Qwinn's Ultimate Dragon Age Origins Fixpack v3.2 released! The BETA is over!

[Qwinn]

Posted Yesterday, 03:44 PM

The BETA is over! Qwinn's Ultimate Dragon Age Origins Fixpack v3.2 released!

http://www.nexusmods.com/dragonage/mods/4689/?

Both the v3.1 BETA and the new v3.2 added a ton of new fixes and restorations over the original v3.0 BETA.

Here's the introduction to the README (which is insanely long). I hope everyone who tries it enjoys! And if you have any issues, please report them at the Nexus forums, I intend to keep watching for quite some time.


Qwinn's Ultimate Dragon Age: Origins Fixpack
Author: Paul Escalona (aka Qwinn)
Original Release Date: April 15, 2010
Current Release Date: July 23, 2017
Current Version#: 3.2


DONATIONS APPRECIATED: This Fixpack took almost all of my nights and weekends (and even sick and vacation days) for six months just in 2017, while also being fully employed. I intend to maintain and add to this Fixpack as needed and requested by players for some time, but eventually I will of course tire. Donations would be very appreciated and would help put that day off considerably. Thanks in advance!


WHAT IT DOES, AND WHAT TO EXPECT:

This fixpack attempts to address ALL dialogue, quest, scripting, plot, and MOST item bugs in the base game of Dragon Age: Origins. As of version 3.2 it fixes more than 770 such bugs. It also attempts to restore any cut content that is consistent with all existing content, and that doesn't appear to have been cut for any reason other than time or budget constraints.

Note that my intent here is to fix the game, not tweak it to my liking. I only change something if I believe the game's behavior in any given instance was more than likely -not intended- by the developers. In other words, I try to fix bugs. Actual bugs. As opposed to, "I forgot to talk to the guy in the Lothering Chantry for the Blackstone Irregulars and now I can't get back to him, that's a bug, fix it!". No. That was actually intended, as is clear if you read the completed failed entry for that quest. Now, if I make a change to something that someone believes was intended, please do offer up arguments/evidence in support of that in the comments section where you downloaded this or any other forum I may come up with to support this Fixpack. I enjoy hashing that sort of thing out.

I have no future plans to do fixpacks for Awakening, DLC, Dragon Age 2 or Inquisition unless Bioware would like to pay me a fair wage to do so. Bioware, consider this my resume :)


WHAT IT DOESN'T DO:

This fixpack makes no attempt to fix combat mechanics. It also makes no changes to graphics, textures or morphs. Any mods that make those sorts of fixes *should* be fully compatible. It does not attempt to fix bugs in Awakening or any of the other DLC, with two exceptions: one related to giving Oghren gifts in Awakening (OG3003), and a fix moving a camera in a specific stage used in dozens of dialogues throughout the game (and probably in the DLC as well) in order to prevent large armor shoulder pauldrons or large weapons from occluding the speaker's face, sometimes completely and for significant stretches of dialogue (see GL3209).


RESTORATION HIGHLIGHTS (this is above and beyond many many dozens of lines restored here and there in various dialogues):
SPOILER WARNING: This list has a lot of spoilers, don't read it if you haven't played the game before.

