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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The systems aren't too big if you are just trying to find a particular planet. The map shows you where they are and you can usually find your way there pretty quickly as long as no one is trying to kill you along the way. On the other hand, if you are trying to either hunt down or protect one particular ship, as several missions require you to do, the system can seem absolutely huge as you run from one end to the other searching frantically for the ship you must either kill or protect before time runs out.

To answer your second question, the game is 2D like Starfleet Command. It would be cool to fly in a 3D environment, but in practice the game feels vast enough in 2D for my taste. I don't think you will feel too restricted.

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Don't know if anyone else has asked this before so bear with me. I'm just wondering if any one has a firm (or relatively firm) date on the release of the demo?

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hi, i'm canadian to. all the people here are smart, and all the non-canadian people are not all here. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

cheese?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It should be out next week. There is no firm date as of yet.

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Thanks for the info http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So all ships and planets, and just about everything is on the same plane?

No attacks from above, or below?

Is is analogous to sailing a ship on the ocean where movement is restricted to 'port' or 'starboard'?

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sailing ships shipset?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ooh, if so, this is bad. I wouldn't like a space combat game that didn't have a real 3-d engine.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It really depends on how you define a 3D engine. To me it means rendering 3D objects in realtime. Just because these objects do not move "up" or "down" does not mean it is not a 3D engine. The planets and ships ARE rendered in 3D, so it is technically a 3D engine!

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You can place the 3d objects above or below the plane of combat if you like, no problem. It is a 3d rendering, and the most common camera view is above and behind your ship.

To keep things simple, there isn't a command to "dive" or "pull up", no rolling the ship to align with starbases, etc.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I realize that that's technically true, but I also realize that this takes a lot out of what I was expecting from the game, having fighters swoop all over capital ships, etc. One of the most fun battles I've had in Homeworld was a big battle in which two big fleets approached each other at right angles. Now that was a cool 3-d engine.

The lack of ability to duck and climb also means that there won't be much dogfighting, and that's bad to me too.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think you will find that there can be a significant amount of dogfighting in 2D. You will also find yourself in the midst of a fighter swarm every once in a while, and you will find 2D more than enough to keep you busy. This is not to say I would not want it to be true 3D, merely that the 2D environment does not take away from the game as much as you might think.

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In a fleet battle, there is more than enough manoeuvering to do. In fact there is probably a little too much dogfighting, considering also that you are supposed to be commanding ships between destroyer and battleship size, not piloting fighters singlehandedly (although that's moddable).

Also consider that this is based on the Space Empires series, where combat has always been 2D.
That may change for SEV, perhaps, but I don't see it adding much value.

Fighters do end up swarming all around captial ships, and I've seen some very amazing screens (Oh, I so wish I'd hit the printscreen button)...
coming around a star, I see 7 fighters hammering a pirate ship from all directions, while three capital ships bombard it with APBs and torpedoes.

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On the topic of Fighters...

Can you Model your own Fighters? And if so, is it possible to Model a small one man craft like a Fighter to fly yourself around in as opposed to larger craft (eg Escort, Cruiser, etc..)?

I imagine a true Star Wars Mod emphisizing Fighter Combat would be a bLast in Starfury...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

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These are the sizes (in terms of component slots) of ships I have seen from the text files:

Fighter 15-25
Destroyer 45-60
Frigate 50
Freighter 50
Cruiser 40-75
Battlecruiser 65
Battleship 70-100
Carrier 80-100

So I imagine the answer to your question is YES. I notice too that there seems to be an absence of ships of Escort size (lets say, 25-40).

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You can make your own models for pretty much everything in the game, just like how SE4 has nearly completely customizable graphics. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have taken a Terran fighter and made it a starting ship. However, those pesky PDCs can make your day short - even if you have a few custom modifications. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[ September 13, 2003, 20:26: Message edited by: Captain Kwok ]

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I realize that that's technically true, but I also realize that this takes a lot out of what I was expecting from the game, having fighters swoop all over capital ships, etc. One of the most fun battles I've had in Homeworld was a big battle in which two big fleets approached each other at right angles. Now that was a cool 3-d engine.

The lack of ability to duck and climb also means that there won't be much dogfighting, and that's bad to me too.

[ September 13, 2003, 12:56: Message edited by: deccan ]

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Speaking of death, how is that handled in Starfury? I know other games have escape pods and such.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Your ship explodes and you die. No escape pods here! Your family is told that you were crushed to death when your gravity plating fails or something to that effect. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[ September 14, 2003, 15:43: Message edited by: Captain Kwok ]

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Each time you jump from system to system, the game autosaves. I would also recommend saving any time you accomplish something you wouldn't like to have to do again. The only recourse when you die is to fall back to a save position.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know how the combat in SF has been done yet - whether it emphasizes tactical combat or dogfighting ('twitch' combat). If the emphasis is on tactical (i.e., managing your weapons, power, shields, security, away teams, etc.), then 2D is no problem whatsoever. I've played Starfleet Commnad extensively. The SFC series is 2D tactical space combat, and it's great. Anyone who's played it will tell you tactical space combat on a 2D plane is not a liability if it's done right, and it can be really fun. If you want dogfighting, play Freelancer.

