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Not a steam user: How do I play the "classic" BG:EE ?

Francois42424Francois42424 Member Posts: 44
Hey all,

just reinstalled the game yesterday after watching Quill18's youtube video.
I had played BG:EE back in... 2013(?) back when it was new and loved it.

However this new interface UI is unbearable, it's ugly, character looks like pastel 2d character on the old background, the new character screens... unbearable.

I poked around (wasting nearly 2 hours) and found it it's because of the new 2.x version, and what I (apparently) want is the old 1.3 UI. LOTS of post telling folks to go to the steam menu and get 1.3 from there, that it works fine... Okay but I bought the game on Beamdog's site? The only version available for download there is the newest version; there is no way to get the old one.

So umm... help ? How do I revert to 1.3 ? Can't use steam, and playing this new ugly UI (to me, ymmv) is NOT an option. I would be grateful for a working solution to make the game work with the "Classic UI" as I am going to call it.

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  • OrlonKronsteenOrlonKronsteen Member Posts: 905
    I think it's too bad someone has to mod it. I also wonder if that mod will be a mere approximation of 1.3 (with 2.0's mechanical problems still present), rather than a genuine version. I know a lot of people like 2.0, but for those of us who don't, it's a deal breaker. I'll retire from the game rather than continue with it.
  • psyactpsyact Member Posts: 81
    If you purchased the game through Beamdog directly, you can request a Steam key through their support. They usually get back to you in a couple days.
  • RawgrimRawgrim Member Posts: 621
    I need to revert the game back to 1.3 as well. Due to the new sprites. I contacted Customers support about it and asked for a refund. 1 week later and I haven't even gotten a reply.
  • Francois42424Francois42424 Member Posts: 44
    psyact said:

    If you purchased the game through Beamdog directly, you can request a Steam key through their support. They usually get back to you in a couple days.

    I did. But it had to happen on a Friday night around 11pm est.
    Agree with everyone that it really is too bad we don't have an option for it.
    I looked for mods too but nothing for that yet either.

    Looking forward to the steam key so I can enjoy the game once more.
  • dunbardunbar Member Posts: 1,603
    Both BGEE and BG2EE DVD versions (i.e. hard copies, in a box) have been available on Amazon UK for some time (I bought mine well over a year ago) so they are still 1.3.
  • ChnapyChnapy Member Posts: 360
    Are there really new sprites? I thought they were just outlined, and that can be disabled somewhere in the options.
  • Francois42424Francois42424 Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2016
    dunbar said:

    Both BGEE and BG2EE DVD versions (i.e. hard copies, in a box) have been available on Amazon UK for some time (I bought mine well over a year ago) so they are still 1.3.

    Good to know, but if I can avoid splurging another roll of money on the game (I already bought it), it would be much better. Still waiting for a reply from support to get my steam key for 1.3, which apparently is the correct way for someone who bought from the BeamDog website back then. Still the Idea of a physical, 1.3 copy is enticing. Might look into that later, if only to have a physical backup, and purchasing BG2:EE which I have yet to do.
    Chnapy said:

    Are there really new sprites? I thought they were just outlined, and that can be disabled somewhere in the options.

    Well, I've played with the option to remove the outlining, and the character sprites still feel "odd". It's easy to compare by watching say, Quill18's YouTube Series, and then alt-tabbing back into the game. No matter how hard I tried, I could not make it look as good. If there is a way, I have not found it, and I'd rather get version 1.3 anyways.

    Good news is that it is Monday, and I may yet get an answer today... As of 11am EST no answer yet.
    Good day all.
    -- Francois424
  • BillyYankBillyYank Member Posts: 2,768
    They aren't new sprites, the game is just using a different filter to display them. Some like the new look better, some like the old, and some of us don't see much of a difference.
  • Sids1188Sids1188 Member Posts: 166


    Well, I've played with the option to remove the outlining, and the character sprites still feel "odd".

    You are likely already aware, but in case you aren't, turning the sprite outline off ingame does not work. To remove the outline you have to go back to the main menu and do it there.

    That said, there are indeed some other slight differences in how the sprites are coloured. I see little difference in it myself, but if that's where your issue is, I hope it'll be made optional somehow,
  • Francois42424Francois42424 Member Posts: 44
    I managed to get version 1.3X working thanks to the game's Support. Love it ! Tanks everyone for your help and getting me setup !

    I had played a bit with version 2.x a bit and I must admit I liked the fact that equipping a bow does not prevent equipping dual swords. Should they fix the rest of the interface or add a "Classic record sheet, characters and outline" options, I would probably use it as well. New interface did grow on me, but I just can' stomach the new character models and outlines.

    See you guys around.
  • rapsam2003rapsam2003 Member Posts: 1,636
    BillyYank said:

    They aren't new sprites, the game is just using a different filter to display them. Some like the new look better, some like the old, and some of us don't see much of a difference.

    Frankly, while the "new sprites" (turning the filter on) were jarring at first, the new filter actually allows them to appear better, I think. Yeah, the black outline initially causes you to go, "WTF?!", but it does make things look better overall.
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