FreeSpace Wiki - User contributions [en]

FreeSpace Open Installer

2013-04-04T12:41:09Z

Maslo: installer does not work

Turey's FreeSpace Open Installer is currently the only official online installer for FS2_Open.

The programs web page is [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/ here]

'''WARNING:''' The Installer currently does not work. Use the [[Getting_started#Manual_installation|manual installation]].

== Features ==
The most recent Installer includes:

* FreeSpace Open 3.6.10 Final (regular and debug)
* FRED2 Open 3.6.10 Final (regular and debug)
* Launcher 5.5e
* Linux 32-bit and 64-bit Executables
* Mac Executables
* Soulstorm's OSX Launcher
* fs2open_pxo.cfg
* The OpenAL Installer (optional)
* 3.6.10 MediaVPs (note that you will still have to dwnload the patch for the mediavps separately, can be found at http://freespacemods.net/files/MVP3610/3610_Patch.zip )
* .OGG Cutscenes
* Derelict SCP Version (With optional voice)
* Just Another Day 1 & 2 (separate options for each)
* FreeSpace Port
* Silent Threat: Reborn
* Awakenings
* Homesick
* Transcend
* Sync

Source:
[http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42854.0.html Original thread by Turey]

== Walkthrough installing ==

* ''Based off the walkthrough available [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,47045.0.html here]''

This Installer is known to work on Windows, Linux (tested on OpenSuse, Gentoo and Fedora, should work on others), and Mac (OSX Panther, with a hacked install of Java 1.5)

First step is getting Retail FS2. You can buy it from either [http://www.gog.com Good Old Games] or off of eBay or something. Install it and the related patch, then get the FreeSpace Open Installer.

=== Requirements and Notes ===
You can update your installation by simply running the Installer again. It will download files that are out of date.

The Installer requires an internet connection to install. This is because:
* It checks to see if it is out of date by pulling the number of the most recent version off of the web.
* It automatically takes you to the download page of the most recent version if your version is out of date.
* It checks that all the files are up-to-date.
* This Install process downloads about 3.5 GB of data, if you download everything. Just so you can prepare; for example, you could set it to download overnight.

=== Download Links ===
* [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/FreeSpaceOpenInstaller.zip Windows Installer (Zipped .exe, 19 MB)] (Doesn't need Java, get this one if you are unsure and are using Windows)]: Works with Windows without having to use Java. 20 MB in size. Download it, open it, then skip to the "Using the Installer" section.
--this one is "easy" for Windows users. Not that the .JAR version is hard... but if you've never used the Control Panel before, and don't intend to, then use this option.
* [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/java/FreeSpaceOpenInstaller.jar Win/Linux/Mac Installer (.jar, 26 KB)] (Requires Java 1.5): Works with Windows, Linux, and Mac. 20 KB in size. Requires Java version 1.5 or higher. See "For Java" section, below.
--this one is cross-platform. It's also exactly the same as the .EXE version, except that it requires JAVA, and possibly using the Command Prompt. Don't worry; I have instructions...
* You can also get the Installer [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/java/ source code here.]

=== Install procedure ===
# Install FreeSpace 2 from your disks, if you haven't already. Install it to C:\Games\FreeSpace2. Then install [http://www.pxo.net/files/fs21x-12.exe the 1.2 patch].
# Now, put disk 2 of FreeSpace 2 back into your CD drive.
# Copy all the files with the extension of ".MVE" from the disk root directory ( \ ) to the folder C:\Games\FreeSpace2\data\movies\ (create this folder if it doesn't exist)
# Do the same thing for disk 3.
# If you ONLY have the FS2 disks, then put [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/installedversions.txt this file] (right-click Save Target/Link As) in C:\Games\FreeSpace2\Installer\ (create this folder if it doesn't exist) If you have BOTH the FS1 and FS2 disks, skip to the next step.
# If you don't have the Descent: FreeSpace a.k.a. Conflict: FreeSpace (aka FS1) Disks, then skip to step 10. If you do, insert disk 1 in your CD drive. Copy all of the files with the extension of ".MVE" from the disk directory \Data\movies\ to the folder C:\Games\FreeSpace2\fsport\data\movies\ (create this folder if it doesn't exist)
# Do the same thing for disk 2.
# If you ONLY have the Conflict: FreeSpace a.k.a. Descent: FreeSpace (aka FS1) disks (and not the FS2 disks), put [http://www.geocities.com/joshuap_richards/Installer_FS1/installedversions.txt this file] (right-click, Save Target/Link As) in C:\Games\FreeSpace2\Installer (create this folder if it doesn't exist) If you have BOTH the FS1 and FS2 disks, then skip to the next step.
# If you have BOTH the FS1 and the FS2 disks, then put [http://www.geocities.com/joshuap_richards/Installer_both/installedversions.txt this file] (right-click, Save Target/Link As) in C:\Games\FreeSpace2\Installer (create this folder if it doesn't exist)
# Run the Installer, under the "Installing the FreeSpace Open Installer" section, above.

==== Using the Installer ====

# First window, click next.
# Press "Next" again, or click the big button to change the location for the FreeSpace 2 install. (Don't, unless you have a reason to, eg, you really want another location or you've already installed Retail FS2 to a different directory than C:\Games\FreeSpace2 .)
# Make sure "Update Installed Sections Only" and "Say Yes to All" are not checked. Then hit "Next".
# If you are a Windows user, select everything, except for "Macintosh (Universal Binary) Executables", "Launcher for OS X", and the two "Linux Executables" sections. If you are a Mac user, select everything, except for "Windows Executables" and the two "Linux Executables" sections.
# Wait for the Installer to finish (this may take a long time!). You will know it is done when the "Next" button becomes black, instead of gray.
When it becomes black, click it. This means the installation is finshed.
# READ the NOTES!!! They might contain important information. After you do, hit "Exit" (The notes are saved in the \FreeSpace2\Installer directory for later viewing.)
# Hit the Close button on the Command Prompt Window.

