Hey guys Ive got a few questions about the HCCE db structure Bundy said you might be able to help me with.

 

1. The commondb.res and commondb.rsr: Are these the database files that are used for any game, and that I can edit with the pfbuild2002.mdb?

 

2. How do I create Battlesets? For example suppose I want to allow Alfa boats in the GIUK battleset, can I edit something? or make my own battleset? Where is the data defining what units can appear in which battlesets? I couldnt find it in the commondb.

 

Thanks for any help you can give.

Hey guys Ive got a few questions about the HCCE db structure Bundy said you might be able to help me with.

 

1. The commondb.res and commondb.rsr:  Are these the database files that are used for any game, and that I can edit with the pfbuild2002.mdb?

 

Short answer, yes. But Tony would be able to tell more about these files and their functions.

 

2. How do I create Battlesets?  For example suppose I want to allow Alfa boats in the GIUK battleset, can I edit something? or make my own battleset? Where is the data defining what units can appear in which battlesets?  I couldnt find it in the commondb. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

You can't create battlesets as such. HCCE is (or will be) issued with a limited number of battlesets (GIUK, Mediterranean, etc), but any of the units in the DB can be used in any of the battlesets. Btw, what the heck is a Bundy ?

You can't create battlesets as such. HCCE is (or will be) issued with a limited number of battlesets (GIUK, Mediterranean, etc), but any of the units in the DB can be used in any of the battlesets.

 

OK thats what I was wondering. The GIUK battleset doesnt include the Alfa, Delta l and ll, Whiskey, and others. Or rather when Im trying to create a scenario with the GIUK battleset I dont have the option of including one of those units.

So if you can include any unit in any battleset please someone explain how thats done because Im at a loss to understand it.

1. The commondb.res and commondb.rsr:  Are these the database files that are used for any game, and that I can edit with the pfbuild2002.mdb?

 

commondb.res holds platform characteristics, airplane names, speeds, ship info, etc.

commondb.rsr holds plaform photos, animations, etc.

 

However, commondb.res and commondb.rsr only apply to the four EC2003 battlesets and the WestPac battleset. When you import with pfBuild2002.mdb it extracts the information from commondb.res and puts it into whatever .mdb file pfBuild2002.mdb points to, by default pfData2002.mdb.

 

2. How do I create Battlesets?  For example suppose I want to allow Alfa boats in the GIUK battleset, can I edit something? or make my own battleset? Where is the data defining what units can appear in which battlesets?  I couldnt find it in the commondb.

 

Lots of questions there

 

Users cannot create battlesets for HCCE, well, unless you were really really good at figuring out data structures and meanings. Suffice it to say Bret McKee made WestPac and that was the first battleset since EC2000 to be created.

 

Now, as for that Alfa boat, again, commondb.res supplies the platforms for EC2003 and WestPac. Your changes to commondb.res will not affect the EC2000, HDS1,2,3, or original battlesets. There are no user tools for making changes to those earlier battlesets.

 

The piece of linking information you may be looking for is that the platform database for EC2003 and WestPac (again commondb.res and commondb.rsr) is separate from the scenarios, battleset maps, etc. In the prior battlesets, the platform database is actually part of the battleset file. So GUIK.RES holds not only the scenarios and battleset description but also the platform information (database). GIUK.RSR contains not only the map graphics but the photos/drawings for the units in the GIUK battleset.

 

 

When HCGold entered development there were discussions (sometimes heated) about somehow allowing changes to the platforms in the pre-EC2003 battlesets. The final consensus was that the effort would concentrate on going forward rather than bringing those change abilities into prior battlesets. This saved a tremendous amount of time and testing. What clinched the deal was the hope that users would step forward and recreate the previous battlesets' scenarios for the EC2003 battlesets, giving in the end much more flexibility. Sadly those efforts didn't go very far.

 

Feel free to keep asking for more clarification if you don't understand what I'm trying to say . Also pressure AGSI to give your local HarpGamer admins the ability to continue HC development

Tony, for that excellant, informative reply...you my friend will receive a Christmas card!

Thank You

 

OK My only remaining question is Matrix is going to release this at retail soon, and will it have multiplayer?