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Freespace 2 Source Code Released 162

Posted by chrisd from the time-wasting-perfection dept.
Initri writes "I read a news article (here) on Gamespot that the Freespace 2 source code has been released by Volition. You can download it there, or you can also download it here. Since I don't have the game installed anymore, I wasn't able to try out the code, but it did successfully compile under MSVC 6.0. Looks like there's a lot of learning potential here." Freespace 2 was one of my favorite games, and I wasted many hours playing it.
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Freespace 2 Source Code Released More

Freespace 2 Source Code Released

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  • License? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by xer.xes ( 4181 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @03:50PM (#3425603)
    Under what license is this released? And is it the full sourcecode (with other words: is the 'engine' code also included)?

    I don't want to download the whole file through a dial-up connection...
    • And besides that, I don't want to pay for it!

      I expected a free download. Hmm.. It might be gamespot that's charging for it. Mirrors anyone?

    • Re:License? (Score:3, Informative)

      by martissimo ( 515886 )
      Gamespot has gone to a pay for use service, try the 2nd link to download. And as to downloading the "whole file", its listed at 3.84 MB...even on 56K thats not much of a DL

    • Quoth the code... (Score:5, Informative)

      by ceejayoz ( 567949 ) <cj@ceejayoz.com> on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:07PM (#3425661) Homepage Journal
      /*
      * Copyright (C) Volition, Inc. 1999. All rights reserved.
      *
      * All source code herein is the property of Volition, Inc. You may not sell
      * or otherwise commercially exploit the source or things you created based on the
      * source.
      *
      */
      • Is that mean, that no Linux version is possible? AFAIR Doom engine is GPL, but what about Heretic/Hexen/etc ? Source was released, but who (and how) ported non-GPL sources to Linux?
        • You can't benefit comemrcially. So you could indeed port it to Linux if you were so inclined, but you couldn't sell it (although you couldn't be compelled to release the source code if you wanted to do a binary only release).
        • Why the hell does code have to be GPL to be ported to Linux? You've been listening to Ballmer and Gates a little too much.
          • Why the hell does code have to be GPL to be ported to Linux?

            When code is under GPL -> it can be changed and distributed -> ported to Linux. When code is not under GPL -> it's under another license. Some licenses allow to change and distribute changed code, some doesn't. What is license of FreeSpace2 code?

            • Re:Quoth the code... (Score:2, Informative)

              by ceejayoz ( 567949 )
              The FS2 code does not appear to have a license agreement, other than that statement that you may not use the source for commercial gain. Porting it to Linux, making a new game using the engine, etc are within the limits of that copyright statement as long as they are distributed for free.
            • gpl only requires that if you distribute binary versions, you also make the sources available. and the recipient of those sources can make and distribute changes to those sources (only under the same license terms).

              i don't think it is feasable for all gpl code to be ported to linux (gnucleus, virtualdub, etc).

              as noted above, freespace2 license appears to allow modifications to the source, and allows for redistribution. it restricts any commercial profit from the product. this seems to disallow linux distros from including it w/o special licensing.
      • Hmm... What exactly is your point? So none can exploit it commercially, it doesn't say you can't port it to Linux and play it there...
      • That makes it a bit unclear what you can do with it. On the one hand it says "All rights reserved", which means you can't distribute derivative works without Volition's consent. But on the other hand, it explicitly says you can't sell or otherwise commercially exploit derivative works, which sort of implies that you can distribute them as long as you're not doing it for profit. But it'd be nice if this were more explicitly stated.
    • "I don't want to download the whole file through a dial-up connection..."

      Get just what you want at tricks.icarusindie.com [icarusindie.com] in the Source Code section.

      Direct Link [icarusindie.com] to the FreeSpace 2 code unpackaged.

      Ben
    • Being an active coder in the FreeSpace 2 Community, I have been in contact with Dave Baranec [lead FS2 programmer] and other coders around the commnuity. The following things are missing: The FreeSpace 2 Launcher [including the update code], PXO Multiplayer Support [security], MVE movie format [the cutscenes, the MVE format patents are held by Interplay and they don't even allow 3rd party programs to encode them]

      My Programs for the Volition Community

      FreeSpace 2
      * Unholy Alliance Programmable Installer [for installing mod packs]
      * FreeSpace 2 Package Manager
      * VP Constructor Suite
      * POF Constructor Suite [the de facto conversion tool for converting models to the game format]

