Saitek X52 Pro F.S.C. Joystick&Throttle + X3 = ? - - (Any X52 P.F.S.C. + X3's Veterans here?)

[Falcon777]

Salutations to any Saitek X52 regular or Pro F.S.C. owners and Veterans of X3's(TC,R,AP):

I would very much appreciate your honest inputs on this base on your experiences with if you've own and used this particular joystic & its throttle to play X3's since I decided to retired my 2 other old and thrifty joysticks and fork out for a heavy duty one. Just waiting for its arrival. Your reviews, thoughts, and tips would be much appreciated on how it performs with X2-X3( no rebirth, plz )?

( Btw, I did well with joysticks playing X-wings/Tie, Privateers, WC's, but retired from sim for some yrs. Been using Logitech G15/13 & gaming mouse with other games along with space games since until I came back to space sim games like X-superbox to prepare for potential tryouts at that anticipated other space sim game with initials "S.C.")

- - So please feel free to give any feedbacks whether positive or negative experiences with using both together, so I can at least be mentally prepared for what's coming when it arrive in a couple days. And your experience and thoughts from using both together will help others maybe too shy to bother asking! - - Thanks Very Much in advance!

[Scottieboy]

I play X3AP with Saitek X52 (non pro) and the Saitek rudder pedals. if you go with the saitek x52 when you launch the game untick teh option to use the throttle (for some reason when this is ticked it assumes the precision slider is the throttle and not the actual throttle. Turning off this option resolves this). I have set up the rudder pedals for strafing, and the toe brakes for rolling. I took the time to use the saitek software to set up the joystick to how I want it (I only use mode 1) but I make use of the pinkie switch (it acts like a shift key and gives you a whole new set of buttons for that mode).

I honestly have no complaints what so ever about this set up. I was fighting a M7 in my own M7 (my fighters were in another sector defending another station of mine) I used the pedals to strafe around the enemy ship while keeping my speed down. Dodging the ships turrets and keeping in the blind spots I was able to take minimum damage (didn't drop below 80% shields) and destroyed the M7!

I Have the buttons on teh throttle set to things like, Auto pilot, boost extension, SETA and even com's. while the flight stick is more for weaponry, targeting with buttons for giving quick commands to Drones and wingmen (protect me/attack my target) I also have T1/T2 on the flight stick set to universe/sector map/

getting this setup wasn't cheap but in my opinion its miles better then sat using keyboard/mouse (not that there's anything wrong with Keyboard/mouse). Not really sure what to say about it (i'm not very good with reviewing things) but if have any specific questions about my setup i'm happy to answer.

p.s if you're new to the X games, some friendly advice: say goodbye to your friends/family/partner(s) :D

[Falcon777]

Much appreciates the heads-up, Scottieboy. I was doing steam search on Saitek and caught a brief talks on the first issue you mentioned. Thanks for confirming that control setup glitch.

Funny how because my other joysticks didn't give me enough buttons to create the 'shift' mode, which was why I opted to fork up for the SX52P.
-- So are you saying I'd need to get the foot "pedals" itself, too, for maximum optimization play with X3AP,TC? Rather, or did you meant the ones on the throttle itself that comes with the SX52 joystick?

And all the other funtionality tips you mentioned is what I had a rough mental pictures when deciding to finally go for SX52P.
The thing is, I had been using the Thrustmaster HotasX, and it's just not enough buttons, as well as it didn't feel durable with all the plastic parts and outershells. Didn't want to have a subconscious thought of needing to be delicate when using it.
Also, flying big ships with using G13/15 and gaming mouse if fine on some other games, but more agile little fighters type of pc games I prefer the 'cockpit' feels of using a decent PC gaming joystick.

I was also a bit curious to want and test the gaming mass on Steam to see how many uses Saitek for the X-games. I was alittle suprise not many feedbacks other than urself. Figured I'd get helpful reviews from at least a dozen players that must've own some version of saitek joysticks. Didn't think it matters, but maybe I should've post a Saitek thread on X3-T.C. as well to see?

Or it's down to the simple fact that perhaps more Steam users prefers( or just more accustomed to )the much cheaper and most used various types of "gamepads" gaming controllers. I mean, most probably plays XBoxe's/PS..etc to want to bother and fork up between 60-to-more than, say, 100-200bucks for any joystick whereas they can buy a bunch of games on Steam or whatnots instead, u think? I'd say that seems fair and to be the case for so little returns on this topic thead. Bit interesting..

And the last part you mentioned, for me, people close to me cost money when I go out, so I um... REALLY need to be homebound to save money to replace my car, anyway! LOL

Again, ThankYou VM for taking the time for giving indeph tips for use of SX52! It's very helpful!

