Hard Light Productions Forums

FreeSpace Releases => Mission & Campaign Releases => Topic started by: Axem on July 26, 2010, 08:19:30 pm

Title: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Axem on July 26, 2010, 08:19:30 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/5emGpkM.png)
A FreeSpace 2 Campaign

In development since: May 2009

Author: Axem

Number of Missions: 9 (6 completely playable, 3 cutscene/playable missions)

Build Required:

Mods required:

Mods included:


Description
Shortly after the Sathanas is destroyed, the GTVA begins an operation to take down a Ravana-class destroyer, the SD Vassago and its fleet. Meanwhile the Vassago begins an operation of its own. But for what purpose?

How to Play:
Find Vassago's Dirge on Knossos (https://dev.tproxy.de/knossos/) (super recommended) or the FSO Installer (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=87537.0) for easy installation!

Manual Installation Instructions
Extract the below archives to your base FreeSpace2 directory under a folder named something like "Vassago's Dirge" so it looks like...

..\FreeSpace2\Vassago's Dirge\

You should see the VPs and mod.ini in there.

Open up your FreeSpace open launcher, ensure your selected build is recent enough (the mod will complain if its too old). Select Vassago's Dirge as your mod.

>>Root<< (https://sectorgame.com/fsfiles/repo/data/Axem/Campaigns/vassago_root.rar)
>>Assets<< (https://sectorgame.com/fsfiles/repo/data/Axem/Campaigns/vassago_assets.rar)

Contains:
Assets: Updated November 12th 2017
Root: Updated November 12th 2017
Mod.ini for 2014 MediaVPs


Notes
This campaign makes heavy use of not-very-loud music. I advise that before starting the campaign, you turn the Music volume to max and Effects to about half or 2/3s. Using builds with 3D sound may make it even harder to hear the music. I'm sorry, there's not much I can do without butchering the music. :sigh:

It has been my (and some of my Beta Testers) experience that turning on the "Disable Vertical Sync" command flag will cause problems with camera fade in and possibly some of the synchronized music events. Please have that command flag turned off.

If your game appears to have frozen after a fade to white, it hasn't (at least I really really hope not). Just wait for the next level to load. :)

Known Issues
Text To Speech won't work with earlier versions of the campaign.

Change Log:
Vassago's Dirge now comes with my 2_HUD and scripted message mods to make things easier to read
A script now highlights the turrets you need to destroy in M2
Added Custom Hud Gauges for signal detection (M3), radar lock notification (M7), and Mjolnir status (M7)
Akheton now works on the moorings in M3
Dream-type missions are now slightly desaturated
Changed special explosion stuff in M5 to not crash with 3.6.12.
Made Reprise (M5) easier (Maras do not have Tempests anymore (wtf was I thinking))
Some little text editing + cbani file references added
Maybe fixed the Melchom beaming things it shouldn't in M3
Updated mod.ini for 3.6.12 MVPs
TTS should work for the campaign now, but there may be problems turning it on with the WxLauncher.
Made M3 a bit easier by moving the moorings to a front/back configuration instead of a left/right. Should be easier to know what to target now.
Fixes broken True End requirements that was broken in Patch 2. Nice job breaking it, Axem.
Fixes M8 not going onto the next mission after the... event.
Fixes issues with the Arcadia being invisible in some missions.

FS Wiki Page (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Vassago%27s_Dirge)
Preview Thread with Screenshots (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=68266.0)

Have fun! :)[/list]
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 26, 2010, 08:27:19 pm
One of the most compelling, atmospheric, artistic mods the community has seen, delivered by an auteur and a peerless FREDder. Like the titular dirge, it is both beautiful and funereal - a desaturated journey into the most compelling and unearthly parts of the FreeSpace universe.

There are moments in this campaign that will shock, and others - more disturbing yet - that will chill you with their unsettling, eerie familiarity.

And there are ridiculously, ridiculously cool moments, masterstrokes of honed FREDcraft. Perfect, invisible control in some missions; in others feats of modding I didn't believe feasible.

Also, the use of music is just something else.
 
Play it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on July 26, 2010, 08:46:33 pm
Have downloaded, will play tonight. One thing though: what .12 mediavps? I thought they haven't been released yet?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 26, 2010, 08:50:13 pm
Hehehe... uh yeah. I got to beta test the 3.6.12 mvps so I got a chance to configure everything for it. There's some script files that take advantage of some of the new stuff in there, but 3.6.10 mvps+patch should work perfectly fine.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Droid803 on July 26, 2010, 08:52:12 pm
Highly recommending something that isn't out yet  :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Rodo on July 26, 2010, 08:56:52 pm
YES!

downloading now.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Droid803 on July 26, 2010, 10:24:55 pm
I just finished it.
It's cool.
Play it now.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: AndrewofDoom on July 26, 2010, 10:53:57 pm
Very impressive!
Spoiler:
I felt the piano music playing was kinda weird at first, but then I realized ALPHA ONE is retelling his story to the interviewer. It then made perfect sense to me. And then I saw the nebula and it made no sense to me at first, and I thought ALPHA ONE had an acid trip right there, but then I noticed a Deimos, a Moloch, and a nebula, and then it clicked to me...It was after Capella went BOOOOM.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Darius on July 26, 2010, 10:56:26 pm
Playing it with a cigar and a glass of red wine.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: SC4RY_Z0MB13 on July 27, 2010, 12:18:24 am
This should be required playing for every Freespace fan!  These missions are some of the most interesting out of all the mods I have played.  Vassago's Dirge is worth every penny you didn't pay!  I am going to play this through again immediately when the 3.6.12 mvps are released.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Ravenholme on July 27, 2010, 02:52:12 am
Hell, it's about time. (Also known as, downloading, expect me to tumble back in later and excitedly spill my comments if Starcraft II doesn't arrive in the post)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 27, 2010, 05:46:23 am
WHY IS MY INTERNET SO SLOW
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Dilmah G on July 27, 2010, 05:55:37 am
Set to download. Now I have something else to look forward to when my Calculus homework's done.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 27, 2010, 05:56:40 am
63%

:(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Something on July 27, 2010, 06:18:17 am
One of the most compelling, atmospheric, artistic mods the community has seen, delivered by an auteur and a peerless FREDder. Like the titular dirge, it is both beautiful and funereal - a desaturated journey into the most compelling and unearthly parts of the FreeSpace universe.

There are moments in this campaign that will shock, and others - more disturbing yet - that will chill you with their unsettling, eerie familiarity.

And there are ridiculously, ridiculously cool moments, masterstrokes of honed FREDcraft. Perfect, invisible control in some missions; in others feats of modding I didn't believe feasible.

Also, the use of music is just something else.
 
Play it.

So....it's good then :P Downloading it now.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: starbug on July 27, 2010, 07:25:13 am
just got it and i am loving it sofar, my only problem is that the i am having to press f4 alot to read the comm chatter as i find it really hard to keep track of the lots of messages coming through during combat, but that could be me just being a bit slow  :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 27, 2010, 08:32:21 am
Well, that was one hell of a trip. :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on July 27, 2010, 08:45:25 am
Easily one of the most polished campaigns I've played so far. Axem's drive for perfection becomes really apparant when you beta test for him. :nod:
If you haven't already got the message through the previous posts: Download and play this baby right now!

Spoiler:
I'm interested in hearing how many of you got the true ending
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 27, 2010, 08:48:31 am
It made more sense than Transcend but I still feel like I've been mind****ed. :P





I just got to the "real" ending (with Spoon's assistance) and all I have to say is HOLY **** WTF!?!!?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 27, 2010, 09:48:28 am
Easily one of the most polished campaigns I've played so far. Axem's drive for perfection becomes really apparant when you beta test for him. :nod:
If you haven't already got the message through the previous posts: Download and play this baby right now!

Spoiler:
I'm interested in hearing how many of you got the true ending

Moui!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Ravenholme on July 27, 2010, 10:13:31 am
How would I even tell the real ending apart from the others? (I've not finished it yet, so...)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on July 27, 2010, 10:22:12 am
How would I even tell the real ending apart from the others? (I've not finished it yet, so...)
The last briefing should give a pretty good indication
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Kolgena on July 27, 2010, 11:38:19 am
How many endings are there?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mikes on July 27, 2010, 11:52:50 am
My mouth is watering ... and i ll have to wait till next week when i finished moving.... wahhh! :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Colonol Dekker on July 27, 2010, 01:40:28 pm
Well done and congrats Axey baby.
 
Not got the ability to download it at the moment.
 
Based in what I saw earlier during my limited beta testing contribution i'm looking forward to the polished and finished article. . . Complete with .FC2 file :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: GruntMinion on July 27, 2010, 01:44:43 pm
An example of an extreme campaign with very good FREDing and awesome story telling. The music put the mode of the campaign just where it needs to be. Well done Axem!  :yes:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: [Wolf]Maverick on July 27, 2010, 04:30:36 pm
Just finished it. I'm sure i did not got the "true" ending, but i will definitly play it again, especially when 3.6.12. is out :)
Just Awesome, you set the bar for the comin campaigns very high.
Little criticism, i also found it difficult to follow all the chatter during the missions, i would love to the this campaign voice-acted.

Mav
 
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Kolgena on July 27, 2010, 05:43:23 pm
Call me crazy, but I swear the banner wasn't greyscale this morning.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Venicius on July 27, 2010, 05:45:37 pm
Absolutely phenominal!  I love the choice of various Rachmaninoff pieces, they really went superbly with the action and mood of the story!  Great missions, never played any like this before. :pimp:  Great work!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ION3 on July 27, 2010, 05:54:11 pm
Spoiler:
At first i thought i ran into a bug when i died in the first mission and got to the next

The game crashed when replaying the last mission because i didn`t kow i'm supposed to flee from the supernova. The moment it crashed was when i fought against the fighter in the nebula.

Cant find out how to send the log.

In the mission where i sabotage the station there seem to be invisible obstacles evywhere. Very annoying. Had big problems finding a way back that wasnt blocked.

The shivans in the sabotage mission miss me with their shots.



Found the music a bit distracting at times and the action a bit too fast to follow . So i generally had bad awareness. I often needed to replay parts bacause when i finally noticed what i was meant to do it was already too late. in the mission where i have to shoot at the docking rings particularly. I also needed the comm log.


How do i get to other ends?

If i can help you with a screeny or something else tell me.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 27, 2010, 06:54:26 pm
Spoiler:
At first i thought i ran into a bug when i died in the first mission and got to the next

The game crashed when replaying the last mission because i didn`t kow i'm supposed to flee from the supernova. The moment it crashed was when i fought against the fighter in the nebula.

Did it crash, or go white for a really long time?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scotty on July 27, 2010, 06:54:56 pm
I almost lost the second mission on Very Easy because I got too far ahead of the escort ships.  Cue Vassago jumping in, and making me the equivalent of a bug in its ship-grille.

Scared me almost as much as DIVE DIVE DIVE! did the first time. :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on July 27, 2010, 07:09:58 pm
(http://i25.tinypic.com/289aik6.gif)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Dr. Pwnguin on July 27, 2010, 07:10:05 pm
At least your fighter didn't get pierced by the edges of Vassago :-P

My reaction was to DIVE, DIVE, DIVE! So I hit my afterburners and kamikaze'd one of the pointy spikes head-on. "Banzai!"
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 27, 2010, 07:23:06 pm
Ok, thanks to the wonderful efforts of The E, I have found the issue behind the invisible Arcadia. FreeSpace didn't like my attempts at replacing the shine and glow maps for all available station textures. Replacing the diffuse textures should be enough anyway.

Please download this and replace your vassago-missions.vp with this one. (http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/releases/campaigns/Patches/VassagoPatch1.7z)

Hopefully this should fix your problem. :)

The new missions vp is apart of the big download too, so any newcomers do not have to download the patch.

Also... I'd like to thank everyone for their glowing reviews of my campaign. Makes me feel great that everyone's having a real fun time with it. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Dr. Pwnguin on July 27, 2010, 08:33:16 pm
Will replay again =)

Some awesome scenes and missions. Had a great time in one of the last ones.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 27, 2010, 10:15:31 pm
FYI: There are three endings. The ending will depend on how far you got in Con Brio (the second last mission).

Spoiler:
So how many spoons did people find?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: SC4RY_Z0MB13 on July 28, 2010, 01:29:47 am
Spoiler:
I found 1 of 7 Spoons! I appeared in front of an unscanned cargo container in the second mission.  So when I was told to start again in one mission it meant that I wasn't going to see the true ending?

Grr.. Those 3.6.12 mvps can't release soon enough.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 01:37:00 am
Spoiler:
You can get told to 'start again' even if you're headed for the true ending, and the spoons don't have anything to do with it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Hades on July 28, 2010, 02:14:06 am
Just finished one ending today, a fine piece of work this campaign is. Easily the best I've played all year. It may be the only one I've played all year but it's still the best.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on July 28, 2010, 02:26:52 am
Well, what can I say... hmmm... let's start: :jaw: followed by  :confused: throw in a healthy dose of  :yes: :yes: :eek2: :yes: rounded out with a bit of  :wtf: :hopping: :yes:

That should sum it up nicely.

Tactical classical music, perfectly sync'd to events was awesome, last mission was great with the atmosphere and junk, storytelling was excellent, though perhaps a bit difficult to follow the first time through.

Excellent campaign, would (and will) play again, A+++++
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ION3 on July 28, 2010, 04:00:11 am
Quote
Did it crash, or go white for a really long time?

Crash, giving an error message then followed by an send/dont send message. Going to desktop. Can i read up somewhere on how to post a log or something?

I`ll try to attach it but last time it didn`t work telling me i wouldn`t have enought storage space.

Quote
Please download this and replace your vassago-missions.vp with this one.

Hopefully this should fix your problem.

Yes, fixed it. Thanks.



Spoiler:
How do i get to the other endings? You know, i don`t want to restart the entire campaign. I guess it doesn`t work from the techroom?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Jeff Vader on July 28, 2010, 04:29:03 am
Can i read up somewhere on how to post a log or something?

I`ll try to attach it but last time it didn`t work telling me i wouldn`t have enought storage space.
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=56279.msg1180359#msg1180359

fs2_open.logs should easily fit as attachments. If something is complaining that the attachment is too large, you've probably been running a debug build while having a file called debug_filter.cfg in your \freespace2\data\ folder. Move that file away. It is NOT needed unless someone *cough*The E*cough* asks you to place that file there during a particularly difficult troubleshooting procedure.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ION3 on July 28, 2010, 05:23:22 am
Oh. I used the errorlog.txt in the main folder. Guess that is the wrong one. Trying to make a better one.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on July 28, 2010, 05:27:50 am
How to get the True ending
Read at your very own risk

Spoiler:
Offer seven young maiden virgins to Spoon

Once you enter the nebula and Captain White is trying to wake you up (When the perseus starts attacking you), a green dot should appear on your radar. Fly toward it. Some text will appear on your screen. After that, in Capella, do not jump out. Enjoy your close encounter with a super nova
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ION3 on July 28, 2010, 05:49:56 am
Using the debug build it doesn't seem to crash. Maybe i'm not good enougth in replicating it yet.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 28, 2010, 06:34:24 am
How to get the True ending
Read at your very own risk

Spoiler:
Offer seven young maiden virgins to Spoon

Once you enter the nebula and Captain White is trying to wake you up (When the perseus starts attacking you), a green dot should appear on your radar. Fly toward it. Some text will appear on your screen. After that, in Capella, do not jump out. Enjoy your close encounter with a super nova
Spoiler:
How do I get to the third ending?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 28, 2010, 07:07:19 am
ION: You can replay Con Brio in the tech room to get the endings. The only thing that changes at the end of the campaign is the debrief chatter. You won't be missing anything super critical if you replay it in the tech room.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Hellstryker on July 28, 2010, 07:22:51 am
Is it even worth playing this on the lowest of low settings, or will it not even work (is stuff lacking LoDs, etc).

