[Anti]

I just got this game yesterday and got very excited whilst I waited several hours for FS2Open to download.
So first of all, a big thank you to everyone who has improved the game and made it so easy to install.

0)
I got the following errors. Are they important?
If so, how can I fix them without downloading the whole thing again?

Installation Notes for Multiplayer Missions IMPORTANT NOTE: There was an error while installing this section. You may need to run the Installer again in order to ensure that this section works correctly.

Post-Installation Notes for Shivans IMPORTANT NOTE: There was an error while installing this section. You may need to run the Installer again in order to ensure that this section works correctly.

Post-Installation Notes for Twilight IMPORTANT NOTE: There was an error while installing this section. You may need to run the Installer again in order to ensure that this section works correctly.

1)
I downloaded this game because I liked x-wing alliance, and this sounded like it had better graphics and gameplay.
I tried the FSPORT mod first. Am I correct in saying that the graphics have NOT been improved for this mod, but that it just allows people to play the original FreeSpace1 game using a FreeSpace2 installation?


FYI, I then tried the MEDIAVPS mod, and can now see the improved graphics in the training mission.

2)
Is it possible to play this game with a mouse and keyboard, rather than a joystick?

3)
I'm using a spanish keyboard and many of the keys are not mapped properly. Also, my laptop does not have the keypad keys. Does this mean I have to clear all defaults and reassign them all one by one, or is there a config file to choose spanish layout?

4)
You know the yellow 'space station' model in the second  training mission? Is that old or new graphics? When I got close to it, I was disappointed by its size, poly count, and the texture quality. In x wing alliance, this was always terribly disappointing and I had hoped that FreeSpace be better.

5)
I've heard this game referred to as a dying genre. Why has no-one done the totally obvious thing and made a 3D version of this type of game (where you have to wear 3D glasses to play it)? In 3D, with a large flat screen, and DirectX10 graphics, I'm sure this kind of game would be incredible.

Thanks.

[The E]

0)
I got the following errors. Are they important?
If so, how can I fix them without downloading the whole thing again?

You will need to install those things manually. Note that they are absolutely optional, and in no way required to enjoy the game.

1)
I downloaded this game because I liked x-wing alliance, and this sounded like it had better graphics and gameplay.
I tried the FSPORT mod first. Am I correct in saying that the graphics have NOT been improved for this mod, but that it just allows people to play the original FreeSpace1 game using a FreeSpace2 installation?


FYI, I then tried the MEDIAVPS mod, and can now see the improved graphics in the training mission.

The stock FSPort is indeed just a straight port of FS1 to the FS2 engine. To get the improved version, you need the fsport-mediavps mod, which the installer should have installed.

2)
Is it possible to play this game with a mouse and keyboard, rather than a joystick?

Yes, absolutely. Just make sure that you enable the mouse in the options menu.

3)
I'm using a spanish keyboard and many of the keys are not mapped properly. Also, my laptop does not have the keypad keys. Does this mean I have to clear all defaults and reassign them all one by one, or is there a config file to choose spanish layout?

Unfortunately, yes. Unless some of the other Spaniards in here (there aren't many that I know of) can help you out.

4)
You know the yellow 'space station' model in the second  training mission? Is that old or new graphics? When I got close to it, I was disappointed by its size, poly count, and the texture quality. In x wing alliance, this was always terribly disappointing and I had hoped that FreeSpace be better.

Be aware that not all models have been upgraded to match current standards. Most are, but there are still holes in the lineup, so every now and then, you're going to get retail models. The new textures etc should make them look better, though.

5)
I've heard this as referred to as a dying genre. Why has no-one done the totally obvious thing and made a 3D version of this type of game (where you have to wear 3D glasses to play it)? In 3D, with a large flat screen, and DirectX10 graphics, I'm sure this kind of game would be incredible.

Thanks.

Problem is that, as FreeSpace 2 demonstrated, Space Sims just don't sell. Space Sim/Trade Sim hybrids like X3 are very, very niche products.

[Anti]

Thanks for your reply!

> To get the improved version, you need the fsport-mediavps mod

Ah, I see. I need to select the fsport-mediavps folder rather than the fsport folder


> You will need to install those things manually

OK, thanks. Can you elaborate on what 'those things' are?
I've no idea what the 'twilight' and 'shivan' "sections" are.
Also, any pointers toward how to manually install just those three sections?

Cheers!

[The E]

Multiplayer pack can be found here: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=45919.0

Twilight here: http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.425

Shivans! here: http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.261

[Jeff Vader]

Also, any pointers toward how to manually install just those three sections?

http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Installing_Mods_for_FS2_Open#Installing_a_mod

[Anti]

Wow, great help. Thank you.

Maybe you can help with these two questions too (LAST ONES, I PROMISE!):

1)
I want to have the pdf manual open on one monitor for reference, and the game on my main monitor.
To do this, I'd need to run the game in windowed mode rather than full screen.
-window works as a flag, but the window is very small.
Any idea how to get the game to play in a resizeable or larger window?

2)
The manual and Google have both failed me with regard to 'thrust up/down/left/right' controls (which don't seem to do anything) and what the 'glide when pressed' button does.

Thanks.

[The E]

The window size is based on the resolution you play at, if you choose 1024x768 in the Launcher (which you should always use to start the game), the window will be at 1024x768.

[Anti]

Ah, thanks.
When I changed mod it reset the launcher to Direct3d and 640x480

Any idea about Q2 (the thrust and glide controls)?
Also, I'm having trouble with panning the external views; my mouse works, but not the buttons I've allocated.

Cheers.

[The E]

"glide when pressed" only works on ships that have glide enabled in their tables; None of the FS2 ships use this. To see it in action, play The Babylon Project.

Same goes for the thruster controls, although there are two ships in FS (the Dragon and the Mara) who have thrusters, most don't.

[Anti]

Ah.. thanks!

[el_magnifico]

3)
I'm using a spanish keyboard and many of the keys are not mapped properly. Also, my laptop does not have the keypad keys. Does this mean I have to clear all defaults and reassign them all one by one, or is there a config file to choose spanish layout?

Unfortunately, yes. Unless some of the other Spaniards in here (there aren't many that I know of) can help you out.

Maybe I can help him. Where does the game stores the key bindings?

[Anti]

Gracias por tú oferta de ayuda!

But I just cleared the default bindings and entered my own.
It wasn't as difficult as I thought, because most of the keys are not very important.
I'll add more complex keys as I progress through the game.

The only small difficulty is that in the set-up screen, the symbols still display wrongly.
So for instance, my ñ key displays as ; and = displays as '
There are about a dozen symbols that don't match up.
It's no big deal though - it just makes setting up and learning the keys a little tricky.

By the way, I'm not Spanish; I just moved to Spain a while ago!

[The E]

Key bindings are stored in the pilot files.