(Alpha v.04.2.1) 2D Scope Overhaul - DLTX - DX8/9/10/11 addon

Hello!
First, thanks for checking out my mod, it's been in developpement for a long time.

This is an early version of a massive mod I happened to start working on a while back. At first, I only wanted to replace Pip Scopes with 2D ones. By doing so, I discovered I could make 1920x1080 textures to overlay in the game, meaning they could cover a whole lot more of the screen than with the previous method. I also enjoyed the process quite a bit. I then started editing some of the overlays I liked less to make my own to my preference. Next thing I know, I was redoing all the scope overlays in the game to make them more immersive. This is the culmination of my work, so far, but I'm not done yet. I'm just satsified enough with what I have to release it to the public in an early and, hopefully, not too buggy state.

It is also literally my first mod ever. I could've started with something smaller, but I didn't, for better or worse.

FAQ and Debug

Q: The scope reticles are not centered and partially off-screen. What's the issue?
A: You are probably playing on DX8 or DX9 and haven't installed the patch for these older versions of DX.

Q: The mod crashes to my desktop and says its missing an xml node that looks like this: "wpn_crosshair_scope_gun_variant"
A: This means that either another scope mod is overwriting my scope_16.xml or scope_21.xml file. To prevent this from happening, either uninstall the other scope mod to remove visual glitches or move my mod closer to the bottom of the load order, after any other mods affecting the scope_16.xml and scope_21.xml files. Not removing another scope mod will probably lead to visual glitches in game. Those are fixable if you know what you are doing.

Q: Your mod isn't compatible with certain weapon packs or mod packs.
A: That is to be expected. While some people are doing patches for other mod packs or gun packs, this scope pack is expected to work only with Vanilla and Vanilla + BaS weapons. With that being said, patches are fairly easy to do and there is a ton of scope overlays already done that might work with your install. Most of the work can be done by editing the mod_system_... file from my mod. Backup the original version and experiment away! That's how I did it.

Current features

Now supports 16:9, 16:10 and 21:9 ratios. Other ratios might be supported down the line, on demand.
The base mod is only DX10+ compatible but a DX8-DX9 patch is included. The mod isn't entirely compatible with GAMMA natively although some people on the GAMMA discord are actively working on patching it to make it work.

The mod feature 200+ scope overlays, with almost all the following scopes in vanilla and BAS weapons completely adapted to fit the weapon it is mounted on.
Scopes with overlay variations are:
- ACOG
- PSO1 without eyecup (BaS)
- Mark 4 scope (BaS)
- March Scope (BaS)
- Specter Scope (BaS)
- Giperion Scope (BaS)
- PU
- PK-A (BaS)

Full HD Scope overlays, based on in game screenshots for more accuracy and immersion
The majority of crosshairs are recreated pixel by pixel and scaled down by 2 to preserve the accuracy of the crosshair. Some need to be reworked down the line to be less blurry, but do align with the center correctly.
DLTX implemented, will need to iron out bugs as they appear, if (more likely when) they do.
Currently supports all vanilla weapons and BaS weapons. Will support all of them and a few other weapon mods down the line.
Supports Shader Driven Scopes. It's highly recommended that you use it with this mod for full effect.

A Script that makes you unscope any bolt action after firing to cycle the action that now detects your FOV automatically and doesn't force unscoping on alternate red-dot sights or iron sights.
Until we have a segmented animation to create a Farcry2esque approach, this is the closest to what I wanted to implement

The mods includes patches for Trader Overhaul and Starting Loadouts rebalanced.

Optional files also include features for those of you who use NV_Binoc_scopes_Toggle and/or Beef's NVGs. The files included in the optional section allow you to use Beef's NVGs effects with NVG scopes and removes that effect when using alternate sights. Requires Beef's NVGs (obviously). The beef optional file allows you to do the opposite: you can use your NVGs with alternate iron sights when your main aiming option is a scope. It also allows you to use alt-aim options with lasers without loosing the NVGs.

Mod design intent

In short, my mod aims to make scope overlays prettier and harder to use. It also attempts to create a progression dynamic to push players to use higher-end scopes.

Prettier scopes for immersion

Because I like pretty overlays and I wanted a little bit more immersion, I decided to move the head back to give a little more context to the player. I try to take a screenshot of the weapon at the distance your character aims while using iron sights, then I edit that screenshot into an overlay. Sometimes, the result is on point and, other times, some overlays have stupidly small scope apertures because of how poorly the weapon is actually set up in the game. While I try to correct these issues, I prefer to compromise on the scope fov instead of moving the character's head too much forward, since the goal is to be immersed. In fewer words, my mod sometimes makes aesthetic compromises that might affect ease of gameplay.

Harder to use in movement or CQC

I always felt that scopes had huge versatility in the game because of how big the radius to look through was. Because of this, I ended up using them almost as red dot sights in situation were they should be impractical. Since BaS has a lot of guns with alternate sights, I found it sad that they seemed to have little to no purpose in my game. So i wanted to put scopes in a more niche role of long range, less mobile engagements.

