Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad Review

"Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad is Tripwire Interactive's latest addition to the Red Orchestra series - a PC exclusive FPS set in WWII's Eastern front and designed around realism.  It's a standalone sequel that brings a lot of hype to the table and today we'll see how well it lives up."

Read more...

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat Remix v1.2 Released

Here's a small update for my mod "CoP Remix v1.2".  All previous changes are included and detailed in the readme file.  Version 1.2 changes are as follows.

• Fully automatic firing mode for the AN-94 has been removed in place of an 1800 RPM 2-round burst mode.
• AN-94 gunshot changed
• Recoil has been reduced for the AKS-74N, AKS-74U and AN-94 Abakan
• Scope zooms modified - the PSO-1 scopes and SUSAT scopes now have a 4x zoom like the real ones, except for the close range variants
• VSS Vintorez, Dragunov SVD and Dragunov SVU now have a 4x magnification scope like the real versions
• H&K G36K scope zoom changed to 3x
• FN F2000 scope zoom changed to 3.5x
• Enfield L85A2 scope magnification changed to 4x
• A few armor and weapon parameters have been adjusted slightly

Download here.

http://www.moddb.com/members/boredgunner/downloads/cop-remix-v12

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - A Beginner's Guide to the Zone

There's no hiding it, I'm a freak for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games.  These are PC exclusive, open world, first-person survival shooter games set in the Chernobyl disaster zone between 2011 and 2012.  The game is known for its atmospheric presentation, complex storyline and mixture of FPS and RPG elements.  S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 should be out in 2012, and you will see it on PC and consoles.  So to those console gamers, here's all the studying material you'd need to be ready to enter the Zone!  This guide also has information that the games do not discuss and may provide for an interesting read.

Read more...

My Crysis Wars Server

This is not new but I'd like to make a posting about my Crysis Wars dedicated server.  The population of this game keeps decreasing which is such a shame.  I think because of the system specs and confusion about the power struggle game mode, Crysis Wars is ignored.  But don't hesitate to run it on lower settings, it's the best multiplayer experience I've ever had!  Every map has a great design, there are vehicles on some maps, power struggle is brilliant (other players might detract from the experience but this applies to every online game) and the gameplay is fantastic.

I guess I'm much different than most other gamers.  I play Call of Duty online and I'm not hooked to it.  The game requires no skill to play (perks, killstreak rewards, the engine design itself and its "lag compensation"), the engine is very outdated and subpar, level design is mediocre or worse (except for Call of Duty 4 and earlier), weapons are highly unrealistic, no map supports sniping and it is very repetitive.  Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is more enjoyable but still doesn't hold onto my attention like Crysis and Crysis Wars.

Anyway this server is run on some version of the Server Side Mod (started by Ralf Ullrich, RIP).  I believe I use the AX2.1.1 version.

Please see the following tutorials on the Power Struggle game mode if you're unfamiliar with it.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/power-struggle-crysis/25064

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/power-struggle-crysis/28555

Details


This dedicated server is called []GND[] Modded PS/IA/TIA DX10 ! and you'll find it near the top of the server list if you sort alphabetically.  It's located in New York City and run on the following specs.

• Verizon FiOS Internet Provider
• Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Operating System
• Intel Core i5 760 @ 4.2 GHz
• G.SKILL ECO Series 2 x 2 GB DDR3 1600 @ 7-8-7-24-2T
• Bigfoot Networks Killer 2100 Network Processing Unit

Here's an image from Speedtest.net showing the internet speeds.

Now onto the server information...

• Server Name: []GND[] Modded PS/IA/TIA DX10 !
• Server Admin: Jester (which is me of course)
• Server Capacity: 32 players
• Server Side Mod: SSM AX2.1.1
• DirectX Version: DX10
• Time of Day: Enabled
• Time of Day Start: 9:00 AM
• Time of Day Length: 0.5
• PunkBuster: Disabled
• Friendly Fire: Enabled (1:1)
• Teamkill Punish: Custom version enabled
• Teamkill Limit: 3 teamkills = 2 minutes in the penalty box
• Game Modes: All
• Maps: All, randomized order
• Auto Team Balance: Enabled
• Auto Team Balance Threshold: Two - meaning if one team has two more players than the other, then auto team balance will initiate
• Teamlock: One - meaning that if one team has one more player than the other, then you can't join that team

Server Rules

• No Cheating or Hacking - Cheaters/hackers get permanently banned automatically.  
• No Pointless Teamkilling - Unless you like the penalty box, or being teleported several thousand feet into the air with no parachute

General Modifications

These are modifications (mods) that apply to each and every game mode.

