Difference between revisions of "First Encounters"

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== Frontier: First Encounters ==
  
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{{Infobox CVG| title = Frontier: First Encounters
  
{{Infobox CVG| title = Frontier: First Encounters
 
|image = [[Image: FFE_small.jpg]]
  
|image = [[Image: FFE_small.jpg]]
Line 6: Line 4:
 
|publisher = [[Gametek]]
  
|publisher = [[Gametek]]
 
|version = 1.06 (Shareware)|
  
|version = 1.06 (Shareware)|
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|released = Easter [[1995]] |
 +
|released = Easter 1995 |
 
operating_system = Microsoft Windows|
  
operating_system = Microsoft Windows|
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|platforms = DOS<br/>Microsoft Windows (JJFFE)
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|platforms = DOS<br/>Windows
 
}}
  
}}
   
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Frontier: First Encounters (most commonly abbreviated FFE) is the third game in the [[Elite]] Series by [[Frontier Developments]]. It builds substantially on its immediate predecessor [[Frontier]] and is currently the last word in canonical Elite.
 +
Frontier: First Encounters (most commonly abbreviated FFE) is the third game in the [[Elite]] Series by [[Frontier Developments]]. It builds substantially on its immediate predecessor [[Frontier]] and until the release of [[Elite_4|Elite: Dangerous]] was the last word in canonical Elite.
   
−
The game was originally released early, under pressure from the publishers [[Gametek]], which led to an extremely buggy game. These problems were later fixed, and a fully patched version of this game (though still with some "broken" features) is available from the Elite Club [http://www.eliteclub.co.uk website].
 +
The game was originally released early, under pressure from the publishers [[Gametek]], which led to an extremely buggy game. A patched shareware version can now be [http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/Files/files.html downloaded] with most of the bugs fixed.
   
 
Features include:
 
Features include:
−  
 
* [[Newtonian modelling]] for both ships and interstellar bodies.
 
* [[Newtonian modelling]] for both ships and interstellar bodies.
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* Fully modelled Stars and Planets (although certain systems can still crash the game)
 +
* Fully modelled stars and planets.
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* Ships from both its predecessors, as well as some new ships.
+
* [[FFE Ships|Ships]] from both its predecessors, as well as some new ships.
 
* A set of [[First Encounters/Journals|journals]] representing the news as seen by each of the major powers. Many clues to the hard-coded [[First Encounters/Missions|missions]] can be found within these journals.
 
* A set of [[First Encounters/Journals|journals]] representing the news as seen by each of the major powers. Many clues to the hard-coded [[First Encounters/Missions|missions]] can be found within these journals.
 
* An overall [[First Encounters/Missions|plotline]], which can be affected by the player completing the hard-coded [[First Encounters/Missions|missions]]. Not being mandatory, this can be ignored by players who prefer the freeform nature of the game, or can be completed for fame, notoriety and substantial material rewards.
  
* An overall [[First Encounters/Missions|plotline]], which can be affected by the player completing the hard-coded [[First Encounters/Missions|missions]]. Not being mandatory, this can be ignored by players who prefer the freeform nature of the game, or can be completed for fame, notoriety and substantial material rewards.
−
* A series of [[FFE Videos|videos]] of people on the BBS requesting the randomly determined missions. These are renowned for their bad acting, and are not considered an essential part of the FFE experience.
+
* A series of [[FFE Videos|videos]] of people on the BBS requesting the randomly determined missions. They are renowned for their bad acting.
  +
  +
== Analysis & Critique ==
  +
It is worth perusing the analysis & critique over at [[Frontier]] as they apply equally to FFE (which inherited the issues discussed there). A list of bugs will be found in the links under ''quirks''! Many of these have been ironed out by the Third Party enhancements below - and also by E:D which introduces other issues instead!
   
 
== Third party enhancements ==
  
== Third party enhancements ==
  +
The overall popularity of First Encounters was greatly increased by the release of John Jordan's [[JJFFE]], which allows First Encounters to be run natively in Windows.
   
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The overall popularity of First Encounters was greatly increased by the release of [[John Jordan]]'s [[JJFFE]], which allows First Encounters to be run natively in windows.
  
  +
During the summer of 2006, Kolijoco released a version of JJFFE called [[GLFFE]], which uses an OpenGL 2.0 renderer, and includes new control console graphics - allowing FFE to be played in high resolution full screen.
−  
−
During the summer of 2006, [[Kolijoco]] released a version of JJFFE called [[GLFFE]], which uses an OpenGL 2.0 renderer, and includes new control console graphics - allowing FFE to be played in high resolution full screen.
  
−  
−
A further modification of GLFFE - known as [http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Nic%27s_Mod Nic's Mod] - lowers the requirement from OpenGL 2.0 to OpenGL 1.2 and introduces more useful features, including a doubling of all planet resolutions.
  
   
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Most recently, another refinement of FFE known as [[FFE D3D]] has emerged onto the scene.
  
  +
[[Nic's Mod]] lowers the GLFFE's requirement from OpenGL 2.0 to OpenGL 1.2 and introduces some useful features, including a doubling of all planet resolutions.
   
