Author Topic: Mini Games Patcher - BETA release  (Read 42190 times)

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« on: 2005-09-08 16:57:26 »
This is a BETA release - use it only if you're brave enough.

It's a patch which adds a Frame-Limiter to Highway/Snowboard MiniGame and fixes a bug with Snowboard MiniGame crashing occasionally.

Confirmed to work with:
 - Version 1.00 ENG PC original ff7.exe
 - Version 1.02 ENG PC original ff7.exe

It has been written to be as flexible as possible. Apply it AFTER any other patches (Chocobo/HighRes/Music...).

Usage (important - read it):
 - copy the patcher to your main ff7 folder
 - make sure, that file ff7.exe exists in that folder :P
 - run patch (if all went fine, file "patched_ff7.exe" should appear in that folder)
 - copy your "old" ff7.exe into some safe place
 - rename the newly created file to "ff7.exe"
 - try and run the game

If something went wrong while patching, error message should appear... It's usually self-explanatory (like: Patch failed :P).

Patch itself is a command-line tool. There are few switches which could be used when running it:
Code: [Select]
-debug [0/1]
-errors [0/1]
-in [input_file_name]
-out [output_file_name]
-hijack [Hex digit]


Example:
Code: [Select]
-debug 1 -errors 0 -in old_ff7.exe -out ff7.exe -hijack A
Explanation:
 - Debug mode will be turned on (default off) displaying info when patching executable.
 - ErrorDisplaying mode will be turned off (default on) no error messages would appear.
 - File to patch: old_ff7.exe (default ff7.exe)
 - Output file: ff7.exe (default patched_ff7.exe)
 - Variables to hijack: 0x0A (default 9)

What is a "-hijack" switch? The patch uses three variables, which must be static-ones. It will search for the variables to use and "hijack" them. More info soon (I hope...).

Download link:
patcher

This is a BETA release - use it only if you're brave enough.

Post your problems here.

dziugo

Kinseek

  • *
  • Posts: 48
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #1 on: 2005-09-08 17:48:48 »
Just tested it; and it seemingly works perfectly. I have the high-res patch, reunions patch and the music patch installed and this one didn`t mess with those. Thumbs UP!

Now if only I could get sparkles in hardware mode in the bike game...

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #2 on: 2005-09-08 17:55:11 »
Quote from: Kinseek
Now if only I could get sparkles in hardware mode in the bike game...
Right know I'll more into D2 than FF7... but who knows... Also, it would be easier having the PSX version of FF7 (maybe I'll buy some, soon...).

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #3 on: 2005-09-28 21:52:15 »
Update&Bump-post:

Added frame-cap switch for both minigames (Snowboard & Highway). Use it to set specific framerate (useful if those minigames are too slow now).
Code: [Select]
-frhigh hex_variable
-frsnow hex_variable
Remember, that it's the hex value, not the decimal one!

Example:
Code: [Select]
patcher -frhigh 3C -frsnow 1EIt will change the default framecap for highway minigame from 0x19 (25.0FPS) to 0x3C (60.0FPS), and the snowboard's to 0x1E (30.0FPS).

Do not patch the same file twice.

dziugo

----------
Edit:
Another minor update:

Added switch:
Code: [Select]
-nopauseOnce used, the "Press any key to continue..." at the end of patching procedure won't appear.

(once again) dziugo

EmperorSteele

  • *
  • Posts: 933
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #4 on: 2005-10-17 06:52:55 »
I tried it out, and noticed that it made ff7music lag like ffin crazy, so, this patch and that mod are rather incompatable.

[edit] actually, now ff7music is just acting slow by itself, w/out this patch applied to the exe.  wtf =(

Alse, now the bike race is a bit TOO slow: Cloud doesn't respond very timely to my button-mashing =P

Anyway to maybe bump up the fps limit a little, and maybe fix incompatability with other mods?

Also, how/where do i insert these code lines?  All it said was "hit any key to patch"  or do i gotta go and use windows key : run, and add comments after D:/games/ff7/patch.exe -blah ?

edit: i also dont know hex for crap.  what would 45 fps be, like 0x2C?

