Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: admiralxgmx on March 27, 2009, 11:44:31 pm

Title: Other Descent games.
Post by: admiralxgmx on March 27, 2009, 11:44:31 pm
I see you have Descent FreeSpace 2 forums and files, but what about the other Descent game?



- = expansion pack
Descent series
Descent
-Levels of the World
Descent II
-The Vertigo Series
-The Infinite Abyss
Descent 3
-Mercenary
Descent IV
Descent FreeSpace: The Great War
-The Silent Threat
-Darkness Rising
Descent FreeSpace 2
Descent to Undermountain
Descent Maximum
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Dark Hunter on March 28, 2009, 01:22:55 am
A few corrections:

-Descent IV doesn't exist.

-Hadn't heard of Undermountain, but after a bit of research that looks like a different game universe, not part of the Descent series. Using the graphics engine does not a part of the series make.

-The name of the game is Freespace 2, only the original had "Descent" in the title, and even then that was just the American release due to trademark reasons. Officially, the Freespace series and the Descent series are different, and do not have anything in common (beyond being developed and produced by the same people that is).

To answer your question, while many of us have played and enjoyed the Descent series, this forum is first and foremost about the Freespace series.

By the way,
:welcomeblue:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: blackhole on March 28, 2009, 01:47:42 am
Descent IV should exist >C
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on March 28, 2009, 02:13:59 am
Descent IV will exist...eventually.

Fixed? :nervous:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Galemp on March 28, 2009, 10:24:54 am
Try SectorGame on the External Sites link at the top. There's also a bunch of other Descent sites that have D1/D2/D3 mods and missions. We really are Freespace focused here.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: admiralxgmx on March 28, 2009, 11:31:37 am
Actually Descent 4 is currently in development by Interplay.  After Interplay recovered from their bankruptcy, they put a message on their website saying that they will be making Descent IV.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Aardwolf on March 28, 2009, 03:51:50 pm
Link to message, or I'm calling shenanigans.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Dark Hunter on March 28, 2009, 07:16:48 pm
I believe he's referring to Interplay's message in which they said they'd be expanding their old franchises, and listed Descent among them. I don't think they explicitly said that Descent IV was in development though.

On the other hand, the fact that they reregistered Descent's trademark is rather telling...
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: admiralxgmx on March 28, 2009, 09:17:21 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descent_4
http://s1.zetaboards.com/ClanGM/forum/798700/
http://www.videogamer.com/news/interplay_confirms_plans_for_mdk_and_decent_sequels.html
http://www.planetdescent.com/site/articles/asrale/9-11-00-asrale-volition.asp
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6182846.html?tag=result;title;0
http://www.interplay.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=42
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on March 28, 2009, 09:56:33 pm
PlanetDescent is probably one of the best Descent fansites out there. Even better, Mongoose is one of the webmasters. :drevil:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on March 29, 2009, 02:23:20 am
Not "webmaster" so much as "guy sitting mostly apathetically by as the site barely remains held together by duct tape." :p
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on March 29, 2009, 03:19:54 am
Heh.

You haven't checked the last e-mail I sent you, right? ;)
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on March 29, 2009, 01:37:16 pm
Depends what it was about. :p
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on March 30, 2009, 06:14:20 am
Depends what it was about. :p

I was some old e-mail I sent...what, last year, I think, about ripping the actual Credits music from Descent 3 instead of using Sound Recorder to record it.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on March 30, 2009, 05:32:39 pm
It probably got lost somewhere in the sands of time.  Though given the current state of PD, there probably isn't much of a point in resurrecting it at the moment. :p
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on March 30, 2009, 10:55:49 pm
I'd like to keep this thread alive, but it's in the wrong board. Can somebody move it to Gaming Discussion? :nervous:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: CP5670 on March 31, 2009, 05:29:23 pm
I guess this thread was the only useful one he created. :p

