[Setekh]

This thread is intended to be just what it says it is: a dialogue, on FreeSpace 3 - what shape it may take, the issues of licensing, etc. - between Derek Smart and HLP. It will be heavily moderated, moreso than normal. The condition of posting in this thread is that we are laying our weapons down - all of us - and discussing this in a civilised way. I will edit anyone's post if it contains even remotely inflammatory material. Leave your personal issues at the door. We are here to discuss the game, and the game alone. After all, that is what we at HLP are interested in.

If you have second thoughts about whether you can control yourself - then leave this thread.

Derek, my question is simple: you have revealed parts of your plans for FS3 on various threads in various forums, but what I want to hear is a brief statement of what your vision for FS3 is. Thank you.

[Falcon]

We never gave him what we usually give newcomers.

[TopAce]

I dare say something else:
I wasn't hostile with DSmart and I still keep saying the same: Let's see how FS3 will turn out and if we do not like it, we keep modding FS2(if it will be still alive by the time FS3 comes out.)

[Falcon]

Well Im hoping it comes out alright.

[TopAce]

I really don't know why closing that thread was vital. You should have started to strictly moderate all posts as soon as Mr. Smart responded. This is my opinion.

[Setekh]

TopAce, it's not an easy thing to strictly moderate all posts on a thread growing as fast as that.

[Zarax]

Mr. Smart,
What the community would like is to see some clear guidelines on your intentions and purposes in the eventuality you will acquire the Freespace licence.
Also, it would be nice if you can explain how much collaboration you can gt from Volition or even part of the old FS2 development team.
Thanks.

[TopAce]

Originally posted by Setekh
TopAce, it's not an easy thing to strictly moderate all posts on a thread growing as fast as that.

I would add this REALLY carefully:
This thread may grow as fast.

[Inquisitor]

Yes, well, it's here now

Couple of points:
The PA crowd was right, this is like the NMA thing. The man hasn't even designed the game, let alone produced a product. He's stated an intention to pursue the license.

If you haven't played a Derek Smart game, for godssakes, go at least download a demo or pick it up on ebay and SEE if hte reviews are ****. I just made a game, reviews can be a bit misleading if all you look at is the score, and even then, if it truly is niche, the reviewer might just say "it's not Unreal, so screw this, it sucks." Form your own opinion about his ability to make games.

He won't be able to tell us much (except maybe as second hand info) about MVE or remaining inventory. He's looking to acquire the IP for the game, so he can make another game. Try and keep the other stuff in its own little box

Other than that, I am interested in hearing more

[Setekh]

Originally posted by TopAce
I would add this REALLY carefully:
This thread may grow as fast.

There's a reason why that thread grew so fast; there were a lot of posts in there which did not really serve a useful purpose.

Get the hint?

[jdjtcagle]

Uhhh... sorry

[Anubis2k4]

I'd be very interested to hear Derek's plans for the game and whether or not Voilition will be involved or consulted, even if it's just for the storyline.
What i'm most concerned about is Freespace 3 having lots of 'planetary' missions that were mentioned by Derek, i wouldn't like to see Freespace 3 be a planetary FPS style game.  I would be interested to see a few missions though where you can fly through a planet's atmosphere, bombing military installations etc.  Could you clear this up Derek, by 'planetary' did you mean FPS missions or bombing installations missions?
Finally i'd just like to wish you good luck in making the game if you get the rights, and i hope that the end result is a game worthy to carry the name Freespace.

[jdjtcagle]

Are the same people making it that are made your other games?

Or is someone else going to have a part in?

[Nico]

Mmh, well, Derek has stated quite clearly that he won't discuss anything until he gets the license, so I doubt you'll get any answer there, sadly.
There's also the fact that you're asking questions about stuff he has already replied to: he said he's gonna try and get in touch with Volition, if he can, great, if not, never mind ( I don't feel like searching for the exact quote, burried in those hundreds of posts ).
For exemple.
Incidently, that's why I think he should set up some page where he would expose some of his plans, so he doesn't have to repeat himself over and over again

[Executor]

Originally posted by Corhellion
Seeing as how I've been a FS follower for some time (since it was first released) I can see both sides of the fence. The people who enjoy your games, and haven't played FS, want you to continue doing what you've done with your games. However, FS and FS2, are different. The game is story driven, you can't have the game without knowing what happens, every little thing needs to be considered. And I read that you are (or have) contacted Volition to see if you can acquire the notes from the original writers and developers of FS. Which is excellent news, my only fear is that something little would be left out...and we'd be left hanging.

