WanderingAries

Note: I heavily advise NOT making changes to, opening, closing, or deleting files while the game is running! Note: I'm running Win7 and it is known for a long character loading delay that was originally theorized to be related to something like this (but likely isn't). Ok, so the simple test results are in: When is the file accessed/created/modified? Shortly after clicking on a server name When is an entry added/deleted/modified? Within 5-10 seconds (time it takes the server data to sync?) while in the character select screen When is an entry change made in the file reflected in-game? Player must go back to the server list and re-enter the character selection screen for changes to reflect in the game What happens if I delete the file after having loaded the character screen and had been idle on the screen for at least 10s? The game will recreate the file exactly as it was, likely from the active memory entry created when the page was first loaded. What happens if I delete a character entry in the file and leave the entry blank... While on the character screen? The entry gets re-added to the end of that server's grouping in the list and any empty space left between entries is erased from the file. While the game was off? The entry gets re-added to the end of that server's grouping in the list and any empty space left between entries is erased from the file. What happens if I rearrange the entries in the file while in the character screen? The game allows the change and does not rearrange the entries in the file from memory What happens if I move a character entry to a different part of the file that is beyond the server grouping? The game will move that entry to the end of the corresponding server grouping. What happens if I edit the file and change the server that a character is on? Without loading the mistake server's character screen? The game will create/fix the "missing" entry for the server group affected, place it at the end of that server group, and push the mistake entry below THAT entry. After loading the server that character entry was mistakenly put into? The mistake entry is removed from the file completely. How is the file sorted overall? The game moves the server group entries (AS IS) for the chosen server that is actively loaded. IE: If you switch from Torch to Indom, then the file will move the Indom group to the top. Observations: It's now obvious to me that the game simply appends entries that do not yet exist and in-place updates ones that do. When I tested not having a file at all, the file was NOT created until I started messing with characters and even Then, it only created a file to update the change I'd made. IE: I moved a character and there was a single entry for that character's new location, but none of the other characters were added unless I Also messed with their location. The game will load missing data from active memory, but doesn't care what order entries are in the file, so long as they are grouped by server. I'll let you digest that for a bit. : p

The file is located in \tequila\ACCOUNT_NAME and should be created/modified somewhere between game launch and the character screen. I know that if I delete the file outright that it will be created and there after I've quit the game. I'll see about testing this as best I can (little hard to time as I play in FS mode). The location issue mentioned by @GM Tahquitzis very important to avoiding most of the Windows file protection related issues. Since all the txt files are drag/drop interchangeable, you can even test while keeping your 'real' file intact. That's likely what I'll do too.

Since I'm on a suggestion kick... How about a Key Bind application that allows for backing up, importing, etc from files that people distribute or forum posts and then writing to the game's file. The file basically consists of entries separated by new lines and spaces. The bind strings are wrapped in double quotes and there is exactly one entry per key. What I'd like to see is something that will visualize the currently assigned binds, allow someone to modify the binds, and then save them. What would be REALLY cool is to have a sort of example visual output (example power tray animation, chat example, etc) so that you can test the bind without needing to do so in-game (to avoid risk of overwriting your binds accidentally). Additionally, there would be a need to be able to allow the user to choose their keyboard layout as that would be Very important when showing examples. When writing files, the user should have the option to create both custom and game designed (IE: keybinds.txt vs bots.txt or ranged.txt) files for import/export. While the game file would have to stick to the requirements, the custom files could have a comment section located before/after the content that would then be read/write capable in the app. IE: You'd have a section explaining the file's purpose, creator, etc).

Suggestion based on this: A simple interface could be used to facilitate this task I believe. The only thing it would need to edit is the first part of the record string, but I'd like to introduce some helpful sorting options. The file basically consists of plain text entries wrapped in double quotes and separated by what appears to be a new line character. (My VERY trimmed file). The entries are comprised of: ACCOUNT_NAME SERVER_NAME ALT_NAME SORT_ID. The Account Name is constant for the whole file. The Server Names are also known, but only consist of servers that the user has an alt on. The Alt Names can be duplicated across servers so long as the user managed to acquire them. The Sort ID is the only real variable we're concerned with here. It counts up from 0. The concept I have would be to have this read into an interface that understands each string needs to be double quote separated as well as having a space between the categories. Finally, each master string is on a new line. The Sort ID will be the only thing that it would be allowed to modify before writing back to the file. Ideally, the application would be smart enough to identify different Game Accounts by looking for non-game folders (IE: It ignores things like Homecoming, HC-beta, PIGGS, etc). The main purpose of the app would be sorting the characters and rewriting the file. Because of this, the original file will either need to be erased and rewritten or simply deleted and a new file put in its place to avoid accidentally duplicating entries. I imagine a simple 4 column array would work as a master variable. The sorting would work as follows: Auto-sort the file by Server Name, then Sort ID when loaded Allow sorting by Name (alphabetically) as well as a drag/drop interface Once the sorting is decided, the Sort IDs are rewritten accordingly (Range would be 0-999) The file would then be written and saved. Unfortunately, I can't see a way to offer more sorting choices (that would matter) due to the limited data the original file offers. IE: You won't be able to sort by AT, etc. Now if someone wanted to create a new tracker that the user could sync to the sorter to sort say by AT, level, etc, then that would be a good collaboration.

