(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/newsletterheader.png)
Novemburrrrrrrrr... So cold, especially here in Canada. Let's try to stay warm as we go through what happened on HLP last month.
*Makes hot chocolate*
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/campaignnews.png)
One of the grand daddy campaigns of FreeSpace got a facelift thanks to SF-Junky. Derelict is here (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85745.0) for 3.7.0. Get your duct tape ready as you embark on those 60 some missions as you fight pirate shivans. Or so I'm told.
Speaking of immense grand daddy campaigns, Inferno has been delayed... to another summer. (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=83460.msg1717389#msg1717389) As unfortunate as it is, we don't come away empty handed... check the modding section for some sweet stuff.
Other than that... nothing super new here. Just make sure you keep up to date with the frequent updates on Frontlines (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85256.msg1714910#msg1714910), Shetland, (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85125.msg1713932#msg1713932) and maaaaybe Just Another Day (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=84738.msg1714622#msg1714622) if you can stand pink text.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/codingnews.png)
Introducing the newest member of the elite newsletter team, our coding correspondent, niffiwan!
I thought I'd help Axem out with his new coding news section, let's see if he'll want me back after this attempt :nervous:
To start with, here's a list the new features which have been committed to trunk in the last month. These will all be in the latest Nightly Build (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?board=173.0) which are posted (for Windows at least) each day that there is a change to the trunk code (yes, even if the change doesn't affect Windows :)). So check it out if you're feeling brave or are developing mods, or if you just want to help with testing. Just remember that the nightlies also have the latest bugs as well as the latest features (but hey, it's better to find bugs in a nightly build than in the next release!)
New features!
- Added a scripting function for drawing offscreen indicators - zookeeper
- Added (lots!) more support for ships that change their cockpit orientation in flight (*cough* Bwing *cough*) - zookeeper
- Scripting: Access to the CargoSize of a weapon class - m!m
- Scripting: Access to the AltName of a ship class - m!m
- Scripting: Access to the actual capacity of a weapon bank - m!m
- Scripting: Access to the callsign of a ship - m!m
- Scripting: Access to the alternate ship type of a ship - m!m
- Scripting: Access to the maximum velocity of a ship with respect to its engine energy level - m!m (I'm hoping to see all these scripts used in the next JAD ;7) (ed: :) )
- add copy-variable-from-index and copy-variable-between-indexes SEXPs - Goober5000
- Scripting: Add a function to check if a ship is in the field of view of a turret - Admiral MS
- Allow setting of background and mask bitmaps for the medal case - Goober5000
- WebUI-based standalone/dedicated server code for all supported non-Windows platforms (WIP documentation (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/FS2_WebUI_Standalone)) - Eli2
- Allow secondaries to cause shudder effects through use of the Shudder flag - Axem
- Add SEXPs & script access for ETS getting & setting - niffiwan
- Add custom sound for SSM strikes - X3N0-Life-Form
Apart from features there's been more bugfixes, support for XCode5 on OSX, refactoring work from Goober5000 to remove some sharp edges from the codebase (memset/memcopy on STL structures can be really *bad*, m'kay?), z64555 is continuing to bring wxFRED2 closer to reality, and lastly, some bugfixes as reported by Coverity (for those that are interested, Coverity is static code analysis tool which helps the SCP find bugs in the codebase, and should lead to a more stable game. Huzzah!)
It hasn't been committed yet, but zookeeper has done some awesome work with model shield points (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85849.0). What does this mean? Basically you can customise a ships shields to account for non-symmetrical models, or to have different numbers of shield segments (like fore & aft from the Xwing/TIE fighter series). The thread has a lot more info, so go take a look at it. The patch is just waiting on a code review before being committed to trunk, so if you know how to review code, be doubly sure to take a look! (it's only a 52kb patch...)
There was an interesting discussion regarding improved CapShip AI (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85777.0). It seems that Admiral MS has already coded some of these ideas for his RTS mod (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=81590.0) and the patches in the process of being reviewed. I know I'm looking forward to seeing these features committed to the FSO codebase, smarter Capships will be very cool!
Lastly, there was also a discussion (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85766.0) about having multiplayer hosting always use standalone server. Currently you can either host multiplayer in your own FSO game, or you can run a separate (Windows only) standalone server. The planned benefits are that it'll make the code simpler to maintain, and make it easier to test multiplayer, which should hopefully make multiplayer easier to maintain overall (it doesn't get a lot of love at the moment unfortunately). One step along the way to this is the new WebUI based standalone code submitted by Eli2. It only works on OSX/Linux currently, so it and the current Windows standalone code would need to be integrated, but it could be a sign of happier days for multiplayer in future. (fingers crossed)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/moddingnews.png)
Black Wolf's modelling contest has ended after a 2 week extension, and the results are... (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85944.msg1717449#msg1717449)
Overall Winner: GVfM Duat by Oddgrim
Shivan Division: SFg Beelzeboul by fightermedic
Vasudan Division: Oddgrim could only win once, so no actual winner!
Terran Division: Tie: UEFf Murugan by Esarai and GTI Europa by Shivan Hunter
Newcomer Division: GVB Ammit by Lepanto
Congrats to the winners! I've got some real fun plans for some of the models used! I'm just really sad I couldn't come up with something for this. Oh well, maybe next time.
Also check out the mission that fightermedic (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85882.0) made that uses all of the modelling contest ships!
Releases
Anyway, like I was saying before, Inferno has some goodies for us. (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85754.0) Redone Vasudan fighters for us to enjoy! 3 fighters, plus the 2 bombers previously released, perfect for filling up the Vasudan fleet in those billion Vasudan campaigns we're all making... right?
