[Nyctaeus]

You must only coapt subsystems, paths and other stuff to new size. I can help you with this if you are not good at PCS2.

[TopAce]

I can take care of those, but where's this rescale feature? Is it "convert to COB --> convert to POF again with the right scale factor?" I have 2.0.3., a 2008 Nov build.

[Darius]

Well I was thinking of just rescaling the max model and redoing the pof data from scratch, but I realised the model has far too many polies for a 1-3km structure (it's 5 digits, and it starts with an 8)

[TopAce]

That'd kill my comp in a violent fashion.

[Nyctaeus]

I can take care of those, but where's this rescale feature? Is it "convert to COB --> convert to POF again with the right scale factor?" I have 2.0.3., a 2008 Nov build.

In newer versions of PCS2, "Save" button on the right side of the window was replaced by "Transform" button. Click it, and pick out the "Scale" section.

[TopAce]

Took me a while to find the Feb 19, 2011 build and get it to run, but I managed it eventually. I also uploaded it to FSMods, just to make sure people will actually find it where it's straightforward to look.

Thanks for the tips.

[TopAce]

[EDIT]Here was the June 12 news item, which I accidentally deleted. If a mod could restore the old version, that'd be cool.

[TopAce]

FIRST VIDEO

First video - the first three minutes of one of the missions.

I have plans for a trailer, too, so stay tuned.

[TopAce]

NEW VIDEO

Weapons Testing

Showcasing some of the weapons, their gameplay uses, effects. Nothing in this video is final.

[Spoon]

Cool weapons, Topace!

[Deadly in a Shadow]

NEW VIDEO

Weapons Testing

Showcasing some of the weapons, their gameplay uses, effects. Nothing in this video is final.

Nice weapons and +1 for Kingdom Hearts soundtrack

[TopAce]

Well, I didn't know where that track originally was. I got it from 13th Reflections, an abandoned project that released its files some months ago.

[TopAce]

BTW: The 13th Reflection? What was that exactly? A mod?

It's a defunct project that released its files, including some effects, interface art, and lots of music tracks. You can find the thread a few pages back.

[EDIT]The post that I'm quoting here has been moved to the "LCW file request" split thread.

[TopAce]

NEWS (June 12 - July 7)

LCW made slow progress since  the last news update (published on June 11). When you thought you could dedicate more time to modding, you realize it's quite the opposite. On the 29th, I passed my final exam at university, which relieved me from a lot of stress and gave me more free time. However, not only do you need time, you also need to have an internal drive to achieve your aims. The latter was present until this weekend, during which I finished FREDding one of the later missions for LCW and also made a mission for another project. This week, everything would have been given to FRED another LCW mission (mission 11) and polish up the other mission, but somehow I simply haven't made any progress with them.

So I decided I needed some break from FREDding (and maybe FreeSpace modding as well) and do something else. The next week will see no (or at most unremarkable) progress so I could regain my FREDding/FreeSpace drive. According to my plans, I should finish all the remaining six missions by the middle/end of September. That's nearly two months for six missions, which is not an impossible goal, assuming I get back in the swing of things and nothing unexpected happens. Then spend the next two or three months making everything as good as they can be. The "official" deadline is December, which I'll do my best to meet.

Now, details.
 
Missions
Mission 10 was built up from scratch to a well-polished mission over the course of three days. While I need to test it on difficulty levels other than Medium, I'm fairly certain that there are no bugs in it. I'm also fairly certain that these long hours of tireless FREDding are responsible for my needing some break this week. Well, if I can continue with this pace when I get back to LCW, I'll surely complete all missions by the end of September, then commence the less strenuous, but perhaps more time consuming, final testing phase.
 
There's a new mission on the agenda as well: the "new" mission 12; the "old" mission 12 is mission 13 now. I had a mission idea that I wanted to implement for LCW, and this is where it could be inserted. It also sets the stage for the last mission.
 
Here is a list of missions and their status:

• Mission 1: Mission 1 is in a really, really good shape. I don't expect to find anything wrong with it later. Mission length could be a bit longer, though.
   
• Mission 2: It's fine. Needs some balance refinement.
   
• Mission 3: The fighter-type (default) version is fine and ready to go. The bomber version needs to be made.
   
• Mission 4:  The beginning of the mission may need some tweaks to make it more fun to play.
   
