Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The FRED Workshop => Topic started by: Colt on December 22, 2019, 05:20:34 pm

Title: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on December 22, 2019, 05:20:34 pm
After unexpected internet problems pushed this announcement back a couple days, I am pleased to announce a new campaign...

(https://imgur.com/vxmvHZy.png)
This is a temporary title card (pro-baaa-bly).

What is Shepherds?

Shortly after releasing Walls Closing earlier this year, I resumed work on a bigger project. By August I had a draft down for the storyline of this project, working title Project Olympus, decent progress on most of the missions and tables modified to work. Naturally a bit of fatigue started to wear in, so I finished up any loose problems and put it to the side. I then began work on something that was originally planned to be bite-sized like my first campaign. In the end I've created an unintended sequel for Walls Closing that will link it to the same universe as Project Olympus, and clocking in at a decent size of 9 missions (11 if you include the intro and outro cutscene missions).

What to expect from Shepherds?

-11 missions that are set during the GTVA's retreat to Capella near the end of the Second Incursion.
-Mods such as Axem's In-mission jump script and BP-like HUD, Fury's Fury AI (BP version), Black Wolf's ANIs, and more.


Taking inspiration from (or basically just outright copying :nervous:) Orpheus' The Lost Generation: Ashcroft (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=92732.0) and NeonShivan's Project: Final Generation (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=96021.0) WIP threads, here is the progress on this campaign.

Progress:

Intro: Complete
Mission 1: Complete
Mission 2: Undergoing rework - 90% complete
Mission 3: 25% complete
Mission 4: Complete
Mission 5: Complete
Mission 6: Complete
Mission 7: 10% complete
Mission 8: 50% complete
Mission 9: 50% complete
Outro: No progress

Release date?

I'm aiming to release it for February 7th, which will be a full year since Walls Closing was released. However, if I'm not satisfied with the quality of the campaign then I'll probably post a progress update in it's place at the minimum.

Before getting back to work, I have a few screenshots and the intro cutscene ready for viewing! If the video's blurry for the first 10-15 seconds just wait it out. I blame Youtube.

Intro Cutscene:

Screenshots:
Hidden Text: Show
(https://imgur.com/JWnNZqw.png)
(https://imgur.com/pnEiTeJ.png)
(https://imgur.com/iHDU6QZ.png)
(https://imgur.com/jQtHAxG.png)
(https://imgur.com/hg0bNRf.png)
(https://imgur.com/R8Jfvmb.png)
(https://imgur.com/sJvRIoE.png)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Goober5000 on December 22, 2019, 07:57:32 pm
Looks very cool. :)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nightmare on December 22, 2019, 08:01:34 pm
Amazing, already in love with the cutscene :) :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Thaeris on December 22, 2019, 11:03:59 pm
That looks wonderful. Not sure it will get me to pick up FS2 again, but allow me to repeat that your campaign looks wonderful.
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Mongoose on December 23, 2019, 04:36:55 pm
Awesome camera work on the cutscene. :yes:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nyctaeus on December 24, 2019, 12:13:45 pm
I don't get the sheeps stuff, but this thing is gonna be dope :yes:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on December 24, 2019, 01:09:27 pm
Quote from: Nyctaeus on December 24, 2019, 12:13:45 pm
I don't get the sheeps stuff, but this thing is gonna be dope :yes:
shep·herd
/ˈSHepərd/

noun
a person who tends and rears sheep.

verb
1.
tend (sheep) as a shepherd.
2.
guide or direct in a particular direction.

I bolded the last point because I found it accurate of what the player will be doing in the campaign; screenshot 5 is from a mission where you get to choose paths to take when escorting a high-value convoy for example.  :)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 06, 2020, 05:08:09 pm
Update!

First off, I know -- it's not the 7th yet. However:

-One, I need a respite from the repetitive task of adding messages,
-Two, I know for certain it won't be done by tomorrow.

Since announcing Shepherds, a lot of ground has been made. Several missions have undergone complete reworks that make them both far more enjoyable then before and help further the plot and keep it nice and smooth. An example of this is the second mission, which was originally a convoy escort mission like first and third missions. Gameplay-wise it felt... repetitive? Boring? I didn't like the idea of having the player wait until the fourth mission for something different.

NEW PROGRESS UPDATE:

Intro: Complete
Mission 1: Complete (small rework under consideration)
Mission 2: Rework Complete
Mission 3: Undergoing rework - 25% complete
Mission 4: Complete
Mission 5: Complete
Mission 6: Complete
Mission 7: Undergoing rework - 75% complete
Mission 8: Undergoing rework - 90% complete
Mission 9: 50% complete
Outro: No progress

I should have Missions 7 and 8 done within the week, then focus all my attention back to the juggernaut (heh) that is Mission 3. I reworked the beginning of that mission, and I can say I'm pretty excited to get back to it once I finish 7 and 8. After that I can finish up the last mission, then work on the outro cutscene. There is still some work after that as well; loading screens and mission names, and of course extensive testing of the final campaign file to make sure I've got variables working right (a key part of Shepherds is saving allied ships so that they may assist you in a later mission. The outro cutscene will also list the survivors at the end of the campaign). I'm also debating on reverting the background for Gamma Draconis back to what is seen in the MediaVP's to maintain consistency. On the one hand, it would free up a beautiful skybox for later use for Olympus, on the other it would mean a bit of extra work.