[Scottieboy]

Originally posted by Falcon777:

Much appreciates the heads-up, Scottieboy. I was doing steam search on Saitek and caught a brief talks on the first issue you mentioned. Thanks for confirming that control setup glitch.

Funny how because my other joysticks didn't give me enough buttons to create the 'shift' mode, which was why I opted to fork up for the SX52P.
-- So are you saying I'd need to get the foot "pedals" itself, too, for maximum optimization play with X3AP,TC? Rather, or did you meant the ones on the throttle itself that comes with the SX52 joystick?

And all the other funtionality tips you mentioned is what I had a rough mental pictures when deciding to finally go for SX52P.
The thing is, I had been using the Thrustmaster HotasX, and it's just not enough buttons, as well as it didn't feel durable with all the plastic parts and outershells. Didn't want to have a subconscious thought of needing to be delicate when using it.
Also, flying big ships with using G13/15 and gaming mouse if fine on some other games, but more agile little fighters type of pc games I prefer the 'cockpit' feels of using a decent PC gaming joystick.

I was also a bit curious to want and test the gaming mass on Steam to see how many uses Saitek for the X-games. I was alittle suprise not many feedbacks other than urself. Figured I'd get helpful reviews from at least a dozen players that must've own some version of saitek joysticks. Didn't think it matters, but maybe I should've post a Saitek thread on X3-T.C. as well to see?

Or it's down to the simple fact that perhaps more Steam users prefers( or just more accustomed to )the much cheaper and most used various types of "gamepads" gaming controllers. I mean, most probably plays XBoxe's/PS..etc to want to bother and fork up between 60-to-more than, say, 100-200bucks for any joystick whereas they can buy a bunch of games on Steam or whatnots instead, u think? I'd say that seems fair and to be the case for so little returns on this topic thead. Bit interesting..

And the last part you mentioned, for me, people close to me cost money when I go out, so I um... REALLY need to be homebound to save money to replace my car, anyway! LOL

Again, ThankYou VM for taking the time for giving indeph tips for use of SX52! It's very helpful!

The footpedals I mentioned can be seen here: http://store.gameshark.net/PRO_Flight_Rudder_Pedals_by_Saitek/3257/173
They are optional, I didn't buy them until a couple months after buying my SX52, With the button configuration I have on my joystick I don't have Strafing or Rolling configured. granted the default motion set to the joysticks twist function is the rolling of the ship but for a more "natural" feel, I opted for the toe breaks on the rudder pedals. With the lay out on my desk, my Joystick/Throttle is in front of my keyboard, and I have to sit forward to reach my keyboard (i like to lean back and casually fly, I do however lean in during more intense battles) so having strafing controlled by my feet helps keep my hands on the joystick/throttle, rather then trying to push keys on my keyboard and use the joystick. How ever that is down to personal preferance. (i'm yet to talk to someone that has the pedals so I am unable to compare experiances).

As for not having enough buttons, the SX52 has 3 modes, and when you hold down the "pinkie" button, it gives you an extra set of "buttons" per mode. So in total you have 6 modes! While for the price I paid (for me it is alot of money) I tend to treat all my gaming equipment with respect I do not have the feeling that i'm about to snap it like a twig, and from what i've heard from other Saitek customers, their products are pretty robust (I seen a review of a SX52P, the guy owned it for at least 3 years and it was still working as if new) The pedals again are sturdy but are deceptive, they look as if they're made from cheap plastic, again how ever they are strong and theres no worry of being too heavy footed!

I've spoken to a small handful of people that use the Saitek joystick on steam for X3TC/AP maybe because of the holiday season they may be busy, but yes to get a true level of feedback its always worth a post on the Egosoft forums! Before I got my Saitek, I did use a cheaper £20/30 joystick, this was a big step up for me, I originally got it for Rebirth but I wont mention that complete and utter fail...So i'm glad it works so well for TC/AP!!

[Falcon777]

The back lever-type button on the Saitek throttle( I called it he "throttle-hooters" lol)I either used as rudders(or rollings), in place of foot pedals since I'm somewhat like you. I like to stretch legs under desk. I have had the 'blackwidow' joystick in past, but it was a little weird to get that "impact" sensation just solely on your right hand and not also get that rock-around-in-ur-seat like in the old arcades-setup, if you've experienced that before as a kid, am sure. So I got rid of that bw stick quick.

