Frontier First Encounters (FFE)

Solid Snake · 31 August 2006, 10:36

Since this game failed to materialise on the A1200, I managed to track down an original PC version on CDROM. The system requirements on the box are: 386DX/486DX, 4-8MB RAM, Hard disk with 5MB free space, standard VGA graphics and CD-ROM drive.

It suddenly occured to me that it may be possible to write a port program (like Scumm) to allow Amiga users to finally play this sequel to Frontier. I am not sure about the copyright issues or if the game code has become open source.

Maybe some resourceful Amigan can produce a playable port of FFE?

BlaCkAdDa · 01 September 2006, 02:00

Considering Frontier is written entirely in assembly, I doubt anyone would have the requisite time or skills for such a task.... unless the data files were some how closely compatible..... Didnt frontier have some option for loading a data disk or something that was never utilised?

Npl · 01 September 2006, 02:31

there`s a reversed open-source Version available. I dont think its fully portable though, currently seems to be still limited to x86. It would however be a good starting point.

On the other side, you could just play it on Windows or Linux. I doubt many people have no PC, but only an Amiga that would play FFE nice.

gizmomelb · 01 September 2006, 08:18

there appears to be an AGA (well, CD32 version) for download here:

http://innociv.sam-city.com/frontier/e_games.htm

metalrules · 01 September 2006, 09:08

Good idea, just take all the bugs out of it.

Solid Snake · 02 September 2006, 21:45

Yes, I know its possible to just play FFE under windoze, but to see it running on an Amiga would be great. The kind of feeling you got when PC Doom was ported to the Amiga. I believe a port is possible under AGA OS3.5+/040+/16MB

Basically, how does a 'port' of a program work?

Npl · 02 September 2006, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

Yes, I know its possible to just play FFE under windoze, but to see it running on an Amiga would be great. The kind of feeling you got when PC Doom was ported to the Amiga. I believe a port is possible under AGA OS3.5+/040+/16MB

Basically, how does a 'port' of a program work?

Depends on what you have from the program. In the case of FFE not much besides the binary, which leds to the hardest part: understanding 10 thousand of lines of assembler code and get an idea how everything works together. Then reimplent it for another system.

Its different for id games as you can get sources for their old games (including comments how everything works). In the optimal case you only replace OS-specific parts and hit compile, without having to understand the innards of the game itself.

So in a nutshell its alot harder than porting Doom, and I dont think many people would care. The feeling I got when Doom was ported?

Galahad/FLT · 03 September 2006, 01:23

Elite 2 doesn't have data files on Amiga, most of the data is held in the main .exe file, so porting just isn't an option.

Zetr0 · 03 September 2006, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmomelb

there appears to be an AGA (well, CD32 version) for download here:

http://innociv.sam-city.com/frontier/e_games.htm

dude.... the link.... its broken.....

(((((((((

Zetr0 · 04 September 2006, 13:44

excelent thank you k2uphill.

Antiriad · 04 September 2006, 16:39

What exactly are the differences between this and the usual version of Frontier? Any texture mapping?

Hungry Horace · 05 September 2006, 19:31

apart from the bugs which render it completely unplayable imho (which is good going considering how buggy Frontier seemed!) one thing i cant stand on FFE is the little video clips you get for the people you communicate with (this may only have been on the CD version) - they look unbeleivably dated and tacky.

i still much prefer Frontier, and the best thing that could happen would be a disassembly of that and the insertion of the textures from FFE. fat chance of that happening though .

BippyM · 06 September 2006, 01:24

The thing is it's more than "insertion" as code would have to be written to render the textures, and a whole lot of other shite!

Too much hastle I suppose!

Zetr0 · 06 September 2006, 10:09

more the point texture mapping to most levels on a stock amiga would cripple its performance...

its a shame though... i would to see Elite stocked on the shelves again... taking on the galaxy in a MK3 cobra.... with military lasers of course....

maybe i might wright a spacer game... as soon as a finnish an engine for a certain project

might even have some screenies for a special moderator by the end of the month....

31 August 2006, 10:36	#1
Solid Snake Wonderful World Of Amiga Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 359	Frontier First Encounters (FFE) Since this game failed to materialise on the A1200, I managed to track down an original PC version on CDROM. The system requirements on the box are: 386DX/486DX, 4-8MB RAM, Hard disk with 5MB free space, standard VGA graphics and CD-ROM drive. It suddenly occured to me that it may be possible to write a port program (like Scumm) to allow Amiga users to finally play this sequel to Frontier. I am not sure about the copyright issues or if the game code has become open source. Maybe some resourceful Amigan can produce a playable port of FFE? Attached Thumbnails

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01 September 2006, 02:00	#2
BlaCkAdDa Zone Friend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Adelaide / Australia Age: 47 Posts: 214	Considering Frontier is written entirely in assembly, I doubt anyone would have the requisite time or skills for such a task.... unless the data files were some how closely compatible..... Didnt frontier have some option for loading a data disk or something that was never utilised?

01 September 2006, 02:31	#3
Npl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vienna / Austria Age: 44 Posts: 257	there`s a reversed open-source Version available. I dont think its fully portable though, currently seems to be still limited to x86. It would however be a good starting point. On the other side, you could just play it on Windows or Linux. I doubt many people have no PC, but only an Amiga that would play FFE nice.

01 September 2006, 08:18	#4
gizmomelb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: melbourne Age: 55 Posts: 541	there appears to be an AGA (well, CD32 version) for download here: http://innociv.sam-city.com/frontier/e_games.htm

01 September 2006, 09:08	#5
metalrules Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Melbourne / Australia Posts: 32	Good idea, just take all the bugs out of it.

02 September 2006, 21:45	#6
Solid Snake Wonderful World Of Amiga Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 359	Yes, I know its possible to just play FFE under windoze, but to see it running on an Amiga would be great. The kind of feeling you got when PC Doom was ported to the Amiga. I believe a port is possible under AGA OS3.5+/040+/16MB Basically, how does a 'port' of a program work?

03 September 2006, 01:23	#8
Galahad/FLT Going nowhere Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: United Kingdom Age: 50 Posts: 8,986	Elite 2 doesn't have data files on Amiga, most of the data is held in the main .exe file, so porting just isn't an option.

04 September 2006, 13:44	#10
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	excelent thank you k2uphill.

04 September 2006, 16:39	#11
Antiriad The Sacred Armour Of Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sussex, UK Age: 44 Posts: 1,141	What exactly are the differences between this and the usual version of Frontier? Any texture mapping?

05 September 2006, 19:31	#12
Hungry Horace Wipe-Out Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: . Age: 43 Posts: 2,538	apart from the bugs which render it completely unplayable imho (which is good going considering how buggy Frontier seemed!) one thing i cant stand on FFE is the little video clips you get for the people you communicate with (this may only have been on the CD version) - they look unbeleivably dated and tacky. i still much prefer Frontier, and the best thing that could happen would be a disassembly of that and the insertion of the textures from FFE. fat chance of that happening though .

06 September 2006, 01:24	#13
BippyM Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Derby, UK Age: 48 Posts: 9,355	The thing is it's more than "insertion" as code would have to be written to render the textures, and a whole lot of other shite! Too much hastle I suppose!

06 September 2006, 10:09	#14
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	more the point texture mapping to most levels on a stock amiga would cripple its performance... its a shame though... i would to see Elite stocked on the shelves again... taking on the galaxy in a MK3 cobra.... with military lasers of course.... maybe i might wright a spacer game... as soon as a finnish an engine for a certain project might even have some screenies for a special moderator by the end of the month....

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