[herkie423]

On another note, if I may ask you Herkie:

How did your time in the Philippines army go?  Someone said a while ago you were in that.  Glad to see you're okay.

Well, that was a long time ago 1996. I'm retired now and running my own real estate business. The Philippine Navy gave me the option to discharge myself after my third "Purple Heart" medal. Yeah, I was wounded three times. Twice by a sniper. I was lucky. The third time we were ambushed by more than a hundred insurgents while on our escort detail. We protected the 3-bus convoy of civilians (hence, my campaign's "escort syndrome"). None of them were killed but the rebels wiped out half of our platoon, me included. Seven of my friends were dead on the spot and three at the hospital days later. Actually, Richter's diary in "The Aftermath" contained some of my personal thoughts during my military days.

[herkie423]

A minor issue that I just thought of:  since various campaigns get version release numbers, what 'version' would this upcoming one be?

Here's my view:
version 1-Herkie's original version
version 2.x-Cyborg17's updated version and subsequent patches
version 3-Herkie's upcoming remake

I think I will name it as "The Aftermath:Reboot" since the first release didn't work as planned. Only through the efforts of Cyborb17 that some of the downloaders were able to play it. The release was half-baked and that I certainly admit.

[herkie423]

The 3 "Avenger/Boreas" missions will definitely be retained because without them, the entire story will break. And I have a couple more missions ideas for "Strike Group Alpha." By the way, I replaced the Avenger corvette model. It is now the re-textured version of the NTF Iceni with a separate POF (duplicated the original except for the added 3 gun banks) and a new table entry.  Anyway, I will post some screenshots of "The Aftermath" as soon as possible.

One more thing:  if you're going to use the Iceni model for the Avenger, you should probably reclassify the Avenger as a frigate instead of a corvette.

Ok. that is a new classification. I only know of four; "cruiser" "corvette" "capital" and "fighter." I classify the Avenger as "corvette" and "player ship" in the flags so that you can use it and other cap ships will fire beams on you. Can you explain the uses and features of the new classification? On another note. I might download an new model for the avenger.

[herkie423]

I just thought of this:  since the new Erebus destroyer came out, would you want to use that instead of the Raynor in your upcoming update?

I think I will keep the "raynor" model because it's a good ship. I might use the "Erebus" model to replace the one used by the GTD Galileo.

[AdmiralRalwood]

One more thing:  if you're going to use the Iceni model for the Avenger, you should probably reclassify the Avenger as a frigate instead of a corvette.

Ok. that is a new classification. I only know of four; "cruiser" "corvette" "capital" and "fighter." I classify the Avenger as "corvette" and "player ship" in the flags so that you can use it and other cap ships will fire beams on you. Can you explain the uses and features of the new classification? On another note. I might download an new model for the avenger.

It's not a new classification (it also doesn't have a corresponding ship flag); it's the same classification the Iceni had in the original Freespace 2 campaign. The Iceni itself still used the "corvette" flag because it doesn't actually mean much beyond "capital ship with a lower priority than the 'capital' flag and a higher priority than the 'cruiser' flag". In fact, since priority is used almost never, the biggest effect it has is to set the default briefing icon.

[herkie423]

One more thing:  if you're going to use the Iceni model for the Avenger, you should probably reclassify the Avenger as a frigate instead of a corvette.

Ok. that is a new classification. I only know of four; "cruiser" "corvette" "capital" and "fighter." I classify the Avenger as "corvette" and "player ship" in the flags so that you can use it and other cap ships will fire beams on you. Can you explain the uses and features of the new classification? On another note. I might download an new model for the avenger.

It's not a new classification (it also doesn't have a corresponding ship flag); it's the same classification the Iceni had in the original Freespace 2 campaign. The Iceni itself still used the "corvette" flag because it doesn't actually mean much beyond "capital ship with a lower priority than the 'capital' flag and a higher priority than the 'cruiser' flag". In fact, since priority is used almost never, the biggest effect it has is to set the default briefing icon.

