DescentBB

I may eventually see if Midnight Squadron would like to write a converter for FS format and take up my old Wraith Trilogy project. I doubt we will. Would be interesting though. I still have the levels I made somewhere around here heh. I need a way to implement music though. :\

Ok, so better late than never right?

I took a shot at loading this up during a lull this weekend. I got the single player working great (wicked improvement across the board by the way), except when I try to launch a LAN game the whole thing goes to crap...

I can set up the game, pick the mission, then when I launch, it crashes to the desktop. I searched the FS forums for a solution, and there was one with the exact problem, but the solution involved a couple of vp files that aren't on the FTP anymore. (I'll have to get the names of the files off of the other computer later)

So, is this a common problem? Possibly an easier solution (The last time this issue was posted was 2003)

Thanks!

Hmmm...can't say I've heard of anyone recently with that problem. Then again, I've never attempted to play FS2 over a LAN. Does TCP/IP work at all for you? To use it, you'll have to sign up for a FS2NetD account, which basically replaces the PXO login. There should be a link in the FS2 Wiki or on the SCP's website. You used to have to download a new multiplayer config file to join TCP/IP games, but I believe that might be included in the 3.6.5 VP files. As I said, though, I'm not sure if any of this even applies to trying to play a LAN game.

I get the same problem. When I launch a campaign it CTD. Oddly enough I can play the training missions just fine.

New config file you say? Cool, I'll see if I can find it.

Top Wop wrote:I get the same problem. When I launch a campaign it CTD. Oddly enough I can play the training missions just fine.

I'd use Direct 3D for the time being. Theres a rather large issue with the OpenGL code that needs to be ironed out.

Clutch: You might want to register and ask about it on the board. (Be sure you post it in the Source Code Project forum if you want it to get any attention.) If for any reason you have problems registering (their mail server config is quirky...kinda like the one on the server hosting the DBB. It sends mail when it feels like it.), bug me on ICQ or AIM (info is in my profile) and I'll be happy to post it for you. (I post as "Vertigo1" on HLP.)

Outstanding... I'll jump over there later, Thanks!

Never even played the first one or this one. Probably would have enjoyed them better then I have D3

Tyranny wrote:Probably would have enjoyed them better then I have D3

Thats a mild understatement.

Even the original Freespace kicks D3's ass. Both graphically and gameplay wise. That, and the soundtrack is infinitely better.

Great, patching errors. Yay

I get this when I use the Auto-updater.
http://missions.dyndns.org/misc/other/fs2error.jpg

Then I get this using the stand alone patch...
http://missions.dyndns.org/misc/other/fs2error2.jpg

The game runs fine just vanilla 1.00.

Are you using the HOTU version of FS2? That version has some issues with patching; I think its .exe file is a different version than the rest of the files. Karajorma has an FAQ that details what you'll need to do to get the HOTU version patched properly. If it's not the HOTU version, then I can't say I've heard of that error.

MD-2389 wrote:That, and the soundtrack is infinitely better.

You kidding me? D3's should'nt even be considered music.

How we got from D2 to D3 in terms of music is beyond me.

And thanks for the suggestion, ill try it out later tonight.

Top Gun, most of the FAQ pages are fine and dandy, but the forums they link to and the people who posted links to necessary files are broken and nearly two years old. This isn't helping me much. The only thing that would really help is if someone made some ISOs of the 3disks and provided them because I've already spent WAY too much time trying to get this stuff working.

Googling for solutions for nearly two hours last night was unsuccessful.

Why the team hasn't come up with a single package that has everything has me puzzled. Ever hear of the FreeFalcon mod for Falcon 4.0? You dont even need to install the patch. Its all inclusive and everything that goes with the mod. All this file hunting is a bit daunting and shuns people away from enjoying the mod.

Is there any way to slow down the speed of the briefing and tutorial information? That stuff comes up and goes so fast I don't have time to see wtf I'm supposed to do.

I can play the game, I even can use FS2_open but I doubt its patched to 1.2. Sometimes its a bit buggy and I've had it crash once already. Not sure if thats because it isn't patched or something. oh well.

