what is PTF and its relation to mods?

[Napoleonic S]

I'm at loss here, I browsed nexusmods, saw