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Due to several people requesting an FAQ regarding 1.5 for the forum and the popularity surrounding the IGAS project I decided to type up a little something for those unfamiliar or just arriving to the scene.
(Press CTRL+F to search for a specific question with the [Qxx] tag.)
Table of Contents:
Section I: The Basics and History of Resident Evil 1.5
[Q01] What is Resident Evil 1.5?
[Q02] So why was Resident Evil 1.5 scrapped?
[Q03] How far along into development was 1.5 before it was abandoned?
[Q04] I found a torrent containing a demo version of Resident Evil 2. Isn't this 1.5?
[Q05] Who is the blonde girl in the racing gear?
[Q06] What are the differences between the prototype and the final release?
[Q07] Who is this Roy guy I've seen artwork of? And isn't his name supposed to be DJ?
[Q08] I've seen screenshots and concept art of creatures that weren't in the final game. What are they exactly?
[Q09] I've noticed that Leon has all these different designs in 1.5. What gives!?
[Q10] What are all these different pieces of armor I see the characters wearing in the artwork?
[Q11] I keep noticing people mentioning a "bioflames build" and referring to either a "40%" or "80%" version. What exactly are they talking about?"
[Q12] Who is the Curator and what does he have to do with Resident Evil 1.5?
[Q13] Screw reading, I just want to play 1.5...where can I find it!?
Section II: Team IGAS and the Restoration Project
[Q14] Who is Team IGAS and why are they important?
[Q15] When was this project first announced?
[Q16] So how did Team IGAS find a copy of 1.5? It's been 16 years since the game was cancelled and it's just now surfacing?
[Q17] So the playable version that is circulating has been modified? I want to play the original, untouched build.
[Q18] Wait, if Team IGAS doesn't want to release the unmodified version until their project is complete then why do we have this WIP build to play?
[Q19] What are the differences between the unmodified version and the WIP build?
[Q20] I heard they are going to release a demo soon?
[Q21] OK, so when is this project supposed to be released?
[Q22] Will there be voice acting and cutscenes?
[Q23] Awesome! I'd love to audition/beta test/help Team IGAS!
[Q24] Will there be special costumes/modes/*other extras* to unlock via the grading system?
[Q25] Where can I find the editing tools that the team is using?
[Q26] I think *insert new outside gameplay feature* would be a cool idea to put into the 1.5 project! Will they add it?
[Q27] I want to donate money to the team for all their hard work and dedication for this project. Where do I go to do that?
[Q28] I saw an auction of 1.5 on eBay/someone announcing a leak/random disrespectful bullshit...
Section III: Further Reading and Media
SECTION I: The Basics and History of Resident Evil 1.5
[Q01] What is Resident Evil 1.5?
Resident Evil 1.5 is the original version of what was to be Resident Evil 2. Ultimately, it was scrapped by Capcom in lieu of the classic which fans have come to know today.
[Q02] So why was Resident Evil 1.5 scrapped?
Various reasons have been cited as to why 1.5 was scrapped. Some felt that it played too much like its predecessor, the gameplay and visuals were too dull and boring, it didn't live up to the Resident Evil standard, among other reasons. There isn't one specific reason; rather it's a culmination of many things which lead to it being canned altogether.
[Q03] How far along into development was 1.5 before it was abandoned?
The game was first announced in 1996 and went through various builds before being cancelled in 1997. The game was estimated at being 80% complete, though there is not an approximate answer.
[Q04] I found a torrent containing a demo version of Resident Evil 2. Isn't this 1.5?
No, that was released to Resident Evil fans as an apology from Capcom for all the delays they encountered with Resident Evil 2. The demo was created after the original project had been scrapped and started over from scratch, and was packaged with the Director's Cut of Resident Evil. It largely resembles the final release with a few minor differences. There should be no confusion as to the authenticity of a 1.5 iso in comparison to the RE2 demo, or the beta2 that surfaced years ago. Please refer to Section III for 1.5 media.
[Q05] Who is the blonde girl in the racing gear?
That is Elza Walker. Recently confirmed by ProjectUmbrella owner and community member NewsBot, Elza was originally named Rachael Speyer as a way of establishing a connection to the first game just as Claire did in the final release.
See the next question for more information about Elza.
[Q06] What are the differences between the prototype and the final release?
