Descent Freespace cheat problem

I'm playing my Descent FreeSpace PC game that I got for Xmas, but when I use the cheats (~K to destroy these fast-moving enemy ships) in cheat mode all goes fine until I'm at the debriefing, but when I click on "accept" at the end of my debriefing, I get a pop-up message that says "you're a cheater. You cannot accept this mission/debriefing." I like this game very much but since my reflexes are slow the only way I can win the training mission dogfighting test or the first champagin mission (if I choose to skip training) is by resorting to cheat mode so 1) I won't get killed in a dogfight, 2) I can fulfil my mission objectives and win that mission. How can I disable this pop-up "you're a cheater" dialogue box and proceed to the next mission so I can play (and win) all the champagin missions in this game?


Thanks in advance!

Buy FS2, Install the FS1 port and play using that.

There's no way to disable it for FS1 as it's hard coded.

I assume you've already set it to the easiest difficulty setting in options?

karajorma said:

Buy FS2, Install the FS1 port and play using that.

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Yes, I have FreeSpace 2: Colossus on hand. Is this the FS2 you're talking about? If so, what exactly do you mean, "install the FS1 port and play using that"?

And yes, I have FS1 set for "very easy" but even this is difficult for my slow reflexes, as the enemies can warp out before I can destroy them and they whip around the screen like a swift-moving fish so it's hard to actually nail them down.

I was talking about the full game (Colossus is a cut down version with only the first 10 missions). You may be able to install the port on that but I really can't say for certain that it will work.

If you want to give it a try, you can find it here.

Ok, I've linked to the place you found for me. But where do I go - to the website, or to the forum? and what am I supposed to look for?

Am I supposed to download something? If so, what? And are these free downloads? What are you referring to exactly that I should use on the FS2 game? I hope this is all about stand-alone, single player stuff where no internet connection is required to play this what you're referring to.

P.S. I've also downloaded the FS1 v1.06 patch and saved it on my computer's desktop. Will this help me any?

Karajorma, I saw where you can order FS2 with the FRED2 editor from Good old Games for only $6, whereas it's selling on Amazon.com for a whopping $50 and up. If I buy this game from GOG, will I get it as a download, or will I get it on multiple CD's? And what is this FRED2 editor? What does the FRED2 editor do?

K515 said:

Ok, I've linked to the place you found for me. But where do I go - to the website, or to the forum? and what am I supposed to look for?

Am I supposed to download something? If so, what? And are these free downloads? What are you referring to exactly that I should use on the FS2 game? I hope this is all about stand-alone, single player stuff where no internet connection is required to play this what you're referring to.

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Okay, it works like this. FS1 is hard coded to prevent you progressing if you've used cheats. There is no way to change that, not even with the 1.06 patch. If you want to keep playing FS1, you'll have to get much better in order to progress.

However Freespace 2 doesn't have that restriction and there is a mod of Freespace 2 which allows you to play all the FS1 missions. It was designed to work with the full version of FS2 but there is the possibility that it will run on Freespace 2 : Colossus.

You would basically have to download many of the files from that website and install them in your Freespace 2 folder.

Karajorma, I saw where you can order FS2 with the FRED2 editor from Good old Games for only $6, whereas it's selling on Amazon.com for a whopping $50 and up. If I buy this game from GOG, will I get it as a download, or will I get it on multiple CD's?

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That is the full version of FS2 containing all 30+ missions rather than the 10 which Colossus has. GoG allows you to download the game and then burn it to CDs. Lots of people have used it and I've heard very little in the way of complaints about it. It is a very large download though.

The version on Amazon is simply the original game, boxed and on CDs. Probably 2nd hand as I very much doubt anyone has new copies of the game still. If you can handle the download I'd recommend the GoG version instead.

And what is this FRED2 editor? What does the FRED2 editor do?

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FRED\FRED2 are the mission editors that Volition used to make all the missions in both games. When Volition released the games they decided to stick the editors on the CD so that people could make their own missions. FRED is much easier to learn than most game editors but is also very powerful.

Thanks for the info, karajorma. Just now I linked to the website you linked me to and I found this on their homepage (in quotes): "5/27/2007 Cardinal Spear, the classic FS1 campaign, has been ported to FS2! Compatible with both retail and SCP, it can be found in the Downloads section." Is this what you're talking about, karajorma? And what is SCP? I have to know: Are these free downloads?

