The Gemstone of Balance and Other Stories (GGame Engine)

by Gary Arndt


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WARNING
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This is a patch, NOT the game install itself.

For those who may be unfamiliar with patches, a patch typically includes only a subset of files that are needed to run a program and is intended to be installed on top of an existing install.  A patch is not intended to be used by itself.

Trying to use the patch without the base game installed will not result in a valid install.  In other words, you must first have the game installed before you can install a patch.  If you already have the game installed, then you may install this patch (even if you have installed an older patch, although to be clear, having any older patches installed is NOT necessary since the new patch includes all of their content).


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What is this?
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This document explains the purpose of this patch (what it fixes and/or improves), when to install it, and how it should be installed.


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A note regarding version numbers
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Throughout this document there are references to dates that say things like "this version or newer" or "this version or older".  In order to clarify these statements, be aware the following convention is used for versions:

YYMMDD

For example:
(and just an example; this is NOT the version of this patch!)

221214

YY = 22 (2022)
MM = 12 (December)
DD = 14 (the 14th)

So 221214 = 2022, December, the 14th

(This particular order is used because it allows the proper sorting of filenames that use such vesion numbers by putting them in the proper alpha-numerical order)


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Patch notes
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This patch is intended for version 240720 (or the parallel 240715, which is a patched older version) or newer versions 241122, 241115, 241111, 241107, 241101, 241026, 241019, 241012, 241004, 240926, 240919, 240909, 240903, 240825, or 240817 (recent patches).  If you want to be sure which version you currently have installed, your current version can be found in the "version.txt" file in that install's root directory.

The changes are described in the main (new) readme in this patch (GGame2\README.txt), but briefly:

The following general problems have been addressed:

- A few general minor bug fixes have been made, for example the end menu appearing an extra time after a reload or load, area-based turn undead spells angering allies, a problem with the checking in some NPC conversations and other situations when a door has been unlocked after an item has been dropped, a minor memory issue with special chests that lead to encounters, an item not included in the inventory order list, multiple wrapping of view maps, character position when scrolling wrapping view maps, the arcane spell merchant wasn't responding properly to "name", and some minor typo's
- Fixed a problem where the Move NPC command had mixed X and Y coordinates when a PC has to move and a missing line feed in the related error message
- Remaining summoned allies in the Seaport goblin lair no longer prevent quest completion
- The end sequence now properly considers a saved reload
- Fixed a problem with sleep powers affecting summoned allies
- Aborting Yell no longer uses up a turn
- Fixed some problems with wrapping maps vs. some features such as area spells
- It is no longer possible to take an action when reloading from a save where the PC or party is dead
- A general bug was fixed that was accidentally introduced in version 241012 where the view no longer was set properly in dungeon rooms with certain special characteristics
- The rainstorm in the village near the keep now does not happen with every load but rather just when entering


The following problems with the party system have been addressed:

- A variety of minor bug fixes have been made to the party system, for example a problem in a split party with HP not always updating after an attack, a problem when split with the "move NPC" command going to the PC position, a problem with "on other" spells being allowed on maps where they should not, a problem after a pit trap with a party member still listed as delayed, and a problem in the party stats command with the wrong sidebar data being listed afterwards
- Talking to the rogue that joins no longer causes an error message when there is an existing party
- The end sequence now properly considers a party
- The final battle is now more properly balanced for a party
- Split no longer will place party members beyond walls and such
- Fixed a problem with the Seaport theater and the character tile becoming black (if you have a saved game with this problem, rest or board/exit a vehicle)
- Fixed a variety of problems with wrapping maps vs. party system features such as the display of party members across a wrapping border
- Fixed a bug where the sidebar sometimes after resting showed SP and no title for a character without SP
- Fixed a bug where only the active party member was being checked for a level increase when gaining XP (all still gained XP, however)
- Fixed a bug where the delay on a split party member would persist after unsplitting (now moved to the active char and resolved immediately)
- Dead party members now display properly
- Some related bugs when using a party have been fixed where the wrong party member was in some cases used for things such as the visual for a special power during an attack and the reduction of weight as food is used up (and a new bug fix menu option for recalculating inventory weight has been added)
- Various critical bugs when using a party for dungeon rooms and other parts of scenario 2 have been fixed (although more testing is needed in case there are more of these)
- A critical bug regarding using a party and potentially losing exit data in a very few locations
- A critical bug regarding using a party and potentially losing game flags has been fixed and a new bug fix menu option added for the sake of any games in progress
- It is no longer possible to cast spells such as Heal Other on a dead party member
- The saving of having used the disband option has been fixed