OpenAL notes:
#  If you don't have it, get OpenAL: (all users, Windows / Mac / Linux) Go to www.openal.org, and click on the "Downloads" link on the left.
# Get the correct version for your OS:
Windows users get "1.1 Installer for Windows" -
Note: If you're using Windows, and you have nvopenal.dll or ctoal.dll in your Windows\System32 directory, then delete them and then install the newest version of OpenAL. These files are older versions, and will cause problems with the new install.
Mac users get Installer for OS X.
Linux users get the Binary RPM, or compile from the source code.

If you have any issues with the installation post [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,47045.0.html here].



[[Category:Source Code Project]]

FreeSpace Open Installer

2013-04-04T12:40:15Z

Maslo:

Turey's FreeSpace Open Installer is currently the only official online installer for FS2_Open.

The programs web page is [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/ here]

**WARNING** The Installer currently does not work. Use the [[Getting_started#Manual_installation|manual installation]].

== Features ==
The most recent Installer includes:

* FreeSpace Open 3.6.10 Final (regular and debug)
* FRED2 Open 3.6.10 Final (regular and debug)
* Launcher 5.5e
* Linux 32-bit and 64-bit Executables
* Mac Executables
* Soulstorm's OSX Launcher
* fs2open_pxo.cfg
* The OpenAL Installer (optional)
* 3.6.10 MediaVPs (note that you will still have to dwnload the patch for the mediavps separately, can be found at http://freespacemods.net/files/MVP3610/3610_Patch.zip )
* .OGG Cutscenes
* Derelict SCP Version (With optional voice)
* Just Another Day 1 & 2 (separate options for each)
* FreeSpace Port
* Silent Threat: Reborn
* Awakenings
* Homesick
* Transcend
* Sync

Source:
[http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42854.0.html Original thread by Turey]

== Walkthrough installing ==

* ''Based off the walkthrough available [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,47045.0.html here]''

This Installer is known to work on Windows, Linux (tested on OpenSuse, Gentoo and Fedora, should work on others), and Mac (OSX Panther, with a hacked install of Java 1.5)

First step is getting Retail FS2. You can buy it from either [http://www.gog.com Good Old Games] or off of eBay or something. Install it and the related patch, then get the FreeSpace Open Installer.

=== Requirements and Notes ===
You can update your installation by simply running the Installer again. It will download files that are out of date.

The Installer requires an internet connection to install. This is because:
* It checks to see if it is out of date by pulling the number of the most recent version off of the web.
* It automatically takes you to the download page of the most recent version if your version is out of date.
* It checks that all the files are up-to-date.
* This Install process downloads about 3.5 GB of data, if you download everything. Just so you can prepare; for example, you could set it to download overnight.

=== Download Links ===
* [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/FreeSpaceOpenInstaller.zip Windows Installer (Zipped .exe, 19 MB)] (Doesn't need Java, get this one if you are unsure and are using Windows)]: Works with Windows without having to use Java. 20 MB in size. Download it, open it, then skip to the "Using the Installer" section.
--this one is "easy" for Windows users. Not that the .JAR version is hard... but if you've never used the Control Panel before, and don't intend to, then use this option.
* [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/java/FreeSpaceOpenInstaller.jar Win/Linux/Mac Installer (.jar, 26 KB)] (Requires Java 1.5): Works with Windows, Linux, and Mac. 20 KB in size. Requires Java version 1.5 or higher. See "For Java" section, below.
--this one is cross-platform. It's also exactly the same as the .EXE version, except that it requires JAVA, and possibly using the Command Prompt. Don't worry; I have instructions...
* You can also get the Installer [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/java/ source code here.]

=== Install procedure ===
# Install FreeSpace 2 from your disks, if you haven't already. Install it to C:\Games\FreeSpace2. Then install [http://www.pxo.net/files/fs21x-12.exe the 1.2 patch].
# Now, put disk 2 of FreeSpace 2 back into your CD drive.
# Copy all the files with the extension of ".MVE" from the disk root directory ( \ ) to the folder C:\Games\FreeSpace2\data\movies\ (create this folder if it doesn't exist)
# Do the same thing for disk 3.
# If you ONLY have the FS2 disks, then put [http://www.fsoinstaller.com/files/installer/installedversions.txt this file] (right-click Save Target/Link As) in C:\Games\FreeSpace2\Installer\ (create this folder if it doesn't exist) If you have BOTH the FS1 and FS2 disks, skip to the next step.
# If you don't have the Descent: FreeSpace a.k.a. Conflict: FreeSpace (aka FS1) Disks, then skip to step 10. If you do, insert disk 1 in your CD drive. Copy all of the files with the extension of ".MVE" from the disk directory \Data\movies\ to the folder C:\Games\FreeSpace2\fsport\data\movies\ (create this folder if it doesn't exist)
# Do the same thing for disk 2.
# If you ONLY have the Conflict: FreeSpace a.k.a. Descent: FreeSpace (aka FS1) disks (and not the FS2 disks), put [http://www.geocities.com/joshuap_richards/Installer_FS1/installedversions.txt this file] (right-click, Save Target/Link As) in C:\Games\FreeSpace2\Installer (create this folder if it doesn't exist) If you have BOTH the FS1 and FS2 disks, then skip to the next step.
# If you have BOTH the FS1 and the FS2 disks, then put [http://www.geocities.com/joshuap_richards/Installer_both/installedversions.txt this file] (right-click, Save Target/Link As) in C:\Games\FreeSpace2\Installer (create this folder if it doesn't exist)
# Run the Installer, under the "Installing the FreeSpace Open Installer" section, above.

