The best of space freeware

[Stargazer]

Greetings, all carbon-based lifeforms!
I am Stargazer (also known as Stargazer_2098), and I am new to the Eidos boards.

Since I'm a sci-fi fan, you will most probably meet me in the boards for the sci-fi games (StarTopia, Deus Ex), but I will also be on this general topic-board.

Since this is my first post here, I would like to present what I belive is the three best and most famous sci-fi and space freeware products, which I belive deservers more public attention.
My intention with this post, is both to promote these products to the Eidos community, and in the same time become more known with its members.

I realise that this is not directly assosiated with Eidos, but since this is a general topic page, I guess it's ok.

Now lets get on with it:

This thread is created to present the best and most revolutionery space-related freeware products that exists today.
If any of you have/know any product you would like to add to the following list: just drop in a post.
Remember that this list is about freeware products; that means the products presented are all free for download.

Now here's the list:


1) Alessandro Ghignola's Noctis IV
- A unique space-exploration simulator, casting the player into the role of an Felisian (cat-like aliens) Stardrifter.
In Noctis; you are a member of the Lost Generation; the decendants from the outher rim explorers that found the Felisian homeworld destroyed by an unkown hatred.
Almost the entire Felisian species had disappered of the face of the universe, only the Lost Generation remained; left alone in the darkness of space.
After having searched for several Epocs, trying to find a trace of their species; they turned back to become Stardrifters. To explore and map the Feltyrion galaxy, to prospect for science and knowledge, and to find within the vast expance of cosmos: the salvation of their species...
Tough Noctis may not have the best graphics around, the technolgy used is still impressive and extremely revolutionery.
For the first time ever in the history of sci-fi gaming; players can explore and map an entire galaxy with over 70 billion stars and land on and explore a near-infinety of worlds.
Noctis is 100% Freelance; the player is free to go anywhere, and do anything.
It is constantly updated with the weekly StarMaps that is containing the latest stars discovered by other players.
But above all; Noctis uses the best (and maybe the oldest) gaming-engine ever known: our fantasy.
For which, Noctis deserves to be put on the throne as the best and most unique freeware space-game ever.
With the coming of the long-anticipated Noctis V (to be released this december/late 2002), Noctis is about to set a totally new genre in gaming!


2) Martin Schweiger's Orbiter
- The most accurate and realistic space-sim that exists; Orbiter sports the best nevtonian physics engine ever released to the public.
The graphics are near perfect, and so is the atmosphere.
Orbiter has no aliens; no beam cannons, nor any story-line, it is simply a real time nevtonian physics and space-flight simulator; in which you can travel to any of the 9 planets (and most of the most-known moons) of the Sol system, by using metods such as gravetational slingshots; aurobraking, and much more.
This simulator is highly open and modifiable for any addons and user developments.
Orbiter is an actual candidate for being the Best Freeware Game of the Year in several computer magazines.
For its excellence and many revolutions; Orbiter deserves the secound place in this list; as it is one of (if not the) best Space-Flight simulator to date.

3) Chris Laurel's Celestia
- Though not an actual game, but an highly-revolutionery 3D-planetarium package.
Since its freeware, it deserves a place in this list as one of the best Freeware space-products that exists.
With Celestia, you can go to any of the planets in the Sol-system, and beyond into almost 30,0000 stars, some of them with more fictional worlds.
You can even zoom all the way out from the milky way, and view some of the closest galaxies.
All orbits are of course Keplar-correct, and with internet accsess to astronomy and space-pages, Celestia can give you lots of usefull informations.
Ever wondered how the sky looks like from Proxima Centauri? Now you can find out...

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Thats the end of the list, for now...

And remember to visit the official forums for each product. Most development information can be obtained from there.

Also; if you have a question about Noctis V: you may want to visit my unofficial Noctis V FAQ
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I now look foreward to getting better known with this board and the community.
Tough I will be a lurker most of the time, I will also post at some occations.


Stargazer.

[Data]

Welcome Stargazer

Having studied the schematics for 'Orbiter' I am downloading the data now. Thank you for the links.

Data.

[CatSuit&Ponytail]

Welcome and thanks fo the list. I have them downloaded.....now I just have to find time to enjoy them.

[Xcom]

Welcome to the forums.

[Data]

Orbiter is excellent, in fact it is almost Microsoft flight simulator in its design. I shall 'endeavour' to become a shuttle pilot.

[mulder]

Thanks Stargazer...and welcome to the forum.....

On my way to dl these.......

[AmO]

Welcome to this forum Stargazer

[Stargazer]

Thanks for all the welcomes.

I hope you will all enjoy those simulators.



Stargazer.

[Driber]

welkom

[the_internet_king]

hi there

nom sing dur kapoor, stargazer

[KoolKat]

Welcome to the Forums, Stargazer.

The links are great, many thankyous to you.

I like your name.

I'm currently downloading the game, Alessandro Ghignola's Noctis IV. I'm particularly interested in the cat-like aliens.

As you can guess, I love cats and kittens.
Do you?