IV Released Underground Intel

[internet_rob]

Underground Intel is a script mod that reveals the locations of all weapon and health pickups in the game. 

Patch 1070 and 1080 only. Supports EFLC. Requires IVSDK.NET and CCL.

 

Watch the video demo: https://youtu.be/XlrB2U4vifU

How does it work? 

• Visit your local UGS (Underground Gun Shop) to purchase intel from the dealer (default: $15,000).  
• Unlock all the pickups of the island you're on, which you can see on the radar and map.  
• This can even work with map expansions, like VCNE.
• Automatically unlock all blips or change the pricing in the .ini file. 

 

Screenshots

Quote

 

Vice City Nextgen Edition

 

 

 

DOWNLOAD

Source Code

Created by Internet Rob

Fully coded by @ItsClonkAndre

 

 

My Workshop

Edited Tuesday at 07:17 PM by internet_rob

[AutisticTorch]

Hell yeah 

[diperro]

p e a k

[internet_rob]

The mod is officially out! Please report back here with any bugs you find.

[GTATrilogyGames]

@Internet Rob  I love the mod, thank you so much for caring about VCNE. But the problem is that the option called "AlwaysUnlocked=true" doesn't work at all in VCNE. Can you fix it please?

[internet_rob]

Thanks @GTATrilogyGames

I'm not sure what's causing that because my copy is working, though I'm not playing with all the latest mods and fixes. 

 

[Nico]

This is a GREAT idea. Thanks!

 

However I have a suggestion. Those who have the mod TACE (The Actual Complete Edition by Claudio_III) have the ability to pick parachutes on all three games, and they are accessible by default. But this mod doesn't have a radar icon for parachutes, it simply displays white ovals that say "Destination" when you pass the cursor on them on the pause map.

[GTATrilogyGames]

32 minutes ago, Internet Rob said:

Thanks @GTATrilogyGames

I'm not sure what's causing that because my copy is working, though I'm not playing with all the latest mods and fixes. 

 

 

@Internet Rob  Oh! No wonder why it didn't work for me. Because both the older patch 1.1 of VCNE works differently and has different SCO file from the latest patch 1.2 of VCNE (which you can find in Discord) that caused the mod to not work properly.

 

I guess that IVSDKDotNet mods work differently in VCNE where different versions of the project have various impact on how these mods perform, since it's a total conversion for GTA IV and total conversion mods have unique modding support.

 

 

I recommend that you upgrade the VCNE mod to patch 1.2 and test if the mod is working right so I can confirm if it's an issue from my side or not

[internet_rob]

One problem with the mod is that there are no appropriate blips for some pickups @Nico. I noticed this in TBOGT for the parachutes and so had them disabled as a workaround, but apparently it's a problem in TACE.
This can cause those buggy white blips on the map like you will see in VCNE, but these are for the clothing pickups. 


It's totally possible support has broken on the new patch for whatever reason @GTATrilogyGames I will let you know if I test out v1.2. 

Thanks for your reports, I can't promise an update but I would like to see these issues fixed myself.  

[Nico]

41 minutes ago, Internet Rob said:

One problem with the mod is that there are no appropriate blips for some pickups @Nico. I noticed this in TBOGT for the parachutes and so had them disabled as a workaround, but apparently it's a problem in TACE.
This can cause those buggy white blips on the map like you will see in VCNE, but these are for the clothing pickups. 


It's totally possible support has broken on the new patch for whatever reason @GTATrilogyGames I will let you know if I test out v1.2. 

Thanks for your reports, I can't promise an update but I would like to see these issues fixed myself.  

I sense a pickup for parachutes can be made out of the armor pickup, but implementing it into the game functionally might be a different problem. Anyway thanks for the response. Great mod still. Saves me the hassle of having to minimize the game to find weapons, and also helps give money some purpose in this game.

[GTATrilogyGames]

@Internet Rob Don't worry about it and thanks for the replying. I will let you know if the mod works for me one day.

 

I got one more question though. With this mod installed in GTA IV, once I did the errand the gun shopkeeper asks for and the weapon pickup unlocks, will this unlocking be transferred to the episodes or this happens only in the current episode that I'm playing?

