[Komet Jpn]

Japanese Localization Patch for FreeSpace 2 is released:
http://stardogs.netgamers.jp/index.php?FreeSpace%20Series%2FFreeSpace%202%2F%C6%FC%CB%DC%B8%EC%B2%BD%A5%D7%A5%ED%A5%B8%A5%A7%A5%AF%A5%C8

It is not based on SCP and implementation is somewhat dirty, and there seems to be compatibility issue on Vista, but you can play full FS2 single missions on Japanese language. GoG version FS2 is supported.

In addition to Japanese exe, It also include visual effect upgraded exe (both English and Japanese). Visual effect upgraded version is also known as Komet's Mod.

Features of Komet's Mod:

- Upgraded explosions.
- Upgraded weapon hit effects. Beam hit effect is really cool.
- Enhanced lead indicator.

[The E]

 

Interesting. Very, very interesting indeed. What did you do to produce the Japanese engine? What enhancements did you make? Subquestion: Is this SCP-compatible? And if not, why not?

[Komet Jpn]

Just added multi-byte (Shift-JIS) support to text processing, and also added to ability to render bitmap based Japanese fonts. It was relatively easy to do, approx a week of work for me.

However, it is far from ideal. Ideally, UTF-8 support is recommended, instead of Shift-JIS, to have better possibility to create versions for more languages. Also, current Japanese build requires mission files written in Japanese. Ideally, support of multilingual mission files is recommended.

Also, font size is too small. It is readable, but very minimum readability. Ideally, larger font size (including English font) is recommended. But it will be a big change.

I'm dreaming to see UTF-8 supported SCP version with using bigger font for 1024x768 or higher resolutions in the future.

[Komet Jpn]

I started this project just after FS2 Source Code was published. Thus it could not be based on SCP.

[sigtau]

Can the source of this patch be merged into the SCP?

[Komet Jpn]

Can the source of this patch be merged into the SCP?

About Japanese support, I don't think so. It is nothing but a kind of quick-and-dirty modification, thus not enough smart to be marged into the SCP.
Complete rework is recommended to create Japanese supported SCP.

Although I built the new package recently, it was long before that I did coding for thus project. Thus I don't remember well how I did it. Also because it will not be a small work, I hope that someone other than me can do this work for SCP. In that case, I can help.

About upgraded visual effects, it is possible to marge it into SCP. It is relatively small changes.

Although visual effects of SCP is already upgraded, my version has some features that is not implemented on SCP. Like flash for explosions, movements of explosions (please observe flak explosions with keeping speed zero) and also directional particle generation for beam hit effect (particles are generated to backward direction of beam).

[The E]

You know, if those are code changes, you should generate a .patch and show it to us. If they are mere tbl changes, well......we'll have to check them out in-game.

[Komet Jpn]

Source Code is now available on the project page.

[Topgun]

I started this project just after FS2 Source Code was published. Thus it could not be based on SCP.

Wow! so  you have been working on this for years!

[sigtau]

Someone.  Please.

Merge the effects into the SCP.

I'll download a nightly if you do 

[Dragon]

Yes, I think SCP can use those upgrades, especially beam hit particles.

[lostllama]

Nice work Komet Jpn. I like the additional gunsight/pipper; it's close to what modern day fighter pilots have displayed on their HUDs when using a cannon.

[Mongoose]

Komet, do you happen to have any screenshots of these new effects in action?  If you have some already up on your site, I haven't been able to track them down.  Just from the descriptions, it sounds like some cool stuff.

[Komet Jpn]

Gameplay movies are now available. You can watch a high quality version on Veoh.

Veoh: Mission 1-01, 1-02: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/technology_and_gaming/watch/v190892997MRB2jHM
YouTube: Mission 1-01: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGcNa5OMGuM
YouTube: Mission 1-02: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WflIk_9580Y

[The E]

Yeah, I really like that lead indicator. Should be possible to script that....

[sigtau]

Not only that, but the flash on explosion coupled with the beam particle spew is rather nice looking.  Proper Media VPing would make it look orgasmic.

[The E]

Well, there is a flashy explosions script somewhere....

[Mongoose]

I can't exactly puzzle out what's going on with that lead indicator, but it definitely looks cool.  Is it basically showing where your shots would hit if you started firing at that exact moment?

Oh, and I absolutely love those beam impact effects.  We really have to get those implemented.

[sigtau]

One thing I have to comment on, unlike others here have, is the localization and the time and effort put into this.

I have to say, this is extremely well done--both the effects and the localization.

[BlueFlames]

I can't exactly puzzle out what's going on with that lead indicator, but it definitely looks cool.

It's like a real-world lead-computing gunsight.  Instead of putting your crosshairs on an indicator ahead of the target, you put your gunsight directly on the target.  Kind of like THAC0 versus Base Attack Bonus in D&D, the same principle is at work, but the calculation is a little different.