==== Using the Installer ====

# First window, click next.
# Press "Next" again, or click the big button to change the location for the FreeSpace 2 install. (Don't, unless you have a reason to, eg, you really want another location or you've already installed Retail FS2 to a different directory than C:\Games\FreeSpace2 .)
# Make sure "Update Installed Sections Only" and "Say Yes to All" are not checked. Then hit "Next".
# If you are a Windows user, select everything, except for "Macintosh (Universal Binary) Executables", "Launcher for OS X", and the two "Linux Executables" sections. If you are a Mac user, select everything, except for "Windows Executables" and the two "Linux Executables" sections.
# Wait for the Installer to finish (this may take a long time!). You will know it is done when the "Next" button becomes black, instead of gray.
When it becomes black, click it. This means the installation is finshed.
# READ the NOTES!!! They might contain important information. After you do, hit "Exit" (The notes are saved in the \FreeSpace2\Installer directory for later viewing.)
# Hit the Close button on the Command Prompt Window.

OpenAL notes:
#  If you don't have it, get OpenAL: (all users, Windows / Mac / Linux) Go to www.openal.org, and click on the "Downloads" link on the left.
# Get the correct version for your OS:
Windows users get "1.1 Installer for Windows" -
Note: If you're using Windows, and you have nvopenal.dll or ctoal.dll in your Windows\System32 directory, then delete them and then install the newest version of OpenAL. These files are older versions, and will cause problems with the new install.
Mac users get Installer for OS X.
Linux users get the Binary RPM, or compile from the source code.

If you have any issues with the installation post [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,47045.0.html here].



[[Category:Source Code Project]]

Blue Planet

2013-01-31T13:06:30Z

Maslo: /* Releases */

[[File:BP-Banner.png|center|From our odyssey into Hell, we return with a gift...]]
'''Blue Planet''' is the overall name of a series of campaigns set 18 years after the events of FS2.

The Blue Planet project focuses on storytelling first and foremost, detailing a possible explanation for the events in Descent: FreeSpace and FreeSpace 2, and then following it to a logical conclusion.

Blue Planet is very widely known throughout the Hard Light Productions (HLP) community as being one of the best user-made campaign projects of all-time, excelling in story concept, mission design, cutscene use and music selection.

==Story==
It is 2385, fifty years after the appearance of the [[Shivans]] at [[Ross 128]] and the beginning of the [[Great War]] and eighteen years following the [[Capella]] supernova and conclusion of the [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. Using [[Knossos]]-derived technology, the [[GTVA]] have finally completed the construction of a subspace portal, stabilising the subspace corridor linking [[Delta Serpentis]] to [[Sol]], the birthplace of the Terrans. After sending numerous probes through the portal, the GTVA decides that the node had indeed stabilised, and proceeds to send in the real ambassadors.

[[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius]] (AoA), released in 2007, introduces the universe, and describes the struggles and adventures of the GTVA's 14th Battlegroup, an elite force of ships sent on a mission to re-establish contact with Earth. As they take a detour through a parallel reality where the Lucifer succeeded in wiping out Earth during the events of the original FreeSpace, one officer gains insight into the greater forces at work in the fabric of the multiverse.

The first part of [[Blue Planet: War in Heaven]] (WiH), released in August 2010, details the final weeks of a civil war between the government of Earth and the GTVA after contact was re-established. It focuses on the journey of a young woman torn between the ideals of her upbringing, and the necessities of fighting a war for the survival of the human race.

==Missions==
===Age of Aquarius===
* One 22-mission campaign

===War in Heaven===
* One 30-mission campaign (estimated)
* One 1-mission campaign
* Two single missions

==Factions==
===Galactic Terran-Vasudan Alliance===
[[Image:Atreus.png|thumb|right|480px|The GTVA's most powerful vessel since the [[GTVA Colossus|''Colossus'']]—the GTD ''Raynor''.]]
[[Image:Gtfatalanta.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The Alliance's next-generation space superiority fighter—the GTF ''Atalanta''.]]
====Summary====
The Blue Planet continuity begins in 2385, only 18 years after the [[NTF Rebellion]] and [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. Following the GTVA's production doctrine employed between the Great War of 2335 and the NTF Rebellion of 2367, a number of FS2-era ships are still used, although most FS1-era ships, by contrast, have been phased out. Ships in active production are determined by their age, popularity among pilots, practicality and irreplaceableness. At the same time, in response to the massive losses sustained as a result of the [[Second Shivan Incursion]], the Alliance pushed forward the Threat Exigency Initiative, an extensive upgrading and redeployment project that spans the Terran arm of the GTVA. Lessons learned from the lack of proper logistical support in remote locations also prompted the introduction of a new "Logistics" class, non-combatant ships designed to serve as mobile installations.

The Threat Exigency Initiative, conceived as a more proper deterrent to the threat of future invasions, ushered in an age of new warships and battle doctrines inspired, ironically, by the [[Shivans]], fighters that can operate more independently, and weapons designed to be as versatile as possible. Products of the Threat Exigency Initiative include the [[GTD Raynor|GTD ''Raynor'']], a three-kilometre destroyer mounting [[HBlue|a powerful forward beam cannon]], warship-mounted heavy torpedo launchers, fast-firing pulse weapons that serve as secondary and tertiary warship armaments, the [[GTF Aurora|''Aurora'' heavy reconnaissance fighter]], and the [[Balor]], a rapid-firing, energy-efficient fighter-mounted particle blaster.

