Author Topic: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War - Classic Remastered Edition  (Read 7496 times)

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Offline Novachen

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[RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War - Classic Remastered Edition

What If: Another Great War

About this campaign:
To explain it short: What If: Another Great War is simply a remake of FreeSpace: The Great War, which was released by SF-Junky in 2008.
Anyone who is familiar with the FreeSpace series know about the several continuity issues between both games. What If not only try to address these issues and to reimagine FreeSpace: The Great War as the universe was shown in FreeSpace 2, it also considers the FreeSpace Reference Bible. Last but not least What If tries to explain the events of the Great War in a much more structured and coherent way.

At the same time What If: Another Great War works as a prequel to Storm Front Saga, which i will re-release sometime in the future again.
So the events that take place in What If are the Great War how it happened in the Storm Front universe.
The original campaign was released as a modification for the FreeSpace Port 3.0.4 and worked with FSO 3.6.10 builds and the 3.6.10 MediaVPs.
This remastered release is based upon my own Nova Update: FreeSpace Port release, which was made compatible with MediaVPs 4.3.X and FSO 19.0.0.



What is this about?
A fourteen year war between the Terrans and Vasudans leads into something far more sinister.

Sounds familiar? Then you are wrong. Because this time things are different... in a FreeSpace 2 way. This is the story of The Great War from the Storm Front Universe.

Classic Remastered Features
• Playtested and Bugfixed missions, that were also enhanced sometimes. - "Whoa, these guns were not there before."
• Medals. - "Can you get them all?"
• Individual HUDs for all three species. - "Do i look very shivan to you?"
• Proper use of Callsigns. - "You know, you do not have to call me 'Beta 1'."
• Updated Animations and Models. - "It is a beautiful sight, is not it?"
• Built-in Message Box. - "Need-to-know basis is everything. So shut up and maintain radio silence."
• Built-in ScreenCam. - "Take some pictures when you are out there."
• MediaVPs 4.3.X compatibility. - "Today are our routine checks."





Requirements:
FSOpen Nightly from 01st August 2020 (or newer)
MediaVPs 4.3.X

Download:

(other installation methods will follow after i sorted out some personal issues)






Credits:
SF-Junky for the original campaign.
tcrayford for the english spellchecking.
Inferno: Alliance for the GVD Bastet.
Inferno: Nostos for the EAI Lycaon.
Terran-Vasudan War Project for the TCr Constellation.
Novachen for the TCr Constellation reskin.
Nyctaeus for the EAI Lycaon reskin.


Changelog:
2.2.6-Nova -> 2.2.7-Nova
• MediaVPs 4.3.X compatibility.
• Fixed a directive bug in "The Glass Demon".
• A wrong referenced special effect was fixed.
• Wrong referenced nameplates in "Avenging Angel" and "Big Bang" were fixed.
• Restored some sound effects that were deleted accidentally in the clean up of the last version.

2.2.5-Nova -> 2.2.6-Nova
• Fixed Mainhall descriptions.
• A new splash image.
• Deleted some unused files.

2.2.4-Nova -> 2.2.5-Nova
• Cleared up some misunderstandings, so this can be prepared for a rerelease.
• The "Classic Remastered" addition to the name was introduced for differentiation to the upcoming "Director's Cut" release by SF-Junky.
• Includes a modified "Nova Update: FreeSpace Port" release by Novachen, that was made compatible with MediaVPs 4.2.X.
• Small changes in some missions.
• Most of the missions were playtested again.

2.2.3-Nova -> 2.2.4-Nova
• A new textured GTCr Akula.
• A new textured GTI Lycaon by Nyctaeus.
• There was another bug in "Avenging Angel" that could make this mission unsolveable under specific conditions. Because i fixed them now, there is an additional debriefing stage aswell changed requirements for the Medal in this mission, which are intended to be closer to the original design of this mission.
• A spelling fix in "Hit and Run".

2.2.2-Nova -> 2.2.3-Nova
• Replaced the Bastet model which was based upon Inferno: Classic with a Bastet, that is based upon the previously unreleased better model from Inferno: Alliance.
• There was a bug in "Avenging Angel" that could make this mission unsolveable under specific conditions.
• A recommendation was added to "Hit and Run".
• In "La Ruota della Fortuna" one message got its right sender and another message was changed. Also there are some new events to make the Eva more dangerous. Aswell there were some coordinates changes for Eva and Malthusa due to the new and so bigger Bastet.
• Changed credits in "Endgame".

