Hard Light Productions Forums

FreeSpace Releases => Mission & Campaign Releases => Topic started by: VPR on August 21, 2009, 03:10:31 pm

Title: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on August 21, 2009, 03:10:31 pm
Here's all my releases bundled into one thread.

As an introduction I am currently learning how to FRED though I do have some experience from BtRL and other unreleased stuff, therefore expect both coding and mission quality to not always be up to scratch. If you have something to add on any aspect of my FREDding or mission design then by all means please do so. I will always welcome positive and negative feedback if it is constructive.

Installation

My missions require the use of it's own mod folder due to including custom models and tables.

Mod Folder (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Files/FS2/SM/vpr-sp-mod.7z) (143Kb) Updated: 03-09-2010

Extract the contents of the above 7-Zip file (7-Zip program link (http://www.7-zip.org/)) to your FreeSpace2 folder and then in the mod tab in the FSO Launcher and set the folder vpr as your selected mod.

I also recommend you create a new pilot profile for my missions as this will avoid experiencing any unexpected errors.

Current Required Build: SCP 3.6.12 + Latest Media VPs & latest Launcher

Mission Releases

All missions can be found in their own post in this thread with the links to each mission post listed in the below section. Mission updates will usually be announced by myself in the thread but I will also list and date updates in the first post and the mission's release post in this thread.

To install the missions first make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the mod folder and also have the required version of mediavps and SCP build. Extract the mission file archive to ..\vpr\data\missions\

Mission 1: Rise of Apollo (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=65256.msg1300311#msg1300311)
Species: Terran
Updated: 03-09-2010

Mission 2: Distinguished Action (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=65256.msg1354394#msg1354394)
Species: Vasudan
Updated: 03-09-2010

Credits

Blueplanet: War in Heaven AI profiles (http://blueplanet.hard-light.net/) and Blue Planet radio message sound files (http://blueplanet.hard-light.net/).

Lightspeed's Nebula pack + retail missions upgrade (http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.234).

If I have not credited or have wrongly credited anything please let me know. If I'm using something of yours that you do not want me to use then again let me know and I'll remove it from my mod content asap.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: SpardaSon21 on August 21, 2009, 03:27:09 pm
Quote from: VPR on August 21, 2009, 03:10:31 pm
\Freespace2\Data
*Facepalm*

Its supposed to go in its own mod directory in the root Freespace 2 folder.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: The E on August 21, 2009, 03:39:26 pm
Yeah, if there are custom tables in there, it's supposed to be its own mod.
Telling people otherwise WILL result in bloodshed and tears.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: sigtau on August 21, 2009, 09:34:30 pm
Guys, instead of calling him down for a beginner's mistake, how about we praise him for his effort?

I'd play the mission, but hell, I can't right now, because I'm on a ****ty laptop away from home.   :doubt:
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: Rodo on August 21, 2009, 10:31:53 pm
Quote from: sigtau on August 21, 2009, 09:34:30 pm
Guys, instead of calling him down for a beginner's mistake, how about we praise him for his effort?

Agreed.

This is nice work VPR.. I see you put a lot of effort into it.
Lot of chatter and in the right times.. something that is quite difficult to achieve in a mission, the distances are a nice adding giving a good "huge space" environmental felling.


Looking forward to another one  :yes:
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: VPR on August 22, 2009, 04:40:52 am
Thanks for the comments so far. To be honest while it works fine with not being in a mod folder I don't see the big deal, is it really worth it for single missions? I'll sort it out for my next release though as these mission may be part of a campaign anyway that I've had on the back burner for a while now.

