X-Men Legends II Ultimate Patch: Progress Post and Info

[BaconWizard17]

X-MEN  LEGENDS  II  ULTIMATE  PATCH
PROGRESS POST AND INFO

Introduction
    The X-Men Legends II Ultimate Patch (X2UP) is an upcoming project for X-Men Legends II. The day I originally posted this thread marked my 5 year anniversary with the Marvel Mods community. The Patch is not ready for release, but to celebrate my anniversary I wanted to give an outline and some previews of the coming features of the X2UP.
    The X2UP is going to be XML2's first base mod pack. It is intended to be installed before any other mods, like Ultimate Alliance's Official Character Pack (OCP). The X2UP will feature a variety of fixes, improvements, restored content, and extra bonus features that will bring the base game up to an improved standard. The X2UP is being created to work on the PC, and then will be converted to work on the other 4 consoles.

Progress Tracker
    This section is the new progress tracker. It will show the status of development for all X2UP tasks. It is current as of the most recent monthly update and will be continuously updated each month.
The color codes are:

• 🔴 Not started
• 🟡 In process
• 🟢 Complete
• ⚫️ As needed
• 🔵 In progress; as much as possible will be completed for release, but no specific completion requirement

🟡 Phase 0: Compiler Development
    Before formal development will resume in full force, the first focus is to rewrite the compiler for the project. The compiler allows us to keep files stored separately and decompiled for easy updating, and then compile them all together to make up the mod files for testing and release.

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🟢 Compiler functionality for playable characters
• 🟢 Update existing playable characters to work with the new compiler
• 🟢 Compiler functionality for NPCs
• 🟢 Update existing NPCs to work with the new compiler
• 🟢 Compiler functionality for shared data files
• 🟢 Update existing shared data files to work with the new compiler
• 🟢 Compiler functionality for menus
• 🟢 Update existing menus to work with the new compiler
• 🟡 Compiler functionality for maps
• 🟡 Compiler functionality for misc files
• ⚫️ Any remaining compiler functions

🟡 Phase 1: GitHub Setup/Migration
    We used to store the project on Google Drive, but midway into the project decided to migrate the project to GitHub to track updates better. Many assets were not set up or migrated because we didn't have the compiler set up yet.

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🟢 Setup of playable characters
• 🟢 Migration of playable character assets
• 🟢 Setup of NPCs
• 🟢 Migration of NPC assets
• 🟢 Setup of shared data files
• 🟡 Migration of shared data file assets
• 🔴 Setup of maps
• 🟡 Migration of map assets
• 🔴 Setup of menus
• 🟡 Migration of menu assets
• ⚫️ Migration of any lingering files

🟡 Phase 2: Development
    This phase is the bulk of project; it covers the actual modification of files for the X2UP.

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🟡 Playable characters
  
  • 🟡 Skins and visual assets
    
    • 🟢 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for 18 common characters
    • 🟢 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for console-exclusive characters
    • 🟡 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for XML1 characters and secret bonus character
    • 🔵 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for package mod characters
    • 🟡 Mission briefing models
  • 🟢 Coding (powers/effects/packages/scripts/etc.)
    
    • 🟢 Coding for 18 common characters
    • 🟢 Coding for console-exclusive characters
    • 🟢 Coding for XML1 characters and secret bonus character
    • 🔵 Coding for package mod characters
  • 🟡 Sounds
  • ⚫️ Any remaining playable character tasks
• 🟡 NPCs
  
  • 🟡 Skins and visual assets
    
    • 🟡 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for allied NPCs
    • 🟡 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for bosses
    • 🔵 Skins/portraits/3D heads/other visuals for minions
  • 🟢 Coding
  • 🟢 Sounds
  • ⚫️ Any remaining NPC tasks
• 🟡 Common data files
• 🟡 Maps
  
  • 🔴 Check and update conversations
  • 🟡 Restore unused content
  • ⚫️ Correct coding issues
• 🟡 Menus
  
  • 🟢 Add character bio menu

🔴 Phase 3: Testing
    Once development is complete, we'll proceed with extensive testing to ensure that the X2UP is stable and has everything that we need.