====Warships====
While many Capella-era warships remain in active production, most of the Great War-era warships have been phased out. The only remaining class of warship from the Great War that is still servicing the front lines is the [[GTD Orion|GTD ''Orion'']]. With the addition of the GTD ''Raynor'' into the ranks of the Terran fleet, the ''Orion'''s lengthy service to the Alliance has at last reached its final stages. Only a few ''Orion''-class destroyers remain in active service. The Capella-era warships are supplemented by warships designed and pushed into production as a result of the post-Capella Threat Exigency Initiative.

Virtually all Capella-era warships remain in active service, although some warship classes have been sorted into different sub-classes. For instance, the [[GTD Hecate|''Hecate''-class]], first commissioned as a destroyer during the [[NTF Rebellion]], has since been sub-classified as a carrier following a mediocre performance in the anti-warship field during the [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. The effectiveness of the [[GTC Aeolus|''Aeolus'' cruiser]] during the Second Shivan Incursion, combined with cheaper manufacturing techniques, meant that the Alliance resumed production for a cruiser class that originally had production lines cut after only twenty-four vessels were commissioned. Although still officially classified as a cruiser, the deployment of the ''Aeolus'' in the modern era is much closer to a tactical gunboat and warship escort. The [[GTCv Deimos|''Deimos''-class corvette]] now forms the core of Alliance corvette battlegroups, serving as an all-round warship.

The Threat Exigency Initiative ushered in a new generation of warships that are generally faster and more agile than their Capella-era counterparts and are equipped with better-placed anti-fighter defenses, as well as secondary and tertiary anti-warship armaments such as anti-warship torpedoes and pulse cannons. The most powerful warship brought into service as a result of this project is the [[GTD Raynor|GTD ''Raynor'']], a three-kilometre destroyer capable of projecting at least 50% of its armaments in virtually any direction. Other warships pushed into production include the [[GTD Titan|GTD ''Titan'']], a destroyer sporting a devastating frontal array of three [[BBlue|''Ice Queen'' heavy beam cannons]] and cavernous hangar, the [[GTCv Diomedes|GTCv ''Diomedes'']], a strike corvette mounting several [[TerSlashBlue|''Bull Frost'' tactical slashing beams]], and the [[GTL Anemoi|GTL ''Anemoi'']], a massive logistics vessel that can resupply and repair any ship ranging from fighter to destroyer and carry enough supplies and equipment to sustain a small fleet for months.

====Spacecraft====
Nearly all Great War-era spacecraft have been pulled from active service and sold off to third parties or used as training targets. The only two exceptions to this fate are the [[GTF Ulysses|''Ulysses'' fighter]] and [[GTB Ursa|''Ursa'' assault bomber]]. Of these two, the ''Ulysses'' remains in limited production and is no longer used in front-line operations, while the ''Ursa'', despite its incredibly lethargic speed and sluggish manoeuvrability, still retains its original role in the Alliance fleet, although no plans have been drawn up to create a new class of bombers taking after the design philosophies of the ''Ursa''.

By sharp contrast to the current deployment of all Capella-era warships, a number of Capella-era spacecraft have been slated to be pulled from active service. The two most prominent ship classes befalling this fate are the [[GTF Myrmidon|GTF ''Myrmidon'']], cited as being a powerful but excessively large fighter by many former Rebel pilots who have flown it, as well as the [[GTF Erinyes|GTF ''Erinyes'']], deemed to be too complicated to improve upon. At the opposite end of the spectrum are ship classes such as the [[GTB Artemis|GTB ''Artemis'']] and [[GTF Perseus|GTF ''Perseus'']], the former now mass-produced as the Alliance's main strike bomber, and the latter now reclassified and deployed as the Alliance's main space superiority fighter.

Four fighter classes and one bomber class have been brought into service as a result of the Threat Exigency Initiative: the [[GTF Aurora|''Aurora'' heavy reconnaissance fighter]], sporting enhanced sensors that can navigate the thickest nebula and detect stealth ships, all packaged in a decently armoured spaceframe; the [[GTF Draco|''Draco'' interceptor]], with an insanely high velocity rating allowing it to escort several warships at once; the [[GTF Atalanta|''Atalanta'' advanced space superiority fighter]], with its high speed and agility as well as excellent weapons compatibility; the [[GTF Nyx|GTF ''Nyx'']], a heavy fighter that blends the firepower of eight gun banks with a level of agility comparable to the ''Perseus''; and the [[GTB Rhea|GTB ''Rhea'']], a strike bomber with an asymmetrical weapons configuration that has been regarded as a statistical success among bomber squadrons.

====Weaponry====
Lessons learned during the [[Second Shivan Incursion]], at the cost of thousands of lives, prompted the GTVA to begin upgrading several warships in service after the Capella supernova, as well as to phase out older weapons that have been used for the past five decades and replace them with more modern weaponry. One of the Threat Exigency Initiative's primary goals is to produce better warship armaments and it has, to date, produced three different types of anti-warship weaponry. At the forefront of this are the range of new beam cannons installed on the GTVA's newest line of warships, such as the [[HBlue|''Winter King'' heavy beam]] mounted at the bow of the ''Raynor'' destroyer, and the [[TerSlashBlue|''Bull Frost'' tactical slashing beam]] mounted on the ''Diomedes'' corvette. The second type of anti-warship weapons developed are anti-warship torpedoes, serving as secondary weapons on the ''Raynor'' and ''Titan'' destroyers as well as friendly artillery. The third and final type of anti-warship weapons are pulse cannons, serving as battery weapons on heavier ships. Both the [[TerPulse|''Hellstar'']] and [[STerPulse|''Riptide'']] pulse cannons are recent developments of [[Morgan Technologies]], and have yet to be fully integrated into GTVA battle doctrine.

