Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

First & foremost I wished to thank Matryx and the PBW team for the mod launcher utility and the RTC client http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I had an idea about a possible integration of the mod picker and the RTC.
I suppose you're wondering what's wrong with the current programs... Well, I have two Versions (classic and Gold) of SE4 installed, and each of these has a couple of mods installed. Basically, I would like the RTC to pick the proper Version-mod combination for each savegame.

The idea was more or less this: the RTC should call a modpicker (either an external program or with an internal routine).
The modpicker should read from a local file the Version and mod info and run the game. The RTC should look for the .plr file in the appropriate savegame dir (i.e., the mod's savegame dir).

I thought to program it myself, but since I do not know anything of Java and the "PBW protocol" seems to be a bit too complex, I was thinking to modify the modlauncher source if Matryx agrees.
Anyway, there is a little problem: as far as I understand, the RTC launches "se4.exe" - you can modify the dir (and thus specify a different file), but it has to be called "se4.exe". The modpicker should then be renamed, but I'd prefer not to create a "duplicate" se4.exe...

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

Send me an e-mail:
[email protected] and I'll drop you the entire source code for the mod-picker
It is written in Delphi
You can do whatever you want with it.

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

The mod picker as it is works with RTC. The problem really is with RTC itself. It will only work out of the savegame folder and se4.exe that is in the Se4 directory that you specify in the RTC options. There is a way to make them work together. It seems very cumbersome, but using appropriatly named shotcuts it works quite well and is easy to get used to.

First of all you need to have a separate instance of RTC for each Version of Se4 (not each mod, jsut each Version). The easiest thing to do I have found is put a copy of the RTC programs in each Se4 directory. You can then have shortcuts to each on your desktop or a central location if you want.

Second you need to have separate instances of the mod picker for each Version. For the mod picker I think it has to be in the Se4 directory. I can't remember for sure but that works best even if it's not required.

Third, you have to delete the savegame folders from each mod folder. The reason for this will be explained in a bit.

Now when you are ready to play a mod PBW game you launch the mod picker for the appropriate Se4 Version. Then you select the mod you are using on the left side of the mod picker and hit the "Play SEIV button". This will rewrite the path file and launch the main Se4 startup screen. At this point hit quit game, but don't close the Mod picker. As long as you leave the mod picker running and don't start SE4 again with a different mod Version the path file remains as is. If you close the mod picker it changes it back to none.

Now launch the RTC for the appropriate Version and select your game. You can play it normally. The reason you have to delete all the Savegame folders in the various mod folders is that if you don't, RTC will lose track of the .plr file. RTC only uses the savegame folder in the Se4 directory you specify. It does not change to the mod folder because it doesn't look at the path file the way Se4 does. Without deleting the mod folder savegame folders you will be able to play your turn but Se4.exe will save the .plr file to the mod/savegame folder and RTC will look for it in the default savegame folder.

I don't think you are going to be able to rewrite the Mod picker to work with RTC better then this is without rewriting RTC which really isn't an option at this point.

However, I do have some ideas how you might write a standalone utiliity that works without the RTC or the mod picker and does what you are trying to do. If you want to email me I'd be happy to talk about it with you. I don't know how to code it but I know how the files are stored on the PBW server and I think it might work.

[email protected]

Geoschmo

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thank you very much, but I don't know anything about Delphi... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

Isn't that just a bit complex?

In this case, it seems you would save a lot of trouble by just:
- Double click Path.txt
- Type in the mod name
- Press save
- Run RTC

Or, if you really want to use the modpicker, how about adding a checkbox to the modpicker so that it runs RTC instead of SE4?

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, I said it does seem that way at first. But with shortcuts and a few times of doing it it's quite convenient and I'd say quicker then doing it manually. I am a very mouse oriented person. If I have a choice between doing something with a clicks or with typing I choose the clicks every time.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I guess that would eliminate having to click "Quit game". Not sure what other purpose it would serve though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geoschmo

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

What about getting old Fuerte's PBEM helper to work with PBW.
I konw this was in the to-do list but it doesn't seem to be a priority anymore.

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

Geo's right, it only seems complicated in print. Once you're in the habit of doing it it's like anything else you do repeatedly, you do it without thinking! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

Truth be told, I do the whole path.txt thing with almost all mousing too.

I've got all the mods I use listed above the *begin* line, and just highlight, CTRL-C, highlight CTRL-V then close and save.

Re: Idea: merging RTC & Modlauncher
 

or you could just type it out on the line. it works, especially if you shorten those folder names. takes ten seconds, maybe.