Wing Commander 2 - Page 2

saimon69 · 10 November 2023, 21:24

If you reach the point where music need to be ported in mod get in touch with me

derSammler · 11 November 2023, 09:02

Thanks for the offer, but I have no plans atm to substitute the music. I have no idea how MOD files would work with the dynamic music system anyway.

I will try to keep the original music options, that is: OPL2 and MIDI, both using external devices.

Doomer · 11 November 2023, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torti-the-Smurf

why not getting the Secret Missions on the Amiga ?

Because Amiga mission file is 5 times smaller than PC and not have empty slots, and campaing strucrure is hardcoded not like in a PC.

Torti-the-Smurf · 11 November 2023, 13:33

Cool; thanks for that info Doomer

Solo Kazuki · 11 November 2023, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by derSammler

Thanks for the offer, but I have no plans atm to substitute the music. I have no idea how MOD files would work with the dynamic music system anyway.

I will try to keep the original music options, that is: OPL2 and MIDI, both using external devices.

About CD32 joypad it was just proposition. If You want to add this, however, there is some documentation and people (e.g. WHDLoad team) who know about it.
About OPL2 there is nice emulation of it in SCUMMVM, maybe it could be added for music without external device?
Thanks for Your efforts to bring game for Amiga!

derSammler · 11 November 2023, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo Kazuki

About OPL2 there is nice emulation of it in SCUMMVM, maybe it could be added for music without external device?

There are a few issues with that:

1. Speed. OPL2/3 emulation is quite heavy on the CPU. It would probably make a fast 060 the minimum for good speed, as music is also playing in-game all the time.

2. Licence. Using open source parts normally requires that the project using it is open source as well. As already stated, I can by no means make the source code available.

So at least for now, I'm going for external OPL2LPT/OPL3LPT and MIDI support.

dlfrsilver · 11 November 2023, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by derSammler

There are a few issues with that:

1. Speed. OPL2/3 emulation is quite heavy on the CPU. It would probably make a fast 060 the minimum for good speed, as music is also playing in-game all the time.

2. Licence. Using open source parts normally requires that the project using it is open source as well. As already stated, I can by no means make the source code available.

So at least for now, I'm going for external OPL2LPT/OPL3LPT and MIDI support.

For Information, the Wing Commander 2 source code is missing MIA. Only the WC1, WC3 WC4 sources have been found. Try to contact someone so that it gets preserved

derSammler · 11 November 2023, 17:58

I'm not in the position to make the source code available. I don't own the rights to it, nor did the person I got it from. Knowing EA, I will not do anything in this regard. Sorry.

Seiya · 11 November 2023, 18:34

watching wing commander 2 it seems a data disk of first Wing Commander. Maybe the differences in the source are very minimal between 1 and 2.
However, @derSammler, take all your time because i think a very big project and ambitious porting.

derSammler · 11 November 2023, 18:56

You are right, I guess. Differences are probably as sparse as between Ultima 7 and Ultima 7 Part II. It was a quickly done sequel to make money from the success of the first game.

You can even spot some re-used graphics, which don't fit in well. Like the technician during the take-off/landing sequence.

Solo Kazuki · 12 November 2023, 14:02

About CD32 joypad, below is joypad mapping from first Wing Commander (CD32 version) to see how it works, almost all game options are mapped.

demether · 12 November 2023, 17:27

Is there a good CD32 compatible joypad available somewhere for my 1200 ? thanks

Solo Kazuki · 12 November 2023, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by derSammler

There are a few issues with that:

1. Speed. OPL2/3 emulation is quite heavy on the CPU. It would probably make a fast 060 the minimum for good speed, as music is also playing in-game all the time.

But it's only IF You use OPL2/3 emulation, right?
And to be honest it's not problem for me, I have Warp1260@100MHz, should be good enough

Quote:

2. Licence. Using open source parts normally requires that the project using it is open source as well. As already stated, I can by no means make the source code available.

That's may be problem, true. But... maybe just make external "optional patch" and only this with open source.

Quote:

So at least for now, I'm going for external OPL2LPT/OPL3LPT and MIDI support.

Right. Just mind about that when You finish porting. Making optional patch is not bad idea, I think.

