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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gloriano on November 06, 2003, 07:27:03 am

Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Gloriano on November 06, 2003, 07:27:03 am: Quote

Enlight, a leading entertainment software developer and publisher, announced today that the highly anticipated space simulation game, X²: The Threat, has gone gold. A sequel to the Egosoft's award-winning X: Beyond the Frontier, X²: The Threat transports players back into the dynamic X-Universe where gameplay is completely boundless and a new race is introduced- determined to disrupt the harmony within the galaxy.

"We're very excited to announce the gold master release of X²: The Threat along with Egosoft," said Parrish Rogers, Enlight's executive producer of X2: The Threat. "The stunning graphics combined with the variety of in-game experiences X2 offers will be a thrilling experience for all types of players."

Expanding on the original, X: Beyond the Frontier, X²: The Threat allows players to construct a massive fleet of ships to aid them along whatever path they choose within the open-ended X-Universe. In addition to the opportunity to purchase any number of ships, the player can also pilot any ship in the fleet ranging from small, nimble scout ships to the large, powerful capital ships. Featuring the ability to define AI scripts, players will have complete control of their fleets as they roam throughout the vast areas of the galaxy and explore their own adventures.

"We're very proud of the hard work every member of our development team has put into X2: The Threat," said Bernd Lehahn, chief executive officer of Egosoft. "With X2, we have taken the intriguing aspects of the original and incorporated feedback from the gaming community to create a more compelling, unique experience in space simulation."

Additional features in X²: The Threat include:

State-of-the-Art Graphics Engine utilizing all the latest Direct X capabilities
Open-ended gameplay
Graduated learning curve allows for immediate action
Heart-thumping storyline and missions
Thousands of objects to interact with including stations, ships, a myriad of weapons, commodities to trade and different races with their own agendas and technologies
Experience the X-Universe and build an empire as a trader, bounty hunter, pirate, miner or a combination of them all
Published in the United States and Canada by Enlight Interactive Inc., X²: The Threat will be available on Windows PC, priced at $39.99 (U.S.). For additional information visit http://www.x2-game.com/.

(http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/pc/x2thethreat/x2_screen003.jpg)

(http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/x2thethreat/screens.html?page=111)
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Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: aldo_14 on November 06, 2003, 07:28:40 am: [sage] But is it any good? [/sage]
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Ashrak on November 06, 2003, 07:43:40 am: *looks for a place to get it*
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Styxx on November 06, 2003, 07:46:00 am: Interesting... Gotta try it out. Is there any demo?
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Gloriano on November 06, 2003, 08:57:58 am: there is only that rolling demo i think

here http://www.fileplanet.com/section.aspx?s=92157
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: ZylonBane on November 06, 2003, 10:00:57 am: Enlight? I thought they only made PC cases.

Anyway, screenshot looks nice, but too damn much crap cluttering up the view.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Carl on November 06, 2003, 10:08:24 am: this is good. space sims are few and far between these days amist all the mmorpgs. gonna d/l the demo when i get home from work.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Kazan on November 06, 2003, 11:36:12 am: that's ok X10: The Threat to web browsing[/i] came out a long time ago

nice screenie
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Gloriano on November 06, 2003, 12:18:43 pm: i think that must be nicest sun i ever seen in games
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Flipside on November 06, 2003, 12:22:49 pm: X2 is out in Feb 2004. I've been following the progress for months and it just keeps getting better and better :)

Flipside :D

(http://www.egosoft.com/x2/sotd1/(14).jpg)

I've linked to the Egosoft site, here, so if this is a problem, just delete the piccy link :)

Flipside :D
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Carl on November 06, 2003, 12:53:51 pm: hey! they have shine maps too! :D
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Carl on November 06, 2003, 12:56:08 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Holy Imperial Gloriano
i think that must be nicest sun i ever seen in games

I agree.

I hope it's not a background. I'd like be able to fly into it.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Styxx on November 06, 2003, 12:56:22 pm: Actually, those look more like actual bump maps...
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Carl on November 06, 2003, 12:57:37 pm: yes, but also shine maps.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Flipside on November 06, 2003, 12:59:56 pm: They are actual shine and bump maps and yes, the Sun is an object, there was a gorgeous model of a destroyed planet in X1. As for flying into it, well, you could probs point yourself towards it and leave the game running overnight, but the chances are pirates would get you long before you ever found out theres no collision detection ;)

Flipside :D

Thinking : With Phreaks background stuff we are not a million miles from being able to do a sun like that in FS2 :) - though not as an object, due to distance limitations.