As seen by many screenshots taken of the game, there are vast differences between the two. One of the most noteworthy is that the RPD was entirely different taking on a more modern design with different lighting and textures. Instead of Claire Redfield the female protagonist was a young woman named Elza Walker. She was a student at the Raccoon University and was an avid motorcycle racer. Being swarmed by hordes of zombies was to be a theme in the game to keep the player feeling claustrophobic and overwhelmed. In addition, Birkin had entirely different mutations than what is seen in the final release. As the player received more and more damage the character's condition would visibly worsen with details such as torn clothing and excessive bleeding. Those are a few brief examples.
There are also differences between the plot of the two games, however very little is known of the prototype's. One of the commonly known differences is that Leon and Elza never crossed paths, unlike Leon and Claire. Ada's role was to originally be a researcher, and Robert Kendo was instead a man named John who aided Elza. Several factors of the 1.5 script led to a professional writer (Noboru Sugimura) being hired to revise and (ultimately) rewrite the script of the game. This also played a part in Elza being discarded in favor of Claire Redfield in order to establish a connection to the first game.
[Q07] Who is this Roy guy I've seen artwork of? And isn't his name supposed to be DJ?
No, DJ is a misinterpretation of his name that a fan created based off of a concept artwork of the 1.5 cast. His name is Roy and he was to be a surviving police officer in the 1.5 plot who aids the characters in their escape from Raccoon City.
[Q08] I've seen screenshots and concept art of creatures that weren't in the final game. What are they exactly?
One is a man-spider hybrid creature and the other are apes. Various videos on the Internet showcase the player fighting against them if you're interested in their attacks and behaviors. There are also several different zombie designs that were cut from the final game.
Some of the other concept art you may have seen are of ideas that never made it to either 1.5 or 2. Those are:
Salem
Golgotha
G-Annette
Zombie Horse
"Transforming Creature" (possibly)
Tyrant Inferior
You may find it interesting that at one point in its development the basis for Cerberus was a German Shepard instead of the usual Doberman.
[Q09] I've noticed that Leon has all these different designs in 1.5. What gives!?
Leon began as a character named Grant Bitman. Over time his hair style and name were changed and his clothing modified. What you see in the final release is the way he was to be had 1.5 been completed.
[Q10] What are all these different pieces of armor I see the characters wearing in the artwork?
One of the unique features of the prototype is that throughout the course of the game the player would come across various pieces of body armor that offered different resistances to damage as well as offering more item slots. It should be noted that there are also unused weapons and features originally found in 1.5 that wouldn't appear in the series until much later. A few of these include hand grenades and the knife being assigned to a different button. Also, the knife had its own personal inventory slot that didn't hinder a player's carrying capacity.
[Q11] I keep noticing people mentioning a "bioflames build" and referring to either a "40%" or "80%" version. What exactly are they talking about?"
Bioflames is a website that was created by an avid Resident Evil fan for fellow Resident Evil 1.5 enthusiasts to gather information and pictures, and to bring knowledge of the game to the community. The "Bioflames build" came about when an anonymous figure approached the webmaster with pictures and information regarding the game. The build however was not given out, and the source has not been heard from since. There are no copies of this build in circulation, nor was it ever given out to any specific individual in the community. Do not attempt to contact anyone for it.
The "40%" build is the most commonly known version, which is in the hands of the community now. Please see Section II of the FAQ for more information regarding the 40% build. The 80% build is what the bioflames build is understood to be. Again, these percentages are only estimates. They're not approximations for completion.
[Q12] Who is the Curator and what does he have to do with Resident Evil 1.5?
The Curator is the one in charge of the Playstation Museum. A few years ago he showcased footage of the 40% build on his website. There was a lot of drama surrounding it, and ultimately nothing good ever came of it. It's utterly pointless to approach him about it, and at this point it's best to leave the drama in the past. If you absolutely must know, do a search with google. You'll find what you're looking for. Furthermore, a playable version of 1.5 can easily be found on the Internet (the very same build he demonstrated) so why bother the guy?
[Q13] Screw reading, I just want to play 1.5...where can I find it!?
You're in luck, a playable version of 1.5 has finally hit the Internet although the circumstances behind its release are really shitty. You should thank Team IGAS for the ability to enjoy the game. Without them it would be impossible. Show your appreciation for their efforts in this thread:
Thanks IGAS!
