MMM modding memory modified

[beho]

Hey,


no chance to get more than 300 soldiers? I thougt there was the possibilty of getting more than 6000 units. That would be a total war game.


André

[Argantonio]

Memory Allocated is a kind of "genomic map of bytes"
of size 4.294.967.295 , 00000000 - FFFFFFFF.
All that happens in game is write in allocated memory.
For example, traditionally in MTWII forums write about harcoded limits, for example, all admitted that the maximum number of units in the export_descr_unit.txt are 500. Why?
The program "up" to allocated memory the dates of the export_descr_unit.txt file , each unit is re-write in fragments of 3BC bytes (956) , Each fragment of 956 bytes is a separate unit.
The program shows the position to place the first fragment and also which began the next region of memory.
In EDU.txt data in memory begins in the position 018B6158 , and ends at 0192BFA8 (Always).
Each fragment ( unit) occupies 3BC (956 bytes),
The division gives 18B6158 - 0192BFa8 / 3BC = 1F9 (505)
505 units are possible, there are only "space" for 505, that's the explanation.
The program also provides a previous unit limit only holds 500, leaving five empty.

[sinople]

v-Argantonio's findings and descriptions that allowed KE to make the tools to open the wolrd files to us and Wilddog, Makanyane, and Johnwhite to carry on is what we need. He found the key to unlock the files.

If Argantonio can point us in the direction of the files tied to troop sizes and movements and the hexcode to unlock them without touching the.exe, we are in business. these are the other keys we need.

Argantonio, your efforts are very much appreciated.

Did someone found out how to unlock the files related to men par army ? Breaking faction limit would be really great ^^

[Briarius]

I removed the limits of men per units to 0 min and 255 max as you said
I then created a unit called sniper with only one soldier, with a custom projectile with a perfect precision and put the bodyguard number of soldiers to 0, with this, there will be no bodyguard, just the general.

Hi Dwaine,

Sorry if I interrupt, but could you explain to me how you managed the "1" men /unit? Unfortunately Argantonio's post is a little bit complex for me I don't get it.......Which file should I edit? and how?
I'd really like to know that...I'd like to add hero units for my mod and I can't find a way to make 1man/unit..

thx in advance...and +rep for both of you

[Gigantus]

I love the work and brainstorming here, but I had to delete some posts that were venturing into forbidden territory. For those not familiar with it, please bear in mind this part of the rules:

Promoting Illegal Activities (1, 4, or 8 points)

Posts that promote violation of the law are not allowed. Violation of the law includes, but is not limited to:

• Substantial use of copyrighted material without permission. Examples of acceptable uses would be brief quotes, fan art, signature/avatar images, brief video clips (e.g., YouTube), screenshots, or reasonably limited decorative images in a mod. Unacceptable uses would include entire songs, long videos, large collections of images, altered game executables, pirated operating systems, unmodified game files (except those released by the developers themselves, for example converted .bin files released by CA for M2TW) that are not essential parts of modifications or anything that competes with the work you're copying (i.e., people might just download your copy instead of buying the original). The exact threshold of substantial use will be decided on a case-by-case basis ― if in doubt, ask a Senior Moderator or Administrator.
• Obtaining or providing ways to circumvent copy protection. This includes no-CD hacks, key generators, hacked ROMs, etc.
• Cheating in online games, or otherwise violating license agreements.
• Possessing, distributing, or using drugs in a way that would be illegal in most jurisdictions (e.g., owning marijuana).

"Promoting" illegal activity includes, but is not limited to:

• Asking for someone else to commit an illegal activity (e.g., asking for a cracked game).
• Assisting someone else in an illegal activity (e.g., linking to a site that distributes cracked games).
• Encouraging or advocating an illegal activity, or portraying it as normal or acceptable (e.g., casually mentioning that you have pirated games/smoked pot/etc. as though this were normal and acceptable). Exceptions will be made for threads that are devoted to serious discussion of illegal activities in an abstract sense (e.g., about whether copyright law should be relaxed or marijuana should be legalized), on a case-by-case basis.

What exactly qualifies as illegal depends on jurisdiction. When jurisdictions differ on whether something is legal, moderators will decide on a case-by-case basis which jurisdiction to follow.

Looking forward to more development on the notion of the OP.

[Dwaine]

OK, I'm truly sorry for that, won't try to explain how to modify the .exe again.

@ briariuss try to understand post #7, it's quite easy.

[Gigantus]

No damage done, I didn't think your post was intentional. Hopefully you will be able to develop the thought of this thread further.

[beho]

Hi,


so it would be possible to get 505 units? Can you change the number of the unit cards to more than 20?


André

[Briarius]

Hi,

Sorry Dwaine,

But It was a nice explanation thank you again and I saved your tutorial before Gigantus's "deus ex
machina"..

@Gigantus. May I use it for personal aims?

Next time I'll try to teach myself understandig Hexadecimel, before asking anything...

[Gigantus]

@Gigantus. May I use it for personal aims?

As long as you don't mention it here or upload it , then I don't know about it. What you do at home is completely up to you.