      Red Faction
      * Red Faction Mod Manager
  • They are charging for downloads, $10 for their ftp service.
  • This is a great development actually. It took many years for the doom, quake, quake 2, and abuse source to hit the net (well, maybe not quake's since it was stolen) But out of all of those games, the only one that i have in my "waiting to play" file. that's right, i have been too busy with other things to actually play this game. This is finally the opportunity to start playing... well, maybe after i beat JK2 :)

  • here it is (Score:4, Informative)

    by GutBomb ( 541585 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:01PM (#3425641) Homepage
    this place has more information, and the code for free download. it's only a 4MB download so it won't take long. let's see how fast it gets slashdotted...

    http://www.freespace-2.com/ddn/sources/freespace2 [freespace-2.com]

    • Re:here it is (Score:1, Offtopic)

      by 56ker ( 566853 )
      You'll probably just get to the 99% mark using a 56k modem to have the server crash from the /. effect!
    • It says " There's a mostly empty opengl implementation of the low level graphics code. Might be fun to complete. Although I doubt it would be nearly as fast as D3D or Glide, you never know."

      Can anyone comment on this?

  • As I've never heard of the game before this /. article - would somebody mind filling me in as to what type of game it is - what it's about etc?

    • Re:Freespace 2 (Score:1, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward
      It's a space shooter. Kinda like descent, but instead of being in tunnels and stuff, you are in free space, hence the name.. Pretty nice graphics too.
    • The Gamespot review is here [gamespot.com]. It is linked from the Gamespot article, so obviously this posting is just blatant karma whoring.

    • Re:Freespace 2 (Score:2, Informative)

      by ceejayoz ( 567949 )
      Freespace2 is a space combat simulator - take a look at the official site [freespace2.com] for some info and screens.

      Beautiful graphics, huge battles between capships, great gameplay and a fun story. :-)

    • Re:Freespace 2 (Score:4, Informative)

      by Ephemeriis ( 315124 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:15PM (#3425696)
      Freespace 2 is a space flight sim, vaguely similar to the Wing Commander type games. The storyline is basically linear, though there are a few branching points here and there, a few optional missions. You have numerous opportunities to earn medals throughout the game, you can finish with a ton of medals, or none at all. There's a good selection of ships and weapons to choose from, and a very interesting storyline, good graphics, all-around a very satisfying arcade flight sim. Not terribly realistic though. Freespace 2 also has some very good multiplayer modes, from a traditional deathmatch to some mission-oriented games, even a multiple mission storyline to play through. Again, you can earn medals and like kinds of things in multiplayer. There was also a very nice editor for the game. I wasted several months of my life to this game, it was great fun. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a multiplayer game anymore..... I've still got it sitting on my HD though, and I still play it fairly often. Still haven't seen another space flight sim this good.

      yrs,
      Ephemeriis

  • The secret to hard encryption (Score:5, Funny)

    by Traa ( 158207 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:12PM (#3425680) Homepage Journal
    line 447, projects\freespace2_public\code\Parse\Encrypt.cpp

    "ushort haha_you_dumbass = 0xe2A8;"

  • Fileplanet Mirror (Score:3, Informative)

    by ceejayoz ( 567949 ) <cj@ceejayoz.com> on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:14PM (#3425692) Homepage Journal
    I've mirrored the code on FilePlanet [fileplanet.com] for those of you who can't download from 3DDownloads. Enjoy!
  • "Freespace 2 was one of my favorite games, and I wasted many hours playing it. "

    So when did playing your favorite game and enjoying it become 'wasted time' on slashdot?

  • Freespace2 was an excellent game. Certainly the best space sim ever, and a personal top 5 favorite. The only thing that sucked was that after completing it, there were tons of loose ends hanging about. Setups for Freespace 3, of course -- but the problem is, Volition themselves have said that there never be will be a Freespace 3. Even though they'd love to make it, Interplay owns the rights (Volition got bought by THQ) and FS2 didn't sell too well. Interplay will just let the franchise gather dust, and THQ won't buy it from them. Argh!

    But this is great news. Perhaps we can finally see a Freespace 3, released as a free mod for the original game! If someone will pester Volition enough, they might share some of the script for FS3. If not, the least they can do is tell us what happened to Admiral Aken Bosch...
    • Freespace2 was an excellent game. Certainly the best space sim ever, and a personal top 5 favorite. The only thing that sucked was that after completing it, there were tons of loose ends hanging about. Setups for Freespace 3, of course -- but the problem is, Volition themselves have said that there never be will be a Freespace 3. Even though they'd love to make it, Interplay owns the rights (Volition got bought by THQ) and FS2 didn't sell too well. Interplay will just let the franchise gather dust, and THQ won't buy it from them. Argh! But this is great news. Perhaps we can finally see a Freespace 3, released as a free mod for the original game! If someone will pester Volition enough, they might share some of the script for FS3. If not, the least they can do is tell us what happened to Admiral Aken Bosch...