Much of the GTVA's fighter-mounted weaponry remains the same, although the [[Balor|Balor rapid-fire particle blaster]], so far the only fighter-mounted primary cannon developed by the Threat Exigency Initiative, adds a much-needed and fearsome complement to the standard-issue [[GTW Subach HL-7]]. The Balor was designed to serve and destroy everything short of a light cruiser, and it was designed to be far more versatile than nearly every other fighter-compatible primary gun in the GTVA arsenal. At the time of the Sol Gate's completion, the Balor was brand-new, and GTVA battle doctrine did not fully integrate it. By the time of the UEF-GTVA war, however, the Balor has seen widespread use in nearly every stage of the conflict.

While the [[GTM Trebuchet]] is now commonly used as a long-range heavy missile for destroying slower, heavier ships, the Alliance have also pushed a new missile into production lines—the [[GTM TAG-C]]. This, the third and final iteration of the Target Acquisition and Guidance line of missiles, not only retains the painting beacon of the [[GTM TAG-A]] and aspect-seeking technology of the [[GTM TAG-B]], but combines both with a highly sophisticated targeting beacon that will, on impact, transmit authorisation codes to a local friendly warship. Any large vessel unlucky enough to be hit by a TAG-C will have to deal with the barrage of anti-warship torpedoes that emerge from subspace. The TAG-C enables even fighters to deliver the same warship-shattering punch as an assault bomber.

===United Earth Federation===
[[Image:UEDSolaris.png|thumb|right|480px|The be-all and end-all of the UEF's military might—the UED ''Solaris''.]]
[[Image:Uefkentauroi.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The fastest ship in the UEF fleet on afterburners—the UEF ''Kentauroi''.]]
====Summary====
In the fifty years following the collapse of the Sol-Delta Serpentis jump node, the [[Galactic Terran Alliance]] was reorganised into the [[United Earth Federation]], or UEF, headed by the Global Ubuntu Party.

The Ubuntu Party placed emphasis on economic recovery and political stability, rather than military strength. What was left of the old GTA military was scrapped and slimmed down to suit the need of only being able to maintain order throughout much of an entire star system. Standard military doctrine in the UEF places emphasis on frigates that can serve as mobile carriers and operate in remote locations for lengthy periods, as well as versatile fighters that can be reassigned to numerous roles in a single operation. The main base of operations for each of the UEF's three fleets is a [[UED Solaris|''Solaris''-class destroyer]], a formidable carrier and command vessel that is never deployed on the front lines unless absolutely necessary.

====Warships====
The UEF only has three destroyers in active service, all of them [[UED Solaris|''Solaris''-class destroyers]]. Each of these destroyers serve as a base of operations to the Federation's three fleets, as well as their commanding officers. Originally considered to be "a solution to a non-existent problem", the ''Solaris'', ''Toutatis'' and ''Eris'' now serve at the very centre of the UEF's battle doctrine and, despite being designed to effectively neutralise an attack from any direction, are rarely seen on the front-lines. Instead, most military operations are carried out either by the fighter squadrons within these fleets or by smaller, faster frigates and cruisers assigned to each fleet.

Frigates and cruisers make up the Federation's primary attacking force. The two frigate classes currently in active service, the [[UEFg Karuna|''Karuna'']] and [[UEFg Narayana|''Narayana'']], both sport a hangar capable of housing a small fighter squadron, and the sole cruiser class, the corvette-sized [[UEC Sanctus|''Sanctus'']], is used in almost the same manner as the GTVA deploys the ''Deimos''. Although every frigate and cruiser in the Federation is assigned to one of the three fleets, they are often deployed on their own, away from the ''Solaris''-class destroyer that serves as their fleet's home base.

====Spacecraft====
The Federation makes heavy use of high-performance spacecraft that are generally much more agile and versatile than their GTVA counterparts. Almost every fighter class is capable of reverse thrust, as well as reverse afterburn, adding to their overall versatility on the field. The Federation's main space superiority fighter is the [[UEF Uhlan|UEF ''Uhlan'']], an all-round ship capable of fulfilling any fighter role as the situation demands. Other common ships include the [[UEF Kentauroi|UEF ''Kentauroi'']], the Federation's cross between the GTVA's ''Nyx'' and ''Perseus'' fighters, the [[UEF Uriel|UEF ''Uriel'']], a heavy assault fighter sporting a long-range gauss cannon, and the [[UEB Durga|UEB ''Durga'']], an assault bomber with the firepower to level entire cities. The Federation also produces an additional class of spacecraft, the [[UEF Lao Tze|UEF ''Lao Tze'']], an extremely powerful but difficult to fly heavy fighter used primarily by the elite [[Knights of the White Brotherhood]].

====Weaponry====
While the GTVA have spent decades developing beam and energy-based weaponry, Federation anti-warship armaments, on the other hand, follow a more traditional kinetic-based principle. The primary stopping power of the UEF's two frigate classes, the ''Karuna'' and ''Narayana'', are a pair of powerful bow-mounted heavy mass drivers that are complemented by their own targeting system, allowing them to incapacitate crucial enemy subsystems or turrets at will. The ''Solaris'' destroyer's primary weapons, however, come in the form of twelve heavy torpedo launchers that can easily decimate anything short of a superdestroyer in a matter of minutes. Secondary armament on all ships are made up of a mixture of anti-fighter tracers, flak guns and smaller anti-subsystem torpedo launchers.

