Need for Speed: Most Wanted - Evolution Mod v1

This package is a total modification for "Need for Speed: Most Wanted" (2005), which adds 95 cars to the original game (there will be 125 cars in total), updated graphics and several new features: the possibility to choose the season (autumn or summer) when the game is launched, neons, the possibility to mount different rims on the front and rear axles of each car, a few new paint colors. Please see the readme file(s) for detailed information. Complete mods listing (everything already installed): Xbox360 Stuff, Extra Options, Widescreen Fix, NFSMW Unlimiter, NFSMW HUD Adapter, HD Reflections, Xbox360 Droplets, MW Cut Races Mod, HD Frontend Logos, HD Vynils, Upscaled HUD, Extended Cameras, New Exhaust Flames, Fixed Cop Models, Cops Fiery Explosions, Smol Fix, Summer Retexture Mod, Community RETEX Mod, R_Lighting Mod V3.

================ Need For Speed: Most Wanted - Evolution V1 readme file ======================

INTRODUCTION:

=============

This game is undoubtedly very good, even 20 years after its release.There are several reasons for that, and it's not easy to say if that's bacause of the nice acting / screenplay, because of theday lighting, because of the plausibility of the virtual world (which is seldom reached even on more modern open-world arcade racers),because of the caricatured but not silly way cars are considered / depicted in. It's probably the combination of all these factors which lets it be such a timeless masterpiece. Fact is: once started playing, it's difficult to stop before the end.The only thing which may generate boredom here is the choice and/or small amount of cars.That's why so many people have been working steadily accross the years for adding cars to this game (even if it's not very mod-friendly, generally speaking). The reason for the existence of this package is that recent developments in the modding scene have opened new possibilities,and new modded versions of the game have appeared, each proposing an own and different car-set.So I started putting together my own car-set, trying not to break the game and I ended up not only with a new set, but also adding new functionalities to the game itself. At the end I decided to create a new mod package.For sure this package is built upon "NFSMW Redux V3" by "KryZee", and it can be considered as a further development and "europeanized" version of it. There are still obviously cars from all over the world here but the cultural pivot-point is without a doubt Europe. Compared to Redux V3, 16 cars have been removed (2 of them came from the original EA game), 5 of which have been replaced, and 27 have been added.As new funtionalities we have the possibility to switch the season when the game is launched, the possibility to mount differentrims for the front and rear axles of the cars, neons and a couple of new paint colors. I think that the result is without a doubt the most updated and comprehensive version of the game and what can be considered as the most similar thing to a remastered version of it. This work is dedicated to all cars lovers and motorsport enthusiasts of the world. Of course this was only possible thanks to the efforts of the many people who have been working on this game 19 years long.I'll do my best trying to cite everyone.

THE NEW CAR-SET:

================

First of all, I don't know much about all those non-original cars, which were already present on Redux V3 (and it's very difficult toknow every detail about every single car, since they are too many). Of the 33 new cars which I added, most of them have been converted from other games. 5 were made (or reworked) by me, about 10 years ago. Those are: the BMW Italdesign Nazca C2, the BMW M4, the 991Porsche 911 turbo, the 981 Porsche Cayman S and the Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06. All the others are taken from the www.NFSCars.net website and were made by several authors. The 3D models of the cars originate from other games, mainly Forza games (Motorsport 3 to 7 and Horizon 3 to 5), Test Drive Unlimited 1 and 2, Real Racing 3 and others (mostly later Need for Speed games). It is anyway reductive in my opinion to consider these people as mere converters, since inserting a car into a game often requires both deep knowledge of the game itself and ability to work with 3D objects, polygons and materials. More over, if a specific car is in the game, that doesn't necessarily mean that I like it much: many cars cannot be removed because of technical reasons (examples: the Monaro VXR / Pontiac GTO; the too many iterations of the BMW M3 E46, etc...). And also: if a particular car exists fort the game, but I didn't add it, that doesn't necessarily mean that I don't like it. It may also be dueto techincal problems (examples: the Mercedes-Benz C205 or the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss). Several authors do in fact protect their works through cryptography, in order to prevent them from being modified and/or re-compiled.Many cars can be customized with Bodykits, Spoilers, Rims, Hoods and other parts (roofs, roof scoops, headlights, taillights, mirrors). Many cars, but not all of them, do also show damage scratches. Several (mainly originals) of them can also be customized with vynils. All 3D models and textures of the cars have been left untouched. Regarding physics, I corrected everytime I thought that correction was needed (mainly torque curves, tires sizes and weights), entering data taken from reality (torque values expressed in lb-ft).The only exception to this philosophy were the prices, which I tried to adjust for the career as much as I could. All the 33 cars I added are freely downloadable on www.nfscars.net.. On the "CREDITS" section you can read about the authors.The new complete listing follows (125 cars).