Never used the foot pedals before since I'm not that into the whole 'flight-sim' "realism" to that degree, unless someone I know maybe wins the lotterry and buys me the whole bit with the gyro-spinning, hydrolic-operated sim chair to boot, too!..lol. Am thinking, unless you got an old barber-chair or dentist-chair kinda chair/pedal/cockpit-feel setups in front of your gaming desk, I'd imagine it might've first felt like you're driving a bus istead of flying?..heheh..

But seriously, I'm sure I'm going to employ that "pinkie" button the same for modes switching, too. Seems logical there. The rest, I'll just have to initial trial tesk and dink around a bit to get the "PPS touch", or personal-prioritizations-setup.

But the fact that I need the Saitek is also the ease of direct programmings for initial-setups it has that I remembered when I had the X-45years ago. Formerly, I used xpaddle to help with the soon to be retired Thrustmaster-HotasX, but there's just not enough buttons on it to work with for X3's, first of all. And moreover it's being more delicate than, say, a Saitek brand joystics. Yeah, like you, I was thinking going for 'cheap' first to 'get by' mentality. You really have to already like and admired a game enough to submit yourself to buying any pricey joystick - period! Guess in itself, I just gave my reviews of X3 games.

And I've watched enough indeph-reviews of XR on youtubes and read enough on various gaming site reviews beforehand for some weeks now since around its releases to heed their "experiences" and warnings to avoid that X version like a plague. The characterization models looks like it's still in alpha stage, as well as the rest of the other downside issues.

Btw, off-topic of post, but have you used either the XRM mod or even the simple "cockpit" mod(not the IMP one I talked about on other thread) with any of the X3's, or do you prefer the Steam-stand-alone version? Just curious, iydmm-asking? Thanks again, Scottieboy!

[Scottieboy]

Originally posted by Falcon777:

The back lever-type button on the Saitek throttle( I called it he "throttle-hooters" lol)I either used as rudders(or rollings), in place of foot pedals since I'm somewhat like you. I like to stretch legs under desk. I have had the 'blackwidow' joystick in past, but it was a little weird to get that "impact" sensation just solely on your right hand and not also get that rock-around-in-ur-seat like in the old arcades-setup, if you've experienced that before as a kid, am sure. So I got rid of that bw stick quick.

Never used the foot pedals before since I'm not that into the whole 'flight-sim' "realism" to that degree, unless someone I know maybe wins the lotterry and buys me the whole bit with the gyro-spinning, hydrolic-operated sim chair to boot, too!..lol. Am thinking, unless you got an old barber-chair or dentist-chair kinda chair/pedal/cockpit-feel setups in front of your gaming desk, I'd imagine it might've first felt like you're driving a bus istead of flying?..heheh..

But seriously, I'm sure I'm going to employ that "pinkie" button the same for modes switching, too. Seems logical there. The rest, I'll just have to initial trial tesk and dink around a bit to get the "PPS touch", or personal-prioritizations-setup.

But the fact that I need the Saitek is also the ease of direct programmings for initial-setups it has that I remembered when I had the X-45years ago. Formerly, I used xpaddle to help with the soon to be retired Thrustmaster-HotasX, but there's just not enough buttons on it to work with for X3's, first of all. And moreover it's being more delicate than, say, a Saitek brand joystics. Yeah, like you, I was thinking going for 'cheap' first to 'get by' mentality. You really have to already like and admired a game enough to submit yourself to buying any pricey joystick - period! Guess in itself, I just gave my reviews of X3 games.

And I've watched enough indeph-reviews of XR on youtubes and read enough on various gaming site reviews beforehand for some weeks now since around its releases to heed their "experiences" and warnings to avoid that X version like a plague. The characterization models looks like it's still in alpha stage, as well as the rest of the other downside issues.

Btw, off-topic of post, but have you used either the XRM mod or even the simple "cockpit" mod with any of the X3's, or do you prefer the Steam-stand-alone version? Just curious, iydmm-asking? Thanks again!

I did have the cockpit mod that the XRM guys issue (they have different ones, I picked the one that kept the gravidar and couple of other features) it added a tint though which I didn't like. After a while the tint annoyed me so I removed the Cockpit mod altogether. it's a shame, not having cockpits is one of the biggest con's for X3TC/AP in my opinion! i've said in a previous post, it feels like you're just sat on the roof!

The Actual XRM I have yet to use, My first few playthroughs have been with just the official bonus pack (it keeps the game vanilla, and adds some nice content) as I am achievement hunting, how ever within the next few days I'll be backing up those saves and adding XRM and a few other mods, MARS goes well (so I hear) with XRM! As i'll have backed up my saves, if I wish to go back to vanilla game to continue to get those achievements I can do so!

