What is Vortex? Vortex is a tool very close to the old "Gate" or "GLMax":
-> includes a IRC-Client to connect to Descentforum.NET, Shadowfire, Gamesurge and every other IRC.
-> includes a Buddy-List with online-detection (independant of which chat you're in)
-> includes a Server-List of the Descent.CX tracker by esa (thank you very much man)
-> includes a mission-downloader with broken-link-detection and auto-extractor.
-> includes a mod-downloader with broken-link-detection and auto-extractor.
-> includes auto-updating (of Vortex).
-> includes a commandline-switch-creator (used when games are launched by Vortex).
-> includes a lan-server-list.
-> includes a relay function to support online servers (even filtered) to be displayed ingame.
-> includes a direct join-into-games feature.
-> includes feature to launch D3 into games by website-links like d3://217.160.16.30:2092 and much more
Already posted the following about six years ago but as people say they can't find Descent 3 online games anymore, I thought I'd post a quick write up about how Vortex works today:
The latest (not quite official) Version of Vortex is 0.2.3.0
As this Version has been modified (without an official permission by Skorpion) to cover some tracker issues and I needed a way to distinguish that release from the original 0.2.3.0, I called the Version
0.2.3.1
You can download the build from here:
http://www.descentforum.de/download/Vor ... .2.3.1.zip
It is possible that Skorpion accepts this Version and uploads it to the original web site as well, along with an update to the version tracker file.
So this is a warning: Not impossible that some of you receive an update message after all those years and YES: It's legit!
If you already got Vortex installed and only want to update to the latest build: It is sufficient to download the new Vortex.exe and simply overwrite the existing one (Vortex needs to be shut down for that moment):
http://www.descentforum.de/download/Vortex/Vortex.exe
Adding the following tips as per 2021:
Windows 10 might display a warning message that it would have blocked the Vortex.exe --> hit "more information" (or similar) in this warning message, and select "run anyway" (or similar).
Windows might display a firewall / defender message --> You can select "private and public networks " and accept.
Vortex launcher hangs in "looking for an update" --> Just wait for the magic
Seriously: Just wait for the ~70 seconds. (I am trying to sort that issue -- Dec.2021)Mission download from server list displays an error message like "Zip.dll / UnZip.dll missing" --> You need to run Vortex as Admin once - it will work after this. (Right click Vortex.exe -> run as admin)
Any questions? Gimme a shout!
