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Syndicate seriesOpen source engine reimplementation(13 posts)(13 posts)
(13 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted January 19, 2012
Grab it here:

http://freesynd.sourceforge.net/

Dunno how complete it is at the moment.
Posted January 20, 2012
Two things about this source port: the save format seems to be completely different. It's a .fsg extension instead of .gam, and the saves are about a tenth in size. And the documentation indicates some extra key shortcuts, but I'm not sure how many are new; the only ones listed that I know of in the original game are using 1-4 to select individual agents.
Posted January 20, 2012
what's the point of the open source port?

it looks like the original, it needs the original files, and i see no real benefits.
Posted January 20, 2012
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Fred_DM: what's the point of the open source port?

it looks like the original, it needs the original files, and i see no real benefits.
The same reason can be given for all ports:
-It runs natively and does not need DOS emulation (through DOSBox). This means it uses muss less system resources. This may not be important on most Desktop computers, but many portable devices usually struggle to run 486+ DOS games fluidly in DOSBox.
-It is possible to increase the visible area for higher resolutions or widescreen
-It is possible to fix bugs or make enhancements/additions/modifications to the original game (be it content, music, graphics, game rules, levels, etc.)
-It provides a true challenge for the coders to reverse engineer and re-implement all the original program's features

Of course all that only comes to fruition once the port is finished which takes a lot of work and time. I agree that the excellent emulation through DOSBox has eliminated a lot of incentive for such ports, but the reasons above are apparently still important enough for some people to invest that kind of work and time. :)
Posted January 20, 2012
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Lafazar: The same reason can be given for all ports:
-It runs natively and does not need DOS emulation (through DOSBox). This means it uses muss less system resources. This may not be important on most Desktop computers, but many portable devices usually struggle to run 486+ DOS games fluidly in DOSBox.
-It is possible to increase the visible area for higher resolutions or widescreen
-It is possible to fix bugs or make enhancements/additions/modifications to the original game (be it content, music, graphics, game rules, levels, etc.)
-It provides a true challenge for the coders to reverse engineer and re-implement all the original program's features

Of course all that only comes to fruition once the port is finished which takes a lot of work and time. I agree that the excellent emulation through DOSBox has eliminated a lot of incentive for such ports, but the reasons above are apparently still important enough for some people to invest that kind of work and time. :)
fair enough.

what points are true for this particular port? can you play Syndicate in resolutions beyond 640x480? if yes, wouldn't that make everything tiny seeing as it is a pure 2D sprite-based game?
Posted January 20, 2012
I gave this a go and it works really well.. however sadly the map doesn't seem to show your objective or anything other than the layout of the level.. and also no civilians move around.

Works fine otherwise though
Posted January 22, 2012
If you're interested, there's a remake of Syndicate Wars attempted here: http://swars.vexillium.org/
Posted November 04, 2014
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Elwin: Grab it here:

http://freesynd.sourceforge.net/

Dunno how complete it is at the moment.
Interesting. I've been modding Jagged Alliance 2 lately. Would be neat to get into modding my other favourite isometric strategy game from the 90s!
Posted August 13, 2018
awful to install as always, thanks nerds
Posted October 28, 2018
To set up and use FreeSynd with the GOG release of Syndicate Plus:

1. Download FreeSynd from the following link and extract it:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/freesynd/files/
(Note: The green button downloads an old version, so use the folder view below it to get the actual latest version)

2. Copy all files in the SYNDICAT\DATA folder of your Syndicate Plus installation to FreeSynd's bin\data folder. There should be 439 of them.

3. Download and apply the following patch by copying SOUND-0.DAT to the same folder as above, overwriting the one there:
https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1201-syndicate-plus-patch-for-freesynd/
(That makes FreeSynd work with Syndicate Plus. If you happen to be reading this and have plain, non-Plus/GOG Syndicate, you may not need to do this step).

4. Optional: Open bin\freesynd.ini and set "fullscreen" to "true" or else the game will be in a tiny window.

5. Run bin\freesynd.exe.

FYI, it's also possible to point FreeSynd to your existing Syndicate Plus installation by editing the "data_dir" path in freesynd.ini, so that you don't have to copy the files in Step 2, but you'll then have to overwrite the file in your Syndicate Plus installation with the file in Step 3.
Post edited November 01, 2018 by jnisbet
Posted August 02, 2023
To note, as of 0.7.5, this open source engine is missing a lot of core functionality. Missing sound effects, panic mode, and even agent AI. Hoping a new version would be out to address these, because everything else seems great. It is significantly more responsive than the DOSBox version.
Posted March 26, 2024
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Elwin: Grab it here:

http://freesynd.sourceforge.net/

Dunno how complete it is at the moment.
mouse grabbing tactics of the port are currently very aggressive.
if you tab out, you cant do anything with your mouse in windows.
also when you tab back you will see windows task bar with the game.
Post edited March 26, 2024 by goofyseeker3
Posted July 17, 2024
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jnisbet: To set up and use FreeSynd with the GOG release of Syndicate Plus:

1. Download FreeSynd from the following link and extract it:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/freesynd/files/
(Note: The green button downloads an old version, so use the folder view below it to get the actual latest version)

2. Copy all files in the SYNDICAT\DATA folder of your Syndicate Plus installation to FreeSynd's bin\data folder. There should be 439 of them.

3. Download and apply the following patch by copying SOUND-0.DAT to the same folder as above, overwriting the one there:
https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1201-syndicate-plus-patch-for-freesynd/
(That makes FreeSynd work with Syndicate Plus. If you happen to be reading this and have plain, non-Plus/GOG Syndicate, you may not need to do this step).

4. Optional: Open bin\freesynd.ini and set "fullscreen" to "true" or else the game will be in a tiny window.

5. Run bin\freesynd.exe.

FYI, it's also possible to point FreeSynd to your existing Syndicate Plus installation by editing the "data_dir" path in freesynd.ini, so that you don't have to copy the files in Step 2, but you'll then have to overwrite the file in your Syndicate Plus installation with the file in Step 3.
This does nothing for me, I've tried to get Freesynd running for a few hours now.
I've done exactly as this quide says, copied my SYNDICAT\DATA folder to Freesynd's data folder, (I tried all of the data folders also) copied the patch and done the necessary modifications to freesynd.ini with no avail.
Any help?
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Syndicate seriesOpen source engine reimplementation(13 posts)(13 posts)
(13 posts)