The technology that powers Federation fighter-mounted weaponry, although crude and slightly dated as compared to the much greater level of sophistication seen in Alliance weaponry, is nonetheless just as effective, if not more so. The standard-issue [[Vulcan|SCWS-1 Vulcan]] is a rapid-firing plasma cannon that can easily track torpedoes and even the fastest ships produced by the Alliance, while the slightly heavier [[Maul|SCWS-2 Maul]] sacrifices refire rate for even more damage per shot. In the many decades since the [[Great War]], the legendary [[GTW Prometheus]] has been remade into the [[Rapier|SCWS-6 Rapier]], the most powerful fighter-compatible plasma weapon available to the standard Federation pilot, capable of Swiss-cheesing even the heaviest fighters in the Alliance with a few shots. Federation gunships such as the ''Uriel''-class mount a third weapon: a long-range ammo-based mass driver, such as the [[Archer]] or [[Vajra]], designed to obliterate turrets and subsystems from beyond regular retaliation range.

The UEF sports a slightly wider variety of secondary weapons compared to the GTVA. In addition to the regular [[Hellfire Missile|Hellfire dumbfire missile]], [[Javelin|Javelin aspect-seeking dogfight missile]], [[Grimler|Grimler heavy missile]] and [[Paveway|Paveway anti-subsystem missile]], as well as three anti-warship torpedoes, the Federation also produces two fire-and-forget swarm missiles, called the [[Dirk]] and [[Dart]], as well as the dreaded [[Slammer|Slammer suppression missile]], an aspect-seeking cluster missile containing heat-seeking explosive charges. While the Dirk and Dart provide Federation pilots with a third tier of dogfight missiles to choose from, the Slammer, on the other hand, has gained a reputation among the GTVA for being a fighter- and bomber-killer, capable of destroying entire wings with one hit, and is the most feared weapon in the UEF's arsenal of missiles.

===Vishnans===
[[Image:Vishnanpreserver.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The embodiment of Vishnu—the Vishnan Preserver.]]
[[Image:Vishnanmissionary.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The first known Vishnan ship ever encountered—the Vishnan Missionary.]]
:''See also: [[Vishnans]]''
====Summary====
The [[Vishnans]] are a new species introduced in Blue Planet. They describe themselves as Great Preservers and counterparts of the [[Shivans]], though initial contact with their species was possibly violent. What little is known about the Vishnans is sketchy and fairly inaccurate at best. The full capabilities of the Vishnans are, like the Shivans, unknown to the Terrans or Vasudans. What ''is'' established is that the Vishnans are arguably the only race capable of matching the Shivans.

All Vishnan ships are unmanned, piloted by instanced sub-sets of the species' superordinate consciousness nested in a hierarchical dependency of cognitive structure. They have not been encountered in the same universe as the GTVA and UEF, although it is hinted that they do exist.

====Warships====
Only four classes of Vishnan warships have been encountered so far, the largest simply designated the [[Vishnan Preserver]]. The Preserver appears to be a superjuggernaut with enormous tactical and strategic capabilities, including the modification of jump nodes. It may be unique.

The Vishnans' main warship is a massive squid-like vessel designated the [[Vishnan Sacred Keeper]]. While classified as a destroyer, the Keeper is able to go toe-to-toe with a Shivan [[SJ Sathanas|''Sathanas''-class juggernaut]], and its hull rating is well within superdestroyer levels. With a large beam emitter built into its underside, the Keeper is usually heavily guarded by a number of cruiser-class [[Vishnan Arbiter]]s and gunship-class [[Vishnan Protector]]s. The Keeper is the core of its entire fleet and is integral to their ability to communicate with their superconsciousness.

The Keeper's escorts, the Arbiter and Protector, are smaller, faster vessels armed with lighter beam cannons. They do not usually undertake and complete tasks on their own, but instead provide fire support for Vishnan strikecraft and, in return, require escort from enemy fighters and bombers on occasion due to their sub-par defences.

====Spacecraft====
To date, the Vishnans are known to possess two fighter classes and two bomber classes. Vishnan spacecraft vastly outperform their Shivan equivalents, with their fighters capable of flying circles around even the extremely agile Shivan [[SF Dragon|''Dragon''-class fighter]], and their bombers manoeuvrable enough to defend themselves and not compromise on secondary weapons. All Vishnan spacecraft are made of a crystalline compound that repairs itself over time. On the downside, Vishnan spacecraft number a lot less than their Shivan counterparts. Most Vishnan wings hardly ever exceed three ships, while Shivan ships by contrast are usually deployed in wings exceeding four ships.

The most commonly seen Vishnan spacecraft is designated the [[Vishnan Missionary]]. Agile and fast, the Missionary is an interceptor, reconnaissance vessel and space superiority fighter all in one. It was the first known Vishnan spacecraft ever encountered by the Alliance. The other Vishnan fighter, the [[Vishnan Preacher]], sacrifices speed and secondary weapon capacity for additional durability and an impressive combined primary firepower of ten guns.

The Vishnans' main bomber, designated the [[Vishnan Seeker]], is a medium strike bomber that can carry approximately the same amount of ordnance as the [[GTB Ursa|GTB ''Ursa'']]. The other bomber class is the massive [[Vishnan Inquisitor]], capable of carrying torpedoes that can easily level anything smaller than a superdestroyer with a few hits.

====Weaponry====
:''See also: [[Vishnan Beam Weapons]]''
The Vishnans are the second species ever encountered by the Terrans and Vasudans to already demonstrate beam capability. The two most powerful of these beams are mounted only on the Preserver and Sacred Keeper, while the lighter, smaller beams are mounted onto the Arbiters and Protectors. Vishnan beam weapons out-range and out-damage Shivan beams by a significant margin, but do not recharge as quickly.

