Registered: Oct 2002
Location:
Posts: 16

I really do hate to ask, but it's a bit unclear from the downloads page:

1) If every file there is needed or of some are optional

2) If the current version is really playable

3) What it does as far as missions, etc.

Perhaps this info is somewhere else on the page, but I'm not finding it if so. Perhaps a quick new FAQ can be written, with the PLAYER (not the MODder or Coder) in mind, to clear this up?

In fact, since I'm actually a better WRITER than I am a graphics artist, perhaps I can do this for you guys to contribute to the project? If someone can take a few minutes and give me a good overview of the project status and exactly what's in the download packs, perhaps I can make a tad more user-friendly FAQ or intro page for the project?

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious. Let me know...

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location:
Posts: 16

I really do hate to ask, but it's a bit unclear from the downloads page:

1) If every file there is needed or of some are optional

2) If the current version is really playable

3) What it does as far as missions, etc.

Perhaps this info is somewhere else on the page, but I'm not finding it if so. Perhaps a quick new FAQ can be written, with the PLAYER (not the MODder or Coder) in mind, to clear this up?

In fact, since I'm actually a better WRITER than I am a graphics artist, perhaps I can do this for you guys to contribute to the project? If someone can take a few minutes and give me a good overview of the project status and exactly what's in the download packs, perhaps I can make a tad more user-friendly FAQ or intro page for the project?

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious. Let me know...

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Finland
Posts: 3194

1)
Only 'Core' files are required. Others are optional.
Patch core is highly recommended and also highres patch is recommended if you have original core, patched core and original highres installed.

I think my site points out slightly more clearly what are optional and what are equired. See my signature. Layout of my site is not the best, but it does it's job.
Also, our webmasters have not had the time to update download links, so you may want to try those on my site.

I think we can handle FAQ's and sort of stuff.
Time has made information a bit spreaded though, perhaps it is our fault that we have not made this information centered in our downloads section. We shall remember this lesson when R2 comes out.

2)
Current version is really playable, patch fixes most of the problems found in the original release. Gameplay in R2 will however bring complete overhaul, you should find new gameplay much more enjoyable.
R2 is coming... someday.

3)
There is a short campaign and a few single missions. Make sure you select Earth - Minbari War demo campaign after installing TBP, because it will still default to original campaign which does not work after TBP is installed.

You can also backup your current data folder so you can switch between the two data folders depending on if you want to play original FS2 or TBP.


It's ok to ask questions, if you need any further info; just ask.

__________________
[URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/]The Babylon Project homepage[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/faq.php]The Babylon Project FAQ[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/]Please support FreeSpace Source Code Project[/URL]

Last edited by Mr. Fury on 12-13-2002 at 10:54 PM

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Location: Finland
Posts: 3194

1)
Only 'Core' files are required. Others are optional.
Patch core is highly recommended and also highres patch is recommended if you have original core, patched core and original highres installed.

I think my site points out slightly more clearly what are optional and what are equired. See my signature. Layout of my site is not the best, but it does it's job.
Also, our webmasters have not had the time to update download links, so you may want to try those on my site.

I think we can handle FAQ's and sort of stuff.
Time has made information a bit spreaded though, perhaps it is our fault that we have not made this information centered in our downloads section. We shall remember this lesson when R2 comes out.

2)
Current version is really playable, patch fixes most of the problems found in the original release. Gameplay in R2 will however bring complete overhaul, you should find new gameplay much more enjoyable.
R2 is coming... someday.

3)
There is a short campaign and a few single missions. Make sure you select Earth - Minbari War demo campaign after installing TBP, because it will still default to original campaign which does not work after TBP is installed.

You can also backup your current data folder so you can switch between the two data folders depending on if you want to play original FS2 or TBP.


It's ok to ask questions, if you need any further info; just ask.

__________________
[URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/]The Babylon Project homepage[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/faq.php]The Babylon Project FAQ[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/]Please support FreeSpace Source Code Project[/URL]

Last edited by Mr. Fury on 12-13-2002 at 10:54 PM

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Hehe... actually I was JUST looking at your site, and yeah you DO have better info. One thing though: what version of Freespace is required? I have Freespace and Freespace 2, and I assume the sequal. Do either need to be a patched release at a specific version number to be compatible with your files?

I can't agree more about documenting all your info in one easy-to-locate place, especially with R2 coming up. There are tons of B5 fans that would love this, but if it's a hassle getting all the stuff downloaded and installed most will turn away, which would be very unfortunate. If writing a self-extracting and auto-installing app to load it is too much trouble, I'd suggest a detailed Installation Guide at the very least, detailing exactly what files to expect, and where to put them when they are unzipped. Perhaps the current file packs already have this (??).

