Don't mean to be funny but Phew are you a noob to forums too because most have a search feature... and most of the time its wise to search for answers to questions especially when every question there has been answered several times before but because your post is in proper english and well written I will answer all of your questions:
Quote: "I've read snippets here and there that the latest ver. of the program is 10. Will it run on Windows XP?
"
The latest version of FPSC is V1.07, you seem to be refering to the X10(directx 10) version which is still in development and would not run on xp because XP cannot have direct x10 if you want the X10 version upon release you will need windows vista and a a direct x10 compatable graphics card such as one from the Geforce 8000 series.
Quote: " To change the appearance of the hands, am I correct in assuming i can use Photoshop 7 for example?"
You are assuming all weapons have hands... non of the weapons that come with FPSC out of the box have hands but the weapons model packs do have hands I cant say for sure about all of the model packs but I own model pack 5 and that comes with lots of different hands so there is no reason why you shouldnt be able to make a copy of the texture and make a modified version. However you may mess up the models UV texture mapping in which case you would need to redo the mapping using uv mapping software or a modeling program with the function built in such as 3D max, Maya, Gamespace, truespace, im sure there are more.
Quote: " If I were to make more weapons from a specific era (1940s) what program would I use?"
You would use a modeling program like one of the ones I have mentioned before but this requires knowlage of modeling and how to get the model into FPSC which isnt really that easy however you can find tutorials on getting weapons into FPSC in the manual, nikkydudes guide and elsewhere on the forum you will have to pick a modeling program before you can find specific tutorials for that.
Quote: "What program should I d/l if I want create this fellow complete with bow and a quiver full of arrows for example?
"
Same as making a weapon needs to be modeled and textured using programs mentioned about but needs to be setup for FPSC different to a weapon once again there are various tutorials about on how to get a model as a character into a game once you have completed the model and texture.
Quote: "How long can the game be? Just how big can the maps per level be?"
Offically 50 levels long on a 20x20x20 grid but you could have extra levels if you used and external program to control your games level, download the demo from FPScreator.com and look for yourself at the grid, why not try the program whiule your there.
Quote: " Will there be cutscenes? Dialogue? Title/option screens"
Each game is created with a menu which is fairly customizable through scripts and even within the editor although I always just use the scripts there are even programs to help you customize menus and HUDs if you search the forums. Cutscenes well you can script various actions but you cant take control from the player while the game is running to my knowledge although im sure there is a way, dialogue? just use sound files, trigger zones script extra actions into characters I dont see why not it cna be done its alot of extra work to build a game that in depth though. Please note there is an entire board for FPSC scripts and also tutorials in nikkydudes guide at the top of this board(its stickied).
Quote: "Can I import video clips? What formats are needed?
"
Yes you can play videos in game using story zones or scripting, offically your sposed ot use AVI I think but I have had sucess using .WMV I spose it depends what codec the player has on there computer.
Quote: " What if I want to use a game controller instead of a keyboard/mouse combo? Can I make the game to use it?"
No only way to do that is to map a control to the keyboard but you can change the controls for alot of the actions within FPSC
Quote: "What formats should voice clips and music be? Do I need the program offered on this site?"
What program offered?, .wav is the only format supported as mp3 has to be paid for to be licenced.
Quote: " A longshot here but is it possible to code the game so it runs on an xbox (reg. or 360) and/or PS2(3)? I ask because someone on a yahoo group forum told me that it is possible but I wanted to make sure. Personally, I think it's rubbish but if it can be done, I'm all for it."
Well done it is a load of rubbish off someone who hasnt the faintest idea how anything works. Basicly a new engine would have to be made for that to work I even heard off one of the respected members here that the Xbox 360 reads binary backwards to a regular computer which wouldn't really help would it and besides the Xbox 360 doesnt run exes it has a custom file and program structure as do all consoles
Quote: "If I add multiplayer to my game and say 8 ppl buy the game (or maybe get it free if they buy my comic)how can they play each other? What about servers etc?
"
When you run a multiplayer exe you can choose to host or join the host acts as the server (needs the best connection and computer) and the others join. There is no option for dedicated server, the system is totally self sufficent.
Hope that clears that up for you your not half jumping in deep believe me do some more reading around try some searchs and download the demo as it sounds like you havent already
Thanks
Adam