Restored all broken codex entries (aside from a handful in the "Controls" section)
Restored human female cocky soundset
Restored option to show mercy to Mandar Dace if fighting him during the Dwarf Noble Origin
Restored dozens of scripted approval changes, particularly when first meeting various followers
Restored 3 different reactions each to breakups with Morrigan and Zevran, depending on approval level
Restored harsh breakup with Leliana
Restored turning Morrigan in as an apostate to Greagoir
Restored dialogue when taking Morrigan to Flemeth's hut during her personal quest
Restored the proper extended ending to Flemeth's Real Grimoire quest.
Restored several conversations with Oghren in the Deep Roads
Restored Oghren asking to join the party permanently after a king is crowned
Restored long dialogue with Wynne about Connor, and fixed bugs usually preventing another long dialogue with her between "Rescue the Queen" and the Landsmeet
Restored 18 interparty banters that previously would not play at all
Restored Alistair introducing you to Ser Donall in Lothering
Restored being able to distract Lanaya (with very high persuade/cunning) long enough to steal her Songbook without getting caught
Restored the ability to heal Deygan in "Wounded in the Forest"
Restored ability to turn Godwin in to Greagoir
Restored several ambient dialogues between Redcliffe villagers and Shale
Restored non-functioning morale boosts/penalties to the Redcliffe militia and knights depending on how you prepared them for Attack at Nightfall
Restored combat shouts and calls for healing by Redcliffe militia and knights during Attack at Nightfall, which vary depending on morale and sobriety
Restored Sophie's Guard being able to catch you ransacking Sophie's room in the Gnawed Noble Tavern
Restored 3 of the 5 intended ways to be able to Steal the Teyrns Crown
Restored Haven alternate shopkeeper if you side with the Cultists
Restored exchange between the beggar and a guard in the Hall of Heroes
Restored Vartag confronting you in the Provings if you fought for Harrowmont after agreeing to work for Bhelen
Restored the ability for a dwarf noble who didn't kill Trian to be exonerated
Restored the ability for a dwarf noble to complete "Of Noble Birth" properly
Restored ability for Shale to come rescue you during "Captured!"
Restored interjections by Leliana, Morrigan and/or Sten during the Landsmeet if you are betrayed by Anora
Restored Alistair thanking you for not making him king
Restored dialogue between Loghain and Anora in Redcliffe Castle after the Landsmeet (new in version 3.2!)
Restored the last two "Story So Far" updates in the game.
Restored many location based party comments and follower interjections during dialogues
Restored 13 previously unobtainable items in game



COMPATIBILITY:

This mod is most likely not going to be compatible with most mods that modify dialogue, quests and some items. The following mods are not compatible, but they are also mainly not necessary as all bugs and restorations they deal with are also dealt with in this fixpack. This list is by no means complete, it's just what I'm aware of:

NOT COMPATIBLE AND MOSTLY OR COMPLETELY REDUNDANT

Alistair Dialog Patch (ADP) - Bugs are all dealt with, 4 tweaks listed in the readme were not implemented.
Zevran Dialogue Fixes (ZDF) - Only things in the readme not dealt with are some tweaks to kisses.
Leliana Fixes - All issues dealt with, though not always the same way
Morrigan Restoration Pack (MRP) - Only things in the readme not dealt with are Angry Kiss and Dark Ritual Kiss because they are tweaks.
Dialogue Tweaks - Bugs addressed, tweaks are not.
Tiny Fixes - Completely Redundant
A Lost Nug Quest Fix - Completely Redundant (though with different reward)
Unobtainable Item BUGFIX - I do not restore 2 two handed swords in Korcari Wilds as I believe they were cut deliberately
Jowan and Another Different Jowan - Completely Redundant
Ancient Elven Boots Fix - Completely Redundant
Fang at Tier 7 - Completely Redundant
Golem Registry and Shapers Life Reward Fix - Completely Redundant
Shale Will Come For Me Restoration Fix - Completely Redundant
Templar Armor Fixes - Completely Redundant
The Gnawed Notebook - Completely Redundant
Her Hammer is her... uh.. never mind - Completely Redundant
Fixed political support in "A Paragon of her Kind" - Completely Redundant, though my implementation is slightly different
Cammen's Lament Quest Fix - Fixed much much more thoroughly in this Fixpack
Human Female Cocky Voice - Completely Redundant
Chevalier Armor Set Bonus Change - Completely redundant
Zevring - Fixes are redundant, but I do not make the ring a usable item


PARTIALLY COMPATIBLE:

Improved Atmosphere - portions of this could probably be added successfully, with some major surgery. Installing both mods in their entirety is known to cause issues with Crime Wave and Trial of Crows quests, and probably many additional issues not yet discovered. Much of IA is redundant, though, as the fixes listed in the Readme are dealt with in this fixpack, but tweaks are not. The following folders would PROBABLY be okay to add (not actually tested): 1. Global (Animations, Materials and Tints only), 5. Awakening Expansion, 6. Downloadable Content, 7.2 Awakening Quick Items, 7.3 Optional Campaign Mods (Release Jowan ONLY), 7.5 Weapons VFX Remover, and the party_barks.dlg (which makes all followers give their location based barks, instead of just one) in "4. Companions / 4.1 Dialog Changes / Global Dialog Changes". Thanks to firepanda of the Nexus forums for helping me put that list together.