[The Bruce]

Whilst distributing a modified version of the .exe is certainly illegal is it really forbidden to describe methods for modifying the .exe for personal use?

If a procedure is given for modifying any executable file (i.e. with a hex editor) and information is also given describing the address/value of certain game settings that do not affect the copy protection aspects (i.e. what to edit) what is the problem?

The ultimate aim of this research would be to have an application running alongside the game .exe that changes certain parameters in system memory without altering the .exe file itself. However in order to develop this it may be helpful to modify the .exe 'privately'.

[irishron]

To keep CA/Sega happy is don't broadcat it. We have at least one CA employee that still has his mods on this site. I know damn good and well he still haunts the TW forums. I believe it flls under the part of the EULA about "property rights" for lack of a better term at this moment. Even if you had the c++ decompiler legally as part of your job, I do not believe you could legally post the goodies buried in there you can't find with a hex editor. This is where torrents, warez, and no-cd cracks come from. If I can get zero man unit I can get a no-cd crack the same way.

If someone decides to do something along these lines, don't post it here.

[The Bruce]

That does not really answer my question irishron so I will reiterate:

Firstly, is it permissible to cite a general procedure for the modification of executable files with a hex editor? This is simply sharing knowledge in the public domain and could be done without reference to any proprietary executable file.

Secondly is it permissible to describe the addresses/values of certain game settings within the exe. that do not affect the copy protection aspects but that could be modified for personal use either directly by editing the exe. or by changing values in system memory by other means.

[irishron]

That does not really answer my question irishron so I will reiterate:

Firstly, is it permissible to cite a general procedure for the modification of executable files with a hex editor? This is simply sharing knowledge in the public domain and could be done without reference to any proprietary executable file.

Secondly is it permissible to describe the addresses/values of certain game settings within the exe. that do not affect the copy protection aspects but that could be modified for personal use either directly by editing the exe. or by changing values in system memory by other means.

If you want the official line, pm SenseiTW, or one of the other CA developers. My guess on the executable would be "No." More than one including Gigantus have hit them up about the limitations of the hardcode and we do the dirty work and the answer has always been "No".

Mike Simpson as head cheese of at least Empire maybe the best to contact.

[The Bruce]

I have absolutely no intention of contacting CA and I am merely seeking clarification on the policy at TWC.

[irishron]

My understnding, and you can also take it up with Squid, and The First O'Neill if you wish, is the executables of any of the Total War series are off limits to modding for any purpose.

Things in the exes you can use a hexeditor for are cheats, traits, ancillaies, factions, sounds, etc. Many formed the first cheatsheets with a hexeditor.

Things that are not allowed are posting the .exe, editing the .exe in any fashion including the hardcoded limits everyone hates, the copy protection, and basicly anything that will alter the game engine from its original release.

CA did not have to but we do have pretty much free rein with the rest inspite of the lack of tools in some areas, or just outright bad code in my opinion in others.

I have not had the time to mod as I would have liked over the years but I have been trying since Viking Invasion.

Garbersarder has a very good relationship with CA and if I am not going to ruin it.

[The Bruce]

Thanks irishron.

Things that are not allowed are posting the .exe, editing the .exe in any fashion including the hardcoded limits everyone hates

Garbersarder has a very good relationship with CA and if I am not going to ruin it.

I am in no way advocating any activity that would jeopardise the relationship between this forum and CA. However I would be surprised if posting any content gleaned from analysis of the .exe is prohibited.

The purpose of this thread is to find ways that circumvent hardcoded limitations by means other than modifying the .exe but such aims will of course require the .exe be discussed.

[Gigantus]

The ultimate aim of this research would be to have an application running alongside the game .exe that changes certain parameters in system memory without altering the .exe file itself. However in order to develop this it may be helpful to modify the .exe 'privately'.

I wholeheartedly support the idea behind this research and I feel that changing the memory values (for lack of a better term) should not infringe on the EULA or the ToS. If for better understanding a modification of the EXE is necessary then I understand that too. But the moment this modified EXE shows up here it will be a breach of both EULa and ToS.
Describing how to alter the EXE would most likely be considered a breach as well.

Edit: discussing where to find information that could be useful should not fall under this - I am trying to get more senior opinion on this matter.

[The Bruce]

One is glad to be in agreement

[Argantonio]

Brilliant conversation...
From the first post of this thread, my intention has been to clarify this situation.
I hope that the seniors moderators, give us a solution.
If this thread " "violate" any rules or "jeopardise" the relationship between this forum and CA , easy ,
Close the thread ,
Deleted post
and I leave this forum without any problem.
The intention of the thread is modding in Memory
ie the changes are on each computer machine and are not fixed , changes only "exists" during the game run.

1)Obviously for gets knowledge we must "dissambler" the executable file
is that correct, "legal"?
2)Obviously, to explain the changes we must be made references the executable file.
3) Obviosly The exe file is modified in Memory (the changes will only be during the game), is that correct, "legal"?
If the problem is Not modify the exe file.
Problem solved,
No reference to fix setting changes, and not modify the exe file.

At the moment I stop posting , pending clarification.
I am merely seeking clarification on the policy at TWC