v0.8 Update

Campaign Fog's Grand Campaign instance has been updated to version 0.8.

Emperor Divided & Wrath of Sparta will be available soon after this posting. Version 0.9 will fully cover all available DLC, and at that point I may try to re-unite the mods into an all-in-one now that I've pared down the file size substantially. Version 1.0 will represent the completed first full version of the mod with all polishing passes complete and only after any feedback has been thoroughly digested.

Change Notes:

- Slightly more ambient fog than previous versions of the patch, similar to Attila's levels.
Fog settings have been tweaked in an effort to reduce detailed draw distance and (hopefully) improve performance. Say what you want about the game's abysmal gray fog filter in vanilla; it does help keep our video cards from doing too much at once. It was a goal of mine after releasing the IA update that v0.8 would try to use distant fog for a similar advantage. As a result, this version brings back a bit of atmospheric haze and brings the fog back in a little closer. It's only visible in high accumulations when you are looking toward the horizon.

- Some users may notice a slight change in the mod's overall brightness with this patch**.
This update brightens the mod so that it looks as I envisioned on a slightly lower-than-average brightness setting (10). In other words, the mod is now slightly brighter than before. So, some of you may want to turn your brightness down in-game.

- The too-purple autumn and too-bright desert glare problems have each been largely addressed.
I want the sands of the sahara to at least be a little shiny, especially during the summer, but what we had going on was much too much. You'll find the current autumn lighting and summer desert lighting have been substantially improved.

- The mod's contrast and HDR values have been thoroughly experimented on to create an even stronger visual pop, both in the form of white/black contrast and color vibrance.
Higher contrast also helps offset the gray of the game's fog.

- Most of the post-processing color effects have been fixed so that they are "balanced" around 1.0 red, 1.0 green, 1.0 blue.
There are a few exceptions, but the benefit from a modding standpoint here is that — where earlier versions of the mod removed 5-10% of red and green light in order to offset the terrible yellow plague across the board — v0.8 removes less R & G light while slightly adding some B light. Thus, there is no loss of overall brightness when certain colors are subtracted and brightness can (properly) be treated as an independent tweak.

- The map now darkens appropriately as you approach the northernmost regions.
This is simply to simulate a sun that sits lower and lower to the horizon as you reach, say, the Scottish Highlands. It helps to give seasons in northern Europe their own distinct graphical feel. The same is also true of the tweaks made to the spring, summer, and in some cases the autumn lighting in the southern regions of the map. The central areas of the map (where it is neither too hot nor too cold) are slightly more vibrant than anywhere else.

As always, feedback is appreciated while I finish putting the full release of this mod together. Glad everyone is enjoying it, and I hope the v0.8 tweaks are to your liking.

Cheers!

-H

v.0.72 Update

- Removed excess unmodified files from .packs


v.0.71 Update

- Mainly an update test for each of the three current available mods.

- Slight downtweaking to vertical fog strength across the board. Should slightly reduce the appearance of ambient fog close to the player's view (especially when looking toward the horizon)

v.0.7 Update

- Imperator Augustus, Rise of the Republic, and Grand Campaign Map mod variants now available.

- Fog and lighting subtly updated to improve visuals, especially when looking toward the horizon (fog is now thicker at maximum distance and blends with seasonal ambient light to create a colorful glowing horizon.

- Adjustments made to reduce instances of overly reflective water, desert surfaces during certain times of year.