No more 3D scopes

I didn't like how they looked or handled in the game so I prefer to have better 2D overlays for all these scopes. It won't touch red dot sights except the PKA, because it uses PiP.

Improve the performance by removing PiP

At the same time, I quite liked the idea of PiP scopes, but not the performance hit. So this was an attempt to compromise between PiPs and 2D scopes As a result, the area where the target is visible inside the scope is usually much smaller or comes with the downside of hiding big parts of your peripheral view.

Scope tiering system (to be fully implemented)

My mod aims to make all scopes fit into different price tiers and niches. This is not to make the scopes handle realistically, but to make it feel like there is a progression to scope qualities. PU scopes and the Kar98 scopes are starter scopes with tiny scope FOVs that are definetly usable, but less versatile than other higher quality scopes. PSO1s with eyecups have great visibility, but extremely poor peripheral view, fixed zoom and a scope fog that covers the lens easily. ACOGs on the other hand usually have a smaller zoomed area while maintaining peripheral view.

While I know this isn't entirely realistic, especially in the case of ACOGs, I made this choice since ACOGs are usually pretty easy to find in the Zone which makes them very accessible. While I do think the current overlay iteration maybe has pushed that dial too far for certain weapons, I wanted to give an incentive to use other scopes like the Leupold Mark 4, the Elcan Specter and the March F on weapons by making the ACOG a middle of the pack scope.

**Tier 1**
Mosin PU (1650 RU) (The reason why the price is higher than a ZF9 scope is because this scope has more versatility and fits on more rifles than the other option. It's a good early game scope for hard hitting rifles, so it's now a bit pricier.)
Kar98 Vanilla ZF9 (900 RU) (Even if this scope should be more rare than a PU scope in the zone, the Kar98 is already a weapon that is a rarity in itself and uses an almost dedicated caliber. This is to make the scope more accessible to an already less accessible rifle.)

Poor visibility, small aperture, fixed zoom. Usable only in stationnary firing positions.

**Tier 2** (around 2200 RU)
Other PU scopes: Small apertures
G43 scope: Small apertures
AUG A1: Smallest aperture, Almost no fog
1p29: Big aperture, low peripheral vision.
1p29 no eyecup: Medium aperture, but acceptable peripheral vision.
SUSAT: Medium aperture, good peripheral vision. Restricted to L85s.
Kashtan: Small aperture, limited fog. A poor man's CQC scope.
PSO-1: Biggest aperture in the game for a standard scope, low peripheral vision. Fog restrictive

Improved visibility, medium aperture, fixed zoom. Not very usable in gunfights that require more mobility, unless the zoom level is very small. (<x2)
If the scope has an eyecup, the aperture size is going to be bigger to compensate the lack of peripheral visibility

**Tier 3 Specialisation tier** (Price tier around 4000 Ru)
ACOGs: First retrolit scope. Smallest aperture in class. (Not realistic, I know, but ACOGs are super duper easy to find. It's a balancing choice based on gameplay.)
Specter: The CQC scope. Limited retrolit. Same aperture size to the ACOG, but scope fog is going to clear up faster. Larger than the aperture to allow better visibility during movement. Alternate sight adds for better peripheral visibility in CQC.
Mark 4: First long range scope. Similar aperture size to the ACOG, but has adjustable zoom for more flexibility. Dot retrolit.
PSO-1 no eyecup: Biggest apperture in class without eyecup. Fixed zoom, normal fog and no retrolight.
1p93: First appearance of a night vision scope. Small aperture, similar to PU, no peripherals. Semi usable fog for the upgraded 1p93 version, but pricier, in between the TIer 4 and tier 3 (around 7500RU)
PSO-1-M2: Biggest aperture in the game for a standard scope. Also retrolit. Fixed Zoom. Compensated by poor peripheral visibility. Fog Restrictive

**Tier 4 Luxury tier** (Around 10000 RU)
MarchF: Biggest aperture in the game with adjustable zoom. A better Mark 4 essentially.
Giperion: Aperture size should be BIGGER than Mark 4, but has adjustable zoom. Retrolit crosshair integrated for better low-light visibility
PN-23: Best NV scope of the game. Aperture size still small, but bigger than its predecessor.

**Tier 5 Legend tier** (Around 25000 RU)
Gauss Rifle scope: Automated target IDing. Retrolit scope. Big aperture size. Adjustable Zoom. (Features of automatic target IDing are not implemented yet. I will either find a mod that does it and edit it, or make it highly recommended)
Giperion Lynx: Retrolit, Biggest aperture of the game, adjustable zoom, acceptable peripheral visibility.

Requirements

Modded exes are required

Recommended

Other recommended mods

My mod is mainly built to complement Boomsticks and Sharpsticks' scope variety.
Shader Driven Scopes is also a great complement for improving your immersion.

