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Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332872] Tue, 20 May 2014 14:28 Go to next message
Hyperlord is currently offline Hyperlord

 
Messages:20
Registered:May 2014
Greetings to the 'Pit Community!

It's my first post here so I might start with a small introduction of myself.

I came to Jagged Alliance 2 after playing Jagged Alliance 1 when it was re-released on "Bestseller Games" - played through that and bought JA2 at it's release date. I was so lucky that the Shop-Guy didn't know he had to check that I'm old enough to buy that Wink

That was aeons ago. I LOVED the game and played through the first mods that came around 3 years (or so) after the release. I hated Unfinished Business just because it used different voices for my favourite mercs. So I digged into the first mods those days and was amazed by one.
-> I can't remember it's name but it replaced the weapons and ammo and the game was like "new". LOVED that.

Now, after 12 years or so I got a backflash and neeeeeeeeed to reinstall the game. Funny it's working with Windows 7 without a problem. And funny, the sourcecode has meanwhile released.
I didn't follow the whole developement in all that years, tried some strange JA (Real-Time, 3D, did't feel right) that was released by a studio that inherit the license ...

Now I'm totally overwhelmed by the community content and wanted to ask, if there is something like a "guide for old Players that are totaly overwhelmed" or some good advice for mods that "need to be installed". (i.e. that "driveable cars")

What's that ini-Tweaking btw? This is only working with 1.13? (didn't installed that yet because I don't own the Gold-Edition and don't get what to do for German users hehe [Patch here, Patch there, replace that, ...]).

BUT: Great site! I'm glad there's more out there than just that JA Basis (German).

Kind regards
Hyperlord

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Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332875] Tue, 20 May 2014 15:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rummtata is currently offline rummtata

 
Messages:103
Registered:April 2011
Location: Germany
So far there seems to be no comprehensive guide explaining all the new features. That might in part be due to the fact that they keep coming on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis. You should go here released projects and read about each one, maybe starting with the oldest thread and moving along chronologically.

In general, maybe you can get some first orientation by distinguishing between general game features (like the "New Chance to Hit System [NCTH]") which (can) work for all JA2 derivates, and full-conversion mods like "Urban Chaos" which introduce a new map/campaign/characters/quests.

I'd suggest you start by installing the latest SCI (Single Click Installer), which is a relatively recent developement version. You might wanna stay away from the "stable" release 4870 from 2011 because it's very old, missing lots of features and, from my experience, hardly more stable than most "unstable" versions.

The SCI will be vanilla JA2 will added features but no fundamental changes to the campaign, added content is only equipment and mercs (from JA1/Deady Games, e.g.)

When you feel familiar with all the new mechanics, try some full conversion mods =)

I hope I could give some pointers, I was pretty overwhelmed myself when I first came back here after a long JA2 hiatus...

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Sergeant
Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332881] Tue, 20 May 2014 16:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hyperlord is currently offline Hyperlord

 
Messages:20
Registered:May 2014
Thank you for that fast and helpful response, rummtata!

You pointed me to the right direction and claryfied a lot (quite confusing with so much parallel developement).

Kind regards

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Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332882] Tue, 20 May 2014 16:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JMich is currently offline JMich

 
Messages:546
Registered:January 2011
Location: Greece
Hyperlord
Now I'm totally overwhelmed by the community content and wanted to ask, if there is something like a "guide for old Players that are totaly overwhelmed" or some good advice for mods that "need to be installed". (i.e. that "driveable cars")

What's that ini-Tweaking btw? This is only working with 1.13? (didn't installed that yet because I don't own the Gold-Edition and don't get what to do for German users hehe [Patch here, Patch there, replace that, ...]).
Most of the 1.13 features are optional and (usually) customizable by the player. I'd suggest spending an hour or two reading the ini files (JA2_Options.ini is the big one, though do take a look at the others), then taking a look at the New Game screen. Search the forums for the options you cannot understand what they do, and if all else fail, feel free to join the irc channel (link in signature) and ask there. Be advised though, we may take some time to answer, since we are not always there. And most of us are Europeans, so do take that in mind for what hours you can find us there.

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First Sergeant
Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332885] Tue, 20 May 2014 16:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hyperlord is currently offline Hyperlord

 
Messages:20
Registered:May 2014
JMich

Most of the 1.13 features are optional and (usually) customizable by the player.


I appreciate for that information. Feeling much braver now Smile

JMich

I'd suggest spending an hour or two reading the ini files (JA2_Options.ini is the big one, though do take a look at the others), then taking a look at the New Game screen.


Yes, I found a site where all the ini Settings are explained! Already printed out and in my backpack.

JMich

Search the forums for the options you cannot understand what they do, and if all else fail, feel free to join the irc channel [...]


Yes sir!
*klick*

Thank you!

Kind regards

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Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332887] Tue, 20 May 2014 16:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Deleted.

 
Messages:2663
Registered:December 2012
Location: Russian Federation
@Hyperlord

If you are new to 1.13, you can also start with previous stable release 4870.
It does not have recent features like moving vehicles, but it's pretty stable, it's closer to original ja2 feeling and there exist some very good mods for 4870.

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Lieutenant

Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332925] Wed, 21 May 2014 09:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hyperlord is currently offline Hyperlord

 
Messages:20
Registered:May 2014
Hey guys,

thank you so much for all your help!
I was able to get 1.13 (and all of it's patches) up and running smoothly.
Now I need to read about all the changes, it feels so fresh and new with that new inventory and targeting System. When I got used to it I'll try Urban Chaos and all that total conversions.

Thanks again for that fast replies!

Kind regards
Hyperlord

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Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332936] Wed, 21 May 2014 13:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Azure_Repeater

 
Messages:144
Registered:March 2014
Location: Philippines
IMHO, r4870 is outdated. I suggest you should try the latest SCI instead, since you'll miss out on the latest bells and whistles. And the 1.13 developers constantly fix bugs, so it doesn't hurt to use the latest SCI. Razz Wink

Also once you get used to JA2 1.13, you can also try out the Item mods like AIMNAS, Arulco Folding Stock, etc. However, I recommend you to finish one campaign with basic 1.13, as the sheer amount of items may overwhelm you.

Have fun! Wink

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Sergeant
Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #332982] Thu, 22 May 2014 14:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hyperlord is currently offline Hyperlord

 
Messages:20
Registered:May 2014
Repeater1947
IMHO, r4870 is outdated. I suggest you should try the latest SCI


Ah thanks for the link to the SCI!!

I'll give that a try this afternoon.
I randomly read about some cool stuff and can't wait to test it the first time. The game became even more deeper with all that mods!

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Re: Help a veteran to get started (again)[message #333858] Mon, 23 June 2014 10:43 Go to previous message
Hyperlord is currently offline Hyperlord

 
Messages:20
Registered:May 2014
Hi there,

I recently started AR v1.13 with NIV and it really is so much fun!

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