Multi Player Mission 1 - Dogfight Mode "Dry-dock Scramble"

Many players requested a "deathmatch" feature, which time constraints prevented from being added to the original FreeSpace. Volition responded in FreeSpace 2 with the new "dogfight mode" which allows pilots to engage other pilots without the distraction of AI-controlled targets, wingmen or mission objectives. This style of play will be familiar to most gamers -- get a target in your sights and shoot it. Hopefully, you'll take something down and win a "confirmed kill" in the free-for-all.

The dogfight can handle up to twelve different players, allowing only human participants in the dogfight. A "leaderboard" is displayed on the HUD which shows the names of the top three pilots, the number of their kills, and their hull strength. A summary of the results will appear at the end of the mission, which can be limited by time, by number of kills, or continue until the players leave the game.

To provide some excitement and provide a point of reference in the dogfight, the demo dogfight battle surrounds a capital ship docked to a circular space station. Aside from having another opportunity to see the vast difference in scale between fighters and capital ships, this design creates for some excellent opportunities during the dogfight to fly in, around and between the space station and capital ship. This is an excellent place to retreat while heavily damaged, to set up a trap for the unwary and to camp while launching volleys of missiles at other ships.

The dogfight also allows the player to try out all four ships included in the demo. The ships vary from the fast GTF Perseus, to the heavier GTF Hercules Mk. II, the fast bomber GTB Loki and the heavy bomber GTB Zeus. The ship variants here are all modified for balance, and almost every battle I played consisted of almost all fighters with the odd bomber thrown in for target practice. Pilot strategies vary widely. Some pilots will choose to "stand while firing at each other" in a sheer battle of endurance, aim and shield/weapon allocation. Some will engage in "high-speed chases with wild maneuvers" that rely on speed and maneuvers. Others will keep moving in a "circle of death" where one or more fighters will chase each other in circles attempting to get the best angle to get in their own shots without getting hit. A few will engage in "jousting" where each fighter will approach the other head-on from a distance, firing at each other with missiles and cannons in the hope of knocking the other down before falling themselves.

Dogfights have been well-received, as shown by the number of people always looking for a dogfight match on PXO. It's definitely great with five or more pilots in the same battle. The competitive play of the dogfighting mode will likely be heavily used by squads and aces in their individual duels to see who is the "top gun" in the FreeSpace community. It will likely also be a favorite for those who are new to the FreeSpace, but familiar with the joys of deathmatching from certain other first person shooters.

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