Sins of a Solar Empire : Real-Time Strategy. Unrivalled Scale.
© 2003-2013 Ironclad Games Corporation Vancouver, BC. All rights reserved.
© 2006-2013 Stardock Entertainment

Anybody remember Freespace?

It'd be cool if a mod was made about this..

By on May 26, 2008 11:29:24 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums

Rallis

Join Date 05/2008
+3
If anybody remembers the old games Descent, Freespace and Freespace 2, it'd be sweet to make a mod about those. As soon as I picked this game up, that was the first thing I thought about and a lot of the gameplay concepts are the same. Besides Freespace being a sim and not an RTS. In my opinion though, Freespace 2 was the best space game of it's time, but was largely un-advertised so not many people knew about it. It had great graphics, very well done gameplay, a interesting story and background, and lots of ships to choose from. It probably is still one of the best space games out there.
86 Replies
Search this post
Subscription Options


Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 21, 2008 12:15:15 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Yeah. A possibility would be a self-destruct ability set to autocast at hp=1. Cost zero antimatter, cooldown = who cares? Anyways, is anyone actually doing a FS2 mod, or is everyone just chatting about doing one?
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 21, 2008 1:38:40 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Myself and Mazer have been messing around with ideas getting it off the ground right now. Like I said earlier, I'll take any recruits for the mod team. Right now we're focusing on getting a site up and ModDb. I'll also make some renders later on and maybe mod logos and icons.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 21, 2008 1:47:47 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
i wonder if maybe you could put it in as a weapon (the explosion i mean) that is scripted to only fire when the ships health is at 0 or 1 so it would seem to go off when the ship explodes. Perhaps you could make the explosion effect large enough to hide the ship for a moment untill it dies. I dont know if any of this is possible i dont know how flexible sins is. but i used to use little hacks like that when modding homeworld. (although homeworld natively supported ship explosions dealing damage to other ships)
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 21, 2008 1:57:59 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Myself and Mazer have been messing around with ideas getting it off the ground right now. Like I said earlier, I'll take any recruits for the mod team. Right now we're focusing on getting a site up and ModDb. I'll also make some renders later on and maybe mod logos and icons.


There is another FS2 mod thread here. You should collaborate with them on this. Also, Hoho5000 was doing some work for a Universe at War FS2 mod. I think he has some stuff done model-wise.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 21, 2008 2:22:27 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
FreeSpace 2 Open AL -Google for "OPEN AL"

Freespace 2 SCP Video
Freespace 2 SCP -Battlestar Galactica Video"

I've played it a couple of times, rocks even if old as hell   

Kaloonzu... TEC, Advent, Vasari for SINS. Terran, Vasudan, Shivan for Freespace 1/2. SINS is Freespace. lol. wait... Freespace 1/2 had campaigns. /bitter

yes, a FreeSpace 2 MOD would kick ass!! Make it So!
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 21, 2008 2:31:29 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Freespace 2 -Mad World

brings a tear to my eye.

SINS needs a campaign sooooo bad.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 22, 2008 10:31:57 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
that mad world vid is great.

I'm in for the freespace mod. i have been trying to fine tune my freespace map to get the feel of the game right. Tweaking ship stats to mimic freespace ships and battles. There are instances where the AI gets hung up and wont do anything or it runs away when it shouldn't, etc. Besides the models, which will be a pain, the AI will be the biggest problem with this mod. I hope it gets rebuilt for version 1.1.

Anyway, i have the freespace material and have experience going through most of the sins files. Cant do modelling, i tried but nope. I could never get the textures to stay on the model properly. I can work with sounds and pics and text.

sssswwweeeeettttttt!
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 23, 2008 1:33:59 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Midnightjoker, the FS2 models are already done. There was a tutorial in either this thread or the other one about how to extract the files from the FS2 SCP .vps's and through several programs export them into .mesh format. With that, all you would have to do is find someone to re-tex the models, because I think they have multiple texture maps, and Sins doesn't like that.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 23, 2008 4:02:40 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Midnightjoker, the FS2 models are already done. There was a tutorial in either this thread or the other one about how to extract the files from the FS2 SCP .vps's and through several programs export them into .mesh format. With that, all you would have to do is find someone to re-tex the models, because I think they have multiple texture maps, and Sins doesn't like that.


