Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The FRED Workshop => Topic started by: Raiden on July 26, 2005, 07:40:11 pm

Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Raiden on July 26, 2005, 07:40:11 pm
Hey guys, I've been wanting to get into all this user-made campaign stuff, but I couldn't find my copy of Freespace 2 until now. It's always in the last place you look!

Anyway, I basically need an idiots guide to downloading and installing these campaigns, as frankly, I am an idiot. So please, patronise and poke fun all you want. As long as I get to play some more goddamn Freespace.
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Nuclear1 on July 26, 2005, 07:50:02 pm
Well, you came to the right place. ;)

If you're looking for pure retail campaigns, I would suggest Derelict (http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/derelict), if you're ready for a challenge, or Deus Ex Machina (http://www.geocities.com/ipw47/dem.html) if you're looking for a good laugh.

Some other campaigns of worthiness include:


As for installing campaigns, most of the campaigns already come in their own VP files, which are as simple as copy/paste or extract into the Freespace 2 folder, where they do all the work for you. As for the ones that don't, simply copy/paste into the correct data/* folders (ex. missions in data/missions).

Hope this helps. Have fun with Freespace, and, as soon as you feel ready, check out the Source Code Project on this same forum as well. ;)
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Raiden on July 26, 2005, 08:06:55 pm
Ah, tre' helpful, my man! Thanks very much, didn't realise it was so simple. I guess my new Freespace addiction starts here...
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Nuclear1 on July 26, 2005, 08:08:15 pm
Welcome to my world... ;)

And no problem. If you need any help in the future, just ask. That's what HLP and the Campaign forum is here for.
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Raiden on July 26, 2005, 08:15:38 pm
I do have another question actually, I'm not sure if it belongs here but I'll ask anyway. I've seen loads of screenshots posted here of Freespace lookin' mighty fine, finer than the retail edition, which is what I have. I'm talking about those nice shockwaves and the rest of the good stuff. Is that the Source Project? Do I need to download it to play the campaigns or anything?

Cheers!
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Nuclear1 on July 26, 2005, 08:21:46 pm
That is SCP indeed. It is only required for certain campaigns (such as Sync, Transcend, Fall of Epsilon Pegasi, etc.) because their designers implemented new Source Code abilities or graphics into it.

If you want a more detailed list, you can check the FS/FS2 Campaigns List (http://fs2.kissifrot.com). Everything is designated as to whether it requires SCP or not.
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: Kie99 on July 26, 2005, 08:22:20 pm
Most campaign require the Source Code Project, check the article about it in The Freespace Wiki (See my sig.)
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: pyro-manic on July 26, 2005, 08:47:23 pm
If you can run it, then I'd highly recommend using FS_Open (SCP) over  retail. :) The extra effects and coding really adds a lot to the experience. Have fun!
Title: Where Should I Start?
Post by: karajorma on July 27, 2005, 02:25:11 am
If you do install FS2_Open I highly reccomend you make a seperate folder for each campaign within your Freespace2 folder and install as if that was your Freespace2 folder.

i.e VP files for Trancend would go in Freespace2\Trancend
loose files (not in a vp) would go in Freespace2\Campaign name\Data rather than Freespace2\Data.

If you install in this manner you can swap between two campaigns with the click of a button and you no longer risk the danger of two campaigns corrupting, displacing or deleting each others files (This was a problem that plagued Retail).