• Mission 5: I have some ships placed, but nothing else.
   
• Mission 6: Needs to be tested on all difficulty levels to make sure it plays out like it's supposed to.
   
• Mission 7:  Not yet started.
   
• Mission 8:  Everything is okay, apart from balancing. Currently the mission is self-play.
   
• Mission 9: Not yet started.
   
• Mission 10: You read about it.
   
• Mission 11: I have some ships placed, but nothing else.
   
• Mission 12: Not yet started.
   
• Mission 13: Not yet started.

Promotion
I was having some fun with GIMP, the "poor man's Photoshop," and made some effects. I wasn't aware they'd make it to the mod when I started them, but I'm satisfied with the outcome.  The video that presents them had been uploaded already, so I'm sure some of you have seen it.
 
A proper trailer is on the way as well, but I can't predict when it'll be ready. It may be out next week, it may be out one week before release.

[TopAce]

NEWS (July 7 - July 28)

Three weeks ago I said I'll take some rest and put aside FS modding for a while. Now I'm back, with some news. Since there's not much progress, there's not much to say, so this isn't a full news item. I finally made some progress with mission 11, the mission I planned to create three weeks ago.

MISSIONS
Mission 11 is nearly complete. I wouldn't say I'd make a video of it and use it for promotion, as it's lacking at places. To elaborate, the mission needs some more balancing - the current version is way too hard and the AI doesn't behave the way I want it to. The middle part of the mission is kind of empty. I plan to insert some messages here and there to make it more lively. There's a small cutscene at the end, which plays out almost exactly as I want it to.

And here's the list of missions with some comments on their progress, with colors now.

• Mission 1: Mission 1 is in a really, really good shape. I don't expect to find anything wrong with it later. Mission length could be a bit longer, though.
  
• Mission 2: It's fine. Needs some balance refinement.
  
• Mission 3: The fighter-type (default) version is fine and ready to go. The bomber version needs to be made.
  
• Mission 4: The beginning of the mission may need some tweaks to make it more fun to play.
  
• Mission 5: I have some ships placed, but nothing else.
  
• Mission 6: Needs to be tested on all difficulty levels to make sure it plays out like it's supposed to.
  
• Mission 7: Not yet started.
  
• Mission 8: Everything is okay, apart from balancing. Currently the mission is self-play.
  
• Mission 9: Not yet started.
  
• Mission 10: Pretty satisfied with it.
  
• Mission 11: Per above: mostly done, needs some refinement and more messages.
  
• Mission 12: Not yet started.
  
• Mission 13: Not yet started.

I excluded the intro and the outro cutscenes from the list, as I don't consider them "missions." They will be FREDded later.

TRAILER

I haven't forgotten about it. I plan to make a month/weeks before release. Its script is written.

[Veers]

Those weapons are very nice, especially the Nightwolf and the cap ship turret. I am... in thought about the AAA beam though, not quite sure what to think right now (until I've played it).

 

[TopAce]

NEWS (September - October)

Today I'm gonna do something unusual - post a news item about not having anything new.  The reason for this halt in progress is two-fold: first, miscellaneous modding duties, second: partial burnout. The third reason could be real-life, but hopefully that goes without saying.

In September, in a ModDB comment, I said I would "get back to LCW with replenished enthusiasm." So I thought, but that's not the case. I have a new mission assigned to me for Scroll of Atankharzim, and I'm not making good progress with it due to the burnout thing. Once I get it afloat, and nothing else interferes, I will get back to LCW.

Back in April, when development started, I set LCW's release date to 2011 December, but seeing the mod's status now (in mid-October), I assume this is not tenable anymore. New tentative release date: 2012 June.

Seeing all this, I'm inclined to cancel the trailer as well, but this decision isn't definite yet. It may or may not happen. We'll see.

[NeoKnight]

Burnout happens. Hope you get a new infusion of enthusiasm soon though, I'm really looking forward to seeing this mod at the other end of a download button. 

[CommanderDJ]

We're behind you, TopAce. I've been following your news posts and it's clear there's an enormous amount of work going into this campaign. Everyone deserves a break, so take all the time you need. I know it'll be great when it's finished.

[TopAce]

Thank you both.

Incidentally, this "no-news" news item brought me 2 more watchers at ModDB. Weird, isn't it?