FAQ

General Questions

For what are "badges" and "medals" used in the game?

Together with the player's rank, badges and medals allow a player access to bigger and better ships.

Badges are awarded in certain categories, based on actions performed in the game. The categories are: Combat, Supply, Navigator, Engineer, Bomber, Transport and Privateer. The statistics in the player's profile control when badges are awarded.

There are three levels of badges: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. In all categories except for Transport and Privateer, the value of the controlling statistic for the three levels must be at least 50, 500, or 1000 in order to get the respective badge. For the Transport and Privateer categories, the value of the controlling statistic for the three levels are 25, 50, and 100. More info on the player profile and statistics can be found here and elsewhere in the FAQ.

Medals are awarded when certain combinations of badges have been acquired.

For a complete list of badges and medals, go here.

How can I capture a screen shot?

Capture screen shots by using ALT - T

The image will be saved as 00000000.tga to XXXXXXXX.tga file in your /Darkspace/.cache/Darkspace/ directory.

The size of the .tga files may be large, so its recommended that you convert the file to a smaller format, especially if you want to post it online somewhere, or send it to someone. A good format for conversion is JPEG, though they are subject to some loss of quality. You will need to use a third-party conversion program to convert the file. There is an excellent thread [here] with more information.

How can I chat with my fleet?

Fleet chat is performed via the /send command, with the clan option (fleets used to be called clans, and the code hasn't changed since). Simply type /send clan message or /send c message, and whatever text you use in place of "message" will be sent to your online fleet mates.

To send a message to all your fleet mates, both online and offline, use clanoffline or clano instead of clan. Online members will receive the message as normal, offline members will get it as soon as they log in.

How can I make DarkSpace play different music while I am playing the game?

Enter the Darkspace Setup from the lobby, and go to the Audio tab. From there you can change the folder from which Darkspace will play music (in .mp3 format). Another common option is to simply set the Music Volume to 0% and run your preferred music player in the background.

How do I become a moderator?

Moderators are chosen by the Admins when they feel there is a need for new/additional moderators. The potential candidates are interviewed, voted on by the current staff and the Admins have the final say.

In the past, moderator candidates have been chosen from an open sign-up list, but it is much more likely that a candidate will be approached in private.

Criteria may include (but are in no way limited to)

Being at least 18 years old
Having a mature attitude
History of helping the community
A clean watch list (not having been kicked/banned)
Being able to speak languages other than English (Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, etc.)
Special skills or expertise
Time (it's no good to have a moderator that only shows up infrequently or not at all)

How do I get DarkSpace to run on Windows Vista?

If you are attempting to install under Windows Vista, then you are probably encountering a feature of Vista known as UAC, or User Account Control. This can prevent the DarkSpace Lobby client from correctly updating certain items when it attempts to check for new files.

If you have installed DarkSpace into the default "Program Files" directory, then I would suggest you uninstall the client, and then re-install it in a brand new directory, such as "C:/PaleStar/Darkspace/" This is because the "Program Files" directory in Windows Vista has some additional protections that prevent numerous pre-Vista programs from installing and updating as they should.

After installation you will need to right click the "GameCQ" or "DarkSpace" shortcut, and select "Run as Administrator". This will then allow DarkSpace to download and update the necessary files as needed.

If you have already installed DarkSpace outside of the "Program Files" directory, then you simply need to set it to "Run as Administrator", and it should work normally from there on.

Refer to [This Thread] for more information.

How do I validate my email address?

Set your browser to allow popup windows from the Darkspace website.
Add Darkspace to the list of trusted websites in Internet Explorer.
Click the profile button at the top of GCQL (the game client you are currently in)
Click on the "Edit Profile" link along the top of your profile, a new browser window will open with your profile details in it.
Ensure your e-mail address is correct, then scroll down to the bottom of the page using the side scroll bar.
Click on the button marked "Validate E-Mail". Wait for about 5 or so minutes then check your e-mail. (The message may be placed in your junk/spam folder, depending on your e-mail service)
Click on the link enclosed in the E-Mail that is sent to you to validate your address or paste the validation link from the validation email into your browser's address bar.

For an alternative method, open a new browser window and log in on the darkspace website. After that, click, copy&paste, or type the following link into the address bar.

http://www.darkspace.net/?module=verify.php

How much prestige is needed for the next rank?

