What do you guys think about the PC version of A:CM? Do you think it will come with mod tools for the community to tweak the things we don't like? I could imagine some pretty cool xeno re-skins or even level designs like you see in some mod communities. Also, will we get the option to turn the graphics way up from where they are in the console versions? I'd go as far as to say something like this is absolutely necessary for the PC version. What does everyone think?
I wish so much they would release a SDK.
Hell! I could even pay for it!!!
This game has so much potential with mode tools unlike any precendent alien game!
Quote from: And stuff on Feb 11, 2013, 08:44:34 PM
What do you guys think about the PC version of A:CM? Do you think it will come with mod tools for the community to tweak the things we don't like? I could imagine some pretty cool xeno re-skins or even level designs like you see in some mod communities. Also, will we get the option to turn the graphics way up from where they are in the console versions? I'd go as far as to say something like this is absolutely necessary for the PC version. What does everyone think?
To quote Cruz from the game, "Not a snowballs chance in f**k!".
SDK will
never be released, as it will interfere with their plan to sell as much DLC as they can get away with. No point selling it if your fans can make it for free!
Expect this to be the norm for nearly every AAA game for as long as the game industry exists in it's current form.
Screw the AAA. Indie all the way! 8)
Quote from: WinterActual on Feb 11, 2013, 09:00:37 PM
Screw the AAA. Indie all the way! 8)
After seeing the Wasteland 2 footage this weekend (so glad I backed it), i'm inclined to think that more and more 'successful' games will be going the kickstarter route.
Unlikely, Mod tools are a direct danger to DLC sales. It likely that people will mod anyway, but I don't see the developer supporting it. This game took alot of time to make, and likely cost alot, they want to squeeze every penny out of it if possible.
so if MODS will not be allowed on the PC, this game will be a failure.
Its already got many FPS players mad that the alien is forced to be in third person mode.
Players should not be forced into a 3rd person mode, if they are selling this game as a FPS.
I think gear box should be sued for false advertisement.
Quote from: piff on Feb 11, 2013, 09:32:08 PM
I think gear box should be sued for false advertisement.
You'll have about as much luck as those crazies who sue over their mmo having downtime.
Don't hold your breath on an SDK.
Quote from: pixelbaron on Feb 11, 2013, 10:08:04 PM
Don't hold your breath on an SDK.
this is why these games die a quick death. They fragment the map community by making your PAY for maps, so now, how much are you investing vs how much replay value will it have when dies because there are no mods?
look at avp2010 for example. Its dead.
I am sure a MOD person can take this game, and at least give the option for the alien to be in First Person. or maybe the game is just doomed as an alien in 3rd person forever.
ruins the experience of being able to play the alien in First Person for the last decade. now your force to play like you have a camera over your shoulder.
It totally kills it for aliens lovers everywhere.
its a money maker for them, a quick one, and the game sadly will die a quick death.
3rd person was actually a smart move in my opinion because it gives the aliens a bit more awareness in their environment when playing multiplayer, and you have better bearings on whether or not you're perched on a wall or ceiling.
This is coming from someone that played aliens any chance he got in all previous games. I don't mind 1st person, but I think 3rd person as a default is fine.
Quote from: pixelbaron on Feb 12, 2013, 12:52:25 AM
3rd person was actually a smart move in my opinion because it gives the aliens a bit more awareness in their environment when playing multiplayer, and you have better bearings on whether or not you're perched on a wall or ceiling.
This is coming from someone that played aliens any chance he got in all previous games. I don't mind 1st person, but I think 3rd person as a default is fine.
the problem here is CHOICE.
Your forced to play third person.
The suspense of being sneaked up upon is gone. Removed from the game, and thats the problem. Its not suspenseful when you can see them coming up from behind...
AVP 2010 the humans could not crouch, iin A:CM the alien is forced into their person with no option to remove it. Sad.
editing shouldn't be a problem with Unreal engine at least, for all the problems it's causing it.
