All,
1 MAR 2014 - The mod has been released!
A full HD sub-project in the works regarding weapons, pistols, and items to substantially improve graphic quality in game.
This mod upgrades over 380+ inventory items in game to high definition using the actual game models if available.
This MOD is specific for release to GOF Eras ONLY, and is NOT compatible with GOF 1.2 or 2.0 without further modification because of the amount of additional items that were added to the game.
This is a texture file replacement set and does not change game code, so no new game is required.
Main Download Link:
The Black Knight's CoAS Mods Dropbox - 8 HD Inventory Pack (v1.0) (GOF Eras Only)
(Go to the Downloads Section at top of PA! page)
Download Size: 334 MB
Uncompressed Size: 640 MB
Installation instructions:
1) Prepare for backup! Store your inventory item files (items#.tga.tx files) in a safe place.
2) Download GOF Eras - HD Inventory Pack.zip
2) Extract all files to a separate directory
3) Copy all item texture files files to resource/textures/interfaces
4) Enjoy the game and keep playing!
BACKGROUND:
MK did great work on the new items for inclusion in the GOF Eras mod, but many of the other items were the still slightly upgraded versions from the Russian mod or completely from the original game code.
I conducted high quality model capture using the game files and get the full HD versions to include in this MOD with all texture files set to 2048X2048 (max MIP quality) with the same artistic flair that was used for both the mod and the game design.
The results are spectacular as I was able to capture the fine details of each of the in game weapons, maps, and items.
(NOTE: I did not replace everything, I only upgraded weapons and items that were the low quality versions (non-MK) which mostly include stock swords and weapons, pistols, generic items, maps, unique rare items, consumables, and quest items)
Any item "spots" you see in the preview below that are blank, are blank for reason. These were items that were not used in the GOF Eras mod, or not used at all because the pages were partial extracts from POTEHO items were originally created.
Every item replaced was reproduced to replicate the original desired game effect and type of item including scale, colors, direction of placement, shadows, and backgrounds.
This way you still recognize the items from the original game and things don't "look out of place".
80 swords were upgraded, only three were omitted due to original poor model quality until I can find a suitable replacement or overhaul the models themselves (annotated with a red "r" in the left upper corner of the inventory picture). All pistols were enhanced, replaced, or improved.
Some personal graphic liberties were taken to improve some of the original items, such as the Narwhal Pendant and Mummy Powder, that did not convey the intended effect well.
This includes Aztec, Mayan, and religious items to match the culture of the period.
I actually was surprised to find that many of the Aztec items by the original Russian developers were actually factual Meso-American items when doing research for modification, but many were not correct in use.
All item resolution quality has been increased 4X over the original game (at minimum).
Some items resolutions are well over 10X-50X the originals when I could locate a comparable replacement, with very crisp details and realism if possible.
For a professional polished look, I am including some personal item photos (including weapons and pistols) which I own that are very close to their game counterparts.
Final version is set for use in widescreen resolutions (1680X1050 and above) which is why some of the items look "narrow" in the screen capture. In game they look normal at a 16:9, 16:10 or 21:9 aspect ratio.
All items have the proper gold inner edging in the inventory menus.
You will know which items were replaced without guessing...
You can even read the text on letters and maps and the detail is exceptional.
Progress was slow due to fine detail involved and properly fixing aspect ratios.
Some items required complete vector redraw captures, such as the Aztec Jade Skull, ALL Totems, and the Double Barrel Carbine which now looks photo realistic.
GUI fixes were also implemented in this mod such as the "Bag of Coins" inventory item was moved up, so now it does not overlap your amount in possession and is much easier to see in game. That is of course until you have pieces of eight in the millions...
NOTE:
One thing I did to help new players is the "color coding" of item backgrounds for reference on quality.
In the original game, it seems almost seemed random at times.
This has now been fixed.
You will know now if you have something really special when you divvy up the loot...
Generic items usually have just a "plain yellow" background or wood planking as per original game with a few variations (such as green velvet) thrown in for treasure, rings, and such to get good contrast.
However, many quest items (not all) still have plain yellow to avoid spoiling surprises.
Reading items such as letters, letters of marque, and trade licenses have a "parchment" background.
Weapons, armor, and other important tools are color coded in four levels (with a few exceptions for rare weapons and Aztec tools to match cultural colors):
Black (Smoke and Leather), Plain Yellow, Parchment, Wood Planking - Lowest
Blue (Satin or Velvet) - Middle
Gold (Satin and Velvet)- High
Red (Satin, Dark, Velvet) - Highest
Cheers to the captain!
