Asking for Star Wars - Empire At War .meg support

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:04 pm

Hello

I humbly ask if someone among you talented people might be kind enough to look into the possibility of supporting the .meg format of the Star Wars Empire At War game.

The .meg format seems to be the main archive format for all major parts of the game (textures, models, sound etc) and the file attached contains two of the smaller sized .meg files I found in the demo (i.e. they are in their original full size).

The full demo is available for download at FragZone, FileFront, 3Dgamers, FilePlanet and GameDaily (beware - 742 Mb size).

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank's in advance and thank's for a great program.

Cheers

N

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:13 pm

Hi again

One more of the smallest .meg files from the demo (also in it's original full size).

Cheers

N

Post by **Mr.Mouse** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:19 pm

Thanks, sorry about the no reply bit, it's not that we don't want to look, we prolly just didn't have time to respond.

Will take a look at those!

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:30 pm

Thank you!

Much appreciated.

N

Post by **Mr.Mouse** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:18 pm

Okay, I created a MexCom script for ya.

Scroll down for the BMS file. You should add this to your MRF file using the Add BMS to MRF option. Then you can also replace files in the .MEG archives. Enjoy!

Code: Select all

ImpType Standard
Get FN Long 0
Get FN Long 0
SavePos FNS 0 
For T = 1 to FN
Get NS Int 0
GetDString FName NS 0
Next T
SavePos FIS 0
For T = 1 To FN
GoTo FNS 0 
Get NS Int 0
GetDString FName NS 0
SavePos FNS 0
GoTo FIS 0
Get U1 Long 0
Get U2 Long 0
SavePos FSO 0
Get FS Long 0
SavePos FOO 0
Get FO Long 0
Get U3 Long 0
SavePos FIS 0
Log FName FO FS FOO FSO
Next T

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:29 am

Holy Underwear Batman! That was fast...thank's a million I really appreciate this a lot.

Will try it out at once. Thank you!!!

N

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:28 am

Hi again

Extraction works great (thank's again), tried it out on the wav and the mp3 files and they sound great.

One small detail I noticed though is that the filenames seem to be mixed up (i.e. the wrong names on the wrong files). However, that's only a minor cosmetical issue I guess...otherwise it seems to work just fine.

Thank's again!

Cheers

N

Post by **Mr.Mouse** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:01 am

NinjaMuffin wrote:Hi again

Extraction works great (thank's again), tried it out on the wav and the mp3 files and they sound great.

One small detail I noticed though is that the filenames seem to be mixed up (i.e. the wrong names on the wrong files). However, that's only a minor cosmetical issue I guess...otherwise it seems to work just fine.

Thank's again!

Cheers

N

Okay, well that's one small detail we don't want. I realize the sound file is too big to send, but how about using the Filecutter (Click the link in my signature to the Game Request rules) for the first (and last part) of the sound file? We gotta fix this

.

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:53 pm

Hello again

First of all, thank you for your efforts mate!

After I made the above posts I remembered I do actually have access to a small place to put them (sorry bout that). You can find one of the soundeffects .meg's (in it's full original size) EDIT: file removed. The names of the soundfiles within the .meg archive are pretty clear and self-describing.

Thank's again

Cheers

N

Post by **Mr.Mouse** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:56 pm

Okay, this should get the filenames in the correct order. Takes a little longer to process though, as it's a dirty rotten trick.

Code: Select all

ImpType Standard ;
Get FN Long 0 ;
Get FN Long 0 ;
SavePos FNS 0 ;
For T = 1 To FN ;
Get NS Int 0 ;
GetDString FName NS 0 ;
Next T ;
SavePos FIS 0 ;
For T = 1 To FN ;
GoTo FIS 0 ;
Get U1 Long 0 ;
Get U2 Long 0 ;
SavePos FSO 0 ;
Get FS Long 0 ;
SavePos FOO 0 ;
Get FO Long 0 ;
Get ResNum Long 0 ;
SavePos FIS 0 ;
GoTo FNS 0 ;
Set R Long 0 ;
Do ;
Get NS Int 0 ;
GetDString FName NS 0 ;
Math R += 1 ;
While R < ResNum ;
Log FName FO FS FOO FSO ;
Next T ;

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:41 pm

I really appreciate you taking your time to do this mate.