[internet_rob]

@GTATrilogyGames Niko, Luis, and Johnny all separately have to purchase the intel. There's no transfer; it's only available in the save game you buy it. 

[internet_rob]

I released a video demo of the mod! 

 

[MeowX]

Bro can you port it to complete edition please?

[internet_rob]

Not possible unless IVSKD.NET gets an update that works with CE (which is only a maybe) @MeowX 

[Truko Jara]

Hi, does this mod replace the weapons dealer with the "gunnut," or is that part of another mod? Is there a way to keep the original dealers (the biker and the Asian)?

I hope they continue to implement mods to encourage exploration of the interesting map and the use of under-exploited resources, like the gunshops.

 

I have mod ideas for this last one, such as being able to hire different types of thugs at the weapons shop (from street gangsters to bodyguards used by the mafia, to even paramilitaries with war weapons, like the ped gunnut) with different prices depending on their skills.

 

Another idea is to do jobs for the weapons shop, such as picking up a van or small truck from Port Tudor or Broker Navy Yard (where smuggled weapons supposedly arrive) and having to take it to the weapons shop in China Town, with the police following you along the way if you run into them... or a biker gang.
Something similar can be done with a special-order weapons van transport from the Broker gun shop to Alderney and back, and being chased by Triads (the competition in the gun business) along the way.

 

That's also why I'm keeping an eye on who runs the gun shop, because I think there's an underlying reason, like certain shops are controlled by specific gangs.

 

Anyway, thank you so much for creating this mod that encourages exploring the map, as the weapons in GTA IV are in places we often overlook.

Greetings!

[herafrog]

this mod is worth to try 
i want to try it once i become free 
good job, 57 mods guy 

[internet_rob]

@Truko Jara Nah that's just FusionFix, we made sure that the code works with any model in that interior (so long as they are doing the "standing" scenario). Thanks for such a great post by the way, I like your ideas. Another way you could go about it: let the protagonist recruit members of friendly gangs off the street. For example, the Russians while working for Faustin, until the betrayal. Or maybe it could work more like it does in Bethesda games, so a basic companion system with new NPCs. I also want to see more mods that encourage exploration of the map and allow the player to spend their money. 

 

Edited July 3 by Internet Rob

[Chris421f]

@Internet Rob

Great job! Any plans on releasing the source code? I'm curious how you were able to create the help text boxes.

The only way I can create them in the top left corner with a custom message like that (I'm using HazardX's scripthook) is by either adding an entry to american.gxt, which doesn't allow easily changing the message via a separate .ini file, or by manually drawing a box and placing the text on top, which doesn't look as good as the original help messages. The only other native I know of is PRINT_STRING_WITH_LITERAL_STRING but that one only displays a message at the bottom of the screen and not the top left corner with a background box. Maybe there's another native function out there that I don't know of. 

Regards. 

Edited Saturday at 10:50 PM by Chris421f

[internet_rob]

Yeah sure, I'll upload the source code as soon as I can get it from clonk @Chris421f

[Gettoru]

@Internet Rob I asked about it on YT but you didn't reply, and I hope it doesn't feel like I'm pestering you about it, but you think this could be used to add the locations of Pigeons/Seagulls and Stunt Jumps to the map? For a fee, of course, like yours. Maybe bought from the buskers or some other NPC, or even from a website if that's even possible.

[internet_rob]

Don't worry about it @Gettoru yeah I think this could be used to reveal other map stuff like pigeons, but whether or not it will happen is a maybe. My idea was to unlock it after giving a hobo some money, or if you simply climb to the tallest building in the area, or maybe you can call some new bird watch number which I will have to place ads for around the map (like ZiT). It might have to be a temporary effect or I risk cluttering the map, not sure. Feel free to post more ideas. 

[internet_rob]

Actually I might as well post all the other ideas I wrote down for this mod when it was being made. Most of this is outside the scope of Underground Intel now but it could turn into new mods in the future!

