SFC 4 Project

[marstone]

Wondering how hard it would be to get Ogre to use the MOD format (guess we can always port the models over to other formats also).

Assuming the project went that way, new mesh & material formats would be a given. There are far better ways to do models that have options like animated bits and destruction anyway.

that is true, was just looking at the Ogre page, and thoughts of ships that would twist and bend as they took damage came to mind.

[F9thCenturus]

The next one who says the word 'pay' gets a torpedo for his trouble; I would never take a dime from you people. By the end, and like most people, I hated the company. But I always loved this game.

Also, I forgot that my normal, sailor-inspired speech patterns were against the forum rules here. By way of apology I’ll have myself agonized later.

To be honest, about a year ago Frey did ask me if I would be interested and I passed. It was a little bit because I wasn't sure of the legal situation, a little bit because I was really fed up with the game industry at the time and I couldn't fathom taking more work home with me, and a little because I didn't think I wanted to do it if it was just going to be the Mother of All Mods rather than a full-tilt project.

Part of me (a few parts) would love to tear into it and replace the whole darn renderer. So much has changed since then and the thought of applying what we’ve learned to SFC is very exciting to me. One of the truly neat things about a space game is that most of the world is empty space. You’re not spending all that time drawing walls, trees and waving blades of grass. You don’t have a screenful of human-ish skeletons to update. You can therefore go hog-wild on the relatively few things you are drawing; especially today, with the state of hardware being what it is.

I don’t know. I don’t know what the plan calls for but it seems too exciting not to go for it.

1.) I ain't got no money, but I could give you my thanks and undying gratitude.  And even make a custom set of registries for you of a ship if ya wanted.  I'm poor, so there's only so much I can do.   

2.) You have got to join the development team.  Now's your chance to put all the golden stuff you dreamed of into SFC.  I'm sure your input would be more valuable than gold. 

[F9thCenturus]

Wondering how hard it would be to get Ogre to use the MOD format (guess we can always port the models over to other formats also).

Assuming the project went that way, new mesh & material formats would be a given. There are far better ways to do models that have options like animated bits and destruction anyway.

that is true, was just looking at the Ogre page, and thoughts of ships that would twist and bend as they took damage came to mind.

So long as the necessary tools, MAX plugins, etc., were made available and easy to use to get ships into the game and fully working, hell, I'm all for it.

[FCM-Corbomite-XC]

Well it's not up to me. It's not my game or my plan and I have no idea what they have in mind. All I'm saying is, I'm willing to help out.

Scott I know for sure that they would love to have you. It is a small team working in their spare time. Projected release of an alpha or beta testing version is at least a year off. Just contact Frey. It's not like you'd have to fill out an application or anything, I mean your sample work is the freakin' game! 

[Scott_Bruno]

[I mean your sample work is the freakin' game! 

Lord, I hope not. I was still a noob then; there's no telling what kind of crap I wrote. Alright, I'll talk to Frey.

You know, I've spent more time thinking about this today than about work.

[KBF-Crim]

Captain Krumb lives again!

[Ramagar]

Hey all!

My opinion is this.  The reason SFC3 and ST Legacy were so dismal is they were dumbed down

Thanks! And I'm sure the last couple years' worth of whatever work you do were complete sh*t.

 

WTF is that all about?

[F9thCenturus]

Hey all!

My opinion is this.  The reason SFC3 and ST Legacy were so dismal is they were dumbed down

Thanks! And I'm sure the last couple years' worth of whatever work you do were complete sh*t.

 

WTF is that all about?

Scott was on the SFC development team.  He helped create SFC3.  You insulted the game, and by default, the time and effort he put into the game.

You figure it out.

[KBF-Crim]

Plus he cant fly any better than ensign crusher...

[FCM-Corbomite-XC]

You know, I've spent more time thinking about this today than about work.

Then all is right with the world. Some of my best days at work have been spent thinking about SFC.  Thanks for changing your mind.

[Scott_Bruno]

Plus he cant fly any better than ensign crusher...

I started to retort then I remembered he was right. Dude, that banner brings back so many memories... wow.

Thanks for changing your mind.

Well I offered; doesn't mean they want me along. For all I know they're ten minutes from done, you know? Mostly I'm just dying to see some new life in the old girl. I've often thought about what it would be like to take a whole new stab at it.

[toasty0]

My fav quote from your site Scott:  Scott: "Oh yeah. I forgot we don't live in a sci-fi movie."

There a bunch more gems, but for some reason I don't quite understand that one stood out.