I'm playing through a bunch of custom Descent 2 level packs right now, through D2X-XL.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on March 31, 2009, 09:24:45 pm
Two days ago, I converted all the music from Descent 3 from OSF to WAV format and sent it over to my Mac. Since then, I've made the game renditions of Failsafe, Thirteen O, Pink Slip and Conveyor. I know that Jerry Berlongieri made the HQ versions and passed them over to PD, but I don't really like those.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: chief1983 on April 06, 2009, 10:47:32 am
I'm probably the only one in the community who actively reads Interplay's SEC filings, and I can say with some certainty that they haven't made any specific mention of working on a Descent franchise game currently, nor have they 'recovered' from their bankruptcy.  Although it looks like Microprose is investing in them now and trading some game franchises and cash for Interplay stock (yes that's right, Microprose, although it's not quite what you would think).
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on April 07, 2009, 03:05:02 am
When you say "Microprose", I automatically think "RollerCoaster Tycoon". My next thought is, "How could it be so bad?". :blah:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Fury on April 07, 2009, 04:01:30 am
Rollercoaster Tycoon? BAH! Master of Orion 1 and 2 should be the first games on your mind when Microprose is mentioned.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: chief1983 on April 07, 2009, 10:15:49 am
MOO?  Seriously?  What about Falcon 4.0?  Or just look at the list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MicroProse_games).
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Inquisitor on April 08, 2009, 01:53:25 pm
If I could get Gamespy to transition the site credentials to someone other than me or TBird, you could have PD Mongoose :)
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: castor on April 08, 2009, 03:31:34 pm
Rollercoaster Tycoon? BAH! Master of Orion 1 and 2 should be the first games on your mind when Microprose is mentioned.
Mkay... but
(http://www.ntrautanen.fi/computers/commodore/images/c64/silent_service.jpg)
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: redsniper on April 08, 2009, 05:16:39 pm
First thing I thought of was X-COM.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on April 08, 2009, 05:46:47 pm
If I could get Gamespy to transition the site credentials to someone other than me or TBird, you could have PD Mongoose :)
Ah, so you still have access to the back-end of things?  That's actually good to know.  I'm kind of embroiled in some attempted back-and-forth with GameSpy's support people to try to get a handle on what's been going on.  If you feel like it, maybe you could pop by the staff forum and take a look.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Inquisitor on April 08, 2009, 07:04:58 pm
Actually I don't, thats part of the problem.

I need to get Tbird to pay attention long enough to reset my password, not been able to log in for months, and that train wreck of a forum is missing some critical functions :(
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on April 08, 2009, 09:13:32 pm
Ah, I see.  Yeah, even when you put the bugs aside, the forums are somewhat of a cobbled-together mess.  It's gotten to the point where a few of us were talking over the ramifications of jumping ship from GameSpy, but I'm hoping that these communications with their support manage to get us somewhere.  At this point, I'd almost settle for getting more people admin access, since I don't think Thunderbird is able to do even that much at the moment.  I'll try to flag him down about your password, at any rate.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Scooby_Doo on April 08, 2009, 11:18:46 pm
First thing I thought of was X-COM.

Lightspeed was the first in my mind.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on April 09, 2009, 03:36:53 am
My first thought was Silent Threat.

By the way, Descent 3 was rated Teen by ESRB, right?
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on April 09, 2009, 04:05:56 am
By the way, Descent 3 was rated Teen by ESRB, right?
To the best of my knowledge, yes.  In fact, I think all of the games (or at least a re-release of the first two) carried that rating.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on April 09, 2009, 09:40:51 am
Oh dear.

I started playing it when I was eleven. :p
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 01, 2009, 02:06:35 am
:bump:

I'm just stunned at the similarities between the GTF Autolycus (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTF_Autolycus):

(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Gtfautolycos.jpg)

...and the Magnum-AHT:

(http://www.3dfx.ch/gallery/d/29839-2/Magnum+AHT.jpg)

Flipside, did you model the Auto off the Magnum or what? :wtf:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: BloodEagle on May 01, 2009, 07:41:32 am
:bump:

I'm just stunned at the similarities between the GTF Autolycus (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTF_Autolycus):

*snip*

...and the Magnum-AHT:

*snip*

Flipside, did you model the Auto off the Magnum or what? :wtf:

 :wtf:

They're similar in that they have wider backs than fronts, and blue tinted impact glass.