Fighter-mounted Vishnan weaponry lack diversity as compared to Terran, Vasudan and even Shivan weaponry. Only one kind of primary weapon is used across all Vishnan fighters and bombers to date. The [[Vishnan Primary]] is a medium-firing heavy cannon that can double up as an anti-subsystem weapon.

Three classes of Vishnan secondary weapons are known to date. The [[Vishnan Missile]] is an aspect-seeking missile that can also be used as a light anti-subsystem missile, while the [[Vishnan Megabomb]] is used in the same manner as the GTVA's [[GTM Cyclops|''Cyclops'' torpedo]], although it is far more powerful. The third class of Vishnan missile, the [[Vishnan Ultrabomb]], is a torpedo containing a subspace device that, on impact, transfers a devastating warhead from within a nearby Keeper onto the target.

==Development==
===Original Concept===
:"Wow." 
::''—excerpt of Reply #60 of the original Age of Aquarius release thread, by Jeff Vader'' [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=49876.msg1009465#msg1009465]

Blue Planet started off as a one-man project by Darius, much akin to how [[The Procyon Insurgency]] was created. When Age of Aquarius was released, several members of the community pointed out numerous errors and problems with the campaign, including crashes, missing effects, and empty tech room descriptions. As a consolation, these members also added praise to the portions of Age of Aquarius that did play out as planned, adding special mention to the harder missions, such as [[Keepers of Hell]], and the music used in other missions, such as [[Forced Entry]]. The numerous errors, glitches and issues prompted Darius to release a patch only two days after it was first released. Almost immediately after the patch was released, comments on the campaign shifted from its issues and praise to praise only. Much of the initial praise was targeted at three aspects of the campaign:

* mission design and difficulty;
* background music; and
* storyline.

Age of Aquarius also came in for special praise as it made extensive use of FS2_Open's cutscene feature, which was relatively new and unused at the time.

===The Team===
:"Very funny, Goob." 
::''—the first post on the Blue Planet board, by NGTM-1R'' [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=55706.msg1125921#msg1125921]

Blue Planet as a project team, however, did not take off until about ten months later, when Age of Aquarius began to be relayed to newcomers as a recommended FS2_Open campaign, alongside stalwarts such as [[Derelict]] and [[Warzone]]. The formation of the Blue Planet board on the Hard Light Productions Forum's Hosted Projects section—reserved only for the most active hosted projects on HLP—was initially viewed as a joke, but ultimately became the catalyst needed for the formation of the project team as it is today. Over the course of the next few months, the size of the Blue Planet team grew rapidly. Initially comprising only Darius, as of August 2010, the Blue Planet team is made up of sixteen core members and six beta-testers.

===War in Heaven===
Not too long after the release of Age of Aquarius, Darius had finished conceiving a storyline for War in Heaven. However, he chose to wait until enough positive feedback was received from members of HLP before attempting to work on it. The development cycle of WiH was accelerated by rapid expansion of the project team from 2009 to early 2010, as well as the use of subversion, enabling all members of the team to work on the same version of the project.

==Releases==
''Age of Aquarius'' was first released on October 3, 2007, and the first patch for it was released two days later on October 5. In February 2010, AoA was rereleased with voice acting, reorganized modpack, and new assets.

The first part of ''War in Heaven'', consisting of the first two acts (15 missions) was released on August 7, 2010. The third act was released on January 7, 2013.

==Developers==
===Project Staff===
*'''Darius''' — ''Project lead''

*'''Axem''' — ''Just another FREDder''
*'''Belisarius''' — ''Music composer''
*'''blowfish''' — ''Modeller''
*'''Cobra''' — ''Voice acting management assistance''
*'''Daddy Warhol''' — ''Music composer''
*'''Dilmah G''' — ''Mission designer, Military advisor''
*'''Dragon''' — ''Texture artist''
*'''Esarai''' — ''Modeller''
*'''Fury''' — ''Tabler, AI lead''
*'''General Battuta''' — ''Writer, Mission designer''
*'''HerraTohtori''' — ''Skybox artist''
*'''Nighteyes''' — ''Effects artist''
*'''Rian''' — ''Script content redundancy axe-man, Character writer''
*'''Steve O''' — ''Model contributor, Paternal figure''
*'''The E''' — ''Codework, Mission work, Model work, Writer''
*'''Wanderer''' — ''Effects artist''
*'''Zacam''' — ''Testing, Mod pack management, SVN manager''

===Beta Testers===
* [[User:Androgeos Exeunt|Androgeos]] [[User_talk:Androgeos_Exeunt|Exeunt]]
* MatthTheGeek
* QuantumDelta
* Snail
* Spoon
* ubiquitous

==See Also==
* [[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius]]
* [[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius Campaign Walkthrough]]
* [[Blue Planet: War in Heaven]]
* [[Blue Planet: War in Heaven Campaign Walkthrough]]
* [[Blue Planet Extras Portal]]
* [[Blue Planet ship database]]
* [[:Category:Blue Planet]]

==Related Links==
*[http://blueplanet.hard-light.net Blue Planet Website | Hard-Light Productions.net]
*[http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/board,169.0.html Blue Planet board | Hard-Light Productions.net]
*[http://www.moddb.com/mods/blue-planet-war-in-heaven Blue Planet at ModDB]

[[Category:User-made_Campaigns]]
[[Category:Blue Planet|*]]

Blue Planet: War in Heaven

2013-01-31T13:00:34Z

Maslo:

[[File:BP-Banner.png|center|Please do not hover your mouse on top of this image.]]

