X-Wing Alliance Beginners FAQ

[Its Ronnie Time]

Recently got into this game and absolutely loving it. Thought I'd write up a quick FAQ, please reply with anything you feel should be added.

Do I need a joystick to play this?

No, you do not need a joystick, but it is recommended as the game was developed with joystick play in mind. The ideal setup is one hand on the joystick and the other on the keyboard (seriously), or one hand on the joystick and the other on the throttle.

Bear in mind, XWA uses yaw (left/right), pitch (up/down) AND roll (rolling on your sides in place) axes, just like in 6DOF games such as Descent and Forsaken. It is -much- more convenient twisting a flight stick than binding the function to the button when performing maneuvers. This was a huge improvement over the previous X-Wing/TIE Fighter games, which could not use the roll axis.

How is the difficulty?

Though the skirmish modes allow you to toggle on infinite ammo and invincibility for a more casual/arcade feel, It's nowhere near the caliber of difficulty and immersion of a traditional setup.

XWA is based around performing maneuvers, dogfighting, energy management and teamwork. This includes giving commands and following them to a T. Aside from the training missions and Battle #1, you will not get far just concentrating on enemy fighters.

Remember, at it's core, XWA is a simulator and a huge step up from games such as Rogue Squadron and Battlefront II (which also works with a flight stick and is still insanely fun). Not only can it be hard, it can be "1999 hard" as games from this era relied more on challenge to provide replayability. This was way before Microsoft made DLC a thing.

How are the controls?

X-Wing Alliance makes you use a keyboard for a reason - this is a sim, not an arcade game, and it gives you ALL THE BUTTONS.


For an idea of how the game's 30+ (yes, 30+) control bindings work, check out this PDF.

http://www.darksaber.xwaupgrade.com/archive/files/X-Wing_Alliance_Reference_Card_Printable.pdf

I personally use a joystick paired with a Razer Nostromo, but any keyboard or external keypad will suffice. Gamepads and X360 controllers work, but the experience is flawed and deadzone issues can crop up.

How do I get widescreen support?

Given the game came out in 1999, widescreen support is tricky. Thankfully the modders over at X-Wing Alliance Upgrade have released a fat pack upgrade that fixed the resolution, upgrades the textures and adds a LOT of new content.

You can download the upgrade here[www.xwaupgrade.com], called the XWA Craft Pack 1.3. This is also required for multiplayer as it is generally used among XWA enthusiasts.

What joysticks are ideal for this game?

As a beginner, I recommend either the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro[www.amazon.com] or the Thrustmaster HOTAS X[www.amazon.com].

The Extreme 3D Pro is a solid stick for the price, stays in place and is rather well built. Though it is missing a detachable throttle, the throttle knob at the base of the stick will suffice.

The Thrustmaster HOTAS X is the ideal entry-level flight stick for X-Wing and many other flight/space games. It's large, sturdy, and has its namesake detachable throttle. Not only does the throttle lend to the immersion factor of the game, the added buttons on the throttle make keybind management much easier.

More advanced flight sticks are available, but command hefty prices and features a casual user may not appreciate or even use. The extra buttons do come in handy once your acclimated to the games controls and gameplay.

Can I still play online?

Absolutely! Even though MSN Gaming Zone is gone, services such as GameRanger[www.gameranger.com] provide seamless connection between those who wish to play. GR is similar to past services such as MPlayer and Heat.net, relying on lobby/chat based matchmaking as opposed to server-based gameplay and automated matchmaking.

[Rontagosh]

Maybe have a modding related section in the FAQ

How do I install upgrades/mods (DSUCP)?
How do I install and use AlliED to create/play custom missions?
How to install custom opts (custom craft)?
How to share custom mission files? (done)

[Rontagosh]

Here's how to share custom mission files.

https://imgur.com/gallery/v5aEKbE

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to add. Paraphrase it as you will.
You can use most of this section to also explain some of: "How do I install and use AlliED to create/play custom missions?"

Below is a revised list from the picture.

1: Install AlliED and have XWA installed. (I use DSUCP 2.5)

1b: If using DSUCP, install updated shiplist and unzip updated shiplist; copy both files to the
AlliED folder

2: Open Allied, create a new mission, and design a mission

3: Save mission as 1b1m1allied.tie

4: Download and unzip XWA Piloteer. Load your pilot.

4b: Set the rank, rating, and medals to everything highest (on bottom of lists)

4c: Set the Current Mission to [Reserved One]

5: Ready to play. Mission is playable where you click normally for the campaign.

6: Share the custom map by saving the file as anything, to archive it.
Then upload your current 1b8m1allied.tie to an online archive.
To play someone elses map, if they also named it 1b8m1allied.tie ,
download it and overwrite your current file. Files can be exchanged via website(wiki), forums, emails, exe files / installers, etc.

[Sippio]

fyi The Thrustmaster Hotas X is dirt cheap.
i dont remember where i got mine but i got it online and for $18 bucks..