NOT COMPATIBLE (Confirmed)

Equal Love
Alley of Murders (which is a shame, never played it but looks interesting)
Any mod that modifies companion dialogues - in the very BEST case, you will lose the majority of my fixes pertaining to that character, and I fully expect any attempt to mix such mods with mine to all end in tears. Weepy, bitter tears. For the record, I will not be offering support for any issues reported with such mods installed.


SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE

* The lists in parentheses are the mods in that category that were reported as fully compatible during v3.0 and v3.1 BETA testing.

Any morph, texture or visual/graphics mods (* Bidelles Cosmetics, CC Extra Tints & Tones, Leliana Facemorph, Leliana Sacred Ashes Armor (normal and update v1.1), LOTC's Longer Eyelashes, More_Hairstyles, Morrigan Tweaked, NBaio, Practical Dalish Female Armor, PT's Vibrant Colours, Tucked Hair, UDF Dyekit, Robes of Possession - Retex of Jewelry, Personal Annoyance Remover and pretty much any other mod in this category)

Any mods that strictly address combat mechanics (* Full Combatant Dog)

Any Awakening-only mods (* several were confirmed but not bothering to list as they should all work)

Any mods for other DA:O DLC

Some gameplay mods (* Extra Dog Slot, Skip The Fade, ZevranASAP, The Rescue At Ishal, Cousland Sword and Shield, Level 50, FtG UI Mod, FtG Quickbar, AddItem with Console Improved - Script, Damage Statistic Fix)

Most mods that only directly alter existing cutscenes should work. (* Better Sex Cutscenes)



RECOMMENDED SETTINGS:

It came to light in the final days of creating version 3.0 that having Vertical Sync disabled can have some strange effects - specifically, it causes Gorim to not reach your prison cell in the Dwarf Noble origin. I fixed that single issue, but as I did all my development and testing with VSync enabled, I did not catch any other instances where that issue could have an effect. I therefore recommend having VSync enabled if possible.

It's not necessary, but I also did all my development with 3D Vision and it worked quite well, aside from some cutscenes looking a little glassy. If you have the hardware for it, I certainly recommend it for Dragon Age: Origins.


LANGUAGE SUPPORT:

As of version 3.0, there is no multi-language support for this Fixpack. If installing it on a foreign language version, it will replace some of the text with english text. It must be considered an english-only mod for the time being. My apologies to the international players. :(


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Use daupdater.exe (found in your Dragon Age installation's bin_ship directory) to install the accompanying .DAZIP file as an addon (viewable and toggle-able from the Downloadable Content menu option).



ORGANIZATION:

I have organized the readme below hoping to avoid spoilers as much as possible. You therefore won't find much in the way of references to later game events under the companion sections, for example (this is why the ALISTAIR section is so short - he has *tons* of fixes but most of them are listed under the Landsmeet, Dark Ritual, etc. sections for reasons obvious to those already spoiled.) Within each section, I've tried to order the fixes in the order you're likely to come across them within that area, and group fixes pertaining to a specific quest all together, for those trying to use a walkthrough and consult this readme at the same time. I do tend to list side quests prior to main quests.

The code system used to reference fixes, established in v3.0 BETA, has been changed as of v3.2 from a 5 character code to 6 characters. The first two alpha characters still denote the category they are listed under in the readme (see the following category list). The next two digits are now the version number where the fix was added to my fixpacks (and it is for this reason that v3.01 BETA is being retconned to be remembered as v3.1 BETA). The last two digits are used to establish the order in the readme. With this new system, I can insert new fixes without having to reorder or renumber existing fixes, and therefore the code used to denote any particular fix should not change from v3.2 on.

If you are looking for a specific fix, and it could potentially belong to multiple categories below, you are most likely to find it by finding the *last* category in the following list that matches what you're looking for. For example, you won't find any PLOT ITEM REMOVAL fixes anywhere above that section. If you're looking for a fix to something about Morrigan during the Dark Ritual conversation, you'll find it in the Dark Ritual section, not under Morrigan. If an event is tied to a specific location and can't happen anywhere else, you're most likely to find it in the section for that location (so all restored party bark/comments are listed in the respective location where they can now be heard). Note that there is no PARTY CAMP section - things that can only happen in the party camp will generally be under the relevant companion's section.




