[Aurora Paradox]

Aurora, your work is an example for us all.

Thank you Mobius.  That means a lot considering I'm new to testing missions.  I'm just trying to be as through as possible.

Another two missions have cleared testing.

Mission 16: The Number of the Beast

Note: This mission is extremely difficult.  The key to the mission is the bombers.  Take them out fast and you have a chance.  If you want to increase your odds take out Tango Wing and some of the Loki fighters before hostilities start.

-The “command brief” (More like a philosophical brief) before this mission has no voice acting.  I checked the VP and I could not find any audio files for a mission 16 command brief.  I can only assume no voice acting was ever done for this command brief.

-Adding a dialogue skip at the beginning of this mission might make sense from one point of view.  However, I don’t think it will help much even if one is added.  The Escher will still take time to get into position and the dialogue gives you something to listen to as this occurs.

-Rewording the directive to destroy the Clement’s beam turret might be a good idea.

   Current Directive: Destroy Clement Beam Turret.

   Recommended Reword: Destroy the Clement’s Forward Beam Turret.

-There is no directive to destroy Blue wing.

-Alpha wing does not automatically jump out at the end of the mission.

Mission 17: Painted Devils

-There is a spelling error in Stage 3 of 6 of the briefing.  The word authorized is misspelled.

Current Briefing: “Alpha wing will lead this operation. You'll arrive on the far side of the scrapyard and proceed towards the Lonewolf. If the crew won't surrender, disable her - this, however, is a last-ditch option. If it seems that the civilians will not surrender, you will however be authorised to carry out the attack.”

Corrected Briefing: “Alpha wing will lead this operation. You'll arrive on the far side of the scrapyard and proceed towards the Lonewolf. If the crew won't surrender, disable her - this, however, is a last-ditch option. If it seems that the civilians will not surrender, you will however be authorized to carry out the attack.”

-You start out too close to the rest of your wing.  You will get slightly brushed by one of your wingmen and lose 2% of your hull integrity.  Changing the mission so you don’t start completely stopped might fix the problem.

-Alpha 4 says they have you covered but they are not automatically ordered to protect to you.

-The Sentinels do not immediately turn hostile after being scanned.

-There is a spelling error in a message from Alpha 3.

Current Message: “The sentry guns have been neutralised.”

Corrected Message: “The sentry guns have been neutralized.”

-If the GTT Omaha is destroyed the mission is broken.  It cannot be completed.

-There is no directive to escort the GTC Lonewolf until it jumps.

-Alpha wing does not automatically jump out at the end of the mission.

[Mobius]

About the destruction of the Omaha - what happens, exactly? Do you get an AWOL debriefing?

[Aurora Paradox]

About the destruction of the Omaha - what happens, exactly? Do you get an AWOL debriefing?

I'll have to re-test the mission to verify a few things but here is what I can recall.  I didn't even realize the Omaha had been destroyed until after I had eliminated all hostiles.  After several minutes I checked the docking ports on the Lonewolf and realized the transport was gone.  You receive no message from command for failing to protect the transport.  I checked the in-game events page and confirmed it had been been destroyed by a fighter or bomber ( I don't remember which).  I restarted the mission and the second time around this did not occur.  I didn't think to jump out and see what would happen.  You would most likely be reprimanded for leaving the still disabled Lonewolf unprotected.  However, this is pure speculation.

Sorry I can't tell you more.  I'll try and go through the mission again tonight if I can.

[Mongoose]

Huh, that's strange.  With as long as Derelict has been around, you'd think someone else would have had that happen to them.  That must have been an extraordinarily unlucky playthrough.  At least it's nothing that a simple ship_guardian can't fix.

[Aurora Paradox]

Huh, that's strange.  With as long as Derelict has been around, you'd think someone else would have had that happen to them.  That must have been an extraordinarily unlucky playthrough.  At least it's nothing that a simple ship_guardian can't fix.

That certainly seems to be the case Mongoose.  I just finished re-playing the mission.  The Omaha didn't get a scratch on it.  I do have a theory though.  After replaying the mission, I believe one of the bombers was responsible for eliminating the transport.  It is possible a bomb launched from Grey Wing hit the transport instead of the Lonewolf and destroyed it.  One Cyclops is more than enough to destroy a transport.

This must be one of those one in a million incidents.  On the upside, once the fix is in place there is no chance of this happening again.

NOTE: I did make one addition to my notes for the mission in question.

[Aurora Paradox]

Another two missions have been completed.