Top Wop wrote:Why the team hasn't come up with a single package that has everything has me puzzled. Ever hear of the FreeFalcon mod for Falcon 4.0? You dont even need to install the patch. Its all inclusive and everything that goes with the mod. All this file hunting is a bit daunting and shuns people away from enjoying the mod.

Top Wop, there is some sort of installer for the game launcher/actual executable, but for the extra media files, it isn't that simple. FS2 stores all of the texture, model, animation, music, mission, and table files in VP archive files. There is one VP file, the Z pack, that contains just about everything for the SCP, but due to the nature of FS2's file management, separate downloads are almost required. The system isn't really complicated once you've fooled around with it a little.

Tyranny wrote:Is there any way to slow down the speed of the briefing and tutorial information? That stuff comes up and goes so fast I don't have time to see wtf I'm supposed to do.

It comes up fast? If you're referring to briefings, I know the stages don't move any faster than the actual audio files reading out the text, so it can't be that fast. If you want to stop on a certain briefing stage or move forward/back, just use the pause and arrow buttons at the top of the briefing screen. As for the tutorial information, the "Mission directives" window at the left of the screen will tell you any tasks that you have to perform. As for looking at the actual text in-mission, just hit F4. From there, you can look at your objectives, mission dialogue, and events (i.e. destruction/arrival of ships).

Tyranny wrote:I can play the game, I even can use FS2_open but I doubt its patched to 1.2. Sometimes its a bit buggy and I've had it crash once already. Not sure if thats because it isn't patched or something. oh well.

It could be because of the patch, but FS2_Open does crash once in a while, especially if you're using one of the newer experimental builds. The whole thing is a work in progress, but it has become much more stable in recent months; the team has managed to fix some memory leaks that were causing all kinds of troubles.

Tyranny wrote:Top Gun, most of the FAQ pages are fine and dandy, but the forums they link to and the people who posted links to necessary files are broken and nearly two years old. This isn't helping me much. The only thing that would really help is if someone made some ISOs of the 3disks and provided them because I've already spent WAY too much time trying to get this stuff working.

I'm not sure where you're looking, but I can't remember any specific sites with dead/2-year-old links. Forget about Google, though; I can direct you in the right direction. Your primary source of info should be Hard Light Productions, which I think MD-2389 mentioned above. This is the hub of the FS2 community and of the SCP. If you post in the Source Code Project forum with any technical issues you're having, they should be able to resolve them. The official SCP site is located here; it's the best place to download the VP files and recent build files, as well as having a good walkthrough for installing the SCP (under the "Players" section). The Freespace Oracle has some good info on the HOTU version, among other things. If you're looking for info about converting the FS/FS2 movies into AVI format, check this page. Finally, the Freespace Wiki has a plethora of good info. That should be just about everything you need. About the ISOs: Game Warden has been hosting them, but it's my understanding that you have to register for their forums in order to download them. They've been having some hosting issues recently, but someone there should be able to help you out.

I know this all seems overwhelming at first; it was a long time before I took the plunge and started fooling around with the SCP. Trust me though, it does get easier once you understand what to do, and the results are well worth it.

Top Gun wrote:Are you using the HOTU version of FS2? That version has some issues with patching; I think its .exe file is a different version than the rest of the files. Karajorma has an FAQ that details what you'll need to do to get the HOTU version patched properly. If it's not the HOTU version, then I can't say I've heard of that error.

He got that error because he's running a different version of FS2, and the patch doesn't recognize the exe.

That, or if you downloaded the HOTU version it probably is already patched to 1.2. If you need a full copy of FS2, mail me 3 CDs or one DVD-R with return postage and I'll be more than happy to burn a copy.

MD-2389 wrote:

Top Wop wrote:I get the same problem. When I launch a campaign it CTD. Oddly enough I can play the training missions just fine.

I'd use Direct 3D for the time being. Theres a rather large issue with the OpenGL code that needs to be ironed out.

It does not matter what renderer I use, it will CTD upon starting a campaign. I already did a re-install and re application of the mod and it still wont run. So far forum searches have turned up nothing.