CATEGORIES:

GL0000: GLOBAL (9 Fixes)
CM0000: CIRCLE MAGE ORIGIN (6 Fixes)
DA0000: DALISH ELF ORIGIN (2 Fixes)
DN0000: DWARF NOBLE ORIGIN (18 Fixes)
HN0000: HUMAN NOBLE ORIGIN (1 Fix)
AL0000: ALISTAIR (9 Fixes)
DO0000: DOG (1 Fix)
LE0000: LELIANA (29 Fixes)
MO0000: MORRIGAN (37 Fixes)
OG0000: OGHREN (21 Fixes)
SC0000: SECRET COMPANION (1 Fix)
SH0000: SHALE (1 Fix)
ST0000: STEN (16 Fixes)
WY0000: WYNNE (8 Fixes)
ZE0000: ZEVRAN (18 Fixes)
IB0000: INTERPARTY BANTERS (14 Fixes)
OS0000: OSTAGAR (15 Fixes)
LO0000: LOTHERING (20 Fixes)
BF0000: BRECILIAN FOREST / NATURE OF THE BEAST (46 Fixes)
CT0000: CIRCLE TOWER / BROKEN CIRCLE (31 Fixes)
RE0000: REDCLIFFE / THE ARL OF REDCLIFFE (50 Fixes)
DE0000: DENERIM (Excluding Crime Wave and Endgame) (22 Fixes)
BI0000: BLACKSTONE IRREGULARS QUESTS (7 Fixes)
CH0000: CHANTER'S BOARD QUESTS (10 Fixes)
MC0000: MAGE COLLECTIVE QUESTS (7 Fixes)
RA0000: RANDOM AND SCRIPTED ENCOUNTERS (7 Fixes)
FI0000: FAVORS FOR INTERESTED PARTIES (6 Fixes)
CW0000: CRIME WAVE (21 Fixes)
UR0000: HAVEN / THE URN OF SACRED ASHES (29 Fixes)
OR0000: ORZAMMAR / A PARAGON OF HER KIND (103 Fixes)
RQ0000: RESCUE THE QUEEN (13 Fixes)
CA0000: CAPTURED! (10 Fixes)
UA0000: DENERIM ALIENAGE / UNREST IN THE ALIENAGE (33 Fixes)
LA0000: LANDSMEET (and Post Landsmeet up to Dark Ritual) (27 Fixes)
DR0000: DARK RITUAL (14 Fixes)
FB0000: FINAL BATTLE (13 Fixes)
CO0000: CORONATION (6 Fixes)
PC0000: POST-CORONATION (18 Fixes)
FU0000: FUNERAL (7 Fixes)
SL0000: SLIDESHOW / EPILOGUE (15 Fixes)
PI0000: PLOT ITEM REMOVAL (16 Fixes)
IF0000: ITEM FIXES (20 Fixes)
IR0000: ITEM RESTORATIONS (15 Fixes)
RD0000: REDACTED FROM PREVIOUS VERSIONS (6 Redactions)

Total number of fixes as of version 3.2: 772

[Laexas]

Thanks qwinn

[Undead Rufus]

Thanks for your effort. It's great to see people still paying attention to DAO.

[K00lex]

Qwinn původně napsal:

Qwinn's Ultimate Dragon Age Origins Fixpack v3.2 released!

Awesome!
Really appreciate the affected file list, since it helps me figure out conflicting override files with other mods.

[ρоѕιтяои_]

Great job on this!

[Qwinn]

Thank you!

Well folks, I've removed my fixpack from the Nexus forums. Please go get it at:

http://qwinnmods.com

From now on, and any updates and new versions (and builder to builder package for other modders, and the Developer Notes version of the readme eventually) will go there exclusively. I've decided to host my own mods going forward. If you want to know why, I explain it all there. Hope to see you!

[Bloomingtide]

Hey, that is some awesome work. Thanks so much. is it possible for you to upload a non-da.zip version of your mod, meaning a zip override version?

I currently use ZDF as my bugfix because I can delete conflicting files there out of its folders, which would otherwise conflict with my other mods that I really want/need to keep? If it isn't too much work, that is. Thanks again for doing this and showing good old da:o some love :)

[Qwinn]

You don't really need to. By default, in any conflict with another file, my fixpack loses. All other mods overwrite mine. This allows predictable behavior even if using another DAZIP mod with mine, and if you don't want my file overwritten, don't add that file from another mod to the override folder.