      Eh? If a free Freespace 3 were released, it would be in violation of copyright laws -- the same ones that stop Volition from releasing a Freespace 3 apply to you and everyone else, no matter if you try to charge for the game and release it for free.

      As you said yourself, Interplay owns all the rights to all game content, characters, etc.

    • What made Freespace 2 such a great game to me though was not really the engine - the graphics weren't overly impressive, even for when it was released. But the storyline, musical score, voice acting and well designed single player missions. The storyline was extremely engaging, and the voice acting during the briefing sequences is above every other game I have yet played. Admiral Petrarch SOUNDS LIKE AN ADMIRAL. Not like some programmer-geek trying to sound like an admiral. Same with all of your commanding officers. In-flight voice acting (other pilots) was only so-so. The musical score was similarly excellent and very mood setting. Although a fan made game would be great, I'd really like to see Volition be given a chance to make a third... But that looks unlikely from what I've read. :/

      To me gameplay and story are way more important than flashy graphics. (Thoguh flashy graphics help naturally. :))

  • The Situation Around this (Score:5, Interesting)

    by greg2000 ( 558606 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:21PM (#3425723)
    As a major contributor to the fan community of Freespace 1/2 I'll give you the background on this. Freespaces 1 and 2 were Originally relesed when Volition used Interplay as their Publisher. Since then Volition has been bought by THQ, a rival publisher although Interlplay still heald the rights which is why thes has been a bit sluggish. Interplay, as you know, was consumed by Titus recently and with a lot af campaigning by Dave Baranec (Head Programmer for Volition), on behalf of the fan community managed to get it relesed. Go over to http://www.3dap.com/hlp (Hard Light Productions) which is where the main hub of FreeSpace Development exists now since Volition's official BB was closed due to abuse. And don't forget to check out the forums. There is also a project going to create a Freespace Like game from scratch.

  • Descent development (Score:5, Informative)

    by shannara256 ( 262093 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:22PM (#3425728) Homepage
    Well, first off, there's more information at http://www.freespace-2.com/ddn/sources/freespace2/ [freespace-2.com] , along with a rar version that's about 2.7 meg.

    The source code for Descent 1 and for Descent 2 has also been released, and you can find them at http://www.freespace-2.com/ddn/sources/freespace2/ [freespace-2.com] , along with information about the engine and a mailing list.

    I'm not entirely sure, but since Parallax developed Descent 1 & 2 for Interplay, and Volition developed the Freespace games for Interplay, I think that Interplay would be the one to get credit, at the very least for convincing the other two to release the source. Interplay is earning major karma points...

    -Jason-
    • I'm not entirely sure, but since Parallax developed Descent 1 & 2 for Interplay, and Volition developed the Freespace games for Interplay, I think that Interplay would be the one to get credit, at the very least for convincing the other two to release the source. Interplay is earning major karma points...
      No, the credit goes to Parallax, of which Volition is one of two divisions. After Descent 2, when Parallax opened a second office, they decided to that the two offices would remain the same company, but would work on separate projects; they're known as Outrage and Volition. Volition works on Freespace, and Outrage on Descent.

      Of course, Interplay may have a part, but the fact that both games were written for Interplay isn't evidence in itself.

  • Favorite game, eh? (Score:4, Funny)

    by zCyl ( 14362 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:24PM (#3425731)
    Freespace 2 was one of my favorite games, and I wasted many hours playing it.

    Weakling. It isn't a good game unless you have wasted YEARS playing it. %-)
    • If you prefer posting to /. instead - you can't be that addicted yet!

    • Hours Wasted? (Score:3, Funny)

      by gambit3 ( 463693 )
      Time playing Freespace 2 was NEVER wasted.
    • arr. reminds me too much of my nethack time.. but it's not wasted, it's 'social learning simulation experience', or 'practical testing of complex data systems'... thank god they didn't make deus ex as hard and timetaking to finish as nethack(it took only 8 years or so, pestilence is a bitch), or i couldnt waste my sunday night posting here.
    • Freespace 2 was one of my favorite games, and I wasted many hours playing it.