XRM makes the game 10x harder! but add's loads of content, i'm excited to try it out! I'm also looking for the mod that lets you buy the orbital platforms! (these seem much more effective at defense then the deployable laser towers) and the M0 Valhalla (that ship is sex on steriods and then some!) MARS also improves the AI controlling the turrets, I also believe that the AI swaps the weapons in the turrets (assuming you have them in your cargo bay) depending on teh situation, e.g flak weaponry for fighters, anti-cap weaponry against cap ships etc. if you don't have the official bonus pack, its defiantly worth looking into.

[Falcon777]

Thought I read on that 19pages on XRM mods on the cockpit patch there was a 'non tint' one added version. Guess I remember wrong. I'll go without it first once I apply the Saitek use. It'll be my last mod add on.

As for XRM, now that I read your little more indeph viewpoints on it, I don't mind starting hard from the getgo since I'm playing X3-"catchup". I'm just trying to gather enough research informations on XRM's for X3's if it's bugs-free-stabled. Meaning, in that respect, am lazy, as in I don't like to be mods-swapping initially to have to keep mental track of what mods have what. I would like to get used to what's most favored by most X3 vets as far as top-must-have mods first and stick with that for some months dedicated play first, at least. So basically I just want that majority consensus whether it's safe to mod-over-vanilla with XRM for all X3 versions.
And, btw, I think they heard you and the other X3 vets clearly that's why they emphasized on having cockpit looks baxk on X-Rebirth -- that I saw.

So, whenever you have that total top listing of "must-have" mods to use for all X3 fans, new or old, please list them here if you would, at your convenience, please feel free. Thanks so much for those last inputs. I'm going to try your mods recommendation.

~Have a great 2014! Thanks again~

[Scottieboy]

I've just installed XRM + MARS i'm about to test them!

When looking at the XRM page you will see some "Addons" I have also added:
Hull Multiplication pack High
Backgrounds pack
Docking computer ware size fix for CODEA (might add that mod later so the fix is in place in advance)
MARS Data file (I've installed MARS also)
Advance universe pack.

Looking further down the post, there are some suggested mods that go well with XRM, I have made a list of what caught my eye there, plus some other mods that have caught my eye else where in the forums. Here's a list of their links, and i've included the title of the mod

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=255379 --- Logain Industries Production Modules
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=324152 --- XRM RECOMMENDED - Marine Repairs (and training) v2
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=304158 --- XRM
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=270139 --- Global Friend Foe Upgrade
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=254149 ---Logain Industries Light Support Drone Carrier (LSDC)
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=226623 --- Apricot Mapping Service Scrips (NOT FOR THIS - Use for PHQ/Outpost stations)
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=311048 --- Yalamandis Corp. Ship construction
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=217470 --- MARS
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=221081 --- Mobile Ship Repairs
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=251776 --- Automatic Money Transfer to Station
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=248959 --- Equipment Research and Development
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=3441026#3441026 --- Universal Banking "The Financial Revolution Continues"
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=223953 --- Ship killed notifications
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=281671 --- XRM RECOMMENDED - Logain Industries Freight Distribution Network Lite
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=243791 --- XRM RECOMMENDED - Overtake Sectors
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=255640 --- XRM RECOMMENDED - Logain Industries Capital Ship Energy Cell Generator
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=221059 --- XRM RECOMMENDED - Salavage Commands & NPCs (Automated collect missiles from around the universe)

http://xdownloads.co.uk/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&Itemid=6&view=view.download&catid=66&cid=920&lang=en --- XRM RECOMMENDED - LazCorp Claim Sector

I've not installed any mods other then XRM and MARS so i'm not sure what those other mods are like (other then reading a quick description), these are the mods that acaught my eye based on what i'd like to get out of the X3AP game, take the banking mod for example. It gives you the ability to save your credits in a bank account and earn interest, you can also take out loans and sell off factories! Only thing i'll say is when installing mods read the instructions carefully, some mods require other mods to work, and some mods work even better when installed along side other mods!

If you don't have the (official) bonus pack this is the link! http://www.egosoft.com/download/x3ap/bonus_en.php

This link: http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=216690 has a post containing (alot) of mods, this is the post I used to make my list of desired mods from, there's a strong chance that theres alot more mods out there then i've seen, but for now the list i've made myself is sufficient for my own needs.

Lastly, I was given this link for another source of mods: http://x.nexusmods.com/mods/categories/
how ever when I went on the site it didn't work for me, but i'll include it for you just in case.


From what I understand XRM and MARS are stable and very popular! as for the other mods, I guess thats down to player discresion!