Mission 18: An Advancement of Learning

-There is a spelling error in Stage 4 of 6 in the briefing.  The words defense and authorized are spelled wrong.

Current Message: “The LoneWolf and TRGC Sai will take over the defence of the convoy once you enter their patrol paths and as the vessels assume their designated points. You will then be authorised to return to the Station.”

Corrected Message: “The LoneWolf and TRGC Sai will take over the defense of the convoy once you enter their patrol paths and as the vessels assume their designated points. You will then be authorized to return to the Station.”

-There is no directive to destroy Red Wing.

-Alpha wing does not jump out at the end of the mission.

NOTE: This mission is difficult but I don’t believe it needs balancing.  I would however like another tester’s opinion at some point.


Mission 19: Killer Rabbit

-On some of the briefing screens the grid is laid over the icons instead of the other way around.

-You cannot order Alpha wing to Depart or Cover your fighter.  The latter order may have been removed to prevent your wingmen from going after the GTM Vigilant.

[CommanderDJ]

With one of the spelling errors you listed, "defence" is spelled with a c in some countries and with an s in other countries. It all depends on where you live, so AFAIK both are technically correct.

[Aurora Paradox]

With one of the spelling errors you listed, "defence" is spelled with a c in some countries and with an s in other countries. It all depends on where you live, so AFAIK both are technically correct.

I didn't realize that.  I came across a spelling variation with Honor being spelled Honour but that one I knew.  Thanks for pointing this out CommandDJ.  I guess it all comes down to preference.

[Tomo]

I didn't realize that.  I came across a spelling variation with Honor being spelled Honour but that one I knew.  Thanks for pointing this out CommandDJ.  I guess it all comes down to preference.

The same is true of all the "S" instead of "Z" spelling that you mention.

American spelling replaces the English "S" with a "Z" in a large number of words for no apparent reason. Annoyingly Microsoft makes it very difficult for English speakers to get the right spellchecker...

[TopAce]

American spelling replaces the English "S" with a "Z" in a large number of words for no apparent reason.

Just so you know: During the Elizabethan era, the -ise suffix didn't exist, only -ize. The -ise variant entered British English, but the American settlers, who later won their independence in 1776, simply maintained the ONLY spelling variation they knew: -ize. If either variant did something for no apparent reason, it was British English.

Annoyingly Microsoft makes it very difficult for English speakers to get the right spellchecker...

(Where's the big smiley when you need it?)

Microsoft Office ships with an in-built spell checker in a bunch of languages, defaulted to English. Unless you fail to acknowledge Aurora Paradox's language as English, which is interesting because you just replied to him using the same language.

[Aurora Paradox]

American spelling replaces the English "S" with a "Z" in a large number of words for no apparent reason.

Just so you know: During the Elizabethan era, the -ise suffix didn't exist, only -ize. The -ise variant entered British English, but the American settlers, who later won their independence in 1776, simply maintained the ONLY spelling variation they knew: -ize. If either variant did something for no apparent reason, it was British English.

Annoyingly Microsoft makes it very difficult for English speakers to get the right spellchecker...

(Where's the big smiley when you need it?)

Microsoft Office ships with an in-built spell checker in a bunch of languages, defaulted to English. Unless you fail to acknowledge Aurora Paradox's language as English, which is interesting because you just replied to him using the same language.

Topace is correct.  English is my native language.

[Jeff Vader]

(Where's the big smiley when you need it?)

Use the lvlshot, Luke!

[Droid803]

It would help if English was actually consistent with itself.
But it isn't.

Hi, 'houses'.

[Aurora Paradox]

Five missions have cleared testing.

Mission 20: Scorched Earth

-On briefing screen 5 of 6, the ship displayed when the “Pirates?” fighters are clicked on should be changed to a question mark.

-One of your wingmen brushes against your fighter at mission start.  Changing the mission so you don’t begin stopped may fix the problem.

-There is a piece of debris from an SF Mara floating around out there.  Given that the SD Nyarlathotep has not yet "awoken" this should be removed.

-After going through its way-points the GTC Lonewolf just sits there.  The cruiser is huge stationary target when the kamikaze fighters arrive.  I’m only noting this because I find just a bit odd.  A moving targets is usually harder to hit.

Mission 21: Descent

-On some of the briefing screens the grid is laid over the icons instead of the other way around.

-When you click on pirate station during the briefing the installation is listed as the NTF Boadicea.  It might make more sense if this said pirate installation or something along those lines.