Whew...I thought I had it wrong. I used the "Iceni" model for the Avenger. A corvette that you can pilot. It is also available in the team loadout in some missions.

[CT27]

What I meant is that, in-game FS2 called the Iceni a frigate.  A frigate is a ship that's more powerful than a corvette but not quite as powerful as a destroyer.

[herkie423]

Is it fine for everyone to have deep blue or red or green colored space sky boxes? I have already made 12 of them and here are some of the snapshots:


Blue Colored Space:




Green Colored Space:




Red Colored Space


Blue Colored Space With Nebula


I am modifying and re-editing the missions now and tested the mission using "medium" settings. It seems that with new computers, the "BOE" missions (Battle of Endor - Star Wars) are no longer an issue with the new FSO build. But I will not overdo it by throwing a lot of ships into the fray. The unaltered missions are also working fine as I had intended a long time ago.

[CT27]

Of those, I like the green colored space and blue colored space pictures the best.

Though, you should probably keep in the normal background color (black) for some missions too.

[herkie423]

I also have the black skybox too. Those colored skyboxes will be used in some missions like the red one is used for the Adhara system, the blue colored space with nebula will be for the Gamma Draconis. All the 12 skyboxes are used in the campaign. However, I also found that the skyboxes themselves are 500mb, very huge.

[CT27]

I don't know how far along you are in the process of making the new version of The Aftermath, but I have one more suggestion/piece of constructive criticism.

The very first mission of The Aftermath needs to be changed or scrapped in my opinion.  It is pretty difficult for a first mission.  The enemy waves spawn fairly close to the ships you're meant to keep from getting disabled.  Also, waves of enemy craft spawn very quickly so players don't have much time to even breathe.

[herkie423]

Oh yes. That mission is already modified. The re-spawning enemy wings comes with only 2 fighters and a minute (or more) apart. when I played it again in "medium" difficulty, it was insane. So I have adjusted the AI setting of each fighter as well. That was error on my part. The first mission should be a kind of an "orientation" or "training"  mission for players unfamiliar to the game. Plus, enemy wings that really affects the missions will be properly designated (the other numerous fighters are just for show and their names will be hidden and what you'll see is just the name of the ship's class). By the way, in modifying the missions, I am using "medium" difficulty. That should balance things out.

P.S. Oh,...There are still hundreds of fighters involve 

[Gee1337]

Looks and sounds amazing Herkies! I can't wait to see the finished article!

Edit: Oh, if you need any new sounds for new weapons/tech, then I made a small sound pack earlier this year. You can find the thread here:-

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=89409.0

[herkie423]

Great! I will definitely check that one and if will use it, you will surely be acknowledged.

[CT27]

One more suggestion for now:

When this gets done and bugs are sorted out, talk to Goober5000 about getting the new "The Aftermath" added to the Freespace Open Installer...if that's something you want to do.

[herkie423]

Thank you CT27, that is great info for me. I have already worked the bugs of most of the models to coincide with the new VPs save for a few (Cyborg17 will try to fix them). The user interface, main halls. campaign screens, and others will also be revamped. Additional in-game music will be added too. Of course, those plans will come later as soon as Cyborg17 and I fix the campaign missions.

[CT27]

You said you'll be adding new music to the game.  I do hope there is one music track you will keep.

I liked Origa's "Aney, Unborn Child."  That was a track that played sometimes when you were reading journal entries.

[herkie423]

You said you'll be adding new music to the game.  I do hope there is one music track you will keep.

I liked Origa's "Aney, Unborn Child."  That was a track that played sometimes when you were reading journal entries.

Oh. that's my favorite too. That song will definitely stay. Actually, most of the BP soundtracks will not be remove. There will be 7 more in-game music.

[CT27]

If I may make one more suggestion:

Maybe you should add a line of text somewhere in one of the briefings that says the Boreas cruisers/Avenger corvettes are super super expensive or something like that.  Seeing how good they are some people would probably wonder why the GTVA didn't make more of those.

[herkie423]

Right. I did missed that detail. I have to justify their existence.