      Weakling. It isn't a good game unless you have wasted YEARS playing it. %-)

      What do you mean wasted ? I wasted many hours/years not playing it!

  • I wonder how much effort it would take to port it to linux (if their isnt already a port?).

    Although I suppose I'm more interested in whether anyone has got their eyes on this code to use it in a Elite style game :)

    Havent done any graphical development for a while, but that sure does get my fingers itchy!

  • Freespace Developer's Communities (Score:3, Informative)

    by greg2000 ( 558606 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @04:41PM (#3425777)
    For is interested in developing MODs and whatnot for this game I'll stick a load of links to the fan communities for this game and with some info about them.





    Hard Light Productions [3dap.com] It has only been going for about a year but this is where the main development for freespace goes on with active forums containing Render art mods and general discussion.


    Freespace Watch [voltionwatch.com] The freespace branch of Volitionwatch, a large fan site covering all volition games with fairly strong links to Volition themselvs. Volition frequent the forums there. The place is slightly less MOD oientated than HLP but there are still lots of projects hosted including one total conversion for Babylon 5 which is well underway.
  • ...a Babylon 5 mod. Freespace is after all a B5 clone.
    • http://www.fileplanet.com/index.asp?section=386&no loop=1

      This is the upgrade patch for the V1.0 files.

      The home page for it was http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/babylon/ , but that seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.

      FS2 doesn't work under wine or wineX yet :-P
  • My favorite space shooter was escape velocity on the macintosh. It really did rule; it combined space shooter aspects with trading. And the price of goods varied from planet to planet and the price of fuel varied and you went from world to world trying to keep your head above the water as your debts mounted and you tried to do the every profitable three-way trade and yet arm yourselves and not get in the middle of the war between the rebels and the empire. There were pirates, you could do missions for the military. You could buy carrier ships. You could become a pirate.

    There were some AMAZING add ons for the game to. I remember one that added the Star Wars book universe including the death star.

    If anyone ever managed to make a network version of that game...

    -Jay
    http://www.uiuc.edu/~jthomas2
    • I loved that game too. Ambrosia Software makes amazing Mac-only stuff.

      But the Open Source community is coming through for you -- check out Epiar [sourceforge.net], an open source project based on Escape Velocity.
  • Is it worth downloading and such...then going out and buying a new joystick for? Or should I just let it pass on by and continue waiting for SW:G? ;-)

  • A few questions... (Score:2, Interesting)

    by gklinger ( 571901 )
    I read the (brief) article at Gamespot and I also looked at the Freespace 2 [freespace2.com] website but I'm still not clear on a few things.

    Since I don't have the game installed anymore, I wasn't able to try out the code, but it did successfully compile under MSVC 6.0.

    Is this the complete source code of the game and if so, why couldn't the author try out the code without having the game installed?

    Also, I had never heard of this game before now (I live under the third rock on the left) so I'm wondering if it is still available for sale somewhere or if I need to start scouring the web for a used copy? From the screenshots, Freespace 2 appears to be similar to Homeworld [sierra.com] and Terminus [vvisions.com]. The latter is noteworthy as a there are versions for Linux and Mac OS 9. I was quite suprised (and very pleased) to find all three versions included in the same box.

    • Re:A few questions... (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Drakin ( 415182 )
      Like most releases of source code for commercial engines, the data for sounds, maps, textures, models etc is not released with the code. that's why it couldn't be run.
      • Like most releases of source code for commercial engines, the data for sounds, maps, textures, models etc is not released with the code. that's why it couldn't be run.

        Ahhhh ... but if you go to Descent Developer Network [descent-network.com] you can select the FreeSpace 2 link, and receive specifications on how the data is comprised for the sounds, maps, textures, models etc.

        Granted you STILL WOULDN'T be able to play the game, but you now have more insight on the data to mod the current game ...

        • I never said the data structures arn't released, just the data. Specifications arn't the data, they're what format the data needs to take to work with the engine.

          The specifications for the data have likely been known long before the release of the code, either as a aid to the mod community by the company, or just reverse engineering of if.
    • You can still find FS2 for sale at Target in the US. $10 plus it came with the expansion CD.

    • Is this the complete source code of the game and if so, why couldn't the author try out the code without having the game installed?

      Because like most games where the source is released, you will still need the game assets (artwork etc) to do anything with the code. Given that Freespace2 came on 2 CDs, there's a lot of assets required.

      From the screenshots, Freespace 2 appears to be similar to Homeworld

      Freespace 2 is to Homeworld as Quake is to Command and Conquer. Think wing commander, but perfected.