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #5 on: 2005-10-17 12:08:10 »
Quote from: EmperorSteele
Anyway to maybe bump up the fps limit a little, and maybe fix incompatability with other mods?
Just tell me which one is incombatible with this patch.
Quote from: EmperorSteele
Also, how/where do i insert these code lines. All it said was "hit any key to patch"  or do i gotta go and use windows key : run, and add comments after D:/games/ff7/patch.exe -blah ?
Yup, that's how it works, you have to add some "blah" to configure it :P.
Quote from: EmperorSteele
edit: i also dont know hex for crap.  what would 45 fps be, like 0x2C?
45 <=> 0x2D. Use calc.exe (Windows Calculator) to convert those numbers.

There was only a little feedback and no1 complained about those hex numbers... me lazy. me don't want to do things that could be useless. me correct this if me had some free time...

dziugo

EmperorSteele

  • *
  • Posts: 933
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #6 on: 2005-10-17 23:28:17 »
Ok, so i was close on the hex number =)

As for the incompatability thing, i was just talking out of my arse: I've found that ff7 music was actually to blame for its slowdown, so, me = sorry =(

I havn't tried this with the high-res patch yet, but seeing as the high-res patch also effects the exe, can this program still patch it w/out any odd side effects?

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #7 on: 2005-10-18 07:47:00 »
Quote from: EmperorSteele
I havn't tried this with the high-res patch yet, but seeing as the high-res patch also effects the exe, can this program still patch it w/out any odd side effects?
Hmm... it should work.

dziugo

EmperorSteele

  • *
  • Posts: 933
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #8 on: 2005-10-19 10:21:35 »
Okay, got this thing working great, and have the bike and snowboard games go at optimal speeds =)

Any way to apply this to the whole game, and slow down the battleswril and slots (Battle arena status and Tifa/cait sith limits)?

Also, whats the "hijack variable" option do?  Or is that more "over my head" kinda shizzit? =P

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #9 on: 2005-10-19 12:54:13 »
Quote from: EmperorSteele
Any way to apply this to the whole game, and slow down the battleswril and slots (Battle arena status and Tifa/cait sith limits)?
There is such a problem? :P I started to play FF7 again on my new PC, but didn't even get past the second bombing mission (helping others & writing some unnecessary programs takes some time). If I have some time, I'll look into it. Also... I'd have to think of another (and as "cool" as the present one) name for my patcher, since those aren't MiniGames :roll:.
Quote from: EmperorSteele
Also, whats the "hijack variable" option do?  Or is that more "over my head" kinda shizzit? =P
(I think) it's explained here but dunno if anyone can read that text fully understanding it (that's because of me, not you :)). Basically, using that switch you can tell my patcher to use another memory address to store necessary variables.

dziugo

EmperorSteele

  • *
  • Posts: 933
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #10 on: 2005-10-20 04:42:20 »
Well, on my system, the battle swirl doesn't even exist, it seems.  It's litterally like "Blink and you'll miss it".  The slots don't go horribly fast, but probably faster than they should; i know that cpu/gpu speed affects them, as i've seen them go slower on slower systems =)

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #11 on: 2005-11-02 21:18:49 »
Update:

Fixed a bug which caused crashing when using CaitSith "Slots" Limit. Crash occured only when using HiRes patch by TheSaiNt, but it was fully mgp's fault (bad, bad program :P).

Thanks go to Coheed for reporting this bug.


Also:

Removed "switches":
Code: [Select]
-frhigh val
-frsnow val

Added "switches":
Code: [Select]
-hexfrhigh hexadecimal
-decfrhigh decimal
-hexfrsnow hexadecimal
-decfrsnow decimal
The first one sets the frame-rate for Highway minigame and expects a hexadecimal immediate. The second one does exactly the same... Hmm... Oh wait... It expects a decimal immediate, not the hexadecimal one... The third and fourth change the frame-rate for Snowboard minigame.

