Demos (EU)

I guess you could consider this page a stub. We don't exactly have pages covering the different versions of the game yet. I mean, sure, there's the Versions page... but that's barely readable, let alone complete. Really I just want somewhere to info-dump, details and structure can come later; feel free to clean this up if you're in the mood. :P

Two demos; the "official" one (probably released some time in '04), and the "pre-release" demo (which probably appeared on a PC Gamer cover disc first).

Pre-Release Demo

Demonstration of the beta firing animation.

Debug mode in action.

This version of the game starts off with an expository slide-show, then allows the user to play through a Terror Mission featuring Snakemen and Chryssalids.

It is notable in that it contains many differences to the final release of the game:

• Weapon damage is far lower; it typically takes at least a few shots to down a target.
• Various graphical differences:
  • Smoke and fire does not animate.
  • Bullet-strike animations are completely different.
  • Some items appear differently depending on whether you view them in the inventory or battlescape displays.
  • Various items use entirely different art (eg Elerium, the Psi-Amp and plasma weapon clips).
• The Electro-flare is not included; a (non-usable) "Stun Gas Grenade" object takes its place.
• Various buttons are missing from the inventory screen display. It is also not possible to tell how much ammo is in a weapon without checking the inventory screen.
• Psi-programming appears to be incomplete.
• Primed explosives detonate on their set turn regardless of whether they're stored in a soldier's inventory or not.
• Sound samples are each stored in individual SAM files, instead of combined CAT files.
• Various other file structure differences and additional unused graphics (eg, language strings are stored in the executable, and only English ones at that).
• The GeoScape's "FUNDING" button shown in the slide-show is labelled "HIGHLIGHT".
• A debug mode, that allows you to view alien movements and thought patterns, can be enabled by flipping byte 0x5D66E in ufo2exe\ufo.exe to 1. (Thanks Volutar!) A similar function can be enabled in the final CE release of the game using UFO Extender.

Beta motion scanner panel

Beta medkit panel

• Alternate Beta Sprites
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  Heavy Cannon

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  Psi-amp

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  Stun Gas Grenade

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  Plasma clip

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  Elerium

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  Unknown

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  Unknown

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  Unknown

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  Unknown

Official Demo

Uses nearly the same slide-show as the pre-release version (minus the PC Gamer blurb), with the same Snakemen/terror set up (though on a different map, with different items/soldiers etc). The slide show contains screen shots from the normal Intro animation, UFOPaedia entries, and Geoscape game play. Probably based on the v1.0 version of the game.

• The game is referred to in two ways:
  • X: Enemy Unknown
  • X-COM, Terran Defense Force
• Weapon damage seems to be normal.
• Various graphical differences/similarities:
  • Smoke and fire does now animate.
  • Bullet-path animations don't exist.
• The Electro-flare is now included; "Stun Gas Grenade" is not present.
• It is now possible to tell how much ammo is in a weapon without checking the inventory screen.
• Psi-programming indeterminate as there are no Psi-Amps.
• Primed explosives detonate normally.
• Encumbrance does operate, but not normally.
• Saving / Loading the game is not possible
• Tactical only, no Geoscape
• Abort is possible, ending the tactical mission and the demo
• Victory is possible, ending the demo
• Mission failure/defeat is possible.