That's why I feel kinda hesitant to say that I think the problem still remains (at least to a certain degree). However, as you said that this needs to be fixed, I feel obligated to report any possible problems...so I'll continue to do that until you say otherwise if it's ok with you.

Using the new bsm you posted and opening the SFX2D_Non_Localized.meg seem to get some names right, however it seems some are still wrong.

It's easier to notice maybe when opening the Music.meg of the game. I managed to catch on the fly from Filecutter (prolly not as intended, but still) what I think are 2 files of the Music.meg (head & tail).

Here are some of my findings based on what I can see in the Music.meg file depending on what version of your bms I use...

1st bms version (list of content in order as displayed my MexCom browser):

ADVANCE_ON_THE_CITY.MP3
AOTC_AMBUSH_ON_CORUSCANT.MP3
BATTLE_PENDING_1.MP3
BEGINNING_THE_APPROACH.MP3
CREDITS_2A.MP3
CREDITS_EP3.MP3
E_ATTACK_OF_THE_SANDPEOPLE.MP3
E_DEN_OF_THE_RANCOR.MP3
E_THE_GUNGANS_RETREAT.MP3
E_WOOKIEE_PRISONER.MP3
EMPIRE_AT_WAR.MP3
EMPIRE_LOSE_1.MP3
ESB_THE_IMPERIAL_PROBE.MP3
IMPERIAL_ATTACK_1.MP3
IMPERIAL_CRUISER_PURSUIT.MP3
IMPERIAL_MARCH.MP3
IMPERIAL_MARCH_EDIT.MP3
R_FOREST_AMBUSH.MP3
R_SAIL_BARGE_ASSAULT.MP3
R_THE_BATTLE_RAGES_ON.MP3
R_THE_DUNE_SEA_OF_TATOOINE.MP3
REBEL_LOSE_1.MP3
REBEL_VICTORY.MP3
ROTJ_ALLIANCE_ASSEMBLY.MP3
ROTJ_APPROACHING_THE_DEATH_STAR.MP3
TIE_FIGHTER_ATTACK.MP3 <------------------ missing when using 2nd bms (see below)

Note: Names mismatch

2nd bms version (list of content in order as displayed my MexCom browser):

R_THE_DUNE_SEA_OF_TATOOINE.MP3
EMPIRE_LOSE_1.MP3
REBEL_VICTORY.MP3
BATTLE_PENDING_1.MP3
IMPERIAL_CRUISER_PURSUIT.MP3
AOTC_AMBUSH_ON_CORUSCANT.MP3
ESB_THE_IMPERIAL_PROBE.MP3
E_WOOKIEE_PRISONER.MP3
EMPIRE_AT_WAR.MP3
IMPERIAL_MARCH.MP3
R_FOREST_AMBUSH.MP3
E_THE_GUNGANS_RETREAT.MP3
IMPERIAL_MARCH_EDIT.MP3
R_THE_BATTLE_RAGES_ON.MP3
REBEL_LOSE_1.MP3
ADVANCE_ON_THE_CITY.MP3 <--------------- duplicate
BEGINNING_THE_APPROACH.MP3
IMPERIAL_ATTACK_1.MP3
ROTJ_ALLIANCE_ASSEMBLY.MP3
CREDITS_2A.MP3
E_DEN_OF_THE_RANCOR.MP3
E_ATTACK_OF_THE_SANDPEOPLE.MP3
ROTJ_APPROACHING_THE_DEATH_STAR.MP3
CREDITS_EP3.MP3
R_SAIL_BARGE_ASSAULT.MP3
ADVANCE_ON_THE_CITY.MP3 <--------------- duplicate

Note: Names mismatch and "TIE_FIGHTER_ATTACK.MP3" missing due to duplicate of "ADVANCE_ON_THE_CITY.MP3"

Sorry for the long text, but just in case this info is of some help to you I figured I'll just go ahead and post it.

