Don't shoot, I'm a newbie!

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21 years 1 day ago #17887 by FlamingBallOFire
I just started playing EOC. What depth. Unlike anything else. A couple questions though...
What is this "freeform" mode I read about?
Is there any way to avoid going through Clay's mission spiel if you've done it before?
Any suggestions on a joystick? I must admit, I'm playing keyboard only and seem to lack the required 12 separate hands! (Ever fly the training course in keyboard mode?)

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21 years 1 day ago #8296 by Hot4Darmat
Hi FlamingBOF, welcome to the forum.

Yes, it's a great game with loads of depth, but it absolutely screams to be played with a joystick! So I'd suggest you hustle out there as if there was a flaming ball o' fire attached to your butt, and get one. I use Saitek X36/X45 system (throttle and joystick with hats n' buttons n' stuff) because they're solid, rugged well built and work great, but that doesn't mean that is the 'recommended' setup. There's a couple of threads devoted to just this topic at the ina forums if you look back far enough (beyond the default 30 or 60 day display) with better advice than I can give, but I'd suggest going to your local electronics computer geek shop and getting a nice solid flight sim joystick...as long it's somewhat configurable or programmable, so's you can set up the buttons and thingys exactly the way you want. I'm not one for force feedback, but some people love 'em.

As for Clay's advice on training missions...you can click through his spiels, but I forget the exact key...should be in the manual...maybe space bar...maybe because you've got it set up for keyboard only, that key is needed for sthg else. Yet another reason to hustle out there and get yourself a nice joystick.

Free form is something you don't need to worry about until you've played through the whole game. Once you've 'beaten' it (just sounds so abusive, doesn't it?), then you can play free form. Actually, you don't need to wait: Gold Rush free form is completely independent of missions...it's quite separate. I think iFleet is too. Just be careful that you don't use too many mods (free form or otherwise) while trying to get through the game's storyline...some of them break the mission scripts, leaving you frustratingly stuck with no way out.

Enjoy

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Hot4Darmat

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21 years 1 day ago #8297 by Hot4Darmat
Oh yeah, the ina forum is here. Loads of good info.

www.ataricommunity.com/forums/forumdispl...fea7e737&forumid=137

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Hot4Darmat

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21 years 1 day ago #8299 by FlamingBallOFire
Thanks for the tips! Another question - I printed out the "manual" off the cd, but it seems a little skimpy in information. Such as, what are those little scanning icon things in the upper quandrant of your HUD? Is there anyplace to get a really detailes manual, with controls and gameplay explained?

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21 years 1 day ago #8301 by Tarcoon
Replied by Tarcoon on topic Don't shoot, I'm a newbie!
you need a link for hud display: members.shaw.ca/syntechnology/screens.html

a reference for the keyboard controls is there too...

the key for fast walkthrough of clays mission spiel is "DEL"
you don't have to listen to the orders but you have to follow them.

if you want to buy a joystick, take one with four axis!
three for steering! (one for throttle)
(cyborg 3d gold - great stick but sometimes problems with usb-port)


There is no safe distance

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21 years 20 hours ago #8308 by jumbo
Replied by jumbo on topic Don't shoot, I'm a newbie!
Don't forget to install and activate the "freeform" mod before you complete the final mission, or the game will just end and you will have to do the mission again. I am speaking from experience here :'(

Jumbo

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