54 replies to this topic

[Alcom Isst]

I was experimenting with MWO's files the other day and contrived a way to edit the UI colors to have higher contrast and be more friendly to colorblind players like myself. This includes the damage gradient which I personally find difficult to read.

So what is Piranha Game's policy on modding? All I'm seeing is an old archived FAQ that states map mods won't be a thing, but that's an entirely different issue from, and doesn't apply to UI modding.

[REDACTED] (Redacted? What are we, the SCP foundation?)

Edited by Alcom Isst, 30 August 2017 - 01:22 PM.
Modding/Editing any game files is against the Terms of Use

[Dee Eight]

Email technical or moderation and ask them.

[RestosIII]

What Dee Eight said. Whatever response you get, keep us informed.

[Alcom Isst]

RestosIII, on 12 August 2017 - 09:55 PM, said:

What Dee Eight said. Whatever response you get, keep us informed.

Aye. Already sent the email. I'll keep y'all informed.

[Khobai]

PGI should just change the hud colors. it was always a bad idea to have the hud be the same yellow color as explosions.

they should change it from that awful yellow to a green.

green for IS, blue for clans


as for damage gradients and colorblindness... i think they need the option to switch the damage display from ragdoll to HTAL mode (or show both like MWLL did). HTAL makes it easier to see exactly how much damage youve suffered.

Edited by Khobai, 12 August 2017 - 10:07 PM.

[Sjorpha]

Alcom Isst, on 12 August 2017 - 08:08 PM, said:

I was experimenting with MWO's files the other day and contrived a way to edit the UI colors to have higher contrast and be more friendly to colorblind players like myself. This includes the damage gradient which has pissed me off for years what with how hard it is to read.

So what is Piranha Game's policy on modding? All I'm seeing is an old archived FAQ that states map mods won't be a thing, but that's an entirely different issue from, and doesn't apply to UI modding.

I think if you're colorblind and do this only for yourself PGI are very unlikely to have a problem with it, if this was me I'd probably just do it and not tell anyone about it.

If you spread it around publicly or teach other people how to do it it might be a bigger deal, since PGI migh be afraid the same technique could be used to make mods that they are less ok with. It's also possible they could have a problem with streaming or uploading video with the mod showing idk.

They don't seem to have any problem with sound mods since lots of people use and share them, this seems like a similar case.

It would be in their best interest to just publicly say it's ok or release their own color-blind mode, or why not a UI color setting integrated in the client?

Edited by Sjorpha, 13 August 2017 - 04:07 AM.

[razenWing]

Sjorpha, on 13 August 2017 - 04:05 AM, said:

I think if you're colorblind and do this only for yourself PGI are very unlikely to have a problem with it, if this was me I'd probably just do it and not tell anyone about it.

If you spread it around publicly or teach other people how to do it it might be a bigger deal, since PGI migh be afraid the same technique could be used to make mods that they are less ok with. It's also possible they could have a problem with streaming or uploading video with the mod showing idk.

They don't seem to have any problem with sound mods since lots of people use and share them, this seems like a similar case.

It would be in their best interest to just publicly say it's ok or release their own color-blind mode, or why not a UI color setting integrated in the client?

At this stage of the game... 5 years in, I say if they are afraid of what you described, it's their own damn fault. We have been asking for MC (like real money) alternative reticule for what... the entirety of the 5 years?

We have asked for a different HUD for about as long? At least for the 2 years that I played, I know I never stopped champion for it. But was the request ever answered? Hell no.

So, I say screw their rules, if you know how to edit that crappy 80s HUD can can make a modernized HUD with colorblind support (especially that last one), I am willing to donate to your patreon if I have to.

Yup PGI, I am willing to give money to a 3rd party, not YOU. Get your shat together.

Edited by razenWing, 13 August 2017 - 02:37 PM.

[Bigbacon]

i never understood why there was never an HTAL option.

[Tarl Cabot]

Would you post a screen shot of what it looks like? Not how, only the screenshot itself til you hear back.

[Alcom Isst]

Tarl Cabot, on 13 August 2017 - 02:54 PM, said:

Would you post a screen shot of what it looks like? Not how, only the screenshot itself til you hear back.

Yes. Still looking into the feasibility of HTAL, but I can edit colors.

Edited by Alcom Isst, 13 August 2017 - 07:09 PM.

[Davegt27]

instead of colors they should have an option for numerics
or digital

[Jun Watarase]

I would love the ability to run blue color HUD on IS mechs. Its just easier on the eyes.

