[Suggestion] Seperate directory for FraghouseInvasion

[hAcK.NL]

Hello folks

I was wondering if it were possible to modify the FHIV mod so that all files are kept inside a subdirectory of the UT2K4 directory.

For instance, if you'd take a look at the Deathball mod (version 2.0 beta for UT2K4), you'll see that all related files are to be put into a Deathball subdirectory and that you can use the supplied batch/script file to start it.

This kind of setup keeps your original UT2K4 directory nice and clean. Simply delete the respective subdirectory and .INT file in .\System and you're done. No hassle with finding back stuff you need to delete.

I tried this myself, but after UT2K4 has started (it's loading, no window visible yet), it immediately shuts down again with no error message or whatever.

This is the script file I used after putting all files + this script inside the fvinvasion subdirectory.

@echo off

IF NOT EXIST ..\System\FHI.int (
	copy System\FHI.int ..\System
)

START /B ..\System\ut2004.exe -Mod=fhinvasion
IF NOT %ERRORLEVEL% == 0 (
	..\System\ut2004.exe -Mod=fhinvasion
)

:end

Here's the log file UT2K4 generates:

Log: Log file open, 04/25/04 17:14:06
Init: Name subsystem initialized
Init: Detected: Microsoft Windows XP 5.1 (Build: 2600)
Init: Version: 3186 (127.29)
Init: Compiled: Mar  3 2004 02:43:29
Init: Command line:  -Mod=fhinvasion
Log: FileManager: Reading 0 GByte 0 MByte 0 KByte 0 Bytes from HD took 0.000000 seconds (0.000000 reading, 0.000000 seeking).
Log: FileManager: 0.002000 seconds spent with misc. duties
Uninitialized: Log file closed, 04/25/04 17:14:06

I also have a dump file attached, but I don't know if that's of any use.

Any thoughts/suggestions/comments?
Thanks

 

[hAcK.NL]

Did some more digging.. problem solved now

Just put a file called UT2K4Mod.ini in the mod's subdirectory with this contents:

[MOD]
ModTitle=Fraghouse Invasion
;ModLogo=DeathballTex.TestModLogo
ModDesc=Fraghouse Invasion
ModCmdLine=
ModURL=http://fraghouse.beyondunreal.com

and all now works perfectly. No more cluttering your UT2K4 base install.

Oh, and on a related note..
Running over baddies with a scorpion is pretty funny!

 

[Parser]

The Mod System for the release version of UT2004 has a lot of bugs in it, one main one worth noting being that you still have to have files in the /System directory. Which kind of defies the point of having a separate folder for all the files.

We'll look into this when Epic patches up the mod support system, but I'd rather wait until they've got all the features working.

 

[hAcK.NL]

Hmm, I agree, you're right. There's a new beta of DeathBall and this time a couple more files need to be put into the regular System subdirectory. If I recognize the pattern correctly, I'd say that this list will grow proportionally with e.g. each map added. Yeah, that's kinda icky.

Still.. I suppose it's a bit better now when compared to how it used to be with UT2K3.

Do you have any references (URLs) I can check out regarding this mod system? Or could you point me into the right direction where I can find some of this stuff?

Thanks anyways Parser

[edit]
Here's some info I found about the upcoming patch for UT2K4
http://forums.beyondunreal.com/showthread.php?t=133459#post1446563

It appears to also include a couple of minor changes in the mod system.. Can't tell for sure if these will fully cover the issue you mentioned though.
[/edit]