Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Flaser on June 03, 2003, 07:57:32 pm
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This was already mentioned before but I think the thought should be given more consideration.
The SCP is on the verge of pulling together the frame for the next reincarnation of Freespace, while the community seems to have picked up on refining 'V's work.
This is all good and nice, but won't bring back FS unless the greater public is told of it as well.
Hyping HLP everywhere was an idea - but I'll guess only a limited number of gamers will be reached.
Sending the whole stuff to a magazine was another idea - what I propose here is the discussion of the pacage that would contain all the best FS in general has to offer.
Since FS1 is still being sold worldwide, but FS2 is not, maybe - very strong maybe - Iplay may agree to a re-release of the game in some gaming magazines for cheap money.
It was done with FS1, so they may go with FS2 as well - a huge maybe - a dual release.
The other is to send the HOTU version - which is as far as I know is completly legal - to some magazines.
The catch would be the inclusion of the best campaigns the community has managed to create so far along with the most stable SCP with the most to offer *I think of 3.5 hammer me if I'm wrong*.
So it's time for suggestions:
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Well, we need to be careful about space limitations... don't want to fill up the whole coverdisc, now do we?
Maybe getting the original FS2 demo on there, plus perhaps a promo movie for the SCP and HLP (All the freedom of an open source project, and an international community creating new mods and campaigns!) would be publicity enough. Let people know what an awesome game this is and how it's got so much potential for expansion.
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Originally posted by GalacticEmperor
Well, we need to be careful about space limitations... don't want to fill up the whole coverdisc, now do we?
Why not? Not like it hasn't been done before. :drevil:
****, even an article in PCG would be nice. And I don't think it's as hard as it sounds, I see player mods featured in there all the time. ( Granted they are in the back sections and such, and for more famous games, but still).
And Flas, you forgot to add the (just get them FS2 and the SCP for now)
Doing something like that would essentially be rereleasing FS2, and we don't want to cram a bunch of campaigns down everyones throats overwhelming them and making them think it's all canon. First FS2 in all the glory we can get it should be redistributed, then if this even remotely works, show/hand them the campaigns.
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Putting up the FS-Port would be a major plus IMHO, because it could reveal the entire universe - and FS1 is canon after all...
Now if we could upgrade the mainhalls and have I-no-play to put on the mve-s as well...
/To self / Ah...keep dreming loony boy!
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Sorry, I meant yes Port, Yes SCP, no campaigns. You don't have that option. :p
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no offense inteded to anyone, but I tried out the FSport and its not uhm...hw do I say this gently...well after that I guess I dont need to say anything, you get my point
However yes, difinatley, along with a *BUG FREE* version of SCP and some of the campaign demos, such as BWO, and others, dont know which ones but I guess thats cause I dont follow the campaigns big-time
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I know, but I'm no mod...
Anyway - what I talk about is not nessecarily a cover disc - most of the gaming magazines around this part of the world sell with a separate game!
I thougt of offering FS2 for them - since FS1 was already released like this.
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Originally posted by Rictor
no offense inteded to anyone, but I tried out the FSport and its not uhm...hw do I say this gently...well after that I guess I dont need to say anything, you get my point
However yes, difinatley, along with a *BUG FREE* version of SCP and some of the campaign demos, such as BWO, and others, dont know which ones but I guess thats cause I dont follow the campaigns big-time
Rictor, FS1 was a lot slower paced, so I don't see what's the problem.
On the other hand the Port definitly needs the support of its own media files - music for instance.
CB anis, and full voiceover ect.. However it would be tricky to ship that with the Port as well, since I:hopping: is still selling it, and they would bite our head if we just gave away those files.
I'd insist a little change of focus - beside speaking of the release's impact we should actually create a list of good campaings that should go with it.
My list
- Derelict
- Aeos Affair
- Boomerang
- Twillight - the release what I saw was very good at atmoshpere
- LM3 - with all the data, the flying thruster debris should be fixed though in the avi-s
- BWO demo
- :D - Unification War if the team manges till then
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*makes note that someone has actually played LM3*
How the hell HAS NOONE mentioned TBP R2 yet. We've got something that's the biggest thing in the community yet, the Counter-Strike of Freespace, only free and better! I'd have taken the liberty of speaking to the PCG guys myself, but I couldn't contact Icefire nor the PCG guys.
