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June 10th, 2012Why OpenIV have no support for console version of games
After OpenIV 1.0 with Max Payne 3 supports was released, some people have a question, why OpenIV is not supported consoles version, but in .black they are open fine. In this message I want to explain this situation.
So, historically Rockstar release their games on consoles before PC, and some games are released only on consoles (Red Dead Redemption, for example). But we need to know about changes was made in RAGE, so we need to research it too. Because of it we were able to release Max Payne 3 support so fast. But we never had point to make public tools for console versions. Here we have some reason for it:
- Consoles are not for modding. Honestly, you must take this. To make some mod’s in console version of game, you must to do too many things, like:
- Hack the console. (not good thing you know)
- Burn the disc, or transfer modded files to console is some other way.
Beside of this you need to know about many limitations. Like file size, file count and file system structure, etc.
But, you will say: “Okay, no need modding get to us only viewing things.” But here we have second reason:
- Some illegal actions. For example, to open any of GTA IV or Max Payne3 archive OpenIV must to know encryption key. This key can’t be included inside OpenIV; on PC we easy solve this problem, just read the key from game EXE file. With console versions we can’t do the same thing, because consoles executable is encrypted itself. Next problem is algorithms. Here are no normal algorithms in common access for working with console resources, so we need to use some of it from consoles SDK, in this case we just can’t release tools to the public.
This here is the third reason:
- Consoles resources are much more complicated then PC once, this is because of consoles hardware. To make a proper support of it we need to spend a must more time and efforts. But here is not so must count of people who really need this support. Our resources are limited, so it is best we spend it to make some amazing features for community.
I hope now you are understood. OpenIV have no support of console versions of game by some reason (the big is illegal, I think).
June 10th, 2012 at 17:16
In other words, it ain’t worth it, since it’s just not the right thing for us to fool around with console resouces when modding it on PC is a lot simpler and less frustrating.
June 11th, 2012 at 09:28
Don’t agree this is just excuse to not make console support. Same rules are apply on console modding as on PC, no different at all.
June 11th, 2012 at 09:43
On PC you no need “hack the hardware”, you even no need to crack the game. So this is big difference.
June 11th, 2012 at 10:10
what you mean illegal actions? everything i do in modding is illegal actions.
It’s like you’re saying stop modding. beside that it’s not my problem that Rockstar didn’t release PC version for RDR
There’s only one solution. Release the .black on the modding forums and act like you hacked goodntc’s computer and you stole the .black
no one will know 😉
June 11th, 2012 at 16:33
So, listen. I will not release anything. This is my project, so I decide to not support consoles in any cases.
June 12th, 2012 at 00:43
but they know how to open and view the console version of games.. You open in the video xbox360 game version. How did you find xbox360 encryption key if it is encrypted?
June 12th, 2012 at 00:46
mandel99 you can decrypt xbox .xex file with xextool and then find the key)
June 12th, 2012 at 09:33
This is what i was suggesting you on Xentax — just release it and let ppl do the rest with the key. Please mate really reconsider this…
June 13th, 2012 at 02:32
Please accept that console modding is unn-acceptable. There are far too many risks to be taken from NTS’s side so i feel him on this one…
June 16th, 2012 at 06:28
I can understand good nts and as he said its his own project but as you know good, most of people had ps3 and or xbox, even me, i bought rockstar games on ps3 and on PC, i got both, but how it would be cool to mod consoles, when i play gta iv on ps3 then i play on pc, i want to burn my ps3 because i know that RG didnt optimize the game… Whatever, modding or not, there’s console’s hackers and most of them dont care about modding they just wanna free games, may be you could help those who wanna make tools, but without choices, i will modd only my pc…
Good job NTS 😉
June 16th, 2012 at 12:17
Guys Ive used xextool to remove all checks from the eflc .xex
its been signed to devkit, and will only work on devkit/Jtag/RGH
so far Ive managed to run custom skins that dont require the carrols.dat and vehicles.IDE to be changed. I opened the vehicles.img using openIV with a combo of the 1.1.2 EFLC.exe and managed to edit it without a problem.
Link is removed.
July 1st, 2012 at 08:24
good for you, no one cares. can’t wait for max payne 3 import option…FOR PC.
July 20th, 2012 at 20:36
How can i open the *.dds-files.
It looks like encryptet. The prewview can not show it, and all image tools that i tested too.
August 19th, 2012 at 22:53
Personally i see no greater or lesser moralistic attitude when it comes to modding either on the PC or Console platform.I know it’s much easier by far on the PC but on Xbox 360 it’s a greater challenge which makes it all the more rewarding,many people do both and OpenIV is a leader on that front..albeit on a basic level for Xbox 360.
Obviously the the developer of the software has a right to decide what he will and will not do but a measure of a good coder is taking up the challenge no matter how great to reach the pinnacle when it comes to circumnavigating the contraints applied for prevention rather than making statements that may just be hiding an inabillity to be able to do so, and maybe implying there is some kind of moral compass influencing the decision not to do so.
If you mod there is no moral compass to follow..that is understood from the word go with no illusion. By not embracing the reality that a massive population of modding does indeed take place for the console platforms is like saying one can mod on the PC platform with ease and clear conscience, whilst doing so on an Xbox 360 platform this cannot be the case…that is absolute shite. It’s done on the consoles and done very well indeed with a myriad of tools but of course we know it’s childs play on the PC.
October 13th, 2012 at 01:50
it has nothing to do with morality, it has to do with stupid people who don’t understand how consoles are designed to be CLOSED code-wise. They’re not like PCs where modding is virtually free. There’s so much restrictions and in the end all console modders want todo is their stupid translations. It simply is not practical or technical feasible to mod on consoles. It’s not discrimination, it’s morons who don’t understand what they bought. Next time try a PC, stupid.
December 10th, 2012 at 02:01
Personally i think “Good-Nts” has worked very hard on his software and without him, no Modifiying files on GTA would happen. I think Moddding should stick to PC so people can go play on there console and get a break from the hole modding seen as i feel modders use mods to much to there benefit which ruin’s games. So everyone pipe down and be thankfull for what software you do have rather than what you don’t. Thanks
March 21st, 2013 at 04:43
i hate to pester like all the other dullards, but rather than release .black how about releasing documentation about what you have discovered thus far, because you are right .black is your baby and you have the right to do what you want with it, but if you were to make information public it might spur people on in their research of rage and thus progress everyone’s knowledge of it, including your own of which you could then put into .black and openiv (if you choose to), this idea benefits everyone and it allows you to share more of your work risk free
this all of course is your choice, best of luck with .black and if you decide to share your knowledge then thank you and definitely thank you for openiv
May 12th, 2013 at 14:50
It would be great to convert Red Dead Redemption to PC with this but too bad that they don’t want to release it.
June 5th, 2013 at 01:09
Chasez, Do you have any idea how much sh*t GoodNts would be in if he did convert RDR to PC and release it. The amount of copyright infringement would result in heavy lawsuits by Rockstars lawyers