Quote from: chupacabras acheronsis on Feb 12, 2013, 01:04:01 AM
editing shouldn't be a problem with Unreal engine at least, for all the problems it's causing it.
That depends on what has been done to the engine. If it's anything like what Gearbox did to DNF to lock the modders out, you can forget it.
Quote from: OpenMaw on Feb 12, 2013, 01:18:59 AM
Quote from: chupacabras acheronsis on Feb 12, 2013, 01:04:01 AM
editing shouldn't be a problem with Unreal engine at least, for all the problems it's causing it.
That depends on what has been done to the engine. If it's anything like what Gearbox did to DNF to lock the modders out, you can forget it.
Then these gearbox people are just like rebellion, they just copied one of their other game, rouge warrior, and just made it with aliens....even with the cheap press it to kill from behind, ruining the expire of being able to get away when being sneaked up from behind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G72rw2hZFho (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G72rw2hZFho)
As others have expressed, I share the feeling of don't hold your breath for an SDK. It would be glorious but with the Season Pass treatment already announced I don't see it. As for graphics I'm unsure due to my areas release being tomorrow morning
Will folks be able to mod the game without an official SDK? I'd like to see some mods that add more environmental effects for ambiance. Or a mod that makes all non-boss aliens into lurkers. Small things along those lines.
Beyond texture and sound mods I very much doubt anyone will be able to do much of anything. If that, even.
Skyrim, Civilization 5 and Dawn of War 2 all get on just fine with both mod tools and premium DLC. Mods can extend the lifespan and exposure of the game, which in term can result in more DLC buys.
The trick is to create desirable DLC, which a lot of games seem to have a problem with at the moment.
hey, I have no problem with the concept Vert. I just know how Gearbox thinks, and how they act in this regard... and if Sega has anything to say about it... Yeah... Forget about it happening through official channels. Fans will have to work really hard to make it happen, if it can be done at all. I took a peak at the files earlier this evening after playing through most of the campaign. It'll be interesting to see if any of the more technically adept members out there can get their hands dirty.
Gearbox and Sega would gain a lot of respect back if they did release an SDK, even though we know they won't. But a compromise I see is to at least release the SDK after they've finished releasing DLC, then the game won't die. The fans would make this game the tits!
But it's useless talking about it though. This franchise, and the companies and people behind everything that comes out lately, is just utterly f**ked up.
SDK would be the best option so the community might fix the game for the developers...or at least a few issues.
The WPC (our clan, you may know us from http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF (http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF)) are allready looking into ripping out various elements and trying to put them back in the game. Our first goal of course making all the textures HD.
Seeing this is an Unreal engine game it won't be too hard to pull off, getting the stuff out...now to get the stuff back in. Preferably without hex-editing.
Life finds a way, as they say. And so do modding teams.
Maybe a modding section can be in order? Or is this too early. ;D
Quote from: Hemi on Feb 14, 2013, 08:17:20 AM
The WPC (our clan, you may know us from http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF (http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF)) are allready looking into ripping out various elements and trying to put them back in the game. Our first goal of course making all the textures HD.
Seeing this is an Unreal engine game it won't be too hard to pull off, getting the stuff out...now to get the stuff back in. Preferably without hex-editing.
Life finds a way, as they say. And so do modding teams.
Maybe a modding section can be in order? Or is this too early. ;D
f**k yes, I was thinking about you guys doing something earlier today, but I forgot to mention my thoughts. Godspeed!
The True Hero's of the Alien Games!
I might actually get this, if you manage to Mod the hell out of this game.
Quote from: Hemi on Feb 14, 2013, 08:17:20 AM
The WPC (our clan, you may know us from http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF (http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF)) are allready looking into ripping out various elements and trying to put them back in the game. Our first goal of course making all the textures HD.
Seeing this is an Unreal engine game it won't be too hard to pull off, getting the stuff out...now to get the stuff back in. Preferably without hex-editing.
Life finds a way, as they say. And so do modding teams.
Maybe a modding section can be in order? Or is this too early. ;D
Didn't Gearbox lock people out of modding DNF? I imagine they'd have done the same to this, no?
