Pacific General executable patches

[AndO3131]

I've succesfully decompiled Pacific General executable. If there are people interested in my findings, I've put all the files on dropbox.

Latest executable can be found here. Full changelog for this executable is here. Some of the features it introduces:

1. Increased number of files accessible in campaign play to 48
2. Possibility to create scenarios with up to 400 map names
3. AI controlled forts WILL fire at naval units
4. Access to ingame map editor in /hondarules mode
5. Fixed prestige bug that occurs when campaign progress is saved after current scenario is completed
6. Battle Honors for core units in campaign saved and displayed in goto unit screen

[Radoye]

This is most interesting, thank you. Might be just what i need to get back into PacGen

[AndO3131]

One more thing worth mentioning - documentation of various file formats for Pacific General.

Contains some loose thoughts about possible changes and documents PACEQUIP.EQP, TFONT1.DAT and SVG (savegame) file formats.

[HexCode]

I've successfully decompiled Pacific General's executable ... Latest executable ...

Did you just hex-edit the executable ? Alternatively, did you recompile the executable ?

[AndO3131]

Just hexedited the executable, but in the process I've been able to identify some functions and variables. If you have IDA Freeware Version 5.0, you can check Pacific General executable database I've created in the process.

[HexCode]

Is this a long-term project during which successive waves of additional, technical discoveries will be made and publicly communicated, including further hex-editing of the executable ?

[AndO3131]

It's a hobby project, so no promises

If I discover something new, I'll put it on dropbox.

[gdemetrios20]

One question

How does all of this work?

[AndO3131]

You download latest executable from dropbox and run it. If it doesn't run, you will need armory 4.71 data updated.zip and unpack it to data folder in pacific general installation folder (MAKE BACKUP FIRST).

[Bruceleeroy2021]

That is amazing.

I look forward to finishing the resolution changes from like 15 years ago, lol.

What tools did you use to decompile the .exe?

[AndO3131]

I've used IDA Freeware Version 5.0 (you can find it on the internet).

Database is available on dropbox.

IDA can also be used to mark breakpoints and run executable, but at the time I've used olly debugger.

Also, nice to meet you I've found your mod and also tried to include some parts of it.

[B29]

Good Lord, man, where were you in 2004 when there was still a PacGen community and we desperately needed these fixes!

I haven't been able to play in ten years since I moved to Windows 10. It'll load up but when it takes a plane almost ten seconds to fly across the screen, it's over. Anything you can do to make it run smoothly with more advanced modern graphics cards and displays would be appreciated.

[AndO3131]

To run it on modern computer I used ddraw wrapper. This version worked.

I've read this program can also work, but I haven't tried it myself ddrawcompat.

[B29]

Thanks but that link goes to a beta program called DxWnd, not "ddraw wrapper", or is the latter a generic term?

[Radoye]

I think DxWnd is the wrapper he's referring to. This is a tool used to run older fullscreen apps in windowed mode, which helps sometimes with older games that refuse to run on modern OS's

[AndO3131]

Just like both of you said - I've used ddraw wrapper as generic term.

Recently, I've learned more about code injection. It's possible to rewrite those code alterations and prepare a dll library, that will include almost all of those changes. Only changes to the executable would be memory management stuff.

[zertzax]

snipt]

Hi all

I found your site and dropbox information but when i try to run different pacgen exe files I get error messages missing mss32.dll or smackw32.dll. I tried the #8,31o, #13, and #14 of the exe and none seem to want to work. Am I doing something wrong? Or is there a bug?

I used to play 12+ yearsv ago mbut I can not get the regular gameb to work on my windows 11 laptop.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[zertzax]

So it seems I am an idiot. I had thought the files in the dropbox were installers but they are just replacements to the pacgen exe start file. I have een enjoying the game and I would like to thank and03131memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=202 for sharing his work with us. I really appreciate being able to play this classic again.

[AndO3131]

Glad you enjoy it. Lately pacific general appeared on steam, so I thought about remaking those changes into injected dll library (where possible). It would require a lot of work, tho.

[zertzax]

It is also available at gog.com. It might be the same version. thanks again for all your had work updating files and supporting this oldie but goodie.