[d3rt13n]

Yes I saw it….

The only thing I had to say about it was….

Awesome 🙂

If we could only send a mail to the chap who created the new 3d models of the Comsec and the Flitter…

But his website is offline, I checked. There is another guy who makes very nice meshes, and I am inclined to send him a mail.

His name is Henry

Has a lot of star wars stuff online that he designed from scratch. Very Impressive.

Here is a few of his masterpieces

https://www.youtube.com/user/tlwll/videos

might even pay him to have it done. I want a new I-War / I-war simulator, if possible in VR

[d3rt13n]

Yes I saw it….

The only thing I had to say about it was….

Awesome 🙂

If we could only send a mail to the chap who created the new 3d models of the Comsec and the Flitter…

But his website is offline, I checked. There is another guy who makes very nice meshes, and I am inclined to send him a mail.

His name is Henry

Has a lot of star wars stuff online that he designed from scratch. Very Impressive.

Here is a few of his masterpieces

https://www.youtube.com/user/tlwll/videos

might even pay him to have it done. I want a new I-War / I-war simulator, if possible in VR

[d3rt13n]

@ IRONDUKE

Thank you 🙂

I came across a thread here that you were working on an UR4 engine version of I-War.2 …. is this still in development?

Best of luck if you are still working on this too.

@7upMan

Thanks

Yes, it took me a while to appreciate Helium Rain, but now that I have found it and its easy to modify modding engine. That’s all I’m playing at the moment. Do not regret the 15 usd I spent on it and spent another 15 USD on the GOG version to have an offline installer. Great game.

[d3rt13n]

@ IRONDUKE

Thank you 🙂

I came across a thread here that you were working on an UR4 engine version of I-War.2 …. is this still in development?

Best of luck if you are still working on this too.

@7upMan

Thanks

Yes, it took me a while to appreciate Helium Rain, but now that I have found it and its easy to modify modding engine. That’s all I’m playing at the moment. Do not regret the 15 usd I spent on it and spent another 15 USD on the GOG version to have an offline installer. Great game.

[d3rt13n]

Okay…

For now a test version is online:

Here is the link to the download if you have the Steam Version. Click the subscribe button, wait for the file to download and you are set.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2027972380

For those who would like a vesion for GOG

1) download here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/8330piozg0664rq/I-War_Test.pak/file
2) copy the file to GOG gamesHeliumRainHeliumRainContentPaks

Start the game and choose Skirmish

Remember to configure the NSO Corvettes with the PBC turret available in the loadout screen.

Enjoy

PS as an added bonus, I have added 5 extra ships to the Helium Rain game as well using assets from the game. They are included in the mod above.

The ships are:

– Kelvin (scout class)
– Starfish (cutter class)
– Solaris (3 different versions of freighters)
– Basilisk (Blockade Runner)
– Bismarck (Blockade Buster)

Screenshots can be found here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2014716287

I added the music from Mr Mann as well, but HR doesn’t seem to register it.

[d3rt13n]

Okay…

For now a test version is online:

Here is the link to the download if you have the Steam Version. Click the subscribe button, wait for the file to download and you are set.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2027972380

For those who would like a vesion for GOG

1) download here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/8330piozg0664rq/I-War_Test.pak/file
2) copy the file to GOG gamesHeliumRainHeliumRainContentPaks

Start the game and choose Skirmish

Remember to configure the NSO Corvettes with the PBC turret available in the loadout screen.

Enjoy

PS as an added bonus, I have added 5 extra ships to the Helium Rain game as well using assets from the game. They are included in the mod above.

The ships are:

– Kelvin (scout class)
– Starfish (cutter class)
– Solaris (3 different versions of freighters)
– Basilisk (Blockade Runner)
– Bismarck (Blockade Buster)

Screenshots can be found here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2014716287

I added the music from Mr Mann as well, but HR doesn’t seem to register it.

[d3rt13n]

That is indeed impressive…

Would be great to have a replay of the game with your textures done.

[d3rt13n]

That is indeed impressive…

Would be great to have a replay of the game with your textures done.

[d3rt13n]

The fact is that there is an existing engine that can give us just this and more – It has VR support as well and all the tools required to code and add in 3D models. That game (engine) is X-REBIRTH VR, there are a lot of mods out for this game, and even now still mods are being made for it and could easily be modified to accomodate I-WAR 2 gameplay.

With a far easier code than POG and a way to import 3D meshes, we could turn this into a sandbox I-WAR 2 clone.

