Install and Setup Guide for the Gigantic Core Build

**Introduction** I'd like to start off by answering some basic questions about the game and why this guide needs to be written. > What is Gigantic? Gigantic is a hybrid MOBA and 3rd person fighter featuring both ranged and melee combat. > Why should I play? Gigantic was ahead of it's time, built by loving developers. It was unfortunately plagued with financial issues and lack of proper marketing that ultimately led to Motiga shutting it's doors in 2018. The game features a carefully designed stamina system that enables incredibly deep melee combat and resource management. The objectives are novel with a cast of charming character designs and a unique art style. It has quite a learning curve, but there's good reason the community has survived several shutdowns and abysmal official releases. > What is Rampage Edition? Rampage Edition is the official re-release of the game after it's shutdown in 2018, published by Gearbox. It has unfortunately been abandoned by the devs, and users connecting through Steam will currently brick the lobby. This renders the game unplayable in most cases What is the Core Build? | From my understanding, the Core build is a modified version of a developer client that was leaked after the game's shutdown. It has been under community development ever since, with balance patches and bug fixes being provided by the community, along with backporting newer characters and features. Importantly, the files for the Core build are free to download, so anyone can try the game. **Installation Guide** To get the game running, you'll need 2 separate things The Gigantic Core Build files located at ```https://www.mediafire.com/file/zlfqsact6jrxega/Gigantic-Core_de.zip/file``` The DoomStrike Mod Manager available at ```https://gitlab.com/gigmodding/tools/doomstrike/-/releases``` The first step is to unzip the "Gigantic_Core_de.zip" in a place of your choosing. You'll be launching the game with the "Mistforge Launcher.exe". While not technically required, Mistforge is used to create a persistent profile of name and game settings, which is highly recommended. If Windows complains when you run Mistforge, click on "More Info" and then "Run anyway". The launcher is safe, but Windows gets real angry at .exe files downloaded from the internet. You'll need to register an account with Mistforge, but it requires minimal setup and interaction, so it's basically just choosing a display name. Next, you'll download the DoomStrike Mod Manager. Navigate to the GitLab page and click on the installer that corresponds to your OS. Launch the installer and place the program wherever you'd like, and launch it. Underneath "Gigantic Options" ensure that the version is set to "Core" and "Install Location" is set to the unzipped root folder of the Core files. Then you may click "Install Mods". It will take some time, but afterward your game is ready to launch. It is imperative to keep the mod files updated, otherwise your game with desync with the server. To do so, you must first remove the mods with the DoomStrike program and then install them again. The update notes are only found within the Discord, but they seem to be infrequent. To start/join a server, open http://syco.servegame.com:18081/. Adjust the creature loadout and map to your desire and then click "Start Server" **Note: These servers are somewhat frequently used by the Gigantic Lounge Discord for organized games. If the "Available instances" number reads 1, I would avoid making another lobby to ensure that a server is available for their games. I plan on communicating in the Discord about GameDate and will update this guide with proper server etiquette if needed** **Supplementary Resources** Here are some additional resource to help you get started with the game. Official Wiki - https://gigantic.wiki.gg/ (Specifics in the wiki may not match the DoomStrike experience entirely) Gigantic Lounge Discord Server - https://discord.gg/Zj2jk6TYmQ Character guides and builder - https://mistforge.net/en-US/guides If you have any questions about the game or clarifications about the instructions here, please let me know in the comments and I'll adjust the thread as needed. I hope this can bring Gigantic some of the attention it deserves.