Yeah, they're multi texture, that's gonna be annoying.. especially for engine lighting and things
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 23, 2008 10:58:57 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Ships in game sounds like great progress!
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 24, 2008 9:59:13 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Whats the % complete of this nebulous mod we know nothing about. Who are the members, who is doing what, what is complete, what is left to do....

Oh and make a ModDB page for this as well.

For a formal mod name, Sins of a Shivan Empire sounds cool.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 24, 2008 11:45:00 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
rallis, i would love to help you guys out and would give learning a chance. i have lots of ideas coupled with good overview of execution. While i dont have much modding experience(only a little in fallout tactics), i woul dprobably be better able to help with more admin type stuff but like i said, would be willing to learn(try at least). so by all means if you need any help that you think i coud offer just speak up. ( i could probably give 3-7hrs per week on this, some more, more then some less).

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 25, 2008 12:39:52 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
I wish I had the talent to contribute, I'll just have to play the hell out of it until my HD/Gfx burn out   
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 12:36:29 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
im having major issues with getting the convert xsi tool to work properly otherwise id have some of the models ingame already. im getting a no vertexes detected error then the .mesh file is only 1k and wont display anything in game im gonna try using xsi mod tools to do it instead of blender and hopefully thids will help. ill post back if i make progress.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 2:45:50 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Whats the % complete of this nebulous mod we know nothing about. Who are the members, who is doing what, what is complete, what is left to do....Oh and make a ModDB page for this as well.For a formal mod name, Sins of a Shivan Empire sounds cool.


There is practically no completion at the moment, maybe 5-6%. The only members as of now are myself, Midnightjoker, and Mazer. That's why I made a post about how people could ask to help us out.

Leave it to us, please, I will be trying to get a ModDb page, but I won't until we can show some actual progress with screenshots. As all other modders know, you have to show a screenshot for ModDb to even consider posting your mod.

The mod name will be what the team decides on, if it's gonna be simply The FreeSpace2 Project, then that's what it's gonna be. So, unless you want to join up and help, then just wait instead of trying to backseat drive.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 4:32:43 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Hey, I have no problem with waiting if it means I can play Freespace 2 in Sins.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 8:18:51 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
well i have no problem waitng too i just thought that helping would not only make it come sooner but would allow you guys with the brains more time to deal with the trickyer issues while someone like me changes all the names to FS2 ones for instance or sets up a new development/tech tree for fighters and bombers, or something that is just irratating and time comsuming, not nessessarily techically difficult, like porting/making 3d models. Sometimes i bet mod teams cut some courners in the process because they get to a point and just want to finish the damn project, this is NOT something that i want to happen to a AMAZING idea like this and am willing to invest time and effort to make sure that that does not occur(or at least minimize it). I just need to know where to invest my time so as to be the most help to the project. I MAY be able to get access to a Team Speak server so we could do a private verbal forum to brainstorm stuff quicker and as a group(as long as the sever is not abused).
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 10:58:28 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
how would you put the shivans in the game? would they actually conqure planets and use them or would they be more like FS and raise every planet and stucture.

Also, I dont know for a fact, but doesnt every player in sins also need at least one planet to still be alive? Would the shivans have a home planet called Shiva or would there be a way around this?
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 7:46:53 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
well i have no problem waitng too i just thought that helping would not only make it come sooner but would allow you guys with the brains more time to deal with the trickyer issues while someone like me changes all the names to FS2 ones for instance or sets up a new development/tech tree for fighters and bombers, or something that is just irratating and time comsuming, not nessessarily techically difficult, like porting/making 3d models. Sometimes i bet mod teams cut some courners in the process because they get to a point and just want to finish the damn project, this is NOT something that i want to happen to a AMAZING idea like this and am willing to invest time and effort to make sure that that does not occur(or at least minimize it). I just need to know where to invest my time so as to be the most help to the project. I MAY be able to get access to a Team Speak server so we could do a private verbal forum to brainstorm stuff quicker and as a group(as long as the sever is not abused).


how would you put the shivans in the game? would they actually conqure planets and use them or would they be more like FS and raise every planet and stucture.Also, I dont know for a fact, but doesnt every player in sins also need at least one planet to still be alive? Would the shivans have a home planet called Shiva or would there be a way around this?