'Cuz my main rigs PSU kind of got fried.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Raiden on July 28, 2010, 07:30:18 am
This was a great campaign. Some of the battles were epic and cinematic. But can someone explain just what the hell this was about?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: FreeSpaceFreak on July 28, 2010, 07:58:55 am
How about someone make this the featured campaign on the Wiki?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 28, 2010, 08:42:46 am
How about someone make this the featured campaign on the Wiki?
Yeah. How about that.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ION3 on July 28, 2010, 10:36:29 am
Quote
ION: You can replay Con Brio in the tech room to get the endings.

Ah! Thats good. Could someone post the alternate Debriefings somewhere? ( i guess it would be difficult to find them myself)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 10:40:42 am
Is it even worth playing this on the lowest of low settings, or will it not even work (is stuff lacking LoDs, etc).

'Cuz my main rigs PSU kind of got fried.

It only uses retail assets (or MVP versions thereof) along with two very minor mods. They are all properly LODded.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Kolgena on July 28, 2010, 10:44:17 am
ION: You can replay Con Brio in the tech room to get the endings. The only thing that changes at the end of the campaign is the debrief chatter. You won't be missing anything super critical if you replay it in the tech room.

Won't be missing anything critical, or won't be missing anything? For me, there's a difference :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 11:12:37 am
This was a great campaign. Some of the battles were epic and cinematic. But can someone explain just what the hell this was about?

WARNING MEGA SPOILER WILL SPOIL ENTIRE CAMPAIGN IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED

Spoiler:
Two GTI officers interrogate a pilot about his recent experiences, beginning with the awakening and mysterious actions of the destroyer Vassago, passing through NTF experiments with ETAK, and culminating in some form of contact with a (or the) Shivan intelligence.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 28, 2010, 11:38:12 am
Most frustratingly difficult campaign I've ever seen, actually difficult, like challanging, not difficult like impossibly rigged like some campaigns. Looking at you Dawn of Sol...
Also the most innovative campaign as of yet; in-system player jumps...freaking awesome.

Now to play Mission 3 again, because I somehow failed it after passing the two primary objectives you're given. :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 11:50:50 am
Also the most innovative campaign as of yet; in-system player jumps...freaking awesome.

hey some of us have done that but BETTER  :nervous:

yeah that's right axem, suck it

(unless...did he end up putting in set-mission-subspace? I bet he DIDN'T ha ha ha)

Spoiler:
Personally the biggest wow moment for me was the EVA suit mission.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 28, 2010, 11:53:37 am
hey some of us have done that but BETTER  :nervous:

yeah that's right axem, suck it

(unless...did he end up putting in set-mission-subspace? I bet he DIDN'T ha ha ha)

Yes, but is the campaign out yet? :P

I forgot about the Prelude mission, I was like WTF AWSM when I had to eject.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on July 28, 2010, 12:08:05 pm
Also the most innovative campaign as of yet; in-system player jumps...freaking awesome.

hey some of us have done that but BETTER  :nervous:

yeah that's right axem, suck it

(unless...did he end up putting in set-mission-subspace? I bet he DIDN'T ha ha ha)
Too bad Axem released first and thus takes the cake there  
No matter what you do or release, you'll always be an Axem wanna be rip off! ...FOREVER :p
Spoiler:
(but that goes for all of us :p )
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 28, 2010, 12:40:19 pm
Also the most innovative campaign as of yet; in-system player jumps...freaking awesome.

hey some of us have done that but BETTER  :nervous:

yeah that's right axem, suck it

(unless...did he end up putting in set-mission-subspace? I bet he DIDN'T ha ha ha)

Spoiler:
Personally the biggest wow moment for me was the EVA suit mission.
Well, Axem's in-mission jumps were a big part of the mission...
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 12:44:26 pm
Oh I'm just being silly. That was an awesome and terribly unique mission.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 28, 2010, 12:48:40 pm
Oh I'm just being silly. That was an awesome and terribly unique mission.
You're always being silly.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scotty on July 28, 2010, 01:23:31 pm
How did you pull those off, Axem?  I can probably think of a workaround, but it'd no doubt be much less elegant than whatever solution you came up with.

Spoiler:
I'd have said a no-warp-effect Nav buoy that 'warps' at player coordinates and immediately warps out again with warp effect, the player speed is slowed, cue brief white-out and change coordinates.  Other ships would have a half dozen duplicates with invisible characters, and would jump in after Alpha 1 'jumped'.

I noticed that when I started a jump before a ship finished its message, it was still outlined from ~84 km away.  Clever. :drevil:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 01:45:44 pm
How did you pull those off, Axem?  I can probably think of a workaround, but it'd no doubt be much less elegant than whatever solution you came up with.

Spoiler:
I'd have said a no-warp-effect Nav buoy that 'warps' at player coordinates and immediately warps out again with warp effect, the player speed is slowed, cue brief white-out and change coordinates.  Other ships would have a half dozen duplicates with invisible characters, and would jump in after Alpha 1 'jumped'.

I noticed that when I started a jump before a ship finished its message, it was still outlined from ~84 km away.  Clever. :drevil:

Interesting approach, but unnecessary. No need for the nav buoy, just use create-warp-effect. No need for the duplicate ships, just use set-object-position.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on July 28, 2010, 02:24:49 pm
Not knowing exactly how it works, I thought it was a variation on the autopilot SEXP, plus a change of skybox.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 04:03:49 pm
Not knowing exactly how it works, I thought it was a variation on the autopilot SEXP, plus a change of skybox.

Nope. I will try to post a tutorial in the near future, it's a handy trick.

Reviewing my above reply to Scotty I actually think multiple duplicate ships might be easier, plus copy-damage...
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scotty on July 28, 2010, 05:12:56 pm
Huh, I didn't know about create-warp-effect.

But how did he get the ships coming out of the warp instead of appearing halfway through with coordinate manipulation.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: The E on July 28, 2010, 05:16:25 pm
The only ship you would have to do fancy sexping for would be the players, everyone else can have copies warped in that had copy-damage applied to them.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 28, 2010, 05:30:03 pm
Yeah. I only did copies of the capital ships. Warp-effect + set position wouldn't work for them because they need to pick up speed and they wouldn't vanish into the effect.

If you look in the mission in FRED, you will find ships called Cretheus#1, Cretheus #2, Cretheus#3. Anything after the # will be ignored by the game, so you can use that to keep track of ships in FRED. So just after I told them to warp out, I used the copy-ship-damage sexp to the next ship that would be coming out in a few seconds.

With fighters though, I just set position behind the player. You won't see them warp, but I figure you wouldn't notice anyway. Wait, now you will! Noooo...

Battuta: I could've used the subspace sexp but I figure you're jumping 50 to 80 klicks so your trip inside subspace would be a few milliseconds. Hardly enough time to notice it. Your own implementation was a much longer distance, so I could understand the use of it there. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 28, 2010, 05:59:44 pm
With fighters though, I just set position behind the player. You won't see them warp, but I figure you wouldn't notice anyway. Wait, now you will! Noooo...

Problem with that is if the player's on external view.  :nervous:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Angelus on July 28, 2010, 06:03:57 pm
With fighters though, I just set position behind the player. You won't see them warp, but I figure you wouldn't notice anyway. Wait, now you will! Noooo...

Problem with that is if the player's on external view.  :nervous:

Only if the player zoomes really far out ( which the player shouldn't do) and/or if the ships are too close to the player
( which the FREDer shouldn't do).
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mongoose on July 28, 2010, 08:32:46 pm
I just completed this, and...well...wow.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything I just saw, but what I do know is that this was a masterstroke.  There were elements in here that I didn't even know the engine was capable of handling.  The soundtrack utilization was nothing short of genius, and the introduction of that style added an atmosphere to the campaign that I've never experienced before.  The missions were insanely varied for such a short campaign, often challenging but never outright unfair.  And the implications raised by the story are something I'll be chewing on for a long time.  I'm fairly sure that I didn't get the "true" ending the first time around, so I'm going back to read all that spoilered text and find out exactly how to get there, since I want to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes.  Really, really awesome stuff. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 28, 2010, 08:52:08 pm
Finished this, and I want to see more. :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: CKid on July 28, 2010, 10:07:04 pm
Spoiler:
So, I'm on my second run through the campaign but this time, I run into a hiccup. The first time I play the second last mission I 'm shot down and I continue to the last mission. The second time however, I let myself get toasted by the supernova but instead of going to the last mission, I get that pop up asking me to select Quick start, return to briefing or return to main menu. I am guessing that was not suppose to happen.

Anyways, I thought I would also like to say that this campaign is made of pure win. Thank you Axem!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 28, 2010, 10:15:02 pm
CKid: Glad you liked it. :) Looks like you stumbled onto a bug I may have introduced near the end by accident. Guess I'll have to uh... fix it.  :sigh:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 28, 2010, 10:20:01 pm
Spoiler:
So, I'm on my second run through the campaign but this time, I run into a hiccup. The first time I play the second last mission I 'm shot down and I continue to the last mission. The second time however, I let myself get toasted by the supernova but instead of going to the last mission, I get that pop up asking me to select Quick start, return to briefing or return to main menu. I am guessing that was not suppose to happen.
I was killed in the opposite order. :P
And the same thing happened, oppositely.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: CKid on July 28, 2010, 10:34:38 pm
CKid: Glad you liked it. :) Looks like you stumbled onto a bug I may have introduced near the end by accident. Guess I'll have to uh... fix it.  :sigh:

I am just glad that I never got that bug the first time because that would have just completely killed the mood.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Rodo on July 28, 2010, 10:46:00 pm
Incredible, awesome.

Good campaign, really good :yes:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mongoose on July 29, 2010, 12:35:40 am
CKid: Glad you liked it. :) Looks like you stumbled onto a bug I may have introduced near the end by accident. Guess I'll have to uh... fix it.  :sigh:

I am just glad that I never got that bug the first time because that would have just completely killed the mood.
Heh, I did run into that, though it was mainly because of my own stupidity...I sort of mistimed my jump. :p It didn't really kill the mood, though, since I was all the more anxious during my next play-through wondering how things were going to end.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Saturn on July 29, 2010, 01:18:01 am
 :yes:
I like it a lot. Good atmosphere, good music, and a very unique approach. Excellent. The only item I would like to change is the messaging, this creation would be even better with voice acting.

Great Job! THANK YOU  :yes:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: [Wolf]Maverick on July 29, 2010, 01:47:36 am
Hi,
i just encountered i small graphic bug in the nebula mission:

http://img3.imagebanana.com/img/dvxx5w1u/dirge.jpg

Some small rectangles inside the nebula comin and going, i never had this before.

Mav
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 29, 2010, 07:33:23 am
CKid, Mongoose, Commander Zane: Ok, I screwed up on that event. Turns out end-mission won't work after the dialog pops up in that scenario.

Thus... a second patch! (http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/releases/campaigns/Patches/VassagoPatch2.7z)

The main download has also been updated. I hope no one had the campaign ruined by that issue... :(

[Wolf]Maverick: I have no idea what's going on with that... I'd say disable motion debris in the launcher. I never touched any of the nebula graphics files.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: The E on July 29, 2010, 07:35:00 am
If you look really hard, it seems that one of those squares shows some random texture..... An fs2_open.log would help.

Other than that, make sure all drivers are up to date.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on July 29, 2010, 08:15:38 am
If you look really hard, it seems that one of those squares shows some random texture..... An fs2_open.log would help.

Other than that, make sure all drivers are up to date.
Looks like the Nephthys texture.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Dilmah G on July 29, 2010, 08:17:05 am
Man, it's a crime I can't play this until Saturday. :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Ransom on July 29, 2010, 01:49:47 pm
Can't wait to try this.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: T-LoW on July 29, 2010, 03:05:11 pm
My dear...

Spoiler:
I'ma fighting shivans in space awwwmagaaawd :shaking: Didn't really get the ending cause the Holy-****-Moments overran me so fast I couldn't withstand their greatness.

Have to play this gem a dozen times again. Besides the long storytelling of Derelict or Transcend - this is the greatest piece of FREDing I ever encountered. The Original-Campaign-Creators would bow to you - so do I (http://www.interfaithforums.com/images/smilies/Bowsmiley.gif)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 29, 2010, 03:07:56 pm
My dear...

Spoiler:
I'ma fighting shivans in space awwwmagaaawd :shaking: Didn't really get the ending cause the Holy-****-Moments overran me so fast I couldn't withstand their greatness.

Have to play this gem a dozen times again. Besides the long storytelling of Derelict or Transcend - this is the greatest piece of FREDing I ever encountered. The Original-Campaign-Creators would bow to you - so do I (http://www.interfaithforums.com/images/smilies/Bowsmiley.gif)

Don't forget Windmills.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: T-LoW on July 29, 2010, 05:26:19 pm
My bad :D

Windmills was of course a little revolution by itself.

Sorry for that indication of blasphemy, Mr. Ransom :warp:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 29, 2010, 05:30:14 pm
Windmills was of course a little revolution by itself.

i c wat u did thar
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 29, 2010, 09:41:11 pm
Holy cow, I massively wrecked the whole ending system with Patch 2. WTF?

Patch 3 corrects this. Please get that if you have the second patch or the third download.  :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mongoose on July 29, 2010, 10:11:30 pm
Okay, that ending was completely worth the wait.  That's a really unsettling prospect... :nervous:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on July 30, 2010, 04:32:36 pm
Still not having gotten the good ending (waiting for .12), let me speculate:
Spoiler:
you were a captured Shivan all along!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: crazy88boss on July 30, 2010, 11:56:08 pm
Hi all. I'm getting an error? Not the first error I've got since I got this version of the VPs. I think it is my fault in some way but I dunno. Actually there are several. (See below). I'll paste them as they appeared.
vassago-01.fs2(line 346:
Error: Required token = [#Wings] or [$Name:], found [+Special Hitpoints: 60000] .

ntdll.dll! ZwWaitForSingleObject + 21 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObjectEx + 67 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObject + 18 bytes
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
------------------------------------------------------
vassago-01.fs2(line 347:
Error: Required token = [#Wings] or [$Name:], found [+Special Shield Points: 0] .

ntdll.dll! ZwWaitForSingleObject + 21 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObjectEx + 67 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObject + 18 bytes
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
-----------------------------------------------------------
vassago-01.fs2(line 348:
Error: Required token = [#Wings] or [$Name:], found [+Orders Accepted: 0      ] .

ntdll.dll! ZwWaitForSingleObject + 21 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObjectEx + 67 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObject + 18 bytes
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
----------------------------------------------------------------
vassago-01.fs2(line 349:
Error: Required token = [#Wings] or [$Name:], found [+Group: 0] .

ntdll.dll! ZwWaitForSingleObject + 21 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObjectEx + 67 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObject + 18 bytes
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
-----------------------------------------------------------------
vassago-01.fs2(line 350:
Error: Required token = [#Wings] or [$Name:], found [+Score: 800] .

ntdll.dll! ZwWaitForSingleObject + 21 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObjectEx + 67 bytes
kernel32.dll! WaitForSingleObject + 18 bytes
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe! <no symbol>
-------------------------------------------------------------------

And then I get "Attempt to load mission failed". What did I/it do wrong?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on July 31, 2010, 12:00:59 am
Are you using 3.6.12 RC4, as required?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 31, 2010, 04:41:47 am
I saw the "True Ending," it left me like so:  :jaw:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: MatthTheGeek on July 31, 2010, 06:51:24 am
I saw the true ending, it left me "whoa, my graphic card can't handle that, I'm at 1 frame per 4 second", and then I was like "but there is nothing in my screen that looks like it would make me lag, wtf".
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on July 31, 2010, 09:25:16 am
Downloading now. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nehemiah on July 31, 2010, 09:28:27 am
Spoiler:
What all endings are there?  I got the ending where I was picked up at 2% health in the spacesuit by the transport.  Is that the true or the false ending, and how do I get to the other endings?  I flew towards the green dot in the nebula, which was a deimos corvette or something, I kept flying around the green dot, and then one in capella, I jumped out.  Was I supposed to get blasted by the supernova?  Seriously, someone please post the endings in spoiler tags like this:

1)
2)
3)

So I can know what endings everyone is talking about here.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 31, 2010, 10:06:27 am
The last cutscene is there regardless of ending. The debriefing afterwards will clue you into which ending you got. How far you get in the second last mission determines that debrief.

