JJFFE Central

Last updated on the 6th July 2006 at 23:20hrs GMT.

Latest news

Anonymous kindly provided a bittorrent tracker for the infamous FFE videos.

Old news

Minor fixes to work-in-progress version: correction to asteroids fix and AVI support fixed for new timing code. Download links are on the download page as usual.

Anton Lindstrom hacked JJFFE to double the resolution to 640x400, and [Jongware] expanded his FFE algorithm descriptions. Check out their pages in the Links.

Long-overdue rewrite of the timing code in the work-in-progress version. Should fix the atmospheric shielding problems with fast CPUs. This release is really badly tested, so email me if you run into any problems not in a previous version.

Work-in-progress source release available with a new SDL port that compiles in both Windows and Linux, plus some major changes to the DirectX version. More information is available on the source/Linux page

Ville Syrjälä has done a proper Linux port of JJFFE using DirectFB and various sound libraries. Source is available from his page below, so give it a shot and send him some feedback.

Version 2.8 released with more bugfixes and physics enhancements both from original FFE and from stuff broken in 2.7. Check out the version history for details and download it from the download page.

Version 2.7 has at least two extra bugs - one annoying (lasers fire when shields are hit) and one potentially dangerous (potential overwrite with non-co-orbital binaries). It's recommended that you stick with 2.6 until 2.8 comes out, which should be within the next day.

New version 2.7 released for all platforms with numerous fixes for old FFE bugs, modified collision code and improved Linux/Allegro graphics code. See the Version History below for details.

New version 2.6 released with DirectX-version specific fixes. 24-bit colour reverse blits and windowed size are now correct, ALT/F10 no longer pause the game and the video click problem in Windows 2000/XP is fixed.

Elsewhere on the site

What is JJFFE?

JJFFE is set of recompiled replacement executables for the 1995 Frontier Developments game Frontier: First Encounters. There are currently versions that run under Windows 95/98/ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows NT4, OS/2 and Linux. As well as running on many more operating systems than the original, JJFFE also includes minor improvements and bugfixes.

Credits

Credits go to Ralf Brown for writing the interrupt guide, the NASM people for the ndisasm source, NASM et al, Paul Roberts for Win2k and Win32 version testing, hints and DirectMusic code, Tom Ford and Jan Knutar for DOSEMU testing, Tom Morton for Linux version testing and info, Serguei 'Snaar' Narojnyi for Win32 framework and config file code, Mark Hetherington for symbol file work, Mark Larsen for Savage 4 testing and bugspotting, Peter Pablowski for HMP->MID conversion code and David Braben & co for writing the game.

Disclaimer

JJFFE is a hacked and reverse-engineered version of a commercial game, therefore it's probably illegal to download it even if you own the original legally. It will be removed rapidly if anyone complains. FFE has recently been re-released as shareware by Frontier Developments as part of the Elite Club.

Version History

Changes in JJFFE 2.8:

JJFFE 2.7 bug fixed: Dangerous overwrite for non-co-orbital binaries.
JJFFE 2.7 bug fixed: Laser fires when shields are hit.
JJFFE 2.7 bug fixed: Lasers can hit you when docked at station.
FFE bug fixed: Groundhog day after hyperspace.
FFE bug fixed: Stations didn't act as FORs after docking.
FFE bug fixed: FOR weights overdone for binary pairs.
FFE bug fixed: Orbital objects slide on 1x acceleration.
FFE bug fixed: Female-only ship crews.
FFE bug fixed: Small outer planets difficult to find on nav map.
Planet position/velocity code completely rewritten for greater accuracy.
Tweaks to collision code.

Changes in JJFFE 2.7:

FFE bug fixed: Temperature and starport variations in binary systems.
FFE bug fixed: Frame-of-reference switches don't modify velocity.
FFE bug fixed: Laser invulnerability after docking.
FFE bug fixed: Intermittent laser invulnerability while travelling.
FFE bug fixed: Starports created below planet surface.
FFE bug fixed: Assassination targets "warp" away when attacked with missiles.
FFE bug fixed: Player ship is "warped" away when attacking military bases.
FFE bug fixed: Parcel/passenger mission assassins have difficulty intercepting.
FFE bug fixed: Missiles hit firing ship when launched.
FFE bug fixed: Missile smoke positioned wrongly.
FFE bug fixed: ECM and NECM effectiveness reversed.
FFE bug fixed: AI-controlled ships time-travel during hyperspace.
FFE bug fixed: Player time-travels during hyperspace.
FFE bug fixed: Autopilot fudge doesn't take account of high velocities.
Collisions with other ships heavily modified.
Linux/Allegro version speedup and double-scaling code added (Thanks to Kirill Frolov).
Insert keys (including number pad 0) now activate ECM.

Changes in JJFFE 2.6 (Win32 only):

Windowed screen size is now correct.
Reverse-blits now work in 24bpp modes. No more orange BBS.
Alt/F10 no longer pause the game.
Workaround for video sound clicks problem.

Changes in JJFFE 2.5:

Fatal bug fixed: Allegro versions crashed when loading games.
Bug fixed: DirectX versions always overwrote .mid files with .hmp conversions.
External view controls now work when paused.
Traffic violation offence removed because of possible side-effects.

Changes in JJFFE 2.4:

Stupid bug fixed: Turret controls were reversed.
Space colour modification added to Graphic Detail menu.
Target direction indicators reimplemented.
Target cursor now shown for out-of-range military bases and planets.
Target cursor now shows real range rather than parent object range.

Changes in JJFFE 2.3:

Stupid bug fixed: Clicking on refuel button caused FPS counter to toggle.
Keypress timeout added to splash screen to avoid accidental intro-skipping.
Recompiled with DirectX 6.1 SDK in attempt to make DSound work under NT.

Changes in JJFFE 2.2:

Bug fixed: DirectX versions blitted screen twice and pointer flickered.
Bug fixed: DirectX versions mouse occasionally hung on alt-tab.
FFE bug fixed: Final warning for traffic violations never acted on.
FFE bug fixed: Many starports weren't visible until 2000km.
FFE bug fixed: Ship would "flip round" if mouse was moved too fast.
All versions now automatically convert the original HMP music files.
Keyboard steering reintroduced, improved, and roll keys added.
Independant left/right/up/down thruster controls added.
More reachable ECM and Stardreamer controls added.
External view controls improved.
Mars and Lave start positions reintroduced.
Frame counter added, toggle with 'F'.
"GAMETEK" intro object changed to "FRONTIER" and expanded to fit.

Changes in JJFFE 2.1 (Win32 only):

NT4 (DirectInput 3) version added with joystick code removed.
Fullscreen switch key changed to Ctrl-F12.
Debug trappings removed to allow F11/F12 zooming.
Modifiable mouse sensitivity and keyboard repeat added.
Minor fix to DirectMusic code.

Changes in JJFFE 2.0:

Completely reworked low-level architecture, allowing ports to other platforms.
New Win32/DirectX, Allegro/DOS and Allegro/Linux ports.
Removed splash screen because of portability issues.
Reintegrated AVI video clip code.

Changes in JJFFE 1.5:

Vicious hack to get round DOSEMU DPMI limitations.

Changes in JJFFE 1.4:

Modified brightness correction code to solve problems with NT/2k.

Changes in JJFFE 1.3:

Added brightness correction code.
Changed splash screen to die-on-keypress.
Included hacked setup.exe for sound configuration.

Changes in JJFFE 1.2:

NT and Win2k support achieved by removing nearptr code.

Changes in JJFFE 1.1:

Completely reworked joystick code.
Splash screen and Easter egg.

Changes in JJFFE 1.0:

Initial release. Modified to run under Windows 95/98/ME.

Links

JJFFE specific links:
Official Elite Club page, includes shareware FFE download.
Anisotropic's page, includes a rebalanced source-modified version of JJFFE.
[Jongware]'s page. Contains detailed FFE algorithm descriptions and offline galaxy map.
Anton Lindstrom's page. Contains high-res JJFFE hack.

Dead-ish JJFFE specific links:
Unofficial Elite Club page.
Proton's FFE page, includes object list, Linux binary and ship stats.
Linux/DirectFB JJFFE port.
Laga Mahesa's page, includes cheat version of JJFFE.

FFE and Frontier related links:
Frontier Developments main page.
Alioth.net, includes newtonian flight guide.
Life on the Frontier, includes beginners guides.
Jades' FFE site, includes tutorials and FAQs.
GLFrontier, Tom Morton's x86 + OpenGL port of ST Frontier. Only slightly buggy.

Other links:
Some worthless poof for whom I have no regard.

Contact info

If you have problems with JJFFE, you should first check that you've installed it correctly and read the FAQ. If that doesn't solve your problem, you can email me at jjffe_junk@jaj22.org.uk.

Alternatively you can find me on the newsgroup alt.fan.elite or on the IRC channels #gamedev or #alt.fan.elite on irc.zirc.org.