Star Wars Dogfighter started as an attempt to make a simple, fun multiplayer version of 'Roids originally entitled Roids Arena. Where in players would fly thier ships around a giant arena and blast eachother. Initially, there would be three ships to choose from: heavy assualt, the classic ship and a light fighter, all were models taken from Qtank :(

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Over time I reluctanty, and only at the urging of several people I knew added "Star Wars mode" that replaced the ships with Star Wars counterparts (initially just X-Ying or TIE). I made the promise that if enough models could be made or converted for all kinds of Star Wars ships the entire mod would go Star Wars. That eventually did happen. 

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A lot of the original Roids Arena concept remains: the power control system that confuses so many people is one such element. Also, the ships are still defined in classes for each side, but this was done more to make balanced gameplay than anything else. 

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Getting good gameplay for this mod was one of the hardest things to do - the rules just seemed to make the action "flying around in circles in the void of space, fighting your turn speed so you can shoot the other guy". I worked hard to make the gameplay varied and different by including homing weapons and ground vehicles, but the only (slightly) original concept never made it into what was released: BaseWars. 

<p>BaseWars would be a mode where the mapper would define a bunch of vehicles on the map. My test map for example, which was not included, was a snowwy terrain with several AT-ST walkers at one end, a hanger at about the middle with a few Y-Wings and a large Rebel shield generator at the other (made from map brushes). 

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The Imperials could select the AT-ST and that AT-ST would become theirs. If shot or killed, the could reselect another AT-ST until all were either used or destroyed. The game ended when either all the Y-Wing bombers, the shield generator or all the AT-STs were killed. 

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Again, the "Alpha" that was released DOES NOT include the mode, sadly it doesn't even include the proper, functioning version of the tutorial map that was intended to teach you the sometimes rather confusing concepts of the game. There is still fun to be had however, as you can play deathmatch with literally hundereds of bots - creating a massive and chaotic space battle. 

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A custom engine written by Tomaz is included. that makes it all possible (and beautiful!). The following link will take you to <A href="http://telejano.berlios.de/wiki3/index.php/SW:D">Tei's Wiki entry for the mod</A> (which contains a link to the download folder, <a href="http://www.inside3d.com/frikbot/swd/">http://www.inside3d.com/frikbot/swd/</a>). This wiki entry is extremely useful, as it gives additional information on how to play.