Battle 4 Malta for Cliffs of Dover: Demo released

[heinkill]

 

This release is just intended to enable people to set up the mod on their systems and play around with it before the full mission package is complete.

 

Get the installers here: https://app.box.com/s/6cwl04pczmngxjhnism3 

 

Textures and skins by Vasiliy Kucheraviy, Malta concept and mission design by Heinkill.

 

This download contains the necessary mod files, aircraft skins and two demo missions:

 

Battle for Sidi Rezegh airfield (a simulation of this 8th Army Desert Rats attack on Rommel's forces in North Africa) and

MaltaDemo mission: based on historical events of 7 July 1941 - one mission with multiple flyables comprising 8 individual flyable sorties each with their own mission targets and briefings.

 

HOW TO INSTALL: PART 1

 

1. Create a separate copy of your IL2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover game folder on your hard drive. Instructions on how to do that are here:

 

http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3797

 

I recommend you rename the copied folder something like  'IL2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover Malta Mod'

 

2. Download and unpack the zip file to your desktop. There are two exe files inside: maltasetup1 and maltasetup2

 

3. Run maltasetup1 and when you are prompted, point the installer at the directory you have just created with your new copy of the IL2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover copied folder 'IL2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover Malta Mod' . If you point the installer to this folder, the mod files will be automatically installed into the root directory of your new copy.

 

You can check this by seeing if you now have a file called 'DESERT' and a file called 'kegetys.dll' in the directory. If so, the install was successful.

 

4. In explorer, go into your new IL2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover Malta Mod' directory and locate the launcher.exe program which starts IL2 CoD, Right click and drag this program to your desktop and when you let go of the mouse button you should be prompted to 'create shortcut here'. Create a shortcut for this program on your desktop and rename it 'Malta'.

 

5. Right click on the new shortcut and select properties, then click on the 'shortcut' tab. In the 'target' field where it says something like "C:\Malta IL-2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover\launcher.exe" leave a space and then type

 

-mod=desert

 

The full line should now look like something this: "C:\Malta IL-2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover\launcher.exe" -mod=desert

 

6. To run the mod you just double click on this shortcut to start the Malta Mod version of CoD.

 

If you are successful you should see this splash screen when the game is loaded.

 

 

At this point you can go to the quick mission menu, choose a quick mission over England, and quickly fly to check that the desert textures have been installed. 

 

You should set trees to low or v low, depending on your preference, for the most realistic look.

 

PART 2: SKINS and DEMO MISSIONS

 

Now you can install the skins and demo missions.

 

1. From your desktop where you unpacked the Malta exe files, run 'maltasetup2' and follow the prompts

 

2. This time when you are prompted where to install the files, you should choose your user content folder, which is usually something like:

 

C:\Users\yourname\Documents\1C SoftClub\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover

 

If you choose this folder and click next, the skins and missions will be automatically installed. If you don't pick a folder, they will just be dumped into your MyDocuments folder for you to install manually.

 

3. To check whether the files have installed correctly, start your Malta mod and go to the Single Missions Menu. You should see the two new single missions:

 

 

Now you can fly them and check that your skins have also correctly installed. You should see scenes like this:

 

 

 

 

 

If you do, congratulations and have fun! If not, pls post here and we'll try to help you get up and running...

 

Cheers

 

Heinkill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[heinkill]

Q&A

 

Is this a new map?

 

No, it just converts the green landscape tiles to mediterranean/north african look and feel. The Isle of Wight is used as a substitute for Malta.

 

Why so complicated to install?

 

If you are familiar with the kegetys files and Jones Soft mod enabler, you may find that easier. If anyone comes up with an easier way to automate the process, please post here!

 

These skins are not appropriate to the unit types that fought in Malta

 

Well spotted. This package is a bit of a kludge, to give the look and feel of a Med campaign, but is far from being accurate in all respects. 

 

Did you add any new aircraft?

 

No, the package will use the aircraft already available in CoD, which luckily include most of the main combatants who fought in 1940. At the moment adding new aircraft to the sim is a way off, though new variants of what we already have are possible.

 

Is anyone else working on a Malta map?

 

Yes, Team Fusion has it in the pipeline, though there is no word on a release date. You can be assured that if they do it, it will be with great accuracy and attention to detail though.

 

Is this compatible with the Team Fusion mod?

 

I have not tested that. You can be the first...

 

Will this pork my default installation of Cliffs of Dover?

Not if you create a new directory and game shortcut as described above. It will run in a separate directory to your normal game.

 

However it will use your user settings, which will be common between the two versions. So if you change your options in one version (eg Trees setting), they will also be changed in the other version.

 

I tried to download the Malta mod demo but get a message 'The user is out of bandwidth'. WTF?

 

I will post the demo on Airwarfare.com shortly. Some kind soul might also download and host it somewhere in the meanwhile...

 

Cheers

 

Heinkill

 

PS More screenies, just coz they look so cool...  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Skoshi_Tiger]

Heinkill, Thank you very much for your hard work and effort putting this together!

 

I'm looking forward to exploring the world you and your colleagues have created!

 

Cheers!

Edited August 29, 2013 by Skoshi_Tiger

[Skoshi_Tiger]

 

 

Is this compatible with the Team Fusion mod?

 

I have not tested that. You can be the first...

 

Tried the installer on a TF version of CoD but have had issues with the install. (I tried to find my original steam version of CoD but it looks like it has gone AWOL)

 

The desert and keygetys.dll are present in the folder but when run the launcher the TF version of the game is run.

 

Thinking back I seem to remember reading somewhere that the TF Mod and Keygetys.dll is incompatible.

 

I'll try reinstalling the steam version CoD and try the install again.