Flipside :)
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: YodaSean on November 06, 2003, 01:08:51 pm: I saw this earlier, I'm definately going to get it. But the rolling demo only gave me like 15 fps with bump mapping on, I think I need to get a new video card too. The last time I bought a video card was to get freespace 2 to run better a few months after it came out :p

Quote

Anyway, screenshot looks nice, but too damn much crap cluttering up the view.

If you are referring to the windows on the top, I think it is possible to add and remove them. They can be used to keep track of your ships and factories, or whatever.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: ZylonBane on November 06, 2003, 01:49:12 pm: Even without the windows, the massive cockpit struts are just ridiculous. Fighters have had clear canopies for decades. Somehow I doubt they'll go away in the future.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Flaser on November 06, 2003, 01:52:30 pm: Looking at most recent SCP shots I have a feeling that the team's going to do smg. BIG.
Am I going blind or the shots start to resemble...
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Flipside on November 06, 2003, 01:55:07 pm: Quote
Originally posted by ZylonBane
Even without the windows, the massive cockpit struts are just ridiculous. Fighters have had clear canopies for decades. Somehow I doubt they'll go away in the future.

It was the only annoying part of X1, but they can be turned off.
Strange really that the possibility of adding cockpits the the SCP was being discussed about 6 weeks ago here :)

Flipside :D
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: aldo_14 on November 06, 2003, 02:07:17 pm: Quote
Originally posted by ZylonBane
Even without the windows, the massive cockpit struts are just ridiculous. Fighters have had clear canopies for decades. Somehow I doubt they'll go away in the future.

Different structural demands? Or just that big chunky cockpits are agood way of adding atmosphere?
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: ZylonBane on November 06, 2003, 02:09:17 pm: Meh. Atmosphere that gets me killed is atmosphere I can do without.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: 01010 on November 06, 2003, 02:48:39 pm: He's talking to you Venus.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 06, 2003, 07:09:39 pm: What, are you sitting still long enough that one of those struts creates a blind spot that an enemy can hide in? Are you that pathetic a pilot? Please. Quit whinging about the cockpit. It ain't real, and its almost certain it can be turned off. We already know the VDUs can be turned off.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Kamikaze on November 06, 2003, 07:16:05 pm: Wow, I was beginning to think Egosoft was dead a while back. Those are nice graphics. (Though I have a feeling I won't like the ship design)
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Ace on November 06, 2003, 08:01:58 pm: I personally like the I-War 2 suns since on average most of them seem bright enough to be a little more like real stars when close.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: ZylonBane on November 06, 2003, 08:19:47 pm: Quote
Originally posted by mikhael
What, are you sitting still long enough that one of those struts creates a blind spot that an enemy can hide in? Are you that pathetic a pilot? Please.
You're right, of course. Clear canopies are a complete waste of taxpayer money, a sop to spoiled fighter pilots. Cockpits jammed with struts and paned glass are every bit as effective to fly in. Continuous visual contact and spotting enemies from far away are grossly overrated capabilities.

Idiot.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 06, 2003, 08:25:38 pm: Ah, are we talking about reality again? I could have sworn we were talking about a video game.

Idiot.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Kamikaze on November 06, 2003, 11:21:38 pm: I guess I should stop you before the admins come to hurt you. Shut up, both of you. :p

Idiots.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: ZylonBane on November 07, 2003, 10:05:02 am: Hey, it's not my fault mikey is too pigheaded to recognize those occasions when real-life and video game considerations overlap. The fact that you're flying in space vs an atmosphere doesn't make the advantages of a clear canopy any less relevant.

"Who cares, it's only a videogame!" is the hobgoblin of little minds.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Styxx on November 07, 2003, 10:07:37 am: Okay, cool down. Both of you.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Fineus on November 07, 2003, 10:27:05 am: Getting back on topic, the game looks fantastic - I only hope the gameplay matches... the original X was way to slow moving and dull for my liking. If they can get a decent trade etc. system in there with IW2 combat going on from time to time... well, there'd be potential...
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Setekh on November 07, 2003, 08:04:07 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Flipside
X2 is out in Feb 2004. I've been following the progress for months and it just keeps getting better and better :)

Flipside :D

(http://www.egosoft.com/x2/sotd1/(14).jpg)

I've linked to the Egosoft site, here, so if this is a problem, just delete the piccy link :)

Flipside :D

:lol: Those are Bobboau's long engine plumes! ;)
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: TrashMan on November 08, 2003, 12:07:52 pm: X-Beyond the Frontieer was good...

