http://www.sorcerers.net/images/news/standalone/greyhawk.jpgWe've got news from our friends at Circle of Eight that they have released version 5.7.0 Beta of the Modpack for the Temple of Elemental Evil. Here's what the version announcement says (link (http://www.co8.org/forum/announcement.php?f=15)):

Circle of Eight Modpack 5.7.0 BETA Released!

The latest modpack from the Circle of Eight fixes bugs and addresses important gameplay issues.

Dateline December 27, 2009, USA

The Circle of Eight is pleased to present the latest version of our modpack for The Temple of Elemental Evil - Circle of Eight Modpack 5.7.0 BETA.

Circle of Eight Modpack 5.7.0 BETA fixes a variety of bugs reported in 5.6.0, such as the masterwork inventory respawn bugs, the shopmap crash bug, and the charging crossbowmen bug. 5.7.0 also adds some new wizard robe and mystic garb designs and colors, as well as a variety of new colors of wizard hats.

Perhaps more importantly, Co8 5.7.0 BETA addresses the gameplay issues of balance and NPC interaction. The experience point percentage modifier has been reduced so as to slow level progression, as progression had been proceeding at a more rapid rate due to Co8's earlier NPC/monster stats overhaul that brought everything closer to the D&D ruleset. And many NPCs will now behave more intelligently when it comes to managing their gear. In very simple terms, they will refuse to turn over starting equipment that has some gameplay significance, such as magical arms and armor, but they will not trifle over meaningless items and they will not horde loot and overburden themselves. Note that because of this, the Humble NPCs setting (which allows player control of NPC inventories) is now automatically activated, and this setting cannot be altered.

For a full list of changes, please see the included release notes.

There's also a step by step download guide (http://www.co8.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1819), installation instructions (http://www.co8.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6695) (also in steps) and the aforementioned release notes (http://www.co8.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6065).

Hmmm....May be reason enough to reload this game and play it again with the new Co8 modpack. They have done great work on TOEE! I love the old school pen and paper feel to the game...Troika/Atari laid a great foundation, and Co8 has made it even better!

I'm looking forward to playing it again. Is it just me, or do some of the "older" D&D games like TOEE, The BG and IWD series seem better than the sleek, high def graphics, mindless, shoot 'em ups/hack-n-slash games churned out today? Since NWN1, I just haven't been impressed with what's come out since in terms of quality story and gameplay.

sir b they have bene putting far to much into just graphics and defently not enough into the story and gameplay of the newer games but bioware has churned out a few gems like dragon age and mass effect. i am hooked on mass effect right now. i would be playing dragon age if i had a better graphics card. the card barely runs mass effect at low res with all settings at high. as for toee i started playing it but just couldnt get into it for some reason. im thinking it was all the bugs and what not that just put me off on the game. i do like the older games a lot more then the newer ones tho.

The older games are definitely the best. I would like too see someone make a Dragonlance, Dark Sun or Ravenloft game/setting in the BG or ToEE engines myself. Possibly with riding horseback as an option. I would love to be able to play a Knight or Paladin with a Warhorse.

Hmmm....May be reason enough to reload this game and play it again with the new Co8 modpack. They have done great work on TOEE! I love the old school pen and paper feel to the game...Troika/Atari laid a great foundation, and Co8 has made it even better!

I'm looking forward to playing it again. Is it just me, or do some of the "older" D&D games like TOEE, The BG and IWD series seem better than the sleek, high def graphics, mindless, shoot 'em ups/hack-n-slash games churned out today? Since NWN1, I just haven't been impressed with what's come out since in terms of quality story and gameplay.

I thought NWN2 had better plot than the first. The Co8 Modpack fixes a load of bugs.