Wondering if this is possible with springs

[gmilitel]

Hi,

I just discovered springs engine, and looking into tutorials, game types, and this forum. I just wondering if It is possible to make a game like Fleet Command with Springs. I really like that game and I wnat to rewrite entirely in this 3D Engine.

Regards.

[Red XIII]

Hmm, maybe. It would probably take a lot of time and patience though, because you'd more than likely have to do everything from scratch...

And please correct me if I'm wrong, but if Blender is compatible with the 3D models that Jane's Fleet Commander uses, then you could export the original models using this plug-in into the S3o format, which Spring uses.
That MIGHT work for your actual units themselves, but I'm not sure how proportional they would turn out in relation to the maps that Spring uses for gameplay.

Everything else; animations, the textures for the units, and bounds of other stuff will have to be done by hand...

[Argh]

It will be somewhat difficult to duplicate Fleet command accurately.

Scale issues will become somewhat problematic, amongst other things. Fleet Command is a game of very large scales, and the Spring engine isn't ideal for such things, due to the minimum resolution of certain elements. I haven't actually played Fleet Command, mind you, but if it's like Harpoon, then it's all right, since actual weapon behaviors are emulation, not 1:1 simulation anyhow.

That said, I can't think of another free engine that's anything like more suitable, short of sitting down with something like OGRE and writing it from scratch. Just bear in mind that there are no generic AIs available that can direct the operations of an Opposing Force, so you may be able to build the game design, but you may not be able to play it until you also develop the logic for running the other team.

Just keep that in mind- what you're proposing is a very large-scale project, basically, and will require a great deal of programming expertise.

[Red XIII]

IDEA: Make a mod that is "inspired" by Fleet Command. It would probably be a lot easier, and cleaner. and even though it might not become an exact replica of Fleet Command, it could be a lot like it. lol

EDIT: actually, bad idea. It would still require a lot of work, and a compatible AI... nm.

[Argh]

Yes, that's a biggie. Then again, he said he wanted to replicate it, so he may have the programming experience necessary. I don't know for certain, but I'd be surprised if an old game like that didn't have pretty parochial AI, designed around specific scenarios, anyhow.

[gmilitel]

from Red XIII:

And please correct me if I'm wrong, but if Blender is compatible with the 3D models that Jane's Fleet Commander uses, then you could export the original models using this plug-in into the S3o format, which Spring uses

No, Blender is not supported for Fleet Command models, FC models are .j3d format which is a Jane's proprietary format. There is a 3D Max plug-in to export into that format. Anyway, models are not the problem because I made a lot of models, ships,aircraft,tanks,etc in .3ds format to use. What about animations?

Make a mod that is "inspired" by Fleet Command.

That could be a reasonable thinking, but Argh is right, Fleet Command is a game of very large scales and I need to cover very large maps, from very deep ocean to very high land terrain.

Sensors is the most challenge part, because I have to write too much code to simulate fire control radars,air and surface search radars, airborne radars, sonar (passive and active), ECM, ESM, etc. I heard that Springs use LUA for scripting, what about to simulate such things with LUA?

And the last thing, I don't have too much experience in programming, I'm a 3D modeler/artist. I'm just looking for a 3D engine with very good scripting interface in which I can write some code to implement custom things like I'd mentioned. Can it be possible?

Thank you all for your answers and suggestions.

Regards.
Guido.

[Argh]

I heard that Springs use LUA for scripting, what about to simulate such things with LUA?

Yes, you can simulate such things with Lua, no problem. Same with weapon system effectiveness, hidden units, ammunition, etc.

Best bet for you, if you're an experienced modeler who's already invested the time in the content, is to sit down with Lua, and see about writing your first simple implementations of gamecode. Lua is powerful and flexible, and should deliver what you want.

[CarRepairer]

I do believe I was the first to boratize the word spring into springs. Every time you say springs you must send me a check for 75 cents.