I mean, it's funny, but yeah...especially now a days.

That shouldn't be correct unless there's been a background change in the code that has yet to be announced in the forums. I know from my testing experience that it creates the file if it doesn't exist every time the game launches. Any input on this @GM Tahquitz?

Might I suggest updating the name to include "Solved" and the platform (Linux?) for those using the search function.

Yeah, categories will be nice. I wonder how the new launcher will work though?

Assumptions: Screws, thermal paste, and other consumables are already included Room temperature is controlled (68F~76F) Monitor(s) are separate from the build Motherboard/RAM/CPU clearances are fine Compatibility has been tested (feel free to tell me something's not actually compatible >.<) Reviews were partially ignored Software not included in builds (OS, etc) Build Concepts: New, everything must be new for future proofing Intel platform (because I've not research in ages and it's easier for me to understand) Known brands are a must (it's easy to save money and cry later) Assume a gaming focus, but leave enough room for general use Include performance breathing room on core components when under load Dual HDMI displays Stick to the "No less than a Quad Core" personal motto Utilize the new M.2 tech Room to grow Stay under @GM Tahquitz's $700 mark (pre-tax) 😛 General Comments: Originally, I wanted to start with an i5 for performance, but there was no way I was going to fit one And have a new chipset in this price range. I intentionally kept the price in the lower 30% when looking, but that was skewed by the Known Brand clause. I could have gotten away with 8Gb of RAM, but TBH I think 16Gb is best for a gaming focused device. That and the price difference wasn't worth it. I decided early on to choose a motherboard with the new M.2s I've been reading about and was shocked when that Didn't break the bank on either board or storage. Mind you, IDK what the actual performance of these is, so there may have been a sacrifice, but I doubt it'd be any less than a standard SATA3 SSD. I didn't do any power calculations, so I switched from a 500W to a 750W just in case (GPU says 300+). I wanted to max out the Fan capacity, but I'm minus one with the multi-pack. I wasn't sure if I should have a higher inlet air or exhaust, but figured the extra exhaust was worth it. Build: $679.72

I vaguely feel this to be accurate, but it's been so long since i2.

I mean, if it Had worked, then it certainly would change everything we know about the game!

A couple of thoughts: 1) I'm not sure it matters, but I'd put the install into something like D:\Games\COH as Win10 is VERY protective of system folders; 2) You mentioned that the files were getting removed upon trying to run them, I came across this and it was my AV even when I white-listed a folder. I forget exactly what I had to do, but I had to dive pretty deep in the AV settings and I 'think' disable the realtime scan or white list that specific file (something in that realm). I recall it taking a lot of looking into online and it wasn't CoH related, but the situation mirrors that description;

I'm not sure there is as (AFAIK) they simply reuse existing maps and have (as you stated) known glitches that likely require a dev to understand what's broken and fix in the specific mission in the game.

That is NOT where the maps should end up. Using your example, all maps should end up in the D:\Games\Tequila\data folder by telling the installer to install to D:\Games\Tequila folder and then directing the second file to extract to the D:\Games\Tequila\data folder.

Just pointing out that when asked nicely, they'll rename the group for you. I wouldn't be asking too often though as it may be a one-time thing.

Have fun and remember to sleep once in a while. :D

@Number Six, False Alarm, I only have (multiple variants of) 3.11, XP, 7, 8.1, and 10. ;/ I DO have a fix I made for the (sidebar) weather gadget breaking every XX hours, but it's a manual thing.

I'm pretty sure I have an ISO for that, but not sure how well it'll run native on this hardware. I can probably share it if desired. Hell, I likely have Win3.11 if you REALLY want too. :D

*slides cookies* ORL?

There better be cake this time!

The dirty version: Yes, you can simply copy the root Tequila folder or if you have say \Games\CoH\Tequila and only CoH is inside Games, then yes, you can copy those as is. What happens next? You'll want to revalidate your files with Tequila after running the app just in case. To make your life Easier, then you also may want to change the path of your original Tequila shortcut as well. There will be some possible after affects like the registry did have a few entries made during the original installation. I believe it's under NCSOFT(?), but there is a mention somewhere in the troubleshooting threads (try the install thread). I've actually simply drag/dropped the game folder from one machine to another and besides resolution differences (stored in the registry), nothing noticeable when launching the game. The clean version: Use the installation guides to find the registry entries affected and delete them, then follow the guide from scratch. Make SURE you do something like C:\Games\CoH\Tequila or something Other than the default user folder or Anything that Windows controls like the Download, Documents, etc or you can easily have problems. That should be standard practice for games anyway as it makes them WAY easier to move/backup/etc.

Ah, haven't made it to that part of my List yet. :/

New mod idea, Individual Sound manager!

PK, might I suggest a gatoraide now as you've spilled out a lot of P(h) here and might become dehydrated.

Stupid question, but what do the templates look like? I'm assuming they're like equations that spit out charts.