[Fractux]

I haven't contacted HOTU yet, and before I do anything I want to get everyone's input.

I've put together a new package for HOTU, which is set up differently from the one currently available for download.

I did this for 3 reasons.

- The present HOTU version doesn't include sparky_hi (for 1024x768 mode).
- all of the files are extracted into the data directory, which makes grabing the rest of the vp files a bit of a pain due to the need to delete all the files in the data subdirectory.
- The registry is set up differenctly in the HOTU version (nothing critical)

One issue though, the present HOTU version is 219MB, while this version is 347MB. This package contains:

\data (and all subdirectories)
ENDPART1.MVE
ENDPRT2A.MVE
ENDPRT2B.MVE
Fred2.exe
freespace2.exe
FS2.exe  (v1.2 no-cd)
FS2uninst.dll
patchw32.dll
pxo.url
readme.txt
root_fs2.vp (v1.2 retail)
sparky_fs2.vp (retail version)
sparky_hi_fs2.vp (retail version)
UpdateLauncher.exe

Now, this way, once individuals grab the HOTU version, all they are missing are:

stu_fs2.vp (contains all of the sounds in data\voice)
smarty_fs2.vp (contains intelligence animations in tech room)
tango1_fs2.vp (contains .ani in data\cbanims)
tango2_fs2.vp (contains .ani in data\cbanims)
tango3_fs2.vp (contains .ani in data\cbanims)
warble_fs2.vp (contains .wav in data\music)

I know that the loss of stu_fs2.vp really takes away from the atmosphere, and I was thinking of maybe making a vp (stu_fs2_HOTU.vp) that only contained the data\voice\personas.

Now HOTU may not take the 347MB package, so even if I have to remove sparky_hi (and then throw in as much of the infor from stu_fs2.vp), at least that simplifies havving people update to the full retail version.

Let me know what you all think.

In the .zip file submitted to HOTU, there will be the files:

FreeSpace2_HOTU.zip
├
├readme.txt
├Get FreeSpace 2 Open.url
├FreeSapce2_HOTU.exe

The readme will say where to get the missing VP files, and also promote FS2 Open.

Ley me know what you think. I'll wait to hear before I do anything more.

Cheers!

[karajorma]

Sometimes I'm really glad it takes me ages to get started on a new project

I've been thinking about some changes I'd make myself. One of the big ones is to make sure that there is nothing in Data apart from the Freddocs etc.

Another was to see if we could get a copy of Tom's Old Build with movie code added (that way we could include the avi versions of the cutscenes and save more than 50MB uncompressed disk space And probably an appreciable amount zipped). It would of course also allow net play.

EDIT : Now that's annoying. I actually posted first and then Strat sneaks in using the timewarp

[StratComm]

That sounds good, though the increased size could be a problem.  I know the ending scenes are important to the story, I just wish there was some way to get rid of the MVE encoded versions just for space concerns.  Otherwise, a link on HOTU to where to get sparky_hi_fs2 would probably be the best idea, so that people would only get it knowing what they were going after.  Finally, I'd almost suggest getting an old engine build together with the no-cd options and the FS2DNet code rather than the actual retail crack, since it'd allow you to market the multiplayer.

[Fractux]

Hey Karajorma, I didn't even know that you had initiated a new push. heh

Just read through your last post, and I do agree with all your points.

My reasoning behind this is it will cut off the need to answer emails I get sent about problems/questions, get people to d/l less, and this package will be much "cleaner".

I'll get in contact with HOTU and see how big of a file they are willing to host.

Ack, managed to waste some more time... heh.. back to studying

[StratComm]

Originally posted by karajorma
EDIT : Now that's annoying. I actually posted first and then Strat sneaks in using the timewarp

Point stolen! :arr:  Anyway, you didn't post everything the first time around

And I really want a timewarp smily.

[karajorma]

Send me a copy before you put anything up and I'll see about putting the other files into VPs for you.

Just post it up to the MG FTP and I should be able to grab it without to much trouble.

[Fractux]

Sent off a quick email to HOTU, just waiting on their response.

Once I see how big of a package they'll host, then we'll know what we can throw in.

I'm all for an old engine build with support for avi movies and FS2NetD.

Even if that doesn't materialize, and we've got to take out sparky_hi, and keep the vanilla Fs2 in there, it's better than nothing, I suppose.

[Fractux]

Just one quick note. I didn't think about earlier.

With Tom's OEB for multiplayer, we would need to include the FS0 Launcher, and that may be a bit confusing for individuals.

What do you think?

I was thinking that maybe with the included "Get FS2OPEN.url" that would point to a wiki page (as this would make it easiest to keep updated over time) there could be another .url  that leads to a wiki page about setting up multiplayer with tom's old build?

I know this was intended to make our life easier, but with all of the changes that will come over time with FS2netD and FSO, maybe it will actually be best to do it this way?

Just another thought.

So through HOTU, anyone can get a stable, vannila FS2 experience, but FS0 will be advertised and the community promoted.

Just another quick though. Boy, i'm big on the procrastinating today... heh

Cheers!

*unplugs keyboard and locks in timelock safe.

[StratComm]

The movie code is highly doubtful, but from what I understand of Tom's build, it's almost as stable as FS2 retail, except that it has the new multiplayer code in it and I don't think it's particularly bug-free.  Though I think it does provide the "vanilla FS2 experience" and I think it would run without significant tweaking.  As for the launcher, the new one isn't particularly worse than the old one, only it will have a ton of features that the build can't use.

[karajorma]

Tom's build doesn't require the SCP launcher to work. In fact you have to use the Retail EXEs option to even load it using the FSO launcher

What we could do of course is to simply include the retail exe under a different name and say in the readme that people should swap them over if they have trouble but considering that the only new code is for multiplayer and

a) They aren't complaining
b) If you don't play muliplayer you have no choice but to use the FS2NetD code
c) If you're not playing muliplayer you're never going to come across the new code.

I doubt it would be needed.

[Fractux]

I agree with that reasoning Karajorma.

I just tried tom's build again with the vanilla launcher, and the build pops up a dialogue asking for CD2 with the vps missing, just like vannila fs2, but you can get past just by cliking it.

When I have time I'll try to see if putting in empty vp files will get that to go away.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for including it if will work out.

[karajorma]

The CD check could be removed when the movie code is slotted in It's pretty easy to remove from what I hear. In fact I think it was the first thing to go

What we need to do now is find a coder to put the movie code back in

[Fractux]

Well I was runing through a few build last night testing for the avi playback, and no build worked correctly in my tests.

HOTU will probably take a while to get back to me, but I'll be persistent. Their forum registration was a bit messed up, but I managed to get around the problem.

I'll wait another 2 days before trying to get in contact with them again.

Not having to put in the .MVE files in will save us around 90MB or so, bringing down the package as I listed aboe to  about 260MB or so. Then we could throw in some voice (.wav) and still make it under 300MB.

Cheers!

[StratComm]

I think the problem with the movie code right now has more to do with the no-minimize problem (alt-tab bug) of HTL than with the movie-playing code itself.  It should do ok on top of retail, where you can safely pop in and out of the game.  It'd need to be tested, but I think we could get away with putting it in.