I consider this version to be "complete" - it contains what I wanted to include, and then some. It doesn't mean I won't add a message or two in the future, though - I already have some ideas, but first I need a break to focus on some RL matters. I'll fix any bugs/problems as soon as possible, though, if need be.

I took care so that all the messages look good, both with vanilla font and "Myriad Pro Begone" mod installed. Text layout in message boxes is the same no matter the game's resolution, AFAIK, so there shouldn't be any problems, no matter if you're using the aforementioned mod or not.

I'd like to thank Audemus for allowing me to use datapad model from LE1 Diversification Project, and for sharing a TREMENDOUS amount of knowledge and information with me. That help was crucial in creating this mod. (More thanks in 'Special Thanks' section)

You know what I love about first Mass Effect? Well, there are many such things, TBH, but the one I'm talking about right now is reading and, what comes with it, that feeling of old, text-heavy RPG. Dialogues, Codex entries and many other texts - they are plenty and some of them, like dialogue with Vigil or the memories of Cro-magnon human on Eletania, are simply amazing. But, compared to later games in the series, first ME lacks datapads lying around, telling us some smaller stories or giving a little more depth to the world and its inhabitants. Or just giving us a good laugh, like some Citadel DLC datapads.

That's where my mod comes in, or at least it tries to. It places about 70 datapads throughout the game, in various locations. All messages were written by me*, and although they differ when it comes to their tone, I tried very hard to make all of them feel, as if they were part of this world. I had to scratch some ideas (and few already written messages), because they didn't fit well, felt kinda out of place or, after giving it more thought, were illogical. Did I succeed in weeding out the "undesirables"? Only you can answer that question.

* I have used few lines of text from ME3 in one of the messages

After finding and reading any of the datapads, their messages will be added to your Codex. You'll find them among Secondary entries, in a new category, "Datapads collection" (I know, not very imaginative). I decided to have them as Codex entries mostly because I really wanted to try to make one, but it also helps when one message references another, found earlier.

For now the mod is available in English (INT), my native language Polish (PL/PLPC), Russian (by evgenezh), and Spanish (by Deepk). For all other languages, messages and Codex entries will be in English.

Don't hesitate to hit that "endorse" button if you like my mod! And although the mod is completely free, just as it should be, if you feel like helping me raise enough money for a new laptop, because my old one kicked the bucket lately, you can buy me a coffee.

WHAT'S IN THE DATAPADS?

Many of the datapads are about normal people and their lives, their everyday problems, their joys and sorrows. Some of them are serious, some are more lighthearted or kinda wacky, there is also a small wink or two. There are a few references to later games and their characters. All messages are lore-friendly, I also tried to avoid anything that could be considered immersion-breaking (although that is rather subjective).

Messages were created with an adult audience in mind, so there is an occasional swearing and some of the datapads deal with "mature" topics, like sex or drugs.

WHERE TO FIND THEM?

My "philosophy" with this mod is that these datapads should be found "by the way," and not scream to you "Look, I'm here! Read me!" You'll most likely miss some of them, and that's perfectly fine. Datapads placed during main missions (Eden Prime, Therum, Feros, Noveria, Virmire) are rather hard to miss (with some exceptions), same goes for most of the UNC datapads, but it may be a bit tricky to find all the Citadel ones. You could ask "what's the point of creating messages, and then placing them where no one will find them?" I must say, that's a pretty good question.

Some datapads become available only when specific conditions are met. It's mostly true for Citadel and making progress in the story, so you can't find all the Citadel datapads during your first visit to this grand station, but there may be other conditions as well (reading another datapad, for example). Many datapads may as well disappear after some time - they won't be lying there forever, you know, so better read them while you can! Of course, most datapads can be found where there are people - someone must have left them there, after all. But one or two can be found in more remote areas, so keep your eyes open!

I should also mention that many of my datapads override the distance from which they are targetable - with vanilla value, they were too easy to spot. So to target them, you'll need to walk closer than to the base game objects. It's not true for all datapads, but for the vast majority.