For those who don’t know what X-Rebirth is check out this wiki: http://x-rebirth.wikia.com/wiki/X-Rebirth_Wiki

Yes, I know, there have been a lot of people (mainly X-2, X-3 fans) who hated X-Rebirth mainly because the expectations they had were not met; because they compared the limited options of X-Rebirth in comparison to X2 and X3 – Mainy the ability to fly only one ship, The Skunk. I however disagree, X-Rebirth is a great game in its own right, it just should never have been called an X-game.

It is also the only Game at this moment which is moddable, both in the 3D department as in the coding department and offers a sandbox mode that does not need a lot of rework. It has a funtional economy – and is since last year fully VR capable. That VR Capable option is a big yes for me if compared to Elite Dangerous.

Let me sum it up here for you what X-Rebirth could offer us – what we have already, and its relation to I-WAR 2.

– SKUNK / Pride of Albion = Command Section
– The skunk can be upgraded with different parts that can be purchased (Engines, Weapons, Shields, Drones, Software)
There are 3 Engines and each engine has at least 3 flavors – through crafting a 4 th flavor per type – The MK 5 – can be implemented. In fact you can program as many engines as you like, therefore you can purchase following ships:

Com-sec (your starting ship) – Equalized Mk 1 (Star Citizen Hull A)
Tug (com-sec + Tug module) – Equalized Mk 3
PATCOM (com-sec + patcom module) Sidewinder Mk 3
DREADNOUGHT (com-sec + Dreadnought module) Sidewinder Mk 4

You could even invent new setups for example a COM-SEC with thruster modules and containers. akin to this:
https://dto9r5vaiz7bu.cloudfront.net/nl968zgeeu9ls/hub_large.png

The point here is that when you buy an engine – a 3D mesh could be added to the Com-Sec and shown in exterior mode, representing the COM-SEC mated with the relevant purchased module and each engine flavor would make it fly differently since it is easily modified with Notepad++ by changing numeric values. The one ‘fly-one-ship-only’ option is also not an issue since the COM-SEC is always the base of the existing setup.

http://www.starfreeze.com/wiki/Category:Engines

Equalized Mk 1 – Equalized Mk 3, – Equalized Mk 4
Sidewinder Mk 1 – Sidewinder Mk 3 – Sidewinder Mk 4
Supercharged Mk 1 – Supercharged Mk 3 – Supercharged Mk

FLIGHT ASSIST OFF or NEWTONIAN FLIGHT

The game features Newtonian flight, but is not as well developed as I-WAR 2. However I am sure that this can be achieved if the correct values are put in place for the engines.

LDS: BOOST is the X-Rebirth variant of LDS in I-War 2 – Boost draws energy from Shields, in X-R but that can be set to zero, as to not drain and can be made a lot faster – to accomodate in-cluster travel.
Lagrange points: X-Rebirth Jump Gates – Removing the gate mesh and adding in a blue/red wireframe graphic would do the trick here.

CLUSTERS and UNIVERSE – Renaming and repositoning of the clusters to accomodate the I-War universe can be done via Notepad++.

http://x-rebirth.wikia.com/wiki/Map

Basically every other gameplay mechanic that I-War 2 offers can be replicated in X-Rebirth. Economy (trade), Missions, Factions, Weapon-loadouts, Autopilot etc…

In addition the player can build and own stations and capital ships that can be docked with and used as a taxi. Boarding operations, drone control (remote fighter – T-Fighter) and hacking is also implemented.

The requirement here would be to make 3D models of the I-WAR ships that are on par with today’s standards (3d studio Max) and textures; and someone with experience in modding X-Rebirth XML files and MD files.

The issue is that not a lot of people are lining up to create a mod that maybe only 50 people will appreciate and play while multiplayer is non existent. X-Rebirth (thank god) does not need to be connected to the net to play.

Also; I-War 2 is a very ‘niche game’ and space simulators are far and between.

Now if there would be people who are lining up to have an I-WAR III, maybe some artists could be persuaded to create a half-conversion (total conversion is not required since existing stations models, the economy framework and even the existing capital ship meshes could be right at home in the I-WAR 3 universe) – maybe we could even start motivating modders by a donation ware setup. Personally I would pay 50 Euros to have something like this materialize.

I know someone who could make the 3D mesh stuff happen – and also a few who are familiar with the X-Rebirth code.

[d3rt13n]

The fact is that there is an existing engine that can give us just this and more – It has VR support as well and all the tools required to code and add in 3D models. That game (engine) is X-REBIRTH VR, there are a lot of mods out for this game, and even now still mods are being made for it and could easily be modified to accomodate I-WAR 2 gameplay.

With a far easier code than POG and a way to import 3D meshes, we could turn this into a sandbox I-WAR 2 clone.