Now...before I go flying off the handle at some of your...recent...ideas let me make this clear as anyone can. Without using caps-lock:

1: Anti-fighter and Anti-cap ship beams are a must for FS3.
Reason: The GTVA made beams to counter the Lucifers super shield, which was invulnerable to all known conventional weapons in FS1. (Although Inferno *check the mods in the main forum index* has cap-ship torpedos...but it's a mod...therefore doesn't count as canon, but it shows that beams and torps are a deadly combination...just a heads up.)

2: It's a flight sim game. no joystick support and you're crippling the space-sim genre even more than it is so far.

3: Use help from us. The FS community. Most of us, live, eat and sleep FS1 and FS2. Not using us would be like not asking Volition for help with the main idea. (it'd also give you an idea as to what the buyers and gamers want in the next (final maybe?) installment.)

Now, I for one, am thankful that FS3 might be a reality...just...use the resources that we have...and build upon that...don't ruin one of the best games ever.

Continuing from where Corhellion left off, here are some other essential aspects of FreeSpace.

• The player should not be the centre of attention. While playing an important role in-mission, the player should rarely be mentioned outside of the mission. You're just some no-name pilot who happens to be able to fly better than your wingmen.
• Most missions should include surprises so they don't unfold exactly like in the mission briefing. Good examples of this from FS2 are the Bosch capture attempt (the one where the Psamtik is lost) and the mission where you find Bosch hiding out on an asteroid.
• The Shivans' motives should be mysterious. Exterminating the Terrans and the Vasudans shouldn't be a high priority for them, because they're not really a threat. The Terrans and the Vasudans are like cockroaches which the Shivans step on when they get the opportunity. But as the Capella supernova clearly showed, the Shivans have better things to do than hunt down every last bug.
• Ignore the numskulls who complain that the loose ends from FS2 need to be tied up. We wouldn't still be discussing Admiral Bosch, the Ancients, and the Capella supernova if [V] had explained everything. When writing the story, leave some elements ambiguous and unresolved. And whatever you do, leave Bosch out of FS3.
  
• Powerful capital ships which should be more than capable of defending themselves. Nobody would build them if they weren't useful. A lone bomber shouldn't even be a threat to a corvette.
• Wingmen chatter. 'Nuff said.
• Sense of desperation. The Shivans should always have the upper hand with the GTVA just barely managing to stave off annihilation.
• The Shivans cannot be beaten. In both FS1 and FS2, the GTVA took far heavier casualties than the Shivans did. The best the GTVA can hope for is a marginal defeat rather than a total one.

As for my idea for the FS3 plot, here's the condensed version: the GTVA builds a subspace portal to reopen the Delta Serpentis--Earth jump node. They send a probe through and find Earth completely destroyed. The GTVA loses contact with the probe and then a Shivan destroyer passes through the subspace portal, with more Shivans on the way. The rest of the game is then spent trying to regain control of the system so the portal can be closed or destroyed.

[übermetroid]

Wow those other threads grew fast!    Too much stuff to read all of it.  Anyone got one sentence on how it all went?

Now, on the subject at hand.  It would be nice to know if DS would be willing to listen to us in the future (or at least not ignore us) if he did start to make FS.  I would have a problem if he got FS and really did not pay any attention to HLP about the game.

Besides that, as long as the game is good and the story comes from the people who wrote FS 1 and FS 2 I'm cool with FS 3 being made.

But, if it was a perfect world HLP would be making FS3.

[jdjtcagle]

Nico:
God help him there, I sure hope Volition's a part of it.
I can't bring myself to comprehend what's happening, FS3...
I don't know if I want to...
anyway that's all I had to say

[jdjtcagle]

Oh and please, I beg of you with every part of me.

DS, leave out the SUPER WONDERFUL Capships please.

FS should be about the player making the difference, not the BFGreen beam and the Jugernaughts.

Although they would be cool tatictly,

[an0n]

For what it's worth, I am whole-heartedly against this on the principle that I don't like Derek Smart as a person.

I wouldn't care if he was the sole creator of Halo, Content removed. // Sandwich

[kv1at3485]

Originally posted by an0n
For what it's worth, I am whole-heartedly against this on the principle that I don't like Derek Smart as a person.

I wouldn't care if he was the sole creator of Halo, Content removed. // Sandwich

Not an appropriate post for this thread.