Infinity Xplorer 2008 (codename LittleIX) is a new tool to the IE Modding Community, written in C# using the .net framework.

Based on Infinity Explorer, by Dmitry Jemerov, Infinity Xplorer aims to be very user-oriented, taking good points from several current modding tools and fusing them into one simple interface.

Some of the features currently planned include:

• Look & feel to extend on IExplorer’s ease of use design
• Able to view / edit IE file resources
• Able to work on multiple resources file documents concurrently
• Able to click & link to relevant resources - (powerful feature in the old IE)
• Improve dialog fluency - Ascension64
• Display scrolling X and Y coordinates for area maps - SConrad
• Able to personalise bookmarks for important resource files

The intention is to open the floor to generate a list of possible features to improve modding life, so that it would be possible to incorporate them in the program design before going further. To suggest a feature or participate in discussions surrounding the upcoming Infinity Xplorer 2008, visit the forums!

As you might have noticed, we have made a few small changes over the past couple of days to make it easier to download mods. It no longer takes 4 or 5 clicks/pages to go from point A to downloading a mod - it can now be accomplished in 1 or 2 clicks/pages (depending on how you count). It’s also become easier to get mod information with more links to the mod website pages.

The individual changes are:

• Download and information links have been added to the descriptions of individual mod forums.
• The download button in the navigation bar at the top of the forum now opens a drop-down list with mod categories (only works if you have JavaScript enabled).
• The file listing in the download manager now have direct download links.
• The download announcement in every released mod’s forum now contains a dynamic link to the individual mod in the download manager.

We hope that these changes will make downloads easier and all in all provide an easier (and more enjoyable) experience for our users. As always, any suggestions on how to further make life simpler for our visitors are very much appreciated.

- Sebastian

Greetings all. It appears that releases continue to flow like lively brooks from the bustling workshop. Today I have two things that may be of interest: one for the initiated or aspiring modder, and one for the power gamer.

Infinity Explorer re-revs its engines
Infinity Explorer is a utility written in Delphi for extracting and viewing Infinity Engine resources. The original author of this program has long discontinued work on this utility, but bigmoshi has stepped in and has made some useful bug fixes and other updates to the program. Check out the version 0.83 notes and hit the download link here.

Spell50 updated again
The Spell50 mod, which was updated to version 8 not too long ago, has received further updates to version 10, touching even more spells than its predecessor. Go and grab it here.

Well, that’s it this fortnight. Overall, there has been a flurry of Infinity Engine-related releases these past few weeks, so make sure you set up a party some time and assist (or alienate) the citizens of the Faerun.

A new (and final) version of Spellhold Gauntlet has been released by Zyraen. The new version includes a number of fixes and additions, including a seamless Spellhold-Be-Gone component.

Sick of Spellhold? Don’t want to have to go through the puzzles and the quests for the hundredth time just to escape? Well, this is the mod for you…

An extra apparition shows up in the area where you have a chance to pick up Imoen. It offers a simple alternative to the complicated puzzles and tests and levels that the Spellhold Maze offers: the Spellhold Gauntlet.

The Spellhold Gauntlet is a series of trials meant to test your limits, both your mettle and your resource management. If you survive you probably have considerable focus of both mind and body. In this chamber you shall be in the centre of the room and be continuously set upon by waves of enemies, and you will receive tokens in return for defeating each wave with which you can use to leave Spellhold, buy new items, and more.

Related links:

• Download link
• Mod website
• Mod forum
• Changelog

Beyond the Law, a mod by Zyraen, has been updated to v1.35!

The new release includes various bugfixes and other minor updates.

About BtL:
Kova, a mage/thief with an unsavoury background and good heart (or so he claims), and a law-enforcing, impartial (or so she claims) archer called Kiyone, comes together to join the party in this intriguing Mod about proving one man’s innocence against the odds, and about the unlikely yet strong bond formed between the two people, so different yet so much alike.

BTL also examines many of our concepts of good & evil, right & wrong, justice & forgiveness, courage & despair, means & ends, and most importantly, perhaps, what it means to really live, and to find a purpose in that, amidst this journey of self-discovery between these two NPCs.

Related links:

• Download link
• Mod website
• Mod forum