mrliioadin
Senior Squad
Some of you know what we're up to here but others may not. This is a coming together of many different patchmakers to try to slowly progressively build a series of EXE patches that will include many many more leagues. The goal here is to get these leagues working cooperatively within Manager Mode to incorporate the rest of the world into the FIFA game and attempt to truly globalize its content.
Let me go over some things:
1) Where will the leagues come from?
Two sources, the first and most actively sought is from regular patchmakers who choose to share their work with us. The second is from supplemental patchmakers like me who will build simple versions of leagues with minimal graphics. These patches are meant to be a "something is better than nothing" kind of patch giving future patchmakers a chance to pickup where we left off and make a great patch with half the work required.
2) Who is involved in making these patches?
So far, Myself, Scissorhands, complex1, billydonk, Drewsif and wwwescape are working on this. myx and Robert have offered us some advice here and there. As more join us I will try to include their names here.
3) What is included with each league?
A basic table style league with the top performers advancing to a continental champions league. That champions league will lead into the world club championships. If the world club championships continue to give us problems we may need to adjust this format, but this is the idea. DOmestic cups may be added later but for now they may complicate the process.
4) Why are we doing this?
For years your options have been to use what FIFA sent you with MAYBE one other patch or play only friendlies/tournaments. Our goal is to give users many more options to play many different leagues (as well as recruit from them) from all over the world (not just the US)
5) When will we see releases?
Simply, when they are completed. I wish I could give you more than that but all of us have day jobs and school and other commitments. This is a side project meant to be open ended. It's not something you "finish" It's something you continue to work on.
6) How will the leagues be released?
In exe format with all previously added leagues included. For example, we started with the Qatari league... when you download that patch, the qatari league with all of the origional FIFA leagues will be included. Now we're working on South Africa. When South Africa is finished a patch will be released that includes ABSA Premier Soccer League (South Africa), Qatar Stars League and All origional FIFA leagues. Any supplimental leagues will hopefully be released in CMP format too.
7) What if a patchmaker doesn't consent to use a really popular league?
The league will be remade by a supplimental patch maker when possible. This league will not be as high of quality (in most cases). It is always preferred to have the best patchmakers consenting to share their work for the good of the community.
8) What kind of help do you need?
Supplimental Patch makers and people who like to work with rosters. As well, we really need someone with an extra computer who is willing to test the EXE patches. Meaning: Install FIFA, install our EXE, test. If it works, reinstall FIFA and test the next patch.
9) Do exe and cmp patches work together?
In theory, sort of yes. What you want to do is start with an EXE patch and import CMP patches later... But you still have to be careful when doing this because importing them incorrectly can crash your manager mode. Importing an EXE will most likely delete any previous edits you've done to your game.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Here's what we have so far:
CMP patches:
Qatar Stars League
ABSA Premier League
--------------------------------------------------------------
EXE Progressive Patches: These are progressive patches so Version 2 will include the league from Version 1. Version 7 would include all leagues from 1-6 including 7
Version 1 - Qatar Stars League
Version 2 - ABSA Premier League (South Africa)
Version 3 - Russian Premier League (DOWNLOAD GRAPHICS PATCH)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Instructions for adding a new league to the compilation patch:
1) Create or find a CMP version of the patch you want to install.
2) Install the latest version of the compilation patch (This means you will have exactly the same fifa.db as everyone else using the CP)
3) Open the New League CMP in CM 09's patch installer - BUT DO NOT INSTALL IT
4) Write down every object that is listed in red. ESPECIALLY PLAYERS. I group them by the team they are on and then list their names.
5) Close the patch installer (Without importing anything)
6) Use CM 09 to research every object that was written in red to find out why it was flagged as replace instead of create. With players you'll have a few occurances, here's what they are and what you should do with that player... YOU MUST TAKE GOOD NOTES HERE:
a - The player is on a national team - leave him as replace but "Uncheck" the box next to him
b - The player has the exact same name as another player - highlight the player and select "Create" to make him green
c - It's the right player but he's on the wrong team. - Uncheck the player, after you import the cmp patch, go back and transfer him to the correct team
d - You can't find the player - write down what team he is on in the cmp patch and look him up after you import it
The biggest thing is this: DON'T ALLOW 1 PLAYER TO BE ON TWO CLUB TEAMS EVER!
7) Open the CMP file again and make the changes that you need to as listed in stage 6
8) Import the CMP patch
9) If you have time you should scroll through each player and make sure they are all on only one club team. (this is very time consuming)
10) Go in the game and test it. Make sure all of the tournaments are working correctly and that the league isn't crashing. If there is a minor problem you can still release it. If it crashes, you need to start over. Test as many seasons as you can but 3 is generally the least you can get by with.
