#openxcom

Just exploring a little bit of heresy lately.

WHAT DOES THIS MOD DO?

This mod lets you start the game much earlier than the original game. You begin as the head of an FBI-esque investigation bureau, tasked with checking all sorts of supernatural events around the globe. Track strange monsters, investigate evil cults, build up your strength to be ready for the alien invasion which starts in 1999!

Therefore The X-Com Files is a borderline case between a total conversion mod and a normal expansion: it has everything the original does, but it has so much new content that you won't be seeing the original one all that much, especially in early stages. It also has everything the Final Mod Pack had, albeit some things work a bit differently.

WHY WAS IT MADE?

This mod is in a way the next generation of the Final Mod Pack. I wanted to keep the FMP in line with the original game feel, so the changes were limited in many ways. In The X-Com Files, I allowed myself much more freedom in all possible ways. This allowed me to make a game that plays completely differently and gives you a more varied experience.

Largely finished with Steel Legion, but far be it from me to actually wrap something up and put a bow on it, nope! Started doing Krieg and opted for the blue color scheme, partly because OpenXcom has shite selection of greens, partly because it makes them look more French/less German, which has some people acting funny.

For the most part, it was just keeping me occupied and my mind off things, but there did rise a challenge; my BRILLIANT alternate sprites for 2x2 tile bolter units didn't actually adhere to the bounds by which the game uploads images. Sure looked like I'd have to scrap them, but that would break my freaking heart, so instead I went and broke them and voilá! I DID IT!

Huge thanks to Filip H for introducing me to a tool that dumbs down sprite-sheet cutting to a level even I can't mess up!

Meanwhile, Steel Legion has received a variety of Sentinels, new skins for mechanized units and unique heavy weapons teams. What remains is to do SL-unique Squats and Ratlings, and probably some CODEX arts to go with some of the items. Oh, and Orc Hunters! Mustn't forget the Orc Hunters.

In case it needs to be said, I can't code for jack, so none of this would be any good if not for the hard work of Leflair, Surrealistik and others of the Rosigma community who jumped on this without even needing to be asked. Thank you guys!

Something a little different this time, which is to say: I am sorry, everyone who's waiting for their commissions. My brain broke or something and drawing has been stressing me out of late, with the bizarre exception of spriting??? which feels safe and playful and ok.

So, uh, instead of doing my job, I've been making these for the Rosigma mod for OpenXcom. I really can't say enough good stuff about that, for the record; OpenXcom is the best Xcom on its own, but the Rosigma mod is a completely mindblowing experience that makes most huge release titles I've played look silly, and the community that makes it is super nice and helpful, even though I'm butting in without invitation and, uh, possibly trying to replace some sprites they've already made, but a commissar's >got to< have a long flowy coat, okay?

I used to pride myself on having gone through life completely ignorant of all things Warhammer until just about now, and I have... mixed feelings... about spending dozens of hours drawing little baby space fascists, but BOY the game is fun. I like to think that at the very least, this extremely niche mod for an ancient game that is being enjoyed by 10-12 people is an extremely funny hole to fall down.

Wouldn't be me if I didn't start a NEW project without first finishing the previous one, so while Steel Legion is still only half-cooked, I already slapped some dang Valhallans together.