What is Earth Defense?

[shiv]

Earth Defense

In development since 2006, Earth Defense was originally started by a group of Polish modders trying to make the ultimate mod. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? But this wasn't just another overly ambitious project started by one person in a futile attempt to create FS3. This was a vision, a dream, a nightmare; it was the combined effort of a whole community working together towards one common goal - Creating one really bad ass mod.

Unfortunately, the fruits of their labour were plucked a little too early, before they had time to ripen. In a foolish last-minute decision in late 2007, it was decided that Earth Defense would be released on Christmas Day of 2007. What should've taken weeks or even months was compressed into a few days, and the mod was released as it was - On schedule, but incomplete. What the public saw was the release of the Christmas Earth Defense Demo, a mangled, incomplete and bug-ridden mess. This was the biggest blunder of the Earth Defense team. The Earth Defense Demo, for the numerous reasons explained below, should not be considered part of the current Earth Defense continuity.

Following the unfortunate mistake, Earth Defense entered a state of temporary limbo and no progress was made in the earlier part of 2008. However, in mid 2008, the team members got together and discussed a complete overhaul of the entire mod. Thus, in May of 2008, the 'true' Earth Defense mod was born. In the next few months massive work was done on the project, the entire modpack had to be built from the ground up. An entirely new storyline was drafted and work restarted. Many new members were recruited (including myself) and the project soon expanded.

And why was this thread created? Why, to show off this shiny stuff, of course.

http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/screenshots/screenshot006.png
http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/screenshots/screenshot011.png
http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/screenshots/screenshot034.png
http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/screenshots/screenshot033.png
http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/screenshots/screenshot014.png
http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/screenshots/screenshot027.png
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6426/screen0094ss4.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4817/screen0095to1.jpg

Teaser trailer YouTube link (http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=Uduu9cA81Ps)
Teaser trailer Download link (http://www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/staff_files/Video/ed_trailer.wmv)

EARTH DEFENSE

Storyline synopsis

If you didn't know already, Earth Defense is a continuation to the FreeSpace storyline - It throws you into a huge war between two huge political powers, the GTVA and the rogue VRC. As the war goes on, the Terrans create a large device in Delta Serpentis to reunite with its isolated homeworld in Sol - But get a very different reunion.

Our website: www.game-warden.com/earthdefence/
Our ModDB page with additional screenshots and stuff: www.moddb.com/games/earth-defence

[chang1326]

When it is going to be in picture now???:pimp:

[FreeSpaceF]

Sorry? What picture?

[Jangiri]

it might just be that blue planet:age of aquarius just used some of your ships or is it actually a prequel to earth defence

[FreeSpaceF]

BP is completely separate from ED. There is no storyline link whatsoever.

The ships BP used were made for general use by a guy called StratComm; we're using them as well, although we're thinking of replacing them.

[Thulius]

Hey, I've some questions...:)

As I heard or read, shiv is a fan of the FS1 music, or at least think it's better than thee FS2 tracks. I predict that the music of ED is more similar to FS1 tracks than to the FS2 tracks. Is that true?

Also, I want to ask, if ED is more like a Character driven story. (As such as Khonsu III. etc.;))

And at the very last: I saw that the Shivans will play a role as well. Now here's my question: Will the Lucifer take part of the story?:)

[shiv]

As I heard or read, shiv is a fan of the FS1 music, or at least think it's better than thee FS2 tracks. I predict that the music of ED is more similar to FS1 tracks than to the FS2 tracks. Is that true?
Yep, I'm FS1 music fan. :D

But we're going to use a totally new set of music composed for us by Daddy Warhol.
It's a totally new style, inspired a bit by Cinema 2 and 'oriental style'.

Also, I want to ask, if ED is more like a Character driven story.
As you, see there were in FS1 & 2 original and involving characters that made the storyline much deeper. We all know the best examples: Snipes, McCarthy, Bosch...

Khonsu III has also a very important role in ED plots, as well as things that Bosch did in FS2 and many others. So yeah, you can count on some characters who will driver the storyline further and further. But possibly in Act I. Act I is more like "intropduction" to the ED storyline, while Acts II and III will be focused on actual story.

I saw that the Shivans will play a role as well
Of course, the Shivans will be the most important plot element, like in previous FreeSpace games. However their role will be this time the biggest one... :)

Will the Lucifer take part of the story?

No, there was only one unique Lucifer in FS1. However, in ED you will get a chance to see many new Shivan ships.

[Thulius]

Thanks for answering.:)

Well, sounds good but...

You've got very good concepts and also very good points. But I'm a bit afraid, that the project is going to be to big.

Your enthusiasm is great, and your work is great but I'm just a bit afraid that the project promise to much and then, not everything will be like the way it "should" be...It's just the way I feel.

But allthough, I hope you guys make a good Mod with a lot of new story content.:)

[shiv]

Well, sounds good but...

You've got very good concepts and also very good points. But I'm a bit afraid, that the project is going to be to big.

Well, I didn't say "We'll rock, you must play this mod!!!!!111!11"
Your enthusiasm is great, and your work is great but I'm just a bit afraid that the project promise to much and then, not everything will be like the way it "should" be...It's just the way I feel.
We're doing our best adn we've got a few suprises for you, guys.
And Thulius, for you is this thread, if we're talking about excitement and expecatations: http://game-warden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7702

Anyway, feel free to ask more questions. We'll be more than happy to answer you :)

[The Blue Lions]

This looks totaly awesome and I can't wait to play it
To me this is FS3!

[killer_wolfen]

those pics look cool. if i could id play that

[The Blue Lions]

the title says it all will this have multiplayer vs and co op?

[General Battuta]

No. At least not for the moment. It would be fairly trivial to make some simple dogfight maps if the team had more than one active FREDder.

[Tantalus53]

It will probably be released after the initial mod. But i planned on doing it.

[The Blue Lions]

thanks for the great shots and the trailer looks good any any possible release date around the corner?
I just finally upgraded my comp to player high end three d graphics and this is one of those games I would love to play with the new comp thanks
Your biggest fan
The Blue Lions

[General Battuta]

No.

Play some other FreeSpace 2 open mods, though, you'll get basically the same graphics.

[The Blue Lions]

Whats going to happen? you guys are programing in the older version 3.6.10 are you guys going to upgrade it? or is it still going to be in the older version?

[FreeSpaceF]

The eventual release will be compatible with the most recent build at that point, probably 3.7-something. You probably won't even be able to play it bug-free on 3.6.10.

[General Battuta]

Whats going to happen? you guys are programing in the older version 3.6.10 are you guys going to upgrade it? or is it still going to be in the older version?

There are already plenty of features in our SVN that won't work on 3.6.10, like the 3.6.12 Fury AI.

[bethany20]

Aah brilliant. I love ED :D Any space-themed online game is a good game in my opinion, let alone a game with excellent graphics! What a stellar dawn for space-themed games ED is!