2.2.1-Nova -> 2.2.2-Nova
• Included a messages.tbl that is suitable for Text-to-Speech.
• Fixed a bug in "Cloak and Dagger" that caused, that the Concordia did not undock from the Nefaarud.
• The GTB Medusa is not available in "The Field of Battle"  anymore.
• Small corrections in "Avenging Angel" & "The Hammer and the Anvil".
• The Malthusa message-list is now properly working in "La Ruota della Fortuna".
• "The Great Hunt" can now be properly played as a single mission. A debris field around the Sol Jump Node was added, aswell i changed one communication message. Also the Prophecy will jump in with a damaged hull, now.

2.2.0 (Last Original release) -> 2.2.1-Nova
• Fixed many table errors.
• This mod is now compatible to MediaVPs 3.8.X.
• This mod is now based upon Nova Upgrade: FreeSpace Port and so use some of its enhancements like the Turret Flags, HUDs, Models and Message Box.
• Adapted ship explosion file.
• APNG version of the specific WhatIf-Anim was created.
• Deleted unused models and effects.
• Subtitles in all Cutscenes were recreated with more current SEXPs.
• Usage of Callsigns instead of a prefix in communication messages.
• In many missions the Callsign was used as Cargo. That was fixed.
• Changed IFFs are used as Alternative Names in many missions.
• Medals can be obtained during this campaign, now. But you can get only one of each.
• Fixed formatting in several CBriefs.
• Fixed invalid Team IDs in several missions.
• Deleted all unused ships and objects in "Eve of Destruction".
• "Paving the Way" is now more flexible. Wegaf will also going down after a specific amount of time. Also the Galatea will now only jump out after Wegaf 1 has docked or was destroyed. Support Ships are launching from the Galatea in this mission.
• The self-destruct sequence of the Cargo in "Pandora's Box" starts way earlier, because otherwise it was possible to scan it before the Cargo explodes. Also now the player can be attacked by the Shivans. And there will be an additional fighter wing, that jump in after the Mission Objective is complete to force the player to retreat even more.
• The Taranis in "First Strike" is able to use its Anti-Fighter beam, now.
• Introduced some Guardian Events for the Eva in "La Ruota Della Fortuna".
• Added Directives to "Tenderizer". Also the Jump Node now have its proper name. Support Ships are launching from Galatea only.
• The Charon in "Enter the Dragon" will no longer act as a support ship.
• Support ships are launching from the Galatea in "Doomsday". Aswell i introduced a scripted death event there.
• Deleted unused debriefing stages in "Exodus".
• Additional directives in "Last Hope". As well i fixed some events to prevent, that Alpha and Beta jump out too early.
• Additional directives in "Failure to Communicate".
• The Zenith in "Reaching the Zenith" is able to use its Anti-Fighter beam, now.
• The Initial Subtitles in "Running the Gauntlet" were reactivated.
• The Nebula in "Cloak and Dagger" now has the same color as in the original release.
• Aries will no more ignore the player if he was detected by the Shivans in "The Glass Demon".
• Yalta and Hyperion will now show up in the Escort List during "Clash of the Titans". Aswell i introduced a scripted death event there.
• Alpha and Beta will now stay in mission at the end of "The Great Hunt" to be properly carried over into the next mission.
• Proper Orders for Delta in "Good Luck". The Shivans are using their Subspace Textures there, too.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2020, 12:39:54 am by Novachen »
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 

Offline theperfectdrugsk

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
Ooooooooh.  Thanks Novachen! It's been ages since I played through the FS1 campaign in any form, and this might be just the ticket.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
 :yes:

BTW did you change anything about the Bastet? I have a resmoothed version of it, and also a more PVN/Great War era version from INFA that I could hand to you (though I'd require a permission for the latter as it is still INF-private despite its low polyness).

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
:yes:

BTW did you change anything about the Bastet? I have a resmoothed version of it, and also a more PVN/Great War era version from INFA that I could hand to you (though I'd require a permission for the latter as it is still INF-private despite its low polyness).

Unfortunately not. It is the retaily brick one that is also used in Inferno: Classic, because no other one was released.
And in my search through ship lists i did not find any newer vasudan craft, that looks similar to it.

