Shifter (Mod)

Shifter is a gameplay modification for Deus Ex which alters the rules of the game at the most basic level. It could be best compared to an expansion pack, adding features while not taking away anything from the game itself. In addition to fixing numerous bugs, it re-integrates a few features which were left out of the game, but were later found in the game's source code. For one example, after rescuing Ford Schick from MJ-12, he's supposed to appear in Smuggler's hideout - and he even gives you an augmentation upgrade canister. This makes saving him worth it, but due to a glitch, it doesn't actually happen, but in Shifter, it does. Another example is at the airfield's helicopter bay in one of the offices. JC is supposed to overhear a conversation between Lebedev and Tracer Tong in which Tong is telling Lebedev to kill JC, but Lebedev is insisting that JC can be convinced to change sides. This has been moved around since being brought back. Also, Shifter adds a handful of customized weapons, a feature that gives skill points for kills (and a stealth bonus, if applicable, at the end of each level). Lastly, it makes radical changes to improve the multiplayer game.

Author Yukichigai's mission statement is as follows: ''Shifter is my attempt at "removing the suck" from Deus Ex, what little of it there is. There are some annoying aspects of the game system, unresolved glitches, and a minor helping of unrealized potential scattered throughout this groundbreaking game. Shifter attempts to address those issues. As one person put it, paraphrased, Shifter doesn't add new content so much as improve the existing content. Shifter makes Deus Ex what it should have been, or at least one interpretation of what it should have been.''

Shifter requires only that the player be using either the Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition (often referred to as GOTY) or the retail version of the game with the 1.112fm patch, which can be downloaded at the Eidos site or various other game file hosts. It includes two files, DEUSEX.U and DEUSEX.INT, and these must replace the ones in the DeusEx\System folder. These must be backed up or moved to another location if you wish to remove Shifter without reinstalling the game. Replacing the files with the ones in the Shifter download will upgrade Deus Ex to Deus Ex with Shifter.

There is also one catch. Save games are not compatible between your unmodified game and Shifter, so you will need to start from the beginning. If you call it a catch, Shifter also prevents some of the more popular exploits. You will no longer be able to sell your Pistol skill at the beginning for 1250 more skill points. You will no longer be able to use one lockpick and go into the menu. And you shouldn't be able to keep getting 100 skill points by using the switches at Vandenberg.