A new start

Now to lay out some direction.

First, what is known about the Q3.

I understand how the images are saved, they made a special format because Q3 seems to have been started in pre-directX times and they have written their own blitter function (how you put an image on the screen). This function doesn't support different screen sizes and just copies pixel for pixel. This means that as you increase screen resolution the images get smaller (as everyone has seen when playing with your screen size).

I have all the asset types broken out, but don't have an understanding of all the parts. Without the ability to view the source code, some parts will probably not ever be figured out (but I have alot of it down). Maybe someday.

The way that the UI runs is in QUIL (Quicksilver U.I. Language), so no new functionality can be added just moved and the images changed around. But ship UI's can be added as the way it is looked for is by searching the Q3 file for names that are gotten from the Shiplist.txt file. So yea, I can add a ship UI to the game (just haven't automated the process yet, and do it with a sector editor).

I can usually fix small errors in the Q3, have fixed an error with the Lyrans using fusion beams. Not sure where it is on the net now, Bonk made an updater that you just had to run and it would fix the Q3 file so Lyrans ran properly.

Two other errors have been brought up to me, an error with the Mirak that the speed bar doesn't work properly and hit and run raids (or something with the security guys have to read it again). Will work on these two as I can.


What I am doing.

I am to get the UI editor done sometime this year (programming skills is holding back quick development).

I am working on a text file based Q3 that will compile into the normal Q3. This will help in editing the file, for fixing errors and adding new ships. It will allow us to make a single text file for a new ship, then run the compiler and add it into the game. It is a work in progress, but an important one in the long run.

I am going to dig in the game and see if they have any parts of the old crew stuff still in the game. I am thinking they might have just cut out the button that let you access it, since fully removing it would take more work to remove the interlinking of how crew woked. So I am thinking they might have just put it in the background. It is a guess, and as time permits I will see if I can find any trace of it.

Someday, if I ever get access to the source, I hope to be able to add new functions to the game and it's UI. Not planning on much of this yet as I don't think the access part will happen and is a waste of thinking.