The War of the Solstice ======================= Release Notes / Known Issues ============================ 09/04/06 V0.09 (ALPHA) ====================== This version is only available as a complete new download *Installation Notes:- It is recommended to select a new installation directory when prompted. The TME frontend will have to be created, following the instructions as stated for 0.05. *New Features:- - Engine upgrade from DirectX7 to DirectX9 - Default landscape scaling adjusted in line with popular request - Fixed bug with SS_FIGHT2 -> {char:gender:heshe} slew the {obj:name} with {char:obj:text} - Fixed bug where game crashed when a characters' energy dropped to below 0 (in the later stages of campaigns) - Fixed bug where the view was grounded when looking left/right whilst in Free Movement Mode - Fixed bug where smoke turned into the fog colour at far distance - Fixed bug where models didn't quite fade into far distance correctly - Fixed bug where the cavern model wasn't aligned correctly - Added a new line of text to the initial THINK screen to make it clear if the Lord is Riding or not. - Made the terrain overlay map more accurate - routes are now placed between significant locations - Made the smoke effects much more realistic - check them out ! - Adopted same fade out methods for Free Mode as per other modes - Increased movement rate in Free Mode 02/12/05 V0.08 (ALPHA) ====================== This version is released as a patch for V0.07 Please ensure that you have a working V0.07 before attempting to apply this patch. *Installation Notes:- Simply select your existing installation directory when prompted (i.e. the directory containing the Midnight.exe file). The installer should automatically update all relevant files to V0.08. It is not necessary to re-create the TME frontend after applying this patch. *New Features:- - Includes "regiment scanning" bug fix to TME identified on 01/12/05 by Chris 24/11/05 V0.07 (ALPHA) ====================== This version is released as a patch for V0.06 Please ensure that you have a working V0.06 before attempting to apply this patch. *Installation Notes:- Simply select your existing installation directory when prompted (i.e. the directory containing the Midnight.exe file). The installer should automatically update all relevant files to V0.07. It is advised to re-create the TME frontend by first deleting the directory _lom\renderer\tme and all subdirectories underneath it. Follow the instructions for 0.05 to re-create it. *New Features:- - Added icon / shortcut to installer package - Integration of the latest DDR build of TME ! - Revised the startup dialogs, so that everything is selected on a single dialog. - Re-instated SELECT icon due to popular demand ! - Fixed bug in conditions to enable APPROACH icon - Fixed bug where pressing SELECT at low frame rates caused immediate selection of a random char ! - Fixed bug where saving the scenario data whilst fullscreen caused the game to stall ! - Fixed bug where scene colours were updated upon SEEK and any object was found. Now only occurs when finding the Hand of Dark, or the CUp of Dreams. - Fixed bug where number of warriors/riders on the SELECT screen was incorrect after POSTING/RECRUITING - Fixed bug where shadows appeared for objects which had been faded out in the scene (e.g. when close up) - Fixed bug where foul did not face their direction of movement. (Still needs improving!) - Fixed bug where the number of hours remaining on the SELECT screen was not correct if "Less Than ..." - Fixed bug where the last character to be controlled was not restored after continuing an existing game - Added new renderer settings to control the primitive sort order. - Added new renderer setting to start the engine fullscreen or windowed. - Added CLASSIC DDR frontend, you can now wander the Icemark ! - Added the routenode selection using an in-game scrolling list, similar to character selection. - Added load/save in-game functions, removed old selections from the menu bar - Added a new summary screen, to show unit totals etc - Added a new "wanderer" movement variant for Jean-Yves, to allow free roaming without the hassle ! - Adjusted the step movement mode so that it doesn't have to re-draw the whole scene on every move ! - Removed the collision detection in FREE movement mode. Models now fade out in FREE mode as per STEP mode. and maybe a few other things.. There is also a new link for the MDAC components, should you need to install them: http://msdn.microsoft.com/data/mdac/downloads/default.aspx 09/05/05 V0.06 (ALPHA) ====================== This version is released as a patch for V0.05 Please ensure that you have a working V0.05 before attempting to apply this patch. *Installation Notes:- Simply select your existing installation directory when prompted (i.e. the directory containing the Midnight.exe file). The installer should automatically update all relevant files to V0.06. It is advised to re-create the TME frontend by first deleting the directory _lom\renderer\tme and all subdirectories underneath it. Follow the instructions for 0.05 to re-create it. *New Features:- - Re-scaled base terrain (i.e. map cell size) It is now twice as big as before for the 3D frontend. This gives a better depth to the scene at lower draw distances. The default draw distance is reduced. A few more trees were placed into forest locations to compensate for the greater area. - Adjusted specular lighting to prevent saturation which occurred for most of the day - Adjusted night colouring to be more blue than black - Stronger moonlight - Stronger more noticeable shadows - New Map Explorer (use middle mouse wheel to scroll