Tsak · 12 November 2023, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by derSammler

Thanks for the offer, but I have no plans atm to substitute the music. I have no idea how MOD files would work with the dynamic music system anyway.

Far as I 've seen in-game music just changes to specific tracks depending on the occasion. This can be also done with MODs pretty effortlessly. All needed tracks are included within a single MOD and then you just point to the desired pattern. Afaik the Amiga version of Wing Commander probably does exactly that.

redblade · 12 November 2023, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by demether

Is there a good CD32 compatible joypad available somewhere for my 1200 ? thanks

This hasn't been reverse engineered yet?

sokolovic · 12 November 2023, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by demether

Is there a good CD32 compatible joypad available somewhere for my 1200 ? thanks

https://www.ami64.com/product-page/amiga-cd32-joypad

saimon69 · 13 November 2023, 05:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsak

Far as I 've seen in-game music just changes to specific tracks depending on the occasion. This can be also done with MODs pretty effortlessly. All needed tracks are included within a single MOD and then you just point to the desired pattern. Afaik the Amiga version of Wing Commander probably does exactly that.

I think there was a thread in facebook where i did talk with the artist that made the music port, and he said did use mod files, will need to find it

derSammler · 13 November 2023, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by redblade

This hasn't been reverse engineered yet?

There are some clones, but they are mostly bad.

The only good one is the Honeybee/Competition Pro, which goes for about 60 bucks used on ebay.

derSammler · 16 November 2023, 13:36

I was able to improve speed quite a bit and also got my TF1260 and will soon start testing on real hardware.

sokolovic · 16 November 2023, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by derSammler

There are some clones, but they are mostly bad.

The only good one is the Honeybee/Competition Pro, which goes for about 60 bucks used on ebay.

Every clone ever made is much better than the original CD32 pad.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wing Commander	Independent	HOL contributions	6	19 July 2022 16:58
Wing commander	spyros_s	Games images which need to be WHDified	16	05 February 2014 20:39
Wing Commander levels?	JuvUK	support.Games	59	21 June 2011 05:44
Let's talk about Wing Commander	b0lt-thrower	Retrogaming General Discussion	2	01 July 2010 05:50
Wing Commander/Origin	mai	HOL contributions	11	26 February 2009 09:53

10 November 2023, 21:24	#21
saimon69 J.M.D - Bedroom Musician Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: los angeles,ca Posts: 3,604	If you reach the point where music need to be ported in mod get in touch with me

11 November 2023, 09:02	#22
derSammler Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 1,667	Thanks for the offer, but I have no plans atm to substitute the music. I have no idea how MOD files would work with the dynamic music system anyway. I will try to keep the original music options, that is: OPL2 and MIDI, both using external devices.

11 November 2023, 13:33	#24
Torti-the-Smurf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Earth Posts: 1,097	Cool; thanks for that info Doomer

11 November 2023, 17:58	#28
derSammler Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 1,667	I'm not in the position to make the source code available. I don't own the rights to it, nor did the person I got it from. Knowing EA, I will not do anything in this regard. Sorry.

11 November 2023, 18:34	#29
Seiya Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Italy Posts: 2,454	watching wing commander 2 it seems a data disk of first Wing Commander. Maybe the differences in the source are very minimal between 1 and 2. However, @derSammler, take all your time because i think a very big project and ambitious porting.

11 November 2023, 18:56	#30
derSammler Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 1,667	You are right, I guess. Differences are probably as sparse as between Ultima 7 and Ultima 7 Part II. It was a quickly done sequel to make money from the success of the first game. You can even spot some re-used graphics, which don't fit in well. Like the technician during the take-off/landing sequence.

12 November 2023, 14:02	#31
Solo Kazuki Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Poland Posts: 1,306	About CD32 joypad, below is joypad mapping from first Wing Commander (CD32 version) to see how it works, almost all game options are mapped.

12 November 2023, 17:27	#32
demether Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: france Posts: 215	Is there a good CD32 compatible joypad available somewhere for my 1200 ? thanks

16 November 2023, 13:36	#39
derSammler Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 1,667	I was able to improve speed quite a bit and also got my TF1260 and will soon start testing on real hardware.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)