pedal2metal

Sorry for updating this old thread but it needed a refresh for those interested in simply unlocking all XCOM:EU & XCOM:EW Second Wave options & looking for a comprehensive summary of the steps involved. This write-up is targeting those new to PC gaming but familiar with technical command-line tools/hex editing/etc... looking for a streamlined description. Hopefully this write-up helps save you some time. Those wanting further details/background can refer to the reference links provided in parenthesis. thx! I followed these steps & verified on 3/11/2021 that all Second Wave options were available for XCOM:EU & XCOM:EW. Note: The XCOM:EU Search: hex modlet required updating from what was posted originally by Amineri. Windows 10 Setup Disable Controlled folder access under Ransomware protection. This keeps Windows security from interfering every time XCom starts up. Steam Setup (https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Steam_and_mods) 1. Don't use Steam default games install location. Otherwise Windows security will interfere. C:\Games\Steam was used for this write-up. 2. Install XCOM:EU & XCOM:EW. Start both games twice to game menu after doing Local Files->Verify integrity of game files. This establishes a known-good baseline & creates the launch logs. 3. Review XCOM:EU & XCOM:EW launch logs for DNS lookup info. Edit C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts to bypass XCOM:EU & XCOM:EW DNS lookups to 127.0.0.1. XCOM:EU launch.log example location: C:\Users\<username>\Documents\My Games\XCOM - Enemy Unknown\XComGame\Logs\Launch.log XCOM:EW launch.log example location: C:\Users\<username>\Documents\My Games\XCOM - Enemy Within\XComGame\Logs\Launch.log 4. Change XCOM:EU Update policy to "Only update this game when I launch it" via Library->Properties->Updates. Tool Setup 1. Download/install Unreal Package Decompressor. (https://www.gildor.org/downloads) 2. Download/install HxD. (https://www.google.com/, search for "HxD download") XCOM:EU Hash-checking Disable (http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/How_to_DIY_common_mod_solutions_-_XCOM:EU_2012, reference: How to enable UPK changes in XCOM:EU) Use HxD to modify C:Games\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\Binaries\Win32\XComGame.exe to disable .upk hash-checking for XComGame.upk & XComStrategyGame.upk. Manual modify process to enable all Second Wave options (https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/1035988-unlock-all-second-wave-options-modlet/page-2&do=findComment&comment=10111522) 1. Use decompress to unpack respective XComGame.upk file(s). Copy from unpacked sub-directory over compressed versions. 2. Use HxD to modify respective uncompressed XComGame.upk file(s) using respective Search: & Replace: hex modlets below. XCOM:EU example location: C:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XComGame\CookedPCConsole XCOM:EW example location: C:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XComGame\CookedPCConsole XCOM:EU (Verified: 3/11/2021) ------- Search: 07 B4 00 81 19 19 2E AB 5F 00 00 19 12 20 4F FE FF FF 0A 00 D7 F9 FF FF 00 1C F5 FB FF FF 16 0A 00 D6 F9 FF FF 00 1B 40 34 00 00 00 00 00 00 16 09 00 57 5F 00 00 00 01 57 5F 00 00 15 00 0D 60 00 00 00 1B 72 3D 00 00 00 00 00 00 38 3D 00 D4 19 00 00 16 16 06 8F 02 Replace: 0B 0B 0B 81 19 19 2E AB 5F 00 00 19 12 20 4F FE FF FF 0A 00 D7 F9 FF FF 00 1C F5 FB FF FF 16 0A 00 D6 F9 FF FF 00 1B 40 34 00 00 00 00 00 00 16 09 00 57 5F 00 00 00 01 57 5F 00 00 15 00 0D 60 00 00 00 1B 72 3D 00 00 00 00 00 00 38 3D 00 D4 19 00 00 16 16 0B 0B 0B XCOM:EW (Verified: 3/11/2021) ------- Search: 07 B4 00 81 19 19 2E 07 6A 00 00 19 12 20 35 FE FF FF 0A 00 91 F9 FF FF 00 1C D4 FB FF FF 16 0A 00 90 F9 FF FF 00 1B FA 3A 00 00 00 00 00 00 16 09 00 63 69 00 00 00 01 63 69 00 00 15 00 75 6A 00 00 00 1B 0D 45 00 00 00 00 00 00 38 3D 00 D4 1C 00 00 16 16 06 7F 03 Replace: 0B 0B 0B 81 19 19 2E 07 6A 00 00 19 12 20 35 FE FF FF 0A 00 91 F9 FF FF 00 1C D4 FB FF FF 16 0A 00 90 F9 FF FF 00 1B FA 3A 00 00 00 00 00 00 16 09 00 63 69 00 00 00 01 63 69 00 00 15 00 75 6A 00 00 00 1B 0D 45 00 00 00 00 00 00 38 3D 00 D4 1C 00 00 16 16 0B 0B 0B Cheers!