Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Hi everyone, recently I found this awesome game, but I noticed not alot of people weren't taking it seriously as opposed to other Space Empires games. So i've decided since I love the demo so much im gonna try for a Startrek mod for those who have a Full Version copy (I should be getting my own shortly). Also, I was hoping to get a little help, this is my first time making a mod but I am familiar with data files and such so doing all the minor time consuming stuff I know but rendering and campaign map making is a little out of my league ( I couldnt even figure out how to use mission man for Homeworld). So if anyone can help me out with this that would be awesome.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

[ March 21, 2004, 05:57: Message edited by: Utopia321 ]

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

You don't need to 'render' a campaign map; its built using text files just like everything else.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Thats not what I meant Pheonix-D (I kinda know you from all the Posts of yours I have read).
What i'm saying is ships, getting Startrek ships flying around instead of Starfury ships.
Note: rendering AND campaign map making.

"Not rendering campaign maps."

Also I wanted to make this mod not because it would be cool but also to try and give the other startrek mod guys a run for their money, you know give em a little competition.

Anyway, if anyone wants to help me out it'd be greatly appreciated.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

I await your Star Trek mod with much anticipation! I hope a friend of mine can start on one some day. Oh I really can't help you with the creating part(probley nothing you don't already know)but if you ever need a good beta tester email me! Its always good to have a mod with most of the bugs ironed out before release.


Take Care!

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Well to tell you the truth I don't know much about modding this will be my first ever TC for anything. It's hard enough making a map of starcraft lol. If you know anyone who can help that would be great too, as for right now I need people who can either convert ships from other games or make their own. All I know how to do is the data stuff, you know the really time consuming stuff. Also does anyone have an image convertor? I need to change all image files into Bitmap format for the game. Also does anyone know how to give the shield impacts for the ships a graphic? I want that "Startrek" shield impact look but have them invisible like in Bridge Commander.

Thanks to all that can help.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

The shield effects are monochromatic animated sprites at the point of impact, with the colour being determined by the weapon properties.

David Gervais made me some nifty shield effects for the P&N mod. You might want to take a look at them. See Images\effects\shieldhit_04.bmp

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Irfan View is a good free image format converter, and can even do batch conVersions to save you the time and trouble of converting each image individually. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Wow thanks guys, thats really helpful. I remember Irfan View from when I was doing freelance modding on Armada2 thanks for reminding me Imperator.
Thanks to you too Suicide I never thought to look to someone elses mod for anwsers.

Keep the info coming guys, I want this to be the best Star Trek mod ever for any game!

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Suicide how were the icons (Components) edited? Windows Paint?
Photoshop? I've been looking into using Armada2 Special weapon icons but if you can just edit the icons that'd be great.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

[ March 24, 2004, 01:51: Message edited by: Utopia321 ]

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

.......Exactly where do I go to find the P&N mod???

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

[ March 24, 2004, 04:07: Message edited by: Utopia321 ]

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/starfury

The components can be edited in any program including the two you mentioned. Just be sure to save the file as a .bmp.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Thanks Pheonix-D.

Well guys, I finally got it! Space Empires: Starfury is now mine, and I can edit it properly now!

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Ahhhhh... I can already smell the quantum torpedo's! I would like to help you in making this mod but I'm not an expert like Phoenix-D or SJ. I will have to see if I can do this or not but I might be able to get you some nice CG pictures and wireframe pics of many Star Trek ships for my ST book. Also, if need any ST info just ask! Because I got a good deal on a Star Trek encyclopedia some time ago. This book can tell you what klingon fart smells like! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif You can already tell that I've had too much soda pop today.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Excellent Iansidious! You would be the first official (um...not really) member of Startrek Starfury mod. As far as Klingon fart is concerned you can keep that to yourself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