Last, I'd also document exactly what the packs DO and DO NOT do... I know you touched briefly in the FAQ about the lack of Newtonian physics (for example), but a brief explaination of things like missions, ships, etc, would be a good thing. Little tid-bits like your comment on backing up the data file to allow switching between Freespace and B5 are priceless for people like me who have really only PLAYED Freespace, and are not intimately familiar with the game's internal file structure. Now I just need to know HOW to do what you're talking about in PRACTICE now that I know this can be done in THEORY... Like I said, I can volunteer forsome of this grunt-work wordsmithing if you need the assistance.

Thanks for letting me know.

Last edited by ImagoX on 12-13-2002 at 11:01 PM

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Hehe... actually I was JUST looking at your site, and yeah you DO have better info. One thing though: what version of Freespace is required? I have Freespace and Freespace 2, and I assume the sequal. Do either need to be a patched release at a specific version number to be compatible with your files?

I can't agree more about documenting all your info in one easy-to-locate place, especially with R2 coming up. There are tons of B5 fans that would love this, but if it's a hassle getting all the stuff downloaded and installed most will turn away, which would be very unfortunate. If writing a self-extracting and auto-installing app to load it is too much trouble, I'd suggest a detailed Installation Guide at the very least, detailing exactly what files to expect, and where to put them when they are unzipped. Perhaps the current file packs already have this (??).

Last, I'd also document exactly what the packs DO and DO NOT do... I know you touched briefly in the FAQ about the lack of Newtonian physics (for example), but a brief explaination of things like missions, ships, etc, would be a good thing. Little tid-bits like your comment on backing up the data file to allow switching between Freespace and B5 are priceless for people like me who have really only PLAYED Freespace, and are not intimately familiar with the game's internal file structure. Now I just need to know HOW to do what you're talking about in PRACTICE now that I know this can be done in THEORY... Like I said, I can volunteer forsome of this grunt-work wordsmithing if you need the assistance.

Thanks for letting me know.

Last edited by ImagoX on 12-13-2002 at 11:01 PM

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FreeSpace 2 it is, also latest official patch is recommended.
After both are installed, then you go for core installation. Then optional packages.

Example:
FS2
FS2 1.2 patch
TBP Core
TBP optional packages
TBP Core patch
TBP highres patch

Use highres downloads only if your video card is at least Voodoo 3 or TNT or at similar level.

Hmh, I really agree with you. We should have better information in downloads area, not just in FAQ if this stuff is there at all.

So it shall be, better information should be available when R2 is launched.

R1 files were already self-extracting archives with built-in help pages. But I think we can improve help pages even more in upcoming release.

__________________
[URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/]The Babylon Project homepage[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/faq.php]The Babylon Project FAQ[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/]Please support FreeSpace Source Code Project[/URL]

Last edited by Mr. Fury on 12-13-2002 at 11:07 PM

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Registered: Feb 2001
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FreeSpace 2 it is, also latest official patch is recommended.
After both are installed, then you go for core installation. Then optional packages.

Example:
FS2
FS2 1.2 patch
TBP Core
TBP optional packages
TBP Core patch
TBP highres patch

Use highres downloads only if your video card is at least Voodoo 3 or TNT or at similar level.

Hmh, I really agree with you. We should have better information in downloads area, not just in FAQ if this stuff is there at all.

So it shall be, better information should be available when R2 is launched.

R1 files were already self-extracting archives with built-in help pages. But I think we can improve help pages even more in upcoming release.

__________________
[URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/]The Babylon Project homepage[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/faq.php]The Babylon Project FAQ[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/]Please support FreeSpace Source Code Project[/URL]

Last edited by Mr. Fury on 12-13-2002 at 11:07 PM

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Freespace 2 only, and I personally reccomend you patch to 1.2, of course. I'm not sure if TBP requires 1.2, but you know if you have a problem with it the first response will be "did you patch to version 1.2" so you might as well get it ahead of time

As for what the files actually modify, well, the way mods are handled in FS2 this pack is more or less the only way to go. I'm sure whoever wrote the pack (CptWhite, I think) or another TBP member can explain in more detail, though.

They do self-install once you target the proper directory (and the install note files tells you where to go), though.

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Freespace 2 only, and I personally reccomend you patch to 1.2, of course. I'm not sure if TBP requires 1.2, but you know if you have a problem with it the first response will be "did you patch to version 1.2" so you might as well get it ahead of time

As for what the files actually modify, well, the way mods are handled in FS2 this pack is more or less the only way to go. I'm sure whoever wrote the pack (CptWhite, I think) or another TBP member can explain in more detail, though.

They do self-install once you target the proper directory (and the install note files tells you where to go), though.

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Excelent! You guys rock...

One thing... Is the Freespace patch hosted on this site somewhere? It's an older game, and sometimes getting patches can be a pain, if the publisher somehow "accidentally" deletes the files. I have Freespace 2 on CD, but never loaded it on my new Atahlon 2100+ with my GeForce4 card that I just built a few months ago, so I'll need to reinstall and patch. It will geve me something to do this weekend, huh? I was just thinking I really need to play through Freespace and Freespace 2 again (seriously... I LOVED the first Freespace's story and won one of their short story contests they ran a few years back).