I would love the ability to run blue color HUD on IS mechs. Its just easier on the eyes.

[Alcom Isst]

I got a response back:

Piranha Senpai said:

While the use of mods that operate by 'injecting' third-party files rather than directly modifying game files, are prohibited by the Code of Conduct, we generally do not take moderation action against players that use sound mods as long as the mod isn't providing some competitive or unfair advantage.

However, we must stress that if we determine the use of such a mod violates the spirit of the Code of Conduct (by providing an unfair advantage) we reserve the right to take moderation action.

Piranha Games

I'm going to assume that PGI won't consider a few color modifications as an "unfair advantage" and get to work on releasing a color mod.

So here's my plan of action:

• Wait for the Tuesday patch.
  
• Build a modded UI file with a high-contrast damage indicator and possibly a blue color for IS mechs.
  
• Release the modded UI file with instructions of how to install.
  
• Eventually develop a patcher that will automatically apply custom colors to MWO's existing files.
  
• Continuously update the modded file or patcher.

Unrelated : while I was rummaging through some files, I found a few references to a "Longtom". Probably doesn't mean much, but it was a neat artifact to find.

Edited by Alcom Isst, 14 August 2017 - 02:03 PM.

[JediPanther]

Go for it. Color blind support and other hud/ui changes have been left for years unanswered by pgi. About time the players get some control of the game to make it more accessible to others. Most use 3rd party software for voip and recording long before pgi did their own little versions.

[Bombast]

Alcom Isst, on 13 August 2017 - 07:00 PM, said:

Hey, I can see all the colors, and I'd like to have that on my screen instead of what we have. Much nicer.

[Suko]

I remember before this game even went into closed beta and PGI was asking us for input and feedback right here on this very forum! (I know, it sounds crazy, but it's true!) One of the items they asked about specifically was colorblind support. Specifically how a colorblind person could tell the lasers apart. Fast forward 6 years and still no colorblind support, which in 2017 seems ridiculous. But, that's the expectation PGI has set and proven of themselves over the years.

In regards to your question; Just do it. If PGI shuts you down over it, that would be a PR nightmare on themselves. I'm not saying a blunder like this is beyond PGI, but it just seems very unlikely, even for them.

Do I come off as a bit bitter? Hmmm, sorry about that. Hang around long enough and you eventually become the enemy....or something like that.

Edited by Suko, 14 August 2017 - 02:44 PM.

[LT. HARDCASE]

Alcom Isst, on 14 August 2017 - 01:59 PM, said:

I got a response back:

I'm going to assume that PGI won't consider a few color modifications as an "unfair advantage" and get to work on releasing a color mod.

So here's my plan of action:

• Wait for the Tuesday patch.
  
• Build a modded UI file with a high-contrast damage indicator and possibly a blue color for IS mechs.
  
• Release the modded UI file with instructions of how to install.
  
• Eventually develop a patcher that will automatically apply custom colors to MWO's existing files.
  
• Continuously update the modded file or patcher.

Unrelated : while I was rummaging through some files, I found a few references to a "Longtom". Probably doesn't mean much, but it was a neat artifact to find.

You are doing the Mecha Lord's work with this. Please widely release this to the public.

PGI honestly should be paying you! Why no one there can figure it out baffles me.

[Leone]

Alcom Isst, on 14 August 2017 - 01:59 PM, said:

Unrelated : while I was rummaging through some files, I found a few references to a "Longtom". Probably doesn't mean much, but it was a neat artifact to find.

When scouting was first introduced, the final end goal was the long tom Artillery support for CW. It was meant as an incentive to keep both sides engaged in Scouting, but instead ended up getting the defending side to just abandon defence once scouting hit the mark. Just imagine next time you play CW that when one side gets a radar sweep, they also have a huge arty strike dropped in the middle of the largest concentration of enemies. It was rough for the bombarded side.

I sadly didn't get to play against it much at all, but when attacking my unit'd often get hit by our own longtom shells by playing too aggressive if we weren't watching the little timer. I kinda miss it, but only from a, 'I love a challenge' point of view, and completely understand why it was removed. I just wished I'd had some good vids of us overcoming the Long tom for ya.

~Leone

[razenWing]

blue -> emerald green -> yellow -> red

If you can go for that order, I am super happy.

[Alcom Isst]

I created, tested, and released a set of UI mods for the August 15th patch. Topic is in the Fan Art Forum.