Development Info Lost in Flatspace cranks up to 1.01

[Saint_Proverbius]

Tags: Cornutopia Software; Flatspace

For those looking for a little space cruising action, <A href="http://www.lostinflatspace.com/">Lost in Flatspace</a> has been released and <a href="http://www.cornutopia.charitydays.co.uk/lif/downloads.html">version 1.01</a> is ready for downloadage. Here's a bit of information on the title:
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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.lostinflatspace.com"><img src="http://www.rpgcodex.com/images/screenshots/lostinflatspace/tiny001.jpg" height="150" width="200"> <img src="http://www.rpgcodex.com/images/screenshots/lostinflatspace/tiny002.jpg" height="150" width="200"></a></div>
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<blockquote>The game is partly influenced by Rogue like games and in particular my favourites Nethack and ADOM. Some of the features of those games are present here including a map you must reveal, and many random elements to make every game different. The player has a <u>choice of character that determines initial equipment</u>. Like many rogue like games, a graveyard shows <u>past games together with details like who killed you, and how</u>. Your quest is for the fractional space galactic hyperdrive, an item assembled in parts as in many role playing games.</blockquote>
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Space trading with rogue-like goodies, what more can one ask? It's wondermous!
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Spotted at: <A HREF="http://diygames.com/news/">Do It Yourself Games</A>

 

[Rosh]

It looks pretty interesting; I will download it, check it out and get back to everyone with my thoughts on it.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

I've gotten really good at dying stupidly. I do wish the death messages were more.. elaborate. For example, I tried to hyperspace a little too close to a space station, and it merely said I was killed by the captain of the space station. It would be better if there was a special death for stupid things like that.

About my only big complaint so far is that it takes a LONG, LONG time for the hyperdrive to charge starting out.

 

[cornutopia]

The time is relative to how far you jump. If you dock anywhere and then launch then the drive is always recharged so it's a sort of penalty for those who stay in space all of the time (to avoid things like wage costs).

Mark

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Okay, how do you scoop up the little asteroids if you're a scavenger? It says I have the scooper, but running in to the little chunky bits seems to do nothing more than bump them and destroy them.

 

[cornutopia]

Target the asteroid and hold the Tractor Beam control (default Middle Mouse) to pull it in. There are size limits for each beam type but the tiny 10t asteroids are small enough for the beam you start with (you can even vacuum up a Swingback Fighter wilth that beam).

Mark

 

[Dan]

Looks really interesting...
Game doesn't run though.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

I'll be waiting for more indepth comments from other people before i download it

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Looks really interesting...
Game doesn't run though.

The first time you run it, it seems to take a while to launch. You get a black screen, long pause, then it goes in to the movie. After that, it runs normally.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Some impressions:
Well let's see, the graphics are really pretty and I dig the Mod-ish arcade music, as it really lends atmosphere to the game. The features in the trial version seem pretty limited, like there's a lot more stuff you could do if you register it.

I've got a couple of qualms with it, however. First off, you don't start with a radar so navigating can be pretty damned confusing. It'd be better if you have one at the very start of the game (developers take note!) or people might be totally turned off by the game due to the lack of an Automap to go around with at the beginning.

Also, there's no HUD, at least not that I know of, so counting your missiles can prove to be somewhat annoying, as you have them in limited quantity. A hud would also help with weapon selection, something which I generally prefer to see, in addition to the changing color of the reticle based on the weapon you have loaded whcih is already in.

My second issue would be the fact that enemies are all really freaking tough at the beginning of the game so playing it on Permadeath mode (which is the only mode that allows you to progress the storyline) can be pretty nasty, especially at the start. Challenge is nice and all, but I wish there were difficulty settings as well. I don't think it's fair to penalize players who may not be familiar with Subspace and EV:Nova by having such draconian difficulty levels at the very beginning.

Anyway, I'd recommend you try it out before making any a judgment about the game. It plays pretty well despite the issues, and scavenging is neat.