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/Mihos_zpsf75c3fda.png)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/Ennead_zps013d5773.png)
BlackWolf threw together a pair of neat ships, both for his Frontlines campaign. The Vasudan Carrier, Ramses (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85875.msg1716349#msg1716349) and the Terran Bomber Mars (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85905.0) (a kitbashed GTB Rhea and with team colors thanks to fightermedic). Isn't it great how these fine campaigns are releasing their ships before the campaign releases?
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/marsbomber.jpg)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/ramses.png)
Lepanto has finally released his (winning) GVB Ammit for the contest! (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=84916.msg1715455#msg1715455) Huzzah and hurrays! Comes with some free missiles too!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/ammitbomber.jpg)
Likewise for the contest, esarai tossed out his (winning) Murugan frigate (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85695.msg1715436#msg1715436), ready to throw hundreds of railgun shells at Shivans and anyone else that looks at it the wrong way.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/murugan.png)
Works in Progress
bobbtmann continued his work on the Corellian Corvette (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85598.msg1715075#msg1715075), even getting a texture on it.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/corvette.png)
Col Hornet's got some updates to his GTF Hydra (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85353.msg1716075#msg1716075) (the heavy Ezechiel/Nyx). Nice beginning on that cockpit there!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/hydra.png)
whitearrow's Frigate has some cool updates. It's real hard for pictures to do it justice, so check out the p3d in the first post! (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=84699.msg1691601#msg1691601) But I'll try with this front shot with all those railguns.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/heavyfrigatewhitearrow.jpg)
Steve-O's got some awesome pics of the Durga/Saracen's cockpit and weaponry. (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=81513.msg1715418#msg1715418) You go, Steve-O!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/sarcenN.png)
New Stuff
Okay, maybe not so new to people who keep a close eye on the #bp channel on IRC, but the first public pictures of the new GTD Raynor-inspired upgrade, the GTD Erebus by Aesaar (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85900.msg1715884#msg1715884) has been shown off (but not released... yet)! This will eventually replace the Raynor from BP and anyone else that want's a half battlestar, half star destroyer, half shivan-ass kicking machine.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/erebus.jpg)
Everyone loves the Serapis... right? Well, maybe you will like it more with TheDagger putting together an amazing HTL version! (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85858.msg1716035#msg1716035)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/htlserapis.jpg)
What's more ugly than a TIE fighter bolted to a Y-Wing? (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=84639.msg1716405#msg1716405) I don't know, let's not tempt zookeeper to find out.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/tyewing.jpg)
DahBlount has a new destroyer in the works, the GTD Nuadha. (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85771.msg1714543#msg1714543) It looks to boast a mega beam cannon of some sort, which are always so fun! It's also got the beginnings of a texture on it!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/nuadha.jpg)
Billy Pilgrim's got some neat stuff with cockpits and the RTT panels. Merging the RTT cockpit with the cockpit frames of the fighters, it makes each fighter look a lot more unique. It also makes you notice those annoying cockpit braces!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/valkcockpit.jpg)
starbug has begun work on the GTC Bellephron from Inferno (not to be confused with the GTCv Bellephron by Stratcomm). He's got a great start to it and I can't wait to see more!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/bell8.png)
Lepanto, fresh from his success in Vasudan designs, goes off building a Shivan frigate, the SFg Geryon! (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85835.0) Looks like a twisted mechanical space demon. In other words, Shivan.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/geryon.jpg)
AndrewofDoom has a fighter for his own mysterious race. (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85822.msg1715325#msg1715325) The inspired design from Thunder Force and Stellar Assault seems a little simple right now, but lets see how it changes with a texture!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/andrewfighter.jpg)
headdie's got some gunship action going. The Vega gunship is perfect for populating your civilian shipping lanes, it just needs a quick coat of paint!
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/vegaheaddie.png)
Overachievers Unanonymous
Scooby's got his usual pair of new ships (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=52678.msg1715692#msg1715692) in the works, the heavy bomber Ballista and the heavy fighter Stalker.
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/scoobyballista1.jpg)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/2013/11Nov/scoobystalker2.jpg)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/campaignspotlight.png)
0rph3u5 has asked that the spotlight of his campaigns be delayed a bit. No point in picking another campaign this late in the game, so enjoy this kitten video as a substitute.
NEXT MONTH'S CAMPAIGN: The last campaign spotlight of 2013! Let's close off with something special... Uh... Windmills? (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=62062.msg1224198#msg1224198)
Sure..! Lets try that!
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by mjn.mixael
Last month's theme was Asteroids. There were very few entries, but they were all quality. It was a tough choice. The winner is...
Axem with this jaw dropping race between the asteroids.
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8093/rwo1.jpg)
The_E's godray 'roids were my favorite right until Axem posted his... so any complaints can go to Axem!
Screencap Scoreboard:
ssmit132 - 1
X3N0-Life-Form - 1
FreeSpaceFreak - 1
mjn.mixael - 1
Belisarius - 1
MatthTheGeek - 1
knossosfs2 - 1
Betrayal - 1
Aesaar - 1
Axem - 1
No frontrunner yet... just about anybody could be crowned for the year! So, here's your next chance...
.
..
...
November's theme is '2013 Modelling Contest'. Any shot of the new ships or stations submitted in the contest are eligible this month.
Watch those HUD gauges (especially that sneaky FPS gauge) and check out the Screencam Script (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=82173.0) to help you win a badge and bragging rights. You can see the rules and the previous winners here on the Wiki (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Screencap_Contest).
(Ed: I honestly tried to make mjn rethink (http://pastebin.com/dGPtkzzr), but he's gone rogue! Somebody stop him!)
(http://lazymodders.fsmods.net/hlpnewsletter/closingout.png)