And to download the game:
Resident Evil 1.5
As of 01/06/14 the link to download 1.5 no longer works. However, both the MZD and PVB are easily found with a Google search.
12/10/15: The first official release from Team IGAS w/Gemini, "The Battle Coliseum" can be downloaded for free from here.
Which brings us to Section II...
SECTION II: Team IGAS and the Restoration Project
[Q14] Who is Team IGAS and why are they important?
Team IGAS (I Got a Shotgun) is a mostly anonymous team that is handling the restoration of 1.5. They are in possession of the 40% build and are currently in the process of making the game retail quality for all of the community to play. Various videos of their work can be found on youtube under B.Zork's channel, and screenshots of the game's development can be found here.
[Q15] When was this project first announced?
Last year several screenshots surfaced on a Facebook account that someone took notice of. The leak was never meant to happen however as the project was initially meant to be kept under wraps until it was ready for release. Some time later the true intentions of the project were revealed.
[Q16] So how did Team IGAS find a copy of 1.5? It's been 16 years since the game was cancelled and it's just now surfacing?
Little is known as to where exactly this 40% build that they are in possession of came from. They're not answering either, so don't bother. It's in their best interests (and ours) that the sources of their work (and what all exactly they have) remain anonymous. However, a history of how the project began can be found here.
Surfacing 1.5 was no small feat.
[Q17] So the playable version that is circulating has been modified? I want to play the original, untouched build.
The "40%" PVB was surfaced several months after IGAS released the MZD build publicly. Just browse around a bit and you'll likely find it hosted somewhere on the Internet. The source of the leak is unknown.
[Q18] Wait, if Team IGAS doesn't want to release the unmodified version until their project is complete then why do we have this WIP build to play?
Because a trusted individual attempted to make profit off of their work. In response, they leaked the build onto the Internet to avoid their work being exploited and fans of the game being scammed.
[Q19] What are the differences between the unmodified version and the WIP build? This thing barely works!
Very little when looking at the bigger picture, but you can see plenty of IGAS' custom content and modifications present. The PVB (Plain Vanilla Build) is very broken and glitchy in its original state, and uses simplified placeholders for several things with many functions being unusable or incomplete. This includes unfinished environments, Leon and Elza being placeholders for several characters, weapons not functioning correctly or crashing the game entirely, the infamous "Air Jesus" glitch just to name a few. You can check out videos of in-depth playthroughs of the PVB courtesy of RMandel here.
Contrary to rumor, the IGAS modifications do not prevent the player from accessing portions of the game intentionally left out by them, and isn't less functional than it's original. In fact, the IGAS modifications seen in the MZD (Magic Zombie Door) build have actually improved the PVB as a whole to make it more enjoyable. Watch the videos and you can see the differences for yourself. It should be no surprise that the PVB is worse off than the MZD build in regards to enjoyable gameplay.
Fellow community member Martin (Dark Biohazard) has put forth the time and effort to make custom patches for MZD to help stabilize it as well as make it more functional and a few other modifications to create a more overall enjoyable expereince. The patches and instruction on how to apply them can be found here.
[Q20] I heard they are going to release a demo soon?
As of 01/06/14 there has yet to be a demo released. It's been confirmed that a demo is still in development however no release date or timeframe has been announced.
02/07/15: Community member Gemini has confirmed his recent involvement in the fan completion of 1.5 as well as a demo release of a fully functioning RPD in the future.
12/10/15: Team IGAS w/Gemini have made their first official release, "The Battle Coliseum". I do not consider the MZD release their first as it was in response to foul play committed by a third party.
Download it for free here.
Also, a demo of the RPD is the next scheduled release although no timeframe has been given and it's doubtful that there will be until it's almost completed and the testing phase begins. It has been mentioned that there will be revisions to the Battle Coliseum demo as well which will include adjustments and new enemies.
[Q21] OK, so when is this project supposed to be released?
IGAS has stated that they will no longer operate under deadlines. At this point it's simply a matter of being patient and waiting for them to complete their work. Any possible release date you may have heard about is invalid at this point. The FAQ will be updated if and when IGAS makes an announcement regarding its release.
02/07/15: IGAS are now collaborating with fellow community member and programmer Gemini to help resolve development issues as well as a few implementations of his own. This is great news for everyone as it gives us more transparency with its development and brings an eventual release that much closer.
