Big Descent fanboy - grew up playing these games, the music still lives rent free in my head.

I want to run thru Descent Maximum - I know it's just D2 with different levels, but would like to play it.

I have a GameSir G8 controller hooked up to my iPhone and can launch the game on Gamma Emu or Retroarch, but can't get both controller joysticks functioning at the same time (my brain needs halo type controls)

Anyone know how to get it working? I also have an android phone and PC of course, but would really like to play it on the iPhone as a handheld game if possible.

Thanks!

Passing on from this event coordinator Lee!:

Hello, if you'd like to submit a level for the 2026 Halloween Level Maker Contest then please upload your submissions here.

The contest is now open for submissions. Please submit all entries before the end of Saturday 10/31/26 (US PT TIME).

For submissions please post on RDL Discord > Discussion > 2026 Halloween Level Maker Contest page. See RDL Discord for more information.

Brief: "To create the most gorgeous and ghoulish themed level in all of the galaxy"

Guidance:

• D1, D2, D3

• MP Anarchy or Team Anarchy

• 1v1 or teams or FFA • Redux 1.1 or Piccu

• Halloween themed level (aesthetically oriented)

• Ensure level plays smoothly and is suitable for anarchy games

Requirements:

• Eight spawn points

• Multiple energy centers

Restrictions:

• Bots: prohibited

• Cube Count: no restrictions

• Custom powerups: aesthetic changes permitted

• Custom ships: aesthetic changes permitted

• Custom weapons: aesthetic changes permitted

• Exit: permitted

• Powerups: no restrictions

• Reactor: permitted

• Weapons: no restrictions

I’m an OG descent fan (still have my original PC game disks), and I come back and replay the series every few years on PC.

I recently set up an Odin 2 Pro as a retro gaming system (snapdragon 8 gen 2 Arm64), running on android, and I’m wondering how best to experience the descent series on this handheld.

I installed the latest winlator and copied d1x-rebirth and d2x-rebirth (0.58) onto my Odin from my pc (didn’t get d3 set up yet). Both games will run, but there are several issues, including frequent crashing, rendering problems, redbook audio playback etc. also couldn’t get the add’l expansion content working for either.

Is anyone successfully playing and currently enjoying the series on android (specifically on an Odin), and if so, what’s your setup look like?

Thanks!

---Edit: Up and running with redux and rebirth but neither recognize my 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless (xbox style) when using the dongle. Only recognize controller via bluetoooth connection.

Both recognize my 8bitdo ultimate bluetooth (nintendo style) when using the dongle.

I did find an older 2023 version of rebirth that had updated SDL and it had better controller recognition, but is limited for graphics options and compatibility with switching between displays.

This 2023 version/fork has a bunch of files named SDL2,

wondering if there's a more recent redux package with improved/SDL2 controller support?

But up and going, it's so much fun with a dual stick controller compared to keyboard only.

----End of edit

Haven't played descent for decades, been wanting to play it again. (I can't believe the price is still $20 though 😆)

Had only ever played it with keyboard and mouse and hell I don't remember exactly, could have been just the keyboard it's been so long ago.

Is there a particular version that supports newer controller input with dual joysticks? Like it would support a controller hook for Bluetooth or using a dongle

It seems that having dual joysticks now would be similar to those old setups with two pilot sticks...

But I'm trying to understand how it works exactly

Left stick would be pitch up/down, turn left/right

Right stick strafe up/down, strafe left/right

I guess RT/LT triggers could be forward/reverse

RB/LB roll right/left

L3 change weapon
R3 shoot weapon

But then I don't have any fingers left for any other face buttons 😂

So what is a version that supports the most customization of controls for use with a controller?

That way I could start with that version to iron out the input kinks before I get to far and realize it won't work well.

And I guess I'm not exactly sure what versions are out there, updated original/GOG
and then isn't there a fan project remaster?

Are there other versions for PC?

D2X-Redux
Level 3 : Wenl Mine
Hotshot

I've played Freespace like 50 times over and now I'm finally getting around to playing its predecessors.

So I have seen a lot about Descent ov the years I tried it when I was 8 but it confused me however would like to jump in so where do you suggest I start.

D1 sound terably hard confusing levels and stuff I would be worried about getting stuck on the first level.

D2 is well loved within the community and has the added atraction of a guide bot

D3 Is the newest of the original trilogy and you can go outside so you may have more scope

Freespace/ Freespace 2 I have played a lot of this it’s the best space sim ever made there are plenty of mods so a lot of game play Bit is not really Decent but has the same DNA

I am in in making y own levels too so obviously FRED and FRED2 could be used for that if I decide to go Freespace.

