Starsiege

What works

Gameplay is near perfect.. just as good as in Windows if not actually better (reported frame rates are stellar: in the 170 region under Linux). I have played multiplayer and campaign missions without issue using OpenGL acceleration and in a window in software mode (just like in MS Windows). Can switch between SS and The installer works too, without a hitch. Game worked with the CD-ROM antipiracy check and with Fulgore's NOCD patch (much more convenient).

What does not

The builtin dxinput library did not work at all with Starsiege. The game would not start, and complained that the library was missing. Had to use a native Win98 dxinput.dll.

In multiplayer mode, quickchats do not work if the window manager uses the Ctrl-F1 through Ctrl-F7 keys (e.g. for switching between desktops). Disabling this in the window manager gives player access to the Quickchats.

When starting the game, the sound makes a short Buzzing noise for half a second before the shell music starts. Strange but not a hinderance.

Workarounds

What was not tested

Cybrid Campaign not tested yet (only Human). Should not make a difference.

Internal IRC client not tested because I do not think the Dynamix irc server is alive anymore.

Hardware tested

Graphics:

• GPU:
• Driver:

Additional Comments

Giving this Silver rating for now, until I'm absolutely sure it's ready as Gold. However, does seem like Gold level to me.

­Starsiege ­HOWTO

Installation

Run 'setup/Setup.exe' on the disc (buddy disc in the two-disc version), being sure not to register or auto update.

Patching

If you are using the older two-disc version, you will have to apply the 1004 patch.

http://www.sierrahelp.com/Files/Patches/MetalTech/Starsiege(s1000to1004_usa).zip

Also, you'll probably want to apply the NOCD patch.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=aca2b7c7635ceba3&sc=documents&id=ACA2B7C7635CEBA3%21919#

The original master server is not available, but the community maintains one for those who still want to play online.

http://www.starsiege1.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=newmasterhere&action=display&thread=67

Issues

The installer is old, and may crash in more recent distributions. See http://wiki.winehq.org/PreloaderPageZeroProblem.

The game may often start minimized.

The default pause key is NUMLOCK, and if unchanged, the game will pause on any key press while NUMLOCK is active. Change this key binding, or toggle NUMLOCK.

With 3D acceleration enabled, texture overlays (like pavement on a section of terrain) will not render, and the game will start in windowed mode.

Pressing ALT+ENTER to toggle between fullscreen and windowed mode is not recognized. To change the screen mode, set "$pref::GWC::SIM_IS_FULLSCREEN" to "True" in '[installdir]/defaultPrefs.cs'.