COMPLETE CARS LISTING:

======================

Alfa Romeo:

Alfa Romeo Brera, Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA

Aston-Martin:

Aston-Martin DB9, Aston-Martin One-77, Aston Martin Valkyrie

Audi:

Audi RS3 Sportback 2012 (replaces original Audi A3), Audi RS5 2011 (replaces original Audi A4), Audi R8 Le Mans Quattro, Audi TT MK2 3.2 Quattro (replaces original Audi TT MK1 3.2 Quattro)

Bentley:

Bentley Continental Super Sport

BMW:

BMW Italdesign Nazca C2, BMW M2 F87, BMW M3 E30, BMW M3 E46, BMW M3 E46 GTR (step 1), BMW M3 E46 GTR (step 2), BMW M3 E92, BMW M4 F82, BMW M5 F10, BMW Z4 M E85, BMW Z4 sDrive 30i E89

Bugatti:

Bugatti Chiron, Bugatti EB-110

Cadillac:

Cadillac CTS

Chevrolet:

Chevrolet Camaro SS (1969), Chevrolet Camaro fifth generation, Chevrolet Chevelle SS (1970), Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06, Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06, Chevrolet Corvette C6.R

Chrysler:

Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6

Dodge:

Dodge Charger R/T 426 (1969), Dodge Challenger RT 440 (1971), Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392, Dodge Viper SRT-10, Dodge Viper GTS SRT

Ferrari:

Ferrari 360 Modena, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Ferrari 512 TR, Ferrari 575 M Maranello, Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari F40, Ferrari F50, Ferrari F12 TDF, Ferrari J50

Fiat:

Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, Fiat Punto

Ford:

Ford Focus RS, Ford GT first generation (2005), Ford GT second generation (2017), Ford Mustang GT S197, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 S197, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (1969), Ford Puma Racing (1999)

Honda:

Honda Civic Si EG6 (1991), Honda Integra DC2 Type-R, Honda NSX, Honda S2000

Jaguar:

Jaguar XK X150

Lamborghini:

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 (replaces original Lamborghini Murcielago), Lamborghini Diablo, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-4, Lamborghini Veneno

Lancia: Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II

Lexus: Lexus IS300, Lexus IS-F Lexus LFA

Lotus: Lotus Elise, Lotus Esprit V8, Lotus Europa S

Maserati: Maserati MC12

Mazda: Mazda Mazdaspeed 3, Mazda MX-5 NC, Mazda RX7, Mazda RX8

McLaren: McLaren F1, McLaren P1

Mercedes-Benz:

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5 Evoluzione II, Mercedes-Benz CLK 500 C209, Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG R171, Mercedes-Benz SL 500 R230, Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG R230, Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG W212, Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Black Series C204, Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series C209, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One

Mitsubishi:

Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T D30 series, Mitsubishi Eclipse DK4A, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Monaro (Vauxhall): Monaro VXR

Nissan:

Nissan 240 SX S13 Fastback, Nissan 350Z, Nissan Silvia S15, Nissan Skyline GTR R32, Nissan Skyline GTR R33, Nissan Skyline GTR R34, Nissan GTR R35

Opel: Opel Speedster Turbo

Pagani: Pagani Zonda F

Plymouth: Plymouth Barracuda, Plymouth Roadrunner

Pontiac: Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am WS6, Pontiac GTO

Porsche:

Porsche 987 Cayman S, Porsche 981 Cayman S, Porsche 964 911 Turbo, Porsche 991 911 Turbo S (replaces original Porsche 996 911 Turbo S), Porsche 997 911 Carrera S, Porsche 996 911 GT3 RS, Porsche 996 911 GT2, Porsche Carrera GT

Subaru: Subaru Impreza WRX STi GD

Toyota:

Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205, Toyota Corolla GT-S, Toyota FT86-2, Toyota MR2 SW20, Toyota Supra A80

Volkswagen: Volkswagen Golf MK5 GTI, Volkswagen Golf MK5 R32

REPLACED CARS (5):

==================

Audi A3 3.2 Quattro *, Audi A4 3.2 FSI Quattro *, Audi TT MK1 3.2 Quattro *, Lamborghini Murcielago *, Porsche 911 996 Turbo *

* = original game car

THE SEASON CHOICE:

==================

The game uses 2 texture-sets: the default one and the one contained inside the \NEXTGENGRAPHICS folder. The nextgengraphics subfoldercontains the "Retouch Graphics v9" mod, which depicts Rockport City in autumn.For the default texture-set I used the vegetation from the "Summer Retexture Mod" and the roads from the community "RETEX" mod. Finally, I developed a launcher for the game which comfortably automates the task of switching between texture-sets when the game is launched.Of course, credits to the authors of these sets (see the "CREDITS" section).

