The Co8 Modpack and TFE-X

Update: The new modpack, Circle of Eight Modpack 5.5.0 BETA, will be upon us very soon now.

Recommendations: You should finish up your current game in preparation for the new modpack. The new modpack will require not only that you start a new game, but that you reinstall ToEE from the ground up. That's right. So wrap up your current campaigns if you're eager to see the new package. Otherwise it will be waiting for you whenever you're ready sometime down the line, but make no mistake, you will have to reinstall ToEE and start a new game when you use it.

New features: Co8 5.5.0 BETA will include all material from the original modpack, the latest CMF, and all the mods submitted since the latest CMF. It will also include:

• Hickory Branch 2.0
• A repopulated Hommlet, with many more children and adults running around. Most of these are generic, but this reflects the module more accurately. Hommlet is not supposed to be a ghost town.
• Dialogue overhauls for Brother Smyth, Captain Renton, and the Woodcutter, among other things.
• The possibility of discussing Welkwood Bog with Smyth and Renton.
• The complete maps for Welkwood Bog. Note that there will be nothing yet going on at Welkwood Bog, despite what people may say, but you can go there anyway and look around. The complete mod will be an upcoming priority, but I thought it would be nice to let you see the maps and experience the 'ambience' ahead of time. If you so choose.
• New outfits for some NPCs, where appropriate, to more accurately reflect their portraits. Plus, NPCs you got used to seeing in hats may not wear them anymore if they don't have them on in their portraits.
• The new shopmap will be the starting point for everybody. You won't have the option of not installing it. If you hate the new shopmap, however, you need only step into the portal the moment you arrive there.
• Players will start the game clothed, with no weapons or armor except for the cases that were recognized previously (bastard swords for whoever, etc.). You will not be able to change this.
• Proper money levels for starting characters (as was the case with the old shop map).
• It will be mandatory that you use the new front end, TFE-X. You won't have to install it separately, however; it will come with the mod along with detailed (but simple ) installation instructions. TFE-X has been shown to be exceptionally stable, and Agetian has even fixed the earlier issues with the Polish version of ToEE, so this shouldn't be an issue for anyone at all. You will not be able to play Co8 5.5.0 BETA without TFE-X.

Redacted features: The new modpack will not contain:

• The Desperate Housewives mod. (Don't worry, this will be offered as an add-on pack that you can install at your discretion.)
• There will be no fog of war in Hommlet and Nulb, nor any option to re-enable it.
• You will no longer have the option to level NPCs yourself. They will be levelled by the game automatically - but it will happen intelligently now instead of foolishly like it had been in the old days. As we speak, Shiningted is working feverishly to redesign all the minutia related to this process, so it is in good hands. We considered this for quite some time, and eventually came to the conclusion that ToEE was simply not intended to offer that sort of freedom. The original intent of Troika was quite clear: they wanted a significant level of autonomy for their NPCs. While they failed at this with NPC looting and inventory management (and hence why humble NPCs will remain), they didn't do so bad with levelling, aside from the actual levelling. If NPCs can be made to level intelligently, they will retain a higher level of perceived independance and thus, ultimately, that revered concept of 'immershun' will hopefully be improved. Sorry guys, but Meleny was never, ever meant to be a barbarian. She was meant to be a foxy druid, period. (That said ... we decided we will make another add-on pack available that allows you to level NPCs yourselves, just in case the thought of Meleny no longer brutalizing unsuspecting victims across the flaeness is too much for you to bear.) :no:

In related news: When Co8 5.5.0 BETA is released, the old CMF submissions and discussion threads will be closed down and out of business. In their place, new CMF submissions and discussion threads will arise, geared toward 5.5.0 and assuming it as a starting point. Additionally, the discussion thread will be run more formally so as to efficiently deal with bugs in a more productive manner. There will be bug-reporting guidelines put in place that are similar to what you remember from the TFE-X thread. (In fact, Agetian is also working feverishly as we speak to establish these guidelines.) You may think these guidelines are mean, but they are not. While we do enjoy being mean to you, we also want to help you. We are not very well able to deal with "my game doesn't work, what should I do?" style reports, so you will have to jump through some hoops if you want your issues addressed. That's just the way it is. The hoops are really not that high though, and by jumping through them you help us to help you.

Final note: Co8 5.5.0 BETA will be a public BETA release. The plain fact is, we don't have the resources to beta test this properly ourselves. So you, the people, shall be the beta testers. Eventually, with your help, it will come out of beta and just be a regular old release. We're counting on you. :yes:

Stand by for more updates as they become necessary. A new dawn awaits.

Take up your arms, pick up your courage
A black sun is rising as the gods of Europe sleep ...

 

You might be able to, depending on which version of the modpack + CMF you created them with, but it would be best if you didn't. We're making every effort to make the new modpack experience as trouble-free as possible (hence requiring you to reinstall the entire game), being as 'cross-contamination' is likely responsible for many of the woes people have experienced in recent times.

Best if you start new with everything. :yes:

@maggit - was that Google or personal knowledge?

 

Damn, I knew we missed something!

As of right now, Welkwood Bog is just (multiple) new maps. But it will be a fully functional mod one day. The idea as I originally foresaw it was to offer Welkwood as an alternative to the Hommlet quests, with an equal amount of XP to be gained. So you could knowingly play the Hommlet quests or Welkwood Bog (since so many people seem to hate Hommlet fedexing), or you could play both and to hell with the consequences. Not sure how that will play out in the end though.

The rest of the rebalancing has yet to be integrated, unfortunately. That's a pretty big job - we could delay release for another year until that's finished or just put out what we've got now, and in the process (and thanks in large part to the marvels of TFE-X) put to rest most of these gameplay issues we've been suffering with lately.

As to KJ, they've had a long and storied career, not just the album with 'Death and Resurrection.' 'Night Time' is my favorite and IMO one of the best ever done. It features 'Europe,' that of the lyrics above. Also 'Love Like Blood,' one of their best known songs, which is either beautiful or horrifying depending on which way you look at it. I find it to be both. Most compelling.

We must play our lives like soldiers in the field
Life is short, I'm running faster all the time
Strength and beauty, destined to decay
So cut the rose in full bloom

Sounds like something from an In Vain/mindSedge song.

 

Update: it looks like the NPC levelling issue will actually revert to the user controlled method. Despite some mighty efforts, Ted hasn't had any (or much) luck with getting it to work properly. It's an engine issue unfortunately, so unless we crack some part of the code we don't yet understand or come up with a workaround (and this is unlikely at this late stage), players will be levelling NPCs with the 5.5 modpack.

You will no longer have the option to not do this either. Installation options are being dramatically trimmed down, so it had to be either/or. And with the vanilla method being so badly flawed, the only real option is for players to do it.

 

Yes.

No. Trust us, we've thought it out.