I'd agree on letting you two create a torrent.
However, you'll have to wait for me and Tempest to make and release the next version, and I'm leaning towards separate files (eg. models in one, skins in another, required CLEO scripts and whatnot in a third) since downloading the entire pack seems to face issues.
...I may just pull a Notch here and delay major updates until the next major update, releasing other minor bits sooner rather than later....
Just sharing a bit with you all.
BTW, upon release of 1.6, should we put it here or in a new thread?
Current progress so far in 1.6 (not enough to make it 2.0 yet ): + SALA v8 Alpha included by default to fix the blurry textures issue. Also increases max AI vehicle and pedestrian instances by 10x. (Comes in two varieties - one disables certain graphics settings that lag slower systems on Medium)
+ StreamIniExtender plus customized stream.ini included. Defaults to 1GB memory configuration.
+ New timecyc.cfg that allows for 20x (or was it 100x? I forgot XD) population at all times - this does NOT change the distance where they start coming up though
+ Changed names of all radio stations to their respective circles (something Squidtentacle did not do) - don't get too confident over this, though, since I intend to change all the stations again.
+ Included several new CLEO3 scripts - Blaze, Missiles, teleporting to map marker, Gravity Gun, Portal Gun, FPS mode (still uses CJ model there)
+ Included ASI that allows for 16:9 display settings
+ Added Ryosuke's Ragdoll Mod (WARNING: Do not use in conjunction with GTA:SA Carmageddon, it hurts a LOT more) *will not be included due to continuing config changes amid its over-flexibility*
+ Included my own GTA: SA Carmageddon mod (standalone release incoming)
+ GTA4-style HUD included, but optional
+ Fixed the moon! (Squid forgot to do this)
+ Included "bikearmfix.asi" to fix long arms on bicycles bug
+ Player ranks adjusted to a modified version of Tempest's Touhou-related player ranks (and I couldn't get his american.gxt since it's optimized for Quebec French)
+ Included Ryosuke's Colour Mod to enhance the feel a bit - settings can be changed via either colormod.ini edit or typing 'COLORMOD' in-game (use mouse to adjust settings, directional keys to select, sprint to apply, enter/exit to go back).
+ Main GTA: SA script files replaced with the v1 ones for those of us with v2 or v3 (Steam). If you saved with either of those, your existing saves WILL BREAK, with no way to convert them over AFAIK.
* Replaced some Sprunk machines with a picture of Nitori drinking Pepsi
* Replaced Sakuya knife with a larger version; Katana with Youmu's sword; Vibrator...I forgot ^^'
* Replaced model aeroplanes in Zero RC shop with Sanae action figures, Touhou figurine kits, and a Big Smoke one for the laughs
* Replaced all gun models with those from the JMA pack (GRIM's is good but didn't cover everything, and the existing Touhou ones just didn't fit IMO - also it was incomplete)
* Tweaked weapon statistics - notably, Gangster-level micro SMGs will share stats (ammo aside) with the Hitman level ones to assist in drive-bys when the latter is obtained
- Removed PatchyBot, untextured Aya models; replaced with Patchaev (tracksuit Patchy) and army camo Nitori
- Replaced the Hina-copter, Blue UFO, and missile NRG models with the game default ones (again, didn't fit)
Immediate To-do list:
- Stop playing so much Minecraft, composing in Logic, messing with synths, and fix my desktop (Windows is failing me there) - Replace the Kaguya default model, at least (I'm modding the IN version of gta3.img, and I lost track of what I did to it)
- Write up a readme + change log (wait I did the latter already XD)
- Bugtest a few player ranks in case I ran other parts over (Gangsta, Homie, Monster, a few others)
- Bugtest on WinXP and 2k3 systems (I have latter, and so far the game crashes like a bitch - situation's marginally better under XP)
- Get it zipped up and ready to go! (and uploaded)
Further down the Line: - Change gang names (I know who'll be who)
- Change weapon level names
- Replace character and gang names in script
- Add new skin models
- Change skin.img layout (don't get too comfortable with the current one!)
- Add new ped/character models to gta3.img; first with Dark_Fox's files, and then more modding'll be done from there
- New music, radio stations, DJs, sound effects (time to get hundreds, if not thousands of songs....)
- Change some of the billboards and whatnot (so far - TVs, outdoor cinema, SDM are done by Dark_Fox)
- Add "High Quality" version that incorporates SRT3 Final Continue as well - Figure out compatibility with ENBSeries since SALA and ENB use the same DLL (but different versions) for modding
- Why is SACameraHack not working on any of my systems? ;_; It worked on 2k3, yay, but not the rest of the mod
- Improve stability on XP, 2k3, 2k,
ME, 98SE systems; maybe Vista too but Win7 is already too similar to that :V
- Add support for EU and JP v1.00 executables (limited)
- Compact Edition for those with lower-end systems where the full mod may be a bit too much (file size-wise) - SAMP / MTA support! (we'll probably have to host our own server though)
On the blacklist: - Adding v1 executable to the archive (legal reasons)
- Supporting the Mac or Xbox versions of the game (former has very few players, Mac and Windows have different memory management, and binary is likely based on v3 code (uncertain, and I'm not going to buy the Mac version); latter probably can't handle the awesomeness, and I don't have a Xbox)
- Including support for SRT3, Project Oblivion, or Project Reality, among other things.
- Any of ZUN's original WAV versions of Touhou songs. This is done out of respect for his derivative works policy, and also means that the casino music will have to be replaced (they are currently Aya's and Alice's themes in SWR). ZUN-style remixes, however, are okay. Also, MIDI versions are an exception.
- Adding support for files over 4GB, which is a hard 32-bit limit we'll have to work with
- Supporting alternate versions for other story characters (such as what Squid did with the SA, UFO, IN, etc. versions of gta3.img). This is due to the amount of effort needed to modify the assets and to keep consistency straight - I can say now that Reimu (non-MMD model) will be the default for story events. Of course, the skin can always be changed outside of cutscenes and certain missions/events.