Also, before I consider buying FS2 from GoG, I have to know if I can progress thru both FS1 and this FS2 all the way to completion that I can get at GoG even I'm planning on using cheat codes in both games such as God mode, Infinite Weapons, Destroy target in all the missions of both F1 and FS2 without that dialogue box that tells me "you're a cheater" restriction?

I'm getting a new computer soon, so would it make sense to get these downloads now (and store them on an external hard drive) from the site you linked me to, karajorma, as I can hopefully buy the FS2 game from GoG at a later date?

The SCP (Source Code Project) are the people who constantly improve and update the FreeSpace EXE , called FreeSpace Open (FSO). It gives you way better graphics and other cool features which people couldn't even dream of when FS2 was released. I seriously recommend you play with FSO instead of the retail EXE. I also recommend using the MediaVPs, which are, basically, better graphics. You enable them as a mod. Both FSO and the MediaVPs are for free.

However, FSO is ONLY the game EXE. You still need all the game files, either from FS2: Colossus (I don't know if everything is in there though) or from GOG (which is complete).

With FSO, you can indeed first play the ported version of FS1 (aka FSPort, what karajorma linked you to), then progress to Silent Threat (or skip that and play Silent Threat: Reborn instead, like I did) and finally to FS2. FSPort and ST:R are for free as well.

So I'd like to know, before I download FSO, FSPort, and ST Reborn, can I use my cheat codes (God Mode, Infinite Weapons, Destroy Targert, Destroy Targert's Subsystems) on all of these downloads as I play the missions without that annoying "you're a cheater"? dialogue box restriction that appeared in my retail, boxed version of Descent: FreeSpace? Also, I have a retail, boxed version of FreeSpace Silent Threat, so can I also use these same cheat codes in this boxed version of Silent Threat (as well as the FS2 from GoG) without that "you're a cheater" dialogue box restriction? And most importantly, do I have to buy WinRar in order to extract/open/install all these downloads in question? I hope I don't need WinRar at all. And if I want to play Silent Threat without that "you're a cheater" dialogue box restriction, do I have do download ST as well and is this also free?

FreeSpaceF said:

I seriously recommend you play with FSO instead of the retail EXE.

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What do you mean, I can play with FSO? And what do you mean by "the retail EXE"?

Do you mean I can play with FSO on my current computer while I'm waiting to get my new computer? How exactly do I play with FSO?

K515 said:

So I'd like to know, before I download FSO, FSPort, and ST Reborn, can I use my cheat codes (God Mode, Infinite Weapons, Destroy Targert, Destroy Targert's Subsystems) on all of these downloads as I play the missions without that annoying "you're a cheater"? dialogue box restriction that appeared in my retail, boxed version of Descent: FreeSpace?

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Yes. That's why I recommended it.

Also, I have a retail, boxed version of FreeSpace Silent Threat, so can I also use these same cheat codes in this boxed version of Silent Threat (as well as the FS2 from GoG) without that "you're a cheater" dialogue box restriction?

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No. Silent Threat is a FS1 add on and as such still uses the same code that all FS1 builds were based on.

And most importantly, do I have to buy WinRar in order to extract/open/install all these downloads in question? I hope I don't need WinRar at all.

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Nope. Use 7Zip instead if you want to get rid of the nag requester but even without paying WinRAR will allow you to extract stuff.

And if I want to play Silent Threat without that "you're a cheater" dialogue box restriction, do I have do download ST as well?

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Yes. Although the consensus in the community is that Silent Threat was very poor and Silent Threat : Reborn (a fan made attempt to tell the same story properly) is far superior. It requires the FS1 port though so it can only be played on FS2.


As for FS2_Open, yes I very much recommend it. And if you have (or are getting) the GoG version of FS2, downloading all this stuff becomes rather easy.

If you are buying it, tell me and I'll talk you through how to get all this stuff working.

Ok, I'm linked to the page you sent me to, karajorma, and I'm downloading all the stuff that you said I'd need. As for the new computer I'm getting, it's likely that I'll be getting it next month and that's when I might be able to buy FS2 from GoG.

So, is FS2 the only thing I have to buy, or is there other stuff I'll have to buy (I hope not) in order to enjoy the Free Space series while using cheat codes without that "you're a cheater" dialogue box restriction?

Now that I have all these downloads, will I still need my boxed version of Descent: FreeSpace, FreeSpace: Silent Threat, and FreeSpace 2: Colossus? If not, can I sell them or give them away and reuse the downloads (after first making backups of them) including FS2 from GoG, for unlimited times?

