Shortly after I last posted here about the development progress I went through my never ending to-do list for Heroes Unleashed and tried to estimate a time frame for completing what I had planned to include in the next release. I quickly came to the decision to throw out some of the yet unfinished content to get the update out the door a lot sooner, because otherwise it could have easily taken another year. Here are some victims of the (temporary) cut:
- almost no progress in (re-)scripting of campaign missions
- left out many unfinished new maps, weapons, vehicles, and characters
- additional TEAM and SOLO game types not yet implemented/included
Although I trimmed the update content a bit, I believe there will be quite enough in the new release to make it worth your while. In fact there is so much new and changed content that there won't be an update patch this time, simply because it would actually be larger than the full download, as so much content has been added and/or changed:
- New and improved game types (over 100 total for SP/MP combined)
- Non-campaign maps feature random missions (no simple firefights)
- Heavily improved enemy AI in SP/COOP game types
- Improved score system (e.g. better stealth/detection)
- Slightly improved friendly AI
- Better external ballistics with more realistic bullet penetration
- 25 new maps, city/desert/jungle environments etc. (175 total)
- Over 50 new weapons (e.g. DSR 1, Mk14 EBR, SG-552, WA 2000, KSVK)
- Innovative new weapon zoom
- Over 1,000 equipment kits
- ACU uniforms and new accessories for Ghosts
- New marksman character
- Additional Ghost team soldier characters (new appearance)
- Additional characters for opposing force, civilians, etc.
- Reworked and streamlined multiplayer restrictions
- New sound dynamics
- New UI (menus, HUD, command map, PDA, etc.)
- New intro video
- Loads and loads of rebalancing, adjusting, fine tuning, retexturing
- Better widescreen support
- Better compatibility with 3rd party mods
- Better stability and performance (especially on low-end hardware)
- All reported bugs fixed
- And much more...
The Heroes Unleashed expansion pack now weighs in at about 6 GB installed and consists of over 50,000 files and folders. Even with the highest possible compression the full download is about 1.5 GB in size, so I'd wanted to split it in parts to make downloading a little easier for those on a slower connection, but the ModDB server wouldn't accept the parts.
Oh yes, before I forget, the new version is released... today! Hope you enjoy!
Old Ghost Recon never dies!.
I'll make sure it won't! ;)
Although it's been a while (honestly, too long)since I visited the ghostrecon.net's forums, and related forums' threads, I know that from prior experience, that Apex's work is topnotch, and that his mind follows his heart, and the results always are more than worthwhile.
I've no doubts that this release is one that will extend GR's legacy even further.
Congratulations on another enormous release, and your generosity in sharing!
Thank you very much, Kyle. Nice to see you're still around!
I am humbled by your praise and hope the update does it justice. :)
Oh you legend, many many thanks for the update, fantastic stuff.
My pleasure, mate. Very glad you like it.
ApexMods, you're amazing.
Wow, this is too nice of you. Please keep in mind that while I develop this mod by myself, there are hundreds of other Ghost Recon modders whose work is, in one way or other, part of Heroes Unleashed. Whether it be 3D models, textures, sound files, or even ideas - this mod would not be possible without the myriads of other Ghost Recon mods out there.
Great work! This mod has made my brother and I go back to Ghost Recon again and again.
Thank you very much! Happy to hear you guys enjoy the mod and the game!
Perfect timing. I had just started playing this again last week. Will it mess up my save file?
:) save works. Ignore question.
Sorry for the late reply, somehow missed this one. Yes, saving and quick-saving should work just fine. While there are mountains of changes in Heroes Unleashed, I strive for best possible compatibility with the original game and expansions, and to a degree even with 3rd-party mods.