Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => FS2 Open Tools => Topic started by: yavanzhai55 on March 13, 2021, 12:45:41 pm

Title: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: yavanzhai55 on March 13, 2021, 12:45:41 pm
Quick backstory: I'm working on a concept for a space opera larp and I want to be able to have fighter pilots as a playable class. To that end, I'm looking for a space combat sim that I would be able to use to set up missions for players on local LAN multiplayer.

How is the multiplayer for Freespace 2? Ideally, I'd love if it has a multiplayer mode similar to X-Wing Alliance's skirmish mode where you can make slightly more complex engagements than just "Shoot down enemy fighters, that's it."

On a similar note, how moddable is the campaign? I understand that co-op missions are a thing, are there any community tools for designing campaign missions? This would be PERFECT for creating story content that goes above and beyond generic space battles.
Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: Strygon on March 13, 2021, 12:54:08 pm
The campaign is moddable in absolutely every imaginable aspect, down to people making entirely new universes with their own unique campaigns. Same could apply to multiplayer.


The mission making tool that Volition used, was actually part of the Freespace 2 install. It's called FRED2, or Freespace Editor.
Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: DefCynodont119 on March 13, 2021, 01:04:16 pm
You have come to the right place.

:welcomesilver:

Using the mission editor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaQPqe2VEm4&list=PL0u_YjM5WDMANKdm-5zs6CnNpM6yZ-4oi

Modding help: (a bit outdated) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csseKT3eiaE&list=PL6UAAcjEObko4wCCRmrngHFkywLDDO6o3

Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: General Battuta on March 13, 2021, 02:02:17 pm
Unfortunately the netcode is so bad right now that the experience will really only be good for the host, even on LAN.

If you coop the main FS2 campaign the host will get double digit kills while the clients are lucky to get 3-4 (and this is shooting at the same NPC ships).
Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: Strygon on March 13, 2021, 02:12:45 pm
Unfortunately the netcode is so bad right now that the experience will really only be good for the host, even on LAN.

If you coop the main FS2 campaign the host will get double digit kills while the clients are lucky to get 3-4 (and this is shooting at the same NPC ships).

It is important to add however that it's under a lot of work right now and I think might be soon fixed up?
Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: Cyborg17 on March 13, 2021, 02:45:58 pm
Things are actually pretty improved.  We just have a support ship bug, and that is the only one causing crashes at the moment.  As long as no one calls in a support ship, it's stable. 

Now, some sexps do not work in multi, so you'd have to work around those, and scripting support is limited to the local machine.  Also some customizations have never been tested and may not be fully compatible with multi, like homing primary weapons.
Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: 0rph3u5 on March 13, 2021, 02:51:43 pm
As long as no one calls in a support ship, it's stable. 

Not quite sure if it would work in multi - barely touched the stuff - but I think that can be easily sidestepped if you need to get started right away - Support ship calls can be disabled on a per mission basis, and it is quite easy to add other ways to resupply a ship, e.g. similar to how repair and resupply at cruiser works in Star Wars: Squadrons.
Title: Re: Multiplayer and modding
Post by: General Battuta on March 13, 2021, 02:54:41 pm
Unfortunately the netcode is so bad right now that the experience will really only be good for the host, even on LAN.

If you coop the main FS2 campaign the host will get double digit kills while the clients are lucky to get 3-4 (and this is shooting at the same NPC ships).

It is important to add however that it's under a lot of work right now and I think might be soon fixed up?

Yes, once there is a stable fixed up multi build I will be very happy, I think coop has a lot of potential.