Descent

Descent
General
Author(s)	tueidj
Type	FPS/Combat
Version	1.0
Links
Download
Peripherals

Introduction

Descent was originally released by Parallax Software in 1995. It was the first game featuring a full 3D environment (before Quake) as well as gameplay that allowed six degrees of freedom and multiplayer networking that allowed players to join and leave at any time.

Game Setup

The resource files from a registered copy of Descent (updated to v1.5) are required. The required files are called DESCENT.PIG and DESCENT.HOG and must be placed in the /apps/descent/ directory. The resource files from the shareware version or the "Destination Saturn" release are not suitable. The game will perform checksum verification at startup to make sure they are correct. If you purchase "The Descent 1 and 2 Collection" from Good Old Games you can be sure the files will be correct (and you get Descent2 as well, which may come in useful at a later time...).

Music

Descent originally used midi music and the wii has no midi hardware. However it can play the songs by using timidity-compatible instrument patch files such as those found at the Freepats project. Once you have a patch set copy the .cfg file you wish to use to "/etc/timidity/timidity.cfg" on your SD/USB drive and put the patch files in "/usr/local/lib/timidity". Alternatively MP3 files can be used, by placing them in the music subdirectory and renaming them appropriately. The "readme.txt" file in that directory contains the list of required filenames. If you bought Descent from gog.com you can use the MP3 files from the "descent_soundtrack.zip" extra download. Not all the MP3 files need to exist, any that are missing will use the midi songs instead (which will be silent if there are no instrument patches).

Controls

The in-game controls are fully configurable from the Settings/Options menu. Each input option (Wiimote/Nunchuk/Classic) has its own individual profile. If the game doesn't seem to be responding correctly check that the current input option selection matches the controller that you are trying to use. The classic controller may require manual calibration since it doesn't store any calibration data internally. Hardcoded keys for menus are as follows:

		Action
		Move mouse pointer
		Select/Enter
		ESC
		Up
		Right
		Down
		Left

Multiplayer

Soon, but not yet. It will be compatible with Dosbox IPX emulation so you can play vs. PC opponents.