Aspyr *was using an outdated mod

[iamashaymin]

IGN Article: https://www.ign.com/articles/eagle-eyed-modders-spot-something-off-with-the-star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-trailer-and-asajj-ventress-holds-the-key

Aspyr responded to IGN and confirmed the speculations and theory that Aspyr simply used my content for testing and it was replaced after the trailer’s recording with the official pandemic content.

I want to thank everyone who helped bring attention to the issue since without the support I likely would never have gotten a response from Aspyr.

UPDATE AFTER RELEASE:

So to update this.
Both PS5 and Switch versions released with the mod files. We have datamined and archived the Switch build to confirm it.
Yes, they patched them out quickly, but some users still caught gameplay and experienced the heroes.
Remember what they said though?
'The upcoming release of Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection does not include any code or content that is taken from uncredited sources.'
So they just talked ♥♥♥♥, blatantly lied.
Released code and content taken from an uncredited source on 2 platforms.

The PS5 stuff was covered by IGN again:
https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-a-terrible-gut-punch-veteran-modder-says

The Switch stuff was just recently found and footage can be found here:
https://x.com/iamashaymin/status/1769062737236123838?s=20

I started this in good faith. With good intentions.
But I will not tolerate being lied to, pushed aside with a corporate excuse.

I am really torn up over this. The Classic Collection had all the potential in the world to be amazing.

Original post:
Hi,
I am the author of the Xbox DLC Content for PC mod for Battlefront 2.
(https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc)
The trailer for this game shows Asajj wielding 2 lightsabers like Aayla - something I did for my mod a few years ago due to a complication with the animations. Same with Kit Fisto who is clearly using Ki Adi Mundis anims like in my mod.
I fixed this recently so my heroes use the official pandemic animations. Aspyr have not.
There were a couple things I had to create custom like Asajj's lightsabers and Kit Fisto's force bubble that I am expecting to appear. (Asajj's sabers are defo there already, seen in the trailers)

This is not a bad thing, everything I create is property of Lucasfilm however it is disappointing that they are using some old version of a mod rather than try and do it themselves. I don’t know the situation bts.

At least they fixed Kit Fisto by allowing for his tentacles to work right and used the original msh.

I will find out the truth when I data mine this pack.

For a much better and more comprehensive breakdown I suggest reading this Reddit thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/s/fOTikmLSce
It explains things and presents the evidence in a much more effective and elegant way. ;)

Update:
So for those missing the point entirely; the issue is not that it’s my mod, or that they’ve used a mod or anything like that.
Personally I’m flattered and overjoyed that something I created was even shown in something official Star Wars.
I actually released the source for the mod for this reason to allow anyone to add onto and use it.
The version used in the Classic Collection is found here: https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc/addons/pc-patched-dlc-heroes-modders-only
And the new revised accurate versions are found included within: https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc/addons/06022024-update-source-modders-only

The problem is they are using an incorrect heroes instead of the unique original pandemic heroes.

How do I know it’s my mod used?
I made unique saber hilts for Asajj that were in use in the trailer.

I have reached out to Aspyr about this and am awaiting a response, however the leading theory is that the ports were only in development for a handful of months and they started work on content development first.
Since the official heroes at that time needed game code modifications to work they likely sourced my modded heroes as a substitute until they could be replaced.
It just so happens the promo content was recorded while they were in use - this is backed up by the fact in the Xbox platform trailer specifically you can see Asajj with her unique official anims and saber nunchucks on Bespin (it is also on other trailers but a lot less clear.)

It has come to my attention that Aspyr weren’t responsible for the trailers and used a third party media company however this just confuses things further? Was Bespin on a different build or are they actually using my mod?
Idk, it isn’t normal for them to send out multiple builds for trailer recording so it appears my mod could actually be in use.
No way to be certain until release day.

Please don’t make assumptions that they did this out of laziness.

https://youtu.be/BtuD8o9WlaI?si=rWSdUZOqfNwx5r9d

[Daemon]

Wow, its kinda like the time rockstar sold cracked versions of their own games

[FlaffWaffle]

Hey, so, I don't think your mod is the only mod that they stole. Some of the textures look like they may have come from the Battlefront 2 Remastered mod.

Ive been opening the game, looking at the remastered textures, and then closing it and looking at screenshots...And it definitely looks like they're using that.

It's starting to look like the pack may just be a bunch of Battlefront 2 mods taken from the internet and thrown onto the games...

EDIT: (Note, I'm referring to the older Battlefront 2 Remastered mod from 2018, not the big overhaul mod)

[Mr.Person]

so its a glorified modpack install for $35? That's pretty sad.

