10-15-2017, 11:39 PM
4.89 Final
Away from the front lines, the Council finished its preparation for Oblique's forces to return to Gallia. The discovery of the jump connection from Tau-44 to Provence may either prove pinnacle to the liberation of Gallia, or result in disaster, as the revolutionary fleet takes the risk of entering Mer Mediterainee. Also in the Taus, an element among their disreputable Brigand friends might have caused a setback in support for the Council, as their latest move against a remote IMG base was a success. While it may take the Gallic Brigands a great deal of resources and manpower to restore and maintain their prize, to the chagrin of their friends, it is theirs to keep ... for now.
In Liberty, Alma and her fleet have been recalled from Hudson to California Minor, in preparation to strike back at the further encroaching Gallic forces. The people of Liberty wait with baited breath as the Liberty Navy readies its defenses in the face of the enemy threatening to spill into California. As now both the Carcassonne and Yukon are poised for combat in Cortez, the local Liberty Rogues installation has been forced to maintain communications silence and the powering down of many of its ancillay systems. In order to survive, they must take pains to remain unnoticed by these new intruders upon their once-rich hunting grounds.
Battlegrounds exist everywhere, as the Corsairs dare to venture Fes forth into Cambridge. Poole was deemed too dangerous from having the Molly and Bretonian forces on both sides, and without the rich trade traffic to make it worth the trouble. From their new position, hopes are that their looting may offer greater benefit to the Empire with more valuable cargo and supplies being sent back home to aid their fight against the Rheinland Military.
Matters in Omicron Xi have taken a turn for the worse for them, with the arrival of Battleship Schwerin. They soon launched a devastating assault on Syros Shipyard, causing many casualties and a great deal of damage. Losses notwithstanding, the Corsairs continue to fight with fierce dedication against the invaders.
The forces of Rheinland have made pushes in all directions, with repairs being made to Altenburg and Bayern's fleet sent to Sigma-15. Dresden has reached a critical point, as the fall of Bautzen Station to the Bundschuh and Hessians means that a counter attack from the RM is imminent. Meanwhile, Battleship Bayern has a multifaceted role in the Sigmas. In part its forces act as a deterrent against Bundschuh, Corsair, and even occasional Outcast raids, and it also solifies their claim upon the system, increasing tensions with the Gas Miners Guild. Some might also suspect that this move is antecedent to a further expansion by the Federal Republic into Sigma-21, as powers in the region all have an eye on the valuable Planet Saigon.
Warfare in the Omegas takes another step in the tango for Tangier, as the Red Hessians' docking ring is completed. They and their Coalition allies expand their control over Omega-47 and Omega-55 with much ambition against the problem-ridden Corsair Empire. Each power looks to further stretch their dominace over Cayman, where the ailing Reapers brace for a final siege.
In Kusari, as the Civil War goes on with more civilian bloodshed, seeds of doubt about the sickening costs of pride are gradually being sown in the hearts of people on all sides. The once-exiled Imperial Navy continues to secure their hold on Kyushu, while the repaired Yamaguchi sets out for Shikoku. The Blood Dragons, still faced with a virtual stalemate over Tomioka after the arrival of the Matsumoto fleet, begin to look elsewhere for victory.
California and Cambridge saw trade lane network readjustments, due to their connections with Ontario and Poole, respectively. These connections non-Vanilla House Space systems were previously awkward, so the goal here is to ease their use and access. A further reason behind the change in California is for trade balance, due to the completion of the Toronto - Fort Severn trade lane in Ontario.
Frankfurt saw changes in a number of areas where issues in the old layout had been pointed out to us. Although not drastically different, these modifications should make the system nicer from both a gameplay and roleplay perspective. Hiroshima and Munich underwent moderate adjustments to reflect on changes from previous mod versions, as well as (like many of these systems) to improve the traffic flow plus the overall look and feel.