Spoiler:
1) Die in the nebula - Worst End
2) Jump out or get blasted by the supernova without finding the green dot - Good enough End
3) Find the green dot and get blasted by the supernova - True End
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nehemiah on July 31, 2010, 10:23:58 am
The last cutscene is there regardless of ending. The debriefing afterwards will clue you into which ending you got. How far you get in the second last mission determines that debrief.

Spoiler:
1) Die in the nebula - Worst End
2) Jump out or get blasted by the supernova without finding the green dot - Good enough End
3) Find the green dot and get blasted by the supernova - True End

Spoiler:
How can I tell if I have actually "found" the green dot?  Is it when the text says "come with us"?  Because I've flown towards the green dot, but I run into a ship eventually, and the green dot shifts as I fly around the ship, indicating the green dot is the ship.  So when I reach the ship, does the game register that I found the green dot?

Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 31, 2010, 10:26:42 am
If its not working right, try the patch. I broke the true end by accident in one of the patches.  :nervous:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nehemiah on July 31, 2010, 10:28:55 am
If its not working right, try the patch. I broke the true end by accident in one of the patches.  :nervous:

Spoiler:
I have the msot recent patch.  What is actually supposed to happen in game to let you know you've found the green dot?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 31, 2010, 10:31:42 am
Spoiler:
Your character says "The future is near" when you reach that Iceni doesn't he? Then something else when you don't go to it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on July 31, 2010, 10:32:09 am
Axem, thank you so much for this campaign, it has left me almost speechless at first.
I love the music (especially when synchronized with events) and the overall mood.

The first time I got the "good enough" ending, and now the true ending with the help here... it's quite disturbing, to say the least. :D

I also had some problems catching all the comm messages in combat, so did some F4 reading as well from time to time.
But since I managed to die a fair bit (beams seem to like me!) I could enjoy the missions more when knowing the rough mission plot.
Voice acting would definitely make this awesome campaign even more enjoyable.

But due to the unique mood and great ideas in the mission design I think this campaign should have a rather high replay value. I know I'll play it again... for example this evening!  :D
And of course when the 3.6.12 MediaVPs come out.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nehemiah on July 31, 2010, 10:40:28 am
Spoiler:
Your character says "The future is near" when you reach that Iceni doesn't he? Then something else when you don't go to it.

Spoiler:
Oh, it's the Iceni I've been running into.  Yeah, he did say "the future is near".
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Colonol Dekker on July 31, 2010, 12:46:10 pm
Spoiler:
I got the one where,
A- Planted a virus and saved Alpha 2(?)
B- Got back the the Azrael
C- Zapped by something, picked up by transport ( a lot of white, i was tempted to quit but i was just patient)
D-Nebula
E- Killed a Perseus
F-Capella sploded, i jumped out (cos i couldn't see the damn vega node :()
G- Got picked up by a transport
Splosions in time with music


LEft me wanting to try for another ending. I assume they're choices in the nebula?



Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mongoose on July 31, 2010, 02:39:34 pm
Yeah, there are choices in both the nebula and what comes after.  Axem's post at the top of the page lays it all out.

And Axem, just to clarify something, so I know I'm not being dense: :p

Spoiler:
The scene at the start of Con Brio where you're getting picked up by that transport in the middle of nowhere is what happens after you ejected in the first mission, right?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 31, 2010, 02:47:48 pm
Mongoose:
Spoiler:
Yep, you can see the derelict Demon that didn't wake up and the Sobek that got crippled in the debris field.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on July 31, 2010, 03:51:42 pm
Just finished the third playthrough, now I got all endings and can go to sleep with my mind at ease.

Actually I think it took me those three times to get all (or at least most) of the nuances and references in the plot... and an outstanding plot it is.
Also I must applaud your great attention to detail in the mission design, Axem...
Spoiler:
Great job alternating the jamming field between the Rattlehead and the Skullcrusher... fooled me just fine on the second playthrough!

BTW, so far I found two spoons...

No sleep yet, but rather a 4th playthrough, and I got Rachmaninov spinning in my head the whole day!

This campaign for me really has the biggest replay value so far, most definitely because of the unique mood and those...
Spoiler:
... damn spoons! Found 4/7 so far...  :lol:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on July 31, 2010, 07:28:03 pm
Well at least you found me!


right...?

did you?  :warp:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on July 31, 2010, 08:50:23 pm
So much for being the first to mention those. :P
Well I'll be playing it a third time for that anyway.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: MP-Ryan on August 01, 2010, 04:08:31 am
Anyone using Text-To-Speech with this, and if so can you link me to a 3.6.12 rc build with it compiled in?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 01, 2010, 04:46:10 am
Well at least you found me!


right...?

did you?  :warp:

Why yeah I guess I did find you... several times... and you as well... or maybe you were not you?
Now I'm confused...  :nervous:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bfKCk3cRTM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bfKCk3cRTM)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nehemiah on August 01, 2010, 09:45:35 am
Spoiler:
I am assuming that the final mission debrief when the SOC operative is talking abot "what killed the Psamtik is the first of a new armada" and that that is "nothing compared to Capella going nova" and ordering to go ahead with operation Lion's Den is the real ending?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 01, 2010, 10:03:50 am
MP-Ryan: I don't think text to speech will work in this campaign. I used sound files to notify the player when a message is being sent, so it would make FreeSpace think there's voice acting so TTS will play.

Nehemiah: Yes. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 01, 2010, 05:29:35 pm
Hey Axem, which recordings of the Rachmaninov piano concertos No. 2 and 3 did you use in the game?
They sound really good, and I've been wading through iTunes and Amazon for hours trying to choose which one to buy...  :confused:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 01, 2010, 06:26:38 pm
I think this is the recording...

http://www.amazon.com/Rachmaninov-Piano-Concertos-Nos-3/dp/B00005NWO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1225890068&sr=1-1

I got it from a different compilation, but Yefrim Bronfman was credited on the piano so I checked out his works and found that. I had a quick listen to the previews, it definitely sounds like it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 01, 2010, 06:52:17 pm
Perfect, thanks so much!
Sounds like the right one indeed... I've ordered it right away. :)

Spoiler:
But for the life of me, I can't find more than 4 spoons...
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 01, 2010, 06:56:06 pm
Madcat
Spoiler:
I won't reveal any of the spoon locations, but I will say that two containers only reveal themselves once you get close enough. And the trickiest one isn't a cargo container at all.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Rodo on August 01, 2010, 09:03:54 pm
press 'u' and scan away! (doing it this way is probably cheating, but what the hell...)

I found 5 of 7 IIRC, though I'm not sure where the other two are.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: MatthTheGeek on August 02, 2010, 02:16:02 am
Spoiler:
If you can't find the spoons, open the mission files ! Axem was damn sadistic in hiding a few of them :) Good Axem.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nehemiah on August 02, 2010, 10:31:00 am
Spoiler:
If you can't find the spoons, open the mission files ! Axem was damn sadistic in hiding a few of them :) Good Axem.

Cheater!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 02, 2010, 12:06:30 pm
Happy to play a campaign with lots of Italian words in it (didn't happen since Renegade Resurgence) and, more importantly, something involving classical music, which reminds me the period during which I was a true guru of the genre. :pimp: But:

Spoiler:
Someone definitely has to tell me how to beat the third mission, "Ossia". I've tried to do everything, I've even disabled the Lilith's beam turret in time, but at some point mission progress is stopped.

Something to say about the messages: I find them a bit hard to follow, as I'm busy fighting hordes of Shivans and pirates. That's something I don't like that much, because it... compromises immersion a bit. CP5670's PI, for example, was designed in a way that makes messages readable, as the most important ones are sent when the player is not involved in any chaotic dogfights.

Also, as far as I can say (please note that I haven't completed the campaign yet), Vassago's Dirge tends to force the player to disarm beam turrets all around. IMHO, missions involving the Shivans have much more potential... was it really necessary to replicate BP: AoA's mistake? I hope the mistake isn't extended to the Vassago itself, because I don't want to see a BP-style Ravana in the later missions of this campaign. Sigh.  :sigh:

That said, however, glad to notice the in-mission jump effect; I usually rely on cutscenes for that purpose, but Axem's solution is worth compliments. Nice work! :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 02, 2010, 12:09:09 pm
Your concerns are unfounded (you're only three missions in, and you only have to disarm beam weapons in one mission) and the Ravanas in the AoA Director's Cut had additional weapons so that they still had teeth once the main beams were disarmed.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 02, 2010, 12:31:35 pm
I received some complaints on the moorings in M3, so I made it a bit easier in the newest patch. Before they were oriented left right on the part under the Orpheus. So you would have to go from one side to another, but since they're invisible this can be hard to tell. Now they are put down front and rear, so you should be able to kill them from just one side.

I realize there is a lot of chatter too, but there's just no time to put it in without breaking the flow. But M3 is the worst offender for that. I wish I could've cut it down a bit more...

Also I thought I was fairly generous with the turret sniping. But worry not, it is the only mission that you are required to do that.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 02, 2010, 01:07:44 pm
Your concerns are unfounded (you're only three missions in, and you only have to disarm beam weapons in one mission) and the Ravanas in the AoA Director's Cut had additional weapons so that they still had teeth once the main beams were disarmed.

Spoiler:
In terms of plot, however, they were nothing but mobile beam weapons with fighterbays attached to them. In poor words, they weren't fearsome and relevant to the plot and went down easily. Yet again, I'd like to mention PI because it featured the Saturn, and plot-wise it was managed very well. Same thing for the NTD Phobos seen in TopAce's Renegade Resurgence... the list would be pretty long.

A while ago, I created a thread in which I complained a bit about the way Ravana destroyers are being used in custom campaigns, and members like Goober5000 agreed. But since we're going OT, we'd rather continue the discussion elsewhere.

I received some complaints on the moorings in M3, so I made it a bit easier in the newest patch. Before they were oriented left right on the part under the Orpheus. So you would have to go from one side to another, but since they're invisible this can be hard to tell. Now they are put down front and rear, so you should be able to kill them from just one side.

Spoiler:
They are inside the Orpheus and couldn't destroy them. I'm now getting today's patch, so everything should be fine in my next attempt. :)

I realize there is a lot of chatter too, but there's just no time to put it in without breaking the flow. But M3 is the worst offender for that. I wish I could've cut it down a bit more...

Spoiler:
Well, a PI-like approach (and what, for instance, mine as well) on the matter would be destroying the first wave of enemy fighters and bombers before sending the most important messages, as fire from the enemy warships in the area isn't that chaotic and allows the player to read messages carefully. After the most critical messages are sent, more enemy spacecraft could arrive without compromising action. Just a suggestion for a possible later patch, and a bit of Constructive CriticismTM. ;)

One question: why did you use classical music? :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Rodo on August 02, 2010, 01:09:09 pm
I played M3 like 8 times in a row before I realized what I was supposed to do :P

But it was totally worth it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on August 02, 2010, 01:14:04 pm
Because the music at the end cutscene is too epically awesome to not use, and makes the coolest scene ever. :P
I'll watch the cutscene over and over just for the synchronized events.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 02, 2010, 01:17:04 pm
Your concerns are unfounded (you're only three missions in, and you only have to disarm beam weapons in one mission) and the Ravanas in the AoA Director's Cut had additional weapons so that they still had teeth once the main beams were disarmed.

Spoiler:
In terms of plot, however, they were nothing but mobile beam weapons with fighterbays attached to them. In poor words, they weren't fearsome and relevant to the plot and went down easily. Yet again, I'd like to mention PI because it featured the Saturn, and plot-wise it was managed very well. Same thing for the NTD Phobos seen in TopAce's Renegade Resurgence... the list would be pretty long.

A while ago, I created a thread in which I complained a bit about the way Ravana destroyers are being used in custom campaigns, and members like Goober5000 agreed. But since we're going OT, we'd rather continue the discussion elsewhere.

That I do agree with. While I'm more comfortable with that approach to Shivan destroyers, it's not the one Vassago's Dirge uses (or other upcoming campaigns for that matter.)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: NGTM-1R on August 03, 2010, 12:42:55 am
Spoiler:
In terms of plot, however, they were nothing but mobile beam weapons with fighterbays attached to them. In poor words, they weren't fearsome and relevant to the plot and went down easily. Yet again, I'd like to mention PI because it featured the Saturn, and plot-wise it was managed very well. Same thing for the NTD Phobos seen in TopAce's Renegade Resurgence... the list would be pretty long.

A while ago, I created a thread in which I complained a bit about the way Ravana destroyers are being used in custom campaigns, and members like Goober5000 agreed. But since we're going OT, we'd rather continue the discussion elsewhere.

And members like me disagreed in a rather more cognizant way than Goober.

A mobile beam cannon is exactly what the Ravana is in terms of design. You can hardly blame campaign makers for using it the way it was clearly meant to be used. :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 03, 2010, 12:46:09 am
Yeah. With a weapon like the LRed, if it's around...it's either going to kill things really hard or get disarmed. Vassago's Dirge used it more creatively by not
Spoiler:
letting that situation come up at all - it barely uses its Lreds.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on August 03, 2010, 06:21:45 am
Yeah. With a weapon like the LRed, if it's around...it's either going to kill things really hard or get disarmed. Vassago's Dirge used it more creatively by not
Spoiler:
letting that situation come up at all - it barely uses its Lreds.
Spoiler:
yeah it use some random bzzzzzz beam cannon
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 03, 2010, 06:50:07 am
Spoiler:
Vuvuzela Cannons?!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on August 03, 2010, 06:51:05 am
Spoiler:
Vuvuzela Cannons?!
Spoiler:
Yeah come to think of it the Ravana is basically a giant vuvuzela
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 03, 2010, 04:48:56 pm
FreeSpace freezes when,
Spoiler:
in Growing (Crescendo), the Shivan device powers up a colossal beam and everything fades out to white.
:sigh:


And members like me disagreed in a rather more cognizant way than Goober.

A mobile beam cannon is exactly what the Ravana is in terms of design. You can hardly blame campaign makers for using it the way it was clearly meant to be used. :P

Not really. Ships can and should be much more than that.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 03, 2010, 05:05:31 pm
If your game appears to have frozen after a fade to white, it hasn't (at least I really really hope not). Just wait for the next level to load. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 03, 2010, 05:07:52 pm
*facepalm*
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: MatthTheGeek on August 04, 2010, 03:41:49 am
Not really. Ships can and should be much more than that.
Dude, you should play HW more. Ion canon frigates are just a huge beam canon with a hull and thrusters, yet it's one of the most iconic and most powerful ship in the game.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 04, 2010, 12:04:15 pm
FreeSpace freezes when,
Spoiler:
in Growing (Crescendo), the Shivan device powers up a colossal beam and everything fades out to white.
:sigh:


And members like me disagreed in a rather more cognizant way than Goober.

A mobile beam cannon is exactly what the Ravana is in terms of design. You can hardly blame campaign makers for using it the way it was clearly meant to be used. :P

Not really. Ships can and should be much more than that.

They aren't in real life these days, soooo...  :nervous:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Raiden on August 04, 2010, 02:32:29 pm
Something I need clarified about the story...

Spoiler:
When does Prelude take place in the story? After the Comm Node beams you, you're floating around in space waiting to be picked up, am I right in thinking that this takes place after you ejected during the prelude? What I can't figure out is when that battle took place, as the Vassago was obviously still around at that point...basically what's the relevence of the 'flashback' to you floating around waiting to picked up?