The next mission will be a bit more tricky FRED wise for me so it'll take longer to do plus I really must finish an XvT campaign off first that I've been neglecting for some time now.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: The E on August 22, 2009, 06:01:37 am
If you are altering tables, yes, it is. Consider this: a) Having this in your main data folder will break multiplayer validation, i.e. the online stat tracking will not work for you anymore. b) This may cause issues down the line when used in conjunction with other mods, since you are adding one ship and one weapon. This may push the total over the maximum allowed by the engine. All of this makes my work as a troubleshooter that much harder, since those issues can be really hard to track down.
So, sorry about being harsh, but no. I will not stop calling people out on mistakes like these because they can be actually quite dangerous. Rule of thumb is: If it's only a mission, putting it into data\missions is OK. But as soon as you start to alter tables, it is to be considered a separate mod and needs to be treated that way to avoid strange behaviour. Even for minor alterations as the ones made in here.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: VPR on August 22, 2009, 06:13:50 am
Okay no problem, I've now uploaded a corrected zip file.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: Rodo on August 22, 2009, 10:20:07 am
Quote from: VPR on August 22, 2009, 04:40:52 am
The next mission will be a bit more tricky FRED wise for me so it'll take longer to do

You'll see that rushing a mission in Fred is not always the best approach.

Besides everyone here knows that freding takes serious amounts of time, so when you say 1 mission we probably think of.... like a 2 weeks if you are fast, or 2-3 months if you are slow.

And this does not apply only to newbies FYI  ;)
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: Spoon on August 23, 2009, 05:55:44 pm
As Rodo said before me, the chatter was at the right time
The distances are a bit toooo much though, I was flying a loki, going full burn with max power to the engines and there was no way in hell I could reach the apollo in time to save it from 20 shivan bombs.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: VPR on August 23, 2009, 06:17:47 pm
It's all about clearing the second wave of Shivan fighters quickly that intercept you. I was able to get to the Lilith's escorts regularly before the Apollo arrived in testing. I'll take another look if others are struggling the same though?
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: Rodo on August 23, 2009, 08:12:59 pm
it's hard, I have to admit I wasn't able to win this one on hard, but on medium is possible.. just avoid the astaroths and fly straight forward the closest bomber formation, make alpha guard you as well.
Title: Re: New single mission
Post by: VPR on September 12, 2009, 08:54:33 pm
Here's a little sneak preview of the next mission, which I doubt will be done for a while yet due to really slow progress on it. I've also found large Suns seem to like killing frame rates!

(http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0062.jpg)
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: Dilmah G on September 12, 2009, 08:56:07 pm
I have to admit, that looks pretty frakking cool! :D
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: eliex on September 12, 2009, 10:20:08 pm
Me too.  :D
The large destroyer on the right hand side of the picture looks quite similar to the Sanctuary of BP . . .
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: Droid803 on September 12, 2009, 11:33:43 pm
It's a Sirona.


...I think  :nervous:
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 13, 2009, 04:33:26 am
GANYMEDES DO NOT WORK THAT WAY.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: Snail on September 13, 2009, 04:40:35 am
Quote from: NGTM-1R on September 13, 2009, 04:33:26 am
GANYMEDES DO NOT WORK THAT WAY.
Says who?

It looks cooler with the **** in the middle.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on September 13, 2009, 05:46:26 am
Quote from: NGTM-1R on September 13, 2009, 04:33:26 am
GANYMEDES DO NOT WORK THAT WAY.

Why?

Yes the destroyer is a GTD Sirona.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 13, 2009, 06:45:41 am
Basically, because it's stupid to do it that way when you've got all those easily-detached-from (but difficult to use in FRED, sadly) armatures instead of ramming solid objects through your ship. :P
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: Snail on September 15, 2009, 04:12:37 pm
Quote from: NGTM-1R on September 13, 2009, 06:45:41 am
Basically, because it's stupid to do it that way when you've got all those easily-detached-from (but difficult to use in FRED, sadly) armatures instead of ramming solid objects through your ship. :P
Who says? The actual docking points have only 1 connection anyway. The Ganymede web thingy could have any number of uses.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 15, 2009, 08:16:08 pm
Well you tell me why they have the armatures, if not to handle refueling, rearming, and repairing multiple ships at once? :P
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on October 02, 2009, 06:38:55 pm
Just reposting this mission while I'm sorting the layout of my thread.

Mission 1: Rise of Apollo

Here's my first FS2 mission where Alpha Wing is sent to the outer edges of Vega to investigate reports of Shivan activity. The mission itself is fairly basic and probably not that difficult for the most part. I also have another mission in the works related loosely to this one.

