Important Message

You are browsing the archived Lancers Reactor forums. You cannot register or login.
The content may be outdated and links may not be functional.


To get the latest in Freelancer news, mods, modding and downloads, go to
The-Starport

A crazy idea I''d like to try!

The general place to discuss MOD''ing Freelancer!

Post Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:50 pm

A crazy idea I''d like to try!

My friends and I have played and replayed Freelancer so many times it's getting to the point where we want to scream - don't get me wrong, the game is fantastic and wonderful, but once you've been flying around in the same powerful ship with the same powerful weapons owning the same NPC enemies in split seconds -over- and -over- again, you sort of go "Wow, maybe I'd like a little more bang for my buck".

I had this idea that crossed my mind, and I don't know if someone already tried it or not, but I do think it could work if used correctly and efficiently.

I'd like to set it up where you can go beyond simply buying ships. As a matter of fact, I'd like to get to the point where you could -build- your very own -stations- and -platforms- in space. Limitations would be this - there would be certain 'spheres' you could construct these behemoth facilities, meaning you could only construct them in a given area that was deemed suitable. This would keep folks from placing them directly next to House outposts or trade lanes, and leave it so that it could only be used in an area most likely to be trafficked, like the fringe worlds. Now, keep in mind, a station is great but what do you do with it?

Set up your own trade routes! Build trade lanes to connect your station's glorious post to a nearby settlement and buy your own NPC freighters to tote your cargo back and fourth from civilization to home base. Send them on runs and consistently upgrades your facilities to accommodate other add-ons. You might even be able to set up your own House system if you became powerful enough!

Naturally something like this would have to be enjoyed in a controlled environment, unless of course you simply wanted to be slapped into single player and have a whack at it yourself.

However, it's something I'd definitely like to see happen, even if I had to learn to do it myself. I've done alot of Mod-making in my lifetime, but nothing like Freelancer - creativity and ingenuity are my specialty when it comes to enjoying hobbies (like these) and I'd like to take a whack at it.

Can anyone point me in the direction of either two things:

1) What I would need to accomplish this monstrous task, or;
2) If anyone has already done it and/or working on it

Thank you so much for reading this far and taking time to respond.

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:39 am

to make this work alot of coding experience and modding skill is needed since FL doesnt allow such a use of bases

but it is possible (if not i wouldnt work on such a concept for quiete a time now)

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:16 am

I've thought about this i think freespace 2 is doing something like that (?) but I did have an idea for ships that you could buy fins ect for hardpoints, I know that some mods have done this for cargo pods, only thing is they have no advantage really besides looks. then again... I just had another idea. You could make a structure, then import a few guns onto it, then edit the fire to be lots of bullets positioned accordingly. although the fin would spin... Is there any way to stop that without having the guns only fire forwards?

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:59 am

So, it's possible, then what programs would I need to use or what files would I need to alter?

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:57 am

milkshape to make new models, hardcmp is good to make hardpoints, and an ini decompressor.

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:33 am

And probably a lot of DLL and EXE coding/hacking...

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:23 pm

yeah - basically thats it what you need
a very tough task

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:42 pm

now Eve i think lets you do stuff like that. well you do get planet killers that can generate warp gates for your fleet. now that'd be fun, but i'd like the possibilty of destroyable planets. want to prove your power beyond all doubt? take out manhatten...

Post Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:38 pm

Make a base that looks like a planet with a docking ring and a planet loadout. You will no longer be able to select the ring, but now you can make planetary guns! and a destroyable planet, of course.

Post Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:11 pm

Alright, so we got the whole idea of what we need down. Now, here comes this question:

In what language would I need to program this sucka, and exactly how would I go about obtaining that sort of info?

As for models, I don't think we need to make many new ones - there's already alot of models in the game the player can't yet utilize but will be able to. Example, he could buy Skytrain freighters to run from base to base instead of just modeling entire new ones, although I don't think a few new models would hurt. I think I can model myself since I've been pretty handy with 3D editors.

EDIT - if anyone would like to contact me directly I got some instant messangers you can use. Would love to hear from you.

Edited by - Recoup on 3/26/2007 4:06:17 PM

Post Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:38 pm

I think the game was written in C or C#, but if you want to "hack" the game to add this idea in, you'll probably need a lot of Hexadecimal knowledge as well as much Assembly. Someone else will probably be able to give out more detailed information about that.

Post Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:31 pm

Yeah, detailed information would be good. I've had only a little experience in something as trivial as Javascript, so, I'm strapped when it comes to any coding knowledge. =P

Post Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:06 am

this idea is AWESOME
i dont have much freelancer modding experiance , but if there are and annoying repetive tasks i could help with...id be GLAD to help !!!

Post Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:11 am

Well tell ya what folks:

Once I finish some of my VHE map-making and get my level churned out the works I'll jump right on getting this puppy started.

Return to Freelancer General Editing Forum