I am also just starting but it seems to me you can use the GoG exe because when I use it the Circle of Eight Help is still available in game.

The CO8 shortcut is merely a front-end that gives you some options before clicking Play to start the game. As indicated, it can be skipped after you have enabled the CO8 module with it.

If you're also using Temple+, which works alongside CO8 and fixes engine bugs CO8 doesn't, you need to use that shortcut instead. It bypasses the CO8 front-end and runs the game.

Thank you. I started the game and got a few hours in with just CO8 installed. Tonight I also added the Temple + mod to my existing game. The install guide I used to install the 2 mods (CO8 and Temple +) via (https://www.gog.com/forum/temple_of_elemental_evil/temple_of_elemental_evil_toee_mod_installation_guide_co8_portraits_temple) says at the end : "Run ToEE from the TEMPLE PLUS icon (NOT the Co8 launcher). The loading screen should show two lines of text reading:

THE CIRCLE OF EIGHT MODPACK
9.16.2013
That confirms your Co8 pack is installed correctly."

But the loading screen of my game just says in the lower right hand corner "Running the latest version 1.0.64" - nothing about CO8.

I assume both are working as I disabled the opening movies via CO8 and they are not playing. Should there be some confirmation of CO8 running? I'm trying to remember if there was before I installed Temple +. Thanks alot!

If you run Temple+ Configuration it'll tell you near the top left if Co8 is active with a green check next to "DLL Patch 2 (Co8)".

Thanks again!

Dang - mine just says "DLL Patch2 (GOG)"
Wonder what I did wrong - 2nd try on install. I know they each work independently. Apparently not togethter. Any idea why CO8 won't show up? I mean install isn't hard to do. Very frustrated

Are you sure Temple+ is configured to the same folder you installed co8?
When running the game from the co8 front end, does the co8 intro splash appear?

I did install them both to the same folder - the main install folder for the game.The one with the game exe.

I do not get an intro splash when running the CO8 front end, but adjustments to screen resolution work from it, as well as disabling or enabling the opening movies.

Wondering on install of CO8 why it always asks "if I am sure I want to install to this folder as it already exists", or something like that? Seems odd, but no matter what it says the same thing every time

Ran CO8 with the additional content version instead and it worked!

Edit: I am a freaking idiot. It appears I was not clicking on the correct blue section of the CO8 launcher which actually selects the mod and activates it. what a dumb ass. Sorry