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Originally posted by Stunaep
How the hell HAS NOONE mentioned TBP R2 yet. We've got something that's the biggest thing in the community yet, the Counter-Strike of Freespace, only free and better! I'd have taken the liberty of speaking to the PCG guys myself, but I couldn't contact Icefire nor the PCG guys.
Because generally speaking the TBP guys live in their own little world and have minimal contact with the rest of the FS community. Their interest is rooted in it being a B5 mod. Ours is rooted in liking the game.
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Originally posted by Stunaep
[BHow the hell HAS NOONE mentioned TBP R2 yet.[/B]
Cause I'd gone to bed :D I'm heavily of the opinion that anything of this sort should include TBP because it will draw in people who wouldn't usually play FS2. There are a lot of B5 fans out there who haven't realised there is such a high quality B5 mod out there.
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I suggest that you all start claiming who you're going to send an email to (so we don't get duplicate/similar emails sent to the same address, which would look sloppy and unorganized), and send away. Don't limit it to PCG - send to any gaming magazine or online gaming site that would feature community produced packages of classic games.
And don't offer them anything - no "would you carry FS2 on the coverdisc" stuff. ASK them if they would consider doing an article or spot on the thriving FS2 community, and represent yourselves as active members speaking on behalf of the center of the FS2 community - HLP. But make sure not to misrepresent yourselves at the same time, m'kay? Use sound judgement and speak truthfully about who you are... perhaps sneaking in a Project Leader title here and there if you are one.
Oh, and make sure before you send the email that you have it spell/grammar-checked by someone who has good spelling and grammar, please. :)
Lastly, don't try to pimp your hosted project. Pimp HLP, pimp the activity here, pimp the large number of projects, but keep it general. Saying that there is a "campaign where the terrans return to earth only to find the shivans there and the have a bg battle" is lame, m'kay? If you must get to specifics, something along the lines of "The FS2 community has a number of total conversions underway, such as B5, Star Wars (perhaps it'd be best not to mention SW though, what with LucasArts' stance on community SW stuff), Homeworld, etc, as well as dozens of full-fledged campaigns building upon the rich universe presented in FS1 and 2, with some continuing the plot where FS2 left off while others are fleshing out previous periods and events in the FS universe."
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Here's a link to one of the major australian gaming publications...
(and believe me they are HUGE)
http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au
you might want to tell them too...
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Originally posted by Turnsky
Here's a link to one of the major australian gaming publications...
(and believe me they are HUGE)
http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au
you might want to tell them too...
I'll o it if you don;t want to Turnsky - Now that Steaks gone I'm probably the most active Aussie FSer on the board (project wise) - kinda scary hey?
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go for it...
and steak will be back soon....
you see.... he can't resist this place for too long....:p
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Originally posted by Turnsky
go for it...
and steak will be back soon....
you see.... he can't resist this place for too long....:p
Particulalry not if he sees it in PC power Play :) - will email as soon as I find an addy :).
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Hold on a bit there. I dont think we should just "send away". I think there should be a good compilation, representative of the best we've got. The there should be an installer or a simple way to install the file for those who dont know how FS modding works. This has got to be more organized the just "send away"...
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i think he meant to tell PCPP(and other mags) about the SCP... to drum up interest(and support)
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Good idea, is now the right time though?
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now thats the real question ladies and gentlemen...
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Originally posted by Turnsky
now thats the real question ladies and gentlemen...
From the code point of view it would be better to wait a bit.
From the MOD's point of view I guess it would be cool to have new people interested.
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It's not about the SCP specifically, or any MOD specifically - it's about an FS/FS2 community still thriving after 5+ years, and wanting new blood and wider awareness. :) Also to let people know that the game can now be downloaded for free. ;)
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well, showing half done and buggy stuff sure won't bring people in.
