From WSGFWiki

Game Information

By: Interplay, Volition
Genre: Sci-Fi, Space Action
Release Date: October 1, 1999
Players: 1-8
Version: This information is based on FSO version 3.6.10, using data files from FS2 purchased from GoG. You can download the FSO installer here: http://www.fsoinstaller.com/downloads.html

Select "Download .EXE Installer." It's the easiest option.

FreeSpace 2 is a space shooter from Volition, the sequel to Descent: FreeSpace. FSO is an open-source port of the game that adds tons of new features to the engine like pixel shaders, and more importantly, widescreen support.

Widescreen Support

Method

Natively supported, but the FSO setup is a little tricky. You'll need to install both FSO and FS2, and I suggest you install them to separate directories. Once both are installed, go to the FS2 directory and find these files:
root_fs2.vp
smarty_fs2.vp
sparky_fs2.vp
sparky_hi_fs2.vp
stu_fs2.vp
tango1_fs2.vp
tango2_fs2.vp
tango3_fs2.vp
warble_fs2.vp

Copy them into the FSO directory. Also, if you want to increase the image quality of the cut-scenes, delete the file "FS2OGGcutscenepack.vp." Then open the folder "data" (create it if it isn't there). Inside data, create a new folder "movies." Now search the FS2 directory for files ending in *.MVE. You should find these ten:
BASTION.MVE
COLOSSUS.MVE
ENDPART1.MVE
ENDPRT2A.MVE
ENDPRT2B.MVE
INTRO.MVE
MONO1.MVE
MONO2.MVE
MONO3.MVE
MONO4.MVE

Copy these into the movies folder.

Lastly, you *must* configure the launcher to use the 3.6.10 executable. By default it uses the 3.6.9, which has a targetting misalignment bug in widescreen that makes hitting enemies nearly impossible.

Screen change

Hor +

1600x1200

1920x1200

Surround Gaming support

Method

Native

Known Issues

Several, though all of them are cosmetic. As already mentioned, celestial bodies are stretched.

• The hangar screen is stretched.
• The briefing screen is interesting. The screen is stretched, but the 3D view in the window is hor +, but the 2D objects in the 3D view are stretched.
• The ship selection screen is stretched.
• The weapon selection screen is stretched.
• Finally, as mentioned earlier, you *MUST* use the 3.6.10 executable. If you use the default 3.6.9 instead, there's one more anomaly - the targeting system overlay will become misaligned and become useless for hitting anything other than ships right in the middle of the screen flying right at you (or directly away from you).

Condensed detailed report

WSGF links

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14608

External links

http://www.gog.com/en/intro
http://www.fsoinstaller.com/downloads.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freespace_2