Wrath of the Demon - 4 disk crack / trainer possible?

[mai]

Again,
Wrath of the Demon 4-Disk and Trainer, often requested > never created!
Maybe its just impossible or it is not worth the efforts.
Meanwhile i think its an unwritten rule in this forum to not to create such version, because there is a contract between a specific person, and some members, who would have the knowlwedge to create such version!

[ross]

Originally Posted by mai

Meanwhile i think its an unwritten rule in this forum to not to create such version, because there is a contract between a specific person, and some members, who would have the knowlwedge to create such version!

Yes, is a damn Reptilian conspiracy...


Now seriously.
Game use long tracks. Precisely 768 bytes more net data on every track ($1900 vs $1600).
For a potential grand total of 768x160 = 122880 bytes more, on every disk, compared to ADF.

Then non so simple to recreate a cracked/trained full version in 4 disks.
It is certainly not said that it is impossible, indeed it would be a nice attempt and a challenge.
But it is something to ponderate about because surely it would require a time not too small.. and you can fail in the attempt.


To be honest I have looked only at the loader and not at whether all the tracks are used or the type of compressor or how the data are organized so it could also be doable.

[mai]

...as expected, another refusal.

[Methanoid]

Originally Posted by mai

...as expected, another refusal.

No idea where you got that idea from. Comes across as rather rude IMHO

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 using Tapatalk

[ross]

Originally Posted by mai

...as expected, another refusal.

Nah.. simply you have to wait a slowdown of the earth's rotation on its axis.
In that case I would definitely have time for WotD.

---

In any case, I quickly looked at the code. A bit disorganized but simple enough to follow.
There is no table of files, but the load takes place in free positions on the tracks (there is a subdivision into four macro-sectors/track, used however exclusively in order to not slow down loading).
This is even worse for standard ADF loader that normally use sectors as base division (can have some loss of usable space every end of 'virtual' file).
Anyway fortunately I can adapt my 'free position' loader. It would only be really annoying to manually calculate all the positions (in 4 disks ..) because of lack of the aforementioned table.
Another problem is memory. The game uses completely the base 512KB. So embedding the new code could be complicated (an offline patch can be excluded).

Originally Posted by Methanoid

No idea where you got that idea from. Comes across as rather rude IMHO

You right, but I have no desire for controversy so I let it go

[ross]

I've no idea if is a know fact for WotD.
There is a PAL check in boot routine but with wrong parameter passed on main code (a stupid mistake on D0 saving).
EDIT: confirmed, the received value is never right, not even by chance, on PAL machines

This makes the intro tune sound at wrong tempo!
Maybe you are used to it, but probably unintentionally it has always been heard in the wrong way.
Please, test the Disk1 eADF in the Zone! that i've uploaded.

What do you think?

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by ross

I've no idea if is a know fact for WotD.
There is a PAL check in boot routine but with wrong parameter passed on main code (a stupid mistake on D0 saving).
EDIT: confirmed, the received value is never right, not even by chance, on PAL machines

This makes the intro tune sound at wrong tempo!
Maybe you are used to it, but probably unintentionally it has always been heard in the wrong way.
Please, test the Disk1 eADF in the Zone! that i've uploaded.

What do you think?

Fixed WotD music sounds much better, nice find & fix

When you listen to the original music, it actually does sound like it needs to be played faster!

[ross]

I have now all the raw data extracted.
I created some support tools and I got stressed manually extracting sparse data...
(for some reason, even it's a 'free position' loader, there is occasionally some gap around with random data or not compressed at all).
Game contain 64 'virtual files'.

The original compressor is quite weak so it is possible that a 4-disc version will see the light (I have not done extensive compression tests so for now it's just a guess).
But it will be a long journey...


PS: malko, don't scold me

[Viceroy]

Originally Posted by Methanoid

No idea where you got that idea from. Comes across as rather rude IMHO

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 using Tapatalk

I agree with you ;-(

[Galahad/FLT]

Originally Posted by ross

I have now all the raw data extracted.
I created some support tools and I got stressed manually extracting sparse data...
(for some reason, even it's a 'free position' loader, there is occasionally some gap around with random data or not compressed at all).
Game contain 64 'virtual files'.

The original compressor is quite weak so it is possible that a 4-disc version will see the light (I have not done extensive compression tests so for now it's just a guess).
But it will be a long journey...


PS: malko, don't scold me

I would quickly archive them with something similar to what you might use to repack the files with just to determine if there is much of a saving in file sizes.

[ross]

Originally Posted by Galahad/FLT

I would quickly archive them with something similar to what you might use to repack the files with just to determine if there is much of a saving in file sizes.

