The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Wed, 01 February 2006 23:33 |
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For any of you out there that have information on the byte structure of a galaxy (.xy) file I'd like you to share your knowledge with me. I want to write a new tool to use with /create galaxy files.
Ptolemy
[Updated on: Wed, 01 February 2006 23:34]
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Re: The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Thu, 02 February 2006 00:34 |
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Thanks LEit, I'll dl a copy. One of the things Im curious about is the wormholes. It would be nice to be able to pre-define them.
Ptolemy
[Updated on: Thu, 02 February 2006 00:34]
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Re: The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Thu, 02 February 2006 00:49 |
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I suspect the wormholes are in the hst file, not the xy (the xy doesn't change from turn to turn, unlike wormholes.)
I always *assumed* the xy was just planet names and locations (I'd be shocked if it contains anything else, as pretty much everything else are variables (even base hab values vary during the game))
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Re: The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Thu, 02 February 2006 00:53 |
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hmmm - good point. Anybody haave any info on the .hst file structure?
Ptolemy
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Re: The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Thu, 02 February 2006 05:21 |
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wumpus | | | Messages: 114
Registered: September 2004 | |
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LeitW already covered most of it, but:
- Yes, the XY contains little more than the planet locations and names; more specifically, (going from memory here, so no 100% guarantees):
. Basic game parameters (which boxes were clicked in the "new game wizard"); these define stuff like the exact universe size too. The details of the various races are NOT in the XY file, only the HST and partially the M files.
. Game name
. Exact number of planets
. Coordinates and names of all planets
- The coordinates and planet name (identifiers) are unencrypted, the rest is encrypted.
- The encryption is non-trivial, and due to problems with the X file, still not going to be released. I've hit a wall on some of my cheat detection stuff which I'd need to get working before I considered releasing any of the encrypted-stuff code (aside from the fact that some code there, at least in my current versions, is from someone else whose permission I'd need to get first )
If you have specific needs, email me or send me a forum-private-message, and I'll see if I can help.
The HST file is certainly editable (encrypted too ofc, I've got details on most of the underlying data structures), but making stuff like permanent wormholes at fixed locations is probably not possible, since the EXE has the rules on how wormhole stability decays and how they wobble and jump etc.
Michael "Wumpus" Zinn
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Re: The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Mon, 06 February 2006 07:08 |
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OK - explain how to edit the .hst and I'll see what works / doesn't work with the corect .exe.
Ptolemy
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Re: The galaxy file - bits and bytes |
Mon, 06 February 2006 22:50 |
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Thanks PricklyPea,
It does indeed make sense to me. I'll see what I can do with it.
Ptolemy
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