So where would you start?

I know if I go with Decent I will have to play a bit to understand how the levels work but that’s ok as I don’t just want to make levels I want to play too.

EDIT: Ally of love for overlord I downloaded the demo and will try it today.

I was wondering if someone alreay tried DLSS 5's neural rendering on Descent ? This kind of tech could give a refreshed look to our beloved game !

Looks to be 25% off the price for each game.

First person to redeem it, please post so others don't waste their time.

4ND33WNFJVC3WMFL99

https://www.gog.com/redeem/

Most recent release: https://github.com/hurleybird/Descent-3MASTERED/releases/tag/0.9.1-Pre

It's a pre-release, which means I can't find any more bugs, but not plan survives first contact. Intended cadence is to post here, fix any bugs you guys find, then release the final version, then increment and add more features.

Patch notes from 0.9.0:

• Multiplayer fixes and improvements. (still only tested at a basic level)
• "Enhanced" mode robot AI now pathfinds towards player sounds as opposed to flying directly towards them. Sound detection range at lower difficulties has been reduced to compensate.
• Improved terrain rendering, which should be faster and higher fidelity on non-AMD gfx devices.
• A number of improvements to lighting, especially per-pixel specular.
• Bloom effect is somewhat stronger, while specific textures (such as monitors with text) gain protection based on player distance.
• Reduced file collisions with other Descent 3 ports via a combination of renaming, refoldering, and integrating some dependencies.
• Restored various missing cinematic subtitles.
• Fixed the crash at the end of Retribution level 12.
• EMD homing multiplier 1.25x -> 1.5x. ("Enhanced" ruleset)
• Microwave gun damage reduced by 1/3rd, while its status effect now applies a blanket 50% damage received amp. ("Enhanced" ruleset)
• Various performance improvements and bugfixes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNbqYziOl5Y

Just found this video and thought it was cool/interesting/funny. Look at that giant screen! And Will Smith trying to explain the game lmao! Looks like a really cool event to have been at.

Found while clearing out the house where I grew up

There are a lot of good newer ones (newer means newer than the 90's). I think there were a lot more low quality levels than high quality custom missions, but I think there were some okay ones back in the day. Grant's Badlands is a highly memorable one for me, even if the texturing isn't perfect. Colossus, Checkpoint Charlie, Galaxy Moons series, and Fissure of Neptune were interesting designs too. Of course, anything made by or in conjunction with Luke Schneider is great (Orion Nebula Project, Entropy Experiment, etc.)

I think there's a big difference between multi-player and single-player. I'm more interested in single-player myself but I think most Descent players today probably have stronger opinions on MP maps.

I like a few gimmicks in a level (like moving pieces or weird zones). I like when the tunnels turn back on themselves and all of sudden you are passing by an area you were in earlier but now it's from a different perspective. I don't like spawning enemies, I prefer to clear an area. Maybe my most controversial opinion is I don't like secret or hidden areas.

What about youse?

what it says on the tin. i wanna animate them in blender and the only models ive found are textureless.

I was going in and out of a door because I was bored, when I suddenly entered this room. Has anyone else seen this before?

Hey there. What's the community's thoughts on the PS1 vs PC DOS release? I tried to look for a direct 1v1 comparison and couldn't find it. Reviews generally seem to say the controls are worse on the PS1 pad but it's mostly otherwise faithful? IDK?

Thanks,!

Latest release: https://github.com/hurleybird/Descent-3MASTERED/releases#release-0.9.1-Pre

I've detached my old Piccu fork ("Piccu Experiment") and have added a decent amount to it. Now it's ready for its first (pre)release.

Would love to hear your feedback. I'm on an AMD GPU, so let me know if you guys find any issues on Nvidia or modern Intel (i.e. Alchemist/Battlemage)

Descent 3MASTERED (pronounced "threemastered"... get it?) is a new engine for Descent 3, forked from PiccuEngine, itself downstream of the original 1.5 source release.

Noteable enhancements

• "Enhanced" mode with improved weapon balance and support for custom difficulty
• Modern motion blur via per-pixel motion vectors
• Ambient occlusion
• Soft particles
• Bloom
• Per-pixel lighting
• Supersampling anti-aliasing
• 3D HRTF positional audio
• Ultra-widescreen support
• High (>60FPS) framerate
• Native Wooting analog keyboard support

I've worked really hard over the past 1.5 months to build an incredibly large event for the RDL a 6 phased (2 week long) community event with music, thematic changes over time, secrets, and a mascot of terror to entince players into checking what is different every day. Together the community MUST work together, or else...

https://rdl.descentnexus.com