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🔴 Initial playthrough test with starting four (Cyclops, Magneto, Storm, Wolverine) to test game features
• 🔴 Stress test with 4 characters that have the biggest powerstyles
• 🔴 Stress test with 4 characters with custom movesets
• 🔴 Test each character on the roster in groups of 4 for power functionality and level compatibility

🔴 Phase 4: Release Prep
    This step will take place once testing is complete. During this phase, any supporting documentation will be developed to make sure that the release is smooth and all information about it is out there.

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🔴 Write updates to XML2 Mod Installation Guides
• 🔴 Write release posts for mods
• 🔴 Prepare release video
• 🔴 Compile final releases
• 🔴 Upload mod files

🔴 Phase 5: Release
    This is when the PC version of the progress will be released to the public!

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🔴 Post tutorial updates
• 🔴 Post mod releases
• 🔴 Post release video
• 🔴 Announce release on Discord

🔴 Phase 6: Console Conversion
    During this phase, the remaining development will be completed to get the X2UP functioning on the console versions of XML2.

Expand to see status of tasks related to this phase

• 🔴 Convert assets
  
  • 🔴 Convert skins to GameCube
  • 🔴 Convert skins to PSP
  • ⚫️ Convert any remaining visuals
  • 🔴 Convert sounds to GameCube
  • 🔴 Convert sounds to PS2
  • 🔴 Convert sounds to PSP
  • 🔴 Convert sounds to Xbox
  • ⚫️ Convert any remaining sounds
• 🔴 Testing
  
  • 🔴 Play test of GameCube version with starting 4 characters on an emulator
  • 🔴 Play test of PS2 version with starting 4 characters on an emulator
  • 🔴 Play test of PSP version with starting 4 characters on an emulator
  • 🔴 Play test of Xbox version with starting 4 characters on an emulator
  • 🔴 Play test of GameCube version with starting 4 characters on hardware
  • 🔴 Play test of PS2 version with starting 4 characters on hardware
  • 🔴 Play test of PSP version with starting 4 characters on hardware
  • 🔴 Play test of Xbox version with starting 4 characters on hardware
• 🔴 Release prep
  
  • 🔴 Write updates to XML2 Mod Installation Guides
  • 🔴 Write release posts for mods
  • 🔴 Prepare release video
  • 🔴 Compile final releases
  • 🔴 Upload mod files
• 🔴 Release
  
  • 🔴 Post tutorial updates
  • 🔴 Post mod releases
  • 🔴 Post release video
  • 🔴 Announce release on Discord

Features
    The X2UP is going to include a lot of changes and improvements. Here's what features are planned:
   
Power Fixes

Expand to see details

    Every single power in the game has been thoroughly combed over to ensure that they function the way they were intended to work based on their descriptions and talent values. The timing of everything within a power has been verified to make sure that the powers function as smoothly as possible. A few powers that could not be made to work as intended were changed. Missing effects, such as Sabretooth's, will also be restored. Pyro's radiation shield boost is being changed since it doesn't make sense for his character.
    For example, Colossus's boost was supposed to absorb a certain amount of damage before turning off. However, the effect would not reliably turn off at the end of the power even if the damage threshold was met, so it was impossible to tell when it ended. The power was instead changed to block a certain amount of damage for a certain amount of time. This way, the effect always turns off, so you can tell when the power ends
    Certain characters with unique walk/run animations (Nightcrawler and Toad) will receive custom movesets that will allow their footstep sounds to properly play when they're walking in hub areas.

Additional Characters

Expand to see details

    There are 18 characters in XML2 that are common to all 5 console versions: Bishop, Colossus, Cyclops, Deadpool, Gambit, Iceman, Iron Man, Jean Grey, Juggernaut, Magneto, Nightcrawler, Professor X, Rogue, Scarlet Witch, Storm, Sunfire, Toad, and Wolverine. There are also 6 characters that are exclusive to certain consoles and aren't found on the rest: Pyro and Sabretooth are exclusive to the PC, and Cable, Cannonball, Dark Phoenix, and X-Man are exclusive to the PSP. All of the exclusive characters will now be included in every console version:

• The PC-exclusive characters will be included in all versions in their original form, but will receive the same power fixes and visual improvements as other default characters.
• The PSP-exclusive characters will be included as custom interpretations on the other consoles, because the original PSP animations aren't compatible with the other consoles.