12/19/15: Gemini has recently provided more insight into the development of 1.5 in light of their newly released demo showcasing the intended mini game and bonus content features to be included in the final release:
[Q22] Will there be voice acting and cutscenes?
Recently Team IGAS has posted a brief video demonstrating their ability to implement voice acting into cutscenes however it isn't decided if they will choose to include it. The determining factor will be the availability of quality voice acting otherwise all dialogue will be presented with subtitles.
12/19/15: Voice actors have been selected for the project and have provided their work for the recent release from IGAS w/Gemini. It has also been clarified that there will indeed be FMV cutscenes in the final game:
[Q23] Awesome! I'd love to audition/beta test/help Team IGAS!
While the team is very appreciative of the support within the community, they're currently not accepting outside help with the project. However, they're open to constructive criticism and suggestions from the fanbase.
[Q24] Will there be special costumes/modes/*insert extra* to unlock via the grading system?
It has been specified that there will indeed be unlockables, however the team wishes not to reveal what they are so that there are surprises to the player and to enhance the replay value.
[Q25] Where can I find the editing tools that the team is using?
The team are not releasing their tools to the public. Also, it's been stated that they have developed some of the ones they're using within the project. So please do not ask for them.
[Q26] I think *insert new outside gameplay feature* would be a cool idea to put into the 1.5 project! Will they add it?
Highly doubtful. The team is open to suggestions and ideas for improving the content they have presented, but they aren't taking requests for additions to the game.
[Q27] I want to donate money to the team for all their hard work and dedication for this project. Where do I go to do that?
The team is not accepting money donations for the project in order to avoid legal complications that could arise. You can, however, show your appreciation in this topic.
[Q28] I saw an auction of 1.5 on eBay/someone announcing a leak/random disrespectful bullshit...
Don't bother with anything you see elsewhere. It's just not trustworthy. Plus, we're all tired of drama. It's time to celebrate and move on as a community.
Section III: Further Reading and Media:
Project Umbrella
Bioflames
Survivhor RE1.5 Info
Survivhor RE1.5 YouTube Playlist
imacwesker's High Quality RE 1.5 Scans
RMandel's In-Depth Timeline of RE1.5's History to Present
RMandel's RE 1.5 PVB Video Playthroughs
Dark Biohazard's RE 1.5 Patches
Kegluneq's No Damage Knife Only Walkthrough of 1.5
Kegluneq's Resident Evil 1.5 Database
ZeroMythos Collection of Hidden 1.5 Areas:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Read more about the project directly from two members associated with Team IGAS:
B.Zork's Post History
D.Birkin's Post History
And their official Facebook page:
Team IGAS on Facebook
If you have a question I didn't address, or have a correction that needs to be made feel free to ask here or PM me.
UPDATES:
- 02/16/17: Updated Q05 to reflect new information about Elza that recently surfaced.
- 12/19/15: Updated Q13 with a link to the newly released "Battle Coliseum" demo, and updated Q20-Q22 with information regarding current development, future releases, voice acting, and the implementation of FMV cutscenes.
- 02/07/15: Updated Q20 and Q21 with information regarding recent developments in the fan completion of 1.5 and a pre-release demo.
- 10/03/14: Added Keqluneq's Resident Evil 1.5 Database to Section III.
- 03/09/14: Updated Q22 reflecting the possibility of voice acting in the IGAS project.
- 01/06/14: Updated Q20 and Q21 regarding potential release date information, made several minor corrections and updates, and added ZeroMythos video collection of hidden 1.5 rooms as well as a knife only no damage 1.5 walkthrough courtesy of Kegluneq to Section III.
- 10/13/13: Altered Q17 to reflect the leak of the original 40% build of 1.5.
- 09/16/13: Added questions to Section II regarding PVB and MZD differences, information concerning a demo release, and provided links to RMandel's PVB videos, imacwesker's HQ RE 1.5 scans, and Dark Biohazard's MZD patches to Section III.
- 07/27/13: Corrected a few minor errors, reworded Q04 to avoid confusion between the Trial Edition release and beta2, and added RMandel's timeline to Further Reading.
- 06/06/13: Added a new question to Section II concerning unlockable game content.
- 06/05/13: Updated info for RE2 beta and added Team IGAS posts/survivhor links to "Further Reading" and corrected errors.