That's how it *should* work, anyway, and it seemed to work fine on versions 1.0 and 2.0. Anecdotal data confirms it working on v3.2 also. If you get results that don't line up with what I just said, please let me know.

By the way, my mod is still up on NexusMods (same link), and that's still the place to go if you'd like to endorse my mod (which would be appreciated!) I've also released the B2B and the Readme - Developer Notes version on qwinnmods.com.

[Bloomingtide]

So if I understand it correctly that means my other large dazip mod that already includes bug fixes for a specific char (alistair), among other things (yes romance scenes :p), is given priority to your bugfix mod then? That would be ideal bc I would not lose out on cutscenes etc from that alistair mod due to a conflict with yours.

I could and will gladly switch ZDF's for yours then, since it is so much more extensive and better. And yes, ofc I'll endorse your file, it is the least I can do for all your work <3

[Qwinn]

Thank you! And yes, your understanding is correct, but please keep this caveat in mind (lifted from a recent and now stickied post on my website):


My DA:O Fixpack is very humble. If my Fixpack modifies a file, and any other installed mod touches the same file, that other mod’s file will get priority and override mine by default. If this happens, the fixes my mod makes to that file will not work, but it maximizes the chances that the other mod will work without problems. That’s no guarantee, however, as another file somewhere else in my Fixpack that was not overwritten may be dependent upon the changes in the file that was overridden. So, add files from other mods that are also in my Affected Files List with great caution. Note that if you overwrite player_core.nss, as a number of combat mechanic mods do, you will only lose my Soundset fixes (GL3002) but it should otherwise work without additional issues.



Note that "romance scene" mods that just change the cutscenes themselves, without altering dialogue, have a good chance of not having any conflicts. It's only if they modify Alistair's main dialogue file that you will lose out on many of my fixes related to Alistair, unless that mod author has also taken steps to correct all the same bugs. I've just released the developer notes and B2B package, so any author that wants to do so now has ALL the information I could possibly provide necessary to do so.

[Bloomingtide]

Ah I see, thank you. Well, I am not dependent on the fixes for Alistair from your mod, since the romance mod is not purely scene related but ALSO an extensive fix package for this character. In particular this is about this mod:

http://www.nexusmods.com/dragonage/mods/4460/?

So if the romance mod is given priority in the "alistair main dialogue" file and whatnot by your mod by default they should play nicely together then? I think I have to simply try it out in a new game, which I plan to start anyhow.

I do lack the means for donations sadly, but I have seen that you have Thief gold on your wishlist and I have a spare key of that from a prior HB bundle. I'd like to give you that key, just as a little thanks for all your hard work in fixing what BW has always omitted to. (if you want to) ;)

[Qwinn]

It sounds like it may work well enough, sure. Give it a try. Please let me know how it goes - I'd love to be able to add it to my Compatible list.

And that would be a very cool donation, lol, sure! Thank you so much, very appreciated.

[Bloomingtide]

Okay, good to know.

I'll have to add you for that, since I can't obviously post the gift link here, sooo if you see a friends request, tis just me ;)

Edit: Tried to add you, but either you didn't see it or denied the request. So I have written you a PM on the nexus site with the HB gift link now. Lemme know if you got it :)

[Qiox]

I just installed this game on steam. I downloaded this patch from your website. I used the daupdater program to register it. All seemed to go fine. It is the only mod I have installed.

But when I launch the game I get a message saying that the mod requires a different version # of the game.

[Qwinn]

That's really strange, first time I've heard of this problem. Maybe since you *just* installed it, Steam still needs to apply an update?

I presume you installed the Ultimate Edition, not the normal Dragon Age: Origins which is a separate purchase (though they should both work). I only require the game version be 1.05, not sure how that could not be the case.

[Qiox]

The DAOriginsConfig.exe says my DAOrigins.exe is v1.05

And yes I bought the Ultimate Edition.



*Edit*

I just ran the updater again and selected the dazip file again and installed. This time I got no error when starting the game and it shows 'enabled' in the downloadable content list.

No idea why it would have failed the first time.