[Falcon777]

Thanks, Scottieboy,
for taking the time to put this up for not just me but potential other new X-players. I'm sure when any new players comming into the X gaming world, especially if they were disappointed with XRebirth, they'll be likely withdrawn to former X world to fill that empty void of disappointment.

And the first thing they'd want to know is what's available that's STABLE, especially after their bad experience with XR, so a list of known and reliable good mods from any X3 vets for them is helpful to "equip" them properly.

For instance, the thinking being( at least for me, anyway) is that all the pioneering players of X-X2-X3's played through the series long enough and probably even a few times over, and therefore already knows well off what the game is "missing", so to speak. So the new X-players getting your mods recommendations will have a narrower list to look at. Egosoft.com is very helpful, of course, but the site itself can possibly be daunting for newbees into the X-universe. Just on the "XRM mod" alone there has 19pages of reading? Really? Dang, they just want to play the bloody game with maybe some essential ingame tuturials, not do research to take an X3-101 Egosoft Universe college courses!

So again, thanks for the spreadsheet listing of your recommended mods! Much appreciated, on the behalf of new players that may do, say, a 'search' for "Saitek" controller on steam, as well. lol

-- You know, I really wish someone in that site egosoft.com did a comprehensive, colored, branching out tree charts of all relevant mods or such sort. That would be helpful, since you mentioned "some mods need certain mods to work..." I remember having played STO, where someone did a 'tribble breedings' chart that branches out detailings the branching of family, class types, traits, etc.. etc. It was super helpful. Oh well, looks like I'm signing up for the X3-101 course there, anyway. --

I appreciate your last comment about XRM/MARS. Yes, I think I'll do an XRM and perhaps MARS since the keyword is "stable" for starter X3players. If the majority of the veteran players trusted and approved what they experienced in those mods, then new X3 players like myself will much appreciate them, too. Thanks again!

(Oh, btw, I thought getting the X-superbox( atm, forgot if I had bought it from amazon or here at steam. ), and the thinking was it was better deal and, if anything, I have all the bases covered if I run into any 'you must have this or that before you can play etc..' thinking )

[Scottieboy]

Originally posted by Falcon777:

Thanks, Scottieboy,
for taking the time to put this up for not just me but potential other new X-players. I'm sure when any new players comming into the X gaming world, especially if they were disappointed with XRebirth, they'll be likely withdrawn to former X world to fill that empty void of disappointment.

And the first thing they'd want to know is what's available that's STABLE, especially after their bad experience with XR, so a list of known and reliable good mods from any X3 vets for them is helpful to "equip" them properly.

For instance, the thinking being( at least for me, anyway) is that all the pioneering players of X-X2-X3's played through the series long enough and probably even a few times over, and therefore already knows well off what the game is "missing", so to speak. So the new X-players getting your mods recommendations will have a narrower list to look at. Egosoft.com is very helpful, of course, but the site itself can possibly be daunting for newbees into the X-universe. Just on the "XRM mod" alone there has 19pages of reading? Really? Dang, they just want to play the bloody game with maybe some essential ingame tuturials, not do research to take an X3-101 Egosoft Universe college courses!

So again, thanks for the spreadsheet listing of your recommended mods! Much appreciated, on the behalf of new players that may do, say, a 'search' for "Saitek" controller on steam, as well. lol

-- You know, I really wish someone in that site egosoft.com did a comprehensive, colored, branching out tree charts of all relevant mods or such sort. That would be helpful, since you mentioned "some mods need certain mods to work..." I remember having played STO, where someone did a 'tribble breedings' chart that branches out detailings the branching of family, class types, traits, etc.. etc. It was super helpful. Oh well, looks like I'm signing up for the X3-101 course there, anyway. --

I appreciate your last comment about XRM/MARS. Yes, I think I'll do an XRM and perhaps MARS since the keyword is "stable" for starter X3players. If the majority of the veteran players trusted and approved what they experienced in those mods, then new X3 players like myself will much appreciate them, too. Thanks again!

(Oh, btw, I thought getting the X-superbox( atm, forgot if I had bought it from amazon or here at steam. ), and the thinking was it was better deal and, if anything, I have all the bases covered if I run into any 'you must have this or that before you can play etc..' thinking )

Superbox is trhe way to go that way you have them all! and if you ever fancy going back to the older games, they're there. Not sure if it is still current but buying the superbox got you X3AP for free (I had the superbox before AP was released so I got it for free, it may have changed since though) As far as i'm aware the only "you must need this to play this" requirement is X3AP needs X3TC installed to run, as its a sort of standalone expansion.