Download (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Files/FS2/SM/vpr-sp1-roa.7z) (8kb) Updated: 03-09-2010

(http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/roa-tn1.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/roa-1.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/roa-tn2.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/roa-2.jpg)

Change Log - 03-09-2010

-- Modified mission to include new Blue Planet War in Heaven AI profiles
-- Made nameplate for GTCv Apollo

Change Log - 14-03-2010

-- Modified mission to include Fury's Blue Planet Features Pack
-- Added Blue Planet message sounds

Change Log - 21-01-2010

-- Added Fury's AI profiles

Change Log - 25-10-2009

-- Removed GTF Myrmidon from ship selection
-- Added and refined AI-Goals for Alpha/Delta Wing
-- Modified mission dialogue
-- Further testing of GTF Loki in mission (no need to change)
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on October 25, 2009, 03:35:48 pm
A few things to update on. Firstly I've updated my previous mission (see above change log) and also added two screenshots for it. On to the preview for the next mission, which is based on a part of the Freespace 2 main campaign.

The mission involves the GVD Toeris being sent to the Nebula Jump Node in Gamma Draconis to recover Alpha Wing after the SOC Loop 2: Into the Lion's Den mission. I'm pretty much done with the mission design (148 ships so far) but I'm not finished yet with the dialogue and mission text parts. No doubt I find something else not right though with the mission itself during further testing.

Anyway here's a few preview shots.

(http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn1.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-1.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn2.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-2.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn3.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-3.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn4.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-4.jpg)

The other mission I posted a while back is on the back burner for now until I can find a better use for it. It might land nicely in a campaign idea I have but that's not going to happen for a while yet.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on January 21, 2010, 01:09:31 pm
Just a quick update, I've added in tables from Fury's AI mod to the folder and also updated the first mission to now use the new profiles, which hopefully has had a positive effect. You'll also need to use the latest nightly release to get the mission to work properly.

The mission previewed above that I was working on may not be released now as it's currently a mess, while it does work fairly well I'm not happy with the way it runs so I'll try to fix it or just redo it at some point.

I probably won't do much until after April or May now as I'm knee deep in coursework for my project year at Uni. I might get another mission out time and energy permitting but the thread is kind of in hibernation now until I'm free. I'm also working on an idea for a mini campaign, probably 5-8 missions but I'm still sorting the storyline out for it.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: starlord on January 21, 2010, 01:31:03 pm
congrats VPR, I think all this should be preserved on FS mods...

Also VPR, please keep me updated regarding the XvT campaign of yours, sounds interesting...
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: dragonsniper on January 21, 2010, 01:34:28 pm
Quote
congrats VPR, I think all this should be preserved on FS mods...

 :nod:

Quick question. In your Oct02 post (with the screenies of a white neb) were those part of a nebula pack (like lightspeeds?) or did you custom add them?
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: starlord on January 21, 2010, 02:06:10 pm
I like the concept of that SOC recovery mission... ;7
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on January 21, 2010, 02:12:12 pm
Quote from: dragonsniper on January 21, 2010, 01:34:28 pm
Quick question. In your Oct02 post (with the screenies of a white neb) were those part of a nebula pack (like lightspeeds?) or did you custom add them?

I do have Lightspeed's nebulas installed so probably yes, they are. I take it you are asking this because I've not credited him? Apologies if I need to as I unintentionally forgot about having them.

Thanks Starlord, I'm now on Windows 7 64 bit so I need to get XvT sorted with the installers that Markus Egger created a while back, just not had the time yet to do it. As you can tell from my site news I'm not the best at releasing stuff quickly so you'll have to wait a bit, it's good though to have some interest shown in my XvT stuff as well. :) I'm about half way or more through though last time I worked on it.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: dragonsniper on January 21, 2010, 05:11:05 pm
Quote from: VPR on January 21, 2010, 02:12:12 pm
Quote from: dragonsniper on January 21, 2010, 01:34:28 pm
Quick question. In your Oct02 post (with the screenies of a white neb) were those part of a nebula pack (like lightspeeds?) or did you custom add them?