[F9thCenturus]

Well I offered; doesn't mean they want me along. For all I know they're ten minutes from done, you know? Mostly I'm just dying to see some new life in the old girl. I've often thought about what it would be like to take a whole new stab at it.

If the SFC4 development team doesn't accept you, I will personally impregnate every Playboy Playmate from January 1980-present, and, this is the ultimate sacrifice, I'll watch an entire season of American Idol.

*shudders at the thought*

[Scott_Bruno]

My fav quote from your site Scott:  Scott: "Oh yeah. I forgot we don't live in a sci-fi movie."

There a bunch more gems, but for some reason I don't quite understand that one stood out.

I only wish I could remember the context of that one. Regardless, I've decided that I will live in a sci-fi movie if I darn well please. I'm working up a scheme to get things like the lights and the music going via voice. I think I can even pull off part of it with C#. For the interface, you know? I might even go to the Dark Side and use WPF. And Microsoft's speech recognition stuff works surprisingly well for something that's totally free. From there it's just a USB interface to some kind of switchbox, some very simple wiring and bam! I live in a sci-fi movie. Computer, increase coolness by 25%.

[Ramagar]

Hey all!

My opinion is this.  The reason SFC3 and ST Legacy were so dismal is they were dumbed down

Thanks! And I'm sure the last couple years' worth of whatever work you do were complete sh*t.

 

WTF is that all about?

Scott was on the SFC development team.  He helped create SFC3.  You insulted the game, and by default, the time and effort he put into the game.

You figure it out.

Ok.  So, he didn't bother to actually read what I was getting at and why, IMHO, and most that play SFC, SFC2 and OP thought about what came after.  It was not meant as a personal insult just my opnion of WHY it ...err didn't hold up against a game like OP or SFC2.  It's the same thing that happened to SWG when they came out with the revamped game...they dumbed it down, tried to make something based on canon and not gameplay and it died a quick death.  So it begs the question why, with the success of SFC2, OP iIMHO should have been an upgrade and not a new game, didn't anyone try and perfect SFC2 to be more like SFB (to a fine point)?  I will tell you though, if I did screw up programming (which I do) on a multi million dollar VOIP installation I would have been forced to fix it.  I also wouldn't be personally insulted if someone explained in detail why it failed.

[FA Frey XC]

Ram,

[Edited due to me not obviously knowing the whole story  ]

Now -  this is so damned exciting that I can't believe it.

Wow!

[Ramagar]

Ram,

In all honesty, you don't really have any idea what your talking about. Taldren wanted to make SFC3 everything it could be - it was Activision that screwed that pooch. So your basically pouring salt in a wound that's likely almost closed, then rubbing it with a steel bristle pad and going "DOES THAT HURT!!! DOES IT!!!"

So please drop the attitude and show some respect.

Thanks.

Now -  this is so damned exciting that I can't believe it.

Wow!

See, I didn't know that all I know is the result as an end user and consumer.  So Activision screwed the game to hell eh?  Well I tell you what guys if you are looking there used to be another star trek combat system by FASA back in the day that actually was pretty damn cool.  Sorry, I am NOT trying to make someone feel bad about anything.  What is done is done and I am pleased make that estatic about ANYONE that is looking to make a better SFC series game.

[Scott_Bruno]

See, I didn't know that all I know is the result as an end user and consumer.  So Activision screwed the game to hell eh?  Well I tell you what guys if you are looking there used to be another star trek combat system by FASA back in the day that actually was pretty damn cool.  Sorry, I am NOT trying to make someone feel bad about anything.  What is done is done and I am pleased make that estatic about ANYONE that is looking to make a better SFC series game.

You know what? Just forget I said anything. Seriously, I overreacted. The thing is, I've made a bunch of games and SFC is one of very few that I feel personally about. That's all. I was a (scripting) modder, dude, and my first professional gig was this very game. So, even now I feel close to this series on a level that even more 'successful' games didn't reach. A lot of us did, and probably still do.

So yeah, several years later it's not like I'm not used to accepting criticism. Goes with the turf. I just tend to take it personally when it's SFC, and especially the last one.

Let's just all drink a toast to blowing the crap outta' your friends in space.  []?

[EmeraldEdge]

Let's just all drink a toast to blowing the crap outta' your friends in space.  []?

Amen!  Sadly, I'm the one who's usually takin' the lickin' but someday....

