			Capture the Flag by warhawk

This mission was originally intended for multiplayer games over the internet or lans. However, I have not been able to find people to test out the multiplayer team vs. team level with me, so I am releasing this single player mission first. The multiplayer version is almost done and once it is tested and I feel it is bug free I will release it.


What can the player expect in "this" capture the flag level?

This is not like other capture the flag levels out there. This level is modeled after the original game. Both teams have flags and both teams are trying to capture the enemys flag before theirs is captured and prevent the other team from doing the same. During gameplay the events will basically unfold in the folowing manner:

Both teams warp in to the playing area. They both have the objective of capturing the enemys flag (cargo container) which will warp in a few seconds after gameplay starts. When the enemys flag is found you call in reinforcements (freighters) to capture the flag and take it back to base. The enemy will probably be doing the same unless they are concentrating on taking out your freighter before calling theirs in so they dont have to worry about protecting it yet. If your freighter makes it back to your base it will warp out with the enemy flag, your team will score 5 points and a new enemy flag will warp in. Another freighter will be available to attempt another score as well. If it is destroyed en'route, the flag is dropped where it was destroyed and you may, at your discretion, call in another to take the flag the rest of the way to score. Once both teams have exhausted their supply of freighters the game is over and players should warp back to base for debreifing. During debreifing the score of both teams will be noted so the winner can be identified. 


Strategies:

There are several strategies that may be adopted while playing this level. It is very dynamic. Gameplay is complicated at times and many things are happening at once. Here are some facts and ideas:

1. When a freighter is called in to capture the enemys flag it will always warp in at a distance of 150 meters from the wing leader. This allows for carefull placement of the valuable three freighters that each team posesses. Until a previous freighter is sucessfull in scoring or is destroyed the following one will not be available. There are also three flags to be captured each appearing after the previous one has been captured.
2. There are two base ships (orion class battlecruisers) one for each team. They are 6 kilometers apart. When the flags warp in they will always do so 2400 meters, in any direction, from the base ships. This means the path that the game follows will always change from game to game. Getting to the flag quickly and calling in your freighter is important.
3. Once you call your freighter in, you are bound to protect it. If you have played it smart you can leave the freighter alone so you can attack the enemy without compromising the freighters security (for a short time anyways).
4. Most importantly, constant contact with your wingman is essential in this level. YOU must coordinate the entire strategy for your team. When is it time to attack? When is it time to guard you freighter or flag? When is there just too much action going on to call in a freighter because it would be destroyed quickly? All of this is up to the wing commander, you. If you're off destroying the enemys freighter then your probably not near the enemy flag and calling in a freighter is not a good idea so far from the flag.
5. One reinforcement fighter wing is available during the game. However, once called upon they will continue to arrive in sucessive waves when needed.

and much more.......

When the team vs. team game is done it will be, in my opinion, a great spot for clans to duel. You've got dogfight action, escorts, and a high degree of organization going on all at once. Hope you enjoy it ;-)

The sound files for the single player game will be the same ones used in the multiplayer version to save hard drive space and download time. All files with "cbreif" in their name should be put into the Freespace/Data/Missons directory. All files with "capflagb" in their name should be placed in the Freespace/Data/Voice/Breifings directory. All files with "capflagd" in their name should be placed in the Freespace/Data/Voice/Debreifings directory. All other files should be put into the Freespace/Data/Voice/Special directory. 

any comments(good or bad)/suggestions should be sent to davereid@engin.umich.edu

Thank you for trying out "Capture the Flag by warhawk"

