Hey all. I just recently bought ToEE and I will be receiving it in the mail in a few days. I am a huge Troika fan, and have played Vampire: Bloodlines, played and modded Arcanum, and played Fallout. I tried the ToEE demo and was very impressed. I know the game had major bug issues when it came out and I'd like to make sure I have all the necessary patches ready to go when it gets here. My interest is in playing the game as bug free as possible but true to Troika's original vision (little to no hacks if possible). I've read 'The Co8 Mod Pack: A step-by-step download guide' and I've downloaded the following: TOEE_USA_ANY-PATCH2.EXE Circle_of_Eight_Mod_Pack_5.0.0_Final.exe Is this all I need to play the most bug free but true to Troika ToEE possible? Are there other patches I should download? Anything else I should know? Thanks in advance!
I haven't checked this site out in a long time (waiting for Keep on the Borderlands to finish), but I recall that about a year or more ago there was a thread depicting all the steps required to patch. I would assume they've kept this thread current and you should be able to find it on the site. I don't remember how clear it was however, so asking for an update as you have done can't hurt either. All I remember is it was a small challenge to get the game patched and installed with the new front end (the "front page" that would allow you to turn various options on and off and load mods). However it should be old hat for the regulars on this site.
Co8 5.0 fixes many bugs but also adds quite a bit of new content - especially if you use the 5.0.x CMF. If you want to play with as little new content as possible, I would suggest playing the Co8 3.0.4 mod. It does not have as many bug fixes as the C08 5.0, but it does not have near as much new content modded in, either. Or, if you are adamant about not wanting anything non-Troika, you could play the vanilla TOEE with patches 1,2, and 3 applied. (Which your version may already be patched when you get it, not sure about that.) But be aware, the Troika vanilla TOEE is still pretty buggy, even with all the official patches applied. (And Co8 bases all their mods on the patch 2 version of the game, because patch 3 seems to add new bugs all it's own.) When installing the TOEE mod, to minimize the new content, just select no to the install options for Desperate Housewives, the shopmap, and whatever else sounds like it is something new. Just make sure to say yes to installing the Front-End. TOEEFE makes the game much easier to use, and you will definitely want it running.
Thank you both. I think I'll opt for added content and less bugs, as bugs are the most annoying. If I am understanding you correctly, the two files I downloaded make me good to go, and the Co8 5.0.0 patch already INCLUDES the Front-End...
Yes, but there's an updated version of the front-end. You might want to check it out. There are also patches for the Co8 5.0.0 called the CMFs (cumulative fixes), they're still "beta" status until they're not included in the next release (6.0). BTW if you want to install the CMFs you just pick one (5.0.1, 5.0.2, 5.0.3, or 5.0.4). Front-End 4.01 http://www.co8.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1511 CMFs: http://www.co8.org/forum/showpost.php?p=35609&postcount=1
another thing which anoys me when people say I want bug fixes but not new content (altho you quite clearly have not said that) is that 90% of the new content isn't forced on you. you can install desperate housewives and just not play it, along with quite a few other bits which are added quests and such. The core of the game is still the same (maybe more trokia because we put the brothel back in after atari made trokia take it out).
Another issue is that a lot of new content is to fix bugs. Kind of hard to split the two sometimes. Can understand why people want to try playing 'original' first. Well worth doing actually because then it helps to explain why Co8 have done what we've done.
Most of Co8 work it's improving the game; there's little changes in the actual game, everything is added, so if people don't like it, it could be just ignored. The greatest changes are about playability (if that word exists), and "bug squishing". If you have doubts or do not know something in the game, hit "H", and click, you'll get the game manual, which is useful and easy to follow
The guys who worked on the help files deserve lots of kudos for doing a great job for those of use who are not DnD buffs.
