Which INI settings do not work when steam is online?

[twinj]

As the topic says! :D

[Drakous79]

In XComGame.exe are sections XGTacticalGameCore, XComMPData and XGLoadoutMgr. Those stand for DefaultGameCore.ini, DefaultMPGame.ini and DefaultLoadouts.ini

 

Is it what you meant?

[twinj]

In XComGame.exe are sections XGTacticalGameCore, XComMPData and XGLoadoutMgr. Those stand for DefaultGameCore.ini, DefaultMPGame.ini and DefaultLoadouts.ini

 

Is it what you meant?

 

I know which inis are in the exe. I can tweak some settings and they will work online whereas others do not work. I was wondering if there was a reason behind this and was thinking of investigating further. BUt to make the task easier I was hoping for a list of settings.

 

E.g: iSmallItems=2 on armor will work when steam is still online and without phone home. What does not work?

[Drakous79]

That's weird. I've always thought any change to the executable forces its update.

 

Maybe values connected to multiplayer + upk hashes?

[twinj]

That's weird. I've always thought any change to the executable forces its update.

 

Maybe values connected to multiplayer + upk hashes?

 

Good thought. I'll start there. But changing smallItems would affect Multiplayer... anyway good place to start.

[Drakous79]

Ah, that's true. Never tried XCOM MP, maybe I should. What about tactical/strategy values?

[FlyingHigh10000000]

You can also edit your hosts file to block Firaxis's server check, so you don't have to have Steam in offline mode.

[twinj]

Thx. Am aware of the phone home issue I just want to figure out why some work and some don't when 'online'. To see if something can be done about it.

[BlackAlpha]

Check the files in "(My Docs) \ My Games \ XCOM - Enemy Unknown"

 

They overwrite parts of or entire files inside the game directory.

 

Some files can be removed inside My Docs to revert to the version inside the game directory. Some files can be deleted, but then still the "silent patcher" version will be used.

 

So far I've noticed the following:

 

- XComGameCore.ini cannot be removed. The silent patcher version will always be used. You need to block the game from accessing the internet to bypass it.

 

- Files inside the localization folder can be removed. The game directory version will then be used.

 

Also note that the silent patcher will kick in every single time the game is started and can access the internet. It will then try to overwrite the files inside My Docs.

 

Finally, the game relies on the silent patcher to successfully update itself. For example, the DLC uses some entries that are only present inside the My Docs files.

Edited December 30, 2012 by BlackAlpha

[Drakous79]

I've enabled phone home today to see, how is it working these days.

 

I have modified XComGame.upk + updated hash in XComGame.exe and modified DefaultContent.ini. On top of it, I've done my favorite Kevlar boost test and made items more expensive.

 

Modified XComGame.upk ...

worked

(Cybernetic Warfare look)

Updated hash in XComGame.exe ...

worked

Modified DefaultContent.ini ...

worked

(Cybernetic Warfare look)

iType=eItem_ArmorKevlar,iHPBonus=10 ...

failed

(It is set right in XComGame.exe, which was not renewed)

ITEM_CREDIT_BALANCE=2 ...

worked

(Medikit cost 50 credits, while it's set to 25)

Okay. Seems like we are allowed to play with UPKs and hashes :) Lets look into Documents\My Games\XCOM - Enemy Unknown\XComGame\Logs\EMS\.

 

// Launch.log
// [0009.44] DevHTTP: FHttpDownload request (/Dict.ashx?key=XCOMGAMECORE_PC_INT_00000.INI) started
// [0010.33] DevHTTP: FHttpDownload request (/Dict.ashx?key=XCOMGAMECORE_PC_INT_00000.INI) completed
// [0010.45] Log: Updating config/loc from XComGameCore.ini took 0.014856 seconds

There is XComGameCore.ini, which is renewed by silent patcher if available every start of the game. It contains entries for all armors, weapons and characters in DefaultGameCore.ini:

[XComGame.XGTacticalGameCore]

!Armors=ClearArray
+Armors=(...) // for every armor

!Characters=ClearArray
+Characters=(...) // for every character

!Weapons=ClearArray
+Weapons=(...) // for every weapon

I've compared values between XComGameCore.ini and DefaultGameCore.ini - they match. When I prevent phone home via hosts and let XComGameCore.ini in EMS untouched, Kevlar has +10 HP.

 

I would like to say, only armor, characters and weapons are in danger of being updated by phone home silent patcher, when it comes to DefaultGameCore.ini, but who knows, what elese can be added into XComGameCore.ini :( I think that every ini and int file is in danger, that it will be updated one day and only defense is modified hosts file.

 

Until we find, where is the address stored...

 

Btw have you noticed this?

[XComDLCManager]
MarketplaceTitles[0]="Body Armor Customization Pack"
MarketplaceDescriptions[0]="Customize your body armor"

MarketplaceTitles[1]="Advanced Armor Customization Pack"
MarketplaceDescriptions[1]="Customize advanced armor"

Edited December 29, 2012 by Drakous79