General Info last updated: May 18, 2007
After freespace 2 was considered abandonware, it became legal to download the full game. At first it was Windows only, but after the source was released to the public, it has been upgraded (to the point that one may think it is a new game) and now it runs on linux and os x!
Some people will be bored to read the instructions scattered into the thread, so I edited this first post to reflect the changes that have happened the last 1,5 year:
You need the original game content. Grab it here:
1) http://www.freespacezone.com/
2) DOWNLOAD THE INSTALLER
Notes for d/l link 1: This will give you the original game CD's in ISO format. THere are two ways to install the original game: The first is to use Virtual PC. The second, is to follow these instructions (look at the middle of the page)
Notes for d/l link 2: This will give you a few kbytes java program that will install all the files necessary to play FS2_Open. I personally recommend that, as it will help you skip the next steps of the install process. It will also allow you to download the additional media vps content, and additional mods.
You need the FS2_Open Application (for those who don't use the java installer):
--Grab it here:
(optional)You will want the additional media vp's (installable via the installer)
These add much to the eye-candy of the game. You can download them here: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,39905.0.html
(optional)You will need to check this page for command line arguments (you can skip this step if you use the installer):
This page (clicky!!) contains the command line arguments that you may want to mess around with in order to take full advantage of the FS2_Open's advanced features (in graphics and gameplay).
(Recommended)Download the FS2_Open OS X Launcher (also downloadable via the installer)
Download the OS X Launcher here. It will handle all command line arguments available as of release 3.6.9. You can try it, and please send bug reports and recommendations!
And that's it! You may play FS2:
--Interesting links:
Hard Light: In there you will find the Freespace 2 wiki with many info about the game and FS2_Open, and in the forums you will find the latest betas, final versions of FS2_Open, and much more.
Official FS2_Open website: Many downloads and information inside
--Other info:
Using the Command line:
First of all, you may want to play FS2_Open at higher resolutions than 640x480. If you want that, go into "~/Library/FS2_Open/fs2_open.ini" and open this file. In there you can modify the game's resolution and texture bits.
Since FS2_Open was released for PC, some people were gathered to enhance the textures, models and sounds of the game. So they produced new data files, which can be placed in the same directory as FS2_Open and enhance your graphics experience by also taking advantage of FS2_Open's new capabilities. These can be found at the links that I gave you above.
When you download them, you should alter the game's command line log which is in "~/Library/FS2_Open/Data/cmdline_fso.cfg". If there is no such file, then create it. A list of available configuration options is here. Note that the command-line file MUST BE WRITTEN AS PLAIN TEXT FILE"!
And for those that asked me: No, I haven't been involved in the development of FS2_Open. I just like the game, I have had access to the very early betas of FS2_Open, and in the very first version of Freespace 2 for OS X (from tigital, who based the port into the icculus.org port of the game to SDL, and mtr, who got involved mainly with the networking/movies/sound). I had the time to sit back and manage to install the game despite all the difficulties at the time and I thought it would be useful for the readers to have a decent post with instructions to enjoy freespace 2.
Personnal notes:
FS2_Open for OS X was based on the icculus.org project. Then some guys named tigital and mtr got involved with it.
I'm terribly sorry that I forgot to mention tigital and that the project existed before (in cvs I think) in icculus.org. I'm also sorry that I forgot to mention that the first betas I had played were done by tigital and mtr (according to the quote above) who improved the existing icculus.org project, and were hosted at www.tigital.com. Sorry, and I hope I have cleared things up a bit...
Enjoy the game!
After freespace 2 was considered abandonware, it became legal to download the full game. At first it was Windows only, but after the source was released to the public, it has been upgraded (to the point that one may think it is a new game) and now it runs on linux and os x!
Some people will be bored to read the instructions scattered into the thread, so I edited this first post to reflect the changes that have happened the last 1,5 year:
You need the original game content. Grab it here:
1) http://www.freespacezone.com/
2) DOWNLOAD THE INSTALLER
Notes for d/l link 1: This will give you the original game CD's in ISO format. THere are two ways to install the original game: The first is to use Virtual PC. The second, is to follow these instructions (look at the middle of the page)
Notes for d/l link 2: This will give you a few kbytes java program that will install all the files necessary to play FS2_Open. I personally recommend that, as it will help you skip the next steps of the install process. It will also allow you to download the additional media vps content, and additional mods.
You need the FS2_Open Application (for those who don't use the java installer):
--Grab it here:
(optional)You will want the additional media vp's (installable via the installer)
These add much to the eye-candy of the game. You can download them here: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,39905.0.html
(optional)You will need to check this page for command line arguments (you can skip this step if you use the installer):
This page (clicky!!) contains the command line arguments that you may want to mess around with in order to take full advantage of the FS2_Open's advanced features (in graphics and gameplay).
(Recommended)Download the FS2_Open OS X Launcher (also downloadable via the installer)
Download the OS X Launcher here. It will handle all command line arguments available as of release 3.6.9. You can try it, and please send bug reports and recommendations!
And that's it! You may play FS2:
--Interesting links:
Hard Light: In there you will find the Freespace 2 wiki with many info about the game and FS2_Open, and in the forums you will find the latest betas, final versions of FS2_Open, and much more.
Official FS2_Open website: Many downloads and information inside
--Other info:
Using the Command line:
First of all, you may want to play FS2_Open at higher resolutions than 640x480. If you want that, go into "~/Library/FS2_Open/fs2_open.ini" and open this file. In there you can modify the game's resolution and texture bits.
Since FS2_Open was released for PC, some people were gathered to enhance the textures, models and sounds of the game. So they produced new data files, which can be placed in the same directory as FS2_Open and enhance your graphics experience by also taking advantage of FS2_Open's new capabilities. These can be found at the links that I gave you above.
When you download them, you should alter the game's command line log which is in "~/Library/FS2_Open/Data/cmdline_fso.cfg". If there is no such file, then create it. A list of available configuration options is here. Note that the command-line file MUST BE WRITTEN AS PLAIN TEXT FILE"!
And for those that asked me: No, I haven't been involved in the development of FS2_Open. I just like the game, I have had access to the very early betas of FS2_Open, and in the very first version of Freespace 2 for OS X (from tigital, who based the port into the icculus.org port of the game to SDL, and mtr, who got involved mainly with the networking/movies/sound). I had the time to sit back and manage to install the game despite all the difficulties at the time and I thought it would be useful for the readers to have a decent post with instructions to enjoy freespace 2.
Personnal notes:
FS2_Open for OS X was based on the icculus.org project. Then some guys named tigital and mtr got involved with it.
tigital said:
I'm terribly sorry that I forgot to mention tigital and that the project existed before (in cvs I think) in icculus.org. I'm also sorry that I forgot to mention that the first betas I had played were done by tigital and mtr (according to the quote above) who improved the existing icculus.org project, and were hosted at www.tigital.com. Sorry, and I hope I have cleared things up a bit...
Enjoy the game!
), the icculus.org project and SCP (Source Code Project). The icculus.org version has support for the original FS1 plus the Silent Threat add-on and of course the original FS2. The icculus.org version is a "port" so it doesn't really add anything over the original Windows release except for bug fixes.
