26 February 2017, 07:24 | #1 |
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FlashBack missing dialog bug
Back when I was working on my release of the English version of this game, I came across a missing dialog bug on all the Amiga versions.
It occurs during the animation in Level 5 where Conrad is looking down at the aliens in the air vent. The frame of dialog before the bug is: Then the missing dialog occurs: From memory, there are slightly garbed artifacts onscreen from the missing text. The respective language text (e.g., engcine.txt) for all 3 languages, contain the missing text, but yet none of the versions will show it. I believe cine/espions.cmp contains the code for displaying the text. Unfortunately, my schedule became increasingly busy and I no longer had the time to investigate this further. Next thing I knew, seven years had passed since my discovery. Curious if anyone could figure out how to fix this bug? I also now wonder if bugged espions.cmp can be replaced from another platform? |
28 February 2017, 11:39 | #2 |
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Seems the cine bytecode is missing an 'update all' opcode during that sequence - it processes the text correctly and at the correct time, just doesn't display it.
I verified against two ipf sets (1163 and 1885) and the error is present in both. The cine bytecode is compressed on disk (and checksummed), so this is not a rip or crack artifact - it's an issue that has always been present as far as I can tell. Fix: It's tricky to insert the correct opcode as the bytecode stream is quite tight - but there is room to do a shuffle without lengthening the stream Code:
Original sequence: ..., 'update_prims', 'string_id 0x3a', 'clear 0x04', ... It should have been: ..., 'update_prims', 'string_id 0x3a', 'update_all', 'clear 0x04', ... Shuffle fix is: ..., 'string_id 0x3a', 'update_all', 'clear 0x04', ... In the meantime, if you want to see the cine as it was intended... Code:
Freeze at the start of the sequence... find the following: 00 18 00 3A 04 04 replace with: 18 00 3A 14 04 04 ...and continue. |
28 February 2017, 14:35 | #3 |
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I'd simply patch it "on the fly" similar to how trainers work. That way reversing the compression algorithm to write a custom compressor for the byte code data is not necessary at all.
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28 February 2017, 19:23 | #4 | |
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So, although it's much more work, i figure I'll change the source cine file and then everyone has it for whichever version they have chosen to run I've been away from amiga for close to 25 years and never dealt with amiga HDs before, so I still have to wrap my head around 'whdload' (what it is and now to use it) - but that sounds like it would likely be the most 'complete' version to add this to. |
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28 February 2017, 19:57 | #5 | ||||
move.l #$c0ff33,throat
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Btw, which .cmp file is it that needs to be fixed? I've decrunched all of them but couldn't find the sequence you've posted. Quote:
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28 February 2017, 21:08 | #6 | |
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The bug is in all the official releases, not a residue from a crack. I checked against all SPS images that I had. I can't remember if I had checked against the German version, but I most likely did. I made a deprotected version of the UK release (not the English translated Interpol patch). I'll dig that out. It should be on the EAB FTP as I put it there years ago. |
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28 February 2017, 21:58 | #7 | ||
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Happy to help, these are fun distractions (I wish they were easier to find).
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I wrote a cmp decompressor to help with analysis of the bytecode language. So I was/am familiar with the alg used (another lz variant), just have to do the inverse when I get some time. No issues doing so - it's all part of the fun for me - but more than happy for you/others to on-the-fly patch |
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28 February 2017, 22:07 | #8 | |
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Flashback was done by JOTD and it doesn't include the sources but he is active here and I am sure he will be happy to share the source with you, as he now shares sources to his work frequently. |
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28 February 2017, 22:18 | #9 | ||||
move.l #$c0ff33,throat
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I may code my on the fly patch too as I have the code completely in my mind already, I "just" need to type and test it. Quote:
I release all of my patches with full sources (in some rare cases it happened that I forgot to add the source but that was not intentional). Last edited by StingRay; 28 February 2017 at 22:25. |
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28 February 2017, 22:32 | #10 |
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Thanks for the info and clarifications guys! I certainly wasn't meaning to cause offence - whdload & slaves sound awesome. I've been back for two weeks and am still playing catch up with the last 20 odd years of amiga. Some things are beyond words cool (winuae and, for me, fs-uae), some things are super pleasant (zomg ipf = love), and some things are just crazy to me (dubious trademark/copyright claims on things that should, in a sane world, be public domain by now). Proprietary 'slaves' kind of got bundled up with that in my head - just seemed so at odds with goals as you said. Happy to hear that seems to be changing.
Me: I'm still getting reaquainted with my virtual A500. One day I'll upgrade to an A1200, or even an A4000, and also learn the ways of AGA and whdload. In the meantime it's ipfs and MFM fun for me |
28 February 2017, 22:38 | #11 |
move.l #$c0ff33,throat
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None taken at all!
Looks like you'll be having a lot of fun. Just like the rest of us. |
28 February 2017, 22:51 | #12 | |
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Well, I can answer that one when it comes to the disk version I spent quite a lot of time back in 2006 trying to find the best version to use (which wasn't translated and also has no protection); see this thread: Fixing Flashback versions.. Ongoing.. Anyway, please patch this version (which was copied from the .IPFs --> .ADFs and has been 100% tested)
To access The Zone! follow these instructions. |
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28 February 2017, 23:48 | #13 |
move.l #$c0ff33,throat
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I have made a quick patch which is completely untested! It should work with the SPS 1163 version of Flashback. Feel free to test it, if it works I'll adapt it to support all other known Flashback versions too.
To use use it just copy it to the flashback directory on your HD (or to disk 1 if you're playing from disk) and change the startup-sequence to run the patch instead of the "Flashback" executable. |
01 March 2017, 00:18 | #14 |
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01 March 2017, 00:42 | #15 | |
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...but the .IPFs --> .ADFs that I'm sure all the English community use is made from "SPS 1885" (as it has no protection i.e. the "Delphine Collection" release). Anyway, when I get some time I will test applying your fix to this set. |
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01 March 2017, 01:42 | #16 |
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Terrific! I'll test against my deprotected version as I made it from SPS 1163.
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01 March 2017, 11:00 | #17 | |
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The reason why I didn't release a patched version as I'm curious if another solution will be presented. I also didn't feel play testing the entire game to see if the patch will cause problem elsewhere. Plus, the intro should be updated. I won't mentioned the member's name who would be very tempted to add the patch to my version, modify the startup-sequence, and will probably result with an alternative image in TOSEC at some point. However, his initials are DamienD. |
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01 March 2017, 11:03 | #18 |
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...I'm done testing Flashback versions. Well, at least for now |
01 March 2017, 11:11 | #19 | |
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I also had checked against all the available cracks. From memory all were from the French version with translated text. Update: I just looked at IPF 0064 (DE) and the error is in there as well. Last edited by demoniac; 01 March 2017 at 11:24. |
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01 March 2017, 18:11 | #20 | |
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