African-American Niko V2.0
Skin/Hairstyle for GTA IV
By wuffox64 (GTAGARAGE and GTAINSIDE) (e-mail: goombario64 [at] ymail [dot] com)
Inspired by BlackNico Skin (by KingDani on GTAINSIDE, big thanks!)
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Modification Information:
When installed, this modification will give Niko an African-American hairstyle and skin-tone, both adapted from various pedestrian textures found in "componentpeds.img".
The hairstyle could be considered a "Jheri Curl" haircut similar to the one Carl Johnson (CJ from San Andreas) can purchase from Reese the Barber's Shop. I made use of the Afro texture found on the Multiplayer Ped for this haircut.
As for the facial texture, the face was adapted from a texture found on a food vendor's file. In order to have the haircut not conflict with the face's hairline, I used a bald version of that skin for this.
The hand textures are kindly borrowed from the BlackNico skin by KingDani on GTAINSIDE, as it was his work that inspired me to help build on the idea. Of course, if requested to, I'll make my own hand texture to be used in the next update.
With all that said, I thank KingDani for the inspiration, and hope that he doesn't mind me building on to the idea of an AfroNiko for GTA IV :3
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Installation Information:
First, I'd recommend that you download SparkIV, an editing tool for GTA IV. As of this typing, the latest version is SparkIV 0.6.6 . You can find it on a lot of GTA
After unzipping the .zip folder and opening the program (listed simply as SparkIV.exe), click "Browse". Be patient as the program loads your GTA IV directory..
Once it shows a hierarchy-style file-directory on the left side of the window, scroll all the way to the bottom and click the last instance of "cdimages".
If you've clicked the right one, you should see it's contents in the center window, with files such as "componentpeds.img", "playerped.rpf", and "vehicles.img".
The one we're going to open is "playerPed.rpf", whcih contains all of the models and textures for the main character, Niko Bellic. Double click it to open it in the SparkIV browser.
Once "playerped.rpf" is open, you may want to scroll down (or use Filter) and select the following files and extract them to a safe place, just for back-up purposes in case you want to restore Niko to his original self:

hair_diff_000_a_uni.wtd
hair_diff_001_a_uni.wtd
hair_diff_002_a_uni.wtd
hand_diff_000_a_whi.wtd
hand_diff_001_a_whi.wtd
head_diff_000_a_whi.wtd

Now that those files are extracted to a safe place, you can start replacing the same-named files provided with this README into "playerped.rpf".
In other words, replace those six files with the matchingly-named files from this modification's folder. After all six files have been replaced, be sure to click Save before exiting. Other wise, the changes won't be saved.
When all that's done, load up GTA IV and enjoy Niko Bellic, Afro-Style!
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Update Information:
Next update will probably be better ear placement, further fine-tuning of facial features, and different hand textures. In the meanwhile, enjoy what's done so far for right now.
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Legal Info:
C'mon, you don't wanna steal this, do you? A lot of work went into this.. I'll know if there's been a theft.
If by any chance I don't know about a theft, please e-mail me at goombario64 [at] ymail [dot] com and be sure to let me know where it's taking place. We'll see what we can do :3
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Special Thanks:
KingDani, for original BlackNico idea and skin..
Rockstar Games, for the legendary GTA series and beyond..
And you, for downloading one of wuffox64's GTA Modifications!

Thanks~

~wuffox64~