The story seems to have flown right over my head...even so, this mod is fantastic. It's a mini-epic.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: TrashMan on August 04, 2010, 02:37:32 pm
It's a good, short campaign.

But hardly the uber-super-extra-speshul thing you make it out to be Batutta.


Good atmosphere, creative use of FREDing..missions are hit-or-miss fun-wise, and the story...I do not like.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 04, 2010, 02:39:07 pm
It's a good, short campaign.

But hardly the uber-super-extra-speshul thing you make it out to be Batutta.


Good atmosphere, creative use of FREDing..missions are hit-or-miss fun-wise, and the story...I do not like.

au contraire my dear chap, it IS uber-super-extra-speshul. You never like anything that's not DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA POW UNGH  :p

Something I need clarified about the story...

Spoiler:
When does Prelude take place in the story? After the Comm Node beams you, you're floating around in space waiting to be picked up, am I right in thinking that this takes place after you ejected during the prelude? What I can't figure out is when that battle took place, as the Vassago was obviously still around at that point...basically what's the relevence of the 'flashback' to you floating around waiting to picked up?

The story seems to have flown right over my head...even so, this mod is fantastic. It's a mini-epic.

Spoiler:
The first mission does, in fact, occur first chronologically. There is a flashback to it after said comm node beamage, when an SAR ship finds you, so you are correct in that. That battle took place first, when the Vassago 'awakened' and began its weird activities in Capella.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Raiden on August 04, 2010, 02:47:53 pm
Spoiler:
The first mission does, in fact, occur first chronologically. There is a flashback to it after said comm node beamage, when an SAR ship finds you, so you are correct in that. That battle took place first, when the Vassago 'awakened' and began its weird activities in Capella.
Spoiler:
I see, basically I think what's confusing me is whether that mission is a part of the story the pilot's telling the doc. At first I presumed when you got picked up by the SAR, that's when you were taken to see the doctor, but obviously that doesn't work as the Vassago had only just woken up.

Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 04, 2010, 02:49:40 pm
Spoiler:
The first mission does, in fact, occur first chronologically. There is a flashback to it after said comm node beamage, when an SAR ship finds you, so you are correct in that. That battle took place first, when the Vassago 'awakened' and began its weird activities in Capella.
Spoiler:
I see, basically I think what's confusing me is whether that mission is a part of the story the pilot's telling the doc. At first I presumed when you got picked up by the SAR, that's when you were taken to see the doctor, but obviously that doesn't work as the Vassago had only just woken up.



Spoiler:
Nope, it's intentionally ambiguous - in point of fact you're taken for treatment/interrogation after the comm node beams you.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Raiden on August 04, 2010, 03:19:38 pm
Makes sense. Cheers man!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 04, 2010, 03:26:27 pm
Completed. :)

Spoiler:
Very intense and very well inspired, IMHO it shows the potential minicampaigns have. Short, but intense.

I liked the FRED tricks, so kudos to Axem for them. I would have changed a few things here and there, but the world is good because it's various and different FREDding styles are always welcome.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on August 04, 2010, 05:22:31 pm
It's a good, short campaign.
But hardly the uber-super-extra-speshul thing you make it out to be Batutta.
Good atmosphere, creative use of FREDing..missions are hit-or-miss fun-wise, and the story...I do not like.
It doesn't have enough dick ships amirit?

Quote from: Mobius
I liked the FRED tricks, so kudos to Axem for them. I would have changed a few things here and there, but the world is good because it's various and different FREDding styles are always welcome.
Big spoiler there
wait...
Why are you putting that in spoiler tags?
So eh, what things would you have done differently?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 04, 2010, 05:32:47 pm
(Mini) Reviews are pretty much like spoilers: people may or may not wish to read them. :)

Well, I would have handled the most chaotic scenarios in a different way (read one of my previous posts) and ventured into nitpicking.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 04, 2010, 05:47:18 pm
ventured into nitpicking

What the **** does this mean? You keep saying it and I think you must mean something totally different from what it actually means,
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 04, 2010, 06:00:23 pm
FRED nitpicking, usually related to timings, escort lists, wing orders, etc.etc.

Basically the minor things people hardly notice.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 04, 2010, 06:03:25 pm
Oh. I thought you meant you would've had the campaign get involved in nitpicking.

Well those kinds of things are really valuable to notice during testing. You should be a campaign tester!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 04, 2010, 06:10:06 pm
You should be a campaign tester!

I am, and even volunteered to test Vassago's Dirge before the release. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 04, 2010, 06:45:29 pm
Mobius: Well when you had asked, beta testing was pretty much over. I was pretty much waiting for RC4 to get pushed out the door.

Trashman: While I'll admit that the story is, at the core, rather basic and not as grand or large scale as other campaigns might be, were there specific problems you saw? Was it just...
Spoiler:
"Oh look the NTF is messing around with ETAK again. And Shivans aren't doing anything other than blowing up stuff."
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Stilljoe7 on August 04, 2010, 08:24:41 pm
Well, I may be an old fogey (I was wondering, is anyone else here over 50?), but I liked it a whole lot. Especially the music and, as been noted, the timing of the music with the events. There were moments, as was pointed out, where I just sat back and said Wow. Bravo!

I don't have much time for gaming - RL is very demanding - so while WiH seems a bit intimidating, this was just right. And here's a plug for more campaigns with classical music.

Congratulations and thanks, Axem.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 04, 2010, 08:42:36 pm
In the chaos that resulted from other comments, I forgot to ask this:

Spoiler:
In the last mission, there were 1-2 cargo containers near the fighterbay of that Orion. Does it have anything to do with spoons?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Rodo on August 04, 2010, 08:48:25 pm
In the chaos that resulted from other comments, I forgot to ask this:

Spoiler:
In the last mission, there were 1-2 cargo containers near the fighterbay of that Orion. Does it have anything to do with spoons?

Spoiler:
one of the containers has a spoon in it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on August 04, 2010, 08:56:01 pm
Spoiler:
How do I know if I got one?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 04, 2010, 09:00:58 pm
Spoiler:
If you scan it and see cargo "A Spoon", you got it. If you play through the whole campaign and find at least one, the final final debrief will make a quick mention of it. Clicking on recommendations will show you how many you've found in that playthrough.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: TrashMan on August 05, 2010, 06:21:02 pm
It's a good, short campaign.

But hardly the uber-super-extra-speshul thing you make it out to be Batutta.


Good atmosphere, creative use of FREDing..missions are hit-or-miss fun-wise, and the story...I do not like.

au contraire my dear chap, it IS uber-super-extra-speshul. You never like anything that's not DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA POW UNGH  :p

While I admitt I like my DAKKA, its more the case of not trusting your judgment anymore...At least in some scenarios.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: TrashMan on August 05, 2010, 06:25:07 pm
Trashman: While I'll admit that the story is, at the core, rather basic and not as grand or large scale as other campaigns might be, were there specific problems you saw? Was it just...
Spoiler:
"Oh look the NTF is messing around with ETAK again. And Shivans aren't doing anything other than blowing up stuff."


Spoiler:
The whole "shivans have a message...visions" thing. I just don't like it. There's not much to say story-wise. It's well-writen, but it's not the kind of story I like.

the mission themselves. They get better near the end, but the first 2-3 really really on knowing beforehand what will happen. The player just has too little time to react.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on August 05, 2010, 08:15:55 pm
Spoiler:
the mission themselves. They get better near the end, but the first 2-3 really really on knowing beforehand what will happen. The player just has too little time to react.
This was my one and only complaint about Vassagoo.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 05, 2010, 10:21:55 pm
Fair enough. I tried to give enough time for the player to react to some of the events (enough so the Beta Testers stopped complaining, but I guess they got used to it too), but I can see how it can be overwhelming for a first time player.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Droid803 on August 06, 2010, 01:32:41 pm
Yeah, one of the missions requires you to be quite triggerhappy with your trebs. :P
And another, to figure out exactly what you were supposed to shoot the docking rings with. HINT: NOT THE SDG.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: NGTM-1R on August 06, 2010, 02:58:08 pm
(enough so the Beta Testers stopped complaining, but I guess they got used to it too)

I think unlike Trashman we assumed minimal reaction time was part of the point. Thus we didn't ask for too much.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 06, 2010, 03:00:23 pm
I'd definitely like to see the reaction time window expanded in that mission as well.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: NGTM-1R on August 06, 2010, 03:02:57 pm
I asked for ten or fifteen more seconds and I'm sticking to it. :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 06, 2010, 10:35:45 pm
So the new MediaVPs are out, and they use a different directory than before.

So anyone using the new mediavps have two choices:

First edit your mod.ini to reference the new directory. Just change the very last line from

Code: [Select]
secondarylist = mediavps;
to

Code: [Select]
secondarylist = mediavps_3612;
OR

Download THIS FILE (http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/releases/campaigns/Patches/mod.ini) and replace the mod.ini currently in the Vassago's Dirge folder with this one.

Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Fearless Leader on August 07, 2010, 01:33:56 am
I just finished playing Vassago's Dirge, and i enjoyed every second of it! :yes:

IMO, it stayed true to the spirit of freespace, with an amazing point of view, and fast paced action. The only way it could be improved would be with voice acting.

Axem, I look forward to you next campaign.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Cyker on August 07, 2010, 04:09:59 am
Ugh! Finally finished this campaign!

Sweet mother that was hard, but so well done! The scripting was tight and the music use was stunning! Well chosen and elicted iMUSE-esque memories. The way it was synched to events (e.g. the exploding station) was masterful.

My only gripes were the way you were just thrown in; I ended up replaying some missions so many times because it took me that long to figure out what to do, partly because I'm not used to the scripting-heavy style of the missions, but also because I was trying to read the text, figure out what to do and cycle through a capital ship to try and find the right subsystem.

It started to feel like I was cheating as I replayed missions more and more because I ended up going straight for roughly where I knew my target would be before it appeared so I'd be able to visually target the subsystem and shoot it or whatever.

Did anyone get through the campaign without having to replay a mission several times? Some of them I think I only got through on luck!

Maybe I just suck at this game tho'  :(  (It's been many years since I could take out a minefield in an unshielded TIE Interceptor :lol:)

I loved the progression of the story; I know some people have said the story is a bit thin, but all the best stories are simple at the core. It's the execution and presentation that makes it epic and this campaign had spades of that! I think the flow of the missions themselves needs tweaking, but the flow of the campaign as a whole is flawless ;) :yes:

The epic and cinematic feel imparted is amazing, and is a great showcase of how far the SCP has come!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on August 07, 2010, 05:24:39 am
It wasn't the hardest campaign out there, but it was hard. I had to replay some missions a few times to get it right in the end.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Klaustrophobia on August 07, 2010, 08:28:35 am
download link broken.  :shaking:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 07, 2010, 08:37:20 am
Oops,  I forgot to actually upload the new download with the new mod.ini...

It was late at night! I was tired! Don't kill me!

It should be up now. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Firartix on August 07, 2010, 10:57:43 am
Hey, you guys don't seem to have any problems, but i do...
On the 3rd or 4th mission
Spoiler:
you know where you attack the pirate base and all
when
Spoiler:
some lilith jump in, it fires it's main beam
directly at the ship you're supposed to protect
Spoiler:
orpheus iirc

Spoiler:
Sounds like a bug because the Lilith refires instantly on another target after the initial shot.
I can't see which one though, because the screen go black and i lose at that moment...

I'm using the v5 missions.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 07, 2010, 11:03:36 am
I could see why that's happening but...

Spoiler:
Are you destroying the magnetic moorings on your escort list? The cruiser will only fire at the Orpheus if those are not destroyed.

As for the problem, I see what happened.

Spoiler:
Once the Orpheus gets destroyed, the cruiser's beams are freed, and since the game doesn't count fire-beam as a normal weapon fire, the rest of the beams just start firing right away. But you should only see it if you fail the mission.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Commander Zane on August 07, 2010, 12:22:55 pm
Doesn't the LRed have a recharge rate that allows it to fire the next shot immediately anyway?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on August 07, 2010, 02:49:46 pm
It wasn't the hardest campaign out there, but it was hard. I had to replay some missions a few times to get it right in the end.
'Hard'? You should have seen what it was like in the beta!
I call this, an appropriate challenge for veteran Freespace players
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: IronBeer on August 07, 2010, 05:01:31 pm
Very good, and it's clear a lot of thought and work went into it. Nice new spin on the classic "shoot things up" style of gameplay, what with
Spoiler:
How most of the campaign is a flashback, and the player's eventual (hopeful?) contact with the Shivans. Further, the ambiguous "best ending" left this pilot dying to know what the Sathanas fleet was really up to in Earth orbit...

Now, unfortunately, I cannot say that it was perfect. I had a couple gripes with the campaign, specifically,
the difficulty was a bit higher than what I was used to. Axem, were you using Fury AI, perchance? The AI fighters seemed to be a lot more canny than usual. The AI is NOT a complaint of mine at this point, having been able to replay it while not exhausted, uncoordinated, and grumpy.

Now, the only mission I really have to complain about was
 
Spoiler:
"Con Fuoco". The intensity is perfect, get a rhythm going with your TAGging, herd the Shivan fighters towards the Hyksos, et cetera, glorious.

Once the Vassago shows up, however, everything consistently goes to Hell for me. My wingmen invariably end up dead, and I am charged with holding off about a dozen smart, zippy, and powerful Shivan fighters while waiting for a chance to TAG the Vassago. Ugh. It doesn't ruin the mission, but it's rather mean to put such a wicked challenge at the end of a mission like that.

Awww, but what do I know? Play this! If you haven't already!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 07, 2010, 06:35:09 pm
In my defense...

Spoiler:
I mean you're one TAG missile away from killing the Vassago, I can't make it too easy now can I? :p

Anyway, there's a new set of downloads up. The campaign should now work with Text to Speech if you find you're getting lost in all the blah blah during the pew pews. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scotty on August 07, 2010, 06:59:31 pm
Easy fix for that difficulty is
Spoiler:
stop shooting. :P  They tend to ignore you if you leave them well enough alone.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 07, 2010, 07:07:35 pm
Keep in mind though

Spoiler:
Proximity (being around 2km) to the Vassago kills your stealth. But you could steer clear of it and rush in to TAG it at the last second
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 07, 2010, 07:12:53 pm
Now, the only mission I really have to complain about was
 
Spoiler:
"Con Fuoco". The intensity is perfect, get a rhythm going with your TAGging, herd the Shivan fighters towards the Hyksos, et cetera, glorious.

Once the Vassago shows up, however, everything consistently goes to Hell for me. My wingmen invariably end up dead, and I am charged with holding off about a dozen smart, zippy, and powerful Shivan fighters while waiting for a chance to TAG the Vassago. Ugh. It doesn't ruin the mission, but it's rather mean to put such a wicked challenge at the end of a mission like that.

Awww, but what do I know? Play this! If you haven't already!

My advice is, play the mission like a stealth fighter. Don't hold anything off - just run! Hide!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mongoose on August 07, 2010, 10:20:54 pm
Seriously.  I dodged like a mofo during that part of the mission. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Droid803 on August 08, 2010, 12:52:46 am
I just ran rings around the Vassago's hull...
If its between you and the fighters, they aren't hitting you.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: MatthTheGeek on August 08, 2010, 04:48:44 am
There are a couple of perfect spots to hide on a Ravana. Especially for a ship as thin as a Pegsus.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: IronBeer on August 08, 2010, 10:25:07 am
There are a couple of perfect spots to hide on a Ravana. Especially for a ship as thin as a Pegsus.
Yeah, figured that out before too long. Did make things a lot simpler.