Nota Bene:
- Added Jump Drive Batteries
- Replaced Kusari very heavy fighter model
- Fixed Hegemon shield bug
- Fixed Hegemon thruster bug
- Added high resolution Manhattan/New London planet-sphere texture
- Added Gallic Lawful bribes to Misaki Station (Rishiri), La Charite Space Port (Rishiri), and Nago Station (Tau-29)
- Added (rare) trade lane disruptions to Gallic systems and Sirius systems that didn't have them previously
- Added Police/Navy scanner patrols to Gallic systems and Sirius systems that didn't have them previously
- Fixed Omicron Delta bases not offering Battleship Missions
- Fixed Fort McMurray not offering missions
- Fixed Planet Darlington entrypoints being hard to use
- Fixed Cryer and Corsair NPC factions being hostile to each other
- Added voice files to many mod-added Battleship Bases, Luxury Liners and mining bases (e.g. Battleship Kokura will now say "Freelancer Alpha 1 Dash 1, this is Kusari Battleship")
- Rheinland bases and NPCs speak German, using original Freelancer voice files
- Gallic bases and NPCs speak French, using original Freelancer voice files
- Coalition bases and NPCs speak Russian, using original Freelancer voice files
and the many others who participated in discussions about ideas and upcoming progression for 4.89 Final.
Release Overview
This is the last of the two major storyline and systems releases for the 4.89 cycle. It continues the work of enhancing system layouts, while continuing the lore progression of many factions across Sirius. Also, a number of ships and balance changes will be completed soon, which may come alongside some bug patches.Looking Ahead
Due to unfortunate delays which cost two months, we are looking to make the next release cycle come in three chunks instead of two. 4.90 Initial, Middle (?), and Final. A comprehensive mining update should be ready by Initial, and if we're super fortunate, that will come to DGC before the end of 2017.Storyline
The Kingdom of Gallia's efforts against the Kingdom of Bretonia have entered a new phase as the resistance on Planet Leeds has largely been forced underground to escape the onslaught. Royal Marines are still kept busy on the surface, however the Royal Navy has been able to keep shifting more of its focus upon the borderworlds. Emboldened by their recent successes, the GRN battlegroups have continued to advance. Carcassonne's fleet has begun pressing a beachead into Cortez, followed by Battleship Betheny from Leeds into Magellan, continuing the Starvation Doctrine strategy against Bretonia. Castres is the latest Valor to have taken up position near Planet Leeds, as La Riche makes a show of force to the local eco-terrorists with an antagonistic stance above Gaia.Away from the front lines, the Council finished its preparation for Oblique's forces to return to Gallia. The discovery of the jump connection from Tau-44 to Provence may either prove pinnacle to the liberation of Gallia, or result in disaster, as the revolutionary fleet takes the risk of entering Mer Mediterainee. Also in the Taus, an element among their disreputable Brigand friends might have caused a setback in support for the Council, as their latest move against a remote IMG base was a success. While it may take the Gallic Brigands a great deal of resources and manpower to restore and maintain their prize, to the chagrin of their friends, it is theirs to keep ... for now.
In Liberty, Alma and her fleet have been recalled from Hudson to California Minor, in preparation to strike back at the further encroaching Gallic forces. The people of Liberty wait with baited breath as the Liberty Navy readies its defenses in the face of the enemy threatening to spill into California. As now both the Carcassonne and Yukon are poised for combat in Cortez, the local Liberty Rogues installation has been forced to maintain communications silence and the powering down of many of its ancillay systems. In order to survive, they must take pains to remain unnoticed by these new intruders upon their once-rich hunting grounds.
Battlegrounds exist everywhere, as the Corsairs dare to venture Fes forth into Cambridge. Poole was deemed too dangerous from having the Molly and Bretonian forces on both sides, and without the rich trade traffic to make it worth the trouble. From their new position, hopes are that their looting may offer greater benefit to the Empire with more valuable cargo and supplies being sent back home to aid their fight against the Rheinland Military.
Matters in Omicron Xi have taken a turn for the worse for them, with the arrival of Battleship Schwerin. They soon launched a devastating assault on Syros Shipyard, causing many casualties and a great deal of damage. Losses notwithstanding, the Corsairs continue to fight with fierce dedication against the invaders.