Done.
All repacked files fit properly in relative (of normal ADF size) floppy.

[malko]

Originally Posted by ross

[...] PS: malko, don't scold me

Me... to scold you ?
I'm already thinking about punishment, in fact

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by ross

I've no idea if is a know fact for WotD.
There is a PAL check in boot routine but with wrong parameter passed on main code (a stupid mistake on D0 saving).
EDIT: confirmed, the received value is never right, not even by chance, on PAL machines

This makes the intro tune sound at wrong tempo!
Maybe you are used to it, but probably unintentionally it has always been heard in the wrong way.
Please, test the Disk1 eADF in the Zone! that i've uploaded.

What do you think?

Wow big difference; and with your fix it's much better

...this intro tune always reminded me of Shadow Of The Beast; funny that considering it's by the same musician i.e. David Whittaker

BTW; I've also given this topic it's own thread and so moved all posts out of the Cracked games missing stuff... one.

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by mai

Meanwhile i think its an unwritten rule in this forum to not to create such version, because there is a contract between a specific person, and some members, who would have the knowlwedge to create such version!

mai; I'd love you to explain this comment further... what do you mean exactly?

[mai]

Originally Posted by DamienD

mai; I'd love you to explain this comment further... what do you mean exactly?

This is the right question!
I try to make long story short.

Originally Posted by mai

Meanwhile i think its an unwritten rule in this forum to not to create such version, because there is a contract between a specific person, and some members, who would have the knowlwedge to create such version!

I was just kidding, but there is a story behind:
There is a specific person in this forum (known as good coder/cracker), maybe he gives himself to recognize later.
My original request is more tan 10 years old. I had some chat with this person via private messages.
He told me that he has already created a 4-Disk version with some space for a trainer, but at that time he has not made a proper trainer, so no release until now.
Years ago friendship is broken for various reasons, so cant ask him again.

Meanwhile some potential coders/crackers have joined, so
i thought its time to request again in public forum to prevent to wait another 10 years!

[ross]

Meanwhile some potential coders/crackers have joined, so
i thought its time to request again in public forum to prevent to wait another 10 years!

And do you think you can motivate someone with this sentence?:

Originally Posted by mai

...as expected, another refusal.

It's a pretty weird way ...
In any case, I will pretend that I have not read and continue on my way.
I tend if possible to be kind and to joke, so ok, all fine

Originally Posted by mai

There is a specific person in this forum (known as good coder/cracker), maybe he gives himself to recognize later.
My original request is more tan 10 years old. I had some chat with this person via private messages.
He told me that he has already created a 4-Disk version with some space for a trainer, but at that time he has not made a proper trainer, so no release until now.
Years ago friendship is broken for various reasons, so cant ask him again.

I don't want to know what you're talking about and in any case it's not relevant to this new thread.

Now I know for sure that it is possible to create a 4 disk version (i'm already removing the checksums on variuos files, phew .. so many ..) so I really think that what your ex-friend told you is very true.
There is also space for a cracktro and trainer (that is not too simple..).

And the fact that something is not released after 10 years (even if practically complete) does not surprise me at all.
You can't imagine how many new versions of crack or new patched games (also partially) lie on my hard disk (and some forum users have those versions ..).
Or intro. Or tools. Or snippets for future routines. Or simply written ideas.
Something is simply missing to make them definitive release (sense of perfectionism?, laziness?, loss of interest? .. there are so many reasons).

This is a hobby, something to maintain active the mind and meanwhile have fun.
And it's very nice to receive praise from other users for the work done (a very great and the only reward).
Aware of being part of the same community where we all have the same (insane ) passion.

Going back to WotD.
At this point I will carry to the end this work, but I will take the time it takes (I hope not 10 years, but I want to think of being free to put as much time I want, so I don't exclude it )

Cheers!

[Methanoid]

Thanks Ross. Some of us here do appreciate the work of you and others to fix these things

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 using Tapatalk

[mai]

Originally Posted by ross

And do you think you can motivate someone with this sentence?:

It's a pretty weird way ...

yeah, sometimes i say bad things, i do not pay attention of personal sensitivities, however do not call it rude or offensive!

Originally Posted by ross

At this point I will carry to the end this work, but I will take the time it takes (I hope not 10 years, but I want to think of being free to put as much time I want, so I don't exclude it )

...wish you much success , just do it not for me, but for the nice guys in this forum.

[ross]

Originally Posted by mai

...wish you much success , just do it not for me, but for the nice guys in this forum.

.. and instead I do it for you too, I can't let you have to wait any longer

[Viceroy]

You are very talented man Ross ;-)