@Battua:
Spoiler:
So that's what they meant by "proximity".
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on August 11, 2010, 01:51:23 am
Seriously.  I dodged like a mofo during that part of the mission. :p
Yes, this. And running through the Vassago's bits like the other guys said.
Spoiler:
I had a hard time (really hard) tagging the Tannin and the next corvette that jump in; if you're not right there with a ready mjolnir and a perfect tag, it's impossible. That's why I replayed that mission so many times.
So, thanks to the new VPs, I had the privelege of replaying this in all of it's intended glory, and I got the good ending!
Spoiler:
And I finally get it! The interview takes place well before the destruction of Capella, but you were shown a vision of it ahead of time! Plus the Saths around a planet (was it really Earth?) thing which was odd. And that final cutscene with all the VPs almost made me cry with the beauty of the Liliths, beams, explosions, Hatshepsut, etc.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Satellight on August 11, 2010, 07:09:32 am
For me, it will be short :
With campaigns like VD and WIH, FreeSpace really reach a new summum.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Imposible Uncorrect on August 11, 2010, 12:48:01 pm
Well, I played through the Campaign too. Here's my Review...

The campaign itself is very good, also, the Maker really knows about how to make Missions interesting and how things can be put together.
One or maybe two Missions were a little...confusing...At least the first time. Someone new to the campaign should definitely play it more then one time through...Otherwise, you might get a little unsure about everything. But that isn't really negative, you know. Making a Player focus on one campaign is quite a talent.

The story itself was good, allthough I admit, firstly, when I read the description in this Thread, I thought, it'd be more a boring and more of a standard Campaign. But it wasn't. It wasn't at all.

Everybody, who's tired of Transcend or Sync and want something new to play should check this out.

P.S.: The Music was wonderful, as I think. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 11, 2010, 06:45:00 pm
Glad you liked it. :) I tried to make each mission unique in its own right, hopefully making each one stand out a bit.

Scourge of Ages, just a small hint.
Spoiler:
You don't need to kill every capital ship in that mission. I usually leave one of the Rak's alone and wait for the Tannin and Allocer to come in and TAG those. The Carthage and its fighters will engage anything that jumps out near them, so a Rak is best choice to let go. But if you're aiming for perfection, good luck with that. ;)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 12, 2010, 05:47:27 am
Spoiler:
I almost always managed to get them all.  :cool:
The only time I didn't achieve that was when I tagged them all in order of arrival.

Hint: Tag the Allocer before the Tannin.

I love this campaign and am currently on my 5th playthrough, finally with the 3.6.12 mediavps... BEAUTIFUL!!!  :nod:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on August 12, 2010, 08:34:07 am
Hmm, in M3, the Orpheus seem to get a face full of beam from the lillith (or more a near miss that still deals a lot of damage) which caused a mission failure even though it *should* have been a success at that point.

And curse my slow brain. "Hey, this cargo depot wasn't here before in M4... ah well now it actually makes a bit more sense" enter M5 "Aw ****, of course that cargo depot is here now, there be Spoon's to find!" so yeah, I already missed one. :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Polpolion on August 12, 2010, 11:41:39 am
I didn't hear very many Arpeggios in Arpeggio. :p

EDIT:

(http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7022/1278862563294.jpg)

This... was quite a cool game.

I mean wow.


Just out of curiosity, what inspired you to make this kind of mod? What inspired you to tell it in the way that you did, with the flashbacks and all?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 12, 2010, 05:14:01 pm
Spoon: I think the beam miss point is too close to the Orpheus if you're not quick enough. I think moving it should be good enough.

thesizzler: Yes, the arpeggios were actually in the mission before... however
Spoiler:
jumping from one place to another in quick succession
is almost like an arpeggio...
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: NeonShivan on August 12, 2010, 09:12:15 pm
This looks like a good Campagin judging by those Screenshots I saw  :drevil: :lol:
I will try it and give you a rating on a scale 1-Pwnage after I play BP
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: utops on August 13, 2010, 11:33:20 am
Axem,very impressive work. I was cursing this campaing thru third mission,but i finally beat it. Missions are dynamic,sometimes overwhelming but this is a nice chalenge fo` the skillz
PS. Why don`t you put some trashtalk/goldtalk in recommendation debrefing lines? I like to check it for eastereggs,bashing or comendations and there is none. This not a crucial thing to me, more inhabit.

Thx.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: FreeSpaceFreak on August 13, 2010, 02:26:09 pm
Yess, finally got to finish this :)
This campaign is awesome, kudos to you, Axem. A very original way of telling the story, creative use of music (who would have thought that that kind of music would actually work in FS?), and every single mission is a masterpiece of advanced FREDding. I really enjoyed nearly every single bit.

Minor gripe:
Spoiler:
Where you upload the virus to the station, I was pressing the spacebar and nothing happened at first - I guess I wasn't close enough. An indication of how close you need to be for uploading it would be handy. Also, it is slightly confusing to be told to use spacebar while in the briefing, they told us to keep our weapons quiet.

But overall a true masterpiece, and easily on par with the best that's been released so far!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 13, 2010, 03:51:23 pm
Minor gripe:
Spoiler:
Where you upload the virus to the station, I was pressing the spacebar and nothing happened at first - I guess I wasn't close enough. An indication of how close you need to be for uploading it would be handy. Also, it is slightly confusing to be told to use spacebar while in the briefing, they told us to keep our weapons quiet.

Spoiler:
I had that problem too, the first two times or so... and I think it was because I approached the panel from the side, and not from above. Beacuse later on, when approaching from above, it always worked instantly.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 13, 2010, 05:59:26 pm
Re: Station Container
Yeah, that container can be wonky sometimes. I could never figure out why, I think its the facing sexp. (That's it Axem, blame the game for your failings...)

I suppose spacebar could be a bit confusing considering earlier orders, but I wanted a universal key that would be easy to hit. If you do try firing before then, you do get a message saying master arm locked. If only I could have chosen the enter key. :(

Re: Recommendations
Maybe I'll add some recommendation text in some future patch. It is something that is missing that every other campaign has. But I never read them, so they never came to mind. :p

Re: thesizzler
Well um... the last few episodes of BSG gave me the idea to have a campaign to try to mix a story with music. The music was going to play an ingame role, but it progressed to the more meta role it is now.

And the campaign was going to end with
Spoiler:
the SOC debriefing team asking about your adventure there, so I thought, hey why don't I just make the whole campaign like that?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on August 14, 2010, 11:24:28 am
3 (4)/ 7 Spoon's found
I'm a disgrace :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 14, 2010, 12:12:43 pm
3 (4)/ 7 Spoon's found
I'm a disgrace :(

How will you find the answers if you cannot find yourself?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Col. Fishguts on August 14, 2010, 01:37:50 pm
Just finished it... **** that was awesome!

Definitely has a film noir vibe to it, the kind where some shady figure is being interrogated in a dark, smoke-laden room with a grumpy cop telling him "Now tell us exactly what happened, best start at the beginning.", and from there the plot thickens.

As others have already stated, with voice acting this already excellent campaign could reach new levels of atmospheric story telling.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on August 14, 2010, 02:16:05 pm
I'm at 5 / 7 spoons.
It's amazing how much this adds to the replay value of the campaign.  :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: swashmebuckle on August 15, 2010, 05:27:42 pm
Finished a few days back, and I gotta say that with some good voice acting this would probably be my favorite campaign.  There's great variety in gameplay activities, it's short enough to make me actually want to replay it, and the story is presented in a way that gives you just enough so that there's these really compelling gaps in your information but you don't ever feel like you're being short-changed by the narrative.  The music is also so much stronger and more well integrated into the missions than what you expect from a video game--you've really achieved a through-composed feel in a medium that is dominated by repeat signs.

That said, I found it to be maddeningly difficult on medium (where I play all campaigns through the first time).  I'm totally fine with eating it 1 or 2 times as I try to pass a mission, but with some of these it was more like 5 or 6, with a few of those deaths happening before I've even figured out what I'm supposed to be doing or why I'm failing.  Voice acting would really help with this, and roles like the interrogator would provide some great opportunities for an actor to have a lot of fun here.  Anyway, congratulations, it's awesome! :yes:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: azile0 on August 16, 2010, 03:04:37 am
I'm late to the party. Downloading with high hopes.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on August 17, 2010, 05:58:07 pm
Saaaaay, Axem. I noticed the SD Vassago made an appearance in BP:AoA.
Spoiler:
Was that intentional or coincidental? Was it the same (alternate) Vassago? That is, are VD and BP in the same continuity?
That's in addition to the other things I remarked on a few minutes ago in the WiH discussion thread.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Droid803 on August 17, 2010, 06:09:50 pm
Saaaaay, Axem. I noticed the SD Vassago made an appearance in BP:AoA.
Spoiler:
Was that intentional or coincidental? Was it the same (alternate) Vassago? That is, are VD and BP in the same continuity?
That's in addition to the other things I remarked on a few minutes ago in the WiH discussion thread.

BP:AoA came out way before Vassago's Dirge.
Presumably, this is a case of two mods picking the same name.

Besides...
Spoiler:
The Vassago in Vassago's Dirge does a whole lot more cool stuff than the Vassago in BP:AoA where it just sits there and gets killed.

Also, I recall Axem saying he didn't know of any others when he picked the name.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 17, 2010, 06:15:08 pm
Well it is a coincidence at its root. There is a reason I chose the name Vassago which you can see by looking up the origin on Wikipedia. I got lucky by having them both be Ravanas. :p

Its entirely possible that this Vassago and the AoA Vassago could be the same ship (I like to think they are anyway), but I don't think you can call it the same continuity. They can co-exist but neither campaign draws directly on the other (not counting any shout outs between campaigns).

Droid: Actually several people said "Isn't there already an SD Vassago?" when I first started talking about the campaign. And I went, whatever. It's my campaign, I can do what I want!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scourge of Ages on August 17, 2010, 06:30:03 pm
Roger that.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on August 17, 2010, 08:22:40 pm
Its entirely possible that this Vassago and the AoA Vassago could be the same ship (I like to think they are anyway), but I don't think you can call it the same continuity. They can co-exist but neither campaign draws directly on the other (not counting any shout outs between campaigns).

And for those of you who thought the AoA Vassago was lame, that was one in a parallel universe where the Shivans hadn't had quite so much exposure to beam-armed Terran ships.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 17, 2010, 08:38:06 pm
To be fair, the AoA Vassago did plenty of awesome things... off screen. It was all ready for its GTVA debut but got pre-empted by the Vishnans.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mongoose on August 18, 2010, 09:58:04 pm
I was just replaying ASW Act 1 and did a nice double-take at the Vassago-class destroyer in there. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: manwiththemachinegun on August 19, 2010, 02:16:02 am
Mah boi, this was amazing!

You should be proud, it's a really amazing thing to play.

And yes the *ahem*, "special fighter" mission was beyond top notch. I've been waiting to kick ass like that since a certain awesome cutscene from FS1.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: CommanderDJ on August 19, 2010, 04:33:38 am
This was intense! I've played it through twice, and I'm not sure if I've gotten the right ending yet. I played mission 8 about 8 times to try and find alternate endings
Question for those who have finished it:
Spoiler:
Does anything change if you manage to kill Beta 2? I never have enough time before it cuts to the next thing. I've gotten three endings: One where you get killed by Beta 1 and it cuts to Cagliari exploding, another where I kill Beta 1 and get killed by the supernova, and another where I jump out before the supernova and it also cuts to Cagliari exploding. Have I missed anything?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Ravenholme on August 19, 2010, 04:58:42 am
This was intense! I've played it through twice, and I'm not sure if I've gotten the right ending yet. I played mission 8 about 8 times to try and find alternate endings
Question for those who have finished it:
Spoiler:
Does anything change if you manage to kill Beta 2? I never have enough time before it cuts to the next thing. I've gotten three endings: One where you get killed by Beta 1 and it cuts to Cagliari exploding, another where I kill Beta 1 and get killed by the supernova, and another where I jump out before the supernova and it also cuts to Cagliari exploding. Have I missed anything?

Spoiler:
Find the green blip (Iceni) during the nebula mission, don't kill anything, and then stay behind to witness the supernova in all it's glory
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: CommanderDJ on August 19, 2010, 05:41:03 am
This was intense! I've played it through twice, and I'm not sure if I've gotten the right ending yet. I played mission 8 about 8 times to try and find alternate endings
Question for those who have finished it:
Spoiler:
Does anything change if you manage to kill Beta 2? I never have enough time before it cuts to the next thing. I've gotten three endings: One where you get killed by Beta 1 and it cuts to Cagliari exploding, another where I kill Beta 1 and get killed by the supernova, and another where I jump out before the supernova and it also cuts to Cagliari exploding. Have I missed anything?

Spoiler:
Find the green blip (Iceni) during the nebula mission, don't kill anything, and then stay behind to witness the supernova in all it's glory

I shall attend to that at once.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on August 19, 2010, 09:17:35 am
Nooo, VD lost its highlight  :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on August 19, 2010, 09:35:25 am
My fault.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Raiden on August 19, 2010, 11:36:01 am
I'm still playing this damn mod, I can't get enough. Each mission really stands by itself, if I have half an hour before I need to leave the house I'll usually pick a random mission and play through it.

Spoiler:
That mission where the Vassago dies is so epic, it never gets old. I almost felt sad when it went up, I respected that hunk o' junk.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on August 19, 2010, 11:41:41 am
Spoiler:
That mission where the Vassago dies is so epic, it never gets old. I almost felt sad when it went up, I respected that hunk o' junk.
Spoiler:
Every time I see it get beamed I can't help but say something along the lines of "How about a mouth full of BEAM you bastard son of a shivan" (:<
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Raiden on August 19, 2010, 11:56:03 am
Spoiler:
That mission where the Vassago dies is so epic, it never gets old. I almost felt sad when it went up, I respected that hunk o' junk.
Spoiler:
Every time I see it get beamed I can't help but say something along the lines of "How about a mouth full of BEAM you bastard son of a shivan" (:<
Spoiler:
Haha, well yeah, at first I felt great satisfaction seeing that thing get gutted. But then I go all Matthew Broderick and want to pat it on the head. Good fight, Shivan, good fight.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: perihelion on August 24, 2010, 10:17:12 am
 :eek2:  Wow.  I am at a loss for words.  You have captured the awesomeness of "short story" form in a game.  Very immersive. 
I'm torn now.  I want to beg you to get a voice acting team together, but anything less than excellent voice acting would ruin the perfect mood you've created here.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mugsy on August 30, 2010, 03:13:51 am
This campaign is awesome. The first mission took me a few tries to get everyone together in one piece, as the pressure kept mounting, and you had very little time to perform your mission objectives. The rest of the missions kept me well under pressure, but I often failed because of one single thing that i needed to do within a few seconds. Nonetheless, all of the missions are well structured


The last few parts is unlike anything i have seen in a campaign. Not even including the special unique circumstances in the last mission,  
Spoiler:
The Red nebula and the derelict ships scared the everliving **** out of me, because i was all alone and helpless, and everything was silent, and i parked my ship near a derelict hunk of metal and waited. It's an irrational fear, next to warping inside Minefields in Freelancer. Don't ask.
, After an hour of pondering the end, i had finally understood everything. The entire ending, as well as the other ones i've seen here from my perspective I will now describe, so BIG spoilers abound. If you have not played it yet, please do so, because this campaign is really, REALLY good.


Spoiler:
Remember that you are being interrogated, and that you are telling your story. What you are experiencing in the end is something you can't quite describe in exact detail to your interrogators. It's not a nightmare, but it's in fact a premonition of things to come (because this is around the time where the Colossus has defeated the Sathanas).

What you remember is depending on the ending. I had only experienced the decent ending, and saw the other two described in this thread, and i have finally pieced it all together.

If you experience the worst ending, where you get destroyed in the nebula, you cannot describe anything to your interrogators, and they figure they should try again.

If you get the decent ending, where you survive your encounter in the nebula, but do not find the required object, as well as warp out, you get the decent ending. Your descriptions are too vague for them, and you overhear that the SOC is now commencing Operation Lion's Den. (If you played through all of Freespace 2, it wouldn't take long for you to figure out what this mission is) They will ask you to remember everything again.

True ending, You find the right target, and stay behind. you understand everything and see a premonition the final mission in Freespace 2. The reaction to your superiors is yet to be determined because i have not acquired this ending yet.