You can download the Filecutter files (hope they work) I got from the Music.meg here.

Cheers

N

Post by **Mr.Mouse** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:13 pm

Thanks, your help is much appreciated, so we cansolve this problem. You did right to send those files. All that happens after it is that both files are zipped up and the originals deleted.

I will take a look at them soon.

[EDIT]Looked at them.

Code: Select all

ImpType Standard
Get FN Long 0
Get FN Long 0
SavePos FNS 0
For T = 1 To FN
Get NS Int 0
GetDString FName NS 0
Next T
SavePos FIS 0
For T = 1 To FN
GoTo FIS 0
Get U1 Long 0
Get U2 Long 0
SavePos FSO 0
Get FS Long 0
SavePos FOO 0
Get FO Long 0
Get ResNum Long 0
SavePos FIS 0
GoTo FNS 0
Set R Long 0
Math ResNum += 1
Do
Get NS Int 0
GetDString FName NS 0
Math R += 1
While R < ResNum
Log FName FO FS FOO FSO
Next T

This is what I get now (you can save the Table of Contents from the File menu):

Code: Select all

MultiEx Commander Table of Contents
-----------------------------------
D:\Code\Mexres\Star Wars - Empire At War\Music_MEG_head_&_tail\head.bin
Number of resources: 26
TOC Created on: 1/21/2006 at 12:11:01 AM
-----------------------------------
Filename	Type	Size	Offset
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\TIE_FIGHTER_ATTACK.MP3	MP3	2325316	1612
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\ESB_THE_IMPERIAL_PROBE.MP3	MP3	8451971	2326928
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\ROTJ_ALLIANCE_ASSEMBLY.MP3	MP3	4189623	10778899
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\BEGINNING_THE_APPROACH.MP3	MP3	3798622	14968522
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\IMPERIAL_MARCH.MP3	MP3	4339670	18767144
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\BATTLE_PENDING_1.MP3	MP3	605623	23106814
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\E_ATTACK_OF_THE_SANDPEOPLE.MP3	MP3	2364813	23712437
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\IMPERIAL_ATTACK_1.MP3	MP3	1536627	26077250
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\EMPIRE_LOSE_1.MP3	MP3	251238	27613877
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\IMPERIAL_MARCH_EDIT.MP3	MP3	1708408	27865115
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\R_SAIL_BARGE_ASSAULT.MP3	MP3	6441169	29573523
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\E_WOOKIEE_PRISONER.MP3	MP3	2084571	36014692
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\REBEL_LOSE_1.MP3	MP3	445127	38099263
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\R_THE_DUNE_SEA_OF_TATOOINE.MP3	MP3	1374877	38544390
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\REBEL_VICTORY.MP3	MP3	2000562	39919267
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\ADVANCE_ON_THE_CITY.MP3	MP3	4996075	41919829
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\CREDITS_2A.MP3	MP3	4091402	46915904
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\IMPERIAL_CRUISER_PURSUIT.MP3	MP3	2282057	51007306
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\ROTJ_APPROACHING_THE_DEATH_STAR.MP3	MP3	8076643	53289363
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\CREDITS_EP3.MP3	MP3	9167099	61366006
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\E_THE_GUNGANS_RETREAT.MP3	MP3	3319014	70533105
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\E_DEN_OF_THE_RANCOR.MP3	MP3	5072562	73852119
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\R_FOREST_AMBUSH.MP3	MP3	1614367	78924681
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\EMPIRE_AT_WAR.MP3	MP3	3006171	80539048
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\R_THE_BATTLE_RAGES_ON.MP3	MP3	2860722	83545219
DATA\AUDIO\MUSIC\AOTC_AMBUSH_ON_CORUSCANT.MP3	MP3	4519811	86405941
-----------------------------------

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:05 am

Ok here's what I've done...