If only they had done an HD remaster proper, THAT would be worth $35-$40

[iamashaymin]

Originally posted by Nishan:

Villains fans, don’t feel left out. We’ve also brought the Linksaber wielding Sith assassin,

So after reviewing more footage it seems probable my Asajj was only used for testing and likely the released version will be the authentic real deal.

Originally posted by FlaffWaffle:

Hey, so, I don't think your mod is the only mod that they stole. Some of the textures look like they may have come from the Battlefront 2 Remastered mod.

Ive been opening the game, looking at the remastered textures, and then closing it and looking at screenshots...And it definitely looks like they're using that.

It's starting to look like the pack may just be a bunch of Battlefront 2 mods taken from the internet and thrown onto the games...

EDIT: (Note, I'm referring to the older Battlefront 2 Remastered mod from 2018, not the big overhaul mod)

I am doubtful of it being remastered maps. From what we can tell as modders - a lot of the textures seem to just be upscaled textures from the console version. We have found no reason to suspect use of modded textures. This is Aspyr's MO as they did this with Jedi Knight, RCM, Kotor I and II and TFU when they ported them to other platforms.

Originally posted by Mr.Person:

so its a glorified modpack install for $35? That's pretty sad.

If only they had done an HD remaster proper, THAT would be worth $35-$40

Not exactly, it's more complicated than that.
It is still just BF2, however a unified version. So it likely will use the console menus and has splitscreen.
As PC players we will see it in a more negative light because we've always had the benefit of mods and working multiplayer so we see less value in this.
But for console gamers, especially on Switch and PlayStation - they have not had access to this game in a long while, let alone with complete features. (Or at all for Nintendo gamers.)
From what we can tell this is a soft remaster, upscaled textures, improved effects.
The technical side of the game will likely be redone with the old Gamespy code completely gutted and a fully functional replacement implemented (So leaderboards and buddies will work properly.), there's the official Xbox DLC added in completely as well as new Hero Assaults on every map.
Ofc as PC players we had access to most of this already, but again console gamers didn't.
It's not worth the price tag for us, but for them it is more than worth it.

Modders as well will likely use the new version since it might have raised limits (It will need to with the official Xbox heroes.) since it is 64 bit now, it might allow larger mods like Helation and 3 Legacy more freedom.

[Animawesome]

i havent been able to play galactic conquest with ppl on steam without some dogcrap splitscreen mod pretty sure so im pretty pumped. and it kindve sounds to me like ur expecting a bit much from a most likely greedy douche filled company, this game is like 20 years old they arent gonna try that hard they wont have to to please most of the ppl.

[GreenSwede]

Originally posted by Animawesome:

i havent been able to play galactic conquest with ppl on steam without some dogcrap splitscreen mod pretty sure so im pretty pumped. and it kindve sounds to me like ur expecting a bit much from a most likely greedy douche filled company, this game is like 20 years old they arent gonna try that hard they wont have to to please most of the ppl.

where have you read that galactic conquest will have online multiplayer support?

[Animawesome]

on a few different websites and the steam page said something about splitscreen or online

[Animawesome]

yea steam page saying splitscreen so that prolly means GC too

[Darth Alpharius]

Originally posted by Animawesome:

yea steam page saying splitscreen so that prolly means GC too

the original had verses and coop split screen GC never seen it with online.

[Animawesome]

i dont see why they wouldnt make GC online they can prolly do it on the PC easily enough, and i know what the original had i had it on ps2 my whole life

[Animawesome]

pretty sure the ps2 was the only version of the game with AI heroes that would be in ground battles, thought i read the xbox version couldnt do it so i hope they arent copying that version lol

[Mr.Person]

I swear I vividly remember having AI heroes in battles on the OG xbox version as well, but it has been a long time.

Originally posted by Animawesome:

yea steam page saying splitscreen so that prolly means GC too

Pretty sure the consensus is that Split screen will be locally hosted by somebody and the other person will use Steam remote play. Once connected you start a galactic conquest and it'll function like it did back on the old consoles.

At least that seems like the logical way they'd do it. I highly doubt they'll do split screen over the internet.

[GreenSwede]

Originally posted by Mr.Person:

I swear I vividly remember having AI heroes in battles on the OG xbox version as well, but it has been a long time.

yeah, AI heroes was a thing on Xbox but not on PS2.

[SamG1206]

Yeh the Xbox had AI heroes and weirdly enough the PSP version had them too. For some reason the PS2 and the vanilla PC version never had them. Very odd

[SamG1206]

Also, I noticed this too. Hopefully they rectify this upon release. Whats weird though on the bespin map you can clearly see Asajj with just 1 saber where as on Tatooine, she is holding two sabers like Aayla Secura. So maybe they aren't finished with it yet