If there's one more thing I could ask of the developers it would be to have it so that when you die, you drop to the main screen faster than you do at the present (which takes a grueling 5-10 seconds) especially when you want a fast reload.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Some impressions:
Well let's see, the graphics are really pretty and I dig the Mod-ish arcade music, as it really lends atmosphere to the game. The features in the trial version seem pretty limited, like there's a lot more stuff you could do if you register it.

I like the music as well. It seems to fit many of the areas you're in.

I've got a couple of qualms with it, however. First off, you don't start with a radar so navigating can be pretty damned confusing. It'd be better if you have one at the very start of the game (developers take note!) or people might be totally turned off by the game due to the lack of an Automap to go around with at the beginning.

Some classes start with radar. Cops start with radar, for example.

However, I agree with this, all ships should start with radar, but cops should start with better radar, radar that indicates ships from asteroids would be nice.

Also, there's no HUD, at least not that I know of, so counting your missiles can prove to be somewhat annoying, as you have them in limited quantity. A hud would also help with weapon selection, something which I generally prefer to see, in addition to the changing color of the reticle based on the weapon you have loaded whcih is already in.

I agree with this also. A damage indictor would be nice as well, complete with an ETA on repairs. I hate having my core generator knocked out and not knowing how long it'll take to fix it.

My second issue would be the fact that enemies are all really freaking tough at the beginning of the game so playing it on Permadeath mode (which is the only mode that allows you to progress the storyline) can be pretty nasty, especially at the start. Challenge is nice and all, but I wish there were difficulty settings as well. I don't think it's fair to penalize players who may not be familiar with Subspace and EV:Nova by having such draconian difficulty levels at the very beginning.

Yeah, this gets me as well. I've been playing this game off and on all day, and the difficulty is a bit odd. I'm not sure I'd be willing to up the ante for registering because I've never survived long enough to actually buy anything. It's fun though, so I keep trying. I would like an easier difficulty, just to feel like I have a chance.

If there's one more thing I could ask of the developers it would be to have it so that when you die, you drop to the main screen faster than you do at the present (which takes a grueling 5-10 seconds) especially when you want a fast reload.

Yeah, I don't like sitting there waiting for the death screen. I'd like to be able to hit ESC or click a mouse button after a second or so rather than just waiting. EV:N did this, and it's one of my pet peeves about that game.

 

[Dan]

I get no black screen.

It just told me I'm missing D3D9.DLL.
Lasse pointed me to download Directx 9.0, which I did and then reinstalled the game.

Now I get: "The D3D9.DLL is linked to a missing export DDRAW.DLL:dDEntry 21" and then I get the error telling me Flatspace.exe isn't working because "Device attached to the system is not functioning"

Enough of that though, this isn't the place for troubleshooting.
It's probably a problem with DirectX or something. I'll try some other things first.

 

[Elwro]

Now I get: "The D3D9.DLL is linked to a missing export DDRAW.DLL:dDEntry 21" and then I get the error telling me Flatspace.exe isn't working because "Device attached to the system is not functioning".

I got a similar error once. What I did was: insert the system disk (I use W98), Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information -> Tools -> System Files Controller , and there's the option I don't know the hell how to translate, but it just installs one file you name (in case the one on your hard drive is corrupted), so I just entered the dll name there and it worked. Hope it works for you, too.

 

[Rosh]

Dan, if you're using Win98 (and this might work for the other versions), then use the System File Checker in the System Information tool, which is found in the Tools folder mentioned above. In the System Information, go to Tools->System File Checker. In there, put int the .dll location and have where you want to restore from (system CD). This is a bit different than the above post, so if the above doesn't work or apply, try this.

Now, if that doesn't work, try a repair of DirectX9, which I think has that option now. That might clear it up, although a fresh update of your video drivers may be in order after all that.

I should now leave this part of the topic before I dissolve into ramblings about how much easier it is to repair/replace files and drivers on nearly every modern OS than Windows, which wants to fuck it up for you because it knows better.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

I like the game so far, but I agree that it is a bit difficult out the gate. But I am definitely having a blast with it. Looks like I have another game to purchase this payday.