Hard Light Productions Forums

FreeSpace Releases => Mission & Campaign Releases => Topic started by: shiv on March 24, 2025, 07:49:17 am

Title: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on March 24, 2025, 07:49:17 am
(https://i.imgur.com/JCZJIR4.png)


It is 2334, and the Terran-Vasudan War rages on. The PVE is preparing to launch a major offensive in the Antares system, and as a new pilot within the GTI ranks, you are tasked with assessing and containing this threat. Little do you know, greater schemes are unfolding in the shadows, as traitors conspire to end the war on their own terms.

Download:
(https://fsnebula.org/static/kn_download.png) (https://fsnebula.org/mod/tss)

Features:
- 15 missions
- An additional interactive epilogue mission
- Full AI-based voice acting
- New weapons and ships fitting the late T-V War period
- Beautifully rendered CBAnims by Mjn.Mixael
- Extra music tracks from ShadowOfLight's FreeSpace Soundtrack Expansion Project

Personal note from the author:
After disappearing from the FreeSpace community for over 10 years without a word, it wouldn't be fair to return empty-handed. So, I present to you The Sixth Seal: my personal love letter to FreeSpace 1 and Silent Threat: Reborn. I hope you'll have as much fun playing it as I did creating it.

Special thanks to everyone who helped with playtesting, consulting, and contributing brand-new assets:
- Colt
- Goober5000
- Nyctaeus
- Envoybane
- ShadowsOfLight
- Fusion
- Mobius
- Mjn.Mixael

Full credits list (warning! - spoilers)
Spoiler:
## Playtesting and consulting:
* Colt
* Goober5000
* Nyctaeus
* Envoybane
* ShadowsOfLight
* Fusion
* Mobius

## Writing assistance:
* Fusion
* Mobius

## Command briefing animations
* MjnMixael

## Weapon effects
* Inferno Alliance
* Inferno Nostos
* Earth Defense Dump
* Blue Planet Complete
* Jessnec
Recolored and adjusted by Shiv

# Weapon models
* Weapon models from Inferno Nostos
* Siren by MjnMixael
* Djinn by TheDagger
* ED Dump
* FSPort MediaVPS [reskins]

## Models
* GTB Danaus - Nyctaeus, based on HTL Zeus texture by Vasudan Admiral
* GTB Euryale - Nyctaeus
* GTF Antaeus - Woomeister, upgrade by Nyctaeus
* GTC Vanir - Nyctaeus, based on HTL Hades textures by Vasudan Admiral and TC Morana by c914
* GTCa Sagittarius - Nyctaeus and collaborators, based on original model by Ryx
* PVB Chensit - Original by Galemp, rework by Nyctaeus based on HTL Isis texture by Oddgrim.
* PVC Petbe - Model by Blowfish, texture and conversion by Black Wolf, retexture by Nyctaeus
* GTI Endymion - Model by Axem, texture and conversion by Black Wolf
* PVI Abydos - Black Wolf
* Modular construction kit - Black Wolf
* Constellation - Black Wolf
* Elder Derelict - Original by Woomeister, HTL by Nyctaeus
* Keyship - AF Kato, model by Esarai, texture by FreeSpaceKing
* PVT Qeb - Galemp
* Comm Faustus reskin - Nyctaeus
* Recovery Chronos reskin - Nyctaeus
* TAC reskins - Nyctaeus
* PVG Oasis - Nyctaeus, based on original design by Galemp

## Music:
* Shadows Of Light
* [Art of silence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V-pYCGx0C4)

## Skyboxes
* Antares, Ribos, Ikeya, Gamma Velorum, Ross 128: Nyctaeus

## Planets:
* Earth Defense Dump
* The Babylon Project
* MjnMixael

## Audio effects:
* HL-17 - Mixed by Nyctaeus

## Others:
* Mainhalls - MjnMixael
* Chensit hud icon - TVWP

Screenshots

(https://i.imgur.com/FxOdeIB.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MXVHLaV.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/SBoNuQD.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/5TJgYOG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/r18lVy1.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/1zr8box.png/[img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/zo06TID.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/nXc2kVA.png)
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: Goober5000 on March 24, 2025, 10:34:26 pm
Awesome work.  Excited to see this released!
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: 0rph3u5 on March 26, 2025, 05:15:17 pm
- Full AI-based voice acting

Is that an integrated feature, or is it possible to opt out of that?
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on March 26, 2025, 07:06:05 pm
- Full AI-based voice acting

Is that an integrated feature, or is it possible to opt out of that?

