FreeSpace 2 Source Code Project
Encyclopedia
The FreeSpace 2 Source Code Project is a group of programmers currently maintaining and enhancing the game engine
for the space combat simulator FreeSpace 2
, developed by Volition, Inc. The source code was released in 2002, and is used by several projects. Most prominent among these are games based on the Babylon 5
and 2004 Battlestar Galactica
universes. The engine is commonly referred to as FS2_Open.
was bought over by THQ
in 2000. With Interplay Entertainment
holding the licenses for the FreeSpace series, Volition could not continue to develop the series. Without any viable use for the source code, Volition released the source code for FreeSpace 2s game engine
on 25 April 2002. This allowed modders
the possibility of modifying the game engine almost without limitations. However, because the source code is under a noncommercial license, it does not qualify as free software
.
To prevent a plethora of different versions of the game from appearing, a single 'umbrella' project (with the unified goal of enhancing the game) under the name FreeSpace 2 Source Code Project was formed. The initial leaders were Edward "Inquisitor" Gardner and Ian "Goober5000" Warfield, the team is currently led by Cliff "Chief1983" Gordon.
FreeSpace 2's original license agreement in its installer has a peculiar statement, which seems to give the game's purchaser permission to make copies for "friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis". However there are no such statements in the license agreements installed onto the personal computers for all three versions of the game. Neither are there such statements in the instruction manual or the licenses of the patched game, all of which are more recent than the game installer.
In addition, content update packs have been developed which take advantage of the upgraded game engine. These packs include higher-poly models and higher resolution textures. The end result of this project is to create a graphically superior (and far more flexible) game engine, while still retaining all of the gameplay elements that made FreeSpace 2 successful.
and Diaspora tell a side story based on the humans and robotic Cylons of the 2004 Battlestar Galactica
television series. Another science fiction television series-based projects is The Babylon Project, based on the critically acclaimed Babylon 5
. Both these projects are implementing partial Newtonian flight physics
. The demo of The Babylon Project was downloaded 100,000 times within two weeks of its announcement, and was reported on Apple.com and in France's Joystick game magazine. A Star Wars-based project, Fate of the Galaxy is also in development. There are several projects to recreate established video games using the FS2_Open engine, these include Shadows of Lylat for the Star Fox universe, and Wing Commander Saga for the Wing Commander
universe. Some notable original mods and campaigns have been created, such as Wings of Dawn which takes place in an anime style world, and Blue Planet which offers a continuation of Freespace 2, telling of a civil war between Earth and the GTVA.
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
for the space combat simulator FreeSpace 2
FreeSpace 2
FreeSpace 2 is a 1999 space combat simulation computer game developed by Volition, Inc. as the sequel to Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War. It was completed ahead of schedule in less than a year, and released to great critical acclaim...
, developed by Volition, Inc. The source code was released in 2002, and is used by several projects. Most prominent among these are games based on the Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
and 2004 Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
universes. The engine is commonly referred to as FS2_Open.
History
Volition, Inc., the company responsible for developing the game FreeSpace 2FreeSpace 2
FreeSpace 2 is a 1999 space combat simulation computer game developed by Volition, Inc. as the sequel to Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War. It was completed ahead of schedule in less than a year, and released to great critical acclaim...
was bought over by THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
in 2000. With Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
holding the licenses for the FreeSpace series, Volition could not continue to develop the series. Without any viable use for the source code, Volition released the source code for FreeSpace 2s game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
on 25 April 2002. This allowed modders
Mod (computer gaming)
Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
the possibility of modifying the game engine almost without limitations. However, because the source code is under a noncommercial license, it does not qualify as free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
.
To prevent a plethora of different versions of the game from appearing, a single 'umbrella' project (with the unified goal of enhancing the game) under the name FreeSpace 2 Source Code Project was formed. The initial leaders were Edward "Inquisitor" Gardner and Ian "Goober5000" Warfield, the team is currently led by Cliff "Chief1983" Gordon.
FreeSpace 2
In addition, content update packs have been developed which take advantage of the upgraded game engine. These packs include higher-poly models and higher resolution textures. The end result of this project is to create a graphically superior (and far more flexible) game engine, while still retaining all of the gameplay elements that made FreeSpace 2 successful.
Notable projects
The primary project FS2_Open takes advantage of the upgraded engine for FreeSpace 2. Most of the other projects are based on science-fiction television shows or movies. Beyond the Red LineBeyond the Red Line
Beyond the Red Line is an unofficial and free stand-alone total conversion for the game FreeSpace 2, based on the reimagined TV show Battlestar Galactica...
and Diaspora tell a side story based on the humans and robotic Cylons of the 2004 Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
television series. Another science fiction television series-based projects is The Babylon Project, based on the critically acclaimed Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
. Both these projects are implementing partial Newtonian flight physics
Classical mechanics
In physics, classical mechanics is one of the two major sub-fields of mechanics, which is concerned with the set of physical laws describing the motion of bodies under the action of a system of forces...
. The demo of The Babylon Project was downloaded 100,000 times within two weeks of its announcement, and was reported on Apple.com and in France's Joystick game magazine. A Star Wars-based project, Fate of the Galaxy is also in development. There are several projects to recreate established video games using the FS2_Open engine, these include Shadows of Lylat for the Star Fox universe, and Wing Commander Saga for the Wing Commander
Wing Commander (franchise)
Wing Commander is a video game media franchise consisting of space combat simulation computer games from Origin Systems, Inc., an animated television series, a feature film, a collectible card game, a series of novels, and action figures...
universe. Some notable original mods and campaigns have been created, such as Wings of Dawn which takes place in an anime style world, and Blue Planet which offers a continuation of Freespace 2, telling of a civil war between Earth and the GTVA.
External links
- Official FreeSpace Source Code Project website
- Hard Light Productions A current community center of FreeSpace 2.