Edited August 29, 2013 by Skoshi_Tiger

[SOLIDKREATE]

Man I can't wait for this!!!!

[heinkill]

I do remember that.

 

It's why I recommend people create separate folders for each of their mods, so you can have more than one mod on your PC at a time. I have vanilla CoD, TF Mod and Malta as seperate folders and shortcuts.

 

It just requires a couple of GB for each time you copy the IL2 Sturmovik system files folder.

 

H

Edited August 29, 2013 by heinkill

[Cybermat47]

Excellent work! This game's development is only just beginning...

[heinkill]

Hope you enjoy.

 

AAR from the demo mission here, if you'd like a flavour

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3828797/Battle_for_Malta#Post3828797

H

[79_vRAF_Friendly_flyer]

Hope you enjoy.

 

AAR from the demo mission here, if you'd like a flavour

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3828797/Battle_for_Malta#Post3828797

H

 

Very cool!

[Cybermat47]

Here's my video of the mod:

[Cybermat47]

I'm looking forward to some Zerstörer missions in the full version.

[heinkill]

Here's my video of the mod:

 

 

Thanks for sharing the video! Cool fight.

 

And there is a whole ground war going on down there, if you fly the Stuka...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to some Zerstörer missions in the full version.

 

Definitely will feature.

Edited August 30, 2013 by heinkill

[Cybermat47]

Looking good, Heinkill! I always love seeing ground battles in flight sims, as much as I like seeing surface battles in subsims.

[heinkill]

The first package of 9 missions for the Malta mod, Chapter 1: The Italian Attack, June-December 1940, should be uploaded next week.

 

 

9 Missions flyable from both Allies and Axis sides of course, with every flyable aircraft in every mission tasked with a target and briefing. About 45 flyable sorties in: Hurricane, GR50, BR20, Blenheim IV, Stuka, Tiger Moth.

 

Missions are all based on actual events, including (Regia Aeronautica) bomber land target strike, dive bomber, bomber naval search and strike, fighter sweep, escort, fleet defence, combat patrol; (RAF) combat patrol, scramble, fleet defence, recon, VIP transport, escort.

 

Future chapters will be released in coming weeks:

 

Chapter 2: The Luftwaffe Arrives, January-April 1941

Chapter 3: Allied Recovery, April-October 1941

 

H

[No1_Charlie]

Just to confirm, this mod has to be installed over a clean version of CLOD? I copied my iL2 folder which has the TF Mod in it and installed to that but the Malta Mod doesn't work.

 

As I don't have a clean version of CLoD, is there any way of uninstalling the TF mod from where I installed the Malta Mod?

[Sokol1]

Yes, you need a "vanila" install of CloD for MALTA MOD - these textures are done previous TF MOD and dont are compatible.

 

Here have a "how to install" video: http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3838967/Re_Battle_4_Malta_first_missio#Post3838967

 

Sokol1

[heinkill]

Just to confirm, this mod has to be installed over a clean version of CLOD? I copied my iL2 folder which has the TF Mod in it and installed to that but the Malta Mod doesn't work.

 

As I don't have a clean version of CLoD, is there any way of uninstalling the TF mod from where I installed the Malta Mod?

Unfortunately you will nned to reverify your game files in your original version to get it back to virgin.

 

Then you can create new folders for TF mod and Malta. It is a bit of work but futureproofs you because there may come other mods where you need the original version again.

[No1_Charlie]

Thanks Heinkill, the problem is that I do not have a vanilla version as I installed the TF mod into that. Could I install a vanilla version from the disc again?

[heinkill]

Yes, or, you just need to go into steam, and 'verify' to get back to a virgin install

 

Verify integrity of game cache

Load Steam

From the Library section, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.

Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.

Steam will verify the game's files - this process may take several minutes.

Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

Important: One or more files may fail to verify.

This is normal for most Steam games. The files that fail to verify are local configuration files that should not be replaced as part of this process. You can safely ignore this message.

Warning:

Do not run the verification process while performing other system-intensive processes, such as defragmenting your hard drive or scanning for viruses.

Do not run this process for multiple games at the same time.

 

 

Then you can create separate folders for tf mod and malta, as in the howto video.

Edited September 19, 2013 by heinkill

[bolox]

 

Unfortunately you will nned to reverify your game files in your original version to get it back to virgin.

actually you only need to rename 1 file to get TF to run as a standard install- and installing TF even makes a backup for you .

 

The file concerned is "maddox.dll" and is located in "your game instal/parts/core"

I would advise making a backup of the current (TF) version then rename the last "maddox.dllModInstallBackup_some date info" to "maddox.dll". Clear your cache files (just to be safe) and on starting game you should see version 1.11 at main game screen.

Make copies from this applying mods as required.

[heinkill]

That's a good tip. Easier than reverifying everything.

[1JaVA_Jumper]

Dear Heinkill

 

Are the missions for the malta mod aleady to download, the mod is installed and is working fine,

 

I am looking forward to it

 

Greets 1.JaVA_Jumper

[DenUA]

Удалось совместить Мальту с MOD TF v.4.3.12 ?

Если да то как правильно устанавливать?

Спасибо!

[Sokol1]

DenUA

 

With "desert textures" no, this can be installed only in STEAM version of the game.

 

I know that was created a Malta version with default textures, compatible with TF patchs,

but seems that was lost in Airwarfare "sinking"...

[Feathered_IV]

Damn. I saw this topic and thought the TF theatre had been announced.

[Bando]

Me too  

 

It's a bit of an old thread.......

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

Damn. I saw this topic and thought the TF theatre had been announced.

 

Doesn't really need much of an official announcement at this point.