For now, it's integral, but I can push an update with alternate missions containing simple message beeps if enough people request such a feature. In the meantime, you can also mute voices in the game settings. However, the initial feedback on Discord was positive, as I put some effort into making sure those voice lines sound good, so just try TSS as it is :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: Goober5000 on March 26, 2025, 11:59:56 pm
For now, it's integral, but I can push an update with alternate missions containing simple message beeps if enough people request such a feature.

You could create a separate "voice" package in Knossos and move all the voice files into that.  Then you could mark the package as Recommended but not Required.  You wouldn't need to modify the missions.
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: Nohiki on March 27, 2025, 01:04:12 pm
- Full AI-based voice acting

Is that an integrated feature, or is it possible to opt out of that?

For now, it's integral, but I can push an update with alternate missions containing simple message beeps if enough people request such a feature. In the meantime, you can also mute voices in the game settings. However, the initial feedback on Discord was positive, as I put some effort into making sure those voice lines sound good, so just try TSS as it is :)

Not sure if it is still a thing, but actually adding a beep sound used to nuke text-to-speak, so... don't? XD
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on March 27, 2025, 08:31:17 pm
I've just uploaded v1.0.1 with optional voice package. It should work well with text-to-speak. Enjoy :)
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: 5thAce on March 30, 2025, 12:18:09 am
Just want to say that, that was an amazing experience! Terran-Vasudan war campaigns are few and far between, so this definitely scratched an itch I've had for a while. Shield-less combat is tough to pull off without it feeling unfair, but you've managed to do it. Allowing support ships to repair up to 60% was definitely the way to go. Those AI voices are really getting good, where did they come from?

Spoiler:
Did the portal in Gamma Velorum really lead to the supposed Shivan home system? Or was that just a misnomer on the part of the Ancients?

Also

Spoiler:
Seems like the Bosch line of alcoholic products is a favorite amongst both Vasudans and Shivans.
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on March 30, 2025, 04:35:30 pm
I'm glad you had a great time playing TSS :) I hope you had fun finding all those little references to FreeSpace 1 and ST:R ;7

Those AI voices are really getting good, where did they come from?
It's a mixture of ElevensLab original voices and FS1/FS2 voices.

Spoiler:
Did the portal in Gamma Velorum really lead to the supposed Shivan home system? Or was that just a misnomer on the part of the Ancients?
Spoiler:
I want Gamma Velorum to appear in a future project(s). I don't want to spoil it by answering your question if such project ever comes to fruition.
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on April 06, 2025, 04:41:46 pm
I've just published v1.0.2, which adds extra hitpoints to the Kepler station in Mission 3. This update also includes excellent writing by Mobius on Terran defections to the PVE—and vice versa. It's worth updating just for the outstanding read.
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on April 08, 2025, 03:01:35 pm
I've uploaded v1.0.3 with a fix for max oclk speed for the GTF Antaeus. Redirecting power to engines had no effect in previous TSS versions. Now the player should be able to fly 70m/s on full engines power.
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: Solatar on April 12, 2025, 12:45:44 pm
Really enjoyed this! The mission design and writing both scratch that "classic" FS itch in style.

The voicing sounds really good, too. Hits all the right nostalgia spots, and makes it feel like it fits in with FS1 and ST:R. Love all the other little tie-ins (even Admiral Shima).

The shieldless combat is really well balanced, and the new equipment fills its role while not feeling overpowered. Large battles without shields feel survivable and fun to engage with.

Spoiler:
I knew as soon as R&D started firing on the player there was going to be a "Homesick" style ending. Really well done in the last mission - it tied really neatly into FS1.

Blasting Shivans with the Vindicator was also very satisfying.
Title: Re: RELEASE: The Sixth Seal
Post by: shiv on April 17, 2025, 02:45:57 am
Thanks! I put a lot of effort into making those shieldless missions feel right, so it’s awesome to hear you’re enjoying them :yes:
And, saying it hits the nostalgia just right is probably the best compliment I could get as an FS1 fan! :D