11) Create a new folder somewhere on your hard drive preferably C![:\](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/vb/fslash.gif ":\ :\")
ExeCreation
12) Inside this folder you have to recreate some of the file structure of FIFA 09. In ExeCreation create a folder called "FIFA 09" (the name has to be exact). Continue to create the folders listed below.
a - create a folder under FIFA 09 called "data" (CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data)
b - create 2 folders under data called "gui" and "cmn" (CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\gui), (CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn)
c - create a folder under cmn called "fe" (CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn\fe)
13) open your main FIFA directory (Probably CProgram Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09). We're going to Copy Paste some files from there to our "ExeCreation" section.
a - Under "data" copy "zdata_49.big" and "zdata_49.bh" (also if you have any zdatas after this one like 50+, copy those too... I don't think you will though) Paste it at CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data
b - under cmn copy "FIFA.db" (CProgram Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09\data\cmn\Fifa.db) and paste it at CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn
c - Under fe copy "eng.db" (CProgram Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09\data\eng.db) and paste it at CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn\fe
d - Under gui copy the assetCmn folder (CProgram Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09\data\gui\assetCmn) to CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\gui
14) Open install Creator.
15) When it asks you to select the directory that contains your files you select CExeCreation\FIFA 09 (make sure "include subfolders" is selected and click next)
16) The next 3 screens just ask you to name your patch, select the language (English) and some other very basic things. You can name it and just click next several times.
17) You'll see a text box in the next screen that lets you give your users some more information about the patch. Credits to other patch makers should probably go here as well as installation instructions like "If your FIFA game was not installed to the default location, you will need to select the correct location for installation"
18) Don't include anything in the license agreement section.
19) The next screen is the installation directory screen. Type CProgram Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09
20) Click next 4 times then FINISH
21) Tell it where you want to save the file at (on your hard drive), click save, and it will build! You're done!
Remember testing is key so hopefully we can find some people able and willing to test our patches. Also this process may be able to help us create backup files that can be installed and uninstalled easily.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
As a quick personal note... I'm speaking for myself when I say that I could really care less if you don't like that we're doing this patch or if you think it won't work. The only possible reason you might bring this up in a productive manner is to try to save me time and based on the caliber of people I've had these sorts of arguments with before... that's clearly not your motive.
Let me go over some things:
1) Where will the leagues come from?
Two sources, the first and most actively sought is from regular patchmakers who choose to share their work with us. The second is from supplemental patchmakers like me who will build simple versions of leagues with minimal graphics. These patches are meant to be a "something is better than nothing" kind of patch giving future patchmakers a chance to pickup where we left off and make a great patch with half the work required.
2) Who is involved in making these patches?
So far, Myself, Scissorhands, complex1, billydonk, Drewsif and wwwescape are working on this. myx and Robert have offered us some advice here and there. As more join us I will try to include their names here.
3) What is included with each league?
A basic table style league with the top performers advancing to a continental champions league. That champions league will lead into the world club championships. If the world club championships continue to give us problems we may need to adjust this format, but this is the idea. DOmestic cups may be added later but for now they may complicate the process.
4) Why are we doing this?
For years your options have been to use what FIFA sent you with MAYBE one other patch or play only friendlies/tournaments. Our goal is to give users many more options to play many different leagues (as well as recruit from them) from all over the world (not just the US)
5) When will we see releases?
Simply, when they are completed. I wish I could give you more than that but all of us have day jobs and school and other commitments. This is a side project meant to be open ended. It's not something you "finish" It's something you continue to work on.
6) How will the leagues be released?
In exe format with all previously added leagues included. For example, we started with the Qatari league... when you download that patch, the qatari league with all of the origional FIFA leagues will be included. Now we're working on South Africa. When South Africa is finished a patch will be released that includes ABSA Premier Soccer League (South Africa), Qatar Stars League and All origional FIFA leagues. Any supplimental leagues will hopefully be released in CMP format too.
7) What if a patchmaker doesn't consent to use a really popular league?
The league will be remade by a supplimental patch maker when possible. This league will not be as high of quality (in most cases). It is always preferred to have the best patchmakers consenting to share their work for the good of the community.
8) What kind of help do you need?
Supplimental Patch makers and people who like to work with rosters. As well, we really need someone with an extra computer who is willing to test the EXE patches. Meaning: Install FIFA, install our EXE, test. If it works, reinstall FIFA and test the next patch.
9) Do exe and cmp patches work together?