Modding possibilities would be the only reason for me to buy the game, so i can at least try to fix/improve a few things. SDK won't happen i guess (though in my eyes they owe it the community) so i wait and see how far you can go - until then it should be on sale.
Quote from: Elicas on Feb 14, 2013, 01:39:03 PM
Quote from: Hemi on Feb 14, 2013, 08:17:20 AM
The WPC (our clan, you may know us from http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF (http://www.mostimpressive.nl/AKF)) are allready looking into ripping out various elements and trying to put them back in the game. Our first goal of course making all the textures HD.
Seeing this is an Unreal engine game it won't be too hard to pull off, getting the stuff out...now to get the stuff back in. Preferably without hex-editing.
Life finds a way, as they say. And so do modding teams.
Maybe a modding section can be in order? Or is this too early. ;D
Didn't Gearbox lock people out of modding DNF? I imagine they'd have done the same to this, no?
Gearbox didnt fix their own AI errors and bugs before launch - im sure they left gaps in the coding too
I would assume releasing modding tools would be in their best interest. That way people might actually bother to buy the PC version. It certainly didn't hurt Skyrim, with people being able to do whatever else they want with the game, and to add streams of new content. And despite that, Bethesda still manages to sell their own DLC.
I don't think that many people will buy the upcoming DLC, except they redo the whole game and release it as free DLC :D
So the real loss wouldn't be that big AND they would fix at least a bit of this disaster to save their reputation.
Where is Bethesda and where is SEGA...And some people still have chutzpah to bash Bethesda...it's the only major publisher which treats PC gaming seriously.
Quote from: OpenMaw on Feb 12, 2013, 01:18:59 AM
Quote from: chupacabras acheronsis on Feb 12, 2013, 01:04:01 AM
editing shouldn't be a problem with Unreal engine at least, for all the problems it's causing it.
That depends on what has been done to the engine. If it's anything like what Gearbox did to DNF to lock the modders out, you can forget it.
There are people on this planet that can easily get rid of the lock. It's Unreal. It shouldn't be that difficult to unlock. People were able to mod skins in AvP 2010 and that uses a completely different engine(I think)
If you guys can salvage it through modding for the pc I'd consider getting it for my old PC.
This guy is making some rather dubious claims (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=127060396) regarding improving the look of the game through various methods.
So far he's also refusing to post any direct comparison shots. Anyone feel like doing that, so we can really test the validity of what he's saying?
Quote from: Deathly_rYaN on Feb 14, 2013, 02:42:20 PM
There are people on this planet that can easily get rid of the lock. It's Unreal. It shouldn't be that difficult to unlock. People were able to mod skins in AvP 2010 and that uses a completely different engine(I think)
... Like I said. They actively shut down attempts by people in the Duke4 community, which is a very small tightly knit group of people with a number of coders. They were not able to do anything beyond a few texture mods, and that requires using the unpatched version of the game, and some legally shady modifications. It's not easy, and it's not something which can be done wide spread either. There won't be any AXP REALISM mods for Colonial Marines. No modding functionality of any meaningful nature.
Especially if Gearbox makes it a habit of patching the game to lock out changes modders make. There were a couple of people who were making headway with getting a duct-taped version of Unreal ED to work with DNF, along with some other modifcations. Gearbox came in, and made it so that if certain things were set, the game would crash. Literally. They purposely sabotaged efforts.
Quote from: The Necronoir on Feb 14, 2013, 11:36:04 PM
This guy is making some rather dubious claims (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=127060396) regarding improving the look of the game through various methods.
So far he's also refusing to post any direct comparison shots. Anyone feel like doing that, so we can really test the validity of what he's saying?
Nothing dubious about it really. Many of those tweaks are common to all UE3 games.
All he's doing is forcing his graphics card to make the game look slightly better.
Judging by the screenshots I don't see too much of a difference other than some textures being slightly less '99
Quote from: pixelbaron on Feb 15, 2013, 12:24:48 AM
All he's doing is forcing his graphics card to make the game look slightly better.