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and you think all we have is a buggy SCP?
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No, no I didn't mean to contact PC-Gamer alone or anythign...
What I meant was to contact local computer magazines focusing on the gaming aspect of the industry in and ask them for an article about HLP and our projects, pluss some of our stuff on their disc(s).
It's my personal belief that we should make one package, but make it high-quality release that can be internationally refered to.
Rictor made a very essential note:
All the campaign and SCP should be shipped in user-friendly format, to support even the beginer users.
If we could upgrade the present mod-support - probably through the use of an outside laucher - would present a good solution.
All campaigns should be VP packed.
Venom made another good point:
It should speak of quality, rather than quantity.
As for the MODs:
-TCs or Total Conversations should be packed separetly to avoid confusion
-TBP should be a separate release, or entierly separate part of the package, but it should be hyped, for it could bring a whole buch of people
-Only FS-canon MODs should be placed into the package
About campaigns:
-Only campaigns that fall into the general FS-canon (this would be discussed a lot I guess) should be entered
-They have to be de-bugged and made user-friendly
-They have to be voted as top-notch. People shouldn't be able to vote on their own project, but the number of developers involved should be taken into account
My suggestions for the campaigs:
-Derelict
-LM3
-BWO demo
-FS Port - with media support
+TBP
+Apocalypse Project - if they pull themselves together by then
We shoudl also demand a front-page title - even mentioning us on the front page could be enough.
We should also compile a document to introduce the projects.
Project leaders should be taken for an interview, and those could be assembled to create the backbone of the whole essay.
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Originally posted by Flaser
No, no I didn't mean to contact PC-Gamer alone or anythign...
What I meant was to contact local computer magazines focusing on the gaming aspect of the industry in and ask them for an article about HLP and our projects, pluss some of our stuff on their disc(s).
It's my personal belief that we should make one package, but make it high-quality release that can be internationally refered to.
Rictor made a very essential note:
All the campaign and SCP should be shipped in user-friendly format, to support even the beginer users.
If we could upgrade the present mod-support - probably through the use of an outside laucher - would present a good solution.
All campaigns should be VP packed.
Venom made another good point:
It should speak of quality, rather than quantity.
As for the MODs:
-TCs or Total Conversations should be packed separetly to avoid confusion
-TBP should be a separate release, or entierly separate part of the package, but it should be hyped, for it could bring a whole buch of people
-Only FS-canon MODs should be placed into the package
About campaigns:
-Only campaigns that fall into the general FS-canon (this would be discussed a lot I guess) should be entered
-They have to be de-bugged and made user-friendly
-They have to be voted as top-notch. People shouldn't be able to vote on their own project, but the number of developers involved should be taken into account
My suggestions for the campaigs:
-Derelict
-LM3
-BWO demo
-FS Port - with media support
+TBP
+Apocalypse Project - if they pull themselves together by then
We shoudl also demand a front-page title - even mentioning us on the front page could be enough.
We should also compile a document to introduce the projects.
Project leaders should be taken for an interview, and those could be assembled to create the backbone of the whole essay.
Not to put a damper on things, but I think you're jumping the gun. Planning ahead is a Good Thing, yes, but first step is to see if anyone responds to a requet of nerds addicted to a 5+ year old game to run a story about that 5+ year old game and its following. Let them come haunt the forums for a few weeks, let them ask us if we could have this and that packaged for them - they're the one who will best know what they can and can't feature. Besides, different mags will undoubtably want different stuff - if anything at all. Personally, I'd be quite pleased if just one magazine responded by running an 2-3 paragraph article and no featured front-page or coverdisc anything. After all, there's no complaining about free coverage, is there?
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All true and well said.
On the other hand we should have our version as well, we can't just tell them what we want, because they might not get it right.
We have to have a version of the whole release, so we can easly modfy that for requests.
I don't disagree with you, all I mean is, that we have to have a position for discussion.
Agreeing on a package is one thing necessary for that.