up/down or move the mouse whilst left button is held pressed to scroll the entire map window) - Slight adjustment to character select layout (press on the shield to get to the select screen now) - New icons "More","Map","Foul","Free" - Fixed bug where characters do not appear at the start until you make the first move - Added a foul warning feature (Fight icon flashes when foul are immediately ahead) - Added Doomdark shield for Classic/TME frontends (it was missing!) - The sun now sets later in the day - Added a proper snowflake texture and made each snowflake spin on 3 axes ! - Fixed bug where scene colouring did not update after finding Cup of Dreams or Hand of Dark - Fixed bug where foul were not displayed within mountain locations - Tightened up the range for sound effects (now should only be from current and immediately surrounding locations) - Tweaked the alpha fading towards the camera to fade out quicker and slightly further away - Sun rises now in SE and sets in NW (to centre in view window on the opening game screen) - Added new help keys F8/F9 to visualise shadow maps (development only) - Re-coded text methods to make more efficient (especially for new map screen) - Fixed bug where you could hide characters with armies; now you cannot - Fixed bug where you could still control all recruited characters when no-one was carrying the moonring - Fixed minor bug where THINK icons were still enabled even when no specific info was available - Fixed minor bug where some non-critical scenario data was not re-initialised upon loading a saved game - Modified the scenario database to correct the spelling of Skulkrin (only 1 'L') - Fixed the rogue characters appearing for " and ... - Fixed some bugs to do with the SELECT operation, where empty lists were being displayed - Fixed scenario ambient temperature calculation - the ambient temp now depends on the number of free units remaining - Added new cast list screen and maybe a few other things along the way that I forget about right now... *Known Issues:- - Pressing F12 crashes the engine !?!. 21/12/04 V0.05 (ALPHA) ====================== This is another standalone release which includes the latest 3D, CLASSIC and TME frontends. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO PLAY WOTS FROM NOW ON AT FULLSCREEN RESOLUTIONS OF 1024x768 MINIMUM. DUE TO THE USE OF BITMAP FONTS IN V0.05 ONWARDS, TEXT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO READ AT LOWER SETTINGS. *Installation Notes:- This release as with others since V0.03 requires Microsoft MDAC V2.7, which is included in various Microsoft Products, most notably some of the Windows XP Service Packs. It can also be downloaded from: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/downloads/list/dataaccess.asp The various V0.05 zip files must be extracted as follows: - WOTS_ALPHA_V005_Exe.zip --> extract to your chosen destination (e.g. D:\Midnight) - WOTS_ALPHA_V005_Main.zip --> extract to your chosen destination (e.g. D:\Midnight) Then extract the sound engine files (NB. This file is NOT optional): - woTS_ALPHA_V005_Sound_Default.zip --> extract to the relative path \_lom\sound within your chosen destination Then choose and extract a renderer (must choose at least 1 !!): - WOTS_ALPHA_V005_Rend_3D.zip --> extract to the relative path \_lom\renderer\3d within your chosen desination - WOTS_ALPHA_V005_Rend_Classic.zip --> extract to the relative path \_lom\renderer\classic within your chosen destination In order to create the TME frontend, first extract the CLASSIC frontend, then:- Copy all files from "_lom\renderer\classic\*.*" to "_lom\renderer\tme". Copy all textures from "_lom\renderer\tme\textocopy\*.*" to "_lom\renderer\tme\textures", overwriting the files when asked. That's it ! The engine is now ready to run all frontends. Ensure that all files do NOT have the READ-ONLY attribute set, otherwise changes to the rendering settings will not be saved upon exiting the program !!! *New Features:- - The latest set of 3D models, maps and associated textures from Wayne. - New sound effects engine and effects from Wayne (See Note 1) - Revised text handling (uses bitmap fonts now instead of GDI text routines) - In-game based character selection without the use of windows dialogs: Use the PAGE-UP / PAGE-DOWN keys or a Middle Mouse Button to scroll the lists - Preliminary army unit integration (idle maps only) - Improved particle system handling (snow, rain, smoke, armies) - Some improvements to command handling to allow more fluid gameplay - Further weather effects (lightning -> head to the southeast !!!) - Many other minor tweaks ! *Known Issues:- - The maximise icon in the top right of the game window produces undesirable effects when pressed. The engine may crash if you are unlucky. Also the aspect ratios of objects do not update. Avoid using the maximise icon; re-size the window instead by dragging the window borders. To switch to full screen mode, use the menu item Renderer->Change 3D Device - The selection of characters and nodes in the regiment commands still use dialogs. - The free warrior 3D model has had it's shield disabled (incorrect alignment in the file) *Notes:- (1) All sound effects used in this release of the engine are thought to be freely distributable effects. If we have inadvertantly used any copyrighted material, then please email me at andrew@frozenempire.net, and I will remove the offending effect from the engine / download files immediately. 