Hi All!
I spent about 3 hours to understand how to install and make playable FreeSpace2 Open on Ubuntu, following too many links and too many readmes not always clear or misleadings. So I made this how to, gathering the guides that I followed, it is a step by step guide maybe useful for newbies. You have to excuse me if there are too many logical-grammatical errors but english is not my first language
But feel free to add/suggest corrections and express your thoughts! I have not much time but when it is possible I'll try to make corrections
So, let's start!
1)
Before install FS2 Open is necessary to install the original FreeSpace2. Get a copy of the original FreeSpace2 (if you don't have one you can buy it on
http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/freespace_2). We need the main directory "FreeSpace2", it is possible to install FS2 on a Windows machine and then to copy the main directory in Ubuntu.
Or it is possible to install FS2 on Ubuntu using wine:
To install wine use Synaptic or open a terminal and type:
$ sudo apt-get install wine
Insert the first cd, open it, right click on "Setup.exe" icon and select "Open with Wine". Follow the procedure like in windows and install FS2 in the default directory (C:/Games/FreeSpace2).
Now go in ~.wine/drive_c/Games (it is a hidden in directory in the home, press ctrl+H) and copy the FreeSpace2 directory in your home directory or wherever you prefer (after that remember to unistall FS2 from wine to free space!
)
Now I suppose to have the main direcotory of FS2 in the home (/home/USER/FreeSpace2)
2)
At this time there is the FS2 Open 3.6.10 RC3. Download the regular package for Linux:
http://swc.fs2downloads.com/builds/LINUX/fs2_open_3_6_10_RC3.tar.bz2(for info see:
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,63492.0.html)
extract the package and copy the two files (fs2_open_3_6_10_RC3 and fs2_open_3_6_10_RC3_debug) in the FS2 directory (/home/USER/FreeSpace2).
3)
Now we need a launcher, I prefer YAL 0.1.4.
Open a terminal and type:
$ svn co svn://vega.livecd.pl/yal/trunk
Go in your home and rename the downloaded directory "trunk" in "yal-0.1.4".
The launcher need QT4, open a terminal and type:
$ sudo apt-get install libqt4-dev
From a terminal go into the "yal-0.1.4" directory
~$ cd yal-0.1.4
and type:
$ qmake-qt4 yal.pro
$ make
If there are no errors now we have a "bin" directory in the yal directory. Go into it, copy "fs2_launcher" in the FS2 main directory.
**for Ubuntu 64 bit users**
the YAL launcher need the 32 bit libraries "libtheora.so.0". The faster way to get it is to install "getlibs", go here:
http://frozenfox.freehostia.com/cappy/ download the file "getlibs-all.deb" and install it.
After that type in a terminal:
$ sudo getlibs -l libtheora.so.0
******************************
Now is it possible to make a link to "fs2_launcher" on the desktop and use it to launch the game
5)
To profit by some cool improvements we can download the "mediavps" mod.
First of all in the FreeSpace2 main directory create a new folder "mediavps".
Download into it the following files:
http://www.freespacemods.net/files/MVP3610/readme.txthttp://www.freespacemods.net/files/MVP3610/mod.inihttp://www.freespacemods.net/files/MVP3610/FSU-MVP.bmpAlso download:
http://www.freespacemods.net/files/MVP3610/MV_Complete.7zhttp://cp.nukelol.com/mv_music.zipExtract their contents into "mediavps".
6)
Ok now configure the launcher!
Execute "fs2_launcher", go to the MOD tab and click "Select MOD". From here select the 'mediavps' folder and click ok.
Go to the "Features" tab to activate the specific features FSO offers.
The recommended settings are:
==> Graphics List:
Enable Specular
Enable Glowmaps
Enable Environment Maps
Apply Lighting to Missiles
Enable Normal Maps
Enable 3D Shockwaves (Personal preference) (switches shockwaves from always facing the camera to spawning with random orientations)
==> Gameplay List:
Enable 3D Warp
Enable Flash on Warp (Personal preference) (switches on a simple flare effect that flashes when a subspace vortex opens and closes)
==> In the "Custom Flags field" copy & paste (Without the quotes):
"-ambient_factor 35 -ogl_spec 20 -spec_exp 15 -spec_point 1.2 -spec_static 1.5 -spec_tube 1.5"
7)
Press RUN!
If you encounter problem with the screen resolution edit the file ~/.fs2_open/fs2_open.ini (it is a hidden folder in you home, press ctrl+H)and manually enter the screen resolution you prefer.
That's it