Thank you for reading! Have some new screenshots. :p

(https://imgur.com/hfxNwmY.png)
(https://imgur.com/lP1wWS4.png)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nightmare on February 06, 2020, 05:20:58 pm
Oh that's nice, thanks for the update~ :)

Looking forward to get my hands on the campaing. ;7
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Su-tehp on February 06, 2020, 05:23:45 pm
This looks very interesting. I'll definitely keep my eye on it.

Also, "sequel" is spelled with two "e"s. :p

Seriously, don't people use spellcheck anymore? :banghead:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 06, 2020, 05:27:22 pm
Quote from: Su-tehp on February 06, 2020, 05:23:45 pm
This looks very interesting. I'll definitely keep my eye on it.

Also, "sequel" is spelled with two "e"s. :p
Blah! No amount of proofreading will save me from even a single typo. Thanks for spotting that. :p

Quote from: Su-tehp on February 06, 2020, 05:23:45 pm
Seriously, don't people use spellcheck anymore? :banghead:
I'm basic. I used paint for the titlecard. Paint doesn't have spellcheck. Still not an excuse though. :nervous:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Su-tehp on February 06, 2020, 05:35:35 pm
Quote from: Colt on February 06, 2020, 05:27:22 pm
Quote from: Su-tehp on February 06, 2020, 05:23:45 pm
This looks very interesting. I'll definitely keep my eye on it.

Also, "sequel" is spelled with two "e"s. :p
Blah! No amount of proofreading will save me from even a single typo. Thanks for spotting that. :p

It's what I do.  :D :cool: :D

Quote from: Colt on February 06, 2020, 05:27:22 pm
Quote from: Su-tehp on February 06, 2020, 05:23:45 pm
Seriously, don't people use spellcheck anymore? :banghead:
I'm basic. I used paint for the titlecard. Paint doesn't have spellcheck. Still not an excuse though. :nervous:

Oh, I see. But, yeah, as a longtime reader and grammar nazi, stuff like misspellings and mixed idioms stand out like sore thumbs to me. We humans have a gift for pattern recognition, and I can spot inconsistencies like that better than most. It's what makes me a good editor. (*Ahem* False modesty? What's that? :p)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nightmare on February 07, 2020, 07:31:14 am
GRAMMATIK MACHT FREI
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Mito [PL] on February 07, 2020, 11:39:15 am
Mmmm, that progress looks really nice. Can't wait!
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Su-tehp on February 07, 2020, 12:31:18 pm
Quote from: Nightmare on February 07, 2020, 07:31:14 am
GRAMMATIK MACHT FREI

LOL! I see what you did there.  :lol: :D :lol: :drevil:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Iain Baker on February 07, 2020, 03:05:54 pm
Looking good!  :) :) :) :yes: :yes: :yes:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: starlord on February 07, 2020, 04:01:05 pm
Very nice. I have to ask a question story wise though:

Would that ravana happen to be the nebiros?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 07, 2020, 04:19:15 pm
Quote from: starlord on February 07, 2020, 04:01:05 pm
Very nice. I have to ask a question story wise though:

Would that ravana happen to be the nebiros?
The Ravana in the intro cutscene and the screenshot is the SD Andromalius, the primary antagonist of this campaign. The Nebiros will also be encountered.
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: General Battuta on February 07, 2020, 04:21:34 pm
SD Manbad

Spoiler:
i like the name
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 07, 2020, 04:27:48 pm
Quote from: General Battuta on February 07, 2020, 04:21:34 pm
Spoiler:
i like the name
Thanks. :p
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nyctaeus on February 07, 2020, 05:14:32 pm
It looks good and I wanna play it :yes:

Will any new ships be featured in the campaign, or FS2 stuff only?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 07, 2020, 06:26:09 pm
Quote from: Nyctaeus on February 07, 2020, 05:14:32 pm
It looks good and I wanna play it :yes:

Will any new ships be featured in the campaign, or FS2 stuff only?
Shepherds so far is FS2 only. I was going to add Chronos freighters, but then MediaVP's 4.0 happened so it saved me some work. :nod:

I tried to get the Phidias repair drone to work, but I've found it really complicated. Once I'm done with the campaign I'll likely give it another attempt before releasing.
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nightmare on February 07, 2020, 06:29:09 pm
What did you intend for that one, and which issues did you bump into?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 07, 2020, 06:41:49 pm
Quote from: Nightmare on February 07, 2020, 06:29:09 pm
What did you intend for that one, and which issues did you bump into?
Just a few of them flying around and repairing a Hatshepsut. I tried to copy the demo mission but kept messing up somewhere because the drones wouldn't shoot their beams.

