[BETA][WIP][BUNCHOFSTUFF] Xeno Operations v0.98

[Squaddie Perseus]

It's been a very long time since I last logged onto these forums, and even longer since I checked up on all the progress that's been made, especially in regards to modding. Xops, I've been looking at everything you've done for this mod since version 0.80 (the last version I downloaded) and I...just holy crap man, your work is breathtaking. It's truly amazing. Honestly, I'm feeling a little lost on just what actually is in the mod because of all the work you've done (and that's not necessarily a bad thing, X-COM/XCOM, which ever version you prefer, should have a sense of mystery in regards to content). The work you've still got to do seems immense, but this in of itself was an immense undertaking in its own ways, so I'm sure you'll manage.  So many new and amazing items and enemies and so many new sprites with amazing designs and a VERY well done balance (at least, the mod was very well balanced in the version I played). I'm tempted to get the current version (if I can figure out what nightly it's most compatible with), but part of me wants to wait until you release the next version. Best of luck finishing this mod, Xops.

Tangent: Also saw you mention you were writing a book. Well, I wish you the best of luck with that, and honestly, if you put into it the same amount of effort you put into this mod, I'm sure it'll be amazing.

[XOps]

It's been a very long time since I last logged onto these forums, and even longer since I checked up on all the progress that's been made, especially in regards to modding. Xops, I've been looking at everything you've done for this mod since version 0.80 (the last version I downloaded) and I...just holy crap man, your work is breathtaking. It's truly amazing. Honestly, I'm feeling a little lost on just what actually is in the mod because of all the work you've done (and that's not necessarily a bad thing, X-COM/XCOM, which ever version you prefer, should have a sense of mystery in regards to content). The work you've still got to do seems immense, but this in of itself was an immense undertaking in its own ways, so I'm sure you'll manage.  So many new and amazing items and enemies and so many new sprites with amazing designs and a VERY well done balance (at least, the mod was very well balanced in the version I played). I'm tempted to get the current version (if I can figure out what nightly it's most compatible with), but part of me wants to wait until you release the next version. Best of luck finishing this mod, Xops.

Thanks for the praise. I wouldn't worry about peeking into 9.0. The difference between 9.0 and the upcoming version will be immense (9.0 1,606 files 6.48 MB vs the upcoming release with 3,276 files at 14.8 MB). So much of the sprite work has been vastly improved. Honestly, I am kind of embarrassed by some of my previous sprite work.

Tangent: Also saw you mention you were writing a book. Well, I wish you the best of luck with that, and honestly, if you put into it the same amount of effort you put into this mod, I'm sure it'll be amazing.

Thank you. I've gotten positive feedback from my beta readers so far. It looks like both my book and the next release for Xeno Ops will hit at about the same time.

[Squaddie Perseus]

Thanks for the praise. I wouldn't worry about peeking into 9.0. The difference between 9.0 and the upcoming version will be immense (9.0 1,606 files 6.48 MB vs the upcoming release with 3,276 files at 14.8 MB). So much of the sprite work has been vastly improved. Honestly, I am kind of embarrassed by some of my previous sprite work.

Ugh. Sorry for replying to you so late. Real life, ya know? Anyway, wow, that's a heck of a file and size difference...which only makes me even more giddy for the next release. Also, why are you embarrassed about some of your older sprite work? I mean, sure, it's older content but there's nothing to be embarrassed about. It just helped you hone your skills and get you to where you are today.

Finally, I was looking back through the thread and saw a bunch of different Muton sprites, and then saw that you said the third tier ballistic weapons should allow players to take on both Mutons and Snakemen (and you were also kind enough to give us a glimpse of a new Muton sprite). My question to you is this: Since Mutons are stated to be fairly resistant to traditional chemical propellant based projectile weapons, but you've also stated that tier three ballistics should be capable of bringing them down...does that mean there's going to be more enemy variety in the next release? I mean, I remember my shock when I encountered Muton Commandos (nasty pieces of work) but...are we going to have to deal with veteran alien troops that have better equipment and armor? Please say yes because that would be amazing and really add to the sense of escalation within the game.

Thank you. I've gotten positive feedback from my beta readers so far. It looks like both my book and the next release for Xeno Ops will hit at about the same time.

Hey, I'll be looking forward to the releases of both then. If I see your book in stores, I may just pick it up.