(Press CTRL+F to search for a specific question with the [Qxx] tag.)
Table of Contents:
Section I: The Basics and History of Resident Evil 1.5
[Q01] What is Resident Evil 1.5?
[Q02] So why was Resident Evil 1.5 scrapped?
[Q03] How far along into development was 1.5 before it was abandoned?
[Q04] I found a torrent containing a demo version of Resident Evil 2. Isn't this 1.5?
[Q05] Who is the blonde girl in the racing gear?
[Q06] What are the differences between the prototype and the final release?
[Q07] Who is this Roy guy I've seen artwork of? And isn't his name supposed to be DJ?
[Q08] I've seen screenshots and concept art of creatures that weren't in the final game. What are they exactly?
[Q09] I've noticed that Leon has all these different designs in 1.5. What gives!?
[Q10] What are all these different pieces of armor I see the characters wearing in the artwork?
[Q11] I keep noticing people mentioning a "bioflames build" and referring to either a "40%" or "80%" version. What exactly are they talking about?"
[Q12] Who is the Curator and what does he have to do with Resident Evil 1.5?
[Q13] Screw reading, I just want to play 1.5...where can I find it!?
Section II: Team IGAS and the Restoration Project
[Q14] Who is Team IGAS and why are they important?
[Q15] When was this project first announced?
[Q16] So how did Team IGAS find a copy of 1.5? It's been 16 years since the game was cancelled and it's just now surfacing?
[Q17] So the playable version that is circulating has been modified? I want to play the original, untouched build.
[Q18] Wait, if Team IGAS doesn't want to release the unmodified version until their project is complete then why do we have this WIP build to play?
[Q19] What are the differences between the unmodified version and the WIP build?
[Q20] I heard they are going to release a demo soon?
[Q21] OK, so when is this project supposed to be released?
[Q22] Will there be voice acting and cutscenes?
[Q23] Awesome! I'd love to audition/beta test/help Team IGAS!
[Q24] Will there be special costumes/modes/*other extras* to unlock via the grading system?
[Q25] Where can I find the editing tools that the team is using?
[Q26] I think *insert new outside gameplay feature* would be a cool idea to put into the 1.5 project! Will they add it?
[Q27] I want to donate money to the team for all their hard work and dedication for this project. Where do I go to do that?
[Q28] I saw an auction of 1.5 on eBay/someone announcing a leak/random disrespectful bullshit...
Section III: Further Reading and Media
SECTION I: The Basics and History of Resident Evil 1.5
[Q01] What is Resident Evil 1.5?
Resident Evil 1.5 is the original version of what was to be Resident Evil 2. Ultimately, it was scrapped by Capcom in lieu of the classic which fans have come to know today.
[Q02] So why was Resident Evil 1.5 scrapped?
Various reasons have been cited as to why 1.5 was scrapped. Some felt that it played too much like its predecessor, the gameplay and visuals were too dull and boring, it didn't live up to the Resident Evil standard, among other reasons. There isn't one specific reason; rather it's a culmination of many things which lead to it being canned altogether.
[Q03] How far along into development was 1.5 before it was abandoned?
The game was first announced in 1996 and went through various builds before being cancelled in 1997. The game was estimated at being 80% complete, though there is not an approximate answer.
[Q04] I found a torrent containing a demo version of Resident Evil 2. Isn't this 1.5?
No, that was released to Resident Evil fans as an apology from Capcom for all the delays they encountered with Resident Evil 2. The demo was created after the original project had been scrapped and started over from scratch, and was packaged with the Director's Cut of Resident Evil. It largely resembles the final release with a few minor differences. There should be no confusion as to the authenticity of a 1.5 iso in comparison to the RE2 demo, or the beta2 that surfaced years ago. Please refer to Section III for 1.5 media.
[Q05] Who is the blonde girl in the racing gear?
That is Elza Walker. Recently confirmed by ProjectUmbrella owner and community member NewsBot, Elza was originally named Rachael Speyer as a way of establishing a connection to the first game just as Claire did in the final release.
Originally posted by News Bot
View Post
See the next question for more information about Elza.
[Q06] What are the differences between the prototype and the final release?
