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General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: LoneKnight on August 07, 2011, 10:39:53 am

Title: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: LoneKnight on August 07, 2011, 10:39:53 am
Title says it all. FRED 1 was released with Freespace 1 in 1998. Did a strong modding community develop prior to Freespace 2, or did things mostly take off following FS2?
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Snail on August 07, 2011, 10:48:06 am
It existed but it wasn't as big as it is now. There are actually a huge number of old FreeSpace 1 campaigns out there, but none of them were really anywhere near retail-quality. There were a couple highlights, like Destiny of Peace and Awakenings, which are the only ones really remembered. Modding-wise, there were a couple new models for FreeSpace (almost all of them by a guy called "Dark"), but most mods were just reskins.
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Trivial Psychic on August 07, 2011, 12:02:23 pm
I wonder, if  :v-old: had known back then how much longevity their platform and story would have, would they have abandoned it?
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: 0rph3u5 on August 07, 2011, 01:03:20 pm
I wonder, if  :v-old: had known back then how much longevity their platform and story would have, would they have abandoned it?

:v-old: never abandoned FS... there was an interview earlier this year with folks from :v-old: during which a line dropped like: "It [FS2] was the greatest game we ever made, but it was only marginally profitable"
They simply had to bow before the imperatives coming from the market at that time - and Interplay as publisher ... well Interplay...


However it makes me wonder if the state of affairs isn't one of the things responsible for growing this community to what it is now...
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Unknown Target on August 07, 2011, 06:33:50 pm
I honestly think it would be best if V started a new space combat IP. I don't see why they have to stick with FS, in all honesty I think it'd be better if there never was an FS3.
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Dragon on August 07, 2011, 06:46:06 pm
Indeed, I think that some sort of indirect continuation to the story would be a great idea. They can't outright state the new title takes place in FS universe, but they can drop enough hints and fit it into continuity well enough that everybody will assume this anyway.
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Sushi on August 07, 2011, 07:47:46 pm
There most definitely was a modding community. The first version of the Velocity Mod was for FS1... :)

I honestly think it would be best if V started a new space combat IP. I don't see why they have to stick with FS, in all honesty I think it'd be better if there never was an FS3.

Agreed 100%/

Indeed, I think that some sort of indirect continuation to the story would be a great idea. They can't outright state the new title takes place in FS universe, but they can drop enough hints and fit it into continuity well enough that everybody will assume this anyway.

Why bother, though? Why limit your story options when you're starting fresh?
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Dragon on August 07, 2011, 07:50:26 pm
I meant something like references to FS in Red Faction, or how Pathways Into Darkness, Marathon and Halo tie into each other (though maybe with less mind screw, considering the last Matrathon...).
This shouldn't really limit storyline possiblities too much.
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: LoneKnight on August 07, 2011, 07:53:42 pm
Well, V does seem to include Ultor as antagonists in most of their games. Are they mentioned anywhere in FS? Maybe as a developing company for ships?
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: Bobboau on August 07, 2011, 10:21:05 pm
no, Ultor was first mentioned in RF

and yeah, FS1 is where the modding community started, it flowed fluidly into FS2. part of the reason FS2 had such a modding kick to it was all of the tools were already well developed for FS1, it took about a year for them all to get ported over the FS2, but it would have taken twice as long had the work not started with FS1.
Title: Re: -- Was there a Freespace 1 Modding Community before FS2? --
Post by: MatthTheGeek on August 08, 2011, 08:13:39 am
The fact that the FS2 engine is mostly an upgraded FS1 engine is the main reason the FS1 modding community moved directly to FS2 when it came out. You can't say the same, for example, for HW1 and HW2.