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Freespace 2 Source Code Released
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.
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
/*
* 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.
*
*/
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
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde
Well, first off, there's more information at http://www.freespace-2.com/ddn/sources/freespace2/ , along with a rar version that's about 2.7 meg.
/ , along with information about the engine and a mailing list.
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
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-
> 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 is down at the moment though.