XeNTaX

Bugtest wrote:The good news is that I'm able to uncompress the data.
The less good news is that I still don't know what is the original algorithm.
So how we can implement the decompression in your program?
It requires at least an external dll containing the ripped code.
If for you is too much problematic I can write a stand-alone extractor.

Yes, I think you are a wonderful addition to our team! Together, we can bring in a lot of knowledge into our project.

Watto's suggestion is right. I have enabled plugins to be created for MexCom, these are either ActiveX DLLs (see thread here: viewtopic.php?t=1388)

or, better still, DLL's that work with Rahly's Plugin Manager for MexCom. Rahly is the one that can help you about the functions the DLL must provide to be able to communicate to the manager. You can read all about the process here. viewtopic.php?t=852

Rahly and I still have to check wether the latest manager works ok with the lates MexCom, and then I will do a release of MexCom with Rahly's new mananger. After that, anyone could create Rahly's Plugins to talk to MexCom.

Well, for the moment I have created the stand-alone unpacker and have updated the thread.
Anyway this format is used by ALL the games developed by 49Games: http://www.49games.de so I think we must update the wiki too, let me know.
Sorry for the dll but I have preferred the fastest way for me eh eh eh (I'm a lazy boy!)

[quote="Mr.Mouse
Yes, I think you are a wonderful addition to our team! Together, we can bring in a lot of knowledge into our project. [/quote]

no doubt!!
if only i had so much knowledges


@Bugtest:I'm amazed all the work,toolz done on your site!!

Just posting an update re: games that use Starforce protection. These are the games I have found thus far, but I havn't looked at all the archives from these games yet to see whether the archives are themselves protected.
That is all so far.

WATTO
watto@watto.org
http://www.watto.org

Also, while I am here, I am going to suggest another game that uses compression, for which I know there are many people wanting support. The games are the Madden NRL series (mostly 2004/2005). The structure of the archive is easy enough - you can find that on the wiki - the problem just lies in the compression of the files. If anyone could help out with this game, I know it would be benificial - I am constantly recieving emails from people wanting support for these games

WATTO
watto@watto.org
http://www.watto.org

Prince of persia : the two thrones is another starforce game.

OK Excellent

I have set up a page on the Wiki that lists all the compression/encryption archives - check it out at http://wiki.xentax.com/index.php/List_O ... ssed_Games . It is a bit easier than trying to keep an updated list on the forums, and makes it easy to see which games have unknown compression types (for those people who want something to do )

WATTO
watto@watto.org
http://www.watto.org

Cool!

I would also like to add

Mercedes Benz World Racing
Mercedes Benz Truck Racing

SYN files to the list. The resources are compressed.

See for examples:

viewtopic.php?t=1637

I have seen the new section in the wiki and it is really excellent 8-)
Having all the "strange" compression/encryption algorithms collected and documented in one page is really useful.

I have found only one problem while I wanted to add the .tntfolder and some other formats to the page, in short after having hitted the "Login" button it has reached the 412 Precondition Failed page... now I don't know if is a casuality but this error happens with any other wiki page.
Sorry if I have not surfed too much the forum lately but I was a bit busy.

About the Mercedes Benz files, have you understood what type of compression is used?

No, I haven't. So I added it here, to be investigated. Hopefully we can figure out this method.

Offtopic: Did you have a good Christmas? I had!

Bugtest wrote:About the Mercedes Benz files, have you understood what type of compression is used?

Have you guys noticed this:
FF "TRUEVISI"
FF "ON-XFILE"

Seems similar to KOF pak files (where FF indicates next 8 bytes are to be copied etc..) ..no?

Yeah I noticed that - and I agree that it is probably some kind of RLE-based data compression algorithm - they are pretty common in games because they are pretty simple, don't need much memory, and can be customised well depending on the type of data that is being compressed.

A good example of this type of algorithm is used for The Sims 2 and Simcity 4 - these games store 20 different languages for each item used in the game, but often they aren't translated into all the different languages. Therefore, there are multiple duplicates of the English translation, which can be shrunk down to practically nothing by an RLE-like method that points to the first english translation and tell it to copy the whole thing.

I am not sure exactly how the method for this game works, but I imagine it would be something similar. Thanks for helping.

WATTO
watto@watto.org
http://www.watto.org

Thanks guys I knew that you me you will help

Watto , Mike

I'm just throwing an idea out here, perhaps we should add a 'Compression/Encryption' section to the individual format pages, to be used for specific methods if applicable...? It would be more work, but would make the Wiki that much more complete and useful.