As seen by many screenshots taken of the game, there are vast differences between the two. One of the most noteworthy is that the RPD was entirely different taking on a more modern design with different lighting and textures. Instead of Claire Redfield the female protagonist was a young woman named Elza Walker. She was a student at the Raccoon University and was an avid motorcycle racer. Being swarmed by hordes of zombies was to be a theme in the game to keep the player feeling claustrophobic and overwhelmed. In addition, Birkin had entirely different mutations than what is seen in the final release. As the player received more and more damage the character's condition would visibly worsen with details such as torn clothing and excessive bleeding. Those are a few brief examples.
There are also differences between the plot of the two games, however very little is known of the prototype's. One of the commonly known differences is that Leon and Elza never crossed paths, unlike Leon and Claire. Ada's role was to originally be a researcher, and Robert Kendo was instead a man named John who aided Elza. Several factors of the 1.5 script led to a professional writer (Noboru Sugimura) being hired to revise and (ultimately) rewrite the script of the game. This also played a part in Elza being discarded in favor of Claire Redfield in order to establish a connection to the first game.
[Q07] Who is this Roy guy I've seen artwork of? And isn't his name supposed to be DJ?
No, DJ is a misinterpretation of his name that a fan created based off of a concept artwork of the 1.5 cast. His name is Roy and he was to be a surviving police officer in the 1.5 plot who aids the characters in their escape from Raccoon City.
[Q08] I've seen screenshots and concept art of creatures that weren't in the final game. What are they exactly?
One is a man-spider hybrid creature and the other are apes. Various videos on the Internet showcase the player fighting against them if you're interested in their attacks and behaviors. There are also several different zombie designs that were cut from the final game.
Some of the other concept art you may have seen are of ideas that never made it to either 1.5 or 2. Those are:
Salem
Golgotha
G-Annette
Zombie Horse
"Transforming Creature" (possibly)
Tyrant Inferior
You may find it interesting that at one point in its development the basis for Cerberus was a German Shepard instead of the usual Doberman.
[Q09] I've noticed that Leon has all these different designs in 1.5. What gives!?
Leon began as a character named Grant Bitman. Over time his hair style and name were changed and his clothing modified. What you see in the final release is the way he was to be had 1.5 been completed.
[Q10] What are all these different pieces of armor I see the characters wearing in the artwork?
One of the unique features of the prototype is that throughout the course of the game the player would come across various pieces of body armor that offered different resistances to damage as well as offering more item slots. It should be noted that there are also unused weapons and features originally found in 1.5 that wouldn't appear in the series until much later. A few of these include hand grenades and the knife being assigned to a different button. Also, the knife had its own personal inventory slot that didn't hinder a player's carrying capacity.
[Q11] I keep noticing people mentioning a "bioflames build" and referring to either a "40%" or "80%" version. What exactly are they talking about?"
Bioflames is a website that was created by an avid Resident Evil fan for fellow Resident Evil 1.5 enthusiasts to gather information and pictures, and to bring knowledge of the game to the community. The "Bioflames build" came about when an anonymous figure approached the webmaster with pictures and information regarding the game. The build however was not given out, and the source has not been heard from since. There are no copies of this build in circulation, nor was it ever given out to any specific individual in the community. Do not attempt to contact anyone for it.
The "40%" build is the most commonly known version, which is in the hands of the community now. Please see Section II of the FAQ for more information regarding the 40% build. The 80% build is what the bioflames build is understood to be. Again, these percentages are only estimates. They're not approximations for completion.
[Q12] Who is the Curator and what does he have to do with Resident Evil 1.5?
The Curator is the one in charge of the Playstation Museum. A few years ago he showcased footage of the 40% build on his website. There was a lot of drama surrounding it, and ultimately nothing good ever came of it. It's utterly pointless to approach him about it, and at this point it's best to leave the drama in the past. If you absolutely must know, do a search with google. You'll find what you're looking for. Furthermore, a playable version of 1.5 can easily be found on the Internet (the very same build he demonstrated) so why bother the guy?
[Q13] Screw reading, I just want to play 1.5...where can I find it!?
You're in luck, a playable version of 1.5 has finally hit the Internet although the circumstances behind its release are really shitty. You should thank Team IGAS for the ability to enjoy the game. Without them it would be impossible. Show your appreciation for their efforts in this thread:
Thanks IGAS!
And to download the game:
Resident Evil 1.5
As of 01/06/14 the link to download 1.5 no longer works. However, both the MZD and PVB are easily found with a Google search.