    • Re:A few questions... (Score:4, Informative)

      by Fweeky ( 41046 ) on Sunday April 28, 2002 @07:51PM (#3426508) Homepage
      > why couldn't the author try out the code without having the game installed?

      Like Quake, Doom, etc, the data files were not released, only the code for the engine/exe.

      > I'm wondering if it is still available for sale somewhere

      Yes. I bought the Virgin Interactive "White Label" edition, which includes FreeSpace 1 and 2 for under £10 a few months ago. You should be able to pick up a copy. £10's damn good concidering that's 6 CD's worth of game :)

      > From the screenshots, Freespace 2 appears to be similar to Homeworld [sierra.com] and Terminus [vvisions.com].

      Not quite. FreeSpace 2 is more like a space flight sim; you get to fly about in a fighter craft, often around big-ass capital ships you either get to protect, destroy, or run away from. Sometimes in quite yummy nebula's (quite a sight when you see the shadow of an enemy superdestroyer come into view, filling half the sky before melting one of the destroyers you're escorting in one shot :)

      The beam weapons are lovely and substantial; get hit by an anti-fighter beam and you get knocked about like a tin can while you desperately try to get out of it's way.

      There are a few very good quality mods too. I can personally recommend the truely excellent Derelict [volitionwatch.com]; VolitionWatch is down at the moment though.

  • robotech (Score:2, Informative)

    by blank ( 1140 )
    robotech mod [robotechlan.com]

    there's a robotech mod for freespace. very neat. i'm hoping the source to freespace will help them out.

  • Quoting the feature list:

    It uses directX 5. It might be fun to bring that whole thing up to speed with DX8.

    So it seems there would need much work to have an opengl/SDL port of the game.

    Don't expect to play this game tomorrow on your favourite OS.

  • Call me a cynic, but I wonder if this wasn't a clever to trick to sell some of the many copies lying around. They did produce a whole bunch of "Game of The Year Additions" in an attempt to cash in further on a popular title - maybe they didn't sell as many as they hoped.

    Then again, it may just be bandwidth limitations. Though, the full game is smaller than most modern demos.

    Anyway, this is a windfall regardless; if they did do it to clear out old copies, it's a good idea and other companies should follow suit. I just hope they used OOP, as I've always wanted to see how it's used "in the industry".
    • Volition doesn't own the rights to the game content, Interplay (their former publiser) does. So Volition couldn't release it even if they wanted to. And in any case, any sales they got from a source code release would be completely insignificant next to sales from the initial release (which were, admittedly, not that great, maybe 40,000 copies) especially since Interplay gets the vast majority of each sale.

      As for OOP, you're going to be waiting a bit longer to see source code of any professional engine that uses really good OOP practices, as the game industry has pretty much shunned OOP until just the past year or two (and FS2, etc were in development long before that).

    • Call me a cynic, but I wonder if this wasn't a clever to trick to sell some of the many copies lying around

      Most of the people who'd be interested in the source for FS2 already have the game - modders, for example. Doubtful that sales will go up any due to this release.
    • Freespace 2 came on 3 cds and the full install uses 1.2 gig of disk space, though you can get it down to 1 gig by not installing the high-res artwork. I haven't seen any game demos that come close to that. Were you thinking of something else? I think FS 1 used a lot less space.

      I'm happy about the source release, there are some fun mods out there for this game, but they've been losing steam recently. I hope this will add some life to those projects.

      Anyway, to confirm disk usage I had to pull out the cds, and now I'm installing it. So much for my free time this week.
    • on voodooextreme.com there was a developers desktop thing, they had one from id software that showed code from doom 3 in the background, it was obviously written in C++, not sure to what extent they use the language, but you can be sure you'll see it used in doom 3.
  • I just finished playing FreeSpace 2 again from scratch just the other day. What strange timing.
  • Okay, my gaming backlog has gotten seriously out of control. They've released the source code for a game that I haven't even gotten around to playing yet! I really need a few weeks off from real life to catch up. (Of course, I probably need to upgrade my Pentium 200 first.)

  • name (Score:1)

    by dostick ( 69711 )
    Why not tell as the the name of the game is Descent. we all are not so enlightened as author.

  • Newtonian Mechanics (Score:1, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    I think the coolest possibility is newtonian mechanics.

    I played this game years ago, and although weaving through giant lasers was nifty, I couldn't help but be annoyed by the incorrect phyics.