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Your space bar will become your best friend. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

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Does anyone know if Starfury requires any 'special' programs for modding? Or is it just text files like SE4?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">well, yes and no.
It depends what you are trying to mod. Even in SE4 not all is in text files (think shipsets and sounds).
Here is a litle overview which formats Starfury uses:

data files: .txt
images/textures: .bmp
sounds: .wav
music: .mp3
3D models: .x

Rollo

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I'm familiar with all of the formats except the .x What sort of a program would you use to create the 3D models, and where could I buy/find it? I should know but my memory fails me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif By the way, thanks for the info.

[ September 19, 2003, 04:02: Message edited by: Renegade 13 ]

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.x is the native directx file format.

and that exhausts my knowledge. except for some hazy stuff gained from taking a look at the format from a text editer.

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I plan on making a mod for SF that takes place in a gigantic nebula... I always thought the nebulae in SEIV were way too small. I mean really, most of the ones discovered are larger than a solar system!

I was looking at the screenshots and now I am wondering how many nebula objects can you put in a system before it starts to bog down?

[ September 19, 2003, 06:36: Message edited by: Wydraz ]

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All of the nebulae discovered are 1000s of times (at least) the size of a solar system. Well, there might be the odd freak small nebula, ofc. Most have a few dozen young stars in them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">as narf said .x format is the directx format. You can use a small tool named CONV3DS.EXE to convert models from .3ds to .x.
Personally I use anim8or (modeling) and Lithunwrap (texture mapping, conVersion). Both are freeware. There are links for those early in this thread.

Rollo

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put a nebula in more than one system and say it cover's more than one?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've tested .mid and .wav and they work for music files, too. .wav isn't all that useful since it's uncompressed and convertible to MP3, but .mid is handy because they're small, and all you amateur composers out there can go creating music for the game with software like Cakewalk Express without having to worry about digitizing! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It may be easier to just use one storm/nebula and stretch it out over the entire system...
Perhaps concentric rings of nebulae clouds, so you can vary the density and colour as you approach a protostar at the center?

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{/lurk}

I feel a little foolish, but I can't find the answer by searchin' , so here goes.

I am trying to find a planet say, right at the begining. It's pretty big, big enough to show up on the map, so I tried pointing my ship in the right direction, and right clicking, or using the target anything key, but I couldn't get it. As I drove closer, I could select it, and aim for it.

Ok, so now on my way back, I;m told to return to the space station.... hmmm, I thought it was around Freeport 5, wasn't it? Can't see it on the map, but I'll give it a shot...ah-ha thar' she blows.

So are these both because I have little to nothing in the way of sensor tech installed? I am happy with the second, assuming my sensors consists of a laser pointer and a telescope, and I can live with the first. It would be nice, if in the full game (or one of you wonderful, enterprising, underappreciated modders http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ) I could select well-known navigational points, like planets, from far away, so I could steer to them easy? Or maybe a little glowing line 'tween the rock and I, when the sector grid is active, to lead my way?

Apologies if this is an oft covered topic, and I must also bring up something I know has been often mentioned......great work, can't wait for the real game to ship out...end of sept still right?

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You could also use the system map to find planets. Long Range scanners help increase your range to detect objects like ships to make it easier to find the ones you are looking for...they are the red dots on the mini map on the HUD.

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I love the demo! What a great game! Thanks for starting this great thread. I have some questions based on the demo; the real thing is in the mail. Let's start with my top 10 issues.

1) Is there any advantage to upgrading a bridge? It seems not. What about upgrading Crew Quarters and Life Support - do higher levels affect crew or repairs or recovery from toxins or anything?

2) Those colored clouds (or are they storms?), do they have any other effects other than obscuring sight and/or sensors? I am thinking about the storms in SE4 where some storms make shields useless, etc. Any storm effects?

3) Is there a damage radius around stars? i.e. you get too close and take damage? Been too chicken to find out.

4) Is there a component that counters the effects of Toxic Injectors? Is this in the demo?

5) I *think* I had a problem upgrading engines. I installed 1 Contra Terrine engine with the remainder as Ion Engines. I *think* the CT engine was downgraded to an Ion engine in a similar fashion to the effect in SE4 where you only get engine bonuses if all engines are the same type (not necessarily same level). I eventually stored CT engines in my cargo area until I could replace them all at the same time. Is this the way it works?