The points required for successive ranks double for each rank, starting at 40. Thus, if you want to quickly find the value of the rank above yours, figure out how many points were needed for your current rank, and double it. For example, if you are a Commander and want to know when you will become Captain, you remember that you needed 640 to get Commander. You would then need 1280 for Captain.

For simplicity, here is a table with all the ranks and their needed point values:

(Please go here for the badge requirements.)

Rank	Abbreviation	Required Prestige
Midshipman	MS	0
Ensign	EN	40
2nd Lieutenant	2L	80
1st Lieutenant	1L	160
Lieutenant Commander	LC	320
Commander	CO	640
Captain	CP	1280
2nd Rear Admiral	2A	2560
1st Rear Admiral	1A	5120
Vice Admiral	VA	10240
Admiral	AD	20480
Fleet Admiral	FA	40960
Grand Admiral	GA	81920
Marshal	MA	163840
Chief Marshal	CM	327680

How up-to-date is this FAQ?

The FAQ is generally updated as needed or for major version releases. If you'd like to submit a new entry for the FAQ, or suggest a change/edit, please contact a moderator.

The bulk of the information in the FAQ is current for the 1.52* patch and was last updated on 03.23.2010 The FAQs for each language are coordinated by a designated "FAQ maintainer" for that language. However, all Moderators and Admins are able to create new FAQ entries and modify existing ones. If you have a new entry you would like to see added, or see an entry that needs to be updated, just contact the FAQ maintainer for your language via email, talk to a Moderator or Admin, or suggest one in the Suggestions Forum.

Note: All FAQ maintainers, please notify all of the other FAQ maintainers when you add to/update your FAQ if any of the changes should be propagated to the other language FAQs.

I can't send a bug report; it keeps failing. What can I do?

Some users who are behind NATD (Network Address Translation Devices) or a firewall cannot submit bug reports. If the IP address of your computer is in the ranges 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x, or 192.168.x.x (where the "x" is any other number), then you are probably behind a NATD. Otherwise, you may be blocked by a firewall device/router at your home (DSL routers, Cable Modems, Linux boxes, etc) or at your ISP. It may also be caused by firewall / network security software installed on your computer itself.

To resolve this problem, you may have to reconfigure, replace, or remove the device and/or software which is keeping the bug report from being sent. Unfortunately, this may also cause your Internet connection to cease functioning. If the problem lies with your ISP, you may have to contact them for assistance. Further help may be available by Moderators whose specialties include network troubleshooting.

Alternatively, you can send an email to support@palestar.com or post in the General Support forum.

I just checked my profile and my prestige is incorrect. What should I do?

This can happen for several reasons. The most likely cause is that the game server may take some time before sending your profile information back to the meta server (the main database server where your profile information is kept). Or, the prestige calculation may have been adjusted by PaleStar. Check out the news and [Development Update] forums to check for that. If you leave the game without logging out (ie, your connection dropped, or the game crashed), your ship stays within the server for two minutes, to protect against cheaters logging out before dieing to avoid a point loss. If this happened to you, your ship may have been destroyed during the two minute idle period, causing a point reduction in your profile. If none of these situations seem to fit, or your profile is not updated after waiting a while, consider talking to a Moderator or Administrator about the situation. You could also post in the Staff Feedback forum, to ask for help correcting the mistake.

I receive complaints from players about my actions, what are the general rules in game?

A lot of rules are listed in the Rules of Conduct, but the community has some other "unwritten" rules.

Don't be an idiot. There's a difference between a newb (a new player) and a noob (someone who chooses to act like a new player, even if they know better). There's nothing wrong with asking questions if you're lost or confused, but things like not reading the manual, this FAQ, or generally not making an effort to learn and educate yourself can lead to chronic noobism, and ridicule.
Keep your language clean of profanity. It takes more work to type out swear words than to not type them at all, and mouthing off (especially to staff members) will get you a swift kick out the door.
Don't spam/flood. The rule of thumb here is Less Is More. This includes everything from the forums, to the chat rooms, to certain weapons and devices in-game as well.
Don't be annoying for annoying's sake. Intentionally pestering people or doing things they don't like will never make friends. On the whole, players find the use of some ships, weapons, or tactics to be cheap/lame/disrepectful, and will gladly give you an earful about it. Although not technically illegal under the Rules of Conduct, it can be construed as unsportsmanlike, and doing this sort of thing out of spite or for revenge will cause you problems.
Don't shoot your teammates. Nobody likes getting teamkilled, that's why there's an opposing team. Accidents happen, but doing this on purpose is inexcusable.
DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. THIS IS CONSIDERED SHOUTING, IT IS VERY ANNOYING, AND WILL GET YOU MUTED BY A MODERATOR.

