Save points?

[Grotius]

How often can you save your game in SS? I like this sort of game, but I'm not very good at them, and I get frustrated if I crash or die repeatedly and then have to replay from the beginning of a mission. Are there any mid-mission saves? Or are they unnecessary?

[John DiCamillo]

Mid-mission saves are unnecessary for a couple of reasons:

1. Missions tend to be short. You can get through most fighter sorties in five or ten minutes if you use the time-skip feature.

2. If things start looking rough, you can exit a mission early without completing it. You just need to reach a point where you are not in immediate danger and you can end the mission, saving your results up to that point.

3. Missions are dynamically generated. Even if you get killed, you never have to replay a difficult mission. Actually, if you get killed, you can't replay the mission - you will get a new one the next time you try to fly.

4. Missions are not puzzles. You will never find yourself saying, "Oh, now I get it! They want me to use lasers to take out the first three fighters and then afterburn to the fourth navpoint to use missiles to kill the enemy transports before the bomb goes off, then fly backwards through the jumpgate to get to..." Bleachh.

[Grell]

Hi John,

Thanks for elaborating on the missions per se. I've only played a bit of the demo as I want my impression fresh when I get the full game.

Your 4th point is of particular merit as those are the types of missions I hate ( eg. Tachyon The Fringe and Freelancer). I love the fact that this game is designed so well.

BTW, kudos to all the work you did, you did almost everything when looking at the credits screen, it's mind boggling, I wanted to compliment you on an excellent job and an outstanding game.

Best,

Grell

[Grotius]

Thanks for the reply, John. That's encouraging. I'll try the demo again.

[DamoclesX]

4. Missions are not puzzles. You will never find yourself saying, "Oh, now I get it! They want me to use lasers to take out the first three fighters and then afterburn to the fourth navpoint to use missiles to kill the enemy transports before the bomb goes off, then fly backwards through the jumpgate to get to..." Bleachh.

LOL

you forgot while translating 3 different languages, re-writing your core software and directing your idiot wingman to actually NOT run into the big glowing sun

[TheDeadlyShoe]

Ensign, you are never getting command of a starship. Just so you know. Now let me at that navigation panel!