    On top of this, we're also going to be including new versions of the XML1-exclusive characters (Beast, Emma Frost, Jubilee, Magma, and Psylocke). The addition of those characters brings the roster to 29, so a secret 30th bonus character will also be included on the roster.
    Currently, it's not possible to increase the roster size of any version of the game. Each console only has one additional character slot open. By popular vote, Psylocke will be added to that extra roster spot. All remaining characters will be included in the files of the mod, but will need to be swapped into the roster in place of another character.

Package Mod Updates

Expand to see details

    Since the X2UP is going to be a base mod installed before any others, other mods are being updated to take this into account. There are 3 package mods for XML2: the All X-Men Edition (AXE), the Brotherhood Edition (BHE), and the Marvel Universe Edition (MUE). All 3 mods are going to be updated with compatibility updates to make sure that they work with the X2UP and don't introduce any clashes or complications. Any updated characters/features that are available at the time of release of these mods will also be incorporated.

Visual Fixes and Improvements

Expand to see details

    The visual assets of the game are undergoing vast improvements. As needed, visual assets will have their texture format changed to optimize the quality of the textures. Many of the visual assets are also having their resolution increased. On all platforms, conversation portraits and character select portraits are going to be increased from 64x64 to 128x128. On PC and Xbox, power icons and loading screens will also be doubled in resolution.

Expand to see comparisons of default and updated visuals

Conversation portraits. Before: 64x64 DXT3 (this one is from PC). After: 128x128 PNG8


Character select portraits. Before: 64x64 DXT3 (this one is from PC). After: 128x128 PNG8


Skins. Before: 256x256 DXT3 (this one is from PC). After: 256x256 PNG8. Click to expand the image


Power icons. Before: 128x128 DXT3 (this one is from PC). After: 256x256 PNG8. Click to expand the image


Loading screens. Before: 512x512 DXT3 (this one is from PC). After: 1024x1024 DXT1. Click to expand the image

Character Skins

Expand to see details

    Skins will not be undergoing a resolution increase due to file size limitations. However, all character skins will be switching to PNG8 format textures. All the existing skins are undergoing total revamps, and every character will be receiving additional skins to fill out their selection. We will be adding every default skin that a character has used in XML1 (including prototype/early development material), XML2, and MUA1. Each skin is being thoroughly reviewed to make sure it is of the highest quality, and we are ensuring that the skins are standardized and all look like the same character. Many allied NPCs and enemy bosses will also be undergoing skin improvements, but most minion/generic NPCs will not unless they have a critical issue. Additionally, each skin will be receiving a skin-specific default-style conversation portrait. Mission briefing models will also be updated to reflect the skin improvements.

Expand to see information about playable character skins

    Our team has slightly expanded the definitions of XML2's default skin categories to allow for each character to have the maximum number of skins possible. The default version of XML2 has an average of 3.5 skins per character, but with the X2UP, there will be an average of 8.2 skins per character. The redefined skin categories are as follows:

Expand to see new skin categories

• Skin: the character's default skin
• Skin_astonishing: a more recent comic book outfit for a character, preferably from the early to mid 2000s. It comes sequentially after all the other comic book outfits.
• Skin_aoa: a character's look from the Age of Apocalypse universe. If they didn't appear in the Age of Apocalypse universe, or their appearance was insignificant, another non-Ultimate alternate universe can be used, such as Heroes Reborn.
• Skin_60s: a character's earliest notable comic book outfit.
• Skin_70s: an earlier comic book outfit for a character that comes after the choice for skin_60s.
• Skin_weaponx: if the character was in Weapon X, this will be their outfit from their time in Weapon X. Otherwise, it can be used for another comic book outfit that comes after skin_70s and before skin_astonishing.
• Skin_future: for X-Men, this is for X-Treme Gear skins. For non-X-Men, this spot can be used for Ultimate skins. If Ultimate is already used for a character's primary skin, this category can be used as a miscellaneous category.
• Skin_winter: if a character has a winter gear outfit, that skin goes here. Otherwise, this is a catch-all category for any default skin that doesn't fit another category.
• Skin_civilian: If a character has some sort of armor for their default skin, this skin is the main skin without armor. If their main skin has a mask or helmet, this skin will be the default skin without the mask or helmet. If a character is known to fight in street clothes, or they have a street clothes outfit as a default skin, it goes here. If a character is a scientist, this skin will be their main skin but with a lab coat.

    Below, you can see previews for the completed playable character skins for X2UP characters. Click the images to enlarge them.

