Getting FreeSpace

There are several different ways of getting your hands on FreeSpace 2.

FreeSpace Open Installer

An installer has been created by Turey to make the process of installing FS2 and FS2 Open a real cinch. This is the easiest way to get all the files you will need in one shot.

The community members hosting these files need to pay for all of the bandwidth that gets used, so please don't download ten copies on ten different computers. Please download it once, then burn the FreeSpace folder onto DVD / CD-R's and transfer it.

See the following article on obtaining and using the FreeSpace Open Installer.

The Home of the Underdogs (HOTU)

HOTU has a copy of FS2 available for download. Follow this link to get to the HOTU FS2 page.

HOTU has always been a reliable way of getting FS2. This version is missing the original cut-scene videos (which is no loss to you if you are using FS2 Open), and it uses a no-CD patched version.

You have the option of downloading files from HOTU using BitTorrent. For more information, see the BitTorrent Section on this page.

NOTE: This version is already updated to final retail version (1.2).

BitTorrent

See the main BitTorrent Article if you need information about getting a BitTorrent client and getting FS2. If you already know, a link to a tracker is provided for your convenience.

The major advantage of getting FreeSpace in this manner is in lowering bandwidth costs. The more people you have sharing copies, the faster you can grab the torrent.

NOTE: If you download the original *.iso files, you will have to download and install the FS2 version 1.2 update.

BitTorrent Trackers

• TorrentSpy - FreeSpace
• (need more)

eDonkey

While no longer as popular as BitTorrent, you can still grab FS2 ISO's using an ED2k client.

• Recommended Clients
  • aMule client : (Linux/OSX/Windows)
  • eMule client : (Windows)

Once you install the clients, you can either search for FS2, or use the direct links provided below:

NOTE: If you download the original *.iso files, you will have to download and install the FS2 version 1.2 update.

eD2k links

Complete CD Images (ISO) (You need to download all 3)

ed2k://|file|Freespace_2_(1999).CD1.ChAoScReW.ShareReactor.ISO|636616704|F19DE78F6E5AD57CAEADFDA3EAF3B779|/
ed2k://|file|Freespace_2_(1999).CD2.ChAoScReW.ShareReactor.ISO|713785344|8A1525FD0D785AF8C96F895AC07EB972|/
ed2k://|file|Freespace_2_(1999).CD3.ChAoScReW.ShareReactor.ISO|704397312|930DAA10548879847C60D6294373975A|/

Get it from a friend

FreeSpace 2 actually has a clause in the license agreement that states that it's legal to give a copy of FreeSpace 2 to a friend, as long as it's for noncommercial use.

Quote from the EULA:

• "[...] You may make copies of the Software for your personal noncommercial use and to give to friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis [...]"

So be nice to anyone who has it, and then maybe they'll burn it for you.

If you are really stuck, ask a forum member to burn a copy and mail it to you? You will then be their minion, but hey, FS2 is worth subservience.

Buy it

There are still copies of FS2 floating around, but finding them is not always easy.

So where could you grab a copy?

• There are usually some up for sale on eBay.
• A Bargain Bin.

FreeSpace 2 has not been mass-produced in the United States for several years, so checking places that sell used software is your only recourse. FreeSpace has been out-of-print (so to speak) for even longer, so you're more or less on your own.