12/10/15: The first official release from Team IGAS w/Gemini, "The Battle Coliseum" can be downloaded for free from here.
Which brings us to Section II...
SECTION II: Team IGAS and the Restoration Project
[Q14] Who is Team IGAS and why are they important?
Team IGAS (I Got a Shotgun) is a mostly anonymous team that is handling the restoration of 1.5. They are in possession of the 40% build and are currently in the process of making the game retail quality for all of the community to play. Various videos of their work can be found on youtube under B.Zork's channel, and screenshots of the game's development can be found here.
[Q15] When was this project first announced?
Last year several screenshots surfaced on a Facebook account that someone took notice of. The leak was never meant to happen however as the project was initially meant to be kept under wraps until it was ready for release. Some time later the true intentions of the project were revealed.
[Q16] So how did Team IGAS find a copy of 1.5? It's been 16 years since the game was cancelled and it's just now surfacing?
Little is known as to where exactly this 40% build that they are in possession of came from. They're not answering either, so don't bother. It's in their best interests (and ours) that the sources of their work (and what all exactly they have) remain anonymous. However, a history of how the project began can be found here.
Surfacing 1.5 was no small feat.
[Q17] So the playable version that is circulating has been modified? I want to play the original, untouched build.
The "40%" PVB was surfaced several months after IGAS released the MZD build publicly. Just browse around a bit and you'll likely find it hosted somewhere on the Internet. The source of the leak is unknown.
[Q18] Wait, if Team IGAS doesn't want to release the unmodified version until their project is complete then why do we have this WIP build to play?
Because a trusted individual attempted to make profit off of their work. In response, they leaked the build onto the Internet to avoid their work being exploited and fans of the game being scammed.
[Q19] What are the differences between the unmodified version and the WIP build? This thing barely works!
Very little when looking at the bigger picture, but you can see plenty of IGAS' custom content and modifications present. The PVB (Plain Vanilla Build) is very broken and glitchy in its original state, and uses simplified placeholders for several things with many functions being unusable or incomplete. This includes unfinished environments, Leon and Elza being placeholders for several characters, weapons not functioning correctly or crashing the game entirely, the infamous "Air Jesus" glitch just to name a few. You can check out videos of in-depth playthroughs of the PVB courtesy of RMandel here.
Contrary to rumor, the IGAS modifications do not prevent the player from accessing portions of the game intentionally left out by them, and isn't less functional than it's original. In fact, the IGAS modifications seen in the MZD (Magic Zombie Door) build have actually improved the PVB as a whole to make it more enjoyable. Watch the videos and you can see the differences for yourself. It should be no surprise that the PVB is worse off than the MZD build in regards to enjoyable gameplay.
Fellow community member Martin (Dark Biohazard) has put forth the time and effort to make custom patches for MZD to help stabilize it as well as make it more functional and a few other modifications to create a more overall enjoyable expereince. The patches and instruction on how to apply them can be found here.
[Q20] I heard they are going to release a demo soon?
As of 01/06/14 there has yet to be a demo released. It's been confirmed that a demo is still in development however no release date or timeframe has been announced.
02/07/15: Community member Gemini has confirmed his recent involvement in the fan completion of 1.5 as well as a demo release of a fully functioning RPD in the future.
12/10/15: Team IGAS w/Gemini have made their first official release, "The Battle Coliseum". I do not consider the MZD release their first as it was in response to foul play committed by a third party.
Download it for free here.
Also, a demo of the RPD is the next scheduled release although no timeframe has been given and it's doubtful that there will be until it's almost completed and the testing phase begins. It has been mentioned that there will be revisions to the Battle Coliseum demo as well which will include adjustments and new enemies.
Originally posted by Gemini
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[Q21] OK, so when is this project supposed to be released?
IGAS has stated that they will no longer operate under deadlines. At this point it's simply a matter of being patient and waiting for them to complete their work. Any possible release date you may have heard about is invalid at this point. The FAQ will be updated if and when IGAS makes an announcement regarding its release.
02/07/15: IGAS are now collaborating with fellow community member and programmer Gemini to help resolve development issues as well as a few implementations of his own. This is great news for everyone as it gives us more transparency with its development and brings an eventual release that much closer.