OTHER NEW FEATURES / STUFF:

===========================

During the making of NFS Evolution, I also updated the "NFSMW Unlimiter" mod by modder Anil Gezergen (nlgxzef) to the actually latest version (4.0.1.1337). This has brought several improvements to the game: it is now possible to buy and install different rims for the front andrear axles of each car. Neons have also been introduced. On every car it is possible to install neons. There are 11 colors available and everycolor has also a pulsating variant. Nonetheless, there are 2 further paint categories for each car: "cop" and "traffic" (although they don't seem to provide many colors). Credits to Anil Gezergen for the making and development of "NFSMW Unlimiter".Furtherly, in order to enhance the lighting of the game I also installed the "R_Lighting V3" mod by modder "AJ_Lethal", which clearly enhances the look of the lighting, especially at dusk time. I installed the "X360 Stuff v2.3+" variant of it. Credits to "AJ_Lethal" for his beautiful R_Lighting mod.

INSTALLATION:

=============

1) The game is abandonware. Available for free on every abandonware website. Even on Google Drive. Not purchaseable any more. That's why it's already included.

2) If you wish to use the new launcher for selecting the season, you must install the Microsoft Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0 ("windowsdesktop-runtime-8.0.3-win-x64.exe",included inside the \REDIST\ subfolder). Otherwise, you'll need to rename the \NEXTGENGRAPHICS\ subfolder accordingly, every time you launch the game (leave it with its name to play in autumn, rename it to anything else to play in summer).

3) Simply extract all files into a folder of your choice. The only thing to do is to uncomment one line in the file "NFSMostWanted.WidescreenFix.ini" located into the \scripts\ subfolder:

- Uncomment the line: "ForceGPUVendor = 0x8086" if you are on Intel GPU- Uncomment the line: "ForceGPUVendor = 0x10DE" if you are on NVidia GPU - Uncomment the line: "ForceGPUVendor = 0x1002" if you are on AMD GPU.

Leave commented the other 2 GPU options. According to the hardware you're using, this may be strictly necessary. It may also happen that the game runs fine with all 3 options commented, but it is anyway adviceable to uncomment the option corresponding to the hardware in use. No need to modify the resolution or any other graphics option. They have already been optimized. You can also find the readme files of all the mods used inside the \READMES\ subfolder. To launch the game, you can use the launcher by executing the file "NFSLauncher.exe". For it to work it is necessary to have the Microsoft Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0 installed. You can find it inside the \REDIST subfolder. Once the launcher is running, simply select the season you wish toplay in, and press the giant "Play" button: it will rename the \NEXTGENGRAPHICS subfolder as necessary and launch the "speed.exe" executable.When the game launches, you will have to create a new game save; on the options you will be able to choose measurement units (metric or imperial),transmission type (auto or manual) and assign keys to the (few) controls. The game supports auto save, so there's few risk of loosing game progress,even if it crashes.Please notice that you cannot add or remove cars to the game by using the same save game. In that case, your game-save will get corrupt and you'll needto create a new one (that means: it only makes sense to keep a save game for a long time, if you know that you will never carry out any changes to the actual car-set of the game).

4) IMPORTANT FOR AMD USERS ONLY: Open the archive "FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS.7z" and extract the content of "AMD FIX" onto the main Evolution directory(could not test).

5) OPTIONAL FOR NVIDIA USERS ONLY: if you want you can improve the game Anti-aliasing using a custom MSAA script. To do that, open the archive "FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS.7z" and extract the content of IMPROVED AA (NVIDIA ONLY) in the main Evolution directory. Remember to also replace the "Settings.ini" file inside the "SAVE" directory with the one included into the archive.

6) IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE: if you are going to start a new career, please read the known bugs 6 and 7 (EA bugs) on the "KNOWN BUGS" section first.

CONTROLS:

=========

There are few important keys to enjoy Most Wanted Evolution at its best. This game is also suitable for a simple keyboard. I recommend to play with manual shifting and use the arrows for driving and the A nd Z keys (or A and Y keys if you are german) for upshifts and downshifts.