All in all, it was a great experience, and i felt under pressure, scared, confused, it made me think, and after figuring it all out, felt like my mind was blown. I keep calling this a campaign, when really it's not. It's much more than that.


Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on August 31, 2010, 10:33:16 pm
Thanks to the latest batch of positive comments. I apologize that I don't respond to most of you individually, but when I see them I smile. :)

I plan to organize some voice acting movement... one day. I'm really bad at this time management stuff...

Mugsy: You certainly are very close. I was worried that people wouldn't "get it" and I know a lot of people probably didn't. But its good to know that my obtuse thought process can be understood by an elite few. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Shivan Hunter on September 01, 2010, 02:12:57 am
Just finished it. Awesome experience. Will probably play again soon.

Spoiler:
They... showed me the supernova. At least I assume that was from Shivan communications. Why the frak would they do that?! It's like they wanted us to know about it...
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on September 01, 2010, 07:06:35 am
Just finished it. Awesome experience. Will probably play again soon.

Spoiler:
They... showed me the supernova. At least I assume that was from Shivan communications. Why the frak would they do that?! It's like they wanted us to know about it...

the real ending may be illuminating
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: psyhotik on September 16, 2010, 05:50:35 am
Hi! I rarely post on any forums but this time I have to. This campaign is just GREAT!

Spoiler:
First of all - Rachmaninoff's music. Great choice, it really fits the action. Which of his works are those exactly?

Second - the whole idea of campaign as a retrospection. Marvelous! I especially like the comments of the interrogating officers when you fail the mission.

Third - the dreams/visions missions. The Intermezzo was a real surprise. I as Shivan, strange, random ship names, everything so unreal and surrealistic... And then the Reprise mission with the same ships appearing but this time logical and real :) I understood Intermezzo as reminiscence of events told in Reprise (not sure if this was the Author's goal ;) )

My favourite mission? Definitely Ossia. Great music, suits the action (especially the 'We've been spotted!' moment ;) ). Pure fun to play. Surprisingly I found Myrmidon (which I don't really like) very well suited for thin mission. 6 guns make shot work of pirate ships and 3 Trebuchets can neutralize those annoying flaks.

Generally speaking, great job Man! Congratulations! I'm waiting for MORE of such masterpieces! :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Madcat on September 16, 2010, 01:17:54 pm
All of the music is credited in the README file in the mod folder. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on September 16, 2010, 01:38:14 pm
psyhotik: Glad you liked it. I'm surprised that you liked Ossia the most, it was my least favorite. Mostly because I redid it 2 times and had trouble with it constantly. :nervous: But kudos if you liked it.

Spoiler:
And of course that was the Author's goal. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: wtf_cl0vvn on September 19, 2010, 07:39:18 pm
Just finished playing this campaign, and I am overwhelmed. Quite simply a masterpiece, Mr. Axem (I feel as though you deserve an honorific.)

Where to begin? The way the missions were set up, and the way missions and cutscenes and debriefs simply blend together, feels as though we aren't playing a FS2 campaign; it's a story, an opera, and the narrator is attempting to recollect what happened after being exposed to something perhaps beyond his grasp. Masterfully done.

The music was beautiful. Quite simply amazing. This has to be one of the best musical scores for anything I've ever seen/experienced: movie, video game, theater piece, etc.

I particularly enjoyed the custom models/ships you made here; it all fit seamlessly with what would have imagined these things to look like in the world of FreeSpace.

You haven't made a campaign, Mr. Axem, you've created a work of art in the medium of a video game. If I wore a hat, I'd take it off.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Burdokva on September 24, 2010, 12:04:36 pm
Damn it, I swear, I haven't hated a video game character as much as the officer in the debriefing.

Maybe because I fail each mission miserably about a dozen (or two... ) on "Hard", but I won't drop the difficulty. Interestingly enough, I finished the default FS II campaign just before "Vassago's Dirge" and it was a cakewalk in comparison, minus a couple of missions.

Fantastic idea. The concept of the story is great, and also makes an interesting and compelling way to explain why the player constantly fails. It certainly keeps me into it, instead of the usual (and dreaded) way games serve you the message "game over", as if you're a complete failure.

Execution - top notch. A rare example of a game proving that gaming can be art.

I better just shut up and try to finish it, though. :nod:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mebber on October 10, 2010, 04:32:10 pm
Very good campaign, excellent story and atmosphere. The campaign is definitely outstanding imo... micro-jumps, a ejection seat experience, flying around in a poorly armed spacesuit through a abandoned space station... woah  :eek:. Not the best campaign for a space warfare experience, but impressive.

I missed some "Bonus Objectives" to search for (or did i simply didn't found them?^^), but i guess your campaign simply doesen't need bonus objectives to increase the replay and 'search-and-seek' value.... you've got the spoons! First i thought of them as quite meaningless since they were easy to spot in the first missions, but in the later ones... 

Spoiler:
I replayed the MJOLNIR-Mission seven times just to find the spoon. I even tried to scan each and every enemy fighter before i figured out were it was hidden  :D.

 :yes:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on October 10, 2010, 05:59:37 pm
Thanks for your comments. :)

I applaud your tenacity for actually finding the spoon in that mission. If I could give you an award, I would! I am amazed at how many people have said they've replayed the campaign multiple times just to find spoons. Who knew a last minute idea implemented in a few hours before release would increase replay value by 500%? :p

Also just to toot my own horn here...

About a month ago, I put Vassago's Dirge on ModDB and it got put on the front page (and on the banner too!), giving the mod's page 1000 hits in one day (Woot). Also got a quick mention on Rock Paper Shotgun in their weekly mod news article. And just recently Vassago got put up on ModDB's September Mod Highlight Reel! Despite them pronouncing Vassago as Vassio (I always thought it was a hard g, Vass-a-go, but go figure), it was pretty cool.

FACT: War in Heaven has only accomplished 2/3 of those things!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on October 10, 2010, 06:07:55 pm
Quote
FACT: War in Heaven has only accomplished 2/3 of those things!

I keep sending emails to the RPS guy and he keeps somehow failing to post it.  :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on October 17, 2010, 07:11:45 am
Hey, VD is on ModDB? It's time to check its page out. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Deadly in a Shadow on October 18, 2010, 01:50:24 pm
One of the best campaigns by far.  I've never know Rachmaninov but because of your campaign I like the pieces of music he make.
(BTW, I like orchestral classical music like Beethoven :nod:).

The best missions (my opinion) are Prelude and Con Fuoco.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: T-LoW on October 19, 2010, 04:49:00 am
Spoiler:
I just broke the Ossia mission by simply forcing the Hippo out before there was a jamming field :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on October 19, 2010, 06:18:57 pm
Alas, it is so. :(

Spoiler:
Despite me actually checking to see if the jamming ship is forced to retreat or get destroyed before the jamming field is noticed, Beta Wing (and the transport) are only summoned if the jamming field is noticed and the jamming ship is destroyed or retreats.

So nice job breaking it, hero. I hope you're happy. :mad:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: T-LoW on October 20, 2010, 03:10:42 am
No I wasn't because I had to restart this mission twice because at first: It broke. And secondly the damn Lilith blew the Aeolus up with only one friggin' shot :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: FSW on November 12, 2010, 07:08:32 pm
I just finished my first play-through of Vassago's Dirge. It was amazing, and is now one of my favourites.

The mission design was excellent. In every single mission, the gameplay was enjoyable and varied. Some missions seem impossible to complete on the first try (without prescience), but I was having enough fun that I didn't mind replaying failed missions (a common ocurrence on Hard). Mission scripting was original and inventive, often doing things I didn't know were possible. Telling the player the F-number keys in the Directives box was a thoughtful touch.

Some issues:
Spoiler:
It's not initially clear where the moorings are for the Orpheus.
The 'press Spacebar to upload' bit is a little fiddly.

The story was clever and compelling, fitting into FS2 nicely. I really liked the unconventional storytelling format. The music fit surprisingly well, and helped to convey that the depicted action was a memory, rather than actual current events; in contrast with the noir-esque debriefings.

It'd be nice if the missions were voiced; I sometimes had to go into the transmission log to catch up on what had just happened. I think the debriefings work well as just text, though.

Ending spoiler:
Spoiler:
In my ending, the interrogators seemed concerned but sceptical about what I'd seen (the Sathanas fleet and the supernova), and initiated Lion's Den. I had fought Beta 2 and jumped out at Capella.
Also: one spoon. :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on November 12, 2010, 08:26:35 pm
Quote
Telling the player the F-number keys in the Directives box was a thoughtful touch.
I agree  :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: -Sara- on November 13, 2010, 01:15:54 pm
:eek2:  Wow.  I am at a loss for words.  You have captured the awesomeness of "short story" form in a game.  Very immersive.  
I'm torn now.  I want to beg you to get a voice acting team together, but anything less than excellent voice acting would ruin the perfect mood you've created here.

I think with the whole 'story taking place in your head' atmosphere, VA'ing would in this short story actually be best left out. A lack of voice (definately a lack of voice at the debriefing commentaries) actually adds to the foggy and mysterious setting, much like an old movie with only background music.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ssmit132 on November 17, 2010, 05:21:59 pm
Just noticed something - I keep hearing bfredlr_up playing during battles where the long range BFRed isn't present.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Hades on November 17, 2010, 05:34:51 pm
Just noticed something - I keep hearing bfredlr_up playing during battles where the long range BFRed isn't present.
Your sure? If the Vassago is present it may be equipped with BFReds
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on November 17, 2010, 06:20:56 pm
You know I always had that too, but I wrote it off to some sound glitch I was having. And since no one else ever reported it, I thought it was just me.

However after actually investigating this, I have determined, with extreme certainly that... Axem is a dumb head.  :(

vassago's sound.tbl
Code: [Select]
$Name: 161 bfredlr_up.wav, 0, 0.70, 2, 4000,  6000 ; bombard warm up

retail sound.tbl
Code: [Select]
$Name: 161 BT_dwn_6.wav, 0, 0.70, 2, 2000, 3000 ; T_AntiFtr warm down

So yes, I accidentally replaced a perfectly valid sound file with a custom one. :( I have no honor left...

There is only... seppuku... Farewell!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Angelus on November 17, 2010, 06:55:46 pm
You know I always had that too, but I wrote it off to some sound glitch I was having. And since no one else ever reported it, I thought it was just me.

However after actually investigating this, I have determined, with extreme certainly that... Axem is a dumb head.  :(

vassago's sound.tbl
Code: [Select]
$Name: 161 bfredlr_up.wav, 0, 0.70, 2, 4000,  6000 ; bombard warm up

retail sound.tbl
Code: [Select]
$Name: 161 BT_dwn_6.wav, 0, 0.70, 2, 2000, 3000 ; T_AntiFtr warm down

So yes, I accidentally replaced a perfectly valid sound file with a custom one. :( I have no honor left...

There is only... seppuku... Farewell!


No, don't do this old warrior! You have so much to live for!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ssmit132 on November 17, 2010, 10:36:24 pm
You know I always had that too, but I wrote it off to some sound glitch I was having. And since no one else ever reported it, I thought it was just me.

However after actually investigating this, I have determined, with extreme certainly that... Axem is a dumb head.  :(

vassago's sound.tbl
Code: [Select]
$Name: 161 bfredlr_up.wav, 0, 0.70, 2, 4000,  6000 ; bombard warm up

retail sound.tbl
Code: [Select]
$Name: 161 BT_dwn_6.wav, 0, 0.70, 2, 2000, 3000 ; T_AntiFtr warm down

So yes, I accidentally replaced a perfectly valid sound file with a custom one. :( I have no honor left...

There is only... seppuku... Farewell!
I should have added that I checked the tables and found that problem. :nervous:

I do not want to be responsible for you commiting seppuku though! :eek:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Vertigo 7 on November 23, 2010, 11:02:47 am
i is having problem with the 2nd or 3rd mission (the one with the pirates)... when the cain or lillith or w/e it is jumps in, its immediately shootsting the freighter im supposed to be protecting and taking it out in 1 shot. Its happening on every play through and im getting RTB order and mission failed. How to fix?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on November 23, 2010, 07:52:13 pm
Ok, that problem's been around for awhile, and I could never get it reproduced. But looking through the mission, I think I see the problem.

Spoilers for M3 on why this happens
Spoiler:
If the shivan cruiser arrives and you haven't destroyed the moors yet, it will fire on the Orpheus, killing it. But the shivan cruiser arrives and you have destroyed the moors, the cruiser will miss. Why? Uh... Tachyon emissions deflected the beam enough. Yes, that's it.

Anyway, sounds like a mutually exclusive event by itself, right? Well if you do some stuff in just the right moment, both events are cleared to happen. So I added some checks in to make sure that only one of the two can happen.

I just tried leaving it until like the last possible moment and it worked like it should. So here's hoping the bug is gone.  :nervous:

Downloads on the first post are all updated. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Luis Dias on December 28, 2010, 04:50:13 pm
Just wanted to say bravo, sir! What a campaign! Top-class art! Beautifully fredded, and the music is great. It helps when you know all the scores beforehand, but still, good choice! Rachmaninov, Edvar Grieg, etc... and the final sync with the blasts is amazing, top notch :)

Did I already say I was impressed?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Grante on January 01, 2011, 01:30:48 pm
I have an interesting issue with the second mission. When it starts to load I get an error that says '10 ship classes are missing' I'm not sure if there is another mod I need to have downloaded for it but I have the same problem with Derelict.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on January 01, 2011, 02:03:11 pm
Oh dear. Sounds like something isn't installed correctly. :(

Please create a debug log as described >>here<< (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,56279.msg1180359.html#msg1180359) and post the results on pastebin.com.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Snail on January 01, 2011, 02:03:46 pm
I think it's quite obvious he's got another mod active at the same time.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Dragon on January 01, 2011, 02:04:55 pm
Post FS2_Open.log from your freespace2/data folder.
Sounds like another mod is loading, perhaps you left a VP file in FS2 main folder (check for Inferno related files, as they're installed to main folder).
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on January 01, 2011, 02:26:58 pm
I have an interesting issue with the second mission. When it starts to load I get an error that says '10 ship classes are missing' I'm not sure if there is another mod I need to have downloaded for it but I have the same problem with Derelict.

You have a file somewhere it shouldn't be, but posting the log will let us fix it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Grante on January 01, 2011, 03:26:53 pm
http://pastebin.com/tNUJePgA
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on January 01, 2011, 03:35:06 pm
Could you move your whole FreeSpace 2 directory to F:\Games\FreeSpace 2? Just for safety reasons.

Turn your color depth up to 32 in the Launcher.

Try removing the 3613_update.vp from the MediaVPs_3612 folder. Does that help?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Jeff Vader on January 01, 2011, 03:40:06 pm
Code: [Select]
OpenGL Vendor     : NVIDIA Corporation
OpenGL Renderer   : GeForce FX 5200/AGP/SSE2
OpenGL Version    : 1.4.0
You should try to find the latest drivers for that GPU, if you don't already have them. Also, MV_Advanced might be a tad bit too much for it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Shivan Hunter on January 01, 2011, 03:41:37 pm
Also unless I'm very much mistaken it should be "Freespace2", not "Freespace 2", and the "Vassago's Dirge" folder name might also have problems. Or have we fixed the thing with the spaces yet?

Also do you have a .tbl or .tbm file anywhere in your FS folders (that is, freespace 2/data/tables or mediavps_3612/data/tables or Vassago's Dirge/data/tables)?

ninja'd by JeffVader and yeah that may be a problem later on, on the graphical side of things
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Jeff Vader on January 01, 2011, 03:47:13 pm
Also unless I'm very much mistaken it should be "Freespace2", not "Freespace 2", and the "Vassago's Dirge" folder name might also have problems. Or have we fixed the thing with the spaces yet?
Spaces are not a problem (and the "Vassago's Dirge" folder name is like that when unpacked already). Though some purists are against any and all spaces in file paths forever.