Glad I could help though! most of the X-steam community are pretty helpful, I've asked many questions as i'm still learning alot about X, and they usually get answered promptly :) Good luck!

[Falcon777]

Scottieboy,
I check my X-Superbox purchase and it was from amazon on late November 2013. I noticed you said somewhere on another thread that if you want the X3-TC/AP Bonus expansion, and you got X-SuperBox (not from Steam) you should ( not ) have to do anything else, but rather leave it alone? Is that true? If yes, what did you mean by that, as in the Egosoft community Mod "XRM" Bonus pack is already installed? Would you mind clarifying and specifying what you meant?
I have an account in egosoft.com forum for a couple weeks, and I read up on XRM a bit. Wanted to know what you meant before I pursue some XRM and MARS downloads. Sent an inv, hope you don't mind. Don't want to keep going off topic too long on this thread. lol TnxAgain & ttyl

[Scottieboy]

Originally posted by Falcon777:

Scottieboy,
I check my X-Superbox purchase and it was from amazon on late November 2013. I noticed you said somewhere on another thread that if you want the X3-TC/AP Bonus expansion, and you got X-SuperBox (not from Steam) you should ( not ) have to do anything else, but rather leave it alone? Is that true? If yes, what did you mean by that, as in the Egosoft community Mod "XRM" Bonus pack is already installed? Would you mind clarifying and specifying what you meant?
I have an account in egosoft.com forum for a couple weeks, and I read up on XRM a bit. Wanted to know what you meant before I pursue some XRM and MARS downloads. Sent an inv, hope you don't mind. Don't want to keep going off topic too long on this thread. lol TnxAgain & ttyl

The bonus pack is a free official expansion,
For X3TC you can get it from:
http://www.egosoft.com/download/x3tc/bonus_en.php
And for X3AP:
http://www.egosoft.com/download/x3ap/bonus_en.php

This expansion contains some mods/scrips made by some community fans, as it's released officially installing this expansion keeps the game "unmodded" and vanilla, so you're able to get achievements if you wish to do so.

As for what you're asking about a previous post of mine, do you have the name of the post? or the link so I can read up on what I wrote - other wise i'm not too sure what it is I was trying to say.

[Falcon777]

Those 2 bonus links you put up above I had downloaded over a week ago( along with the /x3 reunion bonus pack, as well ), but just not yet install them untill I fully set up my Saitek controllers that's arriving later today. That was the plan. Then Am going to test out X3-TC/AP for some hours to maybe few days playtest to see how it runs first without issues on vanilla mode. Once it looks stable enough without crashing or such, I'll then check out some mods from this 19pages link:

http://forum.egosoft/viewtopic.php?t=304158 <--- Please check this out and tell me what you think, especially from 3 of 19 thru 6 of 19. If you got the time at your convenience, that is. Thanks!

From this link, there's a few headings I would like to bring to your attention on, if I may, and I'll mention a few here starting from 3 of 19: And note the year on some of these are over a yr or 2, which concerns me to wonder if it'll be a problem to bother with them?

-- Hull Multiplication Packs ( Updated 02.10.13 )
Here, there's 3 choices from - LOW, -MEDIUM, and -HIGH. And am not sure what its purpose are, as in the player chooses the strength of hull for both themself and their NPC's hull to mean the difficulty level of taking out a target? High means more shots needed to breach his hull, so on and so forth?

Next, there's the:
-- Cockpit Packs ( Updated 30.09.11 ) Hmm.. that's a little over 2yrs ago, and am not sure if it's current enough to try, since the 2nd and 3rd choices are vairations of 'NO tints'. And the 3rd choice is with HUD Info put back in.

Brought this up to you to see if you've tried this since I read you don't like the tints shown.


A few others below that of note and is interesting to me to consider using later on, perhaps, namely... "Backgrounds Pack - Updated 22.05.13, XRM Backgrounds Pack v1.02; Docking Computer Ware Size Fix for CODEA - Updated 16.05.12; MARS Data File - Updated 28.11.12, MARS Data File for XRM v1.27; XRM Maps - Updated 10.05.12, XRM:Albion Prelude Map, XRM:Terran Conflic Map; and then XRM Names.


Now, the next part( below the above listings) are guides for "Terran Conflict Installation Instructions" and "Albion Prelude Installation Instructions", which am hoping to get a visual video tuturial guide from Youtube about this part( if they exists) because it's hard to follow when one aren't too sure what "fake patch" or reference to dat/cat numberings, etc. So a video tuturial or someone breaking down those 2 installation instructions guide into laymen steps to follow would be very nice and helpful. Otherwise, it's a tough, new challenge for anyone not having done scripting/modding work before, like moi! lol

Then right below them is the "Steam Installation -" part that reference a technical recommendations that I'm trying to decipher to "english" to undestand what I'd need to do exactly.
So if you know well and done that sort before, and can break 'em down in easy steps in almost laymen's 'english" terms, or know a link that shows a video tuturial on them, I'd very much appreciated. Either way, thanks the same for whatever you can suggest because one way or another I'll get to the bottom of all that. Just gotta keep chisseling to come to that point.