Expand to see playable character skin previews

Beast	Bishop	Cable	Cannonball	Colossus
Cyclops	Dark Phoenix	Deadpool	Emma Frost	Emma Frost (Diamond Form)
Gambit	Iceman	Iron Man	Jean Grey	Jubilee
Juggernaut	Magma	Magma (Fiery Form)	Magneto	Nightcrawler
Professor X	Psylocke	Pyro	Rogue	Sabretooth
Scarlet Witch	Storm	Sunfire	Toad	Wolverine
X-Man

    The 3 package mods (AXE, BHE, and MUE) will also have updated skins for some of their characters. The main focus is currently the AXE, but other skins will be added over time.

Expand to see package mod playable character skin previews

Angel	Banshee	Havok	Polaris	Quicksilver

Expand to see information about NPC skins

Many allied NPCs are receiving skin updates. They're receiving the same treatments as playable character skins.

Expand to see allied NPC skin previews

Angel	Dazzler	defaultman	Havok	Polaris
Professor X	Quicksilver	Stan Lee	Tony Stark

    Many of the game's bosses will also be receiving updated skins. Some generic enemies will also receive updates, but only if there are issues with their default skins. Certain skins are being replaced to improve accuracy to the cutscenes, and some have been added to enhance the game.

Expand to see enemy NPC skin previews

Abyss	Apocalypse	Archangel	Charred Corpse	Deadpool (Boss)
Hellfire Club Guard	Holocaust	Lady Deathstrike	Mikhail Rasputin	Mr. Sinister
Ninjas	Sinister Cyclops	Sinister Iceman	Sinister Storm	Sinister Wolverine
Stryfe

Expand to see information about bonus skins

    Certain characters have more skins than the maximum allowed in the game (9), so these skins will be included as optional bonus content that players can replace existing skins with. These are primarily any default skins that didn't fit a character's main skin set. Certain NPCs also have bonus skins.

Expand to see bonus skin previews

Colossus (Bonus Skins)	Cyclops (Bonus Skins)	Dark Phoenix (Bonus Skin)	Holocaust (Bonus Skin)	Iceman (Bonus Skin)
Jean Grey (Bonus Skins)	Juggernaut (Bonus Skin)	Magneto (Bonus Skin)	Nightcrawler (Bonus Skin)	Professor X (Bonus Skins)
Stan Lee (Bonus Skin)	Storm (Bonus Skins)	Stryfe (Bonus Skin)	Toad (Bonus Skin)	Tony Stark (Bonus Skin)
Wolverine (Bonus Skins)

Expand to see information about mission briefing models

    All mission briefing character models will be updated to reflect the changes to the playable skins. To make this easier on myself, I've created hybrid models of the mission briefing characters. I use the body of the playable character's skin, separate their index finger from the other fingers, and then I splice in the higher poly face of the default briefing model to allow their faces to animate correctly.
    It's difficult to view these models in the character select screen, and they can only be viewed in T-Poses. The lighting in the character select screen also makes them look odd. They look better in game.

Expand to see previews of mission briefing models

Bishop (Briefing Model)	Colossus (Briefing Models)	Cyclops (Briefing Model)	Gambit (Briefing Model)	Iceman (Briefing Model)
Jean Grey (Briefing Model)	Juggernaut (Briefing Models)	Magneto (Briefing Model)	Nightcrawler (Briefing Model)	Professor X(Briefing Model)
Rogue (Briefing Model)	Scarlet Witch (Briefing Model)	Storm (Briefing Models)	Sunfire (Briefing Model)	Toad (Briefing Model)
Wolverine(Briefing Model)

Restored Content

Expand to see information about restored content

    In addition to the default content that exists in the game, we have combed through the files to look for any unused content from the game that can be restored. This includes missing NPCs, conversations, objectives, interactive elements, and other things. Cyclops' NPC in the Sanctuary was almost complete, so we added him to the intended place and added his conversation. Various sound effects and other elements that were supposed to occur during boss battles have been restored. The hero and villain bio menu (codex) is being restored as well, and will be accessible through the mission computer.