12/19/15: Gemini has recently provided more insight into the development of 1.5 in light of their newly released demo showcasing the intended mini game and bonus content features to be included in the final release:
Originally posted by Gemini
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[Q22] Will there be voice acting and cutscenes?
Recently Team IGAS has posted a brief video demonstrating their ability to implement voice acting into cutscenes however it isn't decided if they will choose to include it. The determining factor will be the availability of quality voice acting otherwise all dialogue will be presented with subtitles.
12/19/15: Voice actors have been selected for the project and have provided their work for the recent release from IGAS w/Gemini. It has also been clarified that there will indeed be FMV cutscenes in the final game:
Originally posted by GamerTak3r
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Originally posted by Gemini
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[Q23] Awesome! I'd love to audition/beta test/help Team IGAS!
While the team is very appreciative of the support within the community, they're currently not accepting outside help with the project. However, they're open to constructive criticism and suggestions from the fanbase.
[Q24] Will there be special costumes/modes/*insert extra* to unlock via the grading system?
It has been specified that there will indeed be unlockables, however the team wishes not to reveal what they are so that there are surprises to the player and to enhance the replay value.
[Q25] Where can I find the editing tools that the team is using?
The team are not releasing their tools to the public. Also, it's been stated that they have developed some of the ones they're using within the project. So please do not ask for them.
[Q26] I think *insert new outside gameplay feature* would be a cool idea to put into the 1.5 project! Will they add it?
Highly doubtful. The team is open to suggestions and ideas for improving the content they have presented, but they aren't taking requests for additions to the game.
[Q27] I want to donate money to the team for all their hard work and dedication for this project. Where do I go to do that?
The team is not accepting money donations for the project in order to avoid legal complications that could arise. You can, however, show your appreciation in this topic.
[Q28] I saw an auction of 1.5 on eBay/someone announcing a leak/random disrespectful bullshit...
Don't bother with anything you see elsewhere. It's just not trustworthy. Plus, we're all tired of drama. It's time to celebrate and move on as a community.
Section III: Further Reading and Media:
Project Umbrella
Bioflames
Survivhor RE1.5 Info
Survivhor RE1.5 YouTube Playlist
imacwesker's High Quality RE 1.5 Scans
RMandel's In-Depth Timeline of RE1.5's History to Present
RMandel's RE 1.5 PVB Video Playthroughs
Dark Biohazard's RE 1.5 Patches
Kegluneq's No Damage Knife Only Walkthrough of 1.5
Kegluneq's Resident Evil 1.5 Database
ZeroMythos Collection of Hidden 1.5 Areas:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Read more about the project directly from two members associated with Team IGAS:
B.Zork's Post History
D.Birkin's Post History
And their official Facebook page:
Team IGAS on Facebook
If you have a question I didn't address, or have a correction that needs to be made feel free to ask here or PM me.
UPDATES:
- 02/16/17: Updated Q05 to reflect new information about Elza that recently surfaced.
- 12/19/15: Updated Q13 with a link to the newly released "Battle Coliseum" demo, and updated Q20-Q22 with information regarding current development, future releases, voice acting, and the implementation of FMV cutscenes.
- 02/07/15: Updated Q20 and Q21 with information regarding recent developments in the fan completion of 1.5 and a pre-release demo.
- 10/03/14: Added Keqluneq's Resident Evil 1.5 Database to Section III.
- 03/09/14: Updated Q22 reflecting the possibility of voice acting in the IGAS project.
- 01/06/14: Updated Q20 and Q21 regarding potential release date information, made several minor corrections and updates, and added ZeroMythos video collection of hidden 1.5 rooms as well as a knife only no damage 1.5 walkthrough courtesy of Kegluneq to Section III.
- 10/13/13: Altered Q17 to reflect the leak of the original 40% build of 1.5.
- 09/16/13: Added questions to Section II regarding PVB and MZD differences, information concerning a demo release, and provided links to RMandel's PVB videos, imacwesker's HQ RE 1.5 scans, and Dark Biohazard's MZD patches to Section III.
- 07/27/13: Corrected a few minor errors, reworded Q04 to avoid confusion between the Trial Edition release and beta2, and added RMandel's timeline to Further Reading.
- 06/06/13: Added a new question to Section II concerning unlockable game content.
- 06/05/13: Updated info for RE2 beta and added Team IGAS posts/survivhor links to "Further Reading" and corrected errors.
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