X3 Albion Prelude Just Released on Steam

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:41 pm

For anyone who plays the X series. X3: Albion Prelude was just released. This game is the bridge between Terran Conflict and X Rebirth which is coming out in 2012. Players are reporting massive battles between the Commonwealth of Planets and the Terrans.

If you own the superbox then Prelude is free on steam, otherwise there is a small cost.

See the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ7z1HVonUM

[Edited on 12-15-2011 by Knight Rider]

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:21 pm

That looks sweet.

I never tried the X3 series, so a stupid question if I may.
Is it cockpit view when flying (like EM)?
What kind of physics is involved (IDS/Inertia)?

Thx for sharing.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:36 pm

From post: 121164, Topic: tid=8227, author=SeeJay wrote:That looks sweet.

I never tried the X3 series, so a stupid question if I may.
Is it cockpit view when flying (like EM)?
What kind of physics is involved (IDS/Inertia)?

Thx for sharing.

There's no cockpit view in Albion Prelude, I think there may be in X-Rebirth coming up in 2012. As far as the flight physics in Albion Prelude, I know it's not the same like here in Mercenary, but, you can have a lot of fun flying and engaging in battles, I do. It's a different experience, that's why I like Mercenary and X because i get a variety. Now with this release, it gives you a taste of what's to come in X-Rebirth. Here's the trailer for Rebirth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LabrDe4XJo0

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:40 pm

Very nice prelude. I like the feeling of sitting in a cockpit and being in control of your ship in a freeform way though, I'm not a big fan of adventure role playing games!.....

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:54 pm

From post: 121172, Topic: tid=8227, author=Maarschalk wrote:Very nice prelude. I like the feeling of sitting in a cockpit and being in control of your ship in a freeform way though, I'm not a big fan of adventure role playing games!.....

In the Trailer, it shows you one way of finally blasting that Ring around Earth..

:D:D:D

But then again...The Terrans didn't take it to well.

:D:D:D

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:34 pm

Yes, I was thinking about that, but your not getting another clue out of me!....Now where is that....Oooops....

:P:P:P:P:P:P

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:00 pm

From post: 121163, Topic: tid=8227, author=Knight Rider wrote:If you own the superbox then Prelude is free on steam

Free?! You got my attention! And bingo! I happened to have bought that Superbox some time ago. Let's see if I can find it somewhere.
If I remember correctly, I don't think you could play X3 online, could you? I wish they would finally change that for the next version...

~ Viper.

mikeuk · Post by **mikeuk** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:29 pm

Looks nice but I prefer cockpit view, you need somewhere to put your drink and sandwiches.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:38 pm

From post: 121192, Topic: tid=8227, author=mikeuk wrote:Looks nice but I prefer cockpit view, you need somewhere to put your drink and sandwiches.

Don't let that stop you, if you like adventure roleplaying, every game has it's pros and cons.

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:49 pm

Is anyone familiar with this Steam crap? Albion Prelude is installed and runs, but it seems it automatically runs through Steam. I'd like X3AP to run normally without Steam interfering. Any ideas?

~ Viper.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:40 am

From post: 121202, Topic: tid=8227, author=Viper wrote:Is anyone familiar with this Steam crap? Albion Prelude is installed and runs, but it seems it automatically runs through Steam. I'd like X3AP to run normally without Steam interfering. Any ideas?

~ Viper.

Hi Viper...It's only available through steam at the moment, but, you can log into steam and click offline mode, and you will be disconnected from steam, and it won't interfere unless you enable the online mode. You only use the online mode for the steam achievements.

[Edited on 12-16-2011 by Knight Rider]

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:46 am

I was a huge X beyond the frontier and X tension game fan. But I noticed in time, X series are not a space flight sim! It is some kind of strategy game, role playing game...

No cockpit, no inertia, no freedom, no online gaming. And I am not a fan of conflicts that X3 has been given us.

This is my personel thoughts, yes I respect other guys who like X series...

"Only graphics" and "1000s of new scripts" , it is not my style of game!

[Edited on 12-16-2011 by warsign]

Post by **Marvin** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:47 am

Most of the X-series games offer modded cockpits ... otherwise you can fly in what amounts to a minimum cockpit, similar to EM's mini-HUD.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:36 pm

From post: 121234, Topic: tid=8227, author=warsign wrote:I was a huge X beyond the frontier and X tension game fan. But I noticed in time, X series are not a space flight sim! It is some kind of strategy game, role playing game...

No cockpit, no inertia, no freedom, no online gaming. And I am not a fan of conflicts that X3 has been given us.

This is my personel thoughts, yes I respect other guys who like X series...

"Only graphics" and "1000s of new scripts" , it is not my style of game!

I think I can give a pretty good overview of the X series since I've played since 2004.

I started with X2 The Threat, Reunion, Terran Conflict, now Albion Prelude.

I also now have the X Super Box with all the games plus the Encyclopedia which includes X Beyond the Frontier, their first game, then X Tension. I'm looking forward to giving those a go as well.

As far as having no cockpits, X2 had cockpits but for some reason they were taken out during the later titles, but, like Marvin said, they have tons of Mods to add on cockpits. I understand in the 2012 release of XRebirth cockpits are making a comeback.

From what I hear, you will also be able to walk around your ship.

As far as no online gaming, there is a running debate between players whether they want it or not.