• Auto Messages - The server has three spam messages that appear at the top center of the screen. The first one is a GND advertisement, second tells you to use !commands to view all chat commands (see below) and the third one tells you that there is a hidden TAC Launcher on all IA/TIA maps.
• Chat Messages - Saying "SSM" or "ax2" brings up an advertisement stating that the server uses SSM AX2.1.1.
• Modified vehicle damage.  Bullets do less damage to cars, explosives do more damage to cars and the AAA does less damaged to armored ground vehicles.
• Increased sys_budget values for possibly increased resource usage in attempt to lower your ping.
• Modified ammo capacities.  You can now hold 200 spare rounds for the SCAR instead of 120, 150 for the FY71 instead of 120, 250 for the SMG instead of 160, 12 for the FGL-40 instead of 6, 3 of each grenade, 5 spare 40mm grenades instead of 3, 25 spare gauss rounds instead of 20, 50 spare DSG-1 rounds instead of 40 and 4 of each mine.
• Added chat commands.  Press y or u to use chat and then enter !commands to see all commands in the server!  Use the console key ~ to see these commands.  Scroll around with page up or page down keys.
• Added vehicles to more IA/TIA maps.
• Added hidden TAC Launcher (handheld nuclear weapon) to every IA/TIA map.
• Added trolleys to every map
• Graphics Modifications - Visible to anyone using high settings or better.  Increased SSAO/ambient occlusion (but not too much so you glow like in the NH servers), increased HDR slightly, added HDR blending, added water shadows, added color grading, particles now receive shadows.
• BattleDust enabled, which means there are more particle dust effects.
• C4 Limit, Claymore Limit, AVMine Limit and FGL Limit are now 999.
• Decreased suit energy consumption when in speed mode from 50 to 35.
• Increased strength scale from 1 to 9, so strength mode attacks have more of an effect.
• Decreased field of view from 60 to 50 for more realism.

Power Struggle Settings and Modifications 

• Time Limit: 150 minutes on Mesa, Beach, Shore and Tarmac.  120 minutes for the rest.
• Frag Limit: Disabled, Power Struggle is not about the amount of kills your team racks up
• Revive Time: 10 seconds
• Energy Scale Income: 0.5
• Energy Scale Price: 1

Starting Prestige

Below is the starting prestige for each rank.  This only applies to Power Struggle.

• Private: 100 pp
• Corporal: 200 pp
• Sergeant: 300 pp
• Lieutenant: 400 pp
• Captain: 500 pp
• Major: 600 pp
• Colonel: 750 pp
• General: 1000 pp

Starting Equipment:

Below is the starting equipment for each rank.  Again, this applies only to Power Struggle.

• Private: Bauer 1980 SOCOM pistol
• Corporal: Bauer 1980 SOCOM pistol
• Sergeant: AY69 and binoculars
• Lieutenant: AY69 and binoculars
• Captain: AY69 and binoculars
• Major: AY69 and binoculars
• Colonel: Two SOCOM pistols and binoculars
• General: Two AY69s and binoculars

Prices

Many items have a new price so here are these modifications.  Again, Power Struggle only.

• Lockpick Kit: 25 pp instead of 50 pp
• Radar Kit: 75 pp instead of 100 pp
• Sniper Scope: 75 pp instead of 100 pp
• EMP Grenade: 25 pp instead of 50 pp
• C4: 100 pp instead of 150 pp
• SCAR: 200 pp instead of 175 pp
• Gauss Rifle: 500 pp instead of 600 pp
• Battle Tank: 500 pp instead of 450 pp
• TAC Launcher: 750 pp instead of 500 pp
• Light TAC Tank: 1000 pp instead of 750 pp
• Heavy TAC Tank: 1200 pp instead of 1000 pp
• Attack Helicopter: 750 pp instead of 350 pp
• VTOL: 1000 pp instead of 450 pp

Vehicle Modifications

Several vehicles have undergone modifications.  Here's a list of these mods.