The same goes to the Constellation, even it looks much better as TWVP was much more recent.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2019, 08:38:00 pm by Novachen »
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
This bastet: http://inferno.hard-light.net/SOL/tech4.html

Well, i am interested in any Bastet that looks better than the one i have  :D

And i think a PVN/Great War Bastet would fit fine in a Great War campaign.
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
OK, I asked for permission. :)

 

Offline Nyctaeus

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
And in my search through ship lists i did not find any vasudan craft, that looks similar to it.
Fortunately you are wrong :]
Exile | Shadow Genesis | Inferno | Series Resurrecta  | DA Profile | P3D Profile

Proud owner of NyctiShipyards. Remember - Nyx will fix it!

All of my assets including models, textures, skyboxes, effects may be used under standard CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
INFT0013 is some damage/destroyed tile.


[attachment eaten by a Shivan]

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
The Constellation was replaced with a new model in TVWP, wasn't it? When I look it up on the wiki I'm only seeing this ( https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/TCa_Constellation ), which hopefully isn't part of this campaign.

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
And in my search through ship lists i did not find any vasudan craft, that looks similar to it.
Fortunately you are wrong :]

Well... i never heard of this ship :( And the screenshots are not working to see it.

And the only reliable bigger ship list with pictures i have is the Hard Light wiki. :nervous:
And as a last resort i simple asked in the Discord if there is a newer Bastet or atleast a model that looks very similar to that. "Nope" was the answer back then.
So i kept it.

The Constellation was replaced with a new model in TVWP, wasn't it? When I look it up on the wiki I'm only seeing this ( https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/TCa_Constellation ), which hopefully isn't part of this campaign.

Was it? Then it has a total different name, now. What make it even harder to find any newer versions of a ship.
But to destroy your Hope. Yes, the TCa Constellation is used. But actually it does not look too shabby... at least in comparsion to the Bastet  :lol:
« Last Edit: October 02, 2019, 09:30:36 pm by Novachen »
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
The Atum is surely a better design, not to speak of the model quality.

As for the Constellation... get rid of it. :D There is a ship called Sagittarius, and another one called Hestia that could both work as replacement.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
I just wanna say this was amazing. The addition of flak turrets and Shivan beam weapons makes the FS1 complete in my mind and it now really does have the feeling of the end times. Since with beam weapons the Shivans as whole not just because of the Lucifer, seem unstoppable. Also the added cap ships make up for massive deficiency in FS1 in general, a lack of cap ships for bother V and T.

The only real addition I can image to make it complete is maybe adding Frigates like 'Blue Planets' UEFg Karuna. At least in the beginning to escort convoys and all carrier types, from the Orion to the others you added. Giving the feel that instead of lone ships, both Terrans and Vasudans have real stellar navies, with real fleets and battle groups. I suppose you could give a Frigate for the Vasudans too, but since we don't seem them much its not very necessary. But the best part for you the modder is that as the campaign goes on the missions start having less and less frigate/escorts. Until you can just say that the war is going so badly and so many frigates/escorts have been lost that there is simply not enough. So Command starts deploying all the ones they have left in places that absolutely needs them. So that means carrier groups like Bastion or the Galatia have to go it alone, because there is simply no one left to reinforce them.

It also adds to the feel that the Great War is an apocalyptic conflict like it is described in FS2. Since you can have FS1 missions start with these big powerful fleets of Terran capital ships in a grand chess match against the Vasudans. But as the Shivan invasion goes on and on, there is no more great fleets or battle groups. Only desperate missions with surviving capital ships fighting a war that appears unwinnable.

Well that was my mad ramblings, still great mod and look forward to see you would do with FS2 campaign.

  

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
Thank you very much for your feedback. I appreciate it, as the most other comments are only about models and not the campaign ;)
I am against it to introduce whole new ship classes that were not used in FreeSpace 2 or Storm Front respectively. Not to speak of, that this would change the original campaign way too much  :nervous:
As the Iceni was the only terran frigate that is used during Storm Front i actually think, that the Iceni class is only the beginning of GT(V)A's frigate classes.

As SF-Junky is still around on this forum sometimes, i would never say, that it is impossible that a "What If: FreeSpace 2" can happen. Even i have no idea how different the events of Freespace 2 are in the Storm Front universe.



There was an update for this campaign. Current version is 2.2.3-Nova, now. The main change is the inclusion of the newer Bastet model that was posted earlier.
Of course there were also some other bugfixes and additions that were mentioned on Discord.
Be advised, that the Semi-Automatic Installation method now contains only an outdated version with 2.2.2-Nova. The next Nova Upgrade All-in-One Installer will be released at the beginning of November 2019. Until then you can use the manual download to update the existing installation.