Judging by the screenshots I don't see too much of a difference other than some textures being slightly less '99
Yeah, there's been a video comparison posted now, and the only difference I can see is that everything gets darker. No noticeable improvement to bloom or lighting effects.
The higher contrast does look nicer. It makes the flashlight actually worth using now, at least.
and weirdly, the colors make the outdoors resemble the infamous 2011 demo A LOT more.
The mod was posted on steam recently to enchance the graphics and add effects that werent there etc.
http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/15/aliens-colonial-marines-mods-duct-tapes-directx-10-features-improved-lighting-effects/?ns_campaign=article-feed&ns_mchannel=ref&ns_source=steam&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0 (http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/15/aliens-colonial-marines-mods-duct-tapes-directx-10-features-improved-lighting-effects/?ns_campaign=article-feed&ns_mchannel=ref&ns_source=steam&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0)
Here are the mod links -
http://www.moddb.com/mods/aliensdx10-better-grafik-and-light (http://www.moddb.com/mods/aliensdx10-better-grafik-and-light)
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/aliens-colonial-marines-can-look-good-sweetfx-vs-vanilla/ (http://www.dsogaming.com/news/aliens-colonial-marines-can-look-good-sweetfx-vs-vanilla/)
I tried it myself and i gotta be honest.. I was playing on High Resolution and maxed graphics and it looked amazing for the most part. I cant say the same for the Console version as modding is impossible.
Looks amazing?
It's 12 ini tweaks that change very little, and two of them don't do anything as they aren't even hooked into the version of the engine they shipped.
On top of that the guy sent out his own DLC strings to Joe Public.
Quote from: Xhan on Feb 15, 2013, 12:10:35 PM
Looks amazing?
It's 12 ini tweaks that change very little, and two of them don't do anything as they aren't even hooked into the version of the engine they shipped.
On top of that the guy sent out his own DLC strings to Joe Public.
That seems to be the case unfortunately. Other than the different higher contrast there doesn't seem to be much of a difference.
http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/15/aliens-colonial-marines-mods-duct-tapes-directx-10-features-improved-lighting-effects/?ns_campaign=article-feed&ns_mchannel=ref&ns_source=steam&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0 (http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/15/aliens-colonial-marines-mods-duct-tapes-directx-10-features-improved-lighting-effects/?ns_campaign=article-feed&ns_mchannel=ref&ns_source=steam&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0)
Well that really didn't take long. Here's a article with links to both mods.
Anyone see this yet?
http://www.gamespot.com/news/aliens-colonial-marines-gets-dx10-graphics-from-savvy-modder-6403981 (http://www.gamespot.com/news/aliens-colonial-marines-gets-dx10-graphics-from-savvy-modder-6403981)
Quote from: DRAKE M. on Feb 16, 2013, 04:19:10 PM
They just need to release the SDK and this game will get fixed! Shit, that one cat added DX10 support in like a day...
DX10 isn't really supported. Only the ini files were edited which is common to all UE3 games: http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=79493 (http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=79493)
Quote from: ikarop on Feb 16, 2013, 04:50:03 PM
Quote from: DRAKE M. on Feb 16, 2013, 04:19:10 PM
They just need to release the SDK and this game will get fixed! Shit, that one cat added DX10 support in like a day...
DX10 isn't really supported. Only the ini files were edited which is common to all UE3 games: http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=79493 (http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=79493)
Do the ini file concerns only compability (like adding a graphic card working for the game) or can it makes actually more like re-work on the color grading system (I believe this is internal to UE3 but I couldn't find anything really useful on this ini file).
I'm not sure but I belive it only allows DX10 if supported by the exe which doesn't seem to be the case.
Okay, I'll try harder to see if I can find anything.
Thank you ;)
Hi i found some unofficial fixes and tweaks for the pc version of the game. Not saving the day but helps the atmosphere a bit...the game got darker, colours, tones changed, its more sharpen, mimic of hdr etc.