• Gauss LTV: Now a spawn vehicle, price is 100 pp instead of 200 pp, team limit is 4
• Spawn Truck: Increased team limit from 3 to 4
• ASV: Now a spawn vehicle, team limit of 4
• ICV: Now a spawn vehicle, team limit is 4
• Amphibious APC: Now a spawn vehicle, team limit is 4
• Gauss Tank: Replaced standard ShiTen LMG turret with Gauss turret
• Light TAC Tank: Spawns Heavy TAC Tank
• Heavy TAC Tank: Spawns Heavy Singularity Tank
• VTOL: Now a spawn vehicle, team limit is 2

Below are some images demonstrating these changes.

Team Instant Action Settings and Mods

These settings and changes apply only to Team Instant Action which is a fancy way of saying team deathmatch.

• Time Limit: 60 minutes on Battleground and Savanna, 45 minutes for my customized maps, 30 minutes for the rest
• Score Limit: 500 for Battleground and Savanna, 450 for my customized maps, 300 for the rest

Starting Equipment:

These spawn items apply to both Team Instant Action and Instant Action.

• SCAR
• Rifle laser sight

Instant Action Settings and Mods

Settings and changes only for Instant Action, or Deathmatch.

• Time Limit: 60 minutes on Battleground and Savanna, 45 minutes for my customized maps, 30 minutes for the rest
• Kill Limit: 100 for Battleground and Savanna, 75 for my customized maps, 50 for the rest

Game Mods, Reviews and Guides

Hello everyone.  I'm known around the web as Jester or boredgunner.  I write for GND-Tech.com (as Jester) which is the place to go for information and discussion about computer technology, gaming and more.  Here you can find my various reviews, guides and game modifications.

You'll find no download links for my Crysis modifications anymore, thanks to those at Crytek who moved their database for the launch of the most disappointing game ever, Crysis 2.  They did not move the old uploaded files so now the only way to get these mods is to message me and I'll send them to you, since after all Crysis no longer has a very large database.  :)


Hardware Reviews

• Bigfoot Networks Killer 2100 Review
• EVGA GTX 480 High Flow Bracket Results
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 Review
• Cooler Master Storm Sentinel Advance Review
• iBuyPower IBP-Z001 Review

Software Reviews

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl Review
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky Review
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat Review
• Mafia II Demo Review

Hardware Guides

• P55 Overclocking Guide
• Computer Fans: Information and Recommendations
• GPU Overclocking Guide
• Maintaining Your PC
• A Guide on Power Supply Units
• CPU Cooling Guide
• Computer Case Airflow Guide

Crysis Mods

Remix v1.3

Remix v1.3 is a continuation of my first modification ever developed for a video game.  It is compatible only with the first Crysis (single player).  Here are the features.

Changelog v1.3

• Replaced tactical attachment with shotgun attachment for SCAR and FY71.  This shotgun is slightly weaker than the full size one, and has a four round capacity (same 64 spare round capacity).

Changelog V1.21

• Fixed aim sway on some weapons
• Lowered recoil on Hurricane
• Iron sight zoom reduced from 1.4 to 1 on all guns
• Reflex sight zoom increased from 1.4 to 1.5 on all guns
• Assault scope zoom increased from 3.5 to 4 on all guns
• LAW scope zoom increased from 3.5 to 4
• Binocular zoom (lvl 3) increased from 8 to 10
• LTV's take less damage from bullets

Features

• Full feature list attached in modfile.
• Kilroy357's weapon mod (SCAR Incendiary ammo, lock-on LAW)
• Osok's DSG-1 modification
• Intrepidbiped's NK Nano skin
• Crying FarCryer's MOAC skin 
• Shotgun attachment
• Many personal tweaks

SCAR Incendiary Mod - Kilroy357

• Added incendiary ammo for SCAR
• Lock-on fire mode for LAW
• MPX8 SMG moved to "1" slot
• Helicopters made slightly more vulnerable
• MOAC damage increased
• SCAR ammo capacity increased from 280 to 400

North Korean Nanosuit skin - intrepidbiped

• North Korean Nanosuit skin for single player.

MOAC Custom Dark Skin

• New skin for Molecular Accelerator

DSG-1 Silencer + Semi Auto Mod

• Silencer added for DSG-1.
• Semi auto fire mode for DSG-1
• NOTE: The DSG-1 is not yet completed. There are no bolt action sounds/animation.