 

Ideas

    • Add player challenges that unlock unique rewards (vague but interesting).
    • Display stunt jumps.
        ○ All uncompleted stunt jumps are displayed for 10 seconds when the player completes ones. 
    • Flying rat collectibles can be unlocked on the radar and map.
        ○ How to unlock: paying hobos, reaching the highest buildings, going online, calling a bird watch number (?)
    • Display window lifts.
    • New hidden tourist clothes (like Happiness Island jumper).
    • New weapons and health pickups added around the map.
    • CD collectibles are displayed on the radar and map. 
        ○ CDs are a new type of collectible that instantly play a track and are permanently unlocked for the player.
        ○ They are placed in sneaky or hard-to-reach locations that encourage parkour. 
        ○ The tracks represent the locations they are found in (basic example: N.Y. State of Mind in North Holland).
        ○ This feature could unlock the beta song tracks that Rockstar cut before release. 
        ○ Notifications and a stat counter informs the player of their progress.
        ○ Unlocked tracks play on existing radio stations, a new radio station, a menu (?)
        ○ Alternatively, tracks are purchased online (like paying for ringtones).
    • Make use of the phone camera.  
        ○ Find snapshots around the world, like in San Andreas.
        ○ Pictures could actually save to the user's computer (in authentic sh*tty quality).
 

[Gettoru]

5 hours ago, internet_rob said:

Actually I might as well post all the other ideas I wrote down for this mod when it was being made. Most of this is outside the scope of Underground Intel now but it could turn into new mods in the future!

 

Ideas

    • Add player challenges that unlock unique rewards (vague but interesting).
    • Display stunt jumps.
        ○ All uncompleted stunt jumps are displayed for 10 seconds when the player completes ones. 
    • Flying rat collectibles can be unlocked on the radar and map.
        ○ How to unlock: paying hobos, reaching the highest buildings, going online, calling a bird watch number (?)
    • Display window lifts.
    • New hidden tourist clothes (like Happiness Island jumper).
    • New weapons and health pickups added around the map.
    • CD collectibles are displayed on the radar and map. 
        ○ CDs are a new type of collectible that instantly play a track and are permanently unlocked for the player.
        ○ They are placed in sneaky or hard-to-reach locations that encourage parkour. 
        ○ The tracks represent the locations they are found in (basic example: N.Y. State of Mind in North Holland).
        ○ This feature could unlock the beta song tracks that Rockstar cut before release. 
        ○ Notifications and a stat counter informs the player of their progress.
        ○ Unlocked tracks play on existing radio stations, a new radio station, a menu (?)
        ○ Alternatively, tracks are purchased online (like paying for ringtones).
    • Make use of the phone camera.  
        ○ Find snapshots around the world, like in San Andreas.
        ○ Pictures could actually save to the user's computer (in authentic sh*tty quality).

Oh boy, that's way further than I ever imagined, new collectibles, I love it!

Well, for ideas, I have some but IDK what is possible to do or not when it comes to modding IV, so I'll just spitball some here:

• Website: The "whattheydonotwantyoutoknow.com" website inside the game, if you wanna make it simple you could just visit that, look at one of the maps (Flying Rats, Stunt Jumps, health, body armor, weapons, "Strangers", Stevie's Car Thefts, window lifts), and get a text box saying something like "Do you want to write down these location?" and they show up as map blips.
• VCS style: Show only the completed jumps and killed birds on the map, personally I don't like it because it clutters the map, and there are more pigeons in LC 2008 than balloons in VC '84.
• Bully style: Make the locations a reward for a world exploring activity (in Bully it was Geography Class). I have 2 ideas on that too:
  • Helitours: In vanilla they're just to know the city, so why not make you really know the city?! After a particular Helitour is taken, you get the option to buy a map from the pilot, with every new Helitour taken getting a better reward.
  • Roman's Taxi Driver: It's optional missable content, but it could have more purpose, giving you the maps after all 10 are done. Personally, I don't think it should because it only takes place in the east boroughs.
  • Girlfriends: Michelle and Kate don't have any bonus for dating them, so that could be changed. Michelle could text Niko like "hey, avoid these places, unless you want to look like a reckless criminal" and you get stunt jumps, while Kate could text "Niko, have you tried birdwatching? It's very relaxing" and you get pigeon locations. Or the other way round, Michelle goes "did you know shooting birds is illegal?" and Kate "be careful driving around these spots".
  • Adding to your CD Collectibles idea, the maps could be a collectible itself if you put some map pickups in the hardest to reach of places, and once you collect those maps the locations are unlocked. I think this would be cool, and you can even divide it by the islands like Underground Intel does.
  • Adding to your player challenges and phone camera ideas, make it so after a certain amount of landmark pictures are taken, you get the locations are added to the map (say, after 10 landmarks you unlock window lifts, after 20 stunt jumps, 30 pigeons...), that'll depend on how many landmarks you wanna have for said challenge.
  • EFLC: If you wanna make it simple, you could just use the "Wars" from each title. After 50 Wars completed, you get the vanilla weapon, as well as the 50 Seagull locations on the map.
• Player Challenges:
  • Phone Camera - Vehicles: I must be the only person that actually enjoys Import/Export in GTA 3, but I think this could be cool. Instead of driving/flying the 100+ cars/bikes/boats/choppers to a location, make it like the Wildlife Photography Challenge in GTA 5, where you just have to take a picture of the vehicle and send to some number. Reward could be a special vehicle or something instead of just cash.
  • Rampages/Riding Shotgun: Everybody knows Rampages (kill X enemies of X faction in X minutes with X weapon), while Riding Shotgun comes from GTA CTW (you're stuck in the back of a pickup truck and must destroy X gang vehicles with X weapon). You could have one of each these for every weapon in vanilla IV, and once you complete both you get the weapon spawn at safehouses.

