[dizzy]

Hi there

Good work on FSport!

Setup: using latest fs2_open CVS, Linux, x86_64, 1024x768

Now the questions/problems:
1. is FS2 (files) required to use FSport ? I have tried to use fsport without any FS2 vp's and it does not start (gives the same error when you miss the basic FS2 VPs)

2. how should the interface show up ? I installed the fsport files (including sparky_hi) in a fsport directory inside the main fs2 directory and Im using the "-mod fsport" option to start it up; to me it seems the game is using the FS2 interface not the FS1 interface; or maybe I'm just confused what do you mean by "interface";

3. it seems that there are at least 2 missions (played a little so far) that can dead end;
- like the mission to escort Pluto where the shivans first appear I have managed to keep Pluto alive and kill all the shivans; as such Pluto reaches the subspace node and sits there ; this probably affects the original mission too but I think I have played MANY times that mission and not once I had this trouble; might be that the changed AI/engine in FS2 triggers this behaivour in FSport ? could you fix it ?
- another one is when you have to escort the Galatea through the asteroid field where again I manage to keep the Galatea over 90% hull integrity and kill all the shivan attackers but the mother ship just reaches the subspace node where it seems to rotate arround it's own axe (lol) until enough asteroids hit it to get destroyed; I couldnt really get over this mission otherwise than hitting myself to asteroids to kill myself 5 times to offer me the option to pass the mission; could this be fixed ?

Thanks!

[Mongoose]

Let's see if I can help you with these:

1. Yes, all of the FS2 files are required to play the FS Port.  The Port isn't a total conversion of the entire FS2 interface; instead, it allows you to play the FS1 campaign (and Silent Threat) in FS2 with all of the campaign-relevant media (music, command briefing animations, etc.)

2. I somewhat answered this above.  The FS Port doesn't include the interface art (such as the Main Hall) from FS1.  Besides the fact that this art was all meant to run at 640x480, I believe that there are table file differences between the two games that prevented an easy conversion.  This may be possible at some point in the future, but for now, the FS2 interface is what you'll get.

3. Your problem with the first mission you mentioned (Out of the Dark, Into the Night) is that the Plato is supposed to be destroyed by the Shivans.  I'm really impressed that you were able to kill all of the Shivan fighters (unless you cheated ); in FS1, it was very difficult to kill just one of them, even with a loadout of dual Furies, due to the fact that the ML-16 does virtually no damage to shields. The only one I was ever able to kill was the single Scorpion that stays in the area after the rest of the ships jump out.  Anyway, the Plato occasionally not being destroyed by the Shivans is a known bug in the Port; since the Plato's escape pod doesn't launch until the Plato is on the brink of death, this causes the mission to glitch.  You can either try to lay off the Shivans and hope they can kill it or just take it out yourself; you may get a lot of friendly fire hits, but I don't think Command cares too much, since it's supposed to die anyway.

Your second problem happens occasionally even in regular FS2; slight problems with waypoints and departure cues can cause capital ships to spin repeatedly until they manage to hit their waypoint correctly (once in a while, they never do and continue to spin indefinitely ).  Since this mission happens to take place in an asteroid field, this obviously poses a problem.  Usually, you can get lucky by restarting the mission once or twice.  I don't remember this being a problem when I played through the Port.  If it happens every time for you, there may be an issue with the build you're using.

[dizzy]

First of all thank you for taking the time to write such a long and detailed reply. You answered almost all my questions. About taking out the 4 shivan fighters in the Plato mission well, I can't say that I am an uber player but I think in FS2 (or at least in FSport) the wingmen fighters in that mission fight a lot better than I remember in FS1 (or the shivan fighters are a lot worse, your choice). Basically in FS1 the shivans took out Plato in no time. Here what it happens is that my wingmen keep the shivans busy that they almost don't shoot at Pluto. Then of course I jump in and take each shivans out (ok, it takes, A LOT of time and using rockets a lot) which it's not that hard because once you got rid of at least one, then you have at least one wingmen on each shivan fighter so taking out the shields is easier.

Another question I would have about the music. I have downloaded and installed the required file (warble_fs1.vp) but I only get FS2 music (and not at each mission, some missions have no music). Also I have downloaded fsport_music.vp which should contain the music.tbl (if I understood well) to enable this. If I install this vp then I dont get any music at all as far as I can tell. Any hints ?

Thanks!

[Goober5000]

Originally posted by dizzy
Another question I would have about the music. I have downloaded and installed the required file (warble_fs1.vp) but I only get FS2 music (and not at each mission, some missions have no music). Also I have downloaded fsport_music.vp which should contain the music.tbl (if I understood well) to enable this. If I install this vp then I dont get any music at all as far as I can tell. Any hints ?

You need to do one more thing.  Change the music tracks in each of the missions.

Since the FSPort is still a retail campaign, it's still using the retail tracks.  Once we finish v3.0, we'll release an additional FSO campaign with all the SCP bells and whistles, including the new music.

[dizzy]

Oki thanks for the replies, I think I understand what you mean. Will wait for 3.0 then.

About the interface initial question, if fsport doesn't display the FS1 interface than I dont understand, what's the file sparky_hi_fs1.vp suposed to do ... ?

[Goober5000]

Look in the VP file. It provides the loadout interface art for 1024x768 mode.  This includes the weapon and ship displays and animations.

[dizzy]

Ok...

Now, I don't know if it's just latest fs2open CVS, fsport, my low skill setting on the game or something to do with my platform (Linux/AMD64) but as I stated in the first post that I had a mission where the mother shop was just stopping and circling arround I must say I had many missions like that with fsport. I have recently finished it and is fscking great! But, as I said, a lot of missions I had to restart until that bug didn't happened