  +
Most recently, another refinement of FFE known as [[FFE D3D|FFED3D]] has emerged onto the scene, featuring considerably improved graphics while still remaining faithful to the original game. This program is generally regarded as the definitive version of FFE.
   
−
=== Subcategories ===
  
  +
Finally there is Pioneer which started in 2008 and is still (2021) being developed: link below.
   
  +
== More detail present on this wiki ==
  +
''Sub-Categories''
 
* [[First Encounters/Missions|Missions]]
  
* [[First Encounters/Missions|Missions]]
 
* [[First Encounters/Ships|Ships]]
  
* [[First Encounters/Ships|Ships]]
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* [[FFE Videos|Videos]]
 
* [[FFE Videos|Videos]]
   
  +
== Links ==
  +
[[File:FFED3DAJ.jpg|thumb|320px|right|Landed in the Laiobe system, as seen in the AndyJ version of FFED3D]]
  +
=== Internal ===
  +
*[[AFE_FAQ3#3.23.29|FFE entry from copy of Alt.Fan.Elite FAQ]]
  +
*[[AFE_FAQ3#3.23) Frontier: First Encounters (Braben, 1995)|Quirks of FFE as a game]]
  +
*[[Timeline]] Timeline of events that happen in the Game.
  +
*[[Frontier Fiction|Fan fiction]] set in the Frontier universe
  +
<br>
  +
''The Elite gaming family''
  +
*[[Classic Elite]]
  +
*[[Frontier]] (FE2)
  +
*[[Elite: Dangerous]] (E:D)
  +
*[[Lore]] & [[History]] for an overview of how Frontier/FE2/FFE have impacted on Oolite
   
  +
=== External ===
  +
''These sites cover both FE2 & FFE''
  +
* [http://alioth.net/ Alioth.net] - link to the other non-wiki part of this website (written by our host, [[Dylan Smith]]).
  +
* [http://www.dream-ware.co.uk/ Dream-ware] - a clutch of 5 different Frontier sites (Sirocco, Kelpie, R3, Longhaul & Mufossa).
  +
* [http://www.jongware.com/index.html Jongware] - focuses on the galaxy ([http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21019 the author died in November 2020])
  +
* [http://www.sharoma.com/frontierverse/index.htm Frontierverse - Frontier: Elite II Home site]
  +
* [https://pioneerspacesim.net/ Pioneer] does for Frontier what Oolite did for Elite. It so far has some 20-odd mods or oxp-equivalents.
   
 
[[Category:FFE]] [[Category:Factual]]
  
[[Category:FFE]] [[Category:Factual]]

Latest revision as of 14:53, 8 August 2021

Frontier: First Encounters
FFE small.jpg
Developer Frontier Developments
Publisher Gametek
Latest version 1.06 (Shareware)
Release date(s) Easter 1995
Platform(s) DOS
Windows

Frontier: First Encounters (most commonly abbreviated FFE) is the third game in the Elite Series by Frontier Developments. It builds substantially on its immediate predecessor Frontier and until the release of Elite: Dangerous was the last word in canonical Elite.

The game was originally released early, under pressure from the publishers Gametek, which led to an extremely buggy game. A patched shareware version can now be downloaded with most of the bugs fixed.

Features include:

  • Newtonian modelling for both ships and interstellar bodies.
  • Fully modelled stars and planets.
  • Ships from both its predecessors, as well as some new ships.
  • A set of journals representing the news as seen by each of the major powers. Many clues to the hard-coded missions can be found within these journals.
  • An overall plotline, which can be affected by the player completing the hard-coded missions. Not being mandatory, this can be ignored by players who prefer the freeform nature of the game, or can be completed for fame, notoriety and substantial material rewards.
  • A series of videos of people on the BBS requesting the randomly determined missions. They are renowned for their bad acting.

Analysis & Critique

It is worth perusing the analysis & critique over at Frontier as they apply equally to FFE (which inherited the issues discussed there). A list of bugs will be found in the links under quirks! Many of these have been ironed out by the Third Party enhancements below - and also by E:D which introduces other issues instead!

Third party enhancements

The overall popularity of First Encounters was greatly increased by the release of John Jordan's JJFFE, which allows First Encounters to be run natively in Windows.

During the summer of 2006, Kolijoco released a version of JJFFE called GLFFE, which uses an OpenGL 2.0 renderer, and includes new control console graphics - allowing FFE to be played in high resolution full screen.

Nic's Mod lowers the GLFFE's requirement from OpenGL 2.0 to OpenGL 1.2 and introduces some useful features, including a doubling of all planet resolutions.

Most recently, another refinement of FFE known as FFED3D has emerged onto the scene, featuring considerably improved graphics while still remaining faithful to the original game. This program is generally regarded as the definitive version of FFE.

Finally there is Pioneer which started in 2008 and is still (2021) being developed: link below.

More detail present on this wiki

Sub-Categories

Links

Landed in the Laiobe system, as seen in the AndyJ version of FFED3D

Internal


The Elite gaming family

External

These sites cover both FE2 & FFE

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