PREVIEW:
(bug on the bottom of the prev its only appears to be my pc's fault)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FOqyGpe3.jpg&hash=f2b93d34c54ea12a2f4e3c4ad9d48947577d65be)
http://i.imgur.com/OqyGpe3.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/OqyGpe3.jpg)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdQ7B0mQ.jpg&hash=6c50f0ad18175de21e3c115de5d5337fab9ebd7d)
http://i.imgur.com/dQ7B0mQ.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/dQ7B0mQ.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYcDjbxNF4I#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYcDjbxNF4I#ws)
DOWNLOAD:
Sweet FX - http://www.mediafire.com/?0ljyb7xdv00lklj (http://www.mediafire.com/?0ljyb7xdv00lklj)
Copy all the files where the acm exe can be found.
Aliens DX10 MOD - http://www.moddb.com/mods/aliensdx10-better-grafik-and-light (http://www.moddb.com/mods/aliensdx10-better-grafik-and-light)
Run the decrypter exe and browse the game's main folder, extract there.
My settings - http://www.mediafire.com/?9zsnl4drzcfkvpa (http://www.mediafire.com/?9zsnl4drzcfkvpa)
Copy the txt file where the acm exe can be found to get the result u see on the previews above.
The game still looks grapicially bad,
Basically this just makes the shadows super shadow-ey and the lighting very vivid. It certainly looks more atmospheric but it's just a distraction.
Quote from: Porkus Maximus on Feb 17, 2013, 05:40:44 PM
Basically this just makes the shadows super shadow-ey and the lighting very vivid. It certainly looks more atmospheric but it's just a distraction.
Agreed. Now the game looks just as shit with brighter colours.
double
atmosphere feels better for me at least a bit...its not looks like a cartoonish dreamcast game...but somewhat a doom 3 like game ...yeahyeah its just it's look
It's really sad how people have now resorted to trying to fix the game themselves.
We shouldn't have to. We paid money for a finished product.
Gearbox should really be embarrassed about this.
Level: No Hope On Hadley's / Raven - with first my Sweetfx settings...i tweaked it since then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYcDjbxNF4I#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4R103TvYP4#ws)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH535V_puvU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH535V_puvU#ws)
i made a better one than this since then with more realistic colours, soon i share it
It seems people are going nuts trying to change this and that. while some things are tweakable and people can tweak shaders and whatnot, maybe even hooking into it (not sure how legal), half the things people have tried just dont do anything. Its for the most part psychosomatic.
I straight up DELETED the graphics card compatability files, lightmass files and everything else I could find and the game didnt even care that they were gone... it changed nothing. Not just the local copies, I deleted the default copies as well as the ones left in by the crew with comments intact.
what weve got is what weve got and if its not in the game/engine settings it prettymuch doesnt exist.
why bugs u if someone want it to be a bit more atmospheric? :D ...i wanted to have fun with my mates so i tried to make it at least acceptable for coop
Oh no man, Im not tryin to give you a hard time, sweetFX works no doubt and I dont blame ya for doing what ya can. The problem is that it only does so much.
ve seen on lots of forums hoping that we will get the kind of atmosphere and lighting and AI fixes from a modder or a tweak. Its looking like Gearbox is gonna have to step up, or its going to take quite a while to get the job done within the community because its not so much about tweaking as it is writing code from scratch and injecting it into the game process. Lotsa issues there.
I'm releasing a small batch of tweaks soon myself. It's not much but it's something! I hope it inspires others to get started too.
Quote from: ikarop on Feb 19, 2013, 12:17:41 AM
I'm releasing a small batch of tweaks soon myself. It's not much but it's something! I hope it inspires others to get started too.
Great! Looking forward to it. :)
I've been modifying the .ini files a little myself and I find it strange that the graphics cards listed in the PecanCompat.ini file are really
old. The most modern graphics card in the list (Radeon HD 2900) is from
2007! Shows just how old the engine is, I guess. Pretty lazy of them to not update it though, since all modern cards not featured in the list will be regressed to the 4th class.