You're seeing things that aren't there.  :ick:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Charismatic on May 01, 2009, 01:50:29 pm
Descent IV will exist...eventually.

Fixed? :nervous:

In valve time that is. So eventually=never.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Commander Zane on May 01, 2009, 03:46:34 pm
:bump:

I'm just stunned at the similarities between the GTF Autolycus (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTF_Autolycus):

*snip*

...and the Magnum-AHT:

*snip*

Flipside, did you model the Auto off the Magnum or what? :wtf:

 :wtf:

They're similar in that they have wider backs than fronts, and blue tinted impact glass.

You're seeing things that aren't there.  :ick:
I see a basic similarity in the silhouette, and the canopy color, but that's about it, but it does look like it could look more like the Magnum with more modifications to the shape.
Pyro GX is the best looking anyway, to hell with the rest of the Descent ships.
Especially the Pyro GL! :hopping:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 02, 2009, 12:03:52 am
The GL was pretty okay, but I liked the Magnum more because it could hold more missiles.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: CP5670 on May 02, 2009, 01:00:43 am
I liked the Magnum in singleplayer for the same reason. I used the GL in multiplayer though, at least until they released the somewhat unbalanced Black Pyro (essentially a GX) with Mercenary.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 02, 2009, 03:32:34 am
There are some very experienced D3 pilots who tweak their settings such that they can fly a Magnum almost as well as a normal pilot would with a Pyro.

The Black Pyro was pretty cool, but it only has a shield rating of 0.99 compared to the Pyro-GL's 1.00. This means that, while a Pyro-GL can survive getting hit by Smart Missile spew with 100 shields, a BP needs more than 100, otherwise it is toast.

The Phoenix is a deathtrap on multiplayer maps like Burning Indika 3.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: BlueFlames on May 02, 2009, 08:35:01 pm
Quote
There are some very experienced D3 pilots who tweak their settings such that they can just plain know how to fly a Magnum almost as well as better than a normal pilot would with a Pyro.

1)  Triple-chord
2)  Triple-Fusion
3)  Victory

It's been too long since I last played....
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 02, 2009, 10:19:10 pm
Reminds me of that pilot called behemoth. I usually see him on Burning Indika 3.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on May 02, 2009, 11:14:28 pm
It's been too long since I last played....
I only played for the first time in a very long while a few weeks back.  It's amazing how quickly the rust manages to slough off, though.  I've never been what anyone would call a great player, but I was getting my share of kills again in no time.  I need to get back in again one of these days.

(Just wish I was that optimistic about what's going on at PD...)
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 02, 2009, 11:23:08 pm
/me checks PD.

Cease funding? That doesn't sound good...

By the way, Mongoose, you do know what my screen name on PD is, right?
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on May 03, 2009, 02:08:35 am
I did, and probably do in general, but at this late hour, no, I don't. :p

And it's not "funding" at all, so much as it is...well...I don't really know what it is.  Which is why I'm waiting to hear from someone who hopefully does know.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Lucika on May 03, 2009, 07:01:16 am
Actually Descent 4 is currently in development by Interplay.  After Interplay recovered from their bankruptcy, they put a message on their website saying that they will be making Descent IV.

A glimmer of hope?
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: CP5670 on May 03, 2009, 11:54:52 am
Quote
And it's not "funding" at all, so much as it is...well...I don't really know what it is.  Which is why I'm waiting to hear from someone who hopefully does know.

Interestingly, Gamespy is still technically hosting HLP (http://www.3dap.com/hlp). :D

A glimmer of hope?

They haven't actually said that. They listed Descent among three or four series that they want to develop a sequel to, if they can secure enough funding.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 03, 2009, 12:12:44 pm
I did, and probably do in general, but at this late hour, no, I don't. :p

I used to post under the screen name Altiris. That was also my pilot name on multiplayer.