Some things just aren't idiot-proof. :lol:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nightmare on February 07, 2020, 06:43:53 pm
Well the beams are mounted on turrets, did you enable beam-free for the ships or the whole mission?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on February 07, 2020, 07:14:27 pm
General rule of thumb for me is to always "beam-free by default" when starting a new mission, so I don't think that was the issue.

Well, I'll give it another try right now I suppose. Better now then forgetting later on.
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: CT27 on September 07, 2020, 05:54:28 pm
How's this campaign going?

I liked Walls Closing so I'd definitely be willing to try this one out?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on September 08, 2020, 12:41:12 am
Quote from: CT27 on September 07, 2020, 05:54:28 pm
How's this campaign going?
It's going well. Also damn, its been a while since my last update. :nervous:

So... update time! Missions 1-8 are done - bar some minor polishing - and I'm hard at work on the last mission (there's also the final cutscene, but that shouldn't take too long to do). Hopefully I'll have it out before the end of the year, but no promises!

Anyway. Wouldn't be an update without a couple of screenshots. :D

(https://imgur.com/8D8SsZI.png)

(https://imgur.com/oKv8Tln.png)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on December 22, 2020, 10:42:01 pm
(Pops head out of the FRED mines) Damn, a year since this was originally announced! Time flies! :nervous:

Anyway, it's about time I'd finally share some gameplay footage. The following is from the 6th mission. Nothing too spoiler-y here, but if you'd rather wait then no worries.  :p

(Disappears back into the mines of FRED)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: EatThePath on December 23, 2020, 04:55:49 pm
I watched and it looks great
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: CT27 on August 13, 2021, 05:27:29 pm
This campaign looks interesting to play (and I enjoyed your previous work Walk In The Sun).  How's progress going on this?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on August 13, 2021, 06:11:14 pm
Quote from: CT27 on August 13, 2021, 05:27:29 pm
This campaign looks interesting to play (and I enjoyed your previous work Walk In The Sun).  How's progress going on this?
Slow but steady. I wanted to have Shepherds released last month, but beta testing has uncovered a few (lot) more problems then I'd expected, but these are being sorted out. On this note, a shoutout to Spart_n, Goober and Woutersmits for their continued support in soldiering through it. Thanks guys.  :yes:

In an alternate universe, Shepherds was released without beta testing. It is horrifying.

You might be thinking of Walls Closing (I'm glad you enjoyed it!), as Walk in the Sun was made by Taranis. WitS is indeed a great campaign though!
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: ShivanSlayer on August 15, 2021, 02:01:05 am
Always so interesting to see more mods taking place during Vanilla campaigns.  Reminds me that Alpha 1 isn't doing EVERYTHING and there are other good pilots contributing to the war effort
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on December 31, 2021, 10:29:30 pm
Way overdue on an update, and I am sad to announce that this will be the final update post...

...because Shepherds will be releasing on January 28th! I'm really excited to finally share this campaign with the community, and I'll be spending the next few weeks adding in the final touches and polishing it up some more.

One last batch of screenshots. Credit to Spart_n for the first shot.  :)

Screenshots:
Hidden Text: Show
(http://imgur.com/fqxGSfk.png)

(http://imgur.com/tanhE6k.png)

(http://imgur.com/n641A4C.png)
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Goober5000 on January 01, 2022, 02:29:04 pm
:yes:
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Nightmare on January 01, 2022, 05:58:57 pm
Oh thats pretty nice~
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: CT27 on January 24, 2022, 07:14:54 pm
Looking forward to this. 

Will it be compatible to use MJN's mainhalls?
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on January 24, 2022, 11:16:58 pm
Quote from: CT27 on January 24, 2022, 07:14:54 pm
Looking forward to this. 

Will it be compatible to use MJN's mainhalls?

Yes, specifically the Aquitaine one will be required to play.
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Marguel on January 26, 2022, 08:08:03 pm
Oh man, just around the corner! Can't wait to play it!
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Goober5000 on January 28, 2022, 05:55:07 pm
It's out (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=98023.0) >.>
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: manwiththemachinegun on November 15, 2022, 09:52:24 pm
Outstanding stuff Colt, not only are the missions tense and a lot of fun, you really did your homework and went the extra mile to make the missions feel "lived in." Trashed bases, damaged fleets, the pacing of the missions themselves. It's pretty much a perfect story set during the Second Shivan war, getting a broader look at outside events and how the GTVA is being slowly, relentlessly, crushed despite their best efforts. That shows with the writing, and the missions themselves.

It makes the survival of the species that much more impressive given FS2's ending.
Title: Re: [WIP] Shepherds
Post by: Colt on November 16, 2022, 10:27:50 am
Thanks for playing! Glad you enjoyed it. :D