Matrix Games Forums

Starshatter Releases Major Update
Version 4.5.0 brings a new graphics engine for textures, bug fixes, and more!

Staten Island, NY, May 3rd, 2004 - Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Destroyer Studios (www.starshatter.com) announced today the availability of a new free update for the ultimate space combat simulation, Starshatter, which will vastly improve space and terrain graphics as well as adding other enhancements.

The 4.5.0 update to Starshatter includes an all new rendering engine based on DirectX 9, a new user-interface, a new terrain engine and improvements to shading, textures, and graphical effects such as bump and specular maps. Additional improvements include increased missile payload for ships, minor bug fixes with flight patterns, and more responsive controls. This major update requires Starshatter v.4.0.3 to be installer before updating. The update can be downloaded from www.matrixgames.com in the Games section for Starshatter.

Existing players should note that the system requirements have increased due to the more advanced graphics engine in Starshatter v4.5.0. In order to use the new graphics engine, you must have a 3D card with support for hardware transformation and lighting. Software rendering is no longer supported in v4.5.0 and owners who require this should stay with v4.0.3.

You can download v4.5.0 by clicking on GAMES in the top menu bar, then find Starshatter and click on the Downloads link from the Starshatter game page.

Regards,

- Erik

Are you going to post a change list?

Sure, here's the list that comes with the update:

The system requirements have increased due to the more advanced
graphics engine in Starshatter 4.5.0. YOU MUST HAVE A 3D CARD
WITH SUPPORT FOR HARDWARE TRANSFORMATION AND LIGHTING. Software
rendering is no longer supported at all.

This patch will replace the following files in your Starshatter
game directory:

1. Stars.exe
2. start.dat
3. ReadMe.txt

This patch represents a fairly major update to the original retail
release of Starshatter, hence the relatively large jump in version
numbering from 4.0.3 to 4.5.0. There are too many enhancements to
list here, but the highlights include:

1. All new rendering engine with DX9 support and HW T&L
2. New GUI look and feel
3. Option to run in resizable window (-win command line option)
4. Improved gamma fade in and fade out effects
5. Volume shadows for in-game objects
6. Bump and specular maps
(Vertex Shader 1.1 required, Pixel Shader 2.0 recommended)
7. All new terrain engine with seamless texturing
8. Updated graphical effects for drive flares
9. Updated campaign, rank, and medal graphics
10. Online tactical reference with 3D preview of ship models
11. Various minor AI improvements
12. Larger missile payloads for some ships
13. Fixed the "high-speed strafe" bug (a.k.a. the "skidding" bug)
14. Fixed a CTD related to manual targeting of inbound torpedoes
15. General performance enhancements
16. Improved subsystem damage resolution on starships
17. Fixed keyboard steering response bug

Is 4.5 worth it or should I wait? I read there were some new AI problems with 4.5, and I think 4.0 looks great as it is. I like eye candy, but it's not critical for the game to be enjoyable. Are there 4.5 screenshots, so we can see the difference?

perhaps a demo with the new patch features will enable people to make up thier minds