Getting started

NOVA Swift is a free, open-source reimplementation of the 2002 game EV Nova. It is a game engine, not the game itself: it runs the data from your own copy of EV Nova. No game data ships with it.

Download

Pick the version for your device.

Get and import your EV Nova data

NOVA Swift uses a bring-your-own-data model. EV Nova's data is copyrighted, so we cannot include it. Owning EV Nova is fine; passing its data files around is not. The game only reads your files and never changes the originals.

Where to find the data

EV Nova is no longer sold in any store. Ambrosia Software is gone, and the game was never on Steam, GOG or the App Store. If you own a copy, there are two common ways to get at the data:

• Easiest: download the Windows build's .zip from andrews05.github.io/evstuff and unzip it. You do not need to install, launch or register anything. The unzipped folder already contains the game's .rez data files, ready to import.
• From a Mac install: the community "EV Nova mod 4" build runs on current macOS. Launch it once and its Nova Files folder is ready to import. The Data Setup wizard also explains Decoder Ring, a 2023 tool from Ambrosia's former president Andrew Welch that makes a valid registration code for a copy you own. Registration is only needed to run the classic app, not to import data.

What you can import

The wizard accepts any of these:

• The unzipped Windows folder, or your EV Nova application folder
• The Nova Files folder
• Single .rez or .ndat files (.ndat is the cross-platform form of the Mac resource files)
• On the Linux and Steam Deck build, the Windows .zip as it is, with no unzipping

Picking the whole game folder is best, because it also brings the soundtrack and the original fonts. On the Linux and Steam Deck build it also brings the race movies and EVNova.ini, and a Nova Plug-ins folder beside the game is imported as plug-ins.

1. Start the app

   On first launch, the Data Setup wizard appears. On the Linux and Steam Deck build it is the only thing the game shows until your data is imported, plus Settings and Quit.

2. Choose your data

   Tell the wizard whether you already have the files. On Apple devices, tap or click Choose Data… and pick the folder or files. On Linux, pick the folder, .zip or files; installs the game finds by itself are listed on the page.

3. Wait for the copy

   NOVA Swift copies and checks your data. The Linux and Steam Deck wizard confirms the data tables and menu art are readable, shows the detected version, checks free disk space, and only replaces older data once the new copy passes.

4. Play

   When the wizard says it is done, choose Play.

Where your data goes

The wizard copies your files into NOVA Swift's own data folder, so your originals are never touched and app updates never touch the copy.

The Apple app keeps its own copy inside its sandbox, so there is nothing to manage by hand.

Apple TV

Apple TV has no Files app, so it cannot browse your computer. There are two routes:

• iCloud: if you imported on another Apple device with iCloud on, Apple TV restores your data automatically on first launch.
• Web importer: otherwise the setup wizard shows an address like http://<your-tv's-ip>:8017. Open it in a browser on a Mac, PC or phone on the same Wi-Fi, then drop your Nova Files folder (or the .ndat/.rez files in it) onto the page. Nothing leaves your local network.

tvOS may clear local storage when the TV runs low on space. If that happens, restore from iCloud or send the files again the same way.

Create or import a pilot

Choose New Pilot from the main menu, type a name and pick a starting scenario. The scenarios come from your own game data, just like the original game's character setup, and total conversion plug-ins can add their own. On the Linux and Steam Deck build the dice button beside the name field fills in a random name, handy with a controller.

Importing old pilots

• Windows pilots (.plt): import them from the pilot list. NOVA Swift shows a summary first, then saves the pilot and lets you play it. On the Linux and Steam Deck build use Import EV Nova Pilot… in the Open Pilot screen.
• Classic Mac pilots: support is in testing. It may not work for every file yet.

Pilots are saved as .evpilot files with rotating backups. On Linux and Steam Deck they default to ~/Documents/NovaSwift/Pilots (the folder can be changed in Settings, Data & Advanced, Saved Games).

iCloud sync (Apple devices)

On Mac, iPad and iPhone, pilots can save to your private iCloud. Your imported game data can sync the same way, so you import once and every device, Apple TV included, sets itself up. Turn these on or off in Settings under Saved Games (iCloud pilot sync and iCloud game data sync).

Everything goes to your own private iCloud, never anywhere shared. If sync is unavailable (offline, signed out, out of space) you get a friendly message and play continues locally. Game-data sync is still being finished in this beta, so if your data does not appear on a second device, import it there directly.

Enhancements

NOVA Swift plays like the original by default, with the original interface drawn from your own data. Anything that changes the rules is an Enhancement in Settings.

• Enhancements. Extra behaviour the original did not have, each with a one-line note saying what it replaces. Examples are frequent autosave, quick hyperjump, forgiving landing, automatic route plotting, nearest-first targeting, tight formations and a modern key layout. Every one is off by default, so the game plays as the original did unless you opt in.

Game speed is separate. Authentic is the default and matches the original's pace.

Your first flight

If you played EV Nova, you already know how this goes. If not, here is the loop.

1. Take off

   You start docked on a planet. Choose Launch from the spaceport screen. The first time you play, short tutorial hints appear. You can switch them off or bring them all back in Gameplay settings.

2. Fly

   Turn, thrust and fire with the keyboard, a controller or the on-screen touch controls. Defaults are in Controls & controllers.

3. Land

   Select a planet or station and press the Land key (L by default) while you are close and slow enough.

4. Trade

   The spaceport has a commodity exchange. Buy cargo where it is cheap, fly to a system where it sells for more, and sell. This is how most new pilots earn their first credits.

5. Take missions

   The Mission BBS lists jobs offered on the planet. Accept one, then check Mission Info (I by default) for your current objectives. The in-game Story Guide can show where storylines continue.

6. Upgrade

   Use the outfitter for weapons and equipment, and the shipyard for new ships. The shipyard also has a ship info screen.

7. Jump

   Open the galaxy map (M), pick a linked system, and use the hyperjump key (J) once you are clear of the planet and have fuel.

Updates

• Apple devices: TestFlight delivers new builds. Turn on automatic updates in TestFlight if you want them as they arrive.
• Linux and Steam Deck: the game checks GitHub for a newer release when the main menu opens, at most once a day, and asks before downloading anything. Choose Skip This Version, Later or Update Now. Control it in Settings, Data & Advanced, Updates. Experimental updates is off by default and also offers test builds that may be unstable. The updater has not been verified end to end on an installed build yet, so if it fails, you can always download the new tarball by hand. Your pilots and data live outside the install folder and stay put.

Reporting bugs

This is a beta, so bugs are expected. A good report helps a lot.

1. Build a diagnostics bundle

   On Apple devices go to Settings, Support, then Report a Bug. It bundles your pilot and recent logs into one file. On the Linux and Steam Deck build, the Report a Bug… button is on the Data & Advanced settings page.

2. File an issue

   Open the GitHub issue tracker, describe what happened and what you expected, and attach the bundle.

If something plays differently from the original game, say so. There is a fidelity issue template for exactly that.