The following general enhancements have been implemented:

- A few minor improvements have been made such as various checks for nearby danger now work in a circle rather than a square, a cast spell name will now be displayed after selection, and some enhancements to the planar abode
- There are now some alternate methods to select a spell
- Area effect powers for creatures has now been implemented and a few creatures now use these instead of single-target powers
- Show Object State now includes a new "DISABLED" option that will show delay, sleep, etc.
- Control-M now supports allies that are not engaged in combat


The following enhancements related to the party system have been implemented:

- The checking of valid conditions for unsplit have been enhanced to work in a circle rather than a square for distance, to require party members to be in closer proximity to each other, and on standard maps to not be near danger
- A variety of minor improvements have been made to the party system, just a few of which include trade when split, adding a party pass command, Look on a party member including all conditions, and combat messages displaying the party member in question
- A new party option has been introduced that will skip view shifting to characters that are disabled by delay or sleep
- The party system is now essentially implemented and integrated into scenario 2 (however, be warned that more things still need to be tested with respect to the scenario 2 integration and any associated fixes made so this is currently for playing with the understanding that there's a chance disbanding the party may be needed to continue if you run into such a problem).  Like previous patches, this newer patch also includes significant additional progress on that implementation.  Most recent work, additional work that may still be needed, and additional testing that is needed is with regards to the integration with scenario 2.


Special note:

- The main new readme (GGame2\README.txt) now provides additional details regarding when an NPC that will join will accept or decline.  In particular, there is a minimum level requirement, the NPC will decline if it is the same class, and there are other NPC's that will join (meaning, any class can be used for your primary character and other NPC's will still be willing to join).


When this patch is applied to version 240720 (or 240715), or a previously patched version 241122, 241115, 241111, 241107, 241101, 241026, 241019, 241012, 241004, 240926, 240919, 240909, 240903, 240825, or 240817, it will apply the changes.  Note that this patch includes the content of the previous patches 241122, 241115, 241111, 241107, 241101, 241026, 241019, 241012, 241004, 240926, 240919, 240909, 240903, 240825, and 240817; it is NOT necessary to apply any of those earlier patches prior to applying this one (although having one already applied is fine).

WARNING: DO NOT apply this patch to any versions other than those mentioned above

A special clarification related to version 240715 (this is NOT an issue with version 240720 or newer, meaning this note can be ignored if you are not using version 240715 or older): Installing this patch over version 240715 is correct.  Version 240715 is itself a patch that can be applied to a number of older versions.  However, this patch does NOT include the changes included in 240715.  Therefore, do NOT install this patch directly over versions older than 240715; the older changes are assumed to have already been installed via patch 240715.  In any case, this will not NOT be a problem if you install this patch over only the specified versions (which includes 240715).  If you have an older version supported by patch 240715 (such as 240607, 240519, etc.) then you will have to install that patch first before installing this newer patch.

To install this patch, simply copy all files from the GGame2 directory of this zip file over the existing files in your install (make sure your copy process includes the subdirectory structure so the files all end up in the corresponding places).  That said, you may optionally want to consider first backing up or renaming the older versions of the files to be updated.  If you choose to leave the older versions of those files in place then be aware that the copy process will likely warn you that you are about to overwrite those files.  Doing so is correct; the new versions need to replace the old versions.

Note that this patch includes a new version.txt file; applying this patch updates your install to the new version specified in that file.

Further, the new GGame2\README.txt file (not to be confused with the file you are currently reading) contains more details about this new version and the related issues/changes.