C ==> "change camera view" (if you press the C key 3 times you will get a better - higher - view of your car and the surroundings)

H ==> "headlights" (toggles headlights on / off for the cars which support this feature)

L ==> "look behind"

V ==> "visual treatment" (toggles the visual filters of the game on and off)

F5 ==> toggles the "unlock everything" option on and off (it is better to restart the game after every switch)

It is also useful to know that the music can be switched off from the audio options. The game save remains intact as long as the car-set isn't changed. So it is better not to add or remove any cars while playing a career or if a collection of cars in the "My Cars" section has been created.The game supports for sure game pads and provides limited steering wheel support too, as far as I know.To use a gamepad the included program "X360CE" is necessary. Execute it, press the "Add" button with a big green + symbol and select your gamepadfrom the list of connected controllers. Then press the "remap all" button with the small red circle to the left and press the shown keys on yourgamepad one by one for remapping all the controls quickly. When you have finished, do not close "X360CE", leave its window open and launch the game. In-game you'll be able to set the controls as desired using the options menu (remember that if you set the controls during a race, those settings will be lost when the race is over).

PERFORMANCE:

============

The game isn't heavy at all for the time being: it should run very smooth even on laptops (provided that they are at least averge-powered). In my experience, it runs at 60 FPS 85% of the time on Intel Tiger-Lake with Iris XE. On a powerful desktop, it doesn't even make the GPU warm.

KNOWN BUGS:

===========

1) The game does not run perfectly stable. It may happen that it crashes or freezes during loading screens. Luckily enough, the game supports auto saving, so be patient if it freezes sometimes. For saving time, you can disable the intro movies by enabling the "SkipIntro" option on the file "NFSMostWanted.WidescreenFix.ini", locatedin the \scripts\ subfolder. If the game keeps crashing more than 3 times in a row, try reducing the amount of opponents to 2. This should do the job.If anyone has any working solution for this, feel free to contact me.

2) It may happen that cars appear "naked", without bodywork. This is due to the high poly-count of some 3D models. For custom Quick Races, it is possiblle to try to limit the amount of opponents to 2 or just 1. This is no game-breaker, since it doesn't happen very often.If anyone knows a way to solve or mitigate this intermittent issue, feel free to contact me.

3) When installing aftermarket rims on cars, not every single rim model of each brand will appear on the car. As far as I understood, this happens because thenew version of the Unlimiter provides better textures for the rims but also fewer brands and models. I took care of removing the brands "American Racing","Center Line", "Foose", "Giovanna", "TENZO" and "I-Forged" from the "_RimBrands.ini" file (located into the \scripts\unlimiterdata subfolder). However, some models are still missing for the brands "HRE", "OZ", "TSW" and "WORK".Theoretically, the problem could be easily solved by using the "_RimBrands.ini" file which came with the new version of the Unlimiter, but, it only provides10 brands instead of 25 (about 60 rims instead of more than 100). One may think that another possibility would be to use the old geometry file for the rims, together with the new texture file. I already tried that and it didnot work anyway, in the sense that the rims appear wrongly textured in-game. This isn't anyway crucial I think, since there are so many brands and models already available. I think that we will live with this for the moment.

4) The Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG has unfortunately a strange problem with aftermarket rims (they appear wrongly positioned). The author himself ("Typhoons") stated that he could not solve this issue at the time when he converted the car.

5) It may happen, that some parts do not unlock (some spoilers, the Razor's Mustang and a further pair of bonus cars) even if you have beaten the corresponding blacklist opponent, or the entire game. Some parts were converted and added from other games but I'm not sure why this is happening. However, after beating the game, if any part you want did not unlock, simply press the F5 button.

6) This one is an original E.A. bug: while you are doing Races to gear up for Blacklist #2 - Toru 'Bull" Sato -, you get a call from Razor titled 'Turning the tables'. This phone call has the heat level in your car raised to max automatically once it ends, cause Razor is a criminal.This also 'marks' the car with-in the game's code. If you do not beat Razor with this particular car, the game will freeze after you beat him in the final race.It also means that you will make the game un-beatable if you sell this car, and be forced to start over on a new file (and obviously also that you can't beatthe game with one car which requires beating 'Bull' for being unlocked).All you need to do is keep track of what car he adds the Heat 5 level to, and use this car to beat him. no more freezing!

7) This one is also another original E.A. bug:simply, if you have too many cars in your safehouses, the game will freeze, crash or freeze and crash, when you beat Razor. So, pay attention to always sell the cars which you like the least or you don't need any more. In my experience, I had 15 cars and I had to sell one. So the limit seems to be be 14 cars.