[Edwin]

no, you can't fly capships, unless you cheat, but even then you can't controll the turrets

[Sphynx]

It sure is nice to see the new fans coming in. Welcome, one and all!

[aipz]

It's nice to know that TBP has even more fans out there!
This article is a good way to spread the TBP:yes:



If you have any questions first read through FAQ supplied with the game or the one on the project's website!

If that doesn't help - search the forums...
as many of these questions were answered there...

If your still confused than post your questions on the TBP forum and someone should give you the proper answer!

[IPAndrews]

Yes a hearty warm welcome to any new forum members or lurkers who got here via PC Zone. Better late than never

[mic of orion]

OK just tried Babylon 5 mod, it is great, one think though, it has one big flaw,  controls and weapons targeting, if you overcomplicate the game as this is an example, it would not become popular with gamers or with reviewers.

I tried and played raiders campaign, just started, and felt I had very little in a way of manageability or able to hit anything, whether this was done to cose ppl felt more realism, or something, don't know, but it is one major downfall in this particular game mod...  Had to reassign most of my keys and even than had trouble, I played Freespace 2 and this mod comes not even close to Freespace 2 manageability or controls, even thought it is based on same engine.

If you overcomplicate the game with such nonsense it want become popular other than B5 community, If this game is targeted only at B5 community, ...
I felt this game has loads going for it, and missions can be added as we go, but they want be fun if you don't sort this issue asp, and I don't know if I am the only one here, but to get great review in a computer mag or website you do need to have great game all round...

Mouse should not be used for shooting things but more often for more complicated manoeuvring or direct flight (as it is in Freespace 2), space bar and enter are good for shooting...

This are just small hints I found thus far, don't get me wrong I am great fan of B5 and this only reason I got this game in first place, but it is becoming clear to me it will not attract ppl unless this rather simple issues are resolved..

Sorry for slight criticism I know I am new to this forum, but I had to say it, cose game pised me off, I had spent like hour reassigning my keys, sorry I don't have 2 right hands to   fly and shoot at the same time... think of basic issues here..

[madaboutgames]

Keys are a nightmare in any 3d combat space sim.  The best method of control is a game pad.  I use a Saitek Rumble force pad which is excellent.  You can assign any keys to any buttons or axis.  With assiging the most used keys to the controller eg. movement, afterburners, fire, match speed, hostile target, freindly target etc you have all the most important controls there in your hands.  
Keys are a thing of the past as controllers now is a standard for any gaming wether it be pc or console.

If you find raider wars a bit hard then check out my tutorial/training campaign missions.  This should ease you into it with good direction and good tips in dogfighting.

[karajorma]

The keys are exactly the same as Freespace 2.

[Bobboau]

yeah, this mod mostly just removes all the origonal ships and adds all new ones, it was developed, and to a great extent still remains with all the code is exactly the same

[Mewgen1]

What controls have changed from regular FS2?   Mine seem to be configured identically, and I havent changed anything.  

As far as controllers go I would advise a nice 3-axis joystick.  Im still using my MS Sidewinder FF that I got back in the early 90's.  I dunno about everyone else but the annoying habit gamepads have of dividing the three axis amongst two sticks is disturbing.   Its the main reason I refuse to play most of the consoles these  days, the controls are impossible to get used to without hours of practice.  

Of course that just my point of view, maybe the more dextrous people out htere are better at it.

[IPAndrews]

Thanks for the advice mic. I'm sorry that you did not enjoy playing TBP or the Raider Wars campaign. I can understand many of your quibbles. In fact I am sure they are shared by many others. The fact is though that "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time." since many of the things you dislike about TBP actually attracted me to work on the mod. I like the fast paced action and the arcadey feel of the flight model in preference to the more pedestrian yet faithful and realistic action of a title like Babylon 5: I've Found Her. Perhaps you would like to try that title instead as you may find it more to your liking.

I do think a set of training missions would benefit TBP greatly. Since TBP like FS2 has a lot of controls that the player needs to know their way around. As it happens, one of the members of our community, madaboutgames, has just finished a set of training missions that can be obtained here:

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,35282.0.html

I think playing missions like these is a far better way for a new player to become aquainted with TBP than playing RW. RW is a difficult campaign and in all honesty is probably not the best place for novice pilots to learn to play.

[aipz]

To my mind the controlls aren't that complicated...
Actually I am able to play using only mouse and keyboard without any difficulties

It all depends on how many buttons do you actually use...
Actually you don't need more than:

ship moving
speed setting
energy management
targeting
comms
shooting
afterburner

Flying in B5: IFH is bigger challenge
as it incorporates newtonian physics:p
BTW No matter what Raider Wars rocks

[Fabbro]

The only way to play a space sim is with a joystick, silly! you should be able to get a decent saiteck one for about twenty squid. Then you shoot and menovere with one hand which leaves the other free for all the other little comands. Easy as pie.

[aipz]

Yes, the joystick is unbeatable when it comes to dogfighting;)
and in space sims as you have virtually no limitation to where your craft can turn...
(except *obstacles*  like other ships )

The mouse is more precise when it comes to targeting very small objects, but I guess each control method is good as long as it's effective for the player:lol::

[madaboutgames]

Well as the name says "mad about games", i am.  I have just closed my game store down last month which was called Mad About Games, i have played almost every game on every format, i have extensive game knowledge over the last 19 years.  I have reviewed games for local papers, press and web.  The controls on fs2/tbp are better than most other 3d space combat sims out there, its just a matter of using the right equipment to suit you eg. mouse, joystick, gamepad, keys etc..

Ipandrews is right, whatever game you make will not satisfy every1, every1 is different thus us having different opinions, talents and thoughts.  like i said in a previous thread (and on b5) Its the thought that counts, a lot of thoughts have gone into this which counts for a lot! This is the best B5 mod available, and is surpassing the word mod with all the updates it is making through the scp.

Keep up the good work team!!!

[madaboutgames]

Hi IP Andrews

"I do think a set of training missions would benefit TBP greatly. Since TBP like FS2 has a lot of controls that the player needs to know their way around. As it happens, one of the members of our community, madaboutgames, has just finished a set of training missions that can be obtained here:

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~freespa...&threadid=35282  "

Training missions are available on my server but have not been linked to Mission downloads page, please post link on the training mission Thread when this is done, I will soon be going off line ofor a week or 2 as I am moving soon and it normally takes about 10 days to broadband enable a line.

[CptWhite]

TBP is about a simple as a space sim can be as far as I'm concerned - yes you'll need to setout your controls but I play with mouse to control - left/right buttons for rotate, middle for match target speed, all my other controls are around the WASD area occasionally moving to set weapons...C and 123456 for controlling the squad....

[Ranger1]

Originally posted by mic of orion
I played Freespace 2 and this mod comes not even close to Freespace 2 manageability or controls, even thought it is based on same engine.

Dude the controls are exactly the same as FS2.  If you played that you should have no problem with this.  All the orders you can give to your squad, subsystem targeting, ship targeting, etc are all the same.  You no longer need to manage your sheild quadrants so that is one less thing to manage and much of the time you don't have exhaustable weapons(missles) to worry about.

[xenthorious]

Originally posted by CptWhite


There we go It's also included on the cover DVD

What subscription is that?  I want to buy a copy for my records!

[CptWhite]

It's PC Zone magazine, from the UK

[Fabbro]

Id be happy to send one out (if you pay for it and the postage )