Expand to see previews of restored content

Restored voice lines in the Abyss battle: https://streamable.com/r0ytjt

Restored voice lines in the Madi Temple: https://streamable.com/t0s8ta

Cyclops NPC


Restored Bio/Codex Menu

Bonus Features

Expand to see information about bonus features

    In addition to the pre-installed content, the X2UP will feature plenty of optional bonus content. One feature will be alternate skins without cel shading since some people prefer this visual style. Another optional feature is to add back the cut Bishop NPC. He's missing his voice sounds, and he won't fit into the Sanctuary due to conversation limits, but this optional feature will add his NPC to the Weapon X facility. Other things include scripts to unlock all skins and characters, as well as the quick play mod. Many bonus visuals, such as additional loading screens and comic covers, will also be available. As we get closer to the completion of the Patch, any other features that we believe are useful but too far from the default game will be included as bonus features. 

Ease-of-Use

Expand to see information about ease-of-use

    One of the focuses of the X2UP is ease of use for anyone who wants to mod the game. First and foremost, the Patch will come as a single install that's ready to drag and drop into the game. It will also feature full support for OpenHeroSelect (OHS) to allow for quick and easy roster changes. The skin numbers for all characters have also been changed to use a more practical order. For example, Cyclops's skin order used to be 0103, 0101, 0102, 0120, 0121, and 0123. Now, his skin order is 0101, 0102, 0103, 0104, 0105, 0106, 0107, 0108, and 0109. Even if they don't have a full 9 skins, each character will feature 9 packages so that skins can be easily added to them. New tutorials will be created to help people more easily mod XML2.

Summary
      The X2UP is a really ambitious project, and nothing has been done so far like it in XML2. We're incredibly excited to be working on this project, and we're hoping to bring it to completion as soon as possible! There's still lots to do, but we've also finished a considerable portion of what we've wanted to do. Thank you to everyone for your continued support, and thank you to the Patch team for the hard work you've put in!

Contributors
    Thank you to current and prior contributors to the X2UP! hemlot, Cohollow, Lags, Enchlore, Ninja Kyden, and Enigma.

[Daniel Kings]

Wow, i should check out the Workbench topic more often. I never knew this kind of project was going on. You guys are awesome, i can't wait to try it out!

[powpowpower]

WOW! one of the best games all all time gets a patch after all these years, thank you Marvel Mods Team for making this happen!

[BaconWizard17]

We're working hard to get this made ASAP! There's still some more things left to do, but it will be worth the wait.

[powpowpower]

Updates??😁

[BaconWizard17]

Updates??😁

Progress is coming along! I can't really give a definitive timeline for when we'll be done, but we are working hard to bring the patch to you! There are still a few more characters that need skins, some characters that need updates, some visual assets to improve on, and other fixes like that.

[BaconWizard17]

I've updated this thread with new previews for completed skins, and I've also edited the section that details what's left. Progress is slowly coming along on the X2UP!

[BaconWizard17]

I've updated the thread with some additional new information

[Yohan]

Great! Althoug I think the patch is much more than just a patch. You guys are pratically creating the definitive version of XML2. Can't wait to play the game again when X2UP is done.

[BaconWizard17]

Great! Althoug I think the patch is much more than just a patch. You guys are pratically creating the definitive version of XML2. Can't wait to play the game again when X2UP is done.

Thank you! That's always been the goal for us. We're looking forward to sharing it with everyone when we're done!

[BaconWizard17]

I've updated the X2UP progress post with X-Man's skin previews, since I just completed them. I also added screenshots of the new mission briefing models.

As for the status of the project itself, it's still WIP. We're currently transferring the files from Google Drive to GitHub and restructuring everything to make it easier to account for the console versions. So far, all the characters and NPCs have been transferred over, but maps and finishing touches are still in progress. My plan is to finish Magma before returning to this transfer. We hope to have a finished product delivered as soon as possible!

[BaconWizard17]

I've added the previews for Magma's skins. All playable characters have been completed now for the X2UP! But there's still lots of work to go...

[JeanGreyFan5907]

Oh my gosh! :runaway: I can't believe that this project is now happening! I am very excited! You all are truly amazing for doing this. I can't wait to play XML2 after using the X2UP. 

[Gabriel Oliveira]

I can't wait for this project to be released. Not trying to rush or anything, but I really hope it can be released this year! Btw, thank you for doing this. XML2 deserves any attention it can get, I really love this game.

[Monalyze]

What about cinematics? I'm tired of the 4:3 view, I need 16:9 and in HD quality.