Also do you have a .tbl or .tbm file anywhere in your FS folders (that is, freespace 2/data/tables or mediavps_3612/data/tables or Vassago's Dirge/data/tables)?
This. Please check.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Siddyus on January 20, 2011, 03:11:49 pm
Played 2 missions so far and I must say it is indeed awesome. However, it is indeed difficult. I am only able to play this at Easy. This doesn't ruin the fun factor of the campaign nonetheless.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: wistler on February 10, 2011, 10:17:28 am
Don't know if this has been mentioned before,

pressing spacebar doesn't do anything. What is it meant to do?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Spoon on February 10, 2011, 10:42:04 am
You need to be close to the hatch when pressing spacebar
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: wistler on February 10, 2011, 10:47:57 am
Got to say that was an excellent campaign! Had to turn it down to medium to save my sanity and it was well worth the play!

Spoiler:
Got the Good Enough Ending and the True Ending.
What scared me out more about the True Ending was right after being spooked my cursor landed on the Options guy who turned round in his chair and stared directly at me!  :shaking:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on February 10, 2011, 06:18:09 pm
Glad you liked it. :)

QD's doing play-through videos of Vassago's Dirge right now, I'd check them out if you haven't played it yet!

(Part 1 here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNY7SaNftJc )

Spoiler:
I was sweating bullets when he was trying to disable the Harlequin in the Mission 3 playthrough. "Did I remember to guardian that transports engines?!" Thankfully, I did!

Also, you'd think I'd be done with this campaign, but nooo... Using the latest hud gauge stuff I've done some improvements to artillery notification in Con Fuoco.

You can see a quick preview in this pics

http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/axemart/FreeSpace/Campaigns/Vassago/artready.jpg
http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/axemart/FreeSpace/Campaigns/Vassago/artfire.jpg

You'll see that stuff in the... voice acted release I am very slowly working on! (6/25 roles have their scripts ready!)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: ssmit132 on February 10, 2011, 11:48:46 pm
Watching QD's playthrough, I remembered that I thought that the Hippocrates being named "Skullcrusher" amusing. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Scotty on February 11, 2011, 01:59:28 pm
I volunteer for a role. :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: PsychoLandlord on February 12, 2011, 11:34:38 pm
So I know I'm incredibly late here, but this was one of the greatest pieces of modding I have ever had the pleasure of playing. Thanks Axem. And I would also like to express my anticipation at the VA'd release. I only wish I had the time to help out.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: SypheDMar on February 25, 2011, 04:28:33 pm
Nice addition.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: crizza on March 22, 2011, 04:12:37 pm
Well...I played this superb mod...and I'm pretty dumbstruck...
That spacesuit mission...holy cow...
Spoiler:
I know, there are three different endings...but I don't know which one I have.
I found three spoons...after uploading the virus...I think I am in a nebula...I stumble upon a Aeolus...crashed into a ship I can't see clearly...than theres the supernova...I'm rescued and then again theres the battle at the station, with the heatsput...not quite sure about the order though.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on March 22, 2011, 05:18:53 pm
Glad you liked it. :)

Secrets to get the endings are detailed on the wiki page. As seen here: http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Vassago%27s_Dirge#Notes

Ending is sort of a misnomer since technically the campaign ends the same all the time, its just the 30 seconds in the second last mission that change. :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Rodo on March 23, 2011, 02:03:41 pm
Yes, and enough to make me replay it all over again to get the second.
The third I think I replayed just the last mission, I don't remember right now.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: PMY on March 26, 2011, 10:05:34 am
Introducing spoons and multiple endings was a great idea, it greatly increases campaign's replaybility. I didn't search for spoons and got the "good enough ending", now I know I'll replay the campaign at least 2 times just to see different endings and final debriefings. But even without this the campaign is a "must play", it is very cinematic and full of good mission design ideas. This campaign should definitely be voice acted.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Mobius on March 27, 2011, 03:42:22 pm
This campaign should definitely be voice acted.

What PMY said. Is anyone willing to work on that?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on April 01, 2011, 05:12:19 pm
Mmm, missed this. Well I've got all the roles divided into individual scripts. I need to still go through and add directions to the lines and make some edits to lines that still just bug me. So there's definitely work done. I just time and the motivation to go through scripts again.  :blah:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Luis Dias on April 04, 2011, 09:43:35 am
You say in the wiki,

Quote
You'd be surprised how classical music can clash with itself. This is why nearly all the music is composed by Rachmaninov, and if not, by another Russian composer.

But Edvard Grieg isn't russian, he's norwegian ;) (the best norwegian composer of all times, at that).
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on April 04, 2011, 09:00:17 pm
I have revised my ignorant and racist remarks. I apologize to the people of Norway for my regrettable actions. I can only offer you my sincerest condolences. :(
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Nemesis6 on April 05, 2011, 05:40:06 am
I have revised my ignorant and racist remarks. I apologize to the people of Norway for my regrettable actions. I can only offer you my sincerest condolences. :(
Don't apologize. Norwegian people are devious; sneaky. They can't be trusted.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Morphheus on April 15, 2011, 12:31:48 am
Wow..... just wow.

First of all, know that I am an avid listener of classical music of all kinds. But, my weak point is Rachmaninoff, especially the Piano concerto No. 2. I even went to see a live concert of it. I just love everything the man composed, but even more this song.




When I first opened the mod, I had iTunes playing music in the background. I simply didn't expect any music to come out of the game, honestly, so I had mine ready. I started the first mission of the campain: Prelude.

"Ooo, shiny loading screen! Hey, what the hell? I was listening to Bizet, not Rachmaninoff!"

I alt+tab, check iTunes. It was showing Bizet, yet I could still clearly hear over the voices faint piano notes I knew.

"I guess something bugged out when I loaded fs2"

I then closed both applications, and restarted the game, but not iTunes.
I loaded up Prelude.
Watched the shiny loading screen


"Ah, now I can play...Hey, what the...? I thought I had close iTun-...."
(pause. A few seconds for my brain to understand the information my speakers had lain down in front of me)
(whispering)"Oh.  My.  God."  :eek2:

I was shocked. Like, completely frozen. And I mean, my jaw dropped straight on the floor. Shivers all around my body. I couldn't move. I watched as my ship was destroyed because I did nothing and was simply amazed at what I was hearing.

Yes. It was playing. The game was playing it. Piano concerto #2, moderato.

My brain was suddenly overvolted with every positive feelings imaginable. Joy, mainly, and excitement. I called a few people just to yell at them: "DUDE! I downloaded that game! THERE IS SOME *&*#*?$ RACHMANINOFF IN IT!!"






Oh yes, the campaign. I should comment it, shan't I?  :)
Very well written, with some extremely interesting mechanics involved. And, it was difficult enough, without being impossible. The plot was entertaining, yet somewhat hard to grasp after only one playthought. Believe me, I did play more than once, just to hear the impeccable mesh of action, explosions, harpoons and music involved.



Mr. Creator of Vassago's Dirge, Axem, know this: you made my year.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: swamper123 on April 15, 2011, 06:53:09 pm
Axem , you Rulez, Liked very much your campaign , the music with the environment, was like a classic movie ,OMG , Great Job
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on April 15, 2011, 09:21:32 pm
Glad to hear you both liked the campaign and the music. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: CaptJosh on April 22, 2011, 10:44:45 pm
I have to say, having a campaign set to classical music is awesome. Thank you.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: PMY on May 01, 2011, 01:34:32 am
And the difficulty balance is perfect too. I mean it is nice to be played on Insane. Challenging but not frustrating.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: LordPomposity on June 24, 2011, 01:12:47 am
Wow, just finished this. Brilliant campaign.

Spoiler:
Hey, I recognize that starfield! Isn't it the one from War in Hea--AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

I'm generally not a fan of story elements that involve communication with Shivans (I prefer that they be left unknown and unknowable), but you pulled it off really well. Good job on giving us something to think about without compromising the Destroyers' mystique.

And job well done on using a Ravana as something more than a wtfhax destroyer killer that is two trebuchets away from being target practice. This campaign actually built up my appreciation for the class quite a lot.

As for mission design, great all around. My favorite was the AWACs escort mission (first mission, I think?), and it takes A LOT to make me enjoy protecting a Charybdis. :p Overall difficulty was harder than most campaigns and probably required a little clairvoyance at times, but that's forgivable. I was quite glad to see that if I went after extra beams at the first and second waypoints, that was carried over to the final.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on June 24, 2011, 07:19:30 am
Glad you liked it. :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: Axem on July 26, 2011, 06:12:34 pm
Happy Independence Day of Liberia and the Maldives! Woooo!

Also I seemed to have released Vassago's Dirge a year ago as well. That's cool too.

In that year there have been a lot of downloads and a lot of great comments. Seeing new replies in the thread, or seeing it be mentioned elsewhere always brings a smile to my day.

So, let's celebrate with some newish content! Local HLP GOD OF AMAZING STUFF, mjn.mixael completed these very nice command brief anis that I asked for. They have been approved by me and are now available for download! (See first post)

To be able to see them, you will need to download the latest mission+tables patch plus the cbani pack. The Base download will also have the updated missions, so for those of you who haven't downloaded it yet, you just need the base download and the cbani pack.

But I'm not done there! Let's get some voice acting up in this house! See this thread for details! (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=77315.new)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: LordPomposity on July 26, 2011, 06:38:20 pm
(http://blueplanet.hard-light.net/excited.gif)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Spoon on July 26, 2011, 06:54:22 pm
(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5782/1249557596186.jpg)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Deadly in a Shadow on July 27, 2011, 02:15:23 am
Cool stuff is totally cool.
(http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/6468/smilel.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/541/smilel.png/)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: vmiess on August 14, 2011, 07:15:15 am
Wonderfull , but i cet crashed (can not find Sub system Polaris eso)
Anybody knows whats wrong?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Jeff Vader on August 14, 2011, 07:40:04 am
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=56279.msg1180359#msg1180359 post log
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Col. Fishguts on August 14, 2011, 07:57:51 am
Awesome CB anis are awesome :)

Looking forward to the voice acted version.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: mjn.mixael on August 14, 2011, 01:30:06 pm
Awesome CB anis are awesome :)

 :cool:

Thanks.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Gankenstein on August 14, 2011, 04:24:54 pm
I'm a FS2 noob and played this right after doing the mandatory stuff (FS Port, ST:R, OT and FS2 campaigns). Some of the missions I could even do on Medium (albeit most took me several attempts). Your work is amazing, bravo!

Having read about the spoons in this thread, I found one in Ossia, but then in subsequent missions forgot all about spoons as the storyline got to me (and, perhaps unwisely, assuming the spoons are not really relevant to the main plot). Thus, in the final debriefing I was judged:"What a noob!". Which I'll gladly admit I am, but I still had loads of fun. Thanks!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Raiden on August 16, 2011, 12:32:50 pm
Vassago's Dirge was the first of what seemed to be a new wave of high-quality, well written campaigns. The production value of Vassgo's Dirge is through the roof. It's a little mini epic and I enjoy it very much.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Shambler on August 17, 2011, 12:14:32 pm
Yo,

It was all looking great until I got to mission 5 and the loading screen crashed to this error message:

Code: [Select]
vassago-05.fs2(line 582:
Error: Missing required token: [+Special Exp Blast:]. Found [.000000]  instead.

<no module>! KiFastSystemCallRet
<no module>! WaitForSingleObject + 18 bytes
<no module>! SCP_DumpStack + 354 bytes
<no module>! Error + 229 bytes
<no module>! error_display + 427 bytes
<no module>! required_string + 111 bytes
<no module>! parse_object + 3588 bytes
<no module>! parse_objects + 192 bytes
<no module>! parse_mission + 505 bytes
<no module>! parse_main + 449 bytes
<no module>! mission_load + 215 bytes
<no module>! game_start_mission + 198 bytes
<no module>! game_enter_state + 482 bytes
<no module>! gameseq_set_state + 310 bytes
<no module>! game_process_event + 242 bytes
<no module>! gameseq_process_events + 152 bytes
<no module>! game_main + 782 bytes
<no module>! WinMain + 330 bytes
<no module>! __tmainCRTStartup + 358 bytes
<no module>! WinMainCRTStartup + 15 bytes
<no module>! RegisterWaitForInputIdle + 73 bytes

I've attached the log file. Please help!

[attachment deleted by ninja]
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Spoon on August 18, 2011, 09:56:05 am
Aye, I have confirmed this.
This error pops up using .12 final. But doesn't on a nightly build, leaving me to believe that somewhere in the update Axem accidently used a feature that isn't supported by .12

Shambler: download a nightly build, for example this one: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=77771.0 (assuming you are running under windows)
Extract and select the fs2_open_3_6_13r_INF_SSE2-20110814_r7477.exe in the launcher.
You should be able to continue playing no problem with this.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Shambler on August 18, 2011, 05:01:52 pm
I launched it with todays nightly and it worked perfectly. Thank you. <3

Vassago's Dirge is a beautiful campaign. Very well made.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Spoon on August 18, 2011, 05:15:46 pm
Excellent, Enjoy  :yes:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on August 18, 2011, 07:28:18 pm
So more recent versions of FRED will make the Special Explosion stuff into floats. So when I went into M5 and tweaked balance a bit (using a newer version), FRED decided to change the special explosion stuff, which 3.6.12 just freaks out on.

So there's a new patch and normal version up. In retrospect, I should have retested with 3.6.12...  :sigh:

Or if you want to use the current version with nightlies or antipodes, that's fine. It's a personal standard of mine to make sure stuff just works with the latest official stable.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: swamper123 on August 25, 2011, 11:37:23 am
I have replayed it, with the last nighties releases , It was even more awesome with the cb's : D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Rodo on August 25, 2011, 11:39:12 am
It was even more awesome with the cb's : D

YES
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Colonol Dekker on August 26, 2011, 02:49:53 am
LIFE, is more awesome wity CBanis.

(http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/1267053335_funny_gif_3.gif)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Col. Fishguts on August 27, 2011, 12:26:35 pm
Btw, if I c-3-1 the Euryale at the start of "Reprise", the Orpheus takes it out within seconds (sometimes also the thunderchild if it get's too close), and then the Orpheus get's disabled by the invisible hand of FRED.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on August 27, 2011, 01:15:45 pm
*Axem handwaves*

There is no bug. Just a figment of your imagination.

 :nervous:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: DOCTOR DOOM!!! on February 21, 2012, 11:40:21 am
Sorry for reviving a dead thread but I'm having a problem in the multiple jump missions where when I jump, the screen starts flashing white and does not stop for the rest of the mission... Is this supposed to happen??!  I can still play the missions but it's extremely difficult!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Jeff Vader on February 21, 2012, 11:49:17 am
Sounds like it might be related to http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=79788.0 . In short: either get RC2 for now or wait for RC5/Final.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: SaltyWaffles on August 06, 2012, 07:22:31 pm
Okay, I apologize in advance if this is considered a bad necro--I wasn't sure where else to discuss this, or if this kind of feedback (or rather, the timing of it) was too late.

So...

I was very impressed with this mod, which blew me away in many respects, but in others I was either frustrated or just really confused.

Okay, this part is going to be spoiler-tagged, to be on the safe side.

Spoiler:
The good/great:
1) The music was unique and excellently done, though in some cases it was very annoying after hearing the same loud portion being played after the fifth attempt on a mission. However, your timing and syncing of the music with in-game events was mind-blowing.
2) The ejection sequence. So awesome.
3) Playing as a Shivan? Both fun and intriguing, from both a gameplay and story perspective.
4) The entire TAG/Mjiolner mission was just awesome. Favorite mission in the campaign by far.
5) That moment in the mission that features the Crentheus, involving a certain Shivan ship jumping in in a rather unexpected and awesome way...that was just amazing, especially with how well it's timed in every playthrough.
6) The microjumps were really good, from both a gameplay and story perspective.
7) The spacesuit mission. Never seen or played anything like that before, and when I realized the enemies in that mission were--you know--my jaw dropped.
8) The supernova-vision mission thing...very intriguing, and the atmosphere was pretty good.

