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btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.9
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.9
Save backups and easier problem reports.
Protect your saved progress
The launcher keeps the three latest automatic copies of your complete save profile before sessions. Unchanged profiles do not create duplicate copies. Open Saves to create a manual copy or restore a dated copy while the game is closed. Restoration verifies the archive and keeps your previous profile separately so it remains available.
These are backups of existing saved progress, not in-game quicksaves. Manual copies and displaced profiles are not rotated automatically. Keep external backups too. Low space, an expanded disk, a busy or oversized profile can prevent a new backup; the launcher explains the error and lets you cancel or explicitly continue without a new copy. Details and limits.
Report a problem
Use the ladybug button or Help → Problem report. Preview and copy a local summary of the app version, Mac hardware, macOS, graphics settings and last recorded session. Add your checkpoint and reproduction steps before sharing. No automatic upload, raw logs, personal paths, game files, saves or serial numbers.
The new interface is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Italian.
Update without rebuilding the game
From alpha.8, use Check for updates → Install update then quit and reopen the launcher after success. Only the launcher is compiled; your imported ISO data, game binary, saves, settings and HD pack stay in place.
From alpha.6/.7, extract the new source ZIP into a separate folder, close the old launcher/game and double-click Update btvs-recomp.command. Select your existing project folder. Official unmodified source kits are required; Git checkouts and edited sources need a manual update. Update instructions.
New players still provide their own supported USA ISO and build locally. No ISO, XBE, MAP, save, generated game source or game executable is distributed. The game/runtime and optional HD v1 pack are unchanged:
Validation and limits
175 automated tests passed, including backup integrity, rotation, locks, path traversal, failed-restore rollback, interrupted recovery and report privacy. The ARM64 host probe and launcher build passed. Native backup/restore and report views were tested with a synthetic profile on the development Mac. The personal save profile was not modified; no new gameplay, physical-controller or cross-Mac validation is claimed.
The previously reported intermittent crash has not recurred in the user's latest sessions. It remains unresolved: this release contains no speculative audio or runtime fix. Audio stutter, full-campaign coverage and long-session stability remain open. MIT covers original project code, not underlying game artwork or third-party components.
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.8 — Easier launcher updates
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.8
An easier way to install the 4K widescreen fix and future launcher updates.
Already have alpha.6 or alpha.7?
You do not need to rebuild the game, reimport your ISO or reinstall the HD pack.
- Download btvs-recomp-v0.1.0-alpha.8-source.zip and SHA256SUMS below, verify the checksum, and extract the ZIP into a separate folder.
- Close the game and the old launcher.
- Double-click Update btvs-recomp.command in the extracted folder.
- Select your existing project folder — the folder containing
private,buildandtools. - Wait for Update installed, then reopen
build/btvs-recomp.appin your existing folder.
A small Terminal window opens automatically to show progress; you do not need to type build commands. Only the launcher is compiled with your existing Apple build tools. The updater preserves your imported game, game binary, saves, settings and HD pack, and retains previous files for rollback.
This path requires the attached official source kits with RELEASE_MANIFEST.json. Modified sources and Git checkouts need a manual update. Full update and recovery instructions.
Updates inside the launcher
After installing this version, use the circular-arrow button at the bottom of the launcher or Help → Check for updates. Review the release notes, choose Install update, then quit and reopen the launcher after success.
The first updater supports launcher-only updates. It checks official source downloads against their GitHub SHA-256 digest and file manifest, refuses changes requiring a game/runtime rebuild, and preserves locally edited sources rather than overwriting them. Failed installation steps are rolled back; an interrupted update retains recovery information. It checks for releases only when requested and includes newer alpha versions.
4K widescreen
Includes the alpha.7 fix: selecting 4K UHD enables 16:9 gameplay even with old 4K/4:3 preferences. The displayed switch and actual launch settings agree. Menus intentionally keep 4:3 framing; differently shaped displays can still show bars around 16:9 gameplay.
New players and HD pack
New players still supply their own supported USA ISO and build locally. See the installation guide. No ISO, game executable, generated game source, MAP, save or AI model is distributed.
HD v1 is unchanged. Keep it if already installed, or download it from its existing location:
Validation and limits
163 tests passed, including injected build/install failures, rollback, interrupted-update recovery, local-edit preservation and download checks. A real launcher build and alpha.6-to-alpha.8 update succeeded in an isolated installation with preservation sentinels. The ARM64 host probe passed, and the native update screen and release check were inspected. No new game or progression test is claimed.
On the maintainer's Mac, the default macOS 27.2 SDK lacked SwiftUIMacros. The updater retries with the installed 26.5 SDK for that build only when this exact error occurs; it does not change system toolchain settings or install another SDK. Other Macs and OS versions still need testing.
Audio stutter, an intermittent audio crash, full-campaign coverage and long-session stability remain open. This is an experimental, unofficial fan project developed with substantial AI assistance. MIT covers original project code, not underlying game artwork or third-party components.
