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The Force Engine is a free and open source game engine reimplementation for Star Wars Dark Forces, with upcoming support of Outlaws. The latest release version 1.08 adds Linux support!

Here's all that's changed in the 1.08 release:

  • Changed "activated" to "toggle" to better match existing cheat messages.
  • Fixed a HOM issue in Executor.
  • Added a proper FPS counter which can be enabled in the graphics menu.
  • Renamed "energy" to "battery power".
  • Official Linux support added.
  • Updated the README with Linux build and run instructions.
  • Removed the unique 3DO model limit.
  • Fixed font rendering bugs (lack of language-specific symbols) due to using signed 8-bit characters instead of unsigned.
  • Dark Forces menu shortcuts now work correctly for different languages.
  • Fixed the Gamorrean Guard attack delay - they were attacking much more often than in vanilla.
  • Fixed the Sewer Creature attack and search delays, they were slightly longer than vanilla (meaning it attacked less often than it should have).
  • Midi selection in the Sound menu now works correctly.
  • The Escape menu now uses the correct palette, fixing issues with some languages and mods.
  • Fixed a crash when a WAX did not have the appropriate animation in certain areas of the AI code.

Currently it seems Linux users need to build it from source and the actual build instructions aren't in the readme, so I've asked if they can add more detailed instructions for people. Perhaps also someone can get it put up on Flathub to make it even easier (and then get it simple on Steam Deck too).

Check it out on GitHub. You do need the data files which you can get from GOG.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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19 comments
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dziadulewicz Feb 7, 2023
Quoting: KlaasI've looked through my Steam purchase history and I bought the Steam version of Dark Forces on 1 Jan 2011 in preparation of the then soon to be released first engine recreation by the same author. Then feature creep happened, then life happened and the massive engine was abandoned. I'm very happy that we finally have a real release.

Congratulations, Lucius.

Yep, only a flatpak or a snap package for easy installation for everyone remains We're not in the Linux of the 90s anymore!
x_wing Feb 7, 2023
Quoting: Klaas
Quoting: x_wingClone the repo, create a build dir and run cmake/make.
Most projects build a debug build when you do not specify -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=release, i.e. cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=release.

Forgot to mention, they are setting -O3 in the optimizations, which generates an error when I try to run the optimized binary. With -O2 the issue is gone (modifying the CMakeLists.txt is required), but keeping the debugging symbols for such an old game won't hurt.
ElectricPrism Feb 7, 2023
Let me know when someone makes a AUR PKGBUILD and I'll give it a spin.

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages?O=0&SeB=nd&K=force+engine&outdated=&SB=v&SO=d&PP=50&submit=Go

I used to know a original modder of this game way back when. It's always exciting when old games get de-compiled or have new engines with new possibilities.
WMan22 Feb 8, 2023
Eagerly anticipating the Luxtorpeda implementation and Flatpak version.
rcrit Feb 8, 2023
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Quoting: WMan22Eagerly anticipating the Luxtorpeda implementation and Flatpak version.
This won't be added to Luxtorpeda as they are avoiding reverse engineered ports.

https://github.com/luxtorpeda-dev/packages/issues/816


Last edited by rcrit on 8 February 2023 at 1:22 pm UTC
Botonoski Feb 8, 2023
I'm almost inclined to say that Linux users are spoiled these days but... Well, you know I like being spoiled, I do not miss the days of having to compile a large portion of my software from source, and having to go on a dependency hunt or recompile any time I updated or switched my distro. Some software being such a headache to get compiled that I still keep the resulting binaries around as trophies, depite them not working on my current system for one reason or another.
WMan22 Feb 10, 2023
Quoting: rcrit
Quoting: WMan22Eagerly anticipating the Luxtorpeda implementation and Flatpak version.
This won't be added to Luxtorpeda as they are avoiding reverse engineered ports.

https://github.com/luxtorpeda-dev/packages/issues/816

Ah well, perhaps I can simply settle for a flatpak version.
Cyril Feb 10, 2023
Quoting: ElectricPrismLet me know when someone makes a AUR PKGBUILD and I'll give it a spin.

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages?O=0&SeB=nd&K=force+engine&outdated=&SB=v&SO=d&PP=50&submit=Go

I used to know a original modder of this game way back when. It's always exciting when old games get de-compiled or have new engines with new possibilities.

Here it is dude:
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/theforceengine
Avehicle7887 Feb 16, 2023
Version 1.09 just got released 12hrs ago.

If anyone's interested I can attempt to provide a portable pre-compiled version
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