The bad:
1) Several missions pretty much required prescience on both what was going to happen AND what you actually needed to do/worry about. The pirate mission, for instance, was just bad in every sense for me. I couldn't tell which things I was meant to focus on or ignore, I had no time to read any of the text (or even pay much attention to the lines that did get T-t-S), and random plot-twists on an already confusing mission with bizarre new gameplay elements (that were completely unexplained or hinted at beforehand) made this mission just frustrating and boring. It didn't help things that this mission gets broken very easily. And the moorings...yeah, apparently you have to hit these things from  certain distance away, from the right angle, with the right weapons, to do more than 3% damage per five seconds. The mission briefing was also too confusing or vague for my liking--I had trouble understanding which people were where, how and when they needed to do X, and how the situation had happened at all in the first place (an Aeolus got captured by a few poorly equipped pirates...and boarded the ship easily...and yet a small team of the Aeolus' crew could easily retake the cruiser in a couple minutes, all because of...why, exactly? It's made out to be mysterious and suspicious but it just gets dropped and never brought up again).
2) The triple-micro-jump mission, involving the Crentheus. It was immersion breaking right away that a wing of four fighters was tasked with leading a force-recon of a Shivan base of operations (which possibly contained a Ravana-class destroyer...), defending an extremely fragile cruiser and an AWACS ship, and jumping progressively closer to the base as enemy resistance rapidly grew in strength and numbers? Without ANY backup? Seriously, what the hell? Gameplay-wise, it just was frustrating (wingmen not doing any job effectively, having to do all major objectives myself, had to have the right loadout or you'd end up losing by default, had to know what to do when the situation became FUBAR both in-universe and in-game, with tons of distractions everywhere and no preparations whatsoever for this kind of task in any kind of FS mission, ever--which wasn't helped by the fact that at the last section of the level, I had no idea what the AWACS ship was even trying to do in the first place, or why it seemed hell-bent on going further into a deathtrap, against orders, to just increase the likelihood of it getting blown to bits by a single cruiser or wing of bombers?)
3)  The story...at times it was very intriguing, and at times I had absolutely no idea what the hell was going on. A story that relies on interpreting everything from a specific, bizarre point-of-view and having several paradigm-premises is just not enjoyable. Closer to the end, I was just plain lost entirely, and at that point I had no idea what was going on, what it was supposed to mean, whether it was real (or even HOW MUCH it was real, because the campaign had never really been clear on any of it), if it was meant to be entirely symbolic or metaphorical or if it was an actual event of some kind, what I was expected to do (let alone why, how, or when), and by the end I just gave up trying to understand it. Creative storytelling--including anachronic order--is one thing, but this was just largely incomprehensible during and afterward. Sure, I understood a few things here and there, often in hindsight, but after reading through this entire thread (spoilers included), getting both the good-enough and true endings, and thinking everything through, I still can't give you an idea of what this story is actually about, what themes it's supposed to have, what any of the endings mean, what the final levels were in any way (or if any of them actually happened...), or even what kind of story it was at all. To put it another way, I couldn't find the answers to any questions, because I couldn't understand enough to even know what questions to ask, because I was totally confused with even the most basic of paradigms and premises of story/medium itself. I've seen/read/played plenty of Mind-Screw plots before, but this one has to take the cake on most incomprehensible, because I couldn't even tell where the fourth wall was, what kind of story was being told, or whether anything in it was real to anyone in the story, in any way.
4) Since when does a Ravana have the ability to distort space-time to make beams miss? What was the deal with that?
5) Shouldn't being in a Pegasus stealth fighter make it impossible for every enemy in the area to be able to instantly acquire missile-lock on me and chase me around with missile barrages? Even when I was holding fire and staying away from capships?
6) That entire scene featuring the Saths in orbit over Earth (was it even Earth?)--I still have absolutely no idea where that came from or what it means.

Don't get me wrong, I liked it, and in some ways I absolutely loved it. But the story was just incomprehensible in inexcusably bad ways, and there are few things more immersion-breaking than that.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on August 06, 2012, 08:25:04 pm
Glad you liked the campaign for the most part. A shame you thought the story was awful. :( Guess I'll stick to writing comedy then!

I'd just ask you to edit some spoiler tags to some sensitive spots if you could!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: SypheDMar on August 06, 2012, 10:01:01 pm
 :wtf: You better not stop writing awesome stories. The mindscrew was phenomenal. Leaves lots of interpretation. Preferred over being spoonfed.

It could be so much easier to follow had you the luxury of voice acting.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: MatthTheGeek on August 07, 2012, 01:52:53 am
:wtf: You better not stop writing awesome stories. The mindscrew was phenomenal. Leaves lots of interpretation. Preferred over being spoonfed.
Y u so mean to Spoon !
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Cobra on August 07, 2012, 02:28:37 am
:wtf: You better not stop writing awesome stories. The mindscrew was phenomenal. Leaves lots of interpretation. Preferred over being spoonfed.
Y u so mean to Spoon !

You mean Axem, yes?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Droid803 on August 07, 2012, 11:52:08 am
:wtf: You better not stop writing awesome stories. The mindscrew was phenomenal. Leaves lots of interpretation. Preferred over being spoonfed.
Y u so mean to Spoon !

You mean Axem, yes?

No i think he means spoon :P
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: QuakeIV on September 03, 2012, 01:22:10 pm
Finally found and played this.  All I have to say is "****in awesome".

Okay a bit more.  I wish every campaign was this good, loved every bit of it.  If theres more can I please have?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on September 03, 2012, 01:39:04 pm
Thanks for the kind words. :)

Vassago is pretty much a stand alone story. But War in Heaven has a similarly gritty tone, and Transcend is great if you like mindbendingly weird campaigns.

Or Just Another Day if you like the complete opposite! (Well the mindbendingly weird part stays, but for other reasons)
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: SpardaSon21 on September 03, 2012, 02:41:46 pm
I'd stay away from JAD if you hate disco, and JAD 2.21 if you hate anime.  Hopefully JAD 2.22 has a certain Japanese disco song Spoon's been after Axem to add.  It isn't JAD if it doesn't have disco, and JAD 2.22 needs something that properly meshes with its overall tone.

EDIT: If you don't mind or even like either of those, the JAD campaigns will be hilariously awesome.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Droid803 on September 03, 2012, 02:51:24 pm
You mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DWw62j68K4 ?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: SpardaSon21 on September 03, 2012, 02:58:06 pm
I was actually trying to avoid spoiling it for people on the off-chance Axem actually did use it, but yes, that is the one.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Cobra on September 03, 2012, 04:13:28 pm
Burn, baby, burn!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on September 03, 2012, 04:28:27 pm
Hey, stop being so cheery! This is supposed to be a dark campaign! DARK!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Cobra on September 03, 2012, 04:28:51 pm
BURN, BABY, BURN!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: SpardaSon21 on September 03, 2012, 04:40:05 pm
Vassago Inferno!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: yuezhi on September 04, 2012, 06:35:03 pm
this thread just can't stop! :lol:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: QuakeIV on September 06, 2012, 12:02:15 am
Ill have to try just another day, already played the other campaigns though.  (damn transcend is awesome)

Also yeah I don't mind "non dark" I still replay "Freespace 3" as well as the valentines edition.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Legate Damar on September 06, 2012, 02:54:35 am
as well as the valentines edition

I could never get that one to work for me
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: MatthTheGeek on September 06, 2012, 02:55:23 am
You're not missing much :p
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: QuakeIV on September 07, 2012, 01:15:32 pm
Well the BP jokes were pretty epic at least.   :cool:

as well as the valentines edition
I could never get that one to work for me

You need the latest blue planet builds as well as a 3.6.14 build to make it work iirc.  Might be the issue.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: SF-Junky on October 19, 2013, 05:14:57 am
I just re-played this campaign. Uncredible that it's already been three years since the initial release. Where the heck is all that time going?! :eek2:

Anyways, I really like this. A fine piece of art. The music fits in organically, like composed for the campaign. Overall fredding is excellent and flawless, though imho the difficulty level is a little too tough, at least in the mission with the GTA Argus.

The story was also great, I guess. Unfortunately, I didn't understand it at all. WTF WAS HAPPENING THERE?!?!?! Can someone please explain it to me dumbass? :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on October 19, 2013, 01:16:50 pm
Nice to know it still holds up. :) Maybe one day I'll get my act together and get it voice acted. That's about the only thing missing from it still.

Re: The story
Spoiler:
Its all a metaphor for taxes

 :warp:
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Luis Dias on October 19, 2013, 01:33:03 pm
... and death. Obviously.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Alikchi on January 13, 2014, 09:42:03 pm
Any plans to update this for the 2014 MediaVPs?

If not - is it possible to hack it together and make it work? Or can I concurrently install 3612 and not screw up the game?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: General Battuta on January 13, 2014, 09:45:28 pm
As long as you have the 2014 MVPs and the 3.6.12s in separate folders with appropriate names, they're just like any other two mods, and they'll make for happy neighbors.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Alikchi on January 13, 2014, 09:46:06 pm
As long as you have the 2014 MVPs and the 3.6.12s in separate folders with appropriate names, they're just like any other two mods, and they'll make for happy neighbors.

Awesome, thanks.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: General Battuta on January 13, 2014, 09:47:21 pm
Just make sure that the 3.6.12 are called mediavps_3612 and the 2014s retain their default name as well. Altering these can screw up any number of mods.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated July 26th! CBAnis now available!*
Post by: Axem on January 13, 2014, 09:58:17 pm
It may be possible to play, but the Arcadia segments need some tweaking. The maintenance port that you need to fly to in Mission 7 is now deep inside a platform (it may be possible to still achieve the objective, I haven't tried). And I need to alter waypoints in the final cutscene so ships don't fly into the Arcadia other new greebles...

Ideally I'd like to wait until Mjn make super awesome modified textures for the mission before I release an updated version... But I'll see about making a quick update in the interim...
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Axem on January 18, 2014, 06:48:31 pm
Thanks to Mjn, I have maps that suit the under construction Arcadia missions!

As well other things have been updated:

Custom Hud Gauges for signal detection (M3), radar lock notification (M7), and Mjolnir status (M7)
Akheton now works on the moorings in M3
Dream-type missions are now slightly desaturated
Tons of other tiny insignificant fixes that nonetheless bugged me

Because there are more updated files than usual, there is no smaller vp file you can use to update the mod. A full download is required. Though the CBani vp is unchanged, so you can skip that if you already have it.

Please delete your old Vassago's Dirge folder before installing the new one.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge
Post by: General Battuta on January 18, 2014, 06:50:34 pm
One of the most compelling, atmospheric, artistic mods the community has seen, delivered by an auteur and a peerless FREDder. Like the titular dirge, it is both beautiful and funereal - a desaturated journey into the most compelling and unearthly parts of the FreeSpace universe.

There are moments in this campaign that will shock, and others - more disturbing yet - that will chill you with their unsettling, eerie familiarity.

And there are ridiculously, ridiculously cool moments, masterstrokes of honed FREDcraft. Perfect, invisible control in some missions; in others feats of modding I didn't believe feasible.

Also, the use of music is just something else.
 
Play it.

quotin this so you're down
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Grizzly on February 09, 2014, 04:03:22 pm
So, after a several year long hiatus of all things FS2, I have gone and played this.

And it was bloody awesome, even though I did take very long and missed entirely that it had been updated to fit with the MVP2014s, so my nitpicks about a certain mission will probably have been outdated (moorings are hard to find for some reason). Awesome fredding troughout. Extremely great fun. The TAGging mission was rather brutal in a way, and very very tense too. Loved it.
Absolutetly loved it.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Hopeful on April 18, 2014, 08:37:55 am
Apologies for the noob post as I'm almost certain I'm posting in the wrong forum, but this relates to VD and the newer FS2_open releases. IS THERE a release for 2014 that features text-to-speech yet? I can't follow the action that well since I'm looking at the top-left and trying to read all that fast enough as well as keep on the action is a bit much for me. I get the 'Speech is not compiled in this build in code.lib' warning dialog for all my 2014 FSO.exe files, so am I resigned to playing while ignoring the dialogue or waiting for it to be voice-acted?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: niffiwan on April 18, 2014, 08:55:15 pm
Unfortunately the nightly builds (i.e. the only ones current compatible with mediavps 2014) don't have text to speech enabled. My only other suggestion to help out is to use "F4" often to pause and read the dialogue in the mission logs (I know it's still not as good as voice-acting, or TTS if that's your cup of tea).
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Hopeful on April 19, 2014, 12:20:53 am
Unfortunately the nightly builds (i.e. the only ones current compatible with mediavps 2014) don't have text to speech enabled. My only other suggestion to help out is to use "F4" often to pause and read the dialogue in the mission logs (I know it's still not as good as voice-acting, or TTS if that's your cup of tea).
Hey. I was just griping, I'm actually fine with it to tell the truth. Although I only now just realized during the Intermezzo section with the Shivan dream-sequence and a few minutes ago, the final mission using the EVA battle armor that I had no HUD. Most likely the result of including the cockpit mod 1.2 VP, but still I think that's something to note.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: niffiwan on April 19, 2014, 05:13:12 am
No worries then :D

And you are right, the cockpit mod is probably interfering with the EVA mission.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Govenator on May 04, 2014, 12:57:24 pm
Wow..............  My mind is blown.

Amazing campaign, great job Axem.  Loved the music and the story was very complicated and good.  I had to play the last mission a few times just to try to understand what just happened.   I also was able to get the true ending which was cool and scary at the same time.  Overall one of the best campaigns I've ever played.

Thanks for creating this!!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: rhraziel on June 12, 2014, 08:55:15 pm
Is there some other way to get the updated Vassago's Dirge with fsmods.net being down? Would someone be so kind as to put it on their dropbox and share the link with me?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Axem on June 12, 2014, 09:00:37 pm
Sorry 'bout that. I uploaded the files to Mediafire and forgot to update the post!
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: rhraziel on June 13, 2014, 07:03:34 am
Sorry 'bout that. I uploaded the files to Mediafire and forgot to update the post!

Got them, thanks Axem.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: FrikgFeek on June 19, 2014, 03:24:20 am
Wow..............  My mind is blown.

Amazing campaign, great job Axem.  Loved the music and the story was very complicated and good.  I had to play the last mission a few times just to try to understand what just happened.   I also was able to get the true ending which was cool and scary at the same time.  Overall one of the best campaigns I've ever played.

Thanks for creating this!!
True Ending, eh? did you find all the spoons too? That's the true true ending.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Govenator on July 08, 2014, 11:30:17 am
hahaha well I guess I have to play it again then! :D
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Knarfe1000 on July 30, 2014, 10:25:09 am
I donĀ“t get what I have to do in Mission 3. After destroying the moorings  a cruiser beam ends the mission. I have no idea what I have done wrong.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: niffiwan on July 30, 2014, 04:25:52 pm
IIRC correctly, if you destroy the moorings in time the formerly trapped ship starts to move and the beam will miss. But I haven't played the most recently released version yet to confirm that.  Maybe just give it another go and see if you can destroy the moorings a bit sooner?
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: Phantom Hoover on March 24, 2015, 03:45:17 pm
Compatibility note: please change 'secondarylist = mediavps_2014;' in the mod.ini to 'secondarylist = MediaVPs_2014;'. Mac and Linux versions of FSO are case-sensitive, and the latter capitalisation is how the MVPs are distributed.
Title: Re: RELEASE: Vassago's Dirge *Updated Jan 18th 2014! MediaVP 2014 support!*
Post by: QuakeIV on October 19, 2020, 11:08:47 pm
I feel like this used to be set in Epsilon Pegasi but by my current intrepretation seems to indicate it is actually in capella.  Was it always that way?  I am mildly disturbed.