I considered making a guide with locations of all the datapads, but I gave up that idea, because it contradicts with my mod's philosophy. I'm also a proponent of discovering games, and everything they have to offer, on your own, without guides or walkthroughs. It shouldn't be "I need to read them all, knowing exactly where to look," but more about having fun actually finding them.

TRANSLATIONS

Anyone interested in translating this mod is welcome to do so. The more languages it'll be available in, the better. But please, let me know if you'll start translating - I won't take it as an obligation, but I'd like to know if someone's working on a particular translation or not. I'd also be happy to provide any kind of help or advice on the matter, at least as long as my knowledge would allow it.

COMPATIBILITY

Because my datapads are added in quite a few locations, incompatibilities are inevitable.

NO THEY ARE NOT!

Thanks to an ingenious LE1 Sideloader Framework by HenBagle, my mod places datapads on additional, custom level files, that are loaded alongside vanilla ones. This way it doesn't have any hard incompatibilities with any other mods - if not for the Framework, it wouldn't be possible without tons of compatibility patches. There still may be some issues, like my datapads placed where objects from another mods are already placed, but nothing game breaking or meaning overriding (or being overridden by) other mods. If you stumble upon any datapads colliding with objects or NPCs from other mods, let me know!

Technical information:
Mount priority: 2154 (Commander Shepard born :D )
TLK ids reserved: 300000-300250
Bools and transitions ranges reserved: 9400-9525
Conditionals range reserved: 9400-9405
Integers range reserved: 1525-1535

INSTALLATION

Drag and drop into ME3Tweaks Mod Manager, import and hit Apply button. Choose options that suit your needs / mods setup and install.

My mod can be installed at any moment of your playthrough - it won't cause any problems, although the sooner you install it, the more datapads/messages you'll be able to find. So it's best to install it while starting a new playthrough, but as I said, it isn't necessary.

What's the difference between Vanilla and LE1DP installation types? The first one contains 4 messages that are already part of LE1DP - not exactly the same messages, of course, just written by the same characters / dealing with the same topics (but in a different way). As it would be immersion breaking, if you could find them all (both mine and from LE1DP), they aren't present in second type. On the other hand, LE1DP type contains two additional datapads. There's also a small difference in conditions for one datapad to appear, because LE1DP makes a particular place inaccessible in certain conditions.

KNOWN BUGS

Not really a bug, but lighting for some of the datapads could be much better. Because my datapads are placed on custom level files, in many cases they don't receive vanilla lighting - in my opinion that's a small price for avoiding the incompatibility nightmare. I'll try to make it better, but can't promise anything.

SPECIAL THANKS

I'd like to thank:
- BioWare (well, the OLD BioWare...) for creating this great universe;
- Mgamerz and everyone who contributed to creation and development of ME3Tweaks Mod Manager and Legendary Explorer;
- Karlitos for Trilogy Save Editor, invaluable tool in editing and checking variables, to check if datapads show up / disappear when they should;
- HenBagle for LE1 Sideloader Framework, which saved me a lot of time and nerves I'd need to waste on creating compatibility patches otherwise, and for showing me how to set up my mod to work correctly with the Framework;
- 55tumbl for permission to create special message for Keepers Finders, and Mgamerz for permission to place datapads in locations from Pinnacle Station DLC;
- great people from ME3Tweaks discord for all the help they provided, their patience, and overall great atmosphere: naNuke, DropTheSquid, Vegz, beccatoria, KoshVader, Sil/Tydeous;
- greBeigreB for 100 Complete Save File (LE1) - I used those saves extensively when looking for spots to place datapads (and when adjusting their positions), they helped me save a lot of time;
- Harkseth for giving me an idea for one of the messages ("He's cold"), and several discussions about the mod (and some other topics);
- evgenezh for the Russian translation;
- Deepk for the Spanish translation;

MY OTHER MELE MODS (GRAB ONE BEFORE YOU GO!)

Even More Reduced Interaction Circle
LE2 Codex Fixes
Less XP For Excess Medi-gel (LE3)
Liara's Air Support Line Begone (LE3)
Liara cabin photo with LE3 looks
Variety of Beddings LE2
Variety of Beddings LE3