-Your wingmen brush against your fighter at mission start.  This has been encountered in previous mission.

-Alpha wing does not automatically assume escort of the Swiftsure when it arrives.

-The Cypher claims it is unable to fire its beam cannons after stating it is bugging out.  The mentioned lines of dialogue should be switched.

-Command tells you to depart and then tells you the Swiftsure made it out in the next line of dialogue.  This needs to be switched.

-Allied Wings do not automatically depart at the end of the mission.

Mission 22: The Stars are Right

-The MTT Irving undocks before Command gives them permission to.

-One message from the SD Nyarlathotep needs static added at the end.  I'm not sure if this can be easily done.  It is a very minor detail and can live without being fixed if necessary.

   The message is: “Wait... I think I see something... it's <fzzzzzzzzzzzzt>”

-Bombs launched from the Shivans are showing up as Terran bombs.  Specifically, they are showing up as Cyclops bombs and rebel bombs.

-Allied Wings do not automatically depart at the end of the mission.

Mission 23: Acceptable Losses

-Stage 3 of 4 of the command brief needs a slight modification to match the voice acting.  I have underlined the changed area.
 
   Current Message: “The GTD Valhalla is moving to Tau Sigma to take command and coordinate the search for the Nyarlathotep and Tsathoggua. In the meantime, we are attempting to evacuate any civilian personnel from the system. This is inclusive any of the pirate groups that have been causing us problems over the past several months. If they ask for assistance, we are under orders to help them. However, they may not be as willing to believe that as you are.”

   Corrected Message: “The GTD Valhalla is moving to Tau Sigma to take command and coordinate the search for the Nyarlathotep and Tsathoggua. In the meantime, we are attempting to evacuate any civilian personnel from the system. This is inclusive of any of the pirate groups that have been causing us problems over the past several months. If they ask for assistance, we are under orders to help them. However, they may not be as willing to believe that as you are.”

-Alpha and Delta wings do not automatically depart at the end of the mission.

-There is no mention of the GTFR Benedict being destroyed during the debriefing.

Mission 24: The Enemy of my Enemy

-Alpha wing does not automatically depart at the end of the mission.

[Mongoose]

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to remember that I'm probably the one who tweaked most of those lines when I was reading them. I did note the changes I'd made to Blaise when submitting them, but I guess he never tweaked the lines in-mission.

[Solatar]

Hi, 'houses'.

But you add an /s/ ending to mark plurality, and insert a schwa because the word already ends in an /s]/.  Then both /s/ take on the voicing of the surrounding vowels, making it into a (/s/ and /z/ are nearly the same sound, /z/ is just voiced), but they're still allophones of the same phoneme in this case ( /s/ --> / V_#  ) - try saying 'houses' with both /s/ sounds over and over and see how long it takes you to start voicing the /s/. All very regular. . .   Sorry, it's late. . .

Back on topic: I'm planning on playing through Derelict in the next week or so.  I'll take note of the bugs mentioned here and report back anything I find.  Derelict is a great campaign.

[Flipside]

American spelling replaces the English "S" with a "Z" in a large number of words for no apparent reason.

Just so you know: During the Elizabethan era, the -ise suffix didn't exist, only -ize. The -ise variant entered British English, but the American settlers, who later won their independence in 1776, simply maintained the ONLY spelling variation they knew: -ize. If either variant did something for no apparent reason, it was British English.

Annoyingly Microsoft makes it very difficult for English speakers to get the right spellchecker...

(Where's the big smiley when you need it?)

Microsoft Office ships with an in-built spell checker in a bunch of languages, defaulted to English. Unless you fail to acknowledge Aurora Paradox's language as English, which is interesting because you just replied to him using the same language.

Defence is a particularly wierd word anyway, because both countries use Defensive as a variation of it, and trying to pry the meaning out of the word 'Offence' (or Offense if you prefer) if you are not familiar with it is a nightmare, because it can mean either a crime, an insult or an attack depending on how it is used.

Anyway, enough off topicness

[Aurora Paradox]

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to remember that I'm probably the one who tweaked most of those lines when I was reading them. I did note the changes I'd made to Blaise when submitting them, but I guess he never tweaked the lines in-mission.

I don't suppose you still have the notes you submitted to Blaise?

Back on topic: I'm planning on playing through Derelict in the next week or so.  I'll take note of the bugs mentioned here and report back anything I find.  Derelict is a great campaign.

Glad to have another tester on board.  I'm currently on Swimming with Sharks which I hope to finish sometime tomorrow. 

