Plug-in (Escape Velocity)

Plug-in (Escape Velocity)

Plug-in is the term used for the add-on files used to modify the Escape Velocity series of games by Ambrosia Software. They are similar to what is now often referred to as a 'mod' for other games, but that term was not common when Escape Velocity was first created, and in any case the Macintosh development community generally prefers clearer and more accessible terminology. Another difference in the terminology is that while ‘mods” often involve a certain amount of reverse-engineering of the game engine (since developers prefer to sell their own expansion packs), plug-ins are specifically authorised and facilitated by the developers.

Plug-ins are collected on the official web sites for the Escape Velocity games (or, of course, can be downloaded from a plug-in creator’s own site) and are installed by placing them in the ‘Plug-ins’ folder within the game folder. The effects of the plug-in will be active so long as the game is run with the file in the correct folder.