Interestingly, Gamespy is still technically hosting HLP (http://www.3dap.com/hlp). :D

Really? I just did a check and I saw this:

(._. )

...before being redirected to Warpstorm.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: CP5670 on May 03, 2009, 01:01:57 pm
Yes, that's what I meant. :D Gamespy has not deleted the site altogether.

Are people still playing D3 online? The descent3.cx tracker is down but when I last checked it, I didn't recognize any of the maps from when I used to play a lot, in 1999. It would be fun to get back into it though.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Fury on May 03, 2009, 01:08:08 pm
...Why does the link redirect to Warpstorm? :wtf:
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Lucika on May 03, 2009, 01:22:30 pm
A glimmer of hope?

They haven't actually said that. They listed Descent among three or four series that they want to develop a sequel to, if they can secure enough funding.

No, I meant a hope for FS3 in long-terms, since Interplay is back again.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on May 03, 2009, 02:08:48 pm
Are people still playing D3 online? The descent3.cx tracker is down but when I last checked it, I didn't recognize any of the maps from when I used to play a lot, in 1999. It would be fun to get back into it though.
Yeah, there are still quite a few die-hards playing, depending on what time of the day/week you look.  The D3.cx site works fine for me at the moment, but a better option in general is the fan-made program Vortex (http://www.slyclan.de/), which integrates a server list and IRC functionality.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: CP5670 on May 03, 2009, 03:34:19 pm
Are people still playing D3 online? The descent3.cx tracker is down but when I last checked it, I didn't recognize any of the maps from when I used to play a lot, in 1999. It would be fun to get back into it though.
Yeah, there are still quite a few die-hards playing, depending on what time of the day/week you look.  The D3.cx site works fine for me at the moment, but a better option in general is the fan-made program Vortex (http://www.slyclan.de/), which integrates a server list and IRC functionality.

I see it now, I was typing in the address wrong.

Not many levels I recognize though, and most of the servers are just playing basic anarchy. Where's Halfpipe, Quadsomniac, Steel Vapor, Veins and all the other good stuff from the old days? :p Still, I need to try it out at some point. This was one of the best multiplayer games ever IMO.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on May 03, 2009, 04:11:36 pm
A few of those get some server time every once in a long while, depending who requests what from one of the community's server ops.  I can honestly say that I haven't spent much time in any of those despite having been playing for several years now, except for the fairly popular Veins variant Varicose Veins.  Skybox, Abend 2, and Burning Indika 3 have been (for better or worse) anarchy standbys for a long time now.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: CP5670 on May 03, 2009, 05:03:27 pm
I mainly played D3 online in the six months or so following its release. Most servers were running the stock Outrage level packs back then, and Kataclysmica was the only custom map that was played regularly. I remember seeing Animosity and Burning Indika as well, but they weren't that common.

I don't think anyone ever played the Mercenary B-side levels much though. It's a pity as they were quite cleverly designed, although the Batteries Included one was too big for any normal game.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Mongoose on May 04, 2009, 04:15:21 pm
I don't think anyone ever played the Mercenary B-side levels much though. It's a pity as they were quite cleverly designed, although the Batteries Included one was too big for any normal game.
There's been the rare server up over the years, but they definitely don't get much playtime.  You're right in saying that Batteries Included is way too big for any normal amount of players...though it might be fun if you could manage to cram a server with a full 32-player roster.
Title: Re: Other Descent games.
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on May 04, 2009, 10:54:17 pm
I actually did try Batteries Included twice on multiplayer. It would've been much more fun if there were 20 players instead of 4.

I've never seen a server that had 32 players in it. The most I ever saw is 20, and that was on Vericose Veins Guardian.

The last time I played D3 multiplayer, the levels that I usually see in play are: Skybox, VVG, BI3, Vamped, Subway and Halcyon. There were also one or two Co-op servers set up as well, probably due to me expressing my displeasure at no Co-op servers. The turnout was surprisingly good despite Co-op being bugged.