[hellrazor]

Thanks for the praise. I wouldn't worry about peeking into 9.0. The difference between 9.0 and the upcoming version will be immense (9.0 1,606 files 6.48 MB vs the upcoming release with 3,276 files at 14.8 MB). So much of the sprite work has been vastly improved. Honestly, I am kind of embarrassed by some of my previous sprite work.
Thank you. I've gotten positive feedback from my beta readers so far. It looks like both my book and the next release for Xeno Ops will hit at about the same time.

OMFG!
Dude how many sprites did you make in the meantime? This is crazy in a good way.
You wouldn't mind my plundering some of them if i like them, right?

[nadir-1648]

Boonie hats for the win! :3

You're in the army now, guys, the Ghostbusters jumpsuits you're used to won't cut it.

Awesome mod, can't wait for the new version.

[XOps]

Finally, I was looking back through the thread and saw a bunch of different Muton sprites, and then saw that you said the third tier ballistic weapons should allow players to take on both Mutons and Snakemen (and you were also kind enough to give us a glimpse of a new Muton sprite). My question to you is this: Since Mutons are stated to be fairly resistant to traditional chemical propellant based projectile weapons, but you've also stated that tier three ballistics should be capable of bringing them down...does that mean there's going to be more enemy variety in the next release? I mean, I remember my shock when I encountered Muton Commandos (nasty pieces of work) but...are we going to have to deal with veteran alien troops that have better equipment and armor? Please say yes because that would be amazing and really add to the sense of escalation within the game.

That's the end goal. The big development hurtle I'm facing right now is to get the pacing roughly in the ballpark so it gives the feeling of escalation. In addition to armored Mutons (and another early game alien I've added), there will eventually be some heavy floaters as well, though probably not for the upcoming beta (I only have a prototype at the moment). I am also planning on plundering robin's various alien race mods soon which should help add variety.
Hopefully, I can use feedback to fine tune the pacing. I want the Aliens to be one step ahead of the player until about mid to late game.

OMFG!
Dude how many sprites did you make in the meantime? This is crazy in a good way.
You wouldn't mind my plundering some of them if i like them, right?

One of the reasons this new release is so slow is because I keep updating older sprites in addition to the new stuff. There are not really as many weapons this time as much of the new files are map, mcd, and route files. As always, you are free to plunder anything so long as I get a proper mention in the credits.

Boonie hats for the win! :3

You're in the army now, guys, the Ghostbusters jumpsuits you're used to won't cut it.

I was almost tempted to make a dress uniform. 

[nadir-1648]

Well if you want to punish the inattentive you could make  a dress uniform the default for soldiers who aren't changed into their boonie hats, with protection of 0 on all sides and reducing reactions, TU, strength and energy

... nah, too evil. But the option's on the table XD

[Dioxine]

Well if you want to punish the inattentive you could make  a dress uniform the default for soldiers who aren't changed into their boonie hats, with protection of 0 on all sides and reducing reactions, TU, strength and energy

BUT with +40 Bravery (and maybe some psi def too). Fighting with pride, armor is for cowards!

btw I love that eerie blue labirynth

[hellrazor]

As always, you are free to plunder anything so long as I get a proper mention in the credits.

Of course!!

[VSx86]

  Well, this worthful mod becomes better and more attractive...

Will it be released in first half of 2016?..

[davide]

Will it be released in first half of 2016?..

 

... next month it is better !!!!!

[Hobbes]

Will it be released in first half of 2016?..

Expect official merchandise to hit the online stores one month before its release

[xXxWreckinEasiesxXx]

why do the terran and alien plasma weapons have mismatched/corrupted sprites?


<-- all the terran plasma weapons.. the clips them selves appear to be fine, but the weapons themselves look like clips? the one that actually looks like a weapon is the plasma cannon, but ends up looing like a mis-aligned hypervelocity cannon

the alien plasma weapons do the exact same thing... especially the alien grenade which looks like a fragment of an uzi clip



these are the mods i'm using (only yours)

[Cristao]

Nice Mod. I have tried to limit applying my cheats to it - apart from modified soldier stats and money. Apart from that I like the look of the XOPs uniform and the different camos. Lovely!!

[Cristao]

Still tinkering.

Got some nice stun weapons. I made a really awesome hit animation for them before I realized that shooting weapons with stun explode. Maybe I can make a cool electrical style explosion for them. Still not really sure where I stand on releasing this beast. I am working on the final edits for my book, so that is going to monopolize my time and it gets priority since it might make me some money.

Add the below line. It removes explosions. I found it out when experimenting on creating a portable stun pistol.

blastRadius: 0