The problem is the cords are messy...but easilly ignored..
Esp when you bounce the fam for the weekend.
Destroy the sun by closing the drapes or taping some foil on windows in office/den etc.
Then just don't look at the clock the whooole weekend..
emmediately play youtube till cell battery dies and deal with mild consequences when she/they return......
Maybe you get lucky and they extend the trip ;)

[Rontagosh]

Originally posted by Steven.sippio:

fyi The Thrustmaster Hotas X is dirt cheap.
i dont remember where i got mine but i got it online and for $18 bucks..

I'm also using a thrustmaster. Thrustmaster T.16000 M (fcs) - I think i got it around 40 or 50? Even thought it's pricier, I highly recommend it, as I've had to throw away 20-30 dollar range joysticks away relatively quickly and actually lost more money going cheap.The 16000 works great and is durable.

[Sippio]

Originally posted by Rontagosh:

Originally posted by Steven.sippio:

fyi The Thrustmaster Hotas X is dirt cheap.
i dont remember where i got mine but i got it online and for $18 bucks..

I'm also using a thrustmaster. Thrustmaster T.16000 M (fcs) - I think i got it around 40 or 50? Even thought it's pricier, I highly recommend it, as I've had to throw away 20-30 dollar range joysticks away relatively quickly and actually lost more money going cheap.The 16000 works great and is durable.

agreed...i instantly regretted the Hotas cause it was PS3(along w/ PC).

i still haven't really been sucked into a single game using the Hotas...
i tend to always revert back to the XBox360 chrome controller..
~Even the xboxOne & the xbox1 Elite we're 2nd to the 360 imo..
one would think the xbox1 controllers would Trump the 360...
whatevs.

[Irrelevant]

I can't tell if I am being thick, but for some reason it isn't working with my joystick as I expect. I played through the entire story soon after christmas with my T16000m FCS joystick, and in the options I could bind the first twelve buttons to functions in game. I recently launched it (yesterday or the day before) and I could only bind 5 buttons, and I was also trying to get my thottle to work as well, so I used a TARGET profile to have both the stick and throttle as one input. This wouldn't register any input at all, and on the windows USB game controller settings, it turned out only 2 axis and one button on the throttle were working.

Can anyone suggest why it would be different with just the joystick, and anyone with experience with TARGET suggest why that wasn't working?

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any help you can offer.

[Rontagosh]

I also only have 5 options under joystick mapping, with the same joystick. Very strange! Looking into this...

edit: after re-plugging in my joystick, I was given the full options once again. Weird. I know it sounds odd, but maybe try plugging into different usbs and see what happens. Make sure your joystick is being detected in other words. I think 5 options come up when the joystick isn't properly detected - troubleshoot all joystick detection issues.

I can't help you much with your throttle, as I don't have one or have experience with TARGET, but I'll look into it..

just going to post a few forums and links that mention these things, I'm still reading them...

https://www.gog.com/forum/star_wars_xwing_and_tie_fighter_series/xwing_alliance_and_thrustmaster_hotas_fcs_t16000m

xwa only works with one input device, so i see what you're trying to do here.


edit 2: Possible solution?


"If the software included with the stick does not have a function to "unify" the two devices, then I think your best bet is to use vJoy to create a virtual joystick that emulates a single device by mixing the axis of the two individual ones"

http://vjoystick.sourceforge.net/site/

and

"You'll need to use the Thrustmaster TARGET software to set up a profile for the game which includes both controllers. When you activate the profile, it connects both physical devices into a single virtual device which will be seen by the game, and should allow you to use both stick and throttle together.
...
Thank you, It works nicely, I'm now able to use the throttle. I had to uninstall TARGET, install the drivers from the download area on the Thrustmaster website, the stock ones coming with windows were not working correctly. I mapped the throttle slider to the z-axis, disabled the slider on the FCS and that's it !"

Lemme know if any of this helps. If you're still having trouble, I'll look into it more.

Maybe the OP needs to add a section for connecting joysticks and throttles.

Also, for any issues related to this game, I recommend checking gog and xwaup forums.

[76561197981385274]

I use a T-flight HOTAS X too BUT with "vJoy" and "Joystick Gremlin". T.A.R.G.E.T. doesn't work with a HOTAS X.

Now my HOTAS X works on ALL axes and buttons PLUS I adjusted the sensitivity of the stick in the near center with Joystick Gremlin's clever tool.

My aim improved tenfold right on the spot! :-)

[sancho809]

Originally posted by Rontagosh:

Originally posted by Steven.sippio:

fyi The Thrustmaster Hotas X is dirt cheap.
i dont remember where i got mine but i got it online and for $18 bucks..

I'm also using a thrustmaster. Thrustmaster T.16000 M (fcs) - I think i got it around 40 or 50? Even thought it's pricier, I highly recommend it, as I've had to throw away 20-30 dollar range joysticks away relatively quickly and actually lost more money going cheap.The 16000 works great and is durable.

were you able to use the optional throttle made by TM?

[Rontagosh]

Originally posted by sancho809:

were you able to use the optional throttle made by TM?

I didn't purchase the optional throttle, and don't personally find it neccessary, but I'm sure it works fine.