Quote from: VonPelz on Feb 19, 2013, 02:47:50 AM
The most modern graphics card in the list (Radeon HD 2900) is from 2007!
I can understand older hardware being supported, which is a good thing, but the most recent being from half a decade ago... That raises lots of questions.
One place to start with tweaking would be to try swapping shaders into the game from Borderlands 1 because they both seem to be from Epic games and from 2009-2010 era. Might work, might not, might cell shade the whole thing lol. Im installing it right now to see what happens. Dont have BL2 but im guessing itll have more compatability since... well you know.
Quote from: VonPelz on Feb 19, 2013, 02:47:50 AM
Quote from: ikarop on Feb 19, 2013, 12:17:41 AM
I'm releasing a small batch of tweaks soon myself. It's not much but it's something! I hope it inspires others to get started too.
Great! Looking forward to it. :)
I've been modifying the .ini files a little myself and I find it strange that the graphics cards listed in the PecanCompat.ini file are really old. The most modern graphics card in the list (Radeon HD 2900) is from 2007! Shows just how old the engine is, I guess. Pretty lazy of them to not update it though, since all modern cards not featured in the list will be regressed to the 4th class.
It doesn't really matter if it's listed or not. It only affects the default video settings which you can change via the settings menu (there are 5 levels I think). Other than increasing the shadow res and minor stuff like that there isn't you can do with the .ini files visual wise.
The only things you can really affect are the lightmap resolution and particle output, and how efficient the streaming is, and whether textures are displayed at max res or not.
All the other stuff is pretty much placebo effect.
That said, maximizing the LOD and particle/volumetric haze and enabling what few shader model 3 effect (especially on the aliens themselves) are actually in the game does actually make a big f**king difference, so does keeping bodies around, even though the joint constraint friction and gravitic momentum on the ragdoll physics are some of the worst I've ever seen.
Half Life 2 has better ragdolls.
That said, there's this:
It does include an altered lightmass, but the hooks are not actually employed as stated earlier, but who knows, if GBX gets off their ass, something might come of it.
Remember to add YOUR Cards's vendor ID to compat, with the right hex.
Also remember to adjust the streaming and memory budgets for what you actually have.
I have 48 Gigs of memory and 4x2 gigs of vram, and that's what it's set to, so change it to whatever you ACTUALLY have, else hilarity ensue, and don't forget to make a forced setting profile on your card's profile library or UE3 will have a tendency to start reverting shit on you.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/16768161/Config.rar (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/16768161/Config.rar)
Also bear in mind bodies and gibs are essentially PERMANENT until a new geometry mesh loads, and your memory footprint will grow accordingly.
http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197972382074/screenshots/ (http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197972382074/screenshots/)
Quote from: Xhan on Feb 19, 2013, 01:15:12 PM
Remember to add YOUR Cards's vendor ID to compat, with the right hex.
Also remember to adjust the streaming and memory budgets for what you actually have.
I just dropped the settings in without tayloring them and saw an improvement across the board and yes the Aliens and gibs not only stay but they look muuuuch nicer now. Ty man. I saw the FilmGrain var in there, man i wish...
Edit: the more I look at the game with all of the texturing set correctly the more cartoony it looks lol. everything is crisp and smooth now but theres something odd about it.
Frankly, and I say this with everything it engenders and implies, the humans (esp bella and o'neil) and the Aliens (esp the spitter) look like they were directly taken from borderlands without the cel shading.
Quote from: ikarop on Feb 16, 2013, 04:50:03 PM
Quote from: DRAKE M. on Feb 16, 2013, 04:19:10 PM
They just need to release the SDK and this game will get fixed! Shit, that one cat added DX10 support in like a day...
DX10 isn't really supported. Only the ini files were edited which is common to all UE3 games: http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=79493 (http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=79493)
is there anyway of during it without a sdk? like revers engineering game or something. I find it hard to believe that its this difficult to crack a game nowadays.