XCOM 2
WOTC Even More Backstories
274 Comments
BLARG313 16 Jan @ 12:26am 
Would be nice if this mod were updated
mattbradfield11 15 Jun, 2024 @ 6:05pm 
Just want to say this mod is fantastic. I've had it on for two full playthroughs and loved the depth they added. I ended up customizing my soldiers to make them fit the new backstories and was had a blast doing it.
Evader 2 Jun, 2024 @ 7:06am 
No one need this mod... No one ask for this mod... But thanks for this mod!
:D
Dragon32 20 May, 2024 @ 10:52am 
OK
Jerroxix 20 May, 2024 @ 10:10am 
@dragon32
Can't find it. Too many files without a clear name. I'm just a casual.
Dragon32 20 May, 2024 @ 9:58am 
@Mrs. Nopal's Baby Boy
I think you'd need to download the mod.

The vanilla game biographies should be some where in:
<Steam>\steamapps\common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\XComGame\Localization\INT\XComGame.int

Find a biography in game then open the .int in a text editor and search for some of that text.
Jerroxix 20 May, 2024 @ 9:46am 
@dragon32
I was hoping to do it without installing the mod itself. Would also like to know if I can find the default bios that are available in game in a folder file?
Dragon32 4 May, 2024 @ 8:14am 
@Mrs. Nopal's Baby Boy
Open this mod's XComGame.int localisation file in Notepad or Notepad++
https://old.reddit.com/r/xcom2mods/wiki/wotc_modding/mod_folder
Jerroxix 4 May, 2024 @ 7:19am 
Is there a site were I could read em all? I would like to use em for inspiration on my character pool.
Red110 23 Jan, 2024 @ 3:41pm 
@INDIGO можешь создать обсуждение для перевода?
Snaider 13 Oct, 2023 @ 3:43pm 
Ok I found myself. If you are using spanish version, use .esn, not .esp
Snaider 13 Oct, 2023 @ 3:12pm 
How can make this work on spanish?
I already changed the INI text for .esp and still dont work.
Killerkitty641 7 Sep, 2023 @ 12:01pm 
Ahh, is it definitely broken with any other backstory mods?
Cato  [author] 5 Aug, 2023 @ 3:03am 
Yeah it's shame copy/paste is disabled. Simplest solution is to manually type the entry yourself, just alt-tab between the game and notepad.

'WOTC Random Soldier Info' mod is useful for rapid re-rolling of bios to find one you like.
Dragon32 5 Aug, 2023 @ 2:18am 
@azairvine
Try saving them to a character pool file then editing that with this:
https://github.com/Shaosil/XCOM2CharacterPoolUtility

I've downloaded it but never used it.
azairvine 4 Aug, 2023 @ 7:43pm 
Is there a way to assign a specific bio to a specific soldier? There are some in here that match perfectly with the lore of the characters I've created but I can't seem to get the bio into the soldier. Copy/paste doesn't work. I deleted every other bio out of XComGame.int but it would never cycle through to that bio (I double checked I had the [Soldier X2CharacterTemplate] header and a corresponding soldier class).
Cato  [author] 15 Mar, 2023 @ 2:21pm 
Try using the community mod launcher - the default 2K launcher which pops up has been broken for several years now.
AxFive 15 Mar, 2023 @ 10:41am 
i still get the default backstories and default Birthdays (i have Birthdays WOTC installed) but i dont use any other Backstory mod so i have no idea what causes this
Cato  [author] 27 Jan, 2023 @ 4:44pm 
It's been 3.5 years since the last update :vahlen: but today I issued a fix for 36 broken Templar stories. Please see the Change Log for new details.

I also made some new preview quotes in a clearer font. :sectoid:
Dęąth Viper 19 Oct, 2022 @ 11:39am 
Just finished a campaign with about 685 mods, this one included, and had no major issues! Thanks for putting this up.
Splinter 27 Aug, 2022 @ 6:14am 
In BirthDates, someone corrected me. It is not, nor is it Birthdates, that is messing with the dates. It is apparently PhotoReBooth. :steamfacepalm:
Splinter 16 Aug, 2022 @ 5:15pm 
I can't tell if it's this or 'Birthdates [WOTC]' but it seems to be both? The date of births are only showing up as JAN-01, no year listed.
Fannidan13 2 Jul, 2022 @ 1:03pm 
Just looking through the examples, these are well thought out and written. Good work!
Zaku II (Alias WatcherZigzagoon) 7 Apr, 2022 @ 12:46pm 
The diversity this mod provides makes it VERY hard for me choose which trooper I should remold into a character from a different game/franchise... :SadOtus:

I like it, in a way; makes it feel more real. :HappyOtus:
minecraft with gadget 22 Mar, 2022 @ 10:39pm 
It's crazy how such a small mod adds so much detail.
Speed demon 9 Aug, 2021 @ 4:57pm 
I wish I could take a look at the backstories of the scientists and engineers on board the Avenger. As far as I'm aware, I can only see their backstories on the black market.
Dragon32 23 Feb, 2021 @ 4:19pm 
@Rys
See the Description.
Rys 23 Feb, 2021 @ 3:53pm 
This only supports english language right?
Dragon32 21 Jan, 2021 @ 9:46am 
@Koolah
I should have written more words. I completely agree with you. I too would like mods to be easy to use with minimal intervention. I just think we'll be waiting until after the heat death of the universe for that to happen.
Kimera 21 Jan, 2021 @ 9:42am 
@Dragon32
Modding and playing with mods is not the same thing. If I'm here using the Steam Workshop, it's because I like it simple. Most mods and most people just make use of the "Subscribe" button. Some people may play only a few games, but if I had to download a launcher and edit some lines of code for each of the dozens of games I play regularly, I'd lose my sanity. I don't mind doing that for a game or two that I play the most, but I'm tired to do that for games like XCOM 2 that I'll enjoy a few dozen hours or so per year. What may seem like a trivial manoeuver for you is something that I'm bored with, can't count the number of time I was in a position where I needed to do something like that, and considering that I install/uninstall games frequently, it is something I'd have to do again the next time, so no thanks.
Cato  [author] 21 Jan, 2021 @ 8:37am 
In terms of mechanics, this mod is literally just a large text file.