I'm nearly finished downloading all of the stuff - I've downloaded all the mods and the stuff from the FilePlanet links. Tomorrow I'll download the Silent Threat: Reborn voice files and the ST: Reborn sectorgames. Don't know if I'll need the stuff from FilePlanet and the sectorgames, tho.

Where do I find the mediaVPs and the FSO?

Well the idea was to try to get stuff working on top of FS2:Colossus so you'll need that at least.

karajorma said:

Well the idea was to try to get stuff working on top of FS2:Colossus so you'll need that at least.

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Well, if I can get FS2 from GoG for 6 dollars which is the complete version, well why not? Then I wouldn't need my cut-down version of FS2 Colossus (it's a retail, boxed version that I brought in 2001.)

Could you please answer my latest questions I've asked in my latest post yesterday and in this post? I'd appreciate this.

Now I'm downloading the Silent Threat Reborn voice files and the sectorgames.

Why are there 2 download links marked "sectorgames" on the Silent Threat Reborn page but they are the same thing? One is is next to the ST Reborn mod link and the other is next to the ST Reborn voice files mod link, but why do they have the same label when I'm downloading them?

Ok, I've downloaded the Silent Threat Reborn voice files and the sectorgames.

Also, may I inform you that I'm going away in 3 weeks for 1 week, and when I return home I'll see about buying FS2 from GoG, ok? Also, thank you, karajorma, for offering to talk me through getting all these downloads to work after I get FS2 from GoG.

FS2 Colossus is NOT complete, repeat NOT complete. You'll have to buy the full version from GOG. And that's the only thing you'll have to pay for. AFAIK, it has no time limit.

Technically, you will not need your boxed versions anymore, though you may want to keep Descent:FreeSpace. People say it has a unique atmosphere and some prefer it to FSPort, even though the graphics are much worse.

"Sectorgame" is the place from where you downloaded the ST:R files, I guess. You need one modpack (called fsport-str.vp) in order to play, and one voice pack (fsport-str-voice) if you wanna hear the voice acting. Recommended.

You can find the MediaVPs and installation instructions here. But instead of grabbing the latest Nightly build, like it's said in the instructions, I recommend using RC1 from here. Karajorma, correct me if I'm wrong on this, I'm not a coder :nervous:

FreeSpaceF said:

Technically, you will not need your boxed versions anymore,

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What do you mean when you say "technically" I will not need my boxed versions (Descent: FreeSpace, FreeSpace: Silent Threat, and FreeSpace: Colossus) anymore now that I have all these downloads (listed below) as well as FS2 (which I'll have to wait until May to get)?

FreeSpaceF said:

though you may want to keep Descent:FreeSpace

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Why would I want to keep Descent: FreeSpace if (again) I have these downloads?

My downloads:
fsport3_1;
fsport-awakenings;
fsport-awakenings-voice;
fsport-cardinalspear;
fsport-cardinalspear-voice;
fsport-destinyofpeace;
fsport-destinyofpeace-voice;
fsport-missions;
sparky_hi_fs1;
stu_fs1;
tango_fs1;
warble_fs1;
FreeSpaceOpen Installer;
InstallerSrc20081001 source code;

[Silent Threat: Reborn]
fsport-str;
fsport-str-voice;

[Silent Threat sectorgames]
fsport-str.

Are there any more downloads I need (not counting FS2)? If so, what?

You won't need any CD's anymore when you have the GOG version.

BUT you may find yourself wanting to go back to the original Descent: FreeSpace, because FSPort is still not the same as retail FS1. Some people prefer Descent:FS to FSPort from nostalgia.

As for the files: You're missing quite a lot of them. I suggest you use the installer to download the FSPort files. Also, 1 fsport-str is enough

Thanks - ok, I've just got finished downloading these:

fs2_open_3_6_10_RC1;
oalinst;
Launcher55d.rar;
MV_Complete.7z;
FreeSpace_2_SCP_update_v2

So, except for the FS2 from GoG, am I all set to go?

Now I have a couple of questions:
1) can I play all of the FS1 and ST: Reborn missions without FS2?
2) can I play all of the FS1 and ST: Reborn missions using FS2: Colossus?
3) what problems may/will I experience if I try to play the FS1 and ST: Reborn missions using my cut-down version of FS2 (Colossus) or without FS2?

karajorma said:

If you are buying it, tell me and I'll talk you through how to get all this stuff working.

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Thanks for your offer to help me get all this stuff working, karajorma. I appreciate your courtesy.

Well you seem to be handling this on HLP so I think it's best to close this thread and proceed on there. Having two support threads open on different boards just results in conflicting advice.