OK, I'm making this topic to try and answer many first time (or returning) Descent players' questions in one place. I'm going to try to get this topic stickied if I can...

1) I just bought Descent from GOG. What do I need to know first?
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The first thing is to download "The Definitive Collection". (This is how D1 and D2 were originally sold) here.
It includes the Descent Mission Builder 2 for D1 and D2 and the "Levels of the World" collection for D1. It also includes the Vertigo expansion pack for D2.

The next thing I would suggest any Descent player do is download a source port. There are two source ports in existence now: DXX Rebirth and D2X-XL
To see some information on both of them (and to see the ridiculous flame war that happens every time they're brought up in the same topic) look here.

For the Rebirth Windows installer see 4. For info on Rebirth on Mac see 5.

2) OK, I understand that everybody uses a source port these days, but I just really want the original experience [with bugs and all that jazz]...
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In that case by all means use DOSBox. Be forewarned, however, that there may be issues with getting it to run optimally on modern systems.

3) I'd like to build levels for Descent. How do I do that?
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You'll need a level editor. The two original editors used were the Descent Mission Builder 2, and DEVIL. You can download the DMB2 from the link in question 1 and you can download DEVIL (and many other useful development tools) here.

Both of those editors have been ported and improved for modern systems.
The DMB2 port is called DLE-XP and can be downloaded here.
The DEVIL port is called SDLDevil and can be downloaded here.

There is one other level editor that is in the works, but probably won't be ready to be used for a while: a built in editor for DXX-Rebirth. It's in pre-alpha stage right now though, and not at all usable.

4) I tried installing Rebirth, but I'm not sure where to unzip the files or where to copy what files. What should I do?
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You can download a .exe installer for the latest official release here.
It will fully automate the install process for you.

5) I have a Mac and I'm not sure how to get Rebirth working
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The location of the data files are in "Descent (1 or 2).app/Contents/Resources/game/Descent (2).app/Contents/Resources/Descent (2).boxer/C Descent (2).harddisk/"

For a bit more detailed tutorial see here

6) THIS #@%! THING DOESN'T WORK!!!
OR
I have an issue with Rebirth, or the installer, or a level editor, or something else related to Descent. Where can I get help?
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Well for general Descent help, you can post here and I'd be more than happy to help if I can.

Rebirth and SDLDevil share a forum for help or bug reports here.

The D2X-XL and DLE-XP forum is here.

If you have an issue with the installer, you can post in its thread here on GOG.

7) How do I fly this thing??
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Well here a couple links that may be helpful:

Various Control Configurations

General Descent Flying Tips

8) I have another question that you didn't answer!
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Feel free to post below and I'll help if I can! :)

How do I toggle the rear view camera so that it replaces the weapon screen in my cockpit?

I believe it's SHIFT+F1/2

That just affects my stereoscopic balance, whatever that is.

I just tried D2 and when I press SHIFT+F1 it puts my rear view on the left side of my cockpit.

Maybe it has something to do with my messing with the keyboard settings.

But I don't think you can change those functions. Hit F2 while in the game to bring up the options.

Okay, so it works in Descent 2, but it still just brings up a stereoscopic message thingy in the first game. Does the original simply not have that functionality?

No, the original doesn't have a rear-view mirror. :/ (Although that DEFINITELY makes it more fun to stalk people in multiplayer! ;)

Also...updated the first post. Cleaned it up some and improved readability :)

In Descent 2, is there a way to turn off, or slow down the constant, rapid, bouncing up and down? Or does the speed of the bouncing solely relate to game speed?

I actually think you can turn it off. I would have to check tonight when I get home.

Are you using DOSBox or a port? As Merlin said, it relates to the gamespeed, so if you're playing on DOSBox it may be much worse because of the speed of the game.

It's also related to the size of the HUD (in the original DOSBox). If you zoom out then it will bounce faster. I'm not sure if overall resolution affected it the same way or not, but that might be something to look in to.

I looked in D2x Rebirth last night and couldn't find any option for it. My ship doesn't bob like you mention but I do believe it's based on how fast the game is playing. If you use the D1/2x Rebirth version, it slows the game down to how it would play on older systems.

I'm using DOSBox.

Okay. I just increased the resolution (I hadn't noticed that it wasn't set to the highest resolution) and the bounce is now completely manageable. Thanks a lot!




@Merlin: Okay. Thanks for checking!

Just downloaded "setup_descent12_2.0.0.7.exe" from GOG, will this run on a windows 98 system?

thanks,