Whatever you can contribute that would be awesome, but I too have much Startrek knowledge. Mostly from spending the majority of my life deeply embedded in the Startrek legacy. From the early days of DS9 to the awesome conclusion of Voyager and now to the days of Enterprise I have seen over 400 episodes almost 400 times http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif . Anyway enough babble, for anyone interested I need the following jobs filled for this project:

1. Starship modeler\Model Importer

2. Quadrant Designer

3. Map Designer

4. Technical Advisor - Iansidious
(Patrick McGinness)
5. Producer

6. Concept Artists (at least 2)

7. 3D Render

8. Job\Mission Designer

9. Story Artist

10. Beta Testers

11. Music Design

12. Musicial Coordinator

13. Sound FX Compiler

14. Other?

If you find that you can do any of these jobs and are interested in Startrek Starfury mod please contact me at Dmart897@yahoo.com, AIM Screen Name Fenis523, or here.

Please include your name, handle, AIM name (if any), email address, and job type.

Thank you,
Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

[ March 27, 2004, 04:18: Message edited by: Utopia321 ]

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Any one who wants to help with Startrek Starfury check out Download.com. Its got really good free programs for editing and stuff like that.

Well just FYI, out.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

If anyone has ideas about what I could try feel free to contribute anyway you want. Every little bit helps, but right now I need to know what kind of music you guys MOST want in this mod.


This IS the peoples mod http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well, I always like the classical music we always hear.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

.....Uh, thanks Iansidious. Thats uh really helpful....

What I mean is Armada's style of music, Bridge Commander, or something from the shows and movies.

Better yet if some one would like to volunteer to be my Music Designer you could choose whatever style you'd like as long as I approved of it, of course.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Sidious, you just became my new best friend, I need planet listings, all federation planets for right now. Im gonna map out the universe, so to speak, with the System generator but I am in desperate need for planets.

Thanks

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart8972yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Should be no problem. I aready have a web site in mind I could look up. Next time I'm in the book store I will purchase and ST map book. That will be helpful.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Utopia, I'm tring to email you but you are posting two diferant emails. Dmart8972 and Dmart 897. Which one is it?

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Oh crap, sorry Iansidious its Dmart897@yahoo.com, I guess I didnt hit shift when I hit 2 because 2 is @ shifted http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif (sorry for the explaining I hate having things go unsaid). Great Idea on the book but I dont want people spending money for a mod and im sure that map book costs something. Please wait till its a Last resort, unless you really want to have a Startrek map book.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

I been wanting this book for awhile anyway. That all depends on how much it costs. Thanks for the email fix.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Ok here we go!

Possible Races:

United Federation of Planets (Player race, subject to change)

Independent Races (All non-member races)

Klingon Empire

The Dominion

Romulan Star Empire

The Borg

Cardassian Union

Kazan

Species 8472

The Breen

Son'a (not likely)

The Krenam

Holograms (Remember that Voyager episode http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif )

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

[ March 26, 2004, 23:43: Message edited by: Utopia321 ]

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

I have a very ambition plan, I want to make the player ship suspetable to enviromental effects. Solar Radiation, nebulae gases, spacial anomalies, ion storms, black holes, wormholes, etc.

Also I want to implement certain ship abilities to counteract these anomalies.

For instance: Metaphasic shielding, ablative armor, enhanced sublight engines, reinforced force fields, gravimetric deflector beams, reinforced tractor beams, enhanced structural integrity fields. This a great challenge due to current game configurations, anyone that feels up to this challenge send me an email and tell what you'd like to try.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

I suggest creating a new "race" or two.

Their ships would be invulnerable, immobile little asteroid-like things, and you could place them in the areas you want your environmental effects to occur in. Preferably off the Z-plane so they don't get rammed.

They would just sit there, and throw lightning bolts at ships as they wander through the nebula, or invisible radiation beams from the surface of stars, and so on.

If you make a second environment race, you could make them enemies, and have them shoot effects at each other when there is nothing else around for them to attack.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

The problem with that SJ is how does the AI react to these things?