HD Inventory Items at work in game:
Preview of all UPDATED items (very low quality resolution):
1 MAR 2014 - The mod has been released!
A full HD sub-project in the works regarding weapons, pistols, and items to substantially improve graphic quality in game.
This mod upgrades over 380+ inventory items in game to high definition using the actual game models if available.
This MOD is specific for release to GOF Eras ONLY, and is NOT compatible with GOF 1.2 or 2.0 without further modification because of the amount of additional items that were added to the game.
This is a texture file replacement set and does not change game code, so no new game is required.
Main Download Link:
The Black Knight's CoAS Mods Dropbox - 8 HD Inventory Pack (v1.0) (GOF Eras Only)
(Go to the Downloads Section at top of PA! page)
Download Size: 334 MB
Uncompressed Size: 640 MB
Installation instructions:
1) Prepare for backup! Store your inventory item files (items#.tga.tx files) in a safe place.
2) Download GOF Eras - HD Inventory Pack.zip
2) Extract all files to a separate directory
3) Copy all item texture files files to resource/textures/interfaces
4) Enjoy the game and keep playing!
BACKGROUND:
MK did great work on the new items for inclusion in the GOF Eras mod, but many of the other items were the still slightly upgraded versions from the Russian mod or completely from the original game code.
I conducted high quality model capture using the game files and get the full HD versions to include in this MOD with all texture files set to 2048X2048 (max MIP quality) with the same artistic flair that was used for both the mod and the game design.
The results are spectacular as I was able to capture the fine details of each of the in game weapons, maps, and items.
(NOTE: I did not replace everything, I only upgraded weapons and items that were the low quality versions (non-MK) which mostly include stock swords and weapons, pistols, generic items, maps, unique rare items, consumables, and quest items)
Any item "spots" you see in the preview below that are blank, are blank for reason. These were items that were not used in the GOF Eras mod, or not used at all because the pages were partial extracts from POTEHO items were originally created.
Every item replaced was reproduced to replicate the original desired game effect and type of item including scale, colors, direction of placement, shadows, and backgrounds.
This way you still recognize the items from the original game and things don't "look out of place".
80 swords were upgraded, only three were omitted due to original poor model quality until I can find a suitable replacement or overhaul the models themselves (annotated with a red "r" in the left upper corner of the inventory picture). All pistols were enhanced, replaced, or improved.
Some personal graphic liberties were taken to improve some of the original items, such as the Narwhal Pendant and Mummy Powder, that did not convey the intended effect well.
This includes Aztec, Mayan, and religious items to match the culture of the period.
I actually was surprised to find that many of the Aztec items by the original Russian developers were actually factual Meso-American items when doing research for modification, but many were not correct in use.
All item resolution quality has been increased 4X over the original game (at minimum).
Some items resolutions are well over 10X-50X the originals when I could locate a comparable replacement, with very crisp details and realism if possible.
For a professional polished look, I am including some personal item photos (including weapons and pistols) which I own that are very close to their game counterparts.
Final version is set for use in widescreen resolutions (1680X1050 and above) which is why some of the items look "narrow" in the screen capture. In game they look normal at a 16:9, 16:10 or 21:9 aspect ratio.
All items have the proper gold inner edging in the inventory menus.
You will know which items were replaced without guessing...
You can even read the text on letters and maps and the detail is exceptional.
Progress was slow due to fine detail involved and properly fixing aspect ratios.
Some items required complete vector redraw captures, such as the Aztec Jade Skull, ALL Totems, and the Double Barrel Carbine which now looks photo realistic.
GUI fixes were also implemented in this mod such as the "Bag of Coins" inventory item was moved up, so now it does not overlap your amount in possession and is much easier to see in game. That is of course until you have pieces of eight in the millions...
NOTE:
One thing I did to help new players is the "color coding" of item backgrounds for reference on quality.
In the original game, it seems almost seemed random at times.
This has now been fixed.
You will know now if you have something really special when you divvy up the loot...
Generic items usually have just a "plain yellow" background or wood planking as per original game with a few variations (such as green velvet) thrown in for treasure, rings, and such to get good contrast.
However, many quest items (not all) still have plain yellow to avoid spoiling surprises.
Reading items such as letters, letters of marque, and trade licenses have a "parchment" background.
Weapons, armor, and other important tools are color coded in four levels (with a few exceptions for rare weapons and Aztec tools to match cultural colors):
Black (Smoke and Leather), Plain Yellow, Parchment, Wood Planking - Lowest
Blue (Satin or Velvet) - Middle
Gold (Satin and Velvet)- High
Red (Satin, Dark, Velvet) - Highest
Cheers to the captain!
HD Inventory Items at work in game:
Preview of all UPDATED items (very low quality resolution):
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