Music

It occurred to me that most of the mp3's seemed to be named by their original movie soundtrack title, so I auditioned each one and compared them to corresponding soundtrack name, making sure there was a match between name and sound.

There are however a few exceptions:

ADVANCE_ON_THE_CITY.MP3
BEGINNING_THE_APPROACH.MP3
EMPIRE_AT_WAR.MP3
REBEL_VICTORY.MP3

The mp3's above are obviously synth made music by someone other than John Williams.

BATTLE_PENDING_1.MP3
CREDITS_2A.MP3
CREDITS_EP3.MP3
EMPIRE_LOSE_1.MP3
REBEL_LOSE_1.MP3

The mp3's above are clearly original music and although I could not find a corresponding track name, the description and the style of music fit together.

The rest all have matching soundtrack names and sounds:

AOTC_AMBUSH_ON_CORUSCANT.MP3
E_ATTACK_OF_THE_SANDPEOPLE.MP3
E_DEN_OF_THE_RANCOR.MP3
E_THE_GUNGANS_RETREAT.MP3
E_WOOKIEE_PRISONER.MP3
ESB_THE_IMPERIAL_PROBE.MP3
IMPERIAL_ATTACK_1.MP3
IMPERIAL_CRUISER_PURSUIT.MP3
IMPERIAL_MARCH.MP3
IMPERIAL_MARCH_EDIT.MP3
R_FOREST_AMBUSH.MP3
R_SAIL_BARGE_ASSAULT.MP3
R_THE_BATTLE_RAGES_ON.MP3
R_THE_DUNE_SEA_OF_TATOOINE.MP3
ROTJ_ALLIANCE_ASSEMBLY.MP3
ROTJ_APPROACHING_THE_DEATH_STAR.MP3
TIE_FIGHTER_ATTACK.MP3

Soundeffects

I'm not going to list them here as there are a total of 940 soundeffects. What I did however, was audition them one by one and checking whether the description seemed to fit the sound.

From checking all the soundeffects this way I could not find a single one that seemed to be out of place or inconsistent (in terms of name/sound) in any way.

Voice

There is an archive in the game called SFX2D_English.MEG which most likely contains in-game voice messages. However, the archive (just over 200 MB in size) seems to contain so many files that when trying to open it in MexCon it becomes busy at "MultiEx ActiveX DLL - Retreiving Archive Contents" dialogue for several minutes and eventually this error message pops up:

"Error: Mex Empty list file"

Pressing "OK" at this point seems to freeze up the program with no option but to terminate it completely.

I'm guessing this is not due to the .meg format itself, but to do with the large amount of files in the archive. Nevertheless, in case you'd want to check it out you can get a Filecutter file of it here.

Conclusion

I think it's pretty safe to say that your third version seems to have eliminated the problems of mismatching names...at least as far as I can tell.

Although one cannot be 100% certain about some of the music, the odds of there being a mismatch among so many verifiable files are slim to say the least...and although the soundeffects have been judged by ear, the consistency of names and categories is IMHO just too accurate to allow for any mismatch as well.

Looks like you did a great job...your perseverance is truly appreciated and can't really think of anything else to say but...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! This is friggin excellent!!!

N

Post by **Mr.Mouse** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:59 pm

Hmm, it's because the script uses a lame but necessary trick to get the right filenames why it takes so darn long. There are thousands of filenames in there apparently. I will see if I can find a solution. For now, it works with the other files, I suppose.

NinjaMuffin · Post by **NinjaMuffin** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:24 pm

Mr.Mouse wrote:There are thousands of filenames in there apparently.

4765 of them to be exact. One can still preview/extract them using the first version of your meg script. The names will be scrambled, but you can still do something with them.

Yes, personally I'm as convinced as I can possibly be (within my limited field of knowledge) that your 3rd version has sorted out the name-mismatch problem. Excellent job!

Thank's again for your great work on this...it's greatly appreciated.

Cheers

N

XeNTaX

XeNTaX

Asking for Star Wars - Empire At War .meg support

Asking for Star Wars - Empire At War .meg support