For those who don’t know what X-Rebirth is check out this wiki: http://x-rebirth.wikia.com/wiki/X-Rebirth_Wiki

Yes, I know, there have been a lot of people (mainly X-2, X-3 fans) who hated X-Rebirth mainly because the expectations they had were not met; because they compared the limited options of X-Rebirth in comparison to X2 and X3 – Mainy the ability to fly only one ship, The Skunk. I however disagree, X-Rebirth is a great game in its own right, it just should never have been called an X-game.

It is also the only Game at this moment which is moddable, both in the 3D department as in the coding department and offers a sandbox mode that does not need a lot of rework. It has a funtional economy – and is since last year fully VR capable. That VR Capable option is a big yes for me if compared to Elite Dangerous.

Let me sum it up here for you what X-Rebirth could offer us – what we have already, and its relation to I-WAR 2.

– SKUNK / Pride of Albion = Command Section
– The skunk can be upgraded with different parts that can be purchased (Engines, Weapons, Shields, Drones, Software)
There are 3 Engines and each engine has at least 3 flavors – through crafting a 4 th flavor per type – The MK 5 – can be implemented. In fact you can program as many engines as you like, therefore you can purchase following ships:

Com-sec (your starting ship) – Equalized Mk 1 (Star Citizen Hull A)
Tug (com-sec + Tug module) – Equalized Mk 3
PATCOM (com-sec + patcom module) Sidewinder Mk 3
DREADNOUGHT (com-sec + Dreadnought module) Sidewinder Mk 4

You could even invent new setups for example a COM-SEC with thruster modules and containers. akin to this:
https://dto9r5vaiz7bu.cloudfront.net/nl968zgeeu9ls/hub_large.png

The point here is that when you buy an engine – a 3D mesh could be added to the Com-Sec and shown in exterior mode, representing the COM-SEC mated with the relevant purchased module and each engine flavor would make it fly differently since it is easily modified with Notepad++ by changing numeric values. The one ‘fly-one-ship-only’ option is also not an issue since the COM-SEC is always the base of the existing setup.

http://www.starfreeze.com/wiki/Category:Engines

Equalized Mk 1 – Equalized Mk 3, – Equalized Mk 4
Sidewinder Mk 1 – Sidewinder Mk 3 – Sidewinder Mk 4
Supercharged Mk 1 – Supercharged Mk 3 – Supercharged Mk

FLIGHT ASSIST OFF or NEWTONIAN FLIGHT

The game features Newtonian flight, but is not as well developed as I-WAR 2. However I am sure that this can be achieved if the correct values are put in place for the engines.

LDS: BOOST is the X-Rebirth variant of LDS in I-War 2 – Boost draws energy from Shields, in X-R but that can be set to zero, as to not drain and can be made a lot faster – to accomodate in-cluster travel.
Lagrange points: X-Rebirth Jump Gates – Removing the gate mesh and adding in a blue/red wireframe graphic would do the trick here.

CLUSTERS and UNIVERSE – Renaming and repositoning of the clusters to accomodate the I-War universe can be done via Notepad++.

http://x-rebirth.wikia.com/wiki/Map

Basically every other gameplay mechanic that I-War 2 offers can be replicated in X-Rebirth. Economy (trade), Missions, Factions, Weapon-loadouts, Autopilot etc…

In addition the player can build and own stations and capital ships that can be docked with and used as a taxi. Boarding operations, drone control (remote fighter – T-Fighter) and hacking is also implemented.

The requirement here would be to make 3D models of the I-WAR ships that are on par with today’s standards (3d studio Max) and textures; and someone with experience in modding X-Rebirth XML files and MD files.

The issue is that not a lot of people are lining up to create a mod that maybe only 50 people will appreciate and play while multiplayer is non existent. X-Rebirth (thank god) does not need to be connected to the net to play.

Also; I-War 2 is a very ‘niche game’ and space simulators are far and between.

Now if there would be people who are lining up to have an I-WAR III, maybe some artists could be persuaded to create a half-conversion (total conversion is not required since existing stations models, the economy framework and even the existing capital ship meshes could be right at home in the I-WAR 3 universe) – maybe we could even start motivating modders by a donation ware setup. Personally I would pay 50 Euros to have something like this materialize.

I know someone who could make the 3D mesh stuff happen – and also a few who are familiar with the X-Rebirth code.

[d3rt13n]

Since Oolite is a opensource version of the first Elite, not Elite Frontier, or First Encounter it does not sport the Newtonian Physics alas. Since it came out on the BBC micro first and 3d rendering was non existent, it wouldn’t have made sense to include that in the engine. Elite was the first “3D” game so to speak, but it was all wireframe graphics and the FPS rate was horrible, at least on my version on the C64, that was before there were PC’s the Commodore 64, which was the forefather of the Amiga, if that rings any bells.