Hey, is it possible to load Freespace 2 twice into 2 seperate direcories, and then apply the B5 patch to one of the versions, leaving the other one alone? Might this be easier than backing up and restoring data files to allow switching between FS and B5? Has anyone tried this? I know it USUALLY works when you do this, but with some games I know it doesn't. Since you say the files are self-extracting, I'd do one load with whatever default destination the game likes (usually, a subdirectory of "Program FIles"), and load the SECOND version in my custom "Games" folder- that way the B5 patch will likely modify the one in "Program Files', right?

Last edited by ImagoX on 12-13-2002 at 11:24 PM

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Registered: Oct 2002
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Excelent! You guys rock...

One thing... Is the Freespace patch hosted on this site somewhere? It's an older game, and sometimes getting patches can be a pain, if the publisher somehow "accidentally" deletes the files. I have Freespace 2 on CD, but never loaded it on my new Atahlon 2100+ with my GeForce4 card that I just built a few months ago, so I'll need to reinstall and patch. It will geve me something to do this weekend, huh? I was just thinking I really need to play through Freespace and Freespace 2 again (seriously... I LOVED the first Freespace's story and won one of their short story contests they ran a few years back).

Hey, is it possible to load Freespace 2 twice into 2 seperate direcories, and then apply the B5 patch to one of the versions, leaving the other one alone? Might this be easier than backing up and restoring data files to allow switching between FS and B5? Has anyone tried this? I know it USUALLY works when you do this, but with some games I know it doesn't. Since you say the files are self-extracting, I'd do one load with whatever default destination the game likes (usually, a subdirectory of "Program FIles"), and load the SECOND version in my custom "Games" folder- that way the B5 patch will likely modify the one in "Program Files', right?

Last edited by ImagoX on 12-13-2002 at 11:24 PM

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I have heard it is possible to have two FS2's installed at same time, never tried it myself though. Although in my opinion it is just easier this way:

Install FS2
Install FS2 patch
Copy current .../FreeSpace2/data to say 'original-data'
Then install TBP.

And when you want to play original FS2, rename 'data'-folder currently in use (TBP one) to say, TBP-data and then rename 'original-data' back to 'data'.

Some might prefer just installing two FS2's.

freespace2.com is still online, and there you can find a link to patch.
It's here: http://www.pxo.net/files/fs21x-12.exe
If it does not work for some odd reason, you can try my [URL=http://koti.mbnet.fi/~fury/tbp/fs2-patch/fs21x-12.exe]mirror.[/URL]

By the way, since Source Code team is working hard with source code changes, and one of the changes is true mod support. Meaning that all mods or total conversions can have their own folders, completely eliminating the need of copying and renaming of data folders, or installing multiple FS2's.

But source code changes will not be supported in TBP until R3. We will keep rights to change that howewer.

__________________
[URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/]The Babylon Project homepage[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/faq.php]The Babylon Project FAQ[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/]Please support FreeSpace Source Code Project[/URL]

Last edited by Mr. Fury on 12-13-2002 at 11:40 PM

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Location: Finland
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I have heard it is possible to have two FS2's installed at same time, never tried it myself though. Although in my opinion it is just easier this way:

Install FS2
Install FS2 patch
Copy current .../FreeSpace2/data to say 'original-data'
Then install TBP.

And when you want to play original FS2, rename 'data'-folder currently in use (TBP one) to say, TBP-data and then rename 'original-data' back to 'data'.

Some might prefer just installing two FS2's.

freespace2.com is still online, and there you can find a link to patch.
It's here: http://www.pxo.net/files/fs21x-12.exe
If it does not work for some odd reason, you can try my [URL=http://koti.mbnet.fi/~fury/tbp/fs2-patch/fs21x-12.exe]mirror.[/URL]

By the way, since Source Code team is working hard with source code changes, and one of the changes is true mod support. Meaning that all mods or total conversions can have their own folders, completely eliminating the need of copying and renaming of data folders, or installing multiple FS2's.

But source code changes will not be supported in TBP until R3. We will keep rights to change that howewer.

__________________
[URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/]The Babylon Project homepage[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/faq.php]The Babylon Project FAQ[/URL] <> [URL=http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/]Please support FreeSpace Source Code Project[/URL]

Last edited by Mr. Fury on 12-13-2002 at 11:40 PM

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Not sure if this has already been said, but welcome to the VWBB, ImagoX. Enjoy your stay here.

On a side note, I miss 3DFX. When I had a Voodoo3 3000 and a P2 350, I could run UT at the same resolution that I do now, having a Duron 1200 and a Radeon 7200. It also looked nicer.

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: West Sussex, England
Posts: 85

Not sure if this has already been said, but welcome to the VWBB, ImagoX. Enjoy your stay here.

On a side note, I miss 3DFX. When I had a Voodoo3 3000 and a P2 350, I could run UT at the same resolution that I do now, having a Duron 1200 and a Radeon 7200. It also looked nicer.

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- NEXUS, Warzone 2100

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