Is this game any good?

This is probably the most frequently asked question by new players. The most obvious answer that anyone around to read it will give is "Yes" (unless they are being facetious). However, every player has different tastes, and there is absolutely NO substitute for first-hand experience when it comes to matters of taste.

So, give DarkSpace a shot. We think you will agree with the vast majority of the players you will encounter who have already determined the same answer for themselves!

I'm crashing to a blue screen. What is causing that?

If you crash to a blue screen while downloading updates or when you first start DarkSpace, then the problem is with your NIC (Network Interface Card) driver. Download the latest drivers for your NIC and this should fix the problem.

If a blue screen crash occurs in-game, then the problem will most likely be with your sound and/or video card drivers.

Blue screen crashes occur when there is an error between the driver and the hardware. You might also be experiencing a hardware failure of some type.

The game updates, asks me to restart, then it asks me to restart again when I try to play.

On some operating systems, the game cannot properly update its own files. You can fix this by going to the directory in which you installed DarkSpace (usually C:/Program Files/PaleStar/DarkSpace) and look for files ending with ".UPD". These are the newer updated files that you have downloaded as part of the automatic update process. You must delete the old file by the same name (without the .UPD extension), and remove the ".UPD" from the new file.

For Example: client.exe client.exe.upd

Delete "client.exe" and rename "client.exe.upd" to "client.exe".

What does all this stuff in my profile mean and how is it calculated?

Each player's profile consists of some basic information about the player and a set of statistics which reflect a numerical aggregation of the player's actions in all games played in to date.

Basic Player Information

Registration Date

The date when the Player joined the DarkSpace community (technically, the date that the Player's Profile was created).

Email

The Player's E-Mail address. There is an option in your profile that allows you to choose whether or not to publicly display your email address

Location

The Player's physical location in the real world. Usually, just the City, State, and/or Country where the player resides. Optional

ICQ

The Player's ICQ (instant messaging) ID / handle. It is recommended to specify the particular IM service used for each ID listed. Optional

Clan

The clan to which the player belongs.

Credits

The amount of credits the player has purchased for their account

Progression Statistics

Rank

The player's current rank. This is based on the player's prestige, below. The current prestige-to-rank table can be found here. This player attribute, along with badges and medals, controls what ships the player can pilot in the game.

Prestige

Probably the single most important statistic in the game, its value is computed from many of the the other statistics in the Player's profile. Its main purpose is to serve as an indicator of the player's experience level. It is directly translated into a "rank" grade (see above).

Ships Damaged

This number gives the amount of damage done by the player to the hull (not armor or shields) of enemy ships. It is the basis for the Combat Badge awards.

Ships Captured

This number gives the amount of enemy ships captured by the player. It is the basis for the Privateer Badge awards.

Planets Damaged

This number gives the amount of damage done by the player to enemy planets. It is the basis for the Bomber Badge awards.

Planets Captured

This statistic is the number of planets that the player has captured or played a part in capturing (by dropping one or more infantry on an enemy planet. It is the basis for the Transport Badge awards.

Repair

This represents the amount of ship repair performed by the player on friendly ships (through the use of Supply ships). It is the basis for the Supply Badge awards.

Construction

This represents the amount of construction performed by the player (through the use of Engineer ships). It is the basis for the Engineer Badge awards.

Jumps

This is the number of hyperjumps that the player has made. It is the basis for the Navigator Badge awards.

General Statistics

Games Played

This is the number of game sessions that the player has participated in since registration.

Time Played

This statistic is the amount of time the player has spent in-game (ie, playing the game) in seconds.

Kills

This statistic gives the number of ships destroyed by the player (ones in which the player fired the shot that destroyed the opponent's ship).

Killed

This statistic gives the number of times that the player was destroyed in the game.

Friendly Fire

This represents the number of friendly ships damaged by the player.

Kamikaze

This represents the amount of damage done to enemy ships when the player Self-Destructs near them.

Self Destructs

This is the number of times the player has Self-Destructed.

Planet Collisions

This is the number of times the Player has been destroyed by crashing into another celestial body.

Resources Lost

This represents the resource-point value of all ships in which the Player has piloted and been destroyed.