If it was useful, you can thank EmperorSteele...

dziugo

EmperorSteele

  • *
  • Posts: 933
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #12 on: 2005-11-03 05:59:54 »
Thanks, Empero-

Er, wait.

haha.  Good work, dude =)

Starlith

  • *
  • Posts: 21
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #13 on: 2005-11-03 06:17:41 »
umm.. doesn't VSync do the same thing as this?
Because I enable VSync and the battle swirl and everything is perfect timing.

Borde

  • *
  • Posts: 891
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #14 on: 2005-11-03 07:18:29 »
V-sync won't help you with the high-way minigame nor for the snowboarding one.

Coheed

  • *
  • Posts: 28
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #15 on: 2005-11-03 11:28:47 »
YAY ME, I mean thanks for fixing that crash on Cait Sith's Slots, dziugo. :P

cvieor

  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #16 on: 2005-11-03 20:24:57 »
doesn't really work with hardware mode, had to turn vsync on.

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #17 on: 2005-11-03 21:33:47 »
Quote from: cvieor
doesn't really work with hardware mode, had to turn vsync on.
Are you sure you installed it properly?

cvieor

  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #18 on: 2005-11-03 22:13:32 »
well it worked in software mode. i ran the exe file and it created the patched exe.

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #19 on: 2005-11-03 22:28:52 »
Quote from: cvieor
well it worked in software mode. i ran the exe file and it created the patched exe.
If it looks like it doesn't work in hardware mode, then it's not working in software mode either. That's because it's the same piece of code which is patched. Something must've gone wrong while applying the patch...

Any chances that I could get your debug info?
Code: [Select]
patch.exe -debug 1 > debug.txt

dziugo

cvieor

  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #20 on: 2005-11-03 22:52:43 »
how do i get the debug to work?

EmperorSteele

  • *
  • Posts: 933
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #21 on: 2005-11-04 04:18:41 »
I think these people aren't using this right.

STEP ONE: Put the patch.exe in your ff7 directory

STEP TWO hit START, RUN, and browse to your ff7 directory and select patch.exe.  When you do this, you can add the comments (like -decfrhigh 45  [to make the bike mini game go at 45 fps]).

STEP THREE.  A command window will pop up and say "Press any key to continue".  So, press ANY key on your keyboard (I dont think thats where you peeps are going wrong though).  The comamnd indow will clsoe itself.

Now, here;s where things may be throwing people off.

Go to your ff7 directory, and rename ff7.exe into something like ff7exe.bak, and find "Patched_ff7.exe" and remove "patched_" from it.  The "patched' version is now your main ff7 executable.

This works with the high res patch, and ff7music, so, there shouldnt be any other problems.

cvieor

  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #22 on: 2005-11-04 06:09:32 »
i did that the first time  :( i can't get the debug text file to create itself. oh, can could it hurt if i accidently patched it twice  :D  thanks!

hay

  • *
  • Posts: 211
  • If I had a buggy, I'd cross the southern desert
    • View Profile
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #23 on: 2005-11-04 11:48:00 »
damn people! read those tuts.
...I haven't read them and been step before complaining about this patch ;].
What are default fps that you've set? Cause it working fine for me ;]. And bike chase had a little dynamics... As i remember it was damn slow and boring on my old pc ;]

Hail dziugo! Savior of Fast PC's!

dziugo

  • *
  • Posts: 1470
    • View Profile
    • A new copy of FF7 thanks to Salk. Pack (zip/rar/etc) your saved game before sending it to me.
Mini Games Patcher - BETA release
« Reply #24 on: 2005-11-04 12:14:57 »
To get debug data:
Open your Start Menu, choose "Run". Launch patcher using this line:
Code: [Select]
C:\Program Files\Final Fantasy VII\patch.exe -debug 1 -nopause > C:\debug.txtNew file should appear (C:\debug.txt) and that's the debug data.

Quote from: hay
What are default fps that you've set?
If I remember correctly, it's 25.0 (Hex: 0x19)
Quote from: hay
Hail dziugo! Savior of Fast PC's!
So fast doesn't mean better, right? Heh... that reminds me of some old joke... Windows 9004 was released. On modern PCs it's so fast, that a user must push PrintScreen to read results of the running program.

dziugo