Good Luck with your testing.

[Aurora Paradox]

Pardon the double post.  Three missions have cleared testing.  Including Swimming with Sharks which was reported broken by wtf_cl0vvn.  I did not encounter any of the issues he listed.  I'm guessing that removing the beam fade fixed the problem.  However, that is just a guess.

Mission 25: Swimming with Sharks

-Virgo wing moves quite slowly after they jump in.  It’s the rough equivalent of shooting Shivans in a barrel.  They will attempt evasive maneuvers when attacked though.  Regardless, they are still easy to destroy.

-Shivan bombers launch Terran bombs.

-The GTD Valhalla orders you to “head inside for debrief.”  Instead of jumping out wouldn’t t it be more logical to have you head to the fighter bay.  This would require a directive to be changed.  In addition to directing your wingmen to head for the fighter bay as well.

Mission 26: Said the Spider to the Fly

-Nothing odd or broken found.

Mission 27: Out of the Dark, Into the Night

-Shivan bombers launch Terran bombs.

-The directive protect escape pods never changes to blue even after all the pods are gone.  Granted I was unable to protect all of them.  Accomplishing this is very difficult.

-There are no directives for destroying individual wings of Shivan fighters.  This makes it difficult to tell how many are left.


EDIT: Fixed an error in my notes for mission 27.

[Aurora Paradox]

Pardon the triple post.  Five missions have cleared testing.

Mission 28: The Paper Wall

-Shivan bombers launch Terran bombs.

-A message from the combat engineers is shown as originating from command.

        The message is: “We're almost finished placing the sentry guns, Alpha, they should be online to support you shortly.”

-The directives Destroy Capricorn and Destroy Leo are not shown as complete.  I’m reasonable sure I eliminated all of their wings.

-Alpha and Delta wings do not head to the node and depart automatically when ordered by command.

Mission 29: The Iron Curtain

-Shivan bombers launch Terran bombs.

-Even if the Scimitar was not destroyed by Scorpio wing a line of dialogue always claims it was.

-If the Scimitar is not destroyed until the end some of Mackie’s lines of dialogue feel out of place.  It’s hard to explain.  Play through the mission and keep the Scimitar alive until the end and you’ll see what I mean.

       NOTE:  I'll make another run through this mission at some point.  Hopefully, this will allow me to better demonstrate what I meant by out of place.

-Alpha, Delta (if any of them are left), and Epsilon wings do not automatically depart at the end of the mission.

-If you fail to scan the Auriga’s Sensors there is no recommendation on how to accomplish this objective.  Failing to do the scan does not prevent you from continuing in the campaign.

Mission 30: A Waiting Game

-Alpha wing does not automatically jump out at the end of the mission.

-Shivan bombers launch Terran bombs.

Mission 31: The Wrong Door

-A minor correction is needed to the briefing text in stage 3 of 4 to match the voice acting.  I have underlined the changed section.

Current Text: “Your task is to jump into the area, target and identify each warship, examine their supply configuration, and get out. If a target of opportunity presents itself, we will give you authorization to intercept and destroy that target. Remember, the Pegasus fighters are reconnaissance vessels, and not heavy combat fighters. Not even stealth fighters can successfully dodge heavy flak fire, so be careful engaging any enemy forces.

Report to your fighters.”

Corrected Text: “Your task is to jump into the area, target and identify each warship, examine their supply configuration, and get out. If a target of opportunity presents itself, we will give you authorization to intercept and destroy that target. Remember, the Pegasus fighters are reconnaissance vessels, not heavy combat fighters. Not even stealth fighters can successfully dodge heavy flak fire, so be careful engaging any enemy forces.   

Report to your fighters.”

-The objective Target Destroyers is shown as complete before you have scanned all three.

-The texture of the Shivan Knossos looks weird.  I’m not sure how else to describe it.  This may have been intentional though.  The intention might have been to make it look like a fusion of Shivan and Ancient technology.

-You are unable to issue orders to Alpha 2.

-Command tells you to secure the area.  There is no directive to reflect this order.

-One of the objectives is to “Target Cruisers.”  I was unable to scan any of the cruisers.  This does not break the mission in any way and is not mentioned in debrief.

Mission 32: Acquisition

-Adding the freighters and transports to your escort list would make the scanning easier.

-Beta wing does not automatically depart when all hostiles have been eliminated.


EDIT: A correction has been made to the notes for Mission 31: The Wrong Door.