06/03/04 V0.04 (ALPHA) ====================== This is another standalone release which includes only the CLASSIC and TME frontends. *Installation Notes:- Please refer to notes for V0.03; the same procedure should be followed for creating the TME frontend from the files downloaded. In addition, ensure that all files do NOT have the READ-ONLY attribute set, otherwise changes to the rendering settings will not be saved upon exiting the program !!! *New Features:- - Revised rendering methods (now all primitives are entered into a render queue and sorted on different criteria, before being rendered) - Selection of 3 different movement modes (Fixed Step/Glide to Step/Free Movement) - Additional rendering settings (Aspect Ratio/Field of View) - It is possible to double click inside combo-boxes to select the items - Completely new icon graphics - Detailed battle summaries available after each night has been processed - New THINK types; THINK CHAR/THINK ARMY/THINK PLACE/THINK BATTLE - New character selection icons for LUXOR/MORKIN/CORLETH/RORTHRON *Known Issues:- - If you change to fullscreen after having already re-sized the window, then the program crashes with an exception ! Changing to fullscreen after starting the program works OK. 26/07/03 V0.03 (ALPHA) ====================== This is a standalone release which includes only the CLASSIC and TME frontends. *Installation Notes:- This release (and all future releases) require Microsoft MDAC V2.7, which is included in various Microsoft Products, most notably some of the Windows XP Service Packs. It can also be downloaded from: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/downloads/list/dataaccess.asp Please ensure this is installed before going any further. The V0.03 zip file can now be extracted to any location on any drive (I didn't try the desktop though..) It contains the full CLASSIC frontend, but only the different textures for the TME frontend (this was to keep the download size as small as possible !) Therefore, the TME frontend must now be fully prepared :- Copy all files from "_renderer\lom\classic\*.*" to "_renderer\lom\tme". Copy all textures from "_renderer\lom\tme\textocopy\*.*" to "_renderer\lom\tme\textures", overwriting the files when asked. That's it ! The engine is now ready to run both frontends. *New Features:- - Load/Save now fully integrated - Auto Save function which automatically saves the position on pressing NIGHT, but prior to Doomdark's movements (just in case !) - Log database now integrated, to store battle data. Form provided for post battle info.. - Ability to play the part of Doomdark's Regiments !!! - All characters and armies now fully represented in the CLASSIC/TME frontends - All foul are now present and visible - Draw Distance can be changed "on the fly". No need for different executable files. - Particle based snow is now integrated. *Known Issues:- - None ! *Tip to improve the framerate !!! If you still do not get a decent framerate with this release, then the particle snow can be disabled. This will probably double the framerate, since it is a quite an inefficient implementation at the moment. This will be optimised in a future release. To disable the particle snow, edit the file "_renderer\lom\classic\globals\config.gdf", and change the 5 to 888 in the following line :- 5 |glo_snow.gdf |scene snow zone It can be re-enabled again at a later date by putting back the 5 instead of the 888. 23/02/03 V0.01 / V0.02 Installation Issues ========================================== A number of people have reported the following error:- Fatal Error in module: CGameEngine::Initialise with details: TME Init Engine This is cause by installation to the wrong location on the hard disk !!! Ensure that the following are checked: - All files are extracted to C:\Midnight (not any other drive, and not the desktop !) - All files are NOT read only - The files "map.bin" and "database" exist in the path C:\Midnight\_Scenarios\Lom 17/12/02 V0.02 (ALPHA) ====================== *New features:- - Step Movement Mode added (menu Renderer->Scene Complexity) - Character spinning bug fixed - Corridor size reduced to enable easier entry into citadel terrain cells - New control added: KEYPAD 5 (Other known issues from V0.01 have not yet been fixed) 15/12/02 V0.01 (ALPHA) ====================== *Known Issues:- - All 2D Icon Bitmaps need to be generated - Army representation need to be tidied up. In particular, armies will be split into a larger number of smaller billboards, to avoid warriors hanging in mid air !! - The Cavern model needs to be corrected; mapping is presently incorrect - Non FREE character models need to be integrated - Some THINK text is still missing, particularly for others' army details - Save/Load is not yet coded - Victory conditions not tested - Wind Speed is not yet linked to Ice Fear Strength - Sound Engine is not yet coded and probably many more that I will list as I remember !!! ==================================================================================== Controls ======== 1-8 Look in a Particular Direction E Look R Think U Night C Luxor V Morkin B Corleth N Rorthron M Select UP Move Forwards DOWN Move Backwards LEFT Look Left RIGHT Look Right PAGEUP Scroll List Up (e.g. Character Selection) PAGEDN Scroll List Down (e.g. Character Selection) (or Mouse Wheel) F1 Toggle Terrain Picker F2 Toggle Aerial Map Mode F4 Toggle Global Object Rendering F5 Toggle AI Object Rendering F6 Toggle Non-AI Object Rendering F7 Toggle Terrain Object Rendering F8 Toggle Location Object Rendering F9 Toggle Effect Object Rendering F10 Show Other Objects Shadow Map F11 Show Cloud Shadow Map Keypad: + Altitude Higher - Altitude Lower 5 Look Centre 8 Look Up 2 Look Down 4 Roll Left 6 Roll Right The following commands are only available via icons at present: SEEK HIDE UNHIDE APPROACH FIGHT BATTLE RECRUIT MEN POST MEN REST