The forces of Rheinland have made pushes in all directions, with repairs being made to Altenburg and Bayern's fleet sent to Sigma-15. Dresden has reached a critical point, as the fall of Bautzen Station to the Bundschuh and Hessians means that a counter attack from the RM is imminent. Meanwhile, Battleship Bayern has a multifaceted role in the Sigmas. In part its forces act as a deterrent against Bundschuh, Corsair, and even occasional Outcast raids, and it also solifies their claim upon the system, increasing tensions with the Gas Miners Guild. Some might also suspect that this move is antecedent to a further expansion by the Federal Republic into Sigma-21, as powers in the region all have an eye on the valuable Planet Saigon.
Warfare in the Omegas takes another step in the tango for Tangier, as the Red Hessians' docking ring is completed. They and their Coalition allies expand their control over Omega-47 and Omega-55 with much ambition against the problem-ridden Corsair Empire. Each power looks to further stretch their dominace over Cayman, where the ailing Reapers brace for a final siege.
In Kusari, as the Civil War goes on with more civilian bloodshed, seeds of doubt about the sickening costs of pride are gradually being sown in the hearts of people on all sides. The once-exiled Imperial Navy continues to secure their hold on Kyushu, while the repaired Yamaguchi sets out for Shikoku. The Blood Dragons, still faced with a virtual stalemate over Tomioka after the arrival of the Matsumoto fleet, begin to look elsewhere for victory.
Systems
Eight systems were redesigned for 4.89 Final. Like Initial, the changes varied in degree, however for this release most were minor or moderate in nature. Omicrons Rho and Kappa, along with Orkney, were tweaked to correct their traffic flow and adjust the visual appeal. In particular, the Core installations were shifted in Rho with the intent to make their presence in the system more apparent, without feeling quite like the guard system it used to be.California and Cambridge saw trade lane network readjustments, due to their connections with Ontario and Poole, respectively. These connections non-Vanilla House Space systems were previously awkward, so the goal here is to ease their use and access. A further reason behind the change in California is for trade balance, due to the completion of the Toronto - Fort Severn trade lane in Ontario.
Frankfurt saw changes in a number of areas where issues in the old layout had been pointed out to us. Although not drastically different, these modifications should make the system nicer from both a gameplay and roleplay perspective. Hiroshima and Munich underwent moderate adjustments to reflect on changes from previous mod versions, as well as (like many of these systems) to improve the traffic flow plus the overall look and feel.
Nota Bene:
Balance Changes
- Removed the ability for transports to use the Omicron Beta/Xi jump hole, as a means to prevent a trade shortcut. All other ship classes including freighters and capitals can still use the jump hole- Added Jump Drive Batteries
Model Changes
- Replaced Lane Hacker gunship model- Replaced Kusari very heavy fighter model
- Fixed Hegemon shield bug
- Fixed Hegemon thruster bug
Effects Changes
- Added 4.89 Splash Screen- Added high resolution Manhattan/New London planet-sphere texture
NPC Base, Behavior, & Player Interaction Changes
- Added Gallic Occupied IMG bribe to Battleship Guillestre (Tau-23)- Added Gallic Lawful bribes to Misaki Station (Rishiri), La Charite Space Port (Rishiri), and Nago Station (Tau-29)
- Added (rare) trade lane disruptions to Gallic systems and Sirius systems that didn't have them previously
- Added Police/Navy scanner patrols to Gallic systems and Sirius systems that didn't have them previously
- Fixed Omicron Delta bases not offering Battleship Missions
- Fixed Fort McMurray not offering missions
- Fixed Planet Darlington entrypoints being hard to use
- Fixed Cryer and Corsair NPC factions being hostile to each other
- Added voice files to many mod-added Battleship Bases, Luxury Liners and mining bases (e.g. Battleship Kokura will now say "Freelancer Alpha 1 Dash 1, this is Kusari Battleship")
- Rheinland bases and NPCs speak German, using original Freelancer voice files
- Gallic bases and NPCs speak French, using original Freelancer voice files
- Coalition bases and NPCs speak Russian, using original Freelancer voice files
Thanks, members and assistants of the Development Team
Thanks, members and players of the Discovery Gaming Community
and the many others who participated in discussions about ideas and upcoming progression for 4.89 Final.
![[+]](/forums/images/collapse_collapsed.png "[+]")
Cambridge![[Image: seCN5jV.png]](https://i.imgur.com/seCN5jV.png)