DarkBlizz

VERIFIED:  This launcher modifies the source map file permanently.


I tested this by using an unmodified, no ai added map to start.  I used this launcher to load it up with some AI's and so forth.  Then I quit the game.  The datestamp on the map had changed, and when I loaded the map directly with Lazy Launcher, there were AI's present, where normally an empty map such as this would do the "Victory!" thing immediately.


I'm very happy to see that someone got teaming up working.. but you can't change the source maps.  Other launchers do it by taking the source map, making the changes required, and then saving a temporary map file which is used to launch. They leave the original files untouched.

Woah! This version seems to allow teaming properly!  I tried it with myself with an AI ally and the game came up and I could see his base and see him building. 


However, I think this launcher physically alters the source map file permanently, as opposed to creating a new "temp" map to launch from, as the others do?

I found a work around, at least using Zoxc's launcher.


His creates the map file in the "Files" subfolder of his main software folder.


I setup a match the way I wanted (races, colors, map, AI etc).  Then launched.
Then Quit the game when it started.
Then I took the file "Map.s2ma", from the SC2Launcher2.2.1\Files sub folder, and I copy and pasted it to the battle.net\cache folder.
Then I used Lazy Launcher directly to launch the game, choosing the map from the cache subfolder.


The replay of this game worked.  A lot to go through each time, but for those of us that want to do it, I thought I'd pass the info along. Using this method, you could use the launcher as a tool to create the scenarios you want in terms of map, players, AI, etc, and then give them a unique name in the cache folder, and launch them from there.

Some brainstorming on IRC lead to some revelations about how all this works, that may be helpful to making these launchers even better.


In order to view any replay, the map you played on must have originated from somewhere in the cache\ subfolders.  Lazy Launcher needs to load the map from there for the later replay to work.


The 00\11 stuff people have said before was unnecessary.  The map files can go anywhere inside the cache\ subfolders. No renaming required.  

I've tested myself by doing the following:


1)  copied all my original 14, unmodified map files to the cache\00 folder (I put them there to just keep them separate from the others, anywhere works. The root of the cache folder, a new subfolder completely.. anwhere, just under the cache\ folder).
2)  launched Lazy Launch 2, and pointed to one of those maps, in those cache folders.
3)  Game came up, got "victory" because it's unmodified without AI's.  Fooled around a bit, and then quit game.
4)  Loaded replay with LazyLaunch 2, and it worked and played properly.


Now the problem is, most of these launchers take the original map file, and make a new, temporary map file that is used.  They recompile it or whatever and add in the AI starting locations, and in some cases, the AI code.  Then they save it somewhere, and launch Lazy Launcher using that temp map file.  Then when you are done it deletes this temp map file.


Possible solutions for replays:


1)  Have this temporary file be created somewhere IN the cache sub-folders, with a unique name (so it's not overwritten each time by the next one).  And leave it behind when game is finished.  Then a replay via Lazy Launcher is possible. However, over time, this would mean more and more unique maps filling your cache folders.


2)  Another solution would be for the launchers to be coded to handle for this.  Create the temp map file, in the proper location (under cache\ somewhere).  Launch it from there with Lazy Launcher.  And delete it afterwards.   But add functionality to the launcher to play replays.  And have it RE-CREATE that temporary map file, as needed, depending on the replay in question, somehere in the cache.  Not sure if this is fully feasible and how much work it would be, but it would mean not leaving tons of maps behind every time you play. Having the launcher be dynamic to create and delete temporary map files, as needed.


1) is the quick easy solution that tech savvy people can deal with.  2) is more ideal for the average user, but would take more coding.
I hope to have helped.

Quote from: briantheman on March 07, 2010, 04:17:29 AM
i still can't view my own replays against computer, it says unable to load map.
i tried moving the official maps into the cache and loaded up and got the victory screen.
then i loaded that replay and it worked, but when i loaded one where i played against ai 6.0 it said unable to load map.


can anybody help?

As I said, maps need to be sourced in, and launched from the cache folders to play replays.


The problem is, these launchers take the map, and recompile it with the AI changes and AI players added in, and then saves it somewhere, and launches it from there with Lazy Launch.


If it creates that temporary map file in the cache folders, it would work for replays. However, you'd need to have unique filenames each time to avoid overwriting previous maps.  This would mean that you're cache folder would quickly start to swell with new maps, at 1-2mb a piece, with each game.  So I'm not sure if there is a practical solution.