I do have Lightspeed's nebulas installed so probably yes, they are. I take it you are asking this because I've not credited him? Apologies if I need to as I unintentionally forgot about having them.

Thanks Starlord, I'm now on Windows 7 64 bit so I need to get XvT sorted with the installers that Markus Egger created a while back, just not had the time yet to do it. As you can tell from my site news I'm not the best at releasing stuff quickly so you'll have to wait a bit, it's good though to have some interest shown in my XvT stuff as well. :) I'm about half way or more through though last time I worked on it.
It's not because you didn't credit him. That's not the reason at all. They just look so much better than the defaults, in the way you have them.  :nod:
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on February 28, 2010, 05:41:10 pm
Another update, the mission's basic structure is now done after I've worked up a much better flow for it. Just got the finishing off of messaging and the briefing/debrief to do on top of further testing. I've also added Fury's Feature Pack from Blue Planet as well, which called for another rebalance to be done because the Vasudan capitals began spanking Shivan bombers! This rebalance is also now completed.

Once this is done I'll be looking at getting my teeth into something more complex FREDing-wise such as cutscenes, larger events and variables, which I've so far deliberately avoided. :o I think I'll start by doing the walkthrough in the FRED help topics first however before carrying on with producing my own material.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on March 13, 2010, 11:45:20 am
Mission 2: Distinguished Action

The GVD Toeris while on route to the Capella Jump Node is ordered to urgently divert back to the Nebula Jump Node in Gamma Draconis to recover an undisclosed SOC force. This force carries critical information about the speculated Shivan Armada that is now moving into GTVA space and they must be recovered successfully despite the dangerous risk to the Vasudan Destroyer.

Download (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Files/FS2/SM/vpr-sp2-da.7z) (18kb) Updated: 03-09-2010

(http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn1.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-1.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn2.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-2.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn5.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-5.jpg) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-tn6.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/da-6.jpg)

Probably still could use a bit more polish and development but I'm at the stage now where I need other people's opinion on it. I do intend to come back to this at a later date and further improve it, or maybe take a different approach to it.

I'll also update the first mission I did to use Fury's new AI, at the moment it may not work properly.

Change Log - 03-09-2010

-- Modified mission to include new Blue Planet War in Heaven AI profiles
-- Added nameplates (from mediavps) for GTCv Naxos and GTC Agrippa
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on September 03, 2010, 06:07:23 pm
It's been quite a while since I've done anything in Freespace 2 but I'm now back to making missions.

I've changed the way I'm going to be doing things which will hopefully make it more easier for people to play my missions. I've decided to keep with the major SCP releases and avoid using nightly builds (unless absolutely needed) and also keep 3rd party content to a minimum by sticking to using retail equivalent content so you'll just need to download the mod folder once per major SCP release.

I've updated the missions so that they work again with the current mod folder setup, SCP version and AI tables from Blueplanet: WiH. I've also added / made nameplates for GT capitals where needed. I've done some testing of the previous two missions to make sure they're completable but seeing as no one's commented on my second release yet I'll change it if it's giving people problems.

So my third mission I'm working on now is the one I previewed last September, I'm going to try playing about with cutscenes and a few other things so it will probably take a while to make.
Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: VPR on December 06, 2010, 05:24:24 pm
Having had a major disinterest in FREDing over the last few months I've recently started to progress my third mission. A basic cutscene is done and I've also made a start on the capital ship combat which involves a bit of tactical subspace jumping from both Shivan and GTVA capitals. Still a bit of work to do on that before I'm ready to add in fighters and stuff but it's slowly taking shape. There are some early teaser shots below but it doesn't look much at the moment.

(http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0112tn.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0112.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0114tn.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0114.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0118tn.png) (http://www.vprnet.co.uk/Images/screen0118.png)

The mission will also be built on antipodes 6 at least due to the demand this mission will probably put on hardware (large suns love killing framerates) and I'm hoping I can get this mission out in the next couple of weeks.



Title: Re: VPR's single missions thread
Post by: General Battuta on December 06, 2010, 05:26:40 pm
oooh sounds exciting.

Keep it up!