My tweaks

• Reduced aim sway slightly
• Replaced tactical attachment with shotgun attachment
• Shotgun damage increased from 75 to 100
• FY71 damage increased from 52 to 75
• SCAR damage increased
• SCAR fire rate increased from 700 to 900
• SMG ammo capacity increased from 350 to 500
• Shotgun ammo capacity increased from 40 to 64
• Reduced recoil for LAW (real ones are recoiless)
• DSG-1 mag capacity increased from 10 to 20, DSG-1 spare ammo capacity increased from 30 to 100
• Hurricane ammo capacity decreased (mag cap is now 200, spare ammo capacity is still 1,000)
• Claymore damage increased from 290 to 450
• LAW damage increased to 500
• GK8 Gauss Rifle damage increased to 500
• GK8 Gauss Rifle slug speed increased
• GK8 Gauss Rifle recoil increased
• Shi Ten damage increased to 150
• Hurricane fire rate increased from 1200 to 1500
• Hurricane recoil decreased
• MPX8 muzzle climb decreased with optics
• Much more

Installation guide

• Go to your Crysis mods folder -> Electronic Arts -> Crytek -> Crysis -> Mods.  (if not existing please create this folder inside your Crysis root folder)
• Copy the Remix folder to Crysis/Mods.
• Start Crysis, use the modloader to load the mod.
• After restart of Crysis, open console (~) type in "con_restricted 0" (without the "")

NOTE: You can use this mod only with Crysis Version 1.2 and above.

Known Bugs:

• DSG-1 makes no sound in bolt action firing mode.
• Shotgun attachment makes no sound except for the last shot in the magazine.

To spawn more SCAR Incendiary ammo or shotgun shells for the shotgun attachment, use the following console commands.  It must be entered into the console EXACTLY as it is below.

i_giveitem SCARIncendiaryAmmo
i_giveitem TacticalAttachment

Special thanks go to:

• Kilroy357 (SCAR Incendiary mod)
• Osok (DSG-1 modification)
• intrepidbiped (NK Nano skin)
• crying FarCryer (MOAC skin)

Download: ModDB


High End Graphics Mod v1.1 with my Custom ToD v1.1

This is the graphics mod I use.  There are two versions - one for Crysis, one for Crysis Warhead.  Performance is in between high and very high (the ToD actually increases performance), while the visuals are far better than very high settings overall.  Here are pictures of the mod and the ToD combined (ToD = time of day).

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6800/roadz.jpg
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3259/hills.jpg
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1079/rockss.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1169/woodsj.jpg
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8986/waterfallz.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9118/streami.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3268/stream2.jpg
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/435/roommv.jpg
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/9834/supplyroom.jpg
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3833/corridor.jpg
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2959/corest.jpg
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/2171/alienb.jpg

Installation instructions and system requirements can be found in the links below.

Download: Will add ModDB page here later, it isn't uploaded yet

Time of Day v1.1 Download: Will upload to ModDB

Performance

So I'm sure you're all wondering, "How well do these mods perform?"  Here are the benchmark results, I think you'll like them.  First, the system.

• Cooler Master ATCS 840 -> 6x 120mm fans and one 160mm fan on the case alone
• Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
• EVGA P55 FTW
• Intel Core i5 760 @ 4.2 GHz
• 2 x 2 GB G.SKILL ECO Series DDR3 1600 CL7
• (EVGA) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 @ 825/1650/1000
• Western Digital Caviar 320 GB SATA (7200 RPM 3.0 GB/s)
• Dell ST2310 -> 23" 1920 x 1080, 60 hz, HDMI/DVI/VGA (I'm using HDMI)
• Antec TruePower New 750W (62A/744W continuous on the +12v rails)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/973/crysischart.png
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3038/crysisaachart.png
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2702/crysiswarheadchart.png
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5086/crysiswarheadaachart.png

The Crysis games aren't the only ones I have created modifications for.  I have public mods for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series as well.

CoP Remix v1.1 - My S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat mod.  Very well received and updated.  Lots of modifications and it isn't any less stable than the vanilla game.

CS Remix v1.3 - My S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky mod.  Well received, very stable.

My Stalker Wikia Page

Also check out these mods for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl.  It adds the Build 1935 Garbage or Dead City to the game!