What Ships do I get at each rank?

The Manual has a complete list of every ship currently in the game, with their rank and badge requirements, here: The Ships

Where can I get more information on game functions?

The Manual provides a lot of information on topics ranging from game play to lobby chat commands, the Tactics & New Players forum is also a good resource.

Ships and Rank list: You can find a list of ships and their requirements at this link.

The Ranks and Badges

Control your ship: Quick Key Guide

Newbie starter guides:

Guides and Links for New Players

You can read about building on planets here: Building guide

There are more guides, tips and tricks in the Darkspace Forums Also check the [Links] section of the website. There may be sites there with hints, tips, guides, or helpful information.

Why does the game keeps crashing when I try to connect to a server?

DirectX 8 is very unstable under older graphics drivers. Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers for your 3D card installed. If you have the latest drivers, but it is still crashing, then download and install DirectX 9.0c from http://www.microsoft.com/directx. You may need to reinstall your video card / sound card drivers after you install DirectX, as sometimes DirectX may overwrite your card's driver files and/or settings with more generic ones that will not work with your hardware.

After all this, if the game is still crashing then send us a bug report by posting in the bug report forum. Be sure to include the type of graphics card you have, and other system information, in your bug report.

Why isn't anyone talking?

This is a common phenomenon called "killed chat", in which an excess of mindless spammage by several individuals deters others from speaking. Once the mindless spammage ceases, the conversation preceding it must either be instantly revived, or the lobby will fall into a state of non-motion. Typically, those individuals involved in the preceding conversation are so put off by the lack of coherent dialogue that they exit the lobby, making such a revival a rare event. It is also quite possible that the player in the lobby are busy with some other activity that requires their attention for the moment or are away from their keyboards.

Hardware / Video Card Questions

Can I run DarkSpace in windowed mode? How do I change my resolution?

Run the DarkSpace Setup utility from the launch lab at the top of the GCQL window. On the Video Tab, under Display Mode, select either Windowed (at the top of the drop-down menu), or select your desired video resolution.

How do I change the FSAA / HRAA setting on my system?

FSAA can be enabled in DarkSpace by forcing it via your graphics card driver control planel.

Please see your specific graphics card manufacturer manual to find out how to change your FSAA settings.

Further information on your specific video card may be found in the Knowledge Base.

I cannot read the text in the game; it looks messed up. How do I fix it?

This problem usually occurs on older ATI and NVIDIA video cards. You can fix this problem via several ways:

Making sure DirectX is up-to-date.
Entering your graphics card driver control panel and enabling "Alternate Pixel Center".
Disabling forced FSAA and AF (see above).
Disabling Alpha Fonts in the DarkSpace Setup utility (via the launch tab).

This should finally make the text readable in DarkSpace.

I want to start a game, but every time I try, a message window appears informing me about a problem with MSVCRT40.DLL. What can I do?

MSVCRT40.DLL is a library file needed for the proper operation of DarkSpace. It is possible that the file is not installed on your system, is corrupted, or is the wrong version.

Microsoft maintains a site which allows users to check DLL files and versions that Microsoft uses in their software. Use it to check your file versions and sizes:

Microsoft Online DLL Database

If you find that your version is the wrong version or corrupted, then please download the Microsoft C Runtime Library update.

What drivers should I use and where do I get them ?

Take a close look at the Knowledge base first Good place to get the latest drivers or best drivers is here: [For ATI cards] [For nVidia cards]

Then make sure that you are running Directx 9.0c or newer. Get it from here: [directx downloads]

What ports do I need to allow through my firewall?

Make sure that your firewall allows communication over the TCP and UDP protocols, range of ports 9000 - 9005, 9020 - 9070, 9100 - 9102 in both directions.

TCP port 9001 is used for GCQL communication TCP port 9004 is default game server communication port TCP ports 9100 is used for GCQL/GAME login initialization TCP port 9101 is used for GCQL/GAME updating process TCP port 9102 is used for BETA-GCQL/GAME updating process

ports not listed here are reserved for future use or servers (e.g. each MV server uses its own TCP port for connection)

Why is the same video resolution listed multiple times in the game's video configuration dialog?

Some graphics card drivers install multiple resolutions due to their ability to support multiple monitors.

If you only have one monitor connected, look out for the number before the resolution you desire (example: 0: Graphics Card 800x600x32), as this will indicate what display will be used (0 being your main/primary monitor).

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