{ P.S., I almost forgot to answer your last question from your last post above. The post you inquired about was from a thread by someone else that tittled it: "MODS QUESTION" under this X3-AP Discussion tab we're talking from.
Here, I'll just quote it for you to see for convenience sake:

" Scottieboy Dec 20 @ 10:40am

http://www.egosoft.com/download/x3ap/bonus_en.php

http://www.egosoft.com/download/x3ap/bonus_en.php

The bonus pack is official so leaves your game unmodded "


--- ( So what exactly, or how did you mean by this? Was there suppose to be an "it" or the word "just" maybe were suppose to be inserted between "so" and "leave"?
Yes, I understand the bonus pack is official as in it's recognized and approved long ago by egosoft for what the x-fans did in helping put together the bonus mods, but the second from "so..." is what I'm not sure your reference to mean, if you can please clarify that, as well? }

[Scottieboy]

Sorry for delay in reply, been a bit busy.

Where I said about "The bonus pack is official so leaves your game unmodded" . If you wish to play in vanilla for either the achievements, or for what other reason, installing the bonus pack keeps the game official, and vanilla. the save games don't get tagged as modified so you're still able to work on achievements and the game is still classed as vanilla.

Hull multiplication packs - You're right it does increase it for all ships, so it's not only harder for you to be shot out the sky, its harder for your enemies to be shot out of the sky! for me personally, I like long(ish) battles. Nothing worse then trying to go get a bounty and find that the sector's military has already dealth with them (bye bye 4mil bounty). So i've installed the high hull pack. The amount added depends on the ship, while all ships get their hull increased, M5's (Scouts) won't get much of an increase as a M1 (Carrier)! The Hull pack's are optional, its up to you. if you like the way the combat is in XRM you can leave them out. The beauty about this add on is, it's activated in the game itself through the script editor (so it needs to be activated each time you start a NEW game).

Cockpit packs - I personally wanted the one with all the HUD info, and the gravidar minimap, unfortunatly that meant it came with tints, the ship I was flying at the time was a Argon Griffon Sentinal (M7) it had a blueish tint to it, i'm not sure if other ships types (or even other races ships) have different colours. If it's race ship colours i'm guessing Boron may have a green tint, and split maybe a red tint - just guessing based on the ships colours. I removed the pack though as the tint bothered me a little. The cockpit packs may have been updated a long time ago but they do work. They're the cockpits off of X2 so they're a bit dated and don't fit in (another reason I took them off)

For the optional extra's, I installed the Backgrounds pack (not noticed a difference but I thought it would be best to install it). The Docking Computer ware size fix for CODEA - I installed as in the future I may wish to install CODEA, having docking computers set to S doesn't seem like a bad thing to me personally. Same for the MARS Data File, I installed that as I was intending to install MARS.

I'll try to answer the installation "tips" as best as I can, i'm no expert but I managed to get things working. As for the steam installation tips, as far as I can understand the way they recommend to install it their way is incase the game under goes a automatic update. The automatic update would interfear with the modded version. What they recommend is to install a new copy of X3AP to a seperate folder on your PC but not within steam folders, and then download the .exe file on the egosoft site that lets you play the steam X3AP without the need to use steam. you then add the mods you want to this "second" game, when/if steam updates X3AP it won't edit your modded version. One warning they give you is that "both" of those games your steam and copied version share the same save folder! so if you're running a modded save, be sure to play it in your modded game, and your vanilla saves in your steam vanilla game.

What I did (and its up to you if you do it this way) is just installed the mods into my steam folder and kept the one copy of the game, my reason for this is that Egosoft have announced that they are done with X3TC/AP. so unless something game breaking happens I don't see Egosoft releasing any patches. If in the event it does happen and the game gets broken, I'll just back up my saves, uninstall X3TC/AP and just start again.

I believe there is tutorials on installing mods and what "Fake Patch" means on the forums, I never looked into them as I had a rough idea of what to do. i'm not very computer savvy, but I managed to get it working. The key is to read up on the instructions carefully (that may sound patronising but I don't intend for it to be so, I have a habit of trying to read things fast, and I miss key notes!)