I think the biggest reason it keeps getting shot down is because each players game is unique to them. Online gaming may be a plus for some, but to most of the players over there, they just want to sit in their sandbox and create their ultimate gaming experience.

You said no Freedom?

I got a chuckle when you said no Freedom, that is the #1 draw for thousands of fans who flock to the game. It's Freedom with a Capital F.

As far as no inertia,

yeah it may not have the true flight mechanics in that sense, but, I read arguments on the X forums from a lot of players, who thought it would spoil their overall gaming experience, they voted it down, time and time again in a running poll.

As far as the conflicts,

like you said, it's a personal choice. To be honest, I'm not big on the conflicts either, at least from the start.

I like to start just by exploring and doing my own thing, so, there's no interference in that respect, when I'm ready for a story line plot or side plot, I just look for the Icon and trigger that plot, if I don't want to be bothered I don't.

So no, you do not have to be part of any conflicts unless you want to.

As far as it being a role playing or strategy game, again, it's your game, if you don't want that experience you don't have to have it.

It's your sanbox, you play it however you want.

Now my love for the Evochron games is a whole different vibe, and I could fill up another thread telling you everything I love about the Evochron Series, I'm on my third game.

For me, there's room to love both, that's why when we have a new Evochron release, I'm one of the first to announce it on the X Forums, because I want X players to have the Evochron experience over here.

When I hear on the X forums, players griping about no planetary landing, I say, "hey..have you tried Evochron Mercenary, and it starts there.

Believe me, I have to do a whole lot of convincing to get them to come over here. They are just as loyal. The first thing they want to compare are the graphics, I argue back, yeah, but, the graphics are really good in the Evochron games, and there are things you can do in Evochron that you can't do in X, and so on.

So...to sum it up, it is a personal choice, but, as a Space Sim Fan in general, I feel we have to support each other, and get the word out on any new releases.

It helps us by giving us variety and it helps the developer of the games to get new fans.

So... I wouldn't be so quick to shoot X down because for every reason you give for not liking it, I can counter with every reason why you would.

And if I was on the X forum I would give them the same reasons to love the Evochron Series. I think both are just that good.

[Edited on 12-17-2011 by Knight Rider]

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:52 pm

Very well spoken, sir!

~ Viper.

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:09 am

Nice post Knight Rider.

I'm more of a simulator dude (hence my questions up there) but your "review" of
the X-series convinced me to give it a go and check for my self.

I will get that one as a X-mas gift to myself.

Thanks,
SeeJay

Rubber Chicken · Post by **Rubber Chicken** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:09 am

The trailer looks impressive for sure. I may pick it up once I get a few more Ducats to spend on fun things!

I will say however, that when I found EM I was looking for a space sim type game with Inertial Flight in mind before I knew EM existed. The flight dynamics for X3 might be a hard sell for me.

Is there any way to get demo time for X3?

sundalo · Post by **sundalo** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:34 pm

Two words from experience playing the x series is "business simulator" particularly the trading aspect, which I find daunting, and the space combat is mediocre at best not the white knuckle thrill that evochron provides.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:32 am

From post: 121457, Topic: tid=8227, author=sundalo wrote:Two words from experience playing the x series is "business simulator" particularly the trading aspect, which I find daunting, and the space combat is mediocre at best not the white knuckle thrill that evochron provides.

Naaah...That's not accurate. There are 2 tracks you can take in X, Business Mogul or Fighting Overlord.

The ranks are set for each. If you are into combat you can achieve rank such as fighter, Assassin, Battlemaster, Conqurer, etc., If you are into building a Trading Empire, you can gain rank such as Dealer, Entrepreneur, Fiancier, Mogul, etc.

If you are going to share what X is about please be objective and not bias. When you are bias, you only see what you want to see, and if someone who is new to X reads this they would only get half the picture. I know many players that play just for the combat, and want nothing to do with building an empire.

Try cruising through a Xenon Sector or taking on a Khaak Swarm and tell me if that's not white knuckle enough for you.

If you look at some of the videos on you tube, you can see some hard core battles.

To say X in two words is a Business Simulator is only telling half the story.

To say X is a Business and Combat Simulator would be hitting it dead on.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:28 am

From post: 121590, Topic: tid=8227, author=Knight Rider wrote:Try cruising through a Xenon Sector or taking on a Khaak Swarm and tell me if that's not white knuckle enough for you.

It was enough. Salvation came in the form of a mass driver ... but, being cheap, I had to make every bullet count.

sundalo · Post by **sundalo** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:47 am

My apologies knight rider, Im just used to mercenary after being away from x series for a long time, and never really grasped the mechanics to enjoy the game as others have.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:36 pm

I quit X because I really didn't like flying from box to box. It was like playing chess, Charles Dodgson style.

Dingo · Post by **Dingo** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:51 pm

From post: 121631, Topic: tid=8227, author=Marvin wrote:I quit X because I really didn't like flying from box to box. It was like playing chess, Charles Dodgson style.

+1

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:19 pm

From post: 121631, Topic: tid=8227, author=Marvin wrote:I quit X because I really didn't like flying from box to box. It was like playing chess, Charles Dodgson style.

So no out of the box thinking in X? You can always try Y or Z...

:P

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:08 pm

3D chess. But not the kind Kirk and Spock played.