X3: Terran Conflict

Overview

X3: Terran Conflict is part of a series of space simulation games set in the X universe, created by Egosoft. It was released on Oct. 17, 2008, and is a full standalone expansion to X3: Reunion. With it comes improvements to the engine, graphics, and gameplay, as well as a new plot. It is considered an entirely new game despite the term expansion that is applied to it.

Some features included:

• Over 100 new ships with new weapon systems and ship classes
• A new faction known as the Terran who inhabit earth
• New user interface
• New missions
• Boarding parties
• Missile Frigates
• Non Player corporations
• Flight wing groups
• The Sol System can now be traveled to.
• Improved Graphics

Gameplay

The Gameplay in X3: Terran Conflict is open ended. It does have a main plot, but you can choose when to do the missions, or you can create a custom game and not go through the plot at all, so you really do have a sense of freedom in the game. You have many options. You can fight against enemies, and build yourself an empire, you can trade with other npcs to make money, and you can build factories and hubs to further expand your resources. The world of X3 is open to you, the player. The gameplay is based on four main premises, Trade, Fight, Build and Think.

Trade

You will be able to trade with other races while docked at factories, trading centers, or other in space hubs. Trade is a big part of the X Universe as it keeps the economy going. The economy is a dynamic economy based on supply and demand that is always changing. What might be in demand one day will not be another time, so you must look at what is needed to be a successful trader. You can soon be able to build your own trading empire fit with your own factories, supply and transport ships, and buyers. NPC ships will compete with you in the trading sector, so you must make sure to hold an upper edge.

Fight

The X Universe is a hard place, and if you don't take the fight to the enemy, they will take the fight to you. Whether it be pirates, the occasional criminal, or a Xenon sector invasion, you will be on your toes. You will be able to gain rank with factions by helping them, and the higher up you are in the ranks, the more they will help and benefit you. As you gain skill, you will be able to build a fleet of ships, and eventually, if you wanted to you can create your own Empire.

Build

You have the ability to build factories, mines and hubs in X3. You can start developing your empire by building factories and complexes to increase your resources and fulfill your needs. You can spread your corporate influence to gain new technology from different factions, while improving trade rank with those factions. You can create chains to supply everything your fleet needs to make weapons, goods, and ships themselves.

Think

The X Universe is full of many hidden things for you to explore and discover. You may find treasures, and riches. There will be many decisions you will have to make such as where to build a factory, or what goods to trade. You can set up headquarters as a base of operations and from that you can reverse engineer all the different things you find on your travels where you can later produce them.

Races

Argon Federation

Boron Kingdom

Paranid

Split Dynasty

Teladi Company

Xenon

Kha'ak

Terrans

Yaki

Pirates

Corporations

Atreus HQ:

Race: Boron

Location: Queen's Harbour

Unique/Rare ware: Jumpdrive

Duke's Haven (HQ):

Race: Paranid (rogue/unaffiliated)

Location: Unknown Sector 10, 16 (South of Heaven's Assertion)

Unique/rare ware: Software Signature Scrambler/Cargo Bay Shielding

Jonferco HQ:

Race: Argon

Location: Belt of Aguilar

Unique/rare ware: Bioscanner/Transporter Device

NMMC HQ:

Race: Teladi

Location: PTNI Headquarters

Unique/rare ware: Nividium

OTAS HQ:

Race: Argon

Location: Legend's Home

Unique/rare ware: Jumpdrive/Salvage Insurance

Plutarch HQ:

Race: Argon

Location: Ore Belt

Unique/rare ware: Nividium

Strong Arms HQ:

Race: Split

Location: Thyn's Excavation

Unique/rare ware: Cargo Lifesupport System/Cargo Bay Shielding

TerraCorp HQ:

Race: Argon

Location: Home of Light

Unique/rare ware: Bioscanner/Transporter Device/Jumpdrive/Salvage Insurance

Updates

EGOSOFT has continued to support X3: Terran Conflict since release, with various new missions (some developed by the community), bug fixes and additional flight software.

On 16 October 2008, the first patch for X3: Terran Conflict.Version 1.2 was available to Steam users as soon as the game was activated whereas several DVD users played with version 1.0.1 for several days before the update was available. The update added a new mission, improved several features and fixed various issues.

On 4 December 2008, a second patch, updating the game to version 1.3.

On 22 December 2008, a third patch, updating the game to version 1.4.

On 19 January 2009, EGOSOFT announced an open beta for version 2.0 of Terran Conflict, which was available to forum members who have volunteered to be part of the 'Developer Network'.2.0 contains 'a whole new mission, new stations and new sectors'. It was made available for download 3rd of April, 2009.Due to a packing error, 2.0a was made available shortly after initial release to fix a problem.

On 10 June 2009, a patch updating the game to version 2.1.

On 14 October 2009, a seventh patch, updating the game to version 2.5. This patch along with numerous fixes and improvements removed the Tagès copy protection.

On 27 April 2010, an eighth patch, updating the game to version 2.6. This patch introduced achievements with the steam client. Before release of 2.6, Valve enabled X3: Terran Conflict DVD users to register their game on steam so they could also use the achievement system. 2.6 also brought numerous fixes and improvements.

On 2 June 2010, a ninth patch, updating the game to version 2.7. This was followed on 17 June 2010 by 2.7.1, fixing several minor issues.

On 8 October 2010, patch 3.0 was released adding a new dead is dead game mode, and a new plot.

On 11 February 2011, patch 3.1 was released fix various bugs

System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows XP (SP-2), Vista SP1
• Processor: Pentium® IV or AMD® equivalent at 2.0 GHz
• Memory: 1 GB RAM
• Graphics: 256 MB 3D DirectX 9 Compatible video card (not onboard) with Pixel Shader 1.1 support
• Hard Drive: 10GB of free space
• Sound: Soundcard (Surround Sound support recommended)

Recommended:

• OS: Windows XP (SP-2), Vista SP1
• Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo or AMD® equivalent at 2.0 GHz
• Memory: 3 GB RAM
• Graphics: 256 MB 3D DirectX 9 Compatible video card (not onboard) with Pixel Shader 3.0 support
• Hard Drive: 10GB of free space
• Sound: Soundcard (Surround Sound support recommended)

Mods

X3 Terran Conflict has a large and dedicated modding community that continually strives to make the game better. The community can be found on the egosoft forums.

Notable mods include:

X3 Rebalanced Mod

Improved Races

Commercial Agent

Including many more.