Assuming your steam files, and steam games are installed to the default location they will be installed to a path similar to this "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\x3 terran conflict" inside that folder you will see some files near the bottom labled 01 02 03 etc, and another type of files that are 01.dat 02.dat 03.dat. 01 and 01.dat are linked to what ever it is they do!

If you click on the folder "addon" you get some more fles, and again some 01/01.dat files. this folder is X3AP.

for me in my X3AP folder, I had 01-04 01.dat-04.dat by default, so when I installed XRM i started at 05/05.dat. I forget what the files in XRM was called by default but the way to match it is looking at the icon pictures the 01 02 03 etc looks like to me a box with several peices of paper stood up in, the .dat files are a blank page.

usually installing mods is just as simple as copying over the cat/dat files into the right folder and renaming the files to a new 2 digit number, if the last file there is 04, you start at 05 etc. some mods have other folders that need to be added in, they explain (usually) where those folders need to go, if you get a prompt asking if you want to copy exisiting files, usually you click yes - but again read instructions.

when reading the instructions for mods it may say "if you have XRM installed you need to" and it will say whether their cat/dat files need to be higher or lower then XRM, if its higher, and your XRM is 05 then just make sure that new mod is 06 or higher!

I might be incorrect as I didn't read up on this, but I believe "fake patch" is when you install a mod using the plugin manager, this installs mods automatically and assigns new cat/dat numbers based on what is already in your folder.

I added in a notpad file in my X3AP folder leaving notes for me telling me what each cat/dat is, because two years down the line (well more like two days) i'm not going to remember what 05 is! so i've just included the number and mod name. By default I had 01-04 already, XRM for me is 05, with a couple of addons for XRM and MARS i'm up to 11. I've not even added the rest of the mods I want to yet, so I imagine that it can get long fast.

So just to clarify (again i'm likely wrong) Manaual installation of a mod is when you copy the files into the proper place yourself, and rename(renumber) the cat/dat files yourself, and adding any extra items to where they're needed. This is useful as you can choose what numbers go where. when the game loads it loads the files in order, so if a mod needs to load before XRM you can change all your numbers so this is so! using the plugin manager is fast, you can trust it getse done correctly but it just continues the cat/dat files from the last one made, so your unable to control where it goes (however you can adjust at a later date if need be)

That link for the forum page you asked me to look at isn't working at this time, i'll check back later to check on it for you.

I'm not very good at explaining things so I recommend reading up on the forums if you get stuck, I did see in my passing links for tutorials but I never read up on them. and i'm sure Youtube will have some videos (youtube seems to have everything)

Good Luck

[Falcon777]

Much Appreciative, Scottieboy!

I've actually installed mods on another game called "FTL" on my macbook a few months back, so am not totally lost from reading those instructions from the forum at egosoft.com, BUT having someone else who's got experienced in X3-AP break it down those "egosoft-instructions" to 'normal' talkings helped tremendously!

And wherever you indicate you're "not sure", it just means I have a smaller "researching" windows to have to deal with after this on that egosoft forum, which would be the ones I will focus on to get answers for when I come to that point.

For any first timer on this game in the future like me, and on steam, will want to look around for 'controller' like say the Saitek, and after reading my beginner articulated questions, and your articulated answers - will at least get some rough ideas where to start in all this since they will know 'what's out there' as options since Egosoft no longer support X3-series for quite some time now.

All I've been doing in my mind while having first read your 'breaking down' translations of that link I asked you about was, 'Ahh...I see.. I get it now.. Oh...hmm...Ahh, Ohh...' Yep. Very helpful for me to have a friend break down those egosoft.com tech-jargons for 'beginner' both on X3 and for first knowing how to 'READ' their computer "engineering" talks there. Now your talks helped me to translate other reading materials there. You've helped more than you know.

I'll definitely will re-read this later again for sure, and will print it out to refer to it for further guidance when I "shop" for answers at that egosoft forum community(efc) site the next time!

Again, thanks for helping me know how to 'read, interprete, and understand' their instructional languages there at efc about incorporating mods to this game, mate! Much much appreciated!

[Carlsberg]

Just thought I would throw my 2c's on the controller, I have an X52 Pro that is about 3yrs old. I think its one of the best controllers on market for flight sims. I have played X series on it and currently use it for X3TC and X3AP, Also Microsoft Flight and Hawx and some others, works trouble free with them all, pricey but good value because its well made and it lasts. Before I got new controllers about every8/10 months because something in them always failed, not this one.

PS, I just thought I would add this. I have a pull out keyboard drawer on my desk and I secure the controllers to it using the holes in the controller corners, they don't move.