IDX packing issues

[Beiss]

As you know, I've posted instructions on how to extract the idx file contents. Recently, I was sent files from the German version of the game, and so I replaced the German_* files in the Battle_Map folder with the ones I received. Playing the game with the Germans speaking German would be awesome, I thought. Unfortunately, something isn't working.

When playing the game, there is no speech at all on the battle map.

When quitting the game and examining my sound files, voice1 has shrunk to 1kb, and yet it was 700MB when I launched the game executable. Replacing the idx file with the original one after packing the new dat file together gives the same result. Replacing the new voice1, both the dat and the idx with the original vanilla files works, though - the game doen't shrink them then.

Note that my new dat file (with the new German samples) extracts perfectly using the idx extractor. It just doesn't work with the game, which empties it of all its contents.

What the heck?

Until I get a hold of Shigawire (or someone else who knows about this stuff), I won't be able to make more progress trying to implement any new sound files into the game. Which is a sad thing, because I know it would rock.

[mac89]

Damn it, what the hell. Even if you change just one file?

[Kopijeger]

To hazard a guess: the idx extractor is for RTW, there might be some subtle difference in the format.

[Beiss]

Yes, I'm sure there's something different about it - but, one of the features of the idx extractor is listing all the files in an idx file. My list is identical to the one you get when listing the original idx. I also don't understand why the game deletes my new files and replaces them with 1kb ones, when it doesn't do this with the original files, or maybe give me an error that says "You've been messing with the game files! **** you!" or equivalent.

[mac89]

Could I test those files Beiss? Can I download them somewhere?

[Beiss]

Er... yeah. I'll PM you a link. But I suggest you try unpacking the original Voice1.idx and packing it back together and see it that works, first, because I haven't been able to do even that.

[mac89]

Damn it! Like you said, I think its cause the file must be the exact same size. Or, more likely there are more different files in the German version than in the English.

Thats no it, theyre exactly the same size.

After repacking I see theyre size is slightly different, Its most likely that the game identifies the files with size amongst others. I see no other explanation.

[Beiss]

Maybe you're right. But what's missing? When extracting the file you just packed, the contents are identical with those of the original idx. I've contacted Vercingetorix, who made the tool. He replied and asked me to be more specific, so that's what I'm gonna do. Unfortunately, he hasn't got the game yet, so if the current tool simply isn't compatible, we might have to wait for a while. But we can still keep working - packing the new waves is far ahead of us. I was just eager to try it out!

[mac89]

But you do notice that the size of the newly packed file is a lesser size than the original.

[Beiss]

We won't need to repack the idx files, it seems, so I'm locking this thread...