[GFL Offkey]

Scott,
  I am pleased to hear from someone on the team for sfc3. The game is alot better than sfc2 and op in my opinion. First as a captain of a fleet you dont control the items in micromanaging as you did in early versions thats what officers are for. You just give orders they should know thier duties. I would like to invite you to try what we have done with sfc3 as the GFL has taken a lead role in repairing the game to what context we have. If you have the game let me know and try the legions at war version. If you know of anyone I can contact for the sfc3 code let me know and I will get it done.

[Scott_Bruno]

If you know of anyone I can contact for the sfc3 code let me know and I will get it done.

I wish. No, I don't know of anyone who still has that code. I suppose there's a CD sitting in a box somewhere in Activision's closet but it would probably be easier to get your hands on the Colonel's secret recipe.

[marstone]

If you know of anyone I can contact for the sfc3 code let me know and I will get it done.

I wish. No, I don't know of anyone who still has that code. I suppose there's a CD sitting in a box somewhere in Activision's closet but it would probably be easier to get your hands on the Colonel's secret recipe.

Isn't Mr. Yeast (I believe that is right) one who might, I know he was offering to help when the servers were taken offline.

[Scott_Bruno]

If you know of anyone I can contact for the sfc3 code let me know and I will get it done.

I wish. No, I don't know of anyone who still has that code. I suppose there's a CD sitting in a box somewhere in Activision's closet but it would probably be easier to get your hands on the Colonel's secret recipe.

Isn't Mr. Yeast (I believe that is right) one who might, I know he was offering to help when the servers were taken offline.

No idea. Problem with SFC3 though is that the ratio of living to dead corporate entities isn't in your favor.

[Nemesis]

Alright, I'll talk to Frey.

 


                                                                                                   

[Roychipoqua_Mace]

It is quite exciting to see the beginnings of SFC4. What an awesome time to be an SFC fan and a game player in general.

[SPBane]

This is awesome news!!SFC rocks! I loved the first one when it came out,and liked SFC3 even better! No other game has made my heart race so in pvp! Thats the part I miss the most. I dont know if it was all the different mods that came out that split up so much of the playerbase,or people just lost intrest? But I'd hate to see this great game die.... Its too darn fun!! I'd be happy to offer my time for any play testing that may be needed.

[Scott_Bruno]

This is awesome news!!SFC rocks! I loved the first one when it came out,and liked SFC3 even better! No other game has made my heart race so in pvp! Thats the part I miss the most. I dont know if it was all the different mods that came out that split up so much of the playerbase,or people just lost intrest? But I'd hate to see this great game die.... Its too darn fun!! I'd be happy to offer my time for any play testing that may be needed.

If anything I'd say it's the mods that have kept it going this long. Without them I don't think the game would still have a pulse today.

[FCM-Corbomite-XC]

This is awesome news!!SFC rocks! I loved the first one when it came out,and liked SFC3 even better! No other game has made my heart race so in pvp! Thats the part I miss the most. I dont know if it was all the different mods that came out that split up so much of the playerbase,or people just lost intrest? But I'd hate to see this great game die.... Its too darn fun!! I'd be happy to offer my time for any play testing that may be needed.

If anything I'd say it's the mods that have kept it going this long. Without them I don't think the game would still have a pulse today.

Not entirely. There's still a dedicated group on Gamespy that plays with nothing more than an expanded shiplist. That and the SFB nutters who still haven't found a better tactical game give the old girl some legs too.

[SPBane]

Aye yes,I'd say your both right on both counts. With the new legs,would also unite most who played different mods and older versions.And again bring new life to this fun game! Back to the days of 100 or more people on a server in a given day. I for one would be happy to pay for an sfc4,and even pay to play on a server if need be. I've played quite a few games over the years,but this is one I always seem to come back to,no matter how old.

[Reverend]

So, you're going to redo SFC1, SFC2OP, and EAW, all which were SFB based. True, SFC3 was dumbed down, but it added a lot of playability and "friendliness" that was not at all present in before. I proudly own and play all 4 of the series, and am still at a loss. What are you guys going to do to 3 games that to me here just mods of one another? I saw very little change in any of them whatsoever except SFC3.... SFB is fun, but very unfriendly and stifling, and will not attract any new attention. I ralize no one involved cares either.  A PF here, slightly different weapon configurations.... same old game for the first 3.

I do understand and am excited for a totally fan-based game, esp nice seeing all the old hands I recall chiming in.
My main question is-
What new functions or new styles is it you all are truly seeking in this project that would make SFC4 any different than just another mod for SFC1.2.OPEAW?

I am not trying to cause any fuss or be a naysayer... I've been away for a while and am a little lost, and seeking an education.