    I'm half-temped to buy the game now, and change the phyics module myself. That would probably be one of the easier changes of the list.

    Dave
    • Yes, Freespace 1/2 were good games. Good story, graphics, sound, music, but the physics like most other space shooters (people should not call these types of games space sims) are better defined as flying around in zero-g water, than flying through space. I'd love to play a mod with real newtonian physics of Freespace 2, this would probably throw off the in game missions and mess up the AI though, but it would be fun none the less.

      If you are looking for a game with real good newtonian physics try Independence War (or if in europe its called I-War. Don't bother with Independence War 2 it has the same real newtonian physics but the actual game is not nearly as good as the first one.
      • If you are looking for a game with real good newtonian physics try Independence War (or if in europe its called I-War.
        People without 3dfx cards need not apply. I wish SOMEBODY would get around to releasing an official GLide emulator.
  • I'm a begining programmer and I want to try to go though this and see what I can learn from it, but this much code is a little overwhelming, so I wanted to ask if anyone who knows more could give me a good file to start with. Or am I just an idiot for thinking that someone who's only taken one semester of C++ could ever figure this out? Thanks

    • Hack it all (Score:3, Insightful)

      by loki4eng ( 218727 )
      No you are not an idiot. The hell with school and just hack like a mofo. Seriously, in the end, all professionals are self-trained. Best of luck.
  • This is what Open Source should be about. Granted, there will never be a day where all software is free and source code is available. The simple idea of that is balderdash. Most of the software industry would grind to a halt. But I digress.

    This is definitely a step in the right direction and should be viewed as a giant step in the right direction for the open source movement. Granted, the code isn't free to use commercially, and only the engine is included in the source; the point is that several free projects have this engine to work off of, and programmers-in-training can examine the code and learn from it.

    This should be seen as 'doing a good deed' and 'helping the community'. It's there so everyone can learn from it and boost the overall gaming industry.

    It is also a giant leap in the right direction for free software in that companies are acknowledging the free software movement and releasing the sources to the products which no longer are sold or generate a substantial revenue. If the BeOS source were to be released, the community as a whole would benefit greatly. Not to serve as flamebait, but BeOS is superior to almost all othe Operating systems today, and if the source were released, it would have a good chance of becoming #1 if the vollunteer developers put enough effort into it. Other projects benefit from seeing the source, as well. They may choose to intergrate certain elements (the BeOS UI on linux.. *wipes drool off keyboard*), or they may choose to simply examine the technique of how an operating system SHOULD be written. Heck, the thing boots in less then 5 seconds on my slightly dated pc.

    This is certainly a nice change from the game publishers requesting that sites such as The Underdogs [the-underdogs.org] take down full versions of titles produced by independent developers whose assets were purchased by the publisher after they went bankrupt.... and the games are no longer sold in any stores, and the publisher refuses to sell them or provide a copy if contacted. and many of these games were made over 10 years ago. Sometimes lobbying them to make the games free works, but there is a little-known organization which is the software world's equivilant to the RIAA which urges companies not to release their dated products free with the thinking that other companies may follow and unintentionally destroy the software industry.

    Isn't that pathetic.

    But why would the publisher want people to learn from their code? They could be worried the person may found his own gaming company, release a product which puts them out of business (highly unlikely :) ). Chances are they won't. Chances are, if they become familiar with the code enough and learn enough about game programming, there is a good chance the person may seek employment from that company. So it does have potential to benefit the company.
  • I've been looking for a place that sells the game (preferrably from the UK) but I can't seem to find it. The Freespace 2 site directs you to Interplay... which seems to have no knowledge of this game.

    Where the heck to I buy it?

    ---Nathaniel
  • OK, now the source is out, let's see if anyone can help me here :-) (Or direct me to the better people to talk to)

    Neither Freespace game works on my PC. This sucks, because they've always seemed really cool when playing them elsewhere. However, it misreads my joystick. Despite nominally taking its config from Windows, it puts the centre quite some distance off meaning the hands off attitude is a spin and I have a very low possible turn angle in one direction.

    This, as you can imagine, is irritating, especially as tech support, once I'd confirmed latest DX, took the 'oh, it does that sometimes' position.

    I already own a legal but useless copy of Freespace 2 and a Cyborg 3D, so can test it pretty extensively. I like this sort of game and want to be able to play it. If anyone wishes to debug this problem I will gladly assist with playtesting any fixes produced, debug info from my PC as required, whatever is needed beyond actual code because I'm not too hot at C++ :-)

    Anyone?

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