Europa Barbarorum 2.1 released! news

Greetings fans of Europa Barbarorum!

The day has come. Lots of people thought Europa Barbarorum II was dead, that it had become vapourware - they couldn't be more wrong. After the previous major release, 2.01, we went away and got to work on just about everything. We've been previewing and testing and announcing about this since the summer (yes, we know this is six months later than originally billed). We listened to feedback, we trialled and tested fixes and new features; we now have completely reworked mechanics, over 70 new units, new buildings and settlement maps, new videos, music and audio, a new UI, the list goes on. We said autumn, and this is indeed the very last day of autumn.

This is a complete and new set of files that are in no way compatible with any previous 2.01 or 2.01-based installation.

The instructions come in three parts please make sure you follow them all. The mod is in two parts; the main file itself (3.94GB) and the 2.1b patch (41.7MB). If you had any idea how painful it's been trying to distribute the main mod file, you'll understand why we haven't tried to update it with the new material in the patch. You need the patch as well, not only does it correct a lot of stuff, it also prevents several crash-causing bugs.

Pre-installation instructions

1) If you are a Steam user, and your M2TW is in Program Files or Program Files (x86) you need to move your game, or reinstall it outside of that folder. This isn't negotiable, you will not be able to patch or otherwise modify your EBII if the game is installed there. The official instructions on how to move a game are here.

2) If you are not a Steam user, but you have M2TW installed in Program Files or Program Files (x86) you need to move your game, or reinstall it outside of that folder. For exactly the same reasons as above.

Optional: Re-install M2TW. Then start a campaign to make sure it's all still working. If you have other mods active, you won't want to do this, but it will likely result in a cleaner experience.

Installation instructions

1. Download the EBII installer using one of the provided download links.

2. Uninstall the previous version of EBII (there's a shortcut for it in your start menu).

3. The downloaded file is a zip archive, which means you need to unpack the installer files from the zip file. Windows Explorer should allow you to simply copy the contents out. If not, you can download 7-zip for the purpose.

4. Run EBII.exe.

5. Step through the install wizard. Make sure the installer is pointed at your M2TW directory - you may need to change it from the default if it is pointing at Program Files.

6. Wait for the installer to copy all the files.

7. If you have never run M2TW vanilla after installing it, run that now. Start a campaign, then quit.

8. Run the mod using the shortcut placed in your start menu or desktop. Start a campaign, then quit.

9. Make sure your error log is working properly so you can properly report any issues. Go into [your M2TW directory]\mods\EBII\EBII.cfg and make sure under [log] it says:

to = mods/ebii/logs/eb.system.log.txt 
level = * trace

This means the log will be stored as eb.system.log.txt in [your M2TW directory]\mods\EBII\logs\ - we will need this log any time you report an error. No log, no resolution, for the most part.

Report your errors in the EB Bug Reports and Technical Help forum, not in this thread.

Post-installation instructions

1. Download the patch and apply. Note that the first time you run a campaign (or start a custom battle) it will take anywhere up to 5-10 minutes - it has not frozen. Be patient, let it finish.

2. If you interrupt the first campaign, you will break the map. Re-patch, start a new game again, and WAIT. It only has to do this once.
Links

Currently, we have only torrents of the files, but hope to add more options soon. The links are here - remember you need both files:

EBII v2.1 Main Download

FTP link

ModDB

[B]EBII v2.1b HotPatch
FTP link
Gamefront
ModDB

Change List

The change list since 2.01 is vast, probably in the range of about 8000 line-items which I doubt anyone wants to read through in detail. For now, there's just a blank box below. Later on (because I figure you'd all rather get this sooner, than wait for me to compile a summary of the changes) I'll update the spoiler box with a summary of what's changed. Needless to say, the short answer is "a lot".

Summary:

• Complete rework of all unit cards
  
• Onager and Lithobolos siege engines
  [*]Around 70 new units for all kinds of regions and factions, including Polybian and Marian rosters
  [*]Visually improved units for several factions, including better looking mounts
  [*]All units now have LODs which improve the performance on the battle map
  [*]Many improvements and fixes for the unit animations
  [*]Visually and technically improved settlements
  [*]Visually improved ground textures, vegetation models and grass
  [*]Uncountable improvements to the campaign in general
  [*]More historical factions names and improved symbols
  [*]New reforms for certain factions
  [*]New intro videos for several factions
  [*]New and improved texts for many things
  [*]New music tracks for steppe factions
  [*]Menu changes and improvements
  [*]Some historical battles to play
  [*]to be updated

- The Europa Barbarorum II Team