Version 0.800 is Out!

[Armagan]

Hi everyone,

The long awaited version 0.800 is finally ready for download. But before going on with introducing it, I'd like to express my thanks to the people who have helped us with it. Firstly, let me thank our dear forum admins and moderators who are doing a great job keeping the forums in shape, allowing us to focus on the development with the knowledge that the discussion forums are in good hands. Also, many players and forum members have contributed to this version with their suggestions, ideas, bug reports, and generally with their support and enthusiasm. I am ashamed for not mentioning everyone individually here, but please know that I am really thankful to you nonethless. Last but not least, I want to thank our team members who have worked really very hard for this version.

I was maintaining a proper changelog for the new version and even maintained it for a few weeks, but then being the lazy old me, I gave up on it. But I am sure you'll do an even better job and discover the changes and list them in a new thread. Whatever, let me list some of the more important new features:

Graphics:
1) New DirectX9 rendering pipeline and better graphics and effects in general.
2) Most of the equipment being carried is now shown on the characters.
3) New Loading and start-up screen, improved character, inventory and face generator screens.
Gameplay:
4) Battles on the map can now involve more than two NPC parties. In other words, NPC parties can join an existing battle just like the player.
5) Party skill level calculation is changed. Now the highest skill level in the party is selected but a penalty is applied if leader's skill is much less than the highest skill level.
The penalty is 1 if the difference is between 3 - 5, 2 if the difference is between 6-8, and 3 if the difference is 9 or higher.
Changes for modders:
6) There are loads of changes for modders, most importantly, the entire party encounter logic is now implemented in the module system. In short the game can be modified in many new and different ways.
(Edit: I don't believe I forgot to mention this one:)
7) Support for multiple languages and localization.

Unfortunately, we haven't been able to thoroughly test the new version and I am sure there are many bugs, problems and glitches. As usual, we are counting on you guys discover the bugs. We'll try to release a bug-fix patch as soon as the major bugs are found and fixed.

One important problem you may run into is that, the new version requires the most recent version of DirectX9c, released in 2006 august. You can download it from the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en

You may need to download the latest drivers for your graphics card as well.

That's it for now. I hope you enjoy the new version.

Main Download Link:
http://www.taleworlds.com/download/mountandblade_0800_setup.exe

Mirrors:
(many thanks to Janus for providing these.)
http://www.fenrisoft.com/storage/MnB/mountandblade_0800_setup.exe
http://www.mbrepository.com/temp/mountandblade_0800_setup.exe

Thanks to TitanX for this one:
http://titanx3online.com/public/mountandblade_0800_setup.exe


Please report new bugs encountered with this release here:
http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,18288.0.html

[reen]

Yesss

Thanks Armagan

[Titanx3]

http://titanx3online.com/public/mountandblade_0800_setup.exe

Post that again, mirrored, someone please use it and take the bloody lag off these forums please

[GetAssista]

Hurray!

*must download now, before other guys awaken...

[Ingolifs]

Thanks for yet another very excellent version of Mount&blade. I think this version brings the game's graphics up to a level where it is no longer necessary to continue improving them (apart from in a couple of places).

What I like about the new version.

-The trainer
-The new arenas
-The New town designs in general
-More than two parties are able to fight in one battle
-The new caravan model
-The shadows from trees creating that dappled effect
-The animated weapons and the weapons visible on the body
The new layout, the new hair and beards available

What i don't like so much

-The new angle at which one sees the world map. I preferred the one that looked down on an angle. You could also zoom out further

Anyway, now that the new version is out, i'll be doing my best to find bugs and in general suggest ways to polish up all the jagged bits.

[ThVaz]

*dies*

[Eisenhouwer]

Thank you thank you thank you,... now if you would excuse me I have some 'work' to do

[Scion]

New features are fantastic!! A great day for humanity.

[Ingolifs]

Oh, I also like the random hint feature. But perhaps you could make it like some windows programs, where you're able to scroll through hints.

Or better yet, make it a feature of NPC dialogue. Like when you ask a weaponsmith 'What are people talking about lately', they'll reply with some randomised message, sometimes a hint about how to play the game.

Oh, Armagan, a couple questions if i may.

1. With the new terrain editor in edit mode, if you lower terrain down a certain amount, can you make water appear there? Do you already need to have a river present to do this?

2. Now that a major graphical update is out, what will the team be working on next? In my opinion, the next most important things to work on would be animations (including ones for drawing out different weapons), more realistic blood (a splatter more than a fine mist, which also preads on the ground, and not just on other people), and improvements to the AI, and AI tactics for both the player and any enemies they player might face.

[Fooshie]

I'm glad this one improves gameplay too  always wanted NPCs to join an existing fight.

[stoned-dude]

yay! the long wait is over, and an era of joy is ensured!

[okiN]

At last! Can't wait to try it out.

[jeansberg]

Or better yet, make it a feature of NPC dialogue. Like when you ask a weaponsmith 'What are people talking about lately', they'll reply with some randomised message, sometimes a hint about how to play the game.

Nothing more immersive than having an in-game character tell you how to play the game.

[elMerda]

*twitch*

AHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH---*cough splut die*--- WAIT NO.....*DIVES OFF TO PLAY M&B* AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA..............

[Vylaroth]

Awesome! Got to try this out as soon as I get out of work.

Still waiting for animation, hitbox modifying and more than 30 bones support.