Someone in the community might have created an .oxp (modification pack) to emulate Newtonian physics but out of the box, no its like Freelancer.

If you want elite and the retro looking stuff you should pay a visit to the frontier astro website, you can download all old Elite games there and some remakes too.

http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/

[d3rt13n]

Since Oolite is a opensource version of the first Elite, not Elite Frontier, or First Encounter it does not sport the Newtonian Physics alas. Since it came out on the BBC micro first and 3d rendering was non existent, it wouldn’t have made sense to include that in the engine. Elite was the first “3D” game so to speak, but it was all wireframe graphics and the FPS rate was horrible, at least on my version on the C64, that was before there were PC’s the Commodore 64, which was the forefather of the Amiga, if that rings any bells.

Someone in the community might have created an .oxp (modification pack) to emulate Newtonian physics but out of the box, no its like Freelancer.

If you want elite and the retro looking stuff you should pay a visit to the frontier astro website, you can download all old Elite games there and some remakes too.

http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/

[d3rt13n]

No, the Cobra Mk 3 is from Oolite, I made it about a year ago, together with a Sidewinder and it is up for grabs. Sadly work took up a lot of time and I haven’t been able to finish the complete pack. You can have a look at the thread here:

http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16698

[d3rt13n]

No, the Cobra Mk 3 is from Oolite, I made it about a year ago, together with a Sidewinder and it is up for grabs. Sadly work took up a lot of time and I haven’t been able to finish the complete pack. You can have a look at the thread here:

http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16698

[d3rt13n]

Jeezes, that puts things in perspective

I was 26 when the game came out… :whistle: and I am still coming back to it again and again. I played and finished I-War 2 around that time with a mouse and a keyboard. I am now playing it with two old X-box controllers simultaneously. This gives me the complete functions over all thrusters using three thumb-sticks: The setup works great, both controllers are on the desk and I can use a hand per controller:

I must admit that I never played I-War or its expansion :blush:. I bought both games on GOG and originally on disk (I still have the first game in mint condition) sadly the I-War 2 (play and install disk) were lost during a flood in the basement. When the game came out I was barely scratching the surface of the modding scene. Several years later I am pretty good at using programs like Photoshop and doing some (basic 3d work).

Here is a screenshot of the famous Cobra Mk3 from Elite as I see it, designed in Wings 3D and ingame in Oolite.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeLpZQI_a4M[/video]

It has subsystems that show up on the hull when you buy them (see for example the cargo bay extention attached to the green version and not to the red one ?). The added mass should also have an effect on how the ship’s physics behave. That is the kind of realism I would like to see in an I-War 3.

If only porting ships to I-War were as simple as porting them to Oolite to name an example. Oolite is a cool game but it’s the gameplay that makes me come back to I-War 2, the Newtonian physics engine is a real blast in I-War, as is the interface. The HUD that shows the ship’s path, the representation of the L-Points, the realism of the ship design (not 500 different ships with appendages that are there just to make them look pretty – X3 series – but functional hulls with modular slots to attach weapons, cargo etc).

I had a lot of hopes for ED and invested quite an amount of cash in it, but since they decided that there was not going to be an offline version (and therefore no mod support), I kinda lost interest. Some of you have not known the pre-internet era, where your PC had to function without a connection. Nowadays internet is everywhere, but I still like to play my games without the need for it. I must be getting old.

The trend I see with games, as it is with films the last few years, is that a lot of emphasis is taken away from the actual story and characters, and more effort is put in special effects and complex mechanics (yes okay there are exceptions) but those who have watched the movie Kelly’s Heroes know what I am talking about.

Look at X-Rebirth for example; the game is a technical and visually precise masterpiece (it was made by ze Germans after all); however story wise, it’s an empty shell and the actors are not really there. There is no emotion in the speech and it looks like the lines were read by someone who they could only afford to pay 2 bucks an hour. The characters in I-War 2 (Cal,Smith, Jaffs etc…) are as real as they come, it takes talent to do that, not just technical know-how, sharp programming skills and a first class 3d artist.

To make a successful successor to I-War 2 one person can not pull it off, even if you are schizophrenic.

Another angle to not forget to cover is the support for Oculus Rift hardware and the likes.

Here is my list of spacegames that bring back memories besides I-War 2:

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident, Homeworld 1 and 2, Tachyon: The Fringe, Privateer 2: The Darkening. and to a lesser extent Starlancer.
I am keeping an eye out for Enemy Starfighter since the visuals in that game really appeal to me.

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