Good, Mashew. I'll be sending you a PM sometime soon regarding your acceptance to the team.

Alex, I'm not sure how we could incorporate them into the game, because the Shivans captured star systems, and were most likely born in a zero gravity environment according to FS2's database. I think myself and the rest of the team could figure out some way to allow the Shivans to start in a nebula or magnetic cloud, then build their own structures and portals there. Maybe instead of having ship factories, they could create a subspace portal, like in FS2. Then through that they could call ships into a staging area of sorts. In the staging area, there would be no planets, only an asteroid belt, magnetic cloud, nebula, that sort of thing. Instead of having a home planet, they would have the subspace node constructed there, which you can upgrade to call in better ships or more at a time. When the Shivans conquer an enemy planet, it could be removed from gameplay and replaced with a portal. If another empire captured the portal, then they could use it to bring in their own forces. It will add a whole new game mechanic, if we can figure out how to make it work.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 8:07:57 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
We now have forums at: FS2 Mod Project

If anyone wishes to volunteer to help us get these set up, update them, and just help out in general, you're welcome to ask.

Also, don't be confused by what I just said, though. Everyone is allowed to register and chat about FS2 or the mod any time there.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 10:42:29 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
yeah i was thinking we could take the wormhole from sins and swap in the knossos portal model.

my theory on shivans is they thrive on super nova remnants and go around blowing up stars to get resources (and wipe out upstart apes).

we could mod a star to be a post nova dwarf and mod the nebulas to be huge and have effects on ships.

i doubt there is any way (yet) to have an ability in game that changes a star model from say a normal one to a nova remnant. oh well.

i will sign up at ze project. thank rallis.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 26, 2008 11:08:41 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Well, I want to stay as canon as possible to the true FS2, and it's confirmed that the reason the Shivans destroyed the star wasn't for resources. The star formed a new portal when it exploded, but no one knows where it goes, since it was going to all be explained in FS3. But, since FS3 never came out, we don't know what happened to Admiral Bosch or why the Shivans even invaded GTVA space. It's all an open-ended mystery and we'll have to play it as such.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 27, 2008 12:21:39 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Well, I want to stay as canon as possible to the true FS2, and it's confirmed that the reason the Shivans destroyed the star wasn't for resources. The star formed a new portal when it exploded, but no one knows where it goes, since it was going to all be explained in FS3. But, since FS3 never came out, we don't know what happened to Admiral Bosch or why the Shivans even invaded GTVA space. It's all an open-ended mystery and we'll have to play it as such.


Ok I was a little confused by the whole portal idea at first, but then agian I always look at FS from the great war perspective and data base. but I understand now.

Since sins is ment for a map to be a solar system or two couldnt you just overlay planets with the green and red orbs they use in the FS breifings? Hopfuly this would make the map feel more like the FS map when zoomed out and make it feel like your fighting for sysems rather than planets. I dont know how this would look, but i dont think it would be very difficult to do.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 27, 2008 12:32:02 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Ok I was a little confused by the whole portal idea at first, but then agian I always look at FS from the great war perspective and data base. but I understand now.Since sins is ment for a map to be a solar system or two couldnt you just overlay planets with the green and red orbs they use in the FS breifings? Hopfuly this would make the map feel more like the FS map when zoomed out and make it feel like your fighting for sysems rather than planets. I dont know how this would look, but i dont think it would be very difficult to do.


Rather than the Green and Red orbs for the planets themselves, maybe we could figure out a way to make it so that they are Green or Red when zoomed out, as opposed to the multiple colors in normal Sins. And maybe yellow for contested zones, like in FS2.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
June 27, 2008 6:12:41 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums
Rather than the Green and Red orbs for the planets themselves, maybe we could figure out a way to make it so that they are Green or Red when zoomed out, as opposed to the multiple colors in normal Sins. And maybe yellow for contested zones, like in FS2.


In a word: SWEET.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Stardock Forums v1.0.0.0    #108434  walnut1   Server Load Time: 00:00:00.0002484   Page Render Time: