Working at warp speed without any sleep, SaladBadger (InsanityBringer) has already released the first version of his PiccuEngine, which includes many quality of life improvements for running Descent 3! Grab version 1.0 it from GitHub @ https://github.com/InsanityBringer/PiccuEngine/releases - Be sure to follow the project for continued updates.

After 25 years since its release, and nearly 15 since the final patch to D3, Kevin Bentley has finally released the source code to D3. You can find it over at https://github.com/kevinbentley/Descent3. Suffice to say, this comes as a surprise, few of us were expecting this to actually get released. Already people are starting to tinker around with the goodies.

Relevant discussions about the release can be found at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40048177 and https://www.descentbb.net/viewtopic.php?t=25116 and https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/04/descent-3-has-been-made-open-source/.

So um, about that archive mode?

Recently Terminal ported a couple of Overload levels to D3, but I won't be adding them here. For the foreseeable future this website will only serve as an archive (unless it gets replaced with a newer version, heh). Everything will remain available, but any new levels for D3 will only be added to DXMA, which you can find over at https://sectorgame.com/dxma

Because this site is so old, it's just a bit clunky trying to add new stuff. I'm basically writing this post from the database because I don't even remember how the backend works. Note that Descent Files is also still available for any other Descent content, including levels (but DXMA makes the most sense for those). As always, you can reach me on the various Discords as Hunter or on the old forums.

It's unlikely I'll be doing any more D3 levels anytime soon, despite having some ideas for a third Omens level (a final if you will) and more Hyperspace content. I don't see much point in doing that nowadays, D3 is reallllllyyyy dead now. There are SOME co-op players still active, and a few people still have the game installed because they tinker with it from time to time. I've even had someone contact me about a mod they 'thought' about building for D3, which was surprising! I actually think a classic D3 level might be fun to build, ya know? With no bells and whistles per se, just a vanilla level with a few minor custom sounds or aesthetics. No mods to break the game, just a Mercenary-type level with a bit of Jerry's music and some story. I mean, if I ever get around to doing anything with D3 again, it might be something like that... I still have a track waiting to be used for *something*.

But it's really jarring that we're stuck with an engine LOCKED into 22 year old code. Kevin has the source code, that other guy has the source code. Matt has it. I mean, none of them seem particularly interested in releasing it which is a shame. And I doubt there are many people even interested in working on it anymore - but I'd wager a revamped D3 would garner some interest in the community again...

Although it wasn't a high priority, some small fixes have been applied to Resurgence. These will hopefully lower (but not necessarily prevent) the chances of a crash occurring at the end of the level or during the boss fight. This was caused by players using the 32-bit patch with a high framerate. A framecap of no higher than 60 FPS is recommended due to a bug in that particular patch. Get the level again to ensure multiplayer compatibility!

A few small fixes have been applied to the original Omens level. This was mainly to fix some bugs that remained. The current version (and likely final update to this particular level) is 1.3. Please download again if you intend to play on co-op.

The latest level in the Omens series is available now. Although I have tested the level multiple times (in both singleplayer and multiplayer) I cannot guarantee it is bug free. But I did learn a few tricks from the first level, so hopefully it will go a bit smoother this time around. As with all heavily modified levels, please ensure you have D3 setup correctly and are aware of the limitations surrounding modded maps. You can download Resurgence here.

I am currently working on a new level for D3 that will serve as a followup to the Omens mission. It will contain the same 'Overload style' bots and weapons, but it probably won't be as big as Vesta Covert Facility. At the moment it's still early, but I hope to have it ready by the end of the year. I'm mainly putting it together as I enjoy making stuff for D3, and there are some players still out there playing these levels which gives me the incentive I need to keep going.
Update (Jan 21st, 2020): Development has been wrapped up, but I'm still waiting on the music and voices to be completed, so I'll sit on it until then. No rush for a 20 year old game anyway.. :)

Well although it wasn't exactly a planned event, I decided to spend the weekend looking at some of the issues with Silent Fury and fixing them. Most notable changes are the ability to skip introductions, easier to hit targets, and it takes less time to blow stationary targets up. Download the updated version here: Version 1.1.

Back at it again! I've decided to fix a few issues with Basewars Redux (mainly relating to multiplayer) and I've added a couple of other changes and important fixes, complete with a bit of polish. Download the level here! - UPDATE: I've been made aware of a few *additional* problems in CO-OP, including buffer overrun disconnects and a few other bugs. The latter is already corrected, but the former is proving difficult to isolate. I will post an updated version as soon as I figure it out! UPDATE 2: Version 1.2 is now available. I wasn't able to fix the 'buffer overrun' problem as it appears to be a limit/bug in D3 relating to certain script functions (they should not occur until after 1.5 hours of player interaction), but I was able to fix everything else and noticed a few more bugs (or created them..) along the way. Grab the level again to ensure CO-OP compatibility! This will likely be the final update.