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

What I need is some one who knows how to write script so we can just write new data into the game and not worry about half-assing it. If we can do this without compensating that would be alot better. For instance writing something in to make suns "give off" radiation instead of using a "race" to act as an enviromental substitute.

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Ok guys, i'm done. It was fun but I just can't do this. It would have been nice to have a Startrek mod for the beloved Starfury but it was not meant to be...

Daniel Rastellini
Dmart897@yahoo.com
AIM: Fenis523

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Wow that sure started and ended fast, I'm sure this won't be the Last attempt at a Star Trek mod though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

What a pity http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Just thought I would drag this out of the woodwork and let you guys know, that with the current movement engine a ST mod might be silly

I say this because I actually put a borg fusion cube and Rom warbird into the game

Needless to say, their movements looked real silly

Perhaps SF2 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ May 11, 2004, 21:43: Message edited by: DeadZone ]

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

My personal favorite music of Star Trek was the ST2:TWOK and ST3:TSFS. Also, ST6:TUDC and ST:Nemisis had neat music in my opinion aswell.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Not sure anything could be done about Borg ships, but the movement of other ships could be modelled quite well with some tweaks.

The first step would be to reduce the speed to 50% of the original values. (This does wonders for collision detection, btw.)

Acceleration would have to be reduced dramatically, and especially maneuverability would have to be reduced somewhat. Maybe 1:2 to 1:4. Maneuvering thrusters and afterburners would have to max out less than a ship's original maneuverability. These need to suppliment, not overwhelm.

Ships would then perform in a more stately fashion, and feel approximately Trek-like.

I've been playing with the idea of doing a Trek total conVersion. Staryards.com has a number of trek models from various eras.

If I follow through with this, I would allow the player to purchase from a number of ship types like: Miranda, Steamrunner, Excelsior, Galaxy, Defiant (very expensive prototype), there seemed to be a few others.

As "others", I could include the maquis (pirates), Klingons, Cardassians, Romulans, and the Dominion. I could potentially include Borg ships as a sithrak type.

The big challenge I'm working on is scale, trying to make the scale between ships, planets, and distances between objects a little more reasonable.

The challenge is that expanding the size of the star system tends to kill my framerate. Slideshow city.

In any case, I'll let you guys know how it goes. No guarantees though, my time/interest is somewhat fragmentable these days.

What I'd like to know is how you guys might feel if I were to hand-balance the ships, and made additional components unbuyable/uncapturable.

They wouldn't necessarily map in strength to StarFury originals (destroyer, cruiser, etc), these would be hand-set up approximately according to the ship class involved.

For example, the Miranda and Steamrunner classes would map out to approximately cruiser strength.

Sovereign would be similar to a battleship, while the Galaxy would be vaguely more similar to a carrier.

There would be no fighters, exept possibly run by the maquis, or expressly launched by stations.

Progress would be entirely through taking on "Starfleet" missions, both campaign and random. Successful missions would grant influence points, redeemable for repairs and (eventually) assignment to better ships, either culminating in a Galaxy or Sovereign class ships, or even one of the new Defiant class assault destroyers.

Thoughts?

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

I hope you can hang on to the idea. It would be great to have Star Trek mod. If you need some help just ask me.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Rather than making the star systems bigger, try making the ships smaller. I'm trying that route and except for not being able to get the camera angles right so far, it works well enough.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thanks Phoenix-D. I was already doing something similar (reduction in ship size along with an increase in the size of the universe), but that makes sense. I can always scale down further and work on the camera angle. Probably easiest if I work out the original angles mathematically before I start any kind of serious tweaking.

I may end up writing some tools to make this kind of scaling/modding easier.

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

If you do write some tools, be sure to share them about http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Startrek Starfury Mod
 

Hey guys,

Long time no see. I can see the prospect of Startrek: Starfury will never die and that no one will ever forgive me if I don't start up again so..... I'll do it! For real this time, but I will need a HELL of a lot of help http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif . Who's with me??