Save Game File editing, Mods, etc.

[steveh11]

One of the key things I want from a game is the ability to *play with* it, as much as simply *play* it. In this respect, games like Paradox's HOI4 and EUIV are great, encouraging the use of mods and the ability to set up "what if" situations.

The latest beta has introduced an AES encoding to the save file, rendering even limited abilities to do this impossible. Please, GameLabs, please reverse this for release! It will severely reduce my playing hours and reduce my recommendation score if this decision is not reversed.

[Daikhan]

They blocked the save game editing in the beta to negate any issues that arise due to save game files being tampered with, this was the case in the previous beta as I remember. But I would like this encoding to be gone once the update is released too - it can be a lot of fun to tamper with techs for example or make some ridiculous but fun ship designs otherwise impossible.. And if someone does break the game with save editing - well it has been mentioned numerous times that this is quite possible.

[BoredViking]

I think the developer´s should not limit the potential of enjoyment of their paying customers, just to make their lives easier.

[AlphaVictorKilo]

Originally posted by steveh11:

One of the key things I want from a game is the ability to *play with* it, as much as simply *play* it. In this respect, games like Paradox's HOI4 and EUIV are great, encouraging the use of mods and the ability to set up "what if" situations.

The latest beta has introduced an AES encoding to the save file, rendering even limited abilities to do this impossible. Please, GameLabs, please reverse this for release! It will severely reduce my playing hours and reduce my recommendation score if this decision is not reversed.

If it's for a beta, in which you need to provide reliable feedback for the main release, I think it's alright to lock it down tight, so you don't go chasing "bugs" that are introduced because of mods and not something that is in the main game. Main branch? Yeah sure, mod away.

[Templeton]

Originally posted by rjmdubois:

I think the developer´s should not limit the potential of enjoyment of their paying customers, just to make their lives easier.

They should, because OTHER paying customers want the bugs ironed out quickly, and don't want to pay for the developers to be chasing false bugs caused by people modding the beta build and breaking it.

[steveh11]

1.06 was billed as the *release candidate*, and as such I expected it to be final. I see it's still a beta and as such I can understand the logic, but for heaven's sake make it clear that's it's a temporary 'beta-only'- measure. I don't recall even seeing it in the changelog.

[ALT SEB]

Encryption should be removed for stable builds, in beta its fine.

[krosnek]

I have 755 hours of stable and beta gameplay, but until editing is unlocked, I'm done - the game hasn't been very creative

[Erukanu Senpai]

Originally posted by Templeton:

Originally posted by rjmdubois:

I think the developer´s should not limit the potential of enjoyment of their paying customers, just to make their lives easier.

They should, because OTHER paying customers want the bugs ironed out quickly, and don't want to pay for the developers to be chasing false bugs caused by people modding the beta build and breaking it.

This. So much this.

[steveh11]

Originally posted by Erukanu Senpai:

Originally posted by Templeton:

They should, because OTHER paying customers want the bugs ironed out quickly, and don't want to pay for the developers to be chasing false bugs caused by people modding the beta build and breaking it.

This. So much this.

Fine.

Lock the Beta, but *unlock* the release version. Simple, everyone gets what they want.

[steveh11]

Originally posted by NoJustNo:

Nope. False-positive bug reports happen on live releases too. Keep it encrypted.

Then it's goodbye from me,I'm afraid, with a severe downgrade on my review (as I indicated above).

I'll revisit this occasionally to see if the position changes. Perhaps, on final release, it will.

[Mobzonk]

Originally posted by steveh11:

Lock the Beta, but *unlock* the release version. Simple, everyone gets what they want.

The game is still in early access. So the choice is really:
- beta branch build
- alpha version of the next beta branch build

Hopefully the release (ie not early access) version will have an unencrypted save but for now the developers are doing the right thing by preventing inaccurate bug reports.

[steveh11]

Yup, that's where we are. I'll check back after release, otherwise this isn't something I have as much interest in as I did previously.

[CaoLex]

So, the campaign saves aren't encoded anymore, good news.
But must I remind you to NOT edit tech, because it will mess things up?

[steveh11]

Woo-hoo!