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.7 — 4K widescreen fix
Easier update available: alpha.8 includes this 4K fix and a double-click updater. Existing alpha.6/.7 users can update only the launcher, without rebuilding the game or reimporting the ISO.
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.7
Fixes 4K UHD gameplay staying in 4:3 when selected in the launcher. Thanks to Jestifiable for reporting the issue and identifying the workaround.
Fixed
- Selecting 4K UHD now enables 16:9 gameplay, including with old saved 4K/4:3 preferences.
- The 16:9 switch and format badge now agree with the actual launch settings. The switch is shown on and locked in 4K.
- Returning to scaled rendering restores the previous scaled-mode aspect choice during the launcher session.
Menus intentionally retain their original 4:3 framing. Gameplay is 16:9; displays with a different aspect ratio can still show bars. This update does not stretch the picture.
Install or update
Download btvs-recomp-v0.1.0-alpha.7-source.zip and SHA256SUMS below. Verify the checksum and follow the installation guide.
For an existing installation, back up the entire private/profile/ folder, apply the updated source files to your existing project folder without deleting private/, and run make launcher. Quit the previous launcher and open build/btvs-recomp.app again. No ISO reimport or HD reinstallation is needed for this launcher fix.
New players must supply their own supported USA ISO and build locally. No ISO, game executable, generated game source, MAP, save or model is distributed in this source kit.
HD pack
The HD v1 pack is unchanged and remains hosted with the previous release:
If already installed, keep it. Otherwise use Packs & skins → Install the HD pack… after game setup. No AI model is required to install or play.
Validation and limitations
153 tests passed, including a regression compiling the real Swift settings and checking the arguments through the Python launch path. The ARM64 host probe passed and the native launcher rebuilt. The reporting player's Mac has not yet been retested; no new gameplay or performance result is claimed.
On the maintainer's Mac, the default macOS 27.2 SDK lacked the SwiftUIMacros plugin. Building succeeded with the already-installed 26.5 SDK, selected for that command only. If you encounter that exact error and have the same SDK installed, use:
SDKROOT=/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/SDKs/MacOSX26.5.sdk make launcherAudio stutter, an intermittent audio crash, full-campaign coverage and long-session stability remain open. See known issues.
This is an experimental, unofficial fan project developed with substantial AI assistance. The MIT license covers original project code, not underlying game artwork or third-party components. Existing notices and license scopes continue to apply.
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.6
btvs-recomp 0.1.0-alpha.6
First source alpha for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2002, original Xbox) on Apple Silicon.
README update
This candidate adds four owner-supplied screenshots and a prominent disclosure of substantial AI assistance. Game runtime and HD v1 content are unchanged.
Installation
Download the attached btvs-recomp-v0.1.0-alpha.6-source.zip and SHA256SUMS. Verify the checksum, extract the source folder and follow README.md or docs/SETUP.md.
You need your own supported USA ISO, Apple build tools and the listed Homebrew packages. Run python3 tools/bootstrap_runtime.py, build the launcher with make launcher, then choose Set up from an ISO…. The game is generated and compiled locally. No game download is provided.
Included
- ARM64/Metal runtime integration and a local ISO setup flow.
- Persistent saves with first-time blank profiles and lossless idle disk compression.
- Resolution scaling, optional 4K/16:9, fullscreen, VSync and FPS overlay.
- Keyboard/controller remapping and a five-language launcher.
- Original project source under MIT, separate runtime patches and third-party notices.
No ISO, game executable, MAP, generated game source, save, disk image, model weight or editable development master is attached. The source ZIP includes only the approved project branding and four documentation screenshots; gameplay HD data is separate.
Optional HD add-on
Download btvs-recomp-HD-v1.zip (about 676 MB) and HD-SHA256SUMS separately if you want the prepared campaign textures, HUD, reconstructed text and launcher artwork. After game setup, open Packs & skins → Install the HD pack… and select the ZIP. Installation verifies the pinned checksums and game edition, preserves existing local assets and enables the HD switches. Manual refinements are already included; no AI model is required. Read docs/HD-PACK.md for scope and troubleshooting.
The HD add-on contains game-derived graphics. The project's MIT code license does not grant rights over the original artwork or trademarks, and this unofficial add-on is not presented as authorized or endorsed by the original rights holders.
Known limitations
Audio can stutter and an intermittent audio crash remains open. Performance varies with effects and resolution. The complete campaign, long-session stability, custom physical controller mappings, older macOS versions and other Mac models still need validation. The setup path has been tested on one Mac; scripted setup checks used dummy audio and confirmed menu, first-save creation and loading into the first level's cutscene.
Please read docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md before reporting a problem. Do not upload game files, saves, disk images, full memory-bearing logs or complete project folders.
This is an unofficial project, not affiliated with the original rights holders.