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Organising a simple package of what to get is a good idea anyway. At the moment any newbie to FS2 has to first get the game at HotU (cause they will be lucky to find it retail) then they've got to find the files to make the voice work (My FAQ will help with that but they've got to find it first!). They they've got to figure out the best mods to try which usually means a post here or on VWBB where everyone first screams Deralict at them and then pimps their own (often half finished) campaigns at them.
What would be nice would be a checklist of stuff to get with links on where to get it and links to places like HLP, VW and my FAQ so they know where to go when they have questions.
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well pcpp has a forum.... someone could mention it there... hmm.. is there a website for the SCP?
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lets wait a while, for the SCP to get a good stable build and for some more campains to come out
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good idea.... bring all those who might be interested a complete product...
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I repeat again, it's not about a product, it's about a community working on that project, and others. How often do you first hear about a new game when it arrives on shelves?
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I think TBP and LM3 and a free d/l of FS2 are enough to get the attention of "Estonia's biggest PC magazine".
*opens Outlook 2002*
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Oh Great, that's exactly what we need. More estonians :rolleyes:
Just Kidding Stu :p... What we really need is more Aussies
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lemme see.... how many aussies are out there?
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Originally posted by Turnsky
lemme see.... how many aussies are out there?
more than french, that's for sure :p
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Hmmm - Me, You, Vasudan Admiral, Admiral LSD, Pegasus V, Max, Steak, Icespeed, JFK and a few others whose names I don't recall precisely...
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me too
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anyone emailing any Dutch guys?
i migh try PU, but if you guys will do it, fine by me.
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Originally posted by Flaser
+Apocalypse Project - if they pull themselves together by then
Don't force me to smite you :ick:
Originally posted by Flaser
Project leaders should be taken for an interview, and those could be assembled to create the backbone of the whole essay.
That I can agree with, but it shouldn't just be limited to the project leaders. Some staffers should also be thrown into the pot on this one.
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Originally posted by kasperl
anyone emailing any Dutch guys?
i migh try PU, but if you guys will do it, fine by me.
You mean PC Zone?
If so we should contact them in the countries they sell there mag. Like the UK, Belgium and Holland, there are proberly more but this is all i know.
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Originally posted by Darkage
You mean PC Zone?
If so we should contact them in the countries they sell there mag. Like the UK, Belgium and Holland, there are proberly more but this is all i know.
He meant Power Unlimited (Which suck IMO)
(Please note the IMO before you start bashing)
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i'll start composing a email to Power Unlimited, no the best, but a nice mag. and AFAIK one of the biggest out here.
edit:
guys, how's this?
Beste Power Unlimited redactie,
Om te beginnen wil ik jullie een compliment geven over jullie blad, ik moet nog een abonnement nemen, maar ik koop jullie blad bijna elke maand. Ik wilde jullie graag vertellen over de community van het spel Freespace 2, wat na al die jaren nog steeds veel gespeeld en vooral veel gemod wordt. Nu de broncode door Volition is uitgegeven word er hard aan gewerkt door een relatief groot aantal programmeurs, en er is al veel bereikt, zoals DX8, glowmaps, meer mogelijkheden om missies te maken e.d. ook zijn er al een aantal grote mods uit voor dit spel, sommige compleet met voice-acting en 30+ missies. Het spel is nu ook gratis te downloaden op http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=4150 . Dit is geen warez, maar abandonware, en dus voor zover ik weet niet illegaal.
De community is te vinden op http://www.3dap.com/hlp/ en de forums op http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/forums/index.php?s= . Nou zou deze community heel erg dakbaar zijn voor elk beetje publiciteit, en zouden wij het erg vinden om vermeld te worden in jullie blad. Nog mooier zou het zijn als jullie een coverdisk konden maken met Freespace 2, de aangepaste broncode en enkele mods. Dat zou wel heel erg mooi zijn en we durven er haast niet op te hopen, maar toch.
groeten, namens de hele community, Kasper loopstra
sorry for those that don'tspeak Dutch, but i thought i should coordinate it with the rest.
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Originally posted by kasperl
i'll start composing a email to Power Unlimited, no the best, but a nice mag. and AFAIK one of the biggest out here.
edit:
guys, how's this?
