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Descent 3 Source Code

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Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#61

Post by Zelizz »

Osiris wrote: post #42
two_handfuls wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are correct. It’s an awesome game though.

I tried it and literally couldn’t figure it out. I got like 15 minutes into and had no idea what to do. What makes it so good?

As someone who also bounced off it initially - I would recommend getting through the tutorial area and flying out somewhere in the ship before you put it down for good. Once I started going out there and visiting places, it really grabbed me. The more stuff you scan and read, the more intrigued it made me, and eventually I couldn't stop until I'd unraveled every story thread and mystery the game had to offer.

Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#63

Post by tmikaeld »

kevin42 wrote: post #16
jaegrqualm wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not that you asked, but there's exactly one (popular) game that utilizes the same control scheme in modern times, Outer Wilds. Although it's not a shooter, it's quite a nice adventure game. https://store.steampowered.com/app/753640/Outer_Wilds/ There is, however, an outright continuation of the subgenre, in Overload. https://store.steampowered.com/app/448850/Overload/

Overload was mostly the same people who built Descent (I helped a tiny bit). Those guys are really good.

One of the most polished "flight" games in VR too, extremely immersive and perfect controls.

Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#64

Post by zo1 »

kevin42 wrote: post #36
dvaun wrote: post #34

Happen to have FreeSpace code? Or is that under lock and key still?

I don't. That was developed by Volition. Parallax was split into Outrage and Volition. I never had access to that code, and I think Mike Kulas would need to be the one to release it.

Perhaps if you have some way of shooting a message his way to let him know about the many good folks here that are nostalgic about it?

Thanks again for doing this btw!

Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#65

Post by dclowd9901 »

shermantanktop wrote: post #3

I loved loved loved this game. Never understood why this concept didn’t become a whole genre. No actual up, 360 degree freedom, enemies that were smart and could snipe you. Wasted many hours back then and very eager to try this out.

Freespace was the (un?)official successor. Freespace 2 was incredible and I’d be willing to bet it holds up to this day.

Nowadays we have the modern version of Elite Dangerous, but its flight mechanics are too close to aeronautic flight mechanics to compare to Descent.

Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#66

Post by telman17 »

dclowd9901 wrote: post #65
shermantanktop wrote: post #3

I loved loved loved this game. Never understood why this concept didn’t become a whole genre. No actual up, 360 degree freedom, enemies that were smart and could snipe you. Wasted many hours back then and very eager to try this out.

Freespace was the (un?)official successor. Freespace 2 was incredible and I’d be willing to bet it holds up to this day. Nowadays we have the modern version of Elite Dangerous, but its flight mechanics are too close to aeronautic flight mechanics to compare to Descent.

With mods, Freespace and Freespace 2 are still especially awesome.

Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#68

Post by bostik »

Analemma_ wrote: post #20
shermantanktop wrote: post #3

I loved loved loved this game. Never understood why this concept didn’t become a whole genre. No actual up, 360 degree freedom, enemies that were smart and could snipe you. Wasted many hours back then and very eager to try this out.

There's a weird effect where sometimes one game in a genre will become so iconic that nobody wants to try and make another one, possibly out of fear of seeming like they're ripping it off? It happened to Descent, and I feel like it happened to e.g. Myst as well - everyone was expecting the huge success of Myst to launch a whole genre, and then it just... didn't.

Myst may not have launched a genre, but it did establish its own kind of game style.

3D world. Adventure game mechanics, with problems and puzzles - but where progress opens up more puzzles, and where instead of developing the character skills, you develop the story. Slow paced.

There have been plenty of games to tap into that style, but not enough or frequently enough to warrant calling them part of a genre. Black Dahlia. The Witness. Talos Principle. In a way, even a visual story like All That Remains of Edith Finch can trace its root to Myst.

Re: Descent 3 Source Code

#70

Post by nier »

tmikaeld wrote: post #63
kevin42 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Overload was mostly the same people who built Descent (I helped a tiny bit). Those guys are really good.

One of the most polished "flight" games in VR too, extremely immersive and perfect controls.

Did you have trouble with nausea?
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