Crowdsourcing unknown savegame data

In order to allow proper saving/loading of games in EasyRPG we must support the RPG Makers save format (LSD).

Many of the data defined in the savegame is already figured out (because it maps to the LDB Database) but there is also a lot of temporary runtime data that is still unknown (but important to load the game correctly).

Now we ask you to help us figuring out the unknown data. What you have to do? Alter some data in the savegame, load it, see a change, report the change.

To make editing the save a bit easier we provide a tool for you: lsd2xml
It allows you to convert LSD files to a bit better readable XML files (you can open them with any text editor).

How to use it:
LSD2XML: Converts LSD files to XML. Just start the program, enter the id of your savegame (from 1 to 15) and press enter. It creates a Save[id].xml for you.
XML2LSD: Converts XML files to LSD. Same as the other one, but it takes a Save[id].xml and outputs the Save[id].lsd, so you can load it again via RPG_RT (which is kinda useful, you know :))
Both programs also support command line arguments, just pass a value from 1-15 as the first argument.

What you have to do:
When you open the XML file you will see a lot of sections starting with <unknown_…>. The value between the opening and the closing tag (often -1) is the unknown value. Change the value and then convert it back to LSD. Now try to see a difference (by loading it with RPG_RT, not EasyRpg Player) and report it to us (post the tag, the value you used and the purposes of the tag).
Another way is to create two savegames (at different times of course) and then compare the values in the save (there are also graphical diff tools for such purposes). This is maybe useful if you try to see if some events alter unknown data.

Example for a post:
[SavePartyLocation][unknown_25]: Movement Speed
[SavePartyLocation][unknown_2a] = 1: blocks movement
(Just figured these two values out, rest is your job)

Oh and sorry for only providing Windows versions of the program, but to run RPG_RT you need Wine under Linux anyway. ;)

Update (January 2013):
To run this under Windows XP you have to install Service Pack 2 (this was released 2004, please update your system). Does not run on Windows 2000 or older.

Update (May 2016):
lsd2xml has been replaced by a generic tool that can convert all lcf data to xml and vice versa: lcf2xml. It can run under Windows, Linux and probably other platforms and is available in our Tools Download section.The main difference is, that it has no GUI anymore, but can be used by drag’n’dropping a file on it.

Problems with PSP Build

Today a user with a PSP was in our IRC chat channel. So we were able to do a few tests and our result is: The build is somehow broken.

To create the PSP builds we are using a server which automatically compiles the source for us and then publishes a binary (you can find them on our jenkins server). Now the problem is: The code compiles fine but on the PSP the program does not start.

But no active dev is having a PSP for testing (and JPCSP, the emulator, fails to run it) so we can’t find the reason for this.

So we need somebody who knows how to program PSP homebrew and has knowledge of C++. If you know all of this please contact us!
(Issue on github)

Update:
The problem seams to be related with the EBOOT.PBP file, not with our code. With an older file it boots (plays music but no visuals displayed)…

Another Update:
It’s a problem with the toolchain. With an old EBOOT:PBP file the graphic renders sometimes (and music plays)…
See also the forum post.

Mid 2012 “we’re alive” report

Hi all. We apologize for the lack of updates last 6 months.

We’re busier than ever, even to write this. So, let’s see what’s new since the end of 2011:

General:

  • Moved upstream code to GitHub. [Falc]
  • Added Jenkins build automation system. [take-cheeze]
  • Made optional most CMake build requirements. [take-cheeze, fdelapena]
  • Added GNU build system, to (cross-)compile with ./configure and make. [fdelapena]
  • Wiki documentation updates, add README files. [fdelapena]

EasyRPG Readers:

  • Created python script to (re)generate reader structure with CSV files. [glynnc]

EasyRPG Player:

  • Emulation bug fixes. [Ghabry]
  • Automated nightly builds for PSP and Linux (32 bit). [take-cheeze]

EasyRPG Editor:

  • Initial painting tool. [Elektranox, Falc]
  • Code rewrite. [Falc]

EasyRPG TestGame:

  • Added more image and screen related operations. [elsemieni]
  • Added more tests and RPG_RT.exe stub. [Ghabry]

Things on the way (not in upstream master branch yet):

  • Player: Add debugger (F9 screen). [Ghabry]
  • Web: New end user website. [Falc, fdelapena]
  • Editor: Improve painting tool and major code rewrite. [Falc]
  • Player: Android port. [fdelapena]
  • TestGame: Make it RTP aware, separate 2000 and 2003 projects. [fdelapena]

Wanna help? Contact us via blog comments, forums, or IRC channel.