Built-in FM loader in Thief version 1.19 and beyond

tolsen64 on 30/6/2013 at 05:30

The Thief 1/G mission "Dark Lord" doesn't work with FMSel. I believe it worked with DarkLoader and I know it works with TFFM. Will FMSel be modified to make these kinds of missions work?

gnartsch on 30/6/2013 at 18:38

"Dark Lord" was just a demo - and did not have any objectives or even an intrface folder.
And it did not work with DarkLoader either. Well, you could install it via DL, but you could play it only via DromED.
I don't think anyone is actively working on FMSel.

Did you try the combo TFMM + NewDark?
I might expect that such old 'DromED only' mission have significant issues.
And as a matter of fact NewDark behaves a bit different and sometimes even more unforgiving.
(check the latest post on 'The SkyGem Connection' FM.
Trouble starts (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110914&p=2163138&viewfull=1#post2163138) here
Details and Resolution are stated (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110914&p=2194169&viewfull=1#post2194169) here)

gnartsch on 1/12/2013 at 14:17

There seems to be an issue with respect to probably quite a few of the older missions.
In case the author forgot to add a Strings\missflag.str, then you will end up playing the OM instead of the FM.
(e.g. Christines 'Bloody Ruins')
DarkLoader used to gracefully create that file in such a case, but FMSel doesn't.

darthsLair on 24/12/2013 at 23:33

What I like about Fm-Selector is that it creates the directory from which the fm zip functions, and will not leave a big mess in the Game Directory like Darkloader does when it crashes. No more cleaning a dirty directory!

Using the Sneaky Upgrade, fm-selector will play T3 fms as well. Just install fm-selector in each game directory:
Thief Gold, Thief 2, Thief 3 Using fm folders separate for the three games. I use an fm folder inside the game directorys, this way, you never have to hunt down the fm folder, it is always there to add more fms to it.

cavador_8 on 20/2/2016 at 18:02

I have a question about the FM Selector. I used Darkloader for years but I am fed up with all the loading errors so I switched now to FM Selector. I really like it so far but is there any way to play the original Thief 2 game again without having to add the ; back into the cam_mod.ini file?

R Soul on 20/2/2016 at 18:10

You can bring up FMSel and then go to Skip FM.

Or you can put ; back in cam_mod and use two T2 shortcuts. For one of them, add -fm to the target. E.g. C:\Games\Thief2\Thief2.exe -fm

cavador_8 on 20/2/2016 at 19:43

Well, I just tried the skip fm and it didn't go to the original Thief 2 game. It just skipped to another one of my FMs. Looks like the shortcuts are the only way to still play the Thief 2 original game.

voodoo47 on 21/2/2016 at 10:10

that would suggest a broken install (most likely Darkloader not cleaning up after itself). clean reinstall would be recommended.

cavador_8 on 21/2/2016 at 21:05

Thanks voodoo47, you were exactly right. My install was messed up, possibly from trying Garrett Loader and Darkloader before I tried the FM Selector. I did a clean install and found that Tafferpatcher has an option to create two shortcuts, one for the original Thief 2 game and another one for the built in FM Selector. So all is good. Thanks for your help!

Lady Taffer on 14/10/2016 at 22:57

I've installed FM Sel, but run into a bizarre problem: The last FM I played on DarkLoader was Seven Shades of Mercury, which I then deleted from my FM folder. Now, when I start a FM using FM Sel no matter which FM it is, it pops up with the 7SoM menu screen and music. The FM itself plays normally, except there are still 7SoM music and images popping up (when clicking on readables, for instance) in the game. I suspect I need to do a file cleanup, but the instructions on how to do this on the FM FAQ page are a little unclear. Can anyone help?