[internet_rob]

Thanks a bunch for making the time to write this @Gettoru. The helitours idea is really good, the girlfriend thing (if doable), and I like the photography/landmark thing - it could be like a tourist side activity, very very fitting for Niko. What I'm thinking is that a whole mod dedicated to new challenges/activities/achievements would be so good. It could include that tourist challenge and like 30 CD collectibles (even if the added music isn't possible). I wonder what else? And what rewards? 

 

Another idea, but maybe it's a bit too much: assassination targets which you can find organically, like in SR2.

[Gettoru]

53 minutes ago, internet_rob said:

Thanks a bunch for making the time to write this @Gettoru. The helitours idea is really good, the girlfriend thing (if doable), and I like the photography/landmark thing - it could be like a tourist side activity, very very fitting for Niko. What I'm thinking is that a whole mod dedicated to new challenges/activities/achievements would be so good. It could include that tourist challenge and like 30 CD collectibles (even if the added music isn't possible). I wonder what else? And what rewards? 

 

Another idea, but maybe it's a bit too much: assassination targets which you can find organically, like in SR2.

No problem, I enjoy coming up with mod ideas even if I have no idea how to implement them lol. Anyway, I'd sure play that mod, if only for the achievements (yeah, Trophy Hunter over here)

When I saw "CD Collectibles" I knew you played SR2, so thanks for confirming it  If you can't add the music to the radio stations, I think the CD's could just be in-universe music albums, like Rochell'le's Leg$ and Dime 4 Dolla, OG Loc's Str8 From Tha Streetz and OriGinal, Love Fist's The Number of the Breast, and Madd Dogg's multiple albums.

And yeah, them photos as a tourist thing would be very in-character with Niko wanting to know "the American Dream" and all. Shame he's stuck with the 2000's era phone camera lol

As for the Assassination Targets, we already got the Fixer's Assassinations and Most Wanted, so IDK how that could be implemented. Maybe hit back DRIV3R with the Timmy Vermicelli's thing, only now it could be a parody of Driver Parallel Lines and 76 protags?

Another activity I forgot to add to my previous post was a Gun Range to test your skills. I never buy weapons in the games, so IDK if any of the underground vendors have a range that could be used to test their weapons, but it could be cool to go and improve your "weapon skill", like, if you pass all tests of a weapon it auto-zooms by default, instead of you needing to click RS/R3 (IDK the keyboard input).

And then the other obvious thing I can think of are vehicle submissions (Firefighter, Paramedic, Taxi Driver...) from 3D era/Chinatown Wars, but honestly, after doing 100 fares multiple times for 6 GTA games, I don't mind not having those back 

Really, I think Chinatown Wars has some good inspirations for side content for GTA 4.

[internet_rob]

The source code of Underground Intel is now public! https://github.com/ClonkAndre/UndergroundIntel/releases