11 replies to this topic

[ZizZazZuz]

Hey everyone, just got a quick question. Where is the HUD stored in the MWO files? I want to see if I can tweak the position of some of the HUD elements, but I can't find them.

Thanks!

E: I ought to change my siggy. Oh well.

Edited by ZizZazZuz, 02 April 2015 - 01:36 PM.

[Lyoto Machida]

Prob against ToS...either way, I don't know.

[Scout Derek]

It's against the Terms of Service, yes, to modify game files to one's own benefit without the request to do so, is Illegal.

[ZizZazZuz]

Oh. That's a shame. Thanks anyway!

Side note: Does this include things like FoV?

[Scout Derek]

ZizZazZuz, on 02 April 2015 - 01:58 PM, said:

Oh. That's a shame. Thanks anyway!

Side note: Does this include things like FoV?

a bit, yes.

[ZizZazZuz]

Scout Derek, on 02 April 2015 - 02:01 PM, said:

a bit, yes.

...Should I take this as a yes? 'Cause I've been messing around with it in testing grounds and I think I like how it makes me actually feel like I'm in a cockpit, but I do not want to violate terms of service.

Edit: I just skimmed through the ToS, and 'kind of' seems to be accurate. It really depends on whether or not you see changing the FoV as "modifying" the game. (Which, BTW, I find really sad. I was hoping for a singleplayer mod. I'd be fine if they said "no modifications that would unfairly benefit the player" or something, but none seems a shame.) On one hand, there is a FoV option in the game, it's just hard to find. On the other hand, it is a change from the standard. I don't know what to think.

Edited by ZizZazZuz, 02 April 2015 - 02:13 PM.

[9erRed]

Greetings,

You would be correct in assuming that 'opening', 'changing', or 'modifying' any of the files would constitute a violation of the TOS.

- Now that being said, the HUD is an overlay. Most likely a 'Flash' element and one of the reasons it's use appears to hog quite a few resources both on the clients end as well as CPU usage.
- This would be linked throughout the game code as it references many elements, from sensors, targeting, weapons effect, 'Mech status, and some 'behind the scenes' info we don't see.

So, I doubt you'll find it all in one place. (if you were to illegally look)

The game Developers probably do have 'tools' that allow for quick applications to colour and screen placement. Something the end user will not be privy to as it's normally designed specifically for each game and it's engine.

There are quite a few games out there that offer the use the ability to 'change or alter' the overlay or HUD colours within the games settings. This could be desired or wanted due to the monitors colour temperature range, players light level in there environment, players perceived colour spectrum, the colour ranges on some maps or environments, or just liking certain colours. (specific colour blindness being one issue)
- We don't have these options yet, as PGI appears to want to keep the IS and Clan HUD's locked to certain colour ranges for all users.

(following the Lore story line, the 'Mech Pilots all trained in the use of various cockpit layouts and controls. But did have a 'user card' that they inserted into each new 'Mech that had there configuration's and HUD layout arraigned as they wanted them. Like having a set desktop layout for your computer. So there is precedence in the Lore for similar options.)

- Any user changes would only be on the clients end and not visible to 'spectators', so having this option would not effect overall gameplay. But it does require PGI to re-build the options setting window and code to allow for colour changes.

The original Cvars that were allowed to be changed did include the FOV, and as far as I know, is still allowed.
- Quite a few of the older elements that had changeable values have since been removed or 'disabled' from the clients ability to change. (for PGI, disabling most of these changes allows for 'sometimes' quicker game problems support resolution.)

Just some thoughts,
9erRed

Edited by 9erRed, 02 April 2015 - 02:56 PM.

[ZizZazZuz]

So... Definitely not the HUD, but the FoV is in more of a grey area? I feel like this leans toward it being more OK to use FoV.

Definitely not messing with the HUD though.

[Kristov Kerensky]

Changing the FoV is one of those things they don't seem to be upset about us doing, many people do it, along with turning off the cockpit glass 'scratches' and the film grain effect.

[Gamuray]

You are allowed to make (if you don't have one) or edit your user.cfg file. Should be in the Mechwarrior Online folder. That includes things like FOV, film grain, cockpit glass, and other minor things that can affect game performance.

This is a good guide for the user.cfg file. http://mwomercs.com/...-spec-computer/

Edited by Gamuray, 02 April 2015 - 02:52 PM.

[Impyrium]

Not that I have aaaaaannnnnny experience whatsoever in poking around the game files, I might be able to tell you that it's entirely possible that the HUD graphics are at least simple image files floating around in a certain folder. Whether there's another file in there that manages the layout or whether that's hard coded I don't know I wouldn't know. Not that you could change any of it anyway, since ToS and maybe possibly the .pak files are locked dammit.

[ZizZazZuz]

AUSwarrior24, on 02 April 2015 - 04:37 PM, said:

Not that I have aaaaaannnnnny experience whatsoever in poking around the game files, I might be able to tell you that it's entirely possible that the HUD graphics are at least simple image files floating around in a certain folder. Whether there's another file in there that manages the layout or whether that's hard coded I don't know I wouldn't know. Not that you could change any of it anyway, since ToS and maybe possibly the .pak files are locked dammit.

On an entirely unrelated note, I downloaded 7-Zip and use it for modding Skyrim.