True Patch GOLD Edition with Hotfix #1
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
July, 2010
- Tessera -


---------------------------------------------------------------
INSTALLATION:
---------------------------------------------------------------

(1) First, you will need to remove any existing copies of Vampire -- The Masquerade: Bloodlines from your computer.
The True VTMB Patch Gold Edition requries that you begin with a fresh new installation of the game. Failure to follow
this first step can and will result in corrupted game files. So be smart, and wipe all traces of VTMB from your machine
before you proceed. 

(2) Now install a fresh copy of Bloodlines. Just follow the normal installation procedure for whichever version of the game you own.

(3) Once you have installed a new copy of Bloodlines, you will need to navigate to its "root" folder. This is the same 
folder where the file named "vampire.exe" resides. Note that we are referring to the ROOT folder here... NOT the "Vampire" folder.
We need to apply the True Patch Gold Edition to the same folder where "vampire.exe" is located. Got it..? ;)

(4) The True Patch Gold Edition contains several sub-folders. The main body of the actual patch is contained within a 
sub-folder named "TRUE_PATCH_MAIN" and it is very important that you locate this folder correctly. Do not simply dump
the entire True Patch into Bloodlines and expect it to work properly. Specifically, we are going to be applying ONLY
the material located within the "TRUE_PATCH_MAIN" sub-folder. BE sure that you are clear on this point, before proceeding.

(5) And now comes the fun part: let's install the actual True Patch to Bloodlines. The way to do this is quite simple,
once you have properly identified all of the folders mentioned in the previous steps. 

(6) Navigate to the folder named "TRUE_PATCH_MAIN" and COPY all of its contents, including all files and sub-folders within.

(7) Now, highlight your working Bloodlines root folder (the folder that has "vampire.exe" in it, remember?) and PASTE everything
that you copied in step #6 into that root folder. If you do this correctly, Windows will warn you that "a file named blah blah blah
already exists" and then ask if you wish to overwrite the existing files. Just say "Yes To All" (or the equivalent for Windows 7 users).
This will allow the True Patch Gold Edition files to be copied into their correct locations. THIS STEP IS CRITICAL, FOLKS... SO MAKE
ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT YOU COPY/PASTE EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. I can not stress this enough. The True Patch contains hundreds of files and
sub-folders and ALL of them need to be copied over to their correct locations. Otherwise, nothing is going to work properly.

(8) Assuming that you performed all of the above steps correctly, it is advisable to defragment your hard drive, prior to playing
your newly patched game. This will ensure that your gaming performance in Bloodlines will be optimal, following the installation 
of the True Patch Gold Edition.

(9) If you wish to install any optional third-party mods for Bloodlines, then now would be the time. But be advised that there are
certain mods out there which, for whatever stupid reasons, are not fully compatible with the True Patch and they could cause your
game to malfunction or even crash. If you are uncertain about a particular mod, then you are advised to contact the author of that 
mod directly and inquire about whether or not their mod is compatible with the True VTMB Patch. All of Tessera's mods -are- compatible 
with the True Patch, but other people's mods may not be. In each case, you will need to contact the authors if you are unsure about 
the suitability of a particular mod.

(10) So far, so good..? Then go ahead and launch Bloodlines. make absolutely sure that you create a NEW CHARACTER after patching the game.
Because of the peculiar nature in whcih Bloodlines stores map data into its gamesave fiels, YOU CAN NOT USE A PRE-EXISTING CHARACTER AFTER
YOU HAVE PATCHED THE GAME. This principle holds true for EVERY kind of VTMB patch... not just the True Patch. You need to start fresh.


Enjoy playing Bloodlines. Those of you who prefer to play the originally intended Troika game will be very, very happy with the True Patch Gold Edition. :)



------------------------
EXTRAS:
------------------------

Several optional add-on mods have been included in their own separate sub-folders wihtin the True Patch Gold Edition.
You will find instructions on how to install and use those mods within their corresponding folders. 

Some additional documentation can also be found within the sub-folder named "Docs."

Some helpful utilities have been included as well. And agin... the instructions for those utilities can be found within their corresponding folders.



------------------------
SUPPORT:
------------------------

Official support for the True Patch Gold Edition may be obtained through the tessmage.com Forums at:

http://www.tessmage.com/forum/index.php/board,48.0.html

Just look for the thread entitled "True Patch Gold Edition -- Official Thread." Forum members may post their inquiries there.

NOTE: the tessmage.com web site contains nudity, profanity and other mature content. ADULTS ONLY, please.



------------------------
CREDITS:
------------------------

The True Patch GOLD Edition was created and compiled by Tessera -- from March 2008 through June 2010.

The True VTMB Patch version 5.04AT, upon which the True Patch Gold Edition is primarily based, 
was created and compiled by Acrimonious and Tessera in the spring/summer of 2007.

All versions of the True VTMB Patch have been carefully beta tested by volunteers from 
the tessmage.com community. Many, many thanks to them for their invaluable assistance.
Every single one of those volunteers is a veteran Bloodlines player and they helped us
to identify quite a few glitches that the True Patch authors had failed to notice. 
This is why all versions of the True Patch are independently tested prior to release:
because we're trying to FIX bugs -- not introduce any new ones. ;) 

BETA TESTERS:

Acrimonious
Tessera
Alehezar
Erelas
Jordi
Paramecium
Tinman
Steeal
Kandid
Cylnar
Tessgirl


"FREE LILY" REPAIRS: original data courtesy of DDLulu and posted publicly in April, 2010. Many thanks.

Core engine repairs, memory allocation fix and DX9 updates: Tessera, Jordi, some public info posted by 
"SomeJ*Doe" and a group of Russian and eastern Euro hackers who shall remain nameless. :p


The True VTMB Patch was conceived of by Tessera in late 2006 and co-authored by Acrimonious and Tessera.
Absolutely no content of any kind from any other authors has been copied, mimicked, "stolen" or otherwise
malappropriated and inserted into the True VTMB Patch GOLD Edition. The True VTMB Patch is a 100% original 
piece of work, unless otherwise noted within these patch notes. Any use or misuse of its contents is expressly 
forbidden, unless prior permission is obtained in writing from Tessera. 

The True VTMB Patch Gold Edition is being distributed free of charge and as-is. The authors do not accept any
liability for any problems of any kind whatsoever which may arise due to your use and/or misuse of this patch.
Therefore, any claims of damages, whether real or imaginary, will not be considered valid. It is to be understood
that you agree to install and use this patch your own risk. If you do not agree to these conditions, then you must 
not install the True VTMB Patch Gold Edition under any circumstances. This agreement is mutually binding and 
non-negotiable, however your own local laws may vary from region to region.

If you wish to host a copy of the True VTMB Patch Gold Edition on your own web site, then please contact Tessera 
for permission. In most cases, permission will be granted, so long as you agree not to alter any of the contents
of this patch in any ways whatsoever, or to use it for any illicit purposes. If you wish to apply for permission
to host the True VTMB Patch Gold Edition on your web site, then you may contact Tessera directly at: tessera@tessmage.com

"The True VTMB Patch" and "The True Patch GOLD Edition" are both copyrighted trademarks of Tessera and tessmage.com. All rights reserved.


OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE of The True VTMB Patch Gold Edition: July 08, 2010
HOTFIX #1 ADDED ON JULY 26, 2010



--------------------------
OFFICIAL WEB SITE: 
--------------------------

www.tessmage.com

For Mature Gamers
(Adults Only)


------------
END
------------

 