Uqm-vita

Ur-Quan Masters Vita
General
Author	argarak
Type	Strategy
Version	0.8.0.rev1
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2022/03/03
Links
Download
Website
Source

uqm-vita is a port of the Ur-Quan Masters project to the PS Vita system. Derived from David Holmes' UQM cmake build system.

The Ur-Quan Masters is a volunteer project that brings the classic game "Star Control II" to modern systems. The code from the Ur-Quan Masters project is derived from code written by Toys for Bob, Inc. for the 3DO version of "Star Control II".

UQM was ported to the PSP several years ago, but this port offers several advantages as it is a much newer version of the game, has faster loading of assets, runs at the correct aspect ratio and resolution, and offers more customisation of game addons.

Installation

Prerequisites

You will need a PS Vita equipped to run homebrew. Follow Vita Hacks Guide if you haven't yet hacked your Vita.

For uqm-vita to function correctly, you will need either the FdFix or rePatch plugins which fix a problem where file descriptors are invalidated after suspend and resume, causing erratic behaviour when suspending then resuming the game if not installed.

If you have neither installed, FdFix is recommended (note that your taiHEN config may be in ur0:tai/config.txt instead).

It is recommended to save your game before suspend if possible.

Installing

Note: if you have already obtained the application through the Vita Homebrew Browser or otherwise, you only need to copy and extract your chosen data zip.

Download uqm.vpk and choose either uqm-data-minimal.zip or uqm-data-full.zip:

• uqm-data-minimal.zip contains only the base configuration and content to make the game work. Choose this version if you intend on installing your own selection of addons.
• uqm-data-full.zip contains the base configuration, content and all addon packs from the Ur-Quan Masters project download page.
  • i.e. the 3DO music, voice audio and all of the official Precursor music remix packs (fairly large ~380MiB).

Make sure both the VPK file and the data files of your choice are downloaded correctly. MD5 hashes:

• 6b67486b67ea0898bd6e25be67dec246 - uqm-data-full.zip.
• 02f1bd05eaa227068e859c1b32b84140 - uqm-data-minimal.zip.
• ec29beee290d4e01b82ce9a60cb63672 - uqm.vpk.

Copy both the vpk file and the zip file to the ux0:/data directory (either using FTP, USB or otherwise). Once both files are copied (uqm-data-full.zip may take a while), extract/copy the uqm folder inside of the zip to the ux0:/data directory, after which you can delete the zip file to clear unnecessary space.

Install the VPK file.

If you used the content files from uqm-data-full.zip, you will need to enable the extra content in the Setup menu, then restart uqm-vita.

Addon Packs

If you copied the files in uqm-data-minimal.zip you may want to install addon packs which you can find on the Ur-Quan Masters project download page.

Addon packs can be installed by copying the addon file (usually .uqm or .zip) to ux0:/data/uqm/content/addons. Only official UQM addon packs will work.

User guide

Gameplay

If you're new to the game, it is highly suggested reading the Non-Spoiler Hints at the Ultronomicon wiki. There are other useful articles there if you are already familiar with the game, keep in mind most pages are spoiler heavy.

If you want an arcade experience of the battle system, try the Super Melee mode.

Options

In the Setup menu, which can be accessed from the main menu, there are multiple options to configure, some of which work better than others at the moment. Refer to the following table for various gotchas or unexpected behaviour with certain options:

Category	Option	Notes
Graphics	Resolution	No effect. Original game is always 320x240 upscaled to match the Vita resolution.
	Aspect Ratio	No effect. Will always letterbox to fit the original aspect ratio.
	Display	No effect.
	Gamma	No effect.
	Scaler	"None" by default (recommended). Bilinear also works fine, other scalers are extremely slow.
3DO/PC	Melee Zoom	“Stepped” by default. Smooth scrolling results in lag in melee, avoid if you can.*
Sound	Positional	Not supported.
Advanced	Show FPS	This shows FPS in the remote console (not on screen). For this use a FPS counter plugin.
	Sound Driver	OpenAL not supported.
	Sound Quality	High quality sound causes lag. Medium quality is recommended.

There is also a hidden option in the ux0:/data/uqm/uqm.cfg file called directionaljoystick where you can disable the directional turning joystick input.

Controls

In Melee:

D-Pad - Movement Left Analogue - Directional Turning

Right Analogue - Throttle (Digital Control)

R1 - Primary Attack

L1 - Secondary Attack

Select - Pause Game

Start - Quit

In Space:

D-Pad - Movement/Selection

Left Analog - Directional Turning

Right Analog - Throttle (Digital Control)

Circle - Open Menu

Cross - Confirm

R1/L1 - Zoom In/Out (Starmap)

Square - Search (Starmap)

Triangle - Search Next (Starmap)

Select - Pause Game

Start - Quit

When landed on a planet:

D-Pad - Movement

Left Analog - Directional Turning

Right Analog - Throttle (Digital Control)

R1 - Lander Weapon

L1 - Takeoff (Alternate)

Square - Takeoff

Select - Pause Game

Start - Quit

Touchscreen input is not supported. In the Super Melee menu, the Square button is used to remove the selected ship from either team.

Media

uqm-vita rev1 gameplay/trailer (ur-quan masters ps vita port) (beep-eep)

Changelog

v0.8.0.rev1

• This version is derived from UQM v0.8.0 which was released last year, adding SDL2 support, named savestates and many bug fixes.
• Additionally this port adds directional joystick input support, which is not supported in the base game, with code repurposed from the android port of the game and vita specific modifications to filesystem and text input operations.
• Full Changelog.

External links

• GitHub - https://github.com/argarak/uqm-vita
• VitaDB - https://vitadb.rinnegatamante.it/#/info/789
• Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/vitahacks/comments/t8r11r/release_uqmvita_v080rev1_port_of_the_urquan/