Top Gun: It doesnt have to be that way. Just select and compile a mixture of recommended media files (doesnt have to be everything) and say here you go, one click install. Say "Top Gun's" Flavor or "MD-2398's" flavor to get X feature.

Im getting cable soon so once I have all of this figured out (and working!) ill do just that and create a one click installer since no one else wants to do it. It will be known as Top Wop's Compilation. Simplifying things makes the whole world go round.


Edit: What would help me actually and mayby eliminate this bug im having is mayby list the .vp files you have installed, I may have downloaded one to many.

The briefings must be moving too fast because I don't have some of the required audio files (Which were mentioned to be missing) however I can't download what I need from the links provided because they are broken.

What I mean is, the links that the forums provide DO go to a page. Thats fine, however ON the pages in question the links are primarily dead (atleast for the actual files I DO need). A few miscellaneous links work, such as the registry fix thing (which of course didn't work, they weren't recognized as registry files go figure).

I've been to every single site you've listed (yes, found them from google) and downloaded what I can but the main files I need are here http://www3.sympatico.ca/kbros/fs2/index.html and I get a "ed2k is not a registered protocol" in Firefox when I click the important links (Tthe VP files).

The Copy I got I got from Underdogs, which as far as I can tell karajorma is saying that it is the HotU version. Should have known it wouldn't have been worth my time to download. The compressed filesize was 214mb. Maybe I'll try Bookmans sometime this week and see if they have it in the bargain bin for $1.00.

Would save me the trouble. Thx anyways.

btw MD, both the readme and the game have v1.00 as the listed version.

HOTU stands for "Home of the Underdogs". The only difference I know of between the HOTU and the retail version is that the HOTU version lacks the music and the movies.

You also might want to have a look at this thread on HLP if you haven't read it already. That should have everything you need to make your HOTU version the same as the retail version. I know it has the same ED2k links you mentioned, but if you scroll down you'll get the info you need to log onto his FTP server.

btw, my offer still stands if you want me to burn you a copy. Get with me over AIM if you're interested.

I've tried that with my FTP client. Always get a "Too Many users logged for this account" message.

The FTP server has a slot free as of right now; it's not always full. That'll be the best place for you to get the files you need. According to Karajorma's FAQ, along with the extra VP files, you'll need the .exe files for the original FS2. That way, you should be able to finally upgrade.

Top Wop, what build of FS2_Open are you using? 3.6.5 is the most recent release, but the Recent Builds subforum inside the SCP forum at HLP has up-to-date builds with new features and fixes.

As for the VP files, to get every effect and enhancement, you'll need to download every VP file from the SCP website, which I linked to above. The ZPack contains the contents of all but one, but which one it is I can't remember. I'd recommending downloading them all separately. Oh, and don't bother with the music.vp; there are still some bugs that are being worked out with the high-quality music files.

As for which VP files to include in a hypothetical pack, there's no real "flavor;" there's only one set of official VP files for FS2_Open. Any others out there are for specific mods/campaigns, not the actual project. The real reason that the SCP can't really have everything as one single download and installer is because things are being constantly modified. There are constantly new builds being released; some of the most recent ones have added some great new features. (By the way, to the best of my knowledge, most of the bugs with OpenGL are either solved or being worked out right now.) Since the actual build is the most integral part of the whole project, having one static download wouldn't work too well, as it would be constantly outdated and would discourage people from downloading recent builds. Plus, even the VP files themselves, while they're relatively constant, do need small changes to fix bugs. Pretty much the only constant thing is the launcher.

I guess someone could put together some type of installer package that could be upgraded as needed, but it's never been done that way. This method isn't bad at all, once you get used to it. It actually allows more customization; for example, if you still wanted to run "vanilla" FS2, you could keep the VP files in their own mod folder. It's also much easier to download one upgraded VP file than having to download the whole package, which is another reason I recommend the separate files over the ZPack. Anyway, as I said before, the best thing to dow would be to post over at HLP; they'd be able to help you out much more than I could.