Beste Power Unlimited redactie,
Om te beginnen wil ik jullie een compliment geven over jullie blad, ik moet nog een abonnement nemen, maar ik koop jullie blad bijna elke maand. Ik wilde jullie graag vertellen over de community van het spel Freespace 2, wat na al die jaren nog steeds veel gespeeld en vooral veel gemod wordt. Nu de broncode door Volition is uitgegeven word er hard aan gewerkt door een relatief groot aantal programmeurs, en er is al veel bereikt, zoals DX8, glowmaps, meer mogelijkheden om missies te maken e.d. ook zijn er al een aantal grote mods uit voor dit spel, sommige compleet met voice-acting en 30+ missies. Het spel is nu ook gratis te downloaden op http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=4150 . Dit is geen warez, maar abandonware, en dus voor zover ik weet niet illegaal.
De community is te vinden op http://www.3dap.com/hlp/ en de forums op http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/forums/index.php?s= . Nou zou deze community heel erg dakbaar zijn voor elk beetje publiciteit, en zouden wij het erg vinden om vermeld te worden in jullie blad. Nog mooier zou het zijn als jullie een coverdisk konden maken met Freespace 2, de aangepaste broncode en enkele mods. Dat zou wel heel erg mooi zijn en we durven er haast niet op te hopen, maar toch.
groeten, namens de hele community, Kasper loopstra
sorry for those that don'tspeak Dutch, but i thought i should coordinate it with the rest.
Nice nice!:yes:
en zouden wij het niet erg vinden om vermeld te worden in jullie blad.
Thats the only thing you shoudl ad.;)
EDIT: Use the same thing for PC Zone. Better then writing each game mag a diferent version.
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Translation, please?
*awaits the inevitable link to Babelfish* :rolleyes:
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Originally posted by Black Wolf
Hmmm - Me, You, Vasudan Admiral, Admiral LSD, Pegasus V, Max, Steak, Icespeed, JFK and a few others whose names I don't recall precisely...
Wazzzup? :)
Yeah, kasperl, an English translation would be really nice. :nod:
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I think that equally as important as the magazine releases would be website coverage. I am certain that getting an article on Gamespy and/or IGN and/or Gamespot and/or Bluesnews and/or VE3D and/or the dozens of other gaming websites out there would do wonders for the community. I think that a media awareness blitz would be good, where all the letters and **** are sent out at once. As someone mentioned, it might be a bit presumptous to send them an email saying "This is what we want you to print, now do it". But certainly, along with the "Hey we're still alive, maybe you wanna check us out" letter should be a link to a compiled zip (or rar or whatever) of the best stuff we've got. That way, we ensure that the best is represented. If they have to complile the files themselves then they will be more likely to a) not want to include the files, due to the extra work, and b) might not include the best, most complete stuff we've got to offer.
I really think that this is an idea worth doing right, and in my opinion (I may be entirely wrong) sending a few sporadic, seperated emails and such wont do the trick.
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Once again I simply have to agree with Rictor.
A canon of best things should be voted, interviews and presentations collected, only then should magazines be approached with a defined, and refined idea.
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ookayday, while you here have been arguing on what to get published, where and when, I have gone and spoken with the Computerworld (estonia's biggest PC magazine) editor-in-chief, and he promised to publish a small story concerning FS. Speak about it's availability in the internet, and mention the best mods and where to get them.
thank you for your attention.
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:cool: :yes:
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Looks like things are finally picking up on pace.
A thousand thanks for the initiative Stunaep.
Now we do have to come up with something good, that will get the readers attention...I don't mean good writting since it won't be us, but good data to pass on.
BTW Sandwich could you sticky this thread?
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'atta boy:nod: :nod:
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Originally posted by Shrike
Because generally speaking the TBP guys live in their own little world and have minimal contact with the rest of the FS community. Their interest is rooted in it being a B5 mod. Ours is rooted in liking the game.
Hrmm... Whatever. :rolleyes:
*goes back to his little world*