It's Mod Appreciation Week 2024 and today marks Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory's 21st anniversary! Celebrate with a taste of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Single-Player & Cooperative's next version, coming soon alongside RealRTCW 5.0! Get Psyched! 🙌
Announcing Version 2.0 - coming June 30, 2024!
It's already been 5 years since we announced this mod, and half of that since it was released! Yeah, time certainly flies, but our passion for this game never will. As some of you might know, the next version of Return to Castle Wolfenstein's remaster, RealRTCW 5.0, was in development for quite some time, and it was just recently revealed! And it's coming very soon, on June 30, 2024! Hell yeah!
This new version of RealRTCW will bring many exciting new features, such as a new hub location map, completely reanimated weapons, new sounds, overhauled boss fights and so much more! Since RealRTCW and Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Single-Player & Cooperative are, as I like to say it, two sides of the same coin, the later could only improve as well, just like when RealRTCW 4.0 released! That is why, I am glad to announce Version 2.0 of the mod, coming on the same day as RealRTCW 5.0!
This new version will not only take advantage RealRTCW 5.0's exciting new features, but it will also come with bug fixes, new elements, some changes and overhauled ideas, mostly according to player feedback I received ever since release day. So, let's take a look at some of the new additions!
Choose a CLASS!
Yes, you read that right! As you can see in the screenshot below, the PLAY menu not only got a slight overhaul, but it's also coming with a new option to choose a class! Woohoo!
Classes directly affect the player's starting loadout in the missions. Each class is inspired by those from Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, complete with different arsenals and even exclusive items!
The attached screenshots showcase the class selection option itself, that's accessible from the PLAY menu (mission selection), from all available user interface choices, before you start a mission.
As you can see, the MEDIC comes with a particular set of special items, such as the Gas Grenade, or a Syringe holdable... But that's not all! The Bar for example is also exclusive to this class! And although the rest of the weapons can be found in most classes, some of those are still partly-exclusive, as the FIELD OPS will prefer the Revolver to the Colt, and the COVERT OPS will always choose a silent Sten over a noisy Thompson! But enough spoilers I guess!
This class selection option is independent from the one featured in RTCWCoop 1.0.3, and will be exclusive to the RealRTCW version of the mod, as it relies on its unique scripting abilities. Do note that the guns of the recently-revealed Agency Weapon Pack will be compatible with the mod, and added to your loadout regardless of your class, provided you own and install said DLC, that is.
Cabinets. Cabinets everywhere.
Another element that will be exclusive to the RealRTCW version of the mod starting with Version 2.0 are health and ammo cabinets, the very same ones featured in Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory at the same locations, and an evolution to those featured in the Warbell expansion, released last year.
Even more cabinets?
Another type of cabinet you must've come across if you played the Warbell expansion are the dynamite cabinets. As you know, in this mod, dynamites are mostly essential for completing objectives. So far, however, in other levels they were only found in specific locations and in small quantities, though respawning. But it will no longer be the case by 2.0, and not only in the RealRTCW version, unlike the health and ammo cabinets mentioned above.
Shelving those dynamites in higher, still respawning quantities, definitely makes it easier for the player(s) to get this key item! This is why, in the next version of the mod, these special cabinets will be available in all of the levels effectively requiring dynamites! 🧨
Who forgot to mow the lawn?
Foliage. It's one of those important visual innovations featured in Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory which weren't available in Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and thus missing from our mod as as well... but not for much longer!
That's right: the next version of the mod will finally bring foliage, exclusive to RealRTCW, just like the aforementioned class selection and health and ammo cabinets! The terrain in Würzburg Radar (as well as in the Warbell expansion map) will no longer be “bald,” therefore the mission will require a more tactical approach from the player, as enemies will be able to use these improved environments to "camouflage" themselves away from enemy sight! 😎
Do note that the foliage feature will be entirely optional, although enabled by default! ✌️
The QoL's in the Details
As you'll notice once you get on your hands on Version 2.0 of the mod, are alterations to existing areas, changes made to visually improve them, accommodate latest additions, fix glitches, etc...
All of the maps were also entirely recompiled with ultra q3map2 parameters and using the latest available tools and limits. As such, you can expect even better visuals, especially when used with kemon's remastered textures! We're excited to finally release the definitive versions of these maps!
Who's that?
Yet another upcoming, exclusive feature to the RealRTCW version of the mod, are floating names next to any friendly NPC, such as squad mates, or even important enemies. You'll be able to know who side they're on depending of the color of said names, or which class they're using, thanks to a nearby floating icon.
The class icon will also be visible in the subtitles, when said NPCs are talking.
Follow me!
One more feature we will go over today is the upcoming ability to talk to NPCs, in any version of the mod (although the indicative speech icon will be exclusive to the RealRTCW build). Starting with Version 2.0, you'll be able to command your allies, by asking them to follow and cover you, or wait at specific locations!
As you know, the cut single-player component of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory featured squad-based gameplay in which you would've been able to command your allies and order them to perform specific actions according to their classes. Although some of that spirit is still present in our mod, and mostly in the RTCWCoop 1.0.3 version which forces players to choose a class and work together dependently of each other, this new feature will be a step forward in the right direction, we hope.
Also, yes, you'll be able to have multiple allies at your command simultaneously, and not just your squad mates, but literally any friendly NPC. Pretty cool, huh?
Additional soundtrack incoming!
I am happy to announce that some of the original soundtrack made by Bill Brown for this amazing game was remixed by our good friend Onye Nacho, who came up with altered, exciting new versions of the most-iconic tracks of the original game, to be exclusively-featured in our mod starting with Version 2.0!
We can't wait for you to be able to re-experience the mod's action-packed story with new, yet familiar atmospheric sound ambience!
What about Ice?
Due to our involvement in the development of RealRTCW and its next version as well as this project's, the upcoming Ice expansion, which we announced a few months ago, is not ready for a showcase just yet, though it's still scheduled to be released later this year. So, thank you for you patience as we head there.
Ready to Return?
Since we don't wanna spoil everything just yet, please look forward to the live showcase of Version 2.0 when it comes out on June 30, with the launch trailer! Get Psyched! 🙌
Need a medic patron!
As you may know, I have a Patreon account for my modding activities. My mods are released for free - always have been, and always will be - so those who are/will be kind enough to donate (aka become my patron) will be getting in-game goodies as well as early access to preview tests and full builds of my current and upcoming projects, depending of which tier they're subscribed to (subscriptions ranging from 1-5 EUR cheap), and of course that includes Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Single-Player & Cooperative and its future expansions and versions. Thank you! 🫶
Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Single-Player is available on Steam for RealRTCW (Windows), and on Mod DB for Return to Castle Wolfenstein/iortcw (Windows, Mac and Linux), RealRTCW (Windows), RTCW4A/RTCW-Touch (Android), vitaRTCW (PlayStation Vita) and RTCWQuest (VR). Version 2.0 coming June 30, 2024.
Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Cooperative is available on Steam for RealRTCWCoop (Windows), and on Mod DB for RTCWCoop (Windows, Mac and Linux) and RealRTCWCoop (Windows). Version 2.0 coming June 30, 2024.
Nice work !
Cheers.