With Beef's NVGs patches also comes my recommendation to use that mod and to also use NV BINOC & SCOPES TOGGLE V1.0.7 that attempts to apply beef's shaders to NV scopes. A patch is also included to allow the use of alternate sights without the nightvision effect of the scope applying to it.

Recommended settings

For Beef's NVGs, I recommend you do not allow the use of NVGs while aiming down the sights. The patch I provide allows you to use your NVGs with iron sights, red dots and lasers. So you can install my patch for this effect.

As a couple of you have asked, here are my recommended settings for Shader Driven scopes that you can enter in the console. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: These recommendation are going to make all scopes a lot harder to use while moving around. The goal is to make them fit the niche of long range, less mobile engagements and incentivize you to use either alternate iron sights, red dots or lasers when trying to move and aim at the same time. It also makes all scopes with bigger lenses more usable while moving.

Here are the settings:

scope_brightness: 1.0
scope_ca 0.005
scope_factor 0.66
scope_fog_interp 0.06
scope_fog_radius 1.0
scope_fog_sharp 4.0
scope_fog_swayAim 0.66
scope_fog_swayMove 0.4
scope_fog_travel 0.8

Compatibility

NOW COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DX VERSIONS WITH A VERY SIMPLE FIX AVAILABLE IN THE PATCH SECTION

This mod changes the way the SVT, SKS, Mosin and Type 63 handle the scope attachement. instead of using the weapon addon system, it manages the scopes like most other in game weapons like the M16 or all AKs. While it is fully DLTXified, if other mods reference this scope, like trader overhaul or new game loadouts, this means that the scope will not appear in loot tables or at traders. If the new scope ends up being removed from the loot table, this might cause bugs or crashes. I no longer think this change might break the game. I do offer a self contained solution in my mod with patches for trader overhaul and starting loadout rebalanced though.

Since it also changes significantly how scope overlays appear on screen by changing the scope16.xml file, this also means that other scope overlay mods will not be compatible without some form of rework. If you like to mix and match scope overlays, then this mod probably isn't for you unless you want to put in the extra work to make them compatible.

I will look into making a more compatible version eventually for the PU scope by using a single overlay for all weapons that use it, but this is low on my priority list.

Mods like Free Zoom will work with this mod, but expect odd behaviour from certain bolt actions that are managed by the auto-unscope script. Weapons might unscope from alt sight if using free zoom while aiming through them or might unscope even if they only have an iron sight. Personnally, I'd recommend not using it with this mod, both because of this and because it kind of defeats certain features of my mod. But you do you.

GAMMA isn't currently natively compatible and won't work with EFP either without adaptation. Some people are already working on a patch for GAMMA in the GAMMA discord and I'm in the process of making an EFP implementation myself.

Installation

My mod should be overwriting any other scope overlay mods and HAS to overwrite your scope_16.xml/scope_21.xml file in your install to make it work. This should work in 99% of cases. I recommend using MO2. If you install this manually, just make sure this is one of the last mods you put in your folder and let it overwrite everything.

THIS MOD IS UNSAFE TO REMOVE MID-PLAYTHROUGH

If you are part of the 1% and still have issues and crashes after this, it might be because another mod adds a new scope overlay my mod doesn't account for. You can simply leave a comment with the error, tell me which mod in your install adds a scope_16.xml/scope_21.xml file and I'll be able to provide a patch and guide you through debugging.

Sample screenshots (Outdated)

PU Scope

SVT40 overlay

SKS overlay

Mosin Overlay

ACOG

Mk14 overlay

LR300 overlay

Sig550 overlay

RPK16 (BaS) overlay

Scar Expert (BaS) overlay

Other samples

R700 McMillan (BaS)

PKM Pso1 no cup overlay (BaS)

Kar98 ZF9 overlay

RD74 Specter overlay (BaS)

ADAR overlay (BaS)

Demo

An outdated demo that explains it in a non-scripted fashion here: Youtube.com

License

All the original content of this mod is licensed under Creative Commons BY=NC-SA. You can remix adapt, and build upon my work non-commercially, as long as you credit me and license your new creations under the identical terms. (In fact, I invite you to build upon it. Stalker Anomaly is built by a community and content like mine should belong to that community.)

You can include this in your modpacks as long as no revenue is generated from doing so.

Disclaimer

This mod uses demonized_timed_events scripts for the optional part of the mod. I do not own such scripts and the creative commons license does not apply to their scripts. I encourage you to download Mr Demonized's mods to use the scripts from their own mods instead. The same is the case with Beef's NVGs and NV scope scripts, although they have been altered by me. If the presence of these scripts becomes an issue, I'll gladly comply with the instructions of their author and adapt this mod accordingly.

The rest of the content is the result of my own work modifying elements from anomaly, such as config files and in-game screenshots.