Installing The Mod

From Wiki

[edit] Requirements

You will need a copy of the Mod, Homeworld2 and for Windows the Homeworld2 1.1 patch.

1. The mod is available from multiple areas but only the download's from Sourceforge or Gameupdates.org can be trusted to be virus or malicous code free.
2. Homeworld2 must be purchased. Illegal copies of Homeworld 2 are not safe and not supported by the mod team.
3. Install Homeworld 2
4. For Windows download the Homeworld2 1.1 Patch from Sierra support and install.

[edit] The right version to pick

Each version of the mod comes with different file formats. Use the following questions to pick the right version for your machine:

1. Chose your operating system (Windows or Mac OSX)

2. Is your graphic cards relatively modern (Shader Model 2.0b support, should be the case for all PCI-Express cards)?

=>Yes: You can pick a "shader-2" download with improved shaders

=>No: Pick a download without "shader-2", otherwise the game might crash

3. Do you want to modify files of the mod by your own (e.g. pushing up a ship's health)?

=>Yes: Grab the .rar/source/folder based version. This version comes with all folders of the mod which you have to copy to your HW2 directory (see below)

NOTICE: This version does not include the BSG soundtrack due to terms of copyright! To both modify files AND have the BSG music you need to do the following:

Put all the folders from the .rar in your HW2 directory (normal procedure).

In addition download a proper .big file for your PC and put it in the Sierra/Homeworld2/Data folder. Now set up your shortcut like this:

C:\Program Files\Sierra\Homeworld2\Bin\Release\Homeworld2.exe" -mod [name of big file you downloaded] -overrideBigFile -luatrace

=>No: You just want to play the mod? Then grab the .exe installer. The installer will (most likely) automatically put a .big file (HW2's Zip variant) in your HW2 directory and place a proper shortcut for the mod on your desktop.

The .big files are also aviable separately but you'll have to put them manually in your HW2 Data folder and update your shortcut (see below).

[edit] Updating from an older Version

1. Create a new Profile for this version of the BSG mod.
2. Follow the appropriate installation instructions below.

[edit] Installing after another Homeworld2 mod

1. Create a new Profile for this version of the BSG mod.
2. Follow the appropriate installation instructions below.

An Example of the -overrideBigFile Shortcut

[edit] Installing the .Rar on Windows.

1. Download the .Rar file per Requirements above.
2. Extract the data folder from the .rar.
3. Drag the extracted data folder into your Homeworld 2 root folder (i.e \sierra\Homeworld 2\).
4. If it asks you "Do you want to overwrite" Click "Yes to All"
5. It will copy all the new files... This may take some time depending on how fast your computer is.
6. Once it is finished copying the mod is installed... but you still won't be able to play until the next step is completed.
7. From your desktop, Right Click on your Homeworld 2 icon, the normal dropdown menu will display, select properties and change the target box to: "C:\Program Files\Sierra\Homeworld2\Bin\Release\Homeworld2.exe" -overrideBigFile -luatrace Note: the "C:\" will change depending on which drive Homeworld 2 is located on (i.e D:\ , E:\ , F:\... ect)
8. Now when you click on the Homeworld 2 link and mod will launch.

Congrats... Now go and kick some ass!

[edit] Installing the .Big on Windows (the Installer exe does all this for you)

An Example of .Big file -mod Shortcut

1. Download the .Big file per Requirements above.
2. Place the .Big file in your Sierra\Homeworld2\data\ folder (Make sure it is in the folder with the other big files, English.big, Music.big and so on)
3. From your desktop, Right Click on your Homeworld 2 icon, the normal dropdown menu will display, select properties and change the target box to: "C:\Program Files\Sierra\Homeworld2\Bin\Release\Homeworld2.exe" -mod [name of big file you downloaded] -luatrace
4. Assuming you installed Homeworld 2 in it's default location, otherwise update /Applicaitons/Homeworld\ 2/ to the location you installed Homeworld 2 at.
5. Launch mod by double clicking on your icon.

Original .Big Tutorial by Crusher

[edit] Installing the .Big on Mac OS X

1. Download the .Big file pre Requirements above.
2. Assuming you installed Homeworld 2 in it's default location, otherwise update the use of /Applicaitons/Homeworld\ 2/ in the next steps to your location.
3. Place the .Big file in your /Applications/Homeworld\ 2/Data\ folder (Make sure it is in the folder with the other big files, English.big, Music.big and so on)
4. Open a terminal.
5. Execute in the terminal: cd /Applications/Homeworld\ 2/Homeworld\ 2.app/Contents/MacOS/
6. Execute in the terminal: /Applications/Homeworld\ 2/Homeworld\ 2.app/Contents/MacOS/Homeworld\ 2 -mod [name of the big file you downloaded]

[edit] OSX MOD Launch Script

1. Another option for mod installation for OS X is to setup a OSX Mod Launch Script

[edit] Testing your installation

1. If the Main Menu is the orignial Homeworld 2 main menu something is incorrect with your installation
2. How_To_Fix_Homeworld_Main_Menu
3. Troubleshooting Guides