The second installment of the ''[[Blue Planet]]'' saga, '''''War in Heaven''''' was released in August 2010 to great critical acclaim. As with the previous installment, ''[[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius|Age of Aquarius]]'' features a character-driven story. The campaign was praised for its immersive storyline, gameplay innovation, stunning visuals, mission design and expert use of [[Source Code Project]] features. Its divided into five Acts, the first three are already released (Chrysalis, Apotheosis, Tenebra).

==General Info==

'''Project Lead:''' [[User:Darius|''Darius'']]

'''Other members:'''
*'''Dilmah G''' - ''Mission Designer, Military Advisor''
*'''Dragon''' - ''Texture Artist''
*'''Esarai''' - ''Modeller''
*'''Fury''' - ''Tabler, AI lead''
*'''General Battuta''' - ''Writer, Mission Designer''
*'''HerraTohtori''' - ''Skybox Artist''
*'''Rian''' - ''Script Content Redundancy Axe-Man, Character Writer''
*'''Steve O''' - ''Model Contributor, Paternal Figure''
*'''The E''' - ''Codework, Mission Work, Model Work, Writer''
*'''Zacam''' - ''Testing, Mod pack management, SVN manager''

'''Missions:''' 16 (Part 1); 8 (Part 2); 30 (estimated total)

'''Mods included:'''

* An additional Terran faction, the [[United Earth Federation]], with ships and weapons
* New GTVA ships and weapons to reflect the next generation of technology
* Head ANIs
* New custom soundtracks
* Skyboxes for many locations in Sol
* Functioning SSMs
* Mid-mission checkpoints that can be loaded once unlocked
* An AI Betty voice to report your ship status in combat
* New voice acted personas
* Next-generation Fury AI

'''Status:''' Acts 1 to 3 of 5 released

'''Required:'''
* MediaVPs 3.6.12, in mediavps_3612 folder
* FS2_Open Inferno 3.6.14 (for Acts 1 and 2 pre-December 2012 patch)
** As of the Act 3 release, FS2_Open 3.6.17 dedicated build for Blue Planet (requires a graphics card capable of running FS2_Open's new shadow effects)

'''Part Two of the [[Blue Planet]] trilogy'''

==Description==
A young pilot tries to find meaning in a meaningless conflict. A nation struggles to unite its people in an era of peace and prosperity, despite being beset on all sides. Two powerful alien races watch from afar, waiting to see if humankind will fulfill its potential as the Great Creators.

War in Heaven takes place eighteen months after the events of Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius and details the final stages of the civil war between Sol and the rest of her colonies.

''"In the future, it will not be said that the Earthborn fight like Vasudans, but that Vasudans fight like the Earthborn."'' -- Emperor Khonsu II, 2386

==Player Comments==

"''For me, the best Freespace2 Mod so far.''" - WolfMaverick

"''Too much text! We did everything we could to make it flow well, including dialogue skips and checkpoints, but ultimately this campaign is written as if it's voice acted and it's not.''" - General Battuta

"''Epic campaign is epic and, if i may be so bold, the BP team raised the bar for excellence even higher.''" - pecenipicek

"''The expansive, exquisitely detailed setting and the brilliant writing and dialogue combine to elevate this from merely campaign to cinematic experience of epic proportions.''" - Scotty

"''The least expected thing happened, a space shooter made me sobby, or atleast gave me a runny nose and a trembling lip! This isn't just a campaign, this is an interactive novel and the best interactive novel I have ever played.''" - Sara

"''Was this what I was looking for? Don't know. Enough parts of the plot I detest. But I think you (whoever you is) came really close.''" - asyikarea

"''I did not care too much for AoA and I was skeptical that I would enjoy WiH any more than I did AoA. But let me tell you this. WiH is the best thing this side of sliced bread. (And sliced bread is freaking awesome).''" - MjnMixael

"''I did not enjoy this as much as AoA. Got no drive to keep playing from the story, and has too much QQ not enough PewPew...It was good. Not "''go tell your grandkids"'' good like AoA, but solid, and recommended. For me, it didn't really live up to all its hype.''" - Droid803

"''Usually, (and by usually I mean 90% of the time) sequels fail to meet their predecessors expectations. WiH on the other hand not only matched but exceeded AoA in every way (And yes, believe it or not I did have my gripes with AoA).''" - Hellstryker

"''This is the best campaign I have ever played.''" - M!M

"''This is the finest FSO campaign I've ever seen. Full stop. No quantification.''" - IronBeer

"''WiH is a really good, polished campaign, that put its focus a tad too much on military tactics and capital ships (and imho, a bit too much on the emotions of the characters) and seems to forget at times at it is a game instead of a semi-interactive novel.''" - Spoon

"''War in Heaven defies any adjective I can attribute to compliment it. Story is wonderful, the ships are gorgeous, the fredding is near perfect, the missions themselves are exciting.''"- Cpt. Ritter

"''THIS is gaming. An interactive novel, a work of art, creating emotions in the player (despite lacking voice acting for now).
Tense, exciting, big and a blast to play. War in Heaven dwarfs everything released for FS or its TCs so far.''" - Vidmaster

"''Where Aquarius was Mystery in the air, Heaven Part One was Combat Space Opera in the air, and the developers did a damn good job at it. If you needed a mod that did its best to focus the balance between story and action, and at least demonstrated what the standards should be in making a mod, Heaven is a mod for you. If you're turned off by [semi-]frequent dramatics, quit now. My only itchiness in it was a lack of a badass bombing mission. A Plus (I'd be willing to give another plus).''" - Black Yoshi

==Related Links==

[http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=70745.0 Release thread | Hard-Light Productions.net]

[http://blueplanet.hard-light.net/ The Blue Planet site]

[[Category: User-made Campaigns]]
[[Category: Blue Planet]]