Actually, I'm not 100% sure now after all.  The way these work by modifying and resaving the map file would mean a different, new source file for the replay.  It would have to be saved in the cache folders, and launched from there, and left behind with a unique name I suspect.


Oh well, just trying to help.  I'll watch the progress...

Actually, I'm not 100% sure now after all.  The way these work by modifying and resaving the map file would mean a different, new source file for the replay.  It would have to be saved in the cache folders, and launched from there, and left behind with a unique name I suspect.


Oh well, just trying to help.  I'll watch the progress...


EDIT: The problem is, these launchers take the map, and recompile it with the AI changes and AI players added in, and then saves it somewhere, and launches it from there with Lazy Launch.


If it creates that temporary map file in the cache folders, it would work for replays. However, you'd need to have unique filenames each time to avoid overwriting previous maps.  This would mean that you're cache folder would quickly start to swell with new maps, at 1-2mb a piece, with each game.  So I'm not sure if there is a practical solution.


(sorry for double posting this in the two different launcher threads, trying to help solve this problem, if possible, and both launchers are nearly perfect, in except for their ability to play replays)

A small change to the way this works would make it possible to play replays.


In order for replays to load without "UNABLE TO OPEN MAP", you need to have launched the map from in the cache subfolders.


If it was possible to change the source directory for maps, it could be easily fixed.  You could then put the maps into the cache\ subfolders, and point the launcher to there.  Then when you've finished, you can load the replay with Lazy Launcher, and it should replay.


EDIT: I have tested this and I can confirm.  I put the official maps into the cache folders. I created a subfolder for them called "zz" to put it at the bottom.  Anything would have worked though.  Then I launched one of the maps, from there, via LazyLauncher v2.  It did the whole "victory" thing because it was an unmodified map. But I fooled about for a minute or two, then quit.  I then loaded the replay via lazy launcher and it did play successfully.  So simply having an ability to choose the source folder would give replay ability.

ok, I stand partially corrected by someone on IRC.


For replays to work, the only requirement is that the maps are stored somewhere in the cache directories, and launched FROM THERE by lazy launcher.


So you can have them anywhere in the cache\ subfolders you wish.  All that would be needed for this and usmc's launcher would be to allow you to select that as your map folder, rather than these defaults.  Then you could load the replays successfully.  


No renaming required.


EDIT: I have tested this and I can confirm.  I put the official maps into the cache folders. I created a subfolder for them called "zz" to put it at the bottom.  Anything would have worked though.  Then I launched one of the maps, from there, via LazyLauncher v2.  It did the whole "victory" thing because it was an unmodified map. But I fooled about for a minute or two, then quit.  I then loaded the replay via lazy launcher and it did play successfully.  So simply having an ability to choose the source folder would give replay ability.

The 14 official beta maps, updated as of 3-6-10, in their long filename format.  (the launcher recognizes them in this name format)


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZTC2JUZP

Quote from: Bt on March 07, 2010, 03:10:21 AMEDIT: Dunno what the status is on replays but who wants to watch themselves play against a computer opponent anyway, lol

Sometimes you have a big FFA game and it's nice to be able to go back and see what was going on with the other players during your downtimes.  You'll be playing and suddenly see "GG" from one computer, so you know another one took it out.. you may want to watch it to see how it went down.


It's not a huge deal.. but it's also not a huge deal to implement. From my experience, as long as the map is in cache\00\11 and has 0011 at the front of the name, and you launch the map from that folder with LazyLaunch, you can then watch the replay.

It also makes more sense to launch them from there.  That is how the game works officially. Maps are stored in the cache folders, and loaded from there.


EDIT: As my own contribution, I have taken the time to put together the official 14 maps, updated as of 3/6/10, in their full, long filename format. I'll post again when it's uploaded.

Quote from: Kernel64 on March 07, 2010, 02:26:28 AM
How do I view replays? I get the map not found thing when viewing a replay of a game played through this.

Is it possible to change the map directory to the cache\00\11?

Yes, if we could have the option of choosing the maps folder, this would allow playing of replays.  You need the map in 00\11\ with 0011 at the front of each name, and launch them from that location with LazyLauncher, in order to be able to play the replay back.
If we can change the folder, that would be enough to make it work I think.