6) What is the exact effect of carrying and/or selling contraband? I was fired upon by friendlies when carrying it. Once I dropped it, they stopped firing on me. If I had sold it, would I have been permanently labeled as a pirate or do the authorities forget about your behavior once you get rid of contaband? Is there a "lawful status" like in Elite? If so, is how do you clean your record? In Elite, you just had to be lawful for a while.

7) I picked up some components that I don't know what they do. They may just be generic cargo for cargo missions. One was an Ice Melter or some such thing. It couldn't be installed on a ship and didn't seem to have any properties. One was a Magnetic Thingamajig; same question. Or are some components only able to be installed on some ships, but not others?

8) I am able to use organic armor. This seems wrong (using SE4 rules) because I am not an organic race. Are there race restrictions and/or special techs that only some races can use?

9) Are there minesweeping components in the full Version? Also, why are mines visible? Again this seems wrong using SE4 rules.

10) What does the "Negotiation" skill do for you? Does it increase profits for selling equipment and for doing missions? Seems worthless because points are better spent elsewhere IMHO.

Thanks in advance. Maybe I'll have more questions later.

Slick.

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<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Not that I've noticed, but I may be wrong on that.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Again, not that I've noticed, but they may have. I've only just started digging into the data files.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I don't think so. I've flown pretty close to them, and noticed no ill effects.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I don't think so, but there are Medical Bays in the full Version that help regenerate crew "damage" faster.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I'll have to pass on that question. I haven't been that methodical.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">The effect is just as you describe it - you get shot at. I don't think the game handles "rep" like Elite did - it's just a "pay as you go" system, with only racial animosities a factor. That is a bit disappointing, IMHO.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You picked up leftover cargo from some poor freighter that got bLasted. They aren't components, just stuff. You might try selling them at the next spacedock for salvage.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Nope. Just plug it in and enjoy the bennies. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">No minesweepers, unless you count your PDC's and your front shields. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif As for mine visibility vis a vis SEIV, it's just the difference between a strategic-eye view and the pilot's-eye view.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">According to the manual, it improves your prices at the spacedock, I assume in both buying and selling components and spare cargo. In which case, it is probably worth the points.

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<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
Well, I can't help you with all of this, but here goes:

1. Not sure
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
I've had some battles in nebulae, and there seems to be no other effects but sight obscuration, and a bit of sensor interference. There don't appear to be any shield damaging effects, or component damage; I fly through them all the time.
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
The only way a star damages you is if you fly into it. After reading your question, I tried it out, and found that you can fly to within 20 ls before you hit the star and die. Maybe if you have enough shielding you could go right through the star, but I wouldn't try it if I were you.
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
Again, I don't know. There doesn't appear to be any component in the demo that mitigates the effects of toxic injectors. However, there could easily be in the full game (which hasn't arrived yet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif )
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
I'm not sure, but I think you can have however many engines of different types you want and none are downgraded. But I could be wrong. I haven't looked into it.
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
When you pick up contraband, all Terran ships will fire on you, because they assume you are a pirate. If you drop it, you're fine. They'll stop their attack. If you sell it, that is the end of it. You get away with it, and you aren't branded a pirate at all. A "lawful status" is employed to a certain extent. If you fire on a friendly ship, you are going to be attacked by friendlies until their shields regenerate. (I think http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif )
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
The components you describe are just generic cargo for cargo missions. They are only good for selling, or hauling around. There is no use in keeping them, or trying to put them on your ship.
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
Again, I don't have the full Version, but I don't think there are racial traits that affect the type of components you can throw on your ship.
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
Not sure
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
Again, for #10 I don't know. I hope you can find someone else to help you with these questions.

Renegade

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Been reading the text files of the demo while I wait for snail mail and have a couple of questions.

In the ship designs file, there is a distinction between inner hull and outer hull (I'm thinking SE3 here). What is the in-game significance and how do you tell which boxes go with inner or outer hull?

Also, in the nebula descriptions, it lists the nebula type as "normal" for all nebulae. What are the other types? Referring to my previous question, are there any damaging, shield-negating, or other special nebuae?

Thanks,
Slick.

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I only have the demo but had a few questions:

I read on here that you can speed up the game's time base to fly faster between planets, and such. Is this only in the full Version, if not how do I use it?

Is there a way to 'search' for planets or ships? I'm in a mission right now at the start of the demo where I need to protect a ship in a sector. I go into the sector, but who knows where the ship is. Do I just fly around looking for it? Do better sensor help?

Is there a list somewhere of the things that will be fixed changed in the first patch? I have found quite a few bugs in the demo. Most of them have already been reported on here.

One cool idea would be the function to roll-over things in the minimap and have it display what it is.

For those that have the full Version, can you post impressions? I'm really on the fence with this one.

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<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">"=" speeds the game up.

"-" slows the game down.

Increments are x2, x4 and x8 timescales.

Slick.