[cvearl]

I am new here and to Freespace 2.

As an old player of the WC series, Freelancer and Xwing and so on, I have been waiting for a good space sim/drama and here was one all along that I overlooked!

I have been playing for a few nights the original RETAIL Freespace 2 patched to 1.2. I Love it.

Since talking about the game in other forums, I was directed here and that I NEEDED to run the Source Code project to really get all I can from it. I have it downloaded (ver 1.9 complete) and will be isntalling it. But I am a little apprehensive.

Is the actual game left in it's original glorious state other than it is graphically enhanced? I want to experience the game's original story, campain and voice acting and so on. The magic of it that made it the legend it is today.

Does the 1.9 Open Source version just improve it but basically leave the original essence in tact? Original music and cutscenes? Story line, flight and weapon dynamics and so on?

I don't want the "game" modded so much as I was just looking for a cool and working facelift.

Please clarify.

Sincerely,

Chavez.

[Polpolion]

A general FAQ (this helps most problems)

A list of several modifications for FS2


I'm afraid I have some bad news for you... you had retail FS2, right? You didn't need to download the 1.9 package to get the Source code (the source version is also call the Source Code Project[SCP] and Freespace Open[FSO]). The 1.9 package is, IIRC, a compilation of the retail game, several mods (such as Derelict and Inferno) and one of the latest releases of FSO. Since you already have the game, and intend to play through the canon SP game, all you need to download is FSO.


The Source Code Project's official website (most people don't get anything from here, as it is usually outdated )

The SCP forum here at HLP (note the 'Recent builds' child board and the stickified 'FAQ + How to get started using FS2NetD' FS2NetD is a way to play multiplayer, now that PXO is gone.)

The Upgrade forum for the SCP (this board includes prettier models and everything else like that.

The most recent and best 'upgrades' to the SCP (These make the game pretty)

Report bugs in the SCP here (Don't forget to use the search feature on this forum to see if your problem has already been answered.)



If you want cutscenes, you will have to download a huge pack of them as AVIs, unless you use this SCP version. If you use this version, don't forget to get the media VP patches. You should probably get this build, as it is the latest one, anyway.

And finally : How to install FSO!




And to answer your question, no, the SCP only modifies the graphics and music quality of the game.

[cvearl]

You sir are awesome! thanks.

I'm not upset that I have downloaded 1.9 Full. I will burn it to DVD in case I need a reload later.

However...

I have NOT yet uninstalled the RETAIL game. It's still in it's original state and patched to 1.2 and I am like 10 missions into the game. Sorry if I sound like a dip here but...

Are you saying I can simply download and apply this tiny little patch and I am upgraded to all the new sexy engine tweaks???

http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/latest/May2006/FS2_Open_KARA_20060517.rar

I am a little confused. It's sooo small! 3.56MB!

Ooops Ok. I just saw this. Or payed attention to it. Your last link. Wow. Some steps to do! http://homepage.ntlworld.com/karajorma/FAQ/installingfs2_open.html

Should I just delete the FS2 folder I have and install the 2GB Full 1.9 pack? Will that be easier?

C.

[Mongoose]

The actual FS2_Open executable file, or "build," represents the actual changes/upgrades/bugfixes to the game engine, and you're right in noting that it's a relatively small file.  However, to actually get the full graphical enhancement that make FS2 as pretty and shiney as all of those gorgeous screenshots, you'll have to also download the Media_VPs, a series of files in FS2's archive format that include all of the enhanced content that can be used with FS2_Open.  As you might expect from having a ton of textures and animations in them, they're on the hefty side when compared with the actual build.  You should be able to grab the most recent MediaVPs from the "most recent and best upgrades" link in thesizzler's post.  Also, be sure to check out the "how to install FSO" link, as it'll explain everything you need to know about where to put those Media_VPs in order for FS2 to use them.

[cvearl]

Man I gotta tell others about this once I have played it a bit.

This much community for a 6 year old game? My god!

Thanks to you all!

C.

[Polpolion]

Here are the steps in less words.


STEP 1: Backup data directory

STEP 2: download this build of FSO. I am pretty sure that with this build, you can use the cutscenes that came on the CD (they were in MVE format, FSO used to only like AVIs.)

STEP 3: take the fs2_open_3.6.9.exe from the RAR in the previous post and the Launcher.exe from the build that you downloaded. Place them both in the main FS2 directory.

STEP 4: If you have a high end computer: get all (download) media VPs (located here
             If you have a moderate level computer get all except Adv effects
             If you have a low end computer, get all except Adv effects

STEP 5: Create a folder in your FS2 directory called "Media VPs"

STEP 6: Place all VP files downloaded in step 4 into the folder you just created.

STEP 7: Run the Launcher.exe that you placed in the main FS2 folder. (not the RETAIL launcher)

STEP 8: At the top of the Launcher, you will see an empty text box with a 'browse' button on it's right. Click the 'browse' button.

STEP 9: Select the 3.6.9 build of the SCP that you placed in the FS2 directory earlier.

STEP 10: go to the 'Mods' tab and hit 'select mod'

STEP 11: Select the "Media VPs" folder

STEP 12: Go to the Features tab and select the features (graphical enhancements  ) you wish to use.

STEP 13: hit 'apply' then run!!




The reason I had you put the media VPs in a separate folder is because if your version of SCP breaks, then you can still run RETAIL FS2. When you finish the SP campaign refer back the the faq (the very first link I gave you). It tells you how to use mods and MVs at the same time . I suggest you also bookmark the faq along with this page. They are VERY VERY VERY useful.

