php' target='_blank'>this site instead</a>. I got everything in the ".VP files" category, and went to the "Recent Official Releases" section to get the latest stable version of FS2 Open and the launcher. I followed the instructions on the wiki to set them up.
<!--QuoteBegin-Quaunaut+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Quaunaut)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If the source code is out, is there a place we can d/l and install it for free?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> The short answer is "yes, but there's a few problems." To elaborate, the best-known abandonware site mirroring it is missing several files that you may want. Such as cutscenes. And the risk of it technically being piracy means I've had to lock at least one previous thread talking about where to get it. Sorry <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
When I say I downloaded mods for the game, I really just mean I got one thing -- FS2 Open -- and then dumped all the appropriate better graphics, music, etc. into it. Such goodies are available in packages often called "media VP's."
The wiki I linked to above explains these much better than I can. <a href='http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~freespace/fsdoc/index.php?pagename=Downloading%20and%20Installing' target='_blank'>This page</a> explains downloading and installing FS2 Open and its necessary launcher.
Just be aware that the wiki is meant as a source of information and instructions, and is <i>not</i> updated frequently enough to link to the latest version of downloads. I forgot to mention that most of the downloads I got came from <a href='http://scp.indiegames.us/download.php' target='_blank'>this site instead</a>. I got everything in the ".VP files" category, and went to the "Recent Official Releases" section to get the latest stable version of FS2 Open and the launcher. I followed the instructions on the wiki to set them up.
<!--QuoteBegin-Quaunaut+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Quaunaut)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If the source code is out, is there a place we can d/l and install it for free?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> The short answer is "yes, but there's a few problems." To elaborate, the best-known abandonware site mirroring it is missing several files that you may want. Such as cutscenes. And the risk of it technically being piracy means I've had to lock at least one previous thread talking about where to get it. Sorry <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
You can always send me a PM...bwahaha.
It's just perfect in every aspect I can think of (even graphics for the time), and if you say there's ways to up the beautifulness, I think I'll have to replay it
the game is very rare now and can be found on ebay for $60+
But the game is just great, there isn't a better space-action-game that that.
Sadly, there is no way I can play in internet, doesen't work :<
But I heard that there is a mission editor or something, is that true?
I recently reinstalled FS2 and FS2open'd it. I got to one mission which was unbeatable... I kept being killed by this shockwave before I could get to the jump node.
--Scythe--
Heheh
Divert shields to the rear! DIVE DIVE
Jesus that looks good. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
so WTH?
so WTH? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm going to guess you went so wild downloading stuff, you have more than just a few mods <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
yay
i just got this recently myself, after picking up FS1 & SW cheap. best space combat ever. i swear, put this into a multiplayer setup like Freelancer or X-2 and you've got a winner.
the mod community is still very much alive, so far as i can tell. i haven't tried any of the FS2Open stuff yet, i kinda want to finish the game first <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
i'm sure there is still a way to play multiplayer, and if there is... woot. we should all get together and have a game <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
And for those of us who don't own Freespace and want everything for free:
<a href='http://ifh.firstones.com/' target='_blank'>Newton physics ftw!</a>
<a href='http://www.freeallegiance.org/' target='_blank'>Best multiplayer space combat ever</a>
And for those of us who don't own Freespace and want everything for free:
<a href='http://ifh.firstones.com/' target='_blank'>Newton physics ftw!</a>
<a href='http://www.freeallegiance.org/' target='_blank'>Best multiplayer space combat ever</a> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Second best ever, you mean. Something that starts with "Star" and ends with "Wars" would be arguably much better, although admittedly less complex.
I own the old Star Wars X-Wing Alliance and I would play it because I <3 star wars but I have no joystick :<
I just don't get what that site <a href='http://ifh.firstones.com/' target='_blank'>http://ifh.firstones.com/</a> is about :|
I own the old Star Wars X-Wing Alliance and I would play it because I <3 star wars but I have no joystick :<
I just don't get what that site <a href='http://ifh.firstones.com/' target='_blank'>http://ifh.firstones.com/</a> is about :| <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
What's not to get? That's where you download I've Found Her, a delightful and wonderful and free space combat game with Newtonian physics.
[edit]ok, nvm
yay <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Evidently the PM I got about this was sent before spetznatz made this post...I just spent time typing a reply, realized I should look here, and yes, he's fixed that already. But I might as well copy-paste my reply in here anyway, as it addresses a few other things too.
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<!--QuoteBegin-spetsnatz+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (spetsnatz)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hey Marik. I finally got Freespace 2 custom content to finally work. So i decided to download the new models that came from the FS Doc site, however now the Herc Mk I is invisable and i cant complete the second mission. I think its due to the new custom models, however i didnt make any back ups <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> ( i know im silly) any way i can correct my muck up?
What other custom content do you have?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Try either deleting the file for that custom herc or reinstalling. Dunno if either will work.
I haven't downloaded much besides the media vp's. I'm looking at a folder of .zip's I've downloaded to refresh my memory, and it seems....it seems I got some better tga planet graphics, something about shinemaps *shrug* a custom sobek and ares by raa probably from the HLP forums...somewhere....hmmm
Come to think of it, I think that in order to make sure I was getting high-quality stuff that wouldn't cause (as much) instability, I stuck with the media vp's and stuff in <a href='http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/hlp/category_show.php?cat=22' target='_blank'>Hard Light Productions' Highlights section</a>. Some of the highlights are of things like in-progress screenshots of ships that already look good, but aren't downloadable yet. Other highlights are of finished things.
As for that "cannot complete the 2nd mission"...if you mean it's crashing somewhere through the progress bar to load it, yes, it happened to me too. I spent a good amount of time trying to fix it, and can't remember exactly which way worked. I want to say that I fixed it by creating a new profile, skipping all the training missions instead of doing them, and then beating that easy 1st mission as usual...but as I say, I tried many things (including messing with the stuff I downloaded, as I imagine you're trying) and I wouldn't know what fixed it.
The good news is that I haven't had that problem since.
Thanks for the help.
/edit anyone play homeworld 2? i found a Freespace mod for that as well. woundering if anyone has tried it yet?
<img src='http://www.game-warden.com/nukemod-cos/Images/claws2ox.png' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
OH MY GOD
Which is incidently where my earlier quote came from <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->