Changelog:
2.2.2-Nova -> 2.2.3-Nova
• Replaced the Bastet model which was based upon Inferno: Classic with a Bastet, that is based upon the previously unreleased better model from Inferno: Alliance.
• There was a bug in "Avenging Angel" that could make this mission unsolveable under specific conditions.
• A recommendation was added to "Hit and Run".
• In "La Ruota della Fortuna" one message got its right sender and another message was changed. Also there are some new events to make the Eva more dangerous. Aswell there were some coordinates changes for Eva and Malthusa due to the new and so bigger Bastet.
• Changed credits in "Endgame".
« Last Edit: October 09, 2019, 04:42:51 am by Novachen »
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 
Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
I believe one of biggest reasons for a lack of cap ships in FS1 and FS2, was limitations of the engine and what people's PC's could run in the late 90's.

...

Meaning, no turning back now.

You opened the door, you got us used to the idea of more than 4 ships in both the T and V Navy.

Now, now you must pay for your sins and flesh out their stellar Navies.

For once down the path of better immersion, forever will it dominate your destiny.

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
2.2.3-Nova was a somewhat of sloppy update.

The new model of the Bastet had another name for the dock point which makes "Hit and Run" not possible as a ship is required to dock with it.
Also i simply overlooked another SEXP that caused the same error as another one. So the bug in "Avenging Angel" was only half fixed in 2.2.3... now it should work finally :).
But the original intended way in this mission was reinitiated as a requirement for the medal in this mission nevertheless :).

New additions are two updated Models that got a reskin.

Changelog:
Quote
Version 2.2.4-Nova
• A new textured GTCr Akula.
• A new textured GTI Lycaon by Nyctaeus.
• There was another bug in "Avenging Angel" that could make this mission unsolveable under specific conditions. Because i fixed them now, there is an additional debriefing stage aswell changed requirements for the Medal in this mission, which are intended to be closer to the original design of this mission.
• A spelling fix in "Hit and Run".
• Fixed the invalid docking point order in "Hit and Run" for the Amphion.

Currently this update is only available as a manual install because of three or maybe four reasons:
The Semi-Automatic Installer is planned to be updated only at a start of a month. So next week.
Knossos is currently not working for me, except for Non-FS2 stuff and it crashes if i want to "reinstall" FS2.
But also because i want to reorganize Nova Upgrade: FreeSpace Port and FreiRaum: FreeSpace Port into two seperate mods on Knossos like i did it with manual/semi, during the next couple of days. That would mean, that WhatIf will also get different dependencies. Reason for that is simple, it seems to cause big confusion, what is needed to be installed if someone want to play it only in english.
Also it seems, that Knossos does not keep the same loading order as i had it on the developer's end aswell i had with wxlauncher due to the different folders. So i have to change some file names exclusively for Knossos anyway.

As long as i get able to run it with FS2 again, of course.

But atleast i think about it, to bring my upgrades also to FSOInstaller, which would be also another installation method. The more alternatives, the better.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2019, 02:30:03 pm by Novachen »
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 

Offline SF-Junky

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
What a funny coincidence. I just got my ass up to give this and all my campaigns another major facelift, including speed adjustments for fighters and bombers. Actually, I started this already last year but then lost pace again.

And there is even the adacious plan to ever finish Storm Front: Episode III. :nervous:

Novachen, would you be in to help me with that?

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
Novachen, would you be in to help me with that?

Due to the upgrade i feel myself responsible for What If and Storm Front too now.

And even i still have many other projects on my to-do list, i always try to have time for the already released projects if there is something the matter :).

So, sure. I will try to help if this is within my capabilities.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2019, 09:22:52 am by Novachen »
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 

Offline AdDur

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War
"The file you are trying to view (What If: Another Great War (2.2.4-Nova) - WhatIf-2.2.4-Nova.7z) uploaded by Novachen has been deleted and is no longer available."

Any chance to bring manual download back?

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: [RE-RELEASE] What If: Another Great War - Classic Remastered Edition
2.2.6-Nova -> 2.2.7-Nova Changelog
• MediaVPs 4.3.X compatibility.
• Fixed a directive bug in "The Glass Demon".
• A wrong referenced special effect was fixed.
• Wrong referenced nameplates in "Avenging Angel" and "Big Bang" were fixed.
• Restored some sound effects that were deleted accidentally in the clean up of the last version.

There is still no manual download, sorry :(.

I have still way too much personal issues to sort out.
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
Former Global moderator in the German FreeSpace Galaxy Forum.
Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.