- How do I install? What are the installation requirements?
Check 'How to Install' below. There's an installer included so it's all fairly easy.
- Can I still play on 1.02 after I install this patch?
YES! Before you launch the game you will be able to use a pair of mini-programs (which will appear in your main KW folder/directory) to easily and seamlessly switch versions. The game is then launched the usual way.
- Help! I just installed this but don't know where my 'main KW directory' is! How do I switch back to 1.02 now?!
No worries. Just run the unofficial 1.03 installer again; but this time while it installs, click on 'Show Details' and look at the 1st line in the log. It should tell you the exact path to your main KW directory.
- I have KW on Steam, and can't seem to get the 'Switch to 1.02/1.03' working.
As mentioned above, use the installer to check where your KW directory is, and use the switchers in that folder. Steam users often have a different KW directory to the default one, so you may be looking in the wrong place.
- So can this patch be played online?
YES! You use the same server/lobbies as the original 1.02, and ranked matches played on this patch even count towards your ladder rank.
- Can I play vs people running 1.02 when I am running this patch?
No. Although you will see 1.02 games appear in your lobby, you will not be able to join them as they will be 'greyed' out.
- I'm running 1.03, but can't join a 1.03 game hosted by someone!
Make sure you have the same versions as the person you are playing. Best way to check this is by checking the 'date modified' for the 'Patch103.big' file located in KW directory -> Patch103.
- What is special about the '1.03 Maps'? Why can't I transfer them online to others?
1.03 maps are specially compiled (similar to official maps) mod-maps which feature all of 1.03's changes. This allows you to start up KW in 1.02 but still play with 1.03's changes, simply by playing the 1.03 maps. Unfortunately, they are non-transferable online (unfortunate design oversight by EA when even most older C&C titles had this functionality!) and are also rather large in size, so they must be downloaded outside of the game.
Note that 1.03 maps and patch 1.03 are completely separate; the maps are not required to play patch 1.03 itself, nor is patch 1.03 required to the play 1.03 maps.
- I see a bunch of additional options in the installer - what are they?
Besides the patch itself, the following other features are included in the installer:
*Kane Edition Skin Switch tool, by Bibber & Lauren (Optional install)
A simple tool that allows you to toggle Kane Edition skins for both TW and KW, and works for all game patch versions. To enable the Kane Edition skin for either game, make sure the 'Disable' button appears next to the game name.
You may find this tool installed in your main KW folder.
*No EA logo mod (Optional install)
Disables the EA splash logo that appears when the game is started.
To enable KW splash logo again, simply go to KW foldercore1.0 and delete 'kw_ea_no_logo.big' or rename it (eg. as kw_ea_no_logo1.big).
*Texture Fix mod (installed by default along with patch)
Adds new rocket-trail smoke effect, fixes the 'Pink' Kane Edition Behemoth skin bug and the high-model-detail-setting 'invisible' Cultist bug for 1.02, without making your 1.02 incompatible online with 1.02 players not using this mod.
It however forces all models into high model detail setting even if low detail is selected in the Options screen; but note this does not significantly impact performance on lower-end machines as other graphical settings like high shaders/textures do.
To remove this fix, simply go to KW foldercore1.2 and delete '102TextureFix.big' or rename it (eg. as 102TextureFix1.big).
- Where's the Teleporting-EMP-Hexapod bugfix?!
While this patch attempts to fix as many important bugs as possible, there exist several other bugs such as unit pathfinding, harvester AI, waypointing with special abilities or the dreaded Mastermind-teleporting-EMP'd-units bug etc which are unfortunately engine-hardcoded and thus (realistically) impossible to fix [Note: Current version actually makes MM's unable to teleport Hexapods unless garrisoned in them, so the EMP'd-Hexapod-teleport bug is irrelevant]. Certain other bugs like MoK EMP abilities etc can be addressed/optimised to a great extent but not possible to eliminate completely due to engine limitations.
- Any chance of this turning into an official patch?
For several reasons... no.