In theory, sort of yes. What you want to do is start with an EXE patch and import CMP patches later... But you still have to be careful when doing this because importing them incorrectly can crash your manager mode. Importing an EXE will most likely delete any previous edits you've done to your game.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Here's what we have so far:
CMP patches:
Qatar Stars League
ABSA Premier League
--------------------------------------------------------------
EXE Progressive Patches: These are progressive patches so Version 2 will include the league from Version 1. Version 7 would include all leagues from 1-6 including 7
Version 1 - Qatar Stars League
Version 2 - ABSA Premier League (South Africa)
Version 3 - Russian Premier League (DOWNLOAD GRAPHICS PATCH)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Instructions for adding a new league to the compilation patch:
1) Create or find a CMP version of the patch you want to install.
2) Install the latest version of the compilation patch (This means you will have exactly the same fifa.db as everyone else using the CP)
3) Open the New League CMP in CM 09's patch installer - BUT DO NOT INSTALL IT
4) Write down every object that is listed in red. ESPECIALLY PLAYERS. I group them by the team they are on and then list their names.
5) Close the patch installer (Without importing anything)
6) Use CM 09 to research every object that was written in red to find out why it was flagged as replace instead of create. With players you'll have a few occurances, here's what they are and what you should do with that player... YOU MUST TAKE GOOD NOTES HERE:
a - The player is on a national team - leave him as replace but "Uncheck" the box next to him
b - The player has the exact same name as another player - highlight the player and select "Create" to make him green
c - It's the right player but he's on the wrong team. - Uncheck the player, after you import the cmp patch, go back and transfer him to the correct team
d - You can't find the player - write down what team he is on in the cmp patch and look him up after you import it
The biggest thing is this: DON'T ALLOW 1 PLAYER TO BE ON TWO CLUB TEAMS EVER!
7) Open the CMP file again and make the changes that you need to as listed in stage 6
8) Import the CMP patch
9) If you have time you should scroll through each player and make sure they are all on only one club team. (this is very time consuming)
10) Go in the game and test it. Make sure all of the tournaments are working correctly and that the league isn't crashing. If there is a minor problem you can still release it. If it crashes, you need to start over. Test as many seasons as you can but 3 is generally the least you can get by with.
11) Create a new folder somewhere on your hard drive preferably C
ExeCreation12) Inside this folder you have to recreate some of the file structure of FIFA 09. In ExeCreation create a folder called "FIFA 09" (the name has to be exact). Continue to create the folders listed below.
a - create a folder under FIFA 09 called "data" (C
ExeCreation\FIFA 09\data)b - create 2 folders under data called "gui" and "cmn" (C
ExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\gui), (CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn)c - create a folder under cmn called "fe" (C
ExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn\fe)13) open your main FIFA directory (Probably C
Program Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09). We're going to Copy Paste some files from there to our "ExeCreation" section.a - Under "data" copy "zdata_49.big" and "zdata_49.bh" (also if you have any zdatas after this one like 50+, copy those too... I don't think you will though) Paste it at C
ExeCreation\FIFA 09\datab - under cmn copy "FIFA.db" (C
Program Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09\data\cmn\Fifa.db) and paste it at CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmnc - Under fe copy "eng.db" (C
Program Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09\data\eng.db) and paste it at CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\cmn\fed - Under gui copy the assetCmn folder (C
Program Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 09\data\gui\assetCmn) to CExeCreation\FIFA 09\data\gui14) Open install Creator.
15) When it asks you to select the directory that contains your files you select C
ExeCreation\FIFA 09 (make sure "include subfolders" is selected and click next)16) The next 3 screens just ask you to name your patch, select the language (English) and some other very basic things. You can name it and just click next several times.
17) You'll see a text box in the next screen that lets you give your users some more information about the patch. Credits to other patch makers should probably go here as well as installation instructions like "If your FIFA game was not installed to the default location, you will need to select the correct location for installation"
18) Don't include anything in the license agreement section.
19) The next screen is the installation directory screen. Type C
Program Files\EA SPORTS\FIFA 0920) Click next 4 times then FINISH
21) Tell it where you want to save the file at (on your hard drive), click save, and it will build! You're done!
Remember testing is key so hopefully we can find some people able and willing to test our patches. Also this process may be able to help us create backup files that can be installed and uninstalled easily.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
As a quick personal note... I'm speaking for myself when I say that I could really care less if you don't like that we're doing this patch or if you think it won't work. The only possible reason you might bring this up in a productive manner is to try to save me time and based on the caliber of people I've had these sorts of arguments with before... that's clearly not your motive.