KV5 different versions

[Mytly]

What's with the time difference in the files? Are they adjusting for time zones, or something?

[alf717]

That is a good question. We now have three different time stamps on these files.

[The Great Chi]

rr_carroll.... Looks like the launch versions of the game allowed the jeep to use this sandy shortcut, and was later ammended with more jagged rock outcrops that are build into the structure of the level, to prevent jeep access.

Here are some tombviewer shots from below and normal view, as requested.
The rocks cover the same outline from above or below.





Raider1969... its ok raider, do not need photo's, it sounds like it is the same as rr_carroll's launch disk, with sandy shortcut surface.

Time/date stamp question....
Even though I purchased the sold out budget version when it first came out, which was at least a year later after launch, it still has a 24th Nov 1999 date on the data file.

Hence we can assume the shortcut was found quite quickly, and ammended with a rocky outcrop, but as for re-issue of the new version, was it during the early weeks/months of first release or only on the budget labels, I do not know ?

Do we really care

[Mytly]

Originally Posted by The Great Chi

rr_carroll.... Looks like the launch versions of the game allowed the jeep to use this sandy shortcut, and was later ammended with more jagged rock outcrops that are build into the structure of the level, to prevent jeep access.

Except that my version is certainly not a launch version - I bought it in 2005 - but it still does not have the rocks.

Do we really care

No-one's losing any sleep over it, I think, but it's an interesting puzzle nonetheless.

[The Great Chi]

Originally Posted by rr_carroll

..... please tell us the names of the other 7 .tr4 files that have a different date & size. I'm thinking they may also have non-bug shortcuts that were changed. Unless you're searching for them yourself. ......

Heres the list of all the data files in my Budget 'sold out' version, bought in 2001 if I remember, with the outcrop of rocks included in the jeepchs2 file..

rr_carroll..... The batch of data files on the 24th of November might be the most promising to check for late changes against the origonal launch disk.

Comparing the amount of kB's (kilobytes) per level will give you a quick indication of any changes.



The time stamp question is easily solved now by looking at the list... its the time when the level completed its burn onto the master disk.
But there was three seperate days used to complete the master disk on this 'sold out' edition of the game, the 17th, 18th and 24th.

[Ewil]

rr_carroll:

         Coastal Ruins    alexhub2.tr4    4 735 043 (-1)
      City of the Dead    bikebit.tr4     5 013 974 (+18 770)
             Catacombs    csplit1.tr4     4 570 232 (-91)
   Valley of the Kings    jeepchas.tr4    3 600 478 (-101)
                   KV5    jeepchs2.tr4    4 826 055 (+71 249)
           Sacred Lake    lake.tr4        5 021 843 (-25 124)
         Street Bazaar    lowstrt.tr4     3 970 465 (-180)
Pharos, Temple of Isis    palaces.tr4     4 549 992 (-8)

Btw, my recently bought Tomb Raider collection is also with rocks, so it looks like it's some kind of updated version.

[The Great Chi]

The list above compaires with the 24th Nov ones on my list of data files, hmmmm, could be late changes

[Explorer]

Screenshot of Jeepchase2 in Tombviewer




Details of data files from original UK disk

[rr_carroll]

Thanks for all the info, guys. I'll investigate more after the two football playoff games.

[The Great Chi]

Curiosity has got the better of me, and I decided to open my sealed Christmas present...... containing all four of the early TR games (TR1 to TR4 PC version), called 'TOMB RAIDER the greatest hits', by Mastertronic

I have just checked TR4's jeepchs2.tr4 data file and it is as I expected dated 24th Nov 1999, which was the last modified date, and it contains the rocky outcrop to prevent the shortcut by the jeep.