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Like Lord_Kane said, Anarchy levels are Multiplayer-specific. Basically anarchy is a mode where there are no robots and all the players are just fighting each other. I believe some older versions of Descent (and/or level editors) wouldn't allow a level to be made without a reactor, so many anarchy levels have reactors even though they're never used (and they may not have exits).
So Descent Series is coming to GOG.com soon again? Thanks.
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A_Future_Pilot: Like Lord_Kane said, Anarchy levels are Multiplayer-specific. Basically anarchy is a mode where there are no robots and all the players are just fighting each other. I believe some older versions of Descent (and/or level editors) wouldn't allow a level to be made without a reactor, so many anarchy levels have reactors even though they're never used (and they may not have exits).
Having a reactor in the level also allowed for a player to basically end the "round" and start a new one with fresh kill counts. I believe you could also queue up a number of different levels so it was a way to end the round and move on to the next map.

I know this message is old, but just putting in my two cents as Overload was recently released, which is basically a modern version of Descent developed by the original creators of the game!

So I've been bitten by the Descent bug now and I recently bought the old games to play again, although I'm having an issue with the original Descent, in that I can hear the game start up and the sounds are there, but my screen is just a solid green. Any tips on how to fix it?

EDIT: I've just fixed my screen problem. All I had to do was edit the dosboxDescent.conf file and change the output from overlay to
output=opengl
just to note, in case others have the issue and it may help, I'm on windows 7 and the issue usually gave me a green screen, but one time my screen went blue. Basically, if you can hear the game sounds but get a blank screen, try just editing the dosboxDescent.conf file to have output=opengl and see if that works.
Post edited June 09, 2018 by p_k
Are you using Rebirth or DOSBox?
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A_Future_Pilot: Are you using Rebirth or DOSBox?
I was just using Descent bought from GOG, using dosbox.
Hi guys,

this weird thing happens to me, either in window mode or in full screen: image.

With D2X Rebirth (v0.59.100 as seen in the window title). Everything else runs ok, from all my multiples tests in the first level...

Anything obvious I'm missing?
Attachments:
3mn9rxh.png (89 Kb)
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eyeliner: Anything obvious I'm missing?
That looks like the PhysFS 3 regression: https://www.gog.com/forum/descent_series/robot_briefing_and_end_of_level_cutscene_not_displaying_correctly
Thanks, my piloting friend. I shal test the option provided
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eyeliner: image.

With D2X Rebirth (v0.59.100 as seen in the window title).
Your screenshot says you're using a post-beta1 snapshot from April. According to the comments in the Github issue mentioned in the other forum thread, recent snapshots of Rebirth (starting sometime in May) have a change that mostly mitigates the PhysFS regression. Vertigo movies need a fixed PhysFS, but main mission movies should be fine with a recent enough snapshot.
Again, much prise to you, my flying companio, but I was under the impression that I was running the latest build.
Fret not, I shall soar the corridors soon enough and give a test flight.
It looks like you are running the newest build. The newest "Weekly" build on the official website is from April, and matches what you posted. All the later fixes must be unreleased.
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A_Future_Pilot: OK, I'm making this topic to try and answer many first time (or returning) Descent players' questions in one place. I'm going to try to get this topic stickied if I can...

1) I just bought Descent from GOG. What do I need to know first?
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The first thing is to download "The Definitive Collection". (This is how D1 and D2 were originally sold) here.
It includes the Descent Mission Builder 2 for D1 and D2 and the "Levels of the World" collection for D1. It also includes the Vertigo expansion pack for D2.

The next thing I would suggest any Descent player do is download a source port. There are two source ports in existence now: DXX Rebirth and D2X-XL
To see some information on both of them (and to see the ridiculous flame war that happens every time they're brought up in the same topic) look here.

For the Rebirth Windows installer see 4. For info on Rebirth on Mac see 5.

2) OK, I understand that everybody uses a source port these days, but I just really want the original experience [with bugs and all that jazz]...
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In that case by all means use DOSBox. Be forewarned, however, that there may be issues with getting it to run optimally on modern systems.

3) I'd like to build levels for Descent. How do I do that?
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You'll need a level editor. The two original editors used were the Descent Mission Builder 2, and DEVIL. You can download the DMB2 from the link in question 1 and you can download DEVIL (and many other useful development tools) here.

Both of those editors have been ported and improved for modern systems.
The DMB2 port is called DLE-XP and can be downloaded here.
The DEVIL port is called SDLDevil and can be downloaded here.

There is one other level editor that is in the works, but probably won't be ready to be used for a while: a built in editor for DXX-Rebirth. It's in pre-alpha stage right now though, and not at all usable.

4) I tried installing Rebirth, but I'm not sure where to unzip the files or where to copy what files. What should I do?
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You can download a .exe installer for the latest official release here.
It will fully automate the install process for you.

5) I have a Mac and I'm not sure how to get Rebirth working
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The location of the data files are in "Descent (1 or 2).app/Contents/Resources/game/Descent (2).app/Contents/Resources/Descent (2).boxer/C Descent (2).harddisk/"

For a bit more detailed tutorial see here

6) THIS #@%! THING DOESN'T WORK!!!
OR
I have an issue with Rebirth, or the installer, or a level editor, or something else related to Descent. Where can I get help?
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Well for general Descent help, you can post here and I'd be more than happy to help if I can.

Rebirth and SDLDevil share a forum for help or bug reports here.

The D2X-XL and DLE-XP forum is here.

If you have an issue with the installer, you can post in its thread here on GOG.

7) How do I fly this thing??
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Well here a couple links that may be helpful:

Various Control Configurations

General Descent Flying Tips

8) I have another question that you didn't answer!
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Feel free to post below and I'll help if I can! :)
Hi, I downloaded Rebirth for Mac and the original game (Descent 1) from GOG. I created a new folder on my Applications and copied the Rebirth files and the .hog & .pig from the original game. But when I try to open D1X Rebirth I get the Error message " Error: Could not find a valid hog file...". I already tried to rename the files using lowercase.
I've made two patches for those who want the original Descent experience untouched by source ports.


Descent 2 v1.2 DOS No cd and no ship bobbing patch

https://archive.org/details/d2_dos_nobob


Descent 2 3Dfx v1.06b DOS no cd and no ship bobbing patch for DOSBOX ECE (Enhanced community edition)

https://archive.org/details/d-2-3dfx-b-nocd-noshipbob

Dosbox ECE

https://dosboxece.yesterplay.net/
I have Descent 1 and cant figure out how to switch from keyboard to my new joystick. can anyone help with this? I'm running a Lenovo computer with win 10 os. My joystick is a Logitech extreme 3d pro. During set up of the game I got asked about using keyboard or joystick. I didn't have the joystick at the time so I chose keyboard and now I cant seem to get back to that screen. Can anyone help with this matter?
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1953tinman: I have Descent 1 and cant figure out how to switch from keyboard to my new joystick. can anyone help with this? I'm running a Lenovo computer with win 10 os. My joystick is a Logitech extreme 3d pro. During set up of the game I got asked about using keyboard or joystick. I didn't have the joystick at the time so I chose keyboard and now I cant seem to get back to that screen. Can anyone help with this matter?
Go into the settings and choose Joystick