2K inadvertently broke the XCOM 2 launcher last year when they added promo advertising - about 50% of mods now randomly fail to load with it.

The community created a tool called the Alternative Mod Launcher [github.com] to fix this problem. Instead of launching by Steam, you simply launch with AML instead.
Dragon32 21 Jan, 2021 @ 6:24am 
@Koolah
Mods should be easy to use and not require people to intervene so much
LOL.
Kimera 21 Jan, 2021 @ 5:41am 
@Dragon32
Nevermind, I'm done with XCOM 2 for the moment. I'm so tired having to spend days figuring things out just to make mods work properly. I remember using that mod before with no problems, now it seems that because of the new launcher I can't. Mods should be easy to use and not require people to intervene so much. You don't seem to be responsible for this so I hope 2k will fix that someday. Anyway thanks for your help, for those wondering how to fix that shit and with enough free time to do so, just read what Dragon32 wrote on page 1 and 2 of the comments.
Dragon32 20 Jan, 2021 @ 1:03pm 
@Koolah
It works fine, see my previous comment.
Kimera 20 Jan, 2021 @ 12:24pm 
The mod currently doesn't work with WOTC, can't tell about Vanilla.
Dragon32 4 Oct, 2020 @ 10:51am 
@Zoinho1
How? 2K released a mod launcher that can't parse .XComMod files. Use something that works:
https://github.com/X2CommunityCore/xcom2-launcher/wiki/Installation
Zoinho1 4 Oct, 2020 @ 10:17am 
Game launcher says is not compatible with wotc (the yellow exclamation mark), how??
Still work fine, it just sometimes i get a warning about missing this mod.
Scarno 23 Aug, 2020 @ 4:43am 
@Cato - Brilliant. Thanks for the quick reply! :)
Cato  [author] 23 Aug, 2020 @ 4:33am 
Yep, that simple, just be careful with your line ends and ensure all brackets are in place. I recommend using Notepad++ [notepad-plus-plus.org] when working on any config file.

In the config folder there is also a WOTC Birthdays file to set an age range to the story ID. Self-explanatory when you look at it.
Scarno 23 Aug, 2020 @ 4:28am 
Hi, absolutely love this mod. Just wondering, if I wanted to add some more backstories to this mod, is it as simple as adding new entries with the appropriate numbers to the localization file or is it more complicated than that? Thanks.
Brictom 18 Aug, 2020 @ 3:46pm 
Thanks for the help! I downloaded the Alternate Mod Launcher and the mod works when I start the game through that.
Cato  [author] 18 Aug, 2020 @ 8:13am 
Dragon32 with the excellent guidance as always.

Clear your ini cache and regenerate with vanilla only. Start a new game to confirm it's worked - the new rookies will have the backstories.

If you add this mod to a campaign in progress it will not overwrite existing rookies available for purchase in the save, only on new ones generated going forwards (after buying rookies, new ones pop in).
Dragon32 18 Aug, 2020 @ 6:54am 
@Brictom:
You've not set the game to use Character Pool Only?

Try the basics:
Some great Mod Troubleshooting advice
That recommends the excellent Alternate Mod Launcher [github.com] Everyone who uses mods should be using it
As well as AML's own wiki and FAQs, this guide gives some more detailed advice on using the Alternate Mod Launcher: Troubleshooting: Mods not working properly / at all
If you're using the Community Highlander then read its specific troubleshooting advice [github.com]
Brictom 18 Aug, 2020 @ 5:38am 
This mod doesn't seem to be working for me, unfortunately.

I have tried starting new games with various mod constellations, ultimately with only this mod active and the recruits still all have the same old vanilla backstories.

It should work right from the start right? As in, the recruits you get in the beginning should already get backstories from this mod?
Dragon32 14 Aug, 2020 @ 5:52am 
@alkurte
Haven't seen that before. Check your Mod Directories paths:
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/936992/80748729-ae260700-8b25-11ea-9367-c0ba7d74cb3b.png
Maybe this mod's .XComMod file got corrupted. Try unsubscribing and resubscribing to this mod.
alkurte 14 Aug, 2020 @ 5:02am 
hi, im getting now the error:
---------------------------

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The mod 'WOTC Even More Backstories' no longer exists and has been hidden.
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OK
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the mod is in the directory when i explore it, but the alt. launcher doesnt recognize the mod any more?
Cato  [author] 16 Jun, 2020 @ 2:28pm 
It will ONLY work with WOTC, 2K broke the vanilla mod launcher several weeks back and still have not fixed it.

Highly recommend the Community Mod Launcher! [github.com] instead - been using that about 2 years now.
Dragon32 15 Jun, 2020 @ 7:08am 
@Koolking96
You don't. 2K need to make a launcher which can actually parse .XComMod files. And generally work.
Koolking96 15 Jun, 2020 @ 1:35am 
It says the mod isn't for WOTC on my mod manager screen. Does anyone know how to fix this?
EdofLegend 1 Apr, 2020 @ 8:59pm 
@Dick Justice
If you change your soldier's attitude, the scroll speed will increase. Something about the initial display being slow, then once you change something, it speeds up. You can always change the attitude back afterwards.