Hope I helped!




EDIT: Curse these cold hands! I can't type!!.  !!

[cvearl]

More than helped. I can't wait to get home and play tonight!

C.

[cvearl]

Wait!!!

I have THIS ----------> http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,39499.0.html

Downloaded in last 24 hours. Should I just delete the FS2 Retail and install that? And if I did, would I need to download the cutscenes?

C.

[Dark Hunter]

Having not worked with ShivanSPS's download, I can't tell you. I believe however that his download is a FULL game download, therefore if you have already installed retail FS2 you won't need it. Besides which, I think it's rather out-of-date (unless Shivan's been updating his download).

Minor note about cutscenes: FSOpen, until recently could only play AVI cutscenes. I think the newest versions can play the original MVEs, though I haven't tried it.

[ShivanSpS]

The pack already have the cutscenes... but the AVI ones, you can use them (by now), but the support for the avis ones will disapear in 3.7.0...

My full pack will be updated when 3.6.9 goes live and stable

The problem which my pack is that you have to download the 2GB big one and then a 500MB update and other 40MB update :S

If you already have the retail you can copy the .mve cutscenes and replace the avi ones in my pack if you wish

[Polpolion]

I'm confused now.


Cvearl:

 Did you have the ShivanSpS pack 1.9c first, and installed Retail from that

                            --  OR --

 did you get the ISOs online or buy the game from somewhere?

[Javito1986]

I downloaded Sihvan's pack recently when I found out my FS2 CD's weren't working properly and I love it. It's got everything I need and had an easy setup. Plus there's no fuss about installing cutscenes.


Anyway, as a longtime fan of Freespace 2 I'll just say welcome aboard. I too am a great fan of the Wing Commander and X-Wing games. Though really in my opinion Freespace 2 is -the- masterpiece of the genre. As soon as you finish the campaign you should come back here and post your thoughts, I'd be fascinated to hear what you thought of the ending.

[Mathwiz6]

Go FS2!

I like how the critics describe it "Freespace 2 offers nothing new or innovative, it's just so damn good!"

[cvearl]

I'm confused now.


Cvearl:

 Did you have the ShivanSpS pack 1.9c first, and installed Retail from that

                            --  OR --

 did you get the ISOs online or buy the game from somewhere?

I have the retail Freespace2 in a box under the stairs in one of the boxes of games I have stowed away.

Someone peaked my interrest in the game again with the arrival but not so well recieved Darkstar whatever.

Instead of pulling out all my crap under the stairs, I downloaded the BIN's for the 3 CD's. Made the CD's and installed the game and updated t0 2.0 and have flown the first 6 or so missions. So really just getting my feet wet.

I have now applied "thesizzlers" steps as he outlined them. put the launcher and build fs2_open_3_6_9.exe into the FS main folder and copied the MediaVPs he linked into a MediaVPs folder and ran the launcher. Set all Graphics options full and so on. EDIT ----> And switched to OPENGL. Wow. Drool....

Seems to be working great so I don't think I need to worry with using the 1.9 FULL PACK install.

C.

[cvearl]

OK here's the things I noticed after applying the FSOPEN...

Pro's...
Fuzzy text is now sharp.
Brightness controlls now actually work in the INGAME OPTIONS.
Ships at least SEEM to be sharper and more detailed.
Space and explosions look more colerfull and not as blotchy or blocky.
Hud is more detailed? Or more colorfull at least.

Con's... (EDITING BECAUSE I SWITCHED TO OPENGL)
None that I can see yet. Only played a few hours so far but all seems as it should be. Just graphically modern!

In FEATURES of the launcher under Graphics I enabled everything as per "thesizzlers" instructions. But nothing was meantioned about the VIDEO section. Thereforre I do not know if I should be in the VIDEO screen of the launcher. It has D3D5, D3D8 and OpenGL (are these all stable?). I play on a 7800GT. And do people ever play in "unsupported" resses?

Otherwise I like it!

[Dark Hunter]

I'm assuming you have the latest release of FSOpen, in which case you should set the video tab to OpenGL (and if you don't have OpenGL, you should get it). Direct3d doesn't work as well as it used to on Open, an OpenGL is the preferred video setting nowadays.

[cvearl]

Nice.

I just set to OpenGL 1024x768 and the menus and main screen look perfect now!

Actually the game should be resold in this state!!! Obviously of polish went into the re-devlopment of this game.

Holy FREAKIN cow is all I can say. Nice work.

C.

[cvearl]

I'm assuming you have the latest release of FSOpen, in which case you should set the video tab to OpenGL (and if you don't have OpenGL, you should get it). Direct3d doesn't work as well as it used to on Open, an OpenGL is the preferred video setting nowadays.

Is there a problem running this in OPENGL with ATI cards? I am switching to ATI and would hate to have to revert back to D3D.

C.

[Turey]

I'm assuming you have the latest release of FSOpen, in which case you should set the video tab to OpenGL (and if you don't have OpenGL, you should get it). Direct3d doesn't work as well as it used to on Open, an OpenGL is the preferred video setting nowadays.

Is there a problem running this in OPENGL with ATI cards? I am switching to ATI and would hate to have to revert back to D3D.

C.

I'm running OpenGL just fine on a ATI Radeon Mobility 7500.

[Mobius]

Boooooo.
It's all Karajorma's stuff,you should say "thanks" to him.

EDIT:Oh, I forgot it!!!