X-Tension was better...

X2: The Threat will be :yes:
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Lightspeed on November 08, 2003, 12:20:17 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Holy Imperial Gloriano
i think that must be nicest sun i ever seen in games

really? i think it looks really, but really crappy.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Ulala on November 08, 2003, 12:28:47 pm: *Whistles with astonishment*
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: TrashMan on November 08, 2003, 02:05:04 pm: X2! X2! X2! .......
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Flipside on November 09, 2003, 08:43:49 pm: OH, those 'turbulent' suns are quite easy to do as BMP's if you can do fractal surfaces.....

(http://www.aqsx85.dsl.pipex.com/images/sun.jpg)

This can be done in other colours, this ones a bit overly black, but I'll work on it ;)

Flipside :D

Edit : Yes, and I'm showing off :D
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Nico on November 09, 2003, 09:01:34 pm: Quote
Originally posted by ZylonBane
Even without the windows, the massive cockpit struts are just ridiculous. Fighters have had clear canopies for decades. Somehow I doubt they'll go away in the future.

Are the ships in X2 fighters, to begin with?
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Flipside on November 09, 2003, 09:07:19 pm: Some were, some weren't, but I never had a problem with the cockpit getting in the way. I played x and xtensions, and the biggest problem was one that we can all sympathise to, the AI on most shipped sucked a great big peppermint.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Nico on November 09, 2003, 09:31:37 pm: that makes me want to reinstal Iwar2, too bad I can't play that on a laptop :(
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 09, 2003, 09:40:44 pm: I'm seriously considering replaying Iwar2 again while I wait for X2. I just don't know how much I'm going to enjoy it without a decent stick and throttle. :(
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: phreak on November 10, 2003, 09:18:58 am: i've always used a keyboard for i-war2. i'm a competent pilot i think
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 10, 2003, 10:40:27 am: Yeah, but Phreak, if you're used to a full HOTAS setup, going to keyboard or Keyboard-and-crappy-ass-gravis-garbage is hard to do. Its like... It like... going from a Ulysses to a Boanerges--or in this case, going from an AdPat to a Command Section. Keyboard and crappy stick or keyboard only feels like you're seperated from your ship. That's why I really didn't like Freelancer: that sense of disconnection, like you're not really in control.

I guess its a sort of control-based snobbery.:D
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: phreak on November 10, 2003, 10:57:36 am: heh. only if models coverted smoothly from FS2 to IW2. then there would be some REAL fun
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 10, 2003, 02:03:04 pm: The models will convert easily. ITs the beams and some of the missiles that won't convert.

Of course, no one wants to fly a Freespace ship with newtonian physics. (except you and me anyway)
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Nico on November 10, 2003, 02:10:44 pm: don't count me out :p
what about the maps in the conversions? the only FS2 ship I've seen, the apollo, didn't have maps.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: phreak on November 10, 2003, 02:24:25 pm: mik: the texture mapping gets screwed going from cob to lwo
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 10, 2003, 02:58:27 pm: Bah. That's a matter of reapplying the textures. You can't do simple, easy conversions. But conversions can be made.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Nico on November 10, 2003, 07:05:17 pm: said the man who never shown me a single pic of the Iwar2 version of my arcadia :D
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 11, 2003, 12:39:10 pm: It had issues, Venom. ;) Your Arcadia and I just don't get along.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: Nico on November 11, 2003, 06:35:57 pm: Well, I know :p
It was done for freespace2, so I had to use, mmh... some unspeakable ( :p ) tweaks to have it look fine and still work ingame :)
I would have to redo it, I'd do it completly differently.
Title: X2: Threat has gone Gold
Post by: mikhael on November 12, 2003, 09:23:47 am: Yeah, I've got more experience and wisdom now. I could probably make it work. If I was still doing any Iwar2 modding, that is.

Maybe I should get back into it.