The Ur-Quan Masters Forum FAQ

This is the list of frequently asked questions (with answers) for the [The Ur-Quan Masters Forum].

Please make sure that your question isn't in here before you ask it in the forum. We're happy to help, but we don't like answering the same questions over and over.

The game doesn't work as it should.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger

There is a problem with UQM 0.4 on Tiger. The immediate workaround noted in bug 740 is to run the game using OpenGL by default. The bug says to invoke The Ur-Quan Masters with the -o flag, but the author of this note currently doesn't know how to do that.

The bug: Distorted video running 0.4 in Tiger

All is not lost -- if you can squint your eyes enough to make out the main menu, press the down arrow 3 times, and hit Return to enter the Setup menu. The press right a couple times and hit Return to select an OpenGL display option. Then hit space to return to the main menu, and everything's fine (until you Quit and restart UQM).

How do use the 3DO videos in the game?

See the The Ur-Quan Masters Technical FAQ.

I need help playing the game.

See the Star Control II Gameplay FAQ.

I have a question about the UQM project itself.

See the The Ur-Quan Masters Project FAQ.

When is the next/final release?

That's hard to predict. The developers all work on the game in their spare time, and the amount of spare time is known to vary. If you want to run the cutting-edge developer version and you have the skills, you could get the source code from cvs and build it yourself (the module name is "sc2"). CVS snapshots can be found here. On the same page precompiled Windows binaries are available. Nic maintains unofficial MacOS X snapshots (with extra patches).

I've got this super-cool idea for the game

Great! Let us know when when you have finished it. The source is open, so everyone can make a spin-off. But don't expect your changes to be included in the official version; it will remain true to the original. See here for the goals of the UQM project. Also, don't expect anyone else to do the work for you.

Wouldn't it be cool if UQM would run on my favorite game console/PDA/telephone/microwave?

People who own the same device would probably agree. If you're looking to put together a team to with whom to make it a reality, you may want to announce that on the forum. Don't expect anyone else to do the work for you though. Don't even ask.

What about The Ur-Quan Masters in my own language?

There are a number of translation projects ongoing (link). If you want to start a new project, please announce it on the forum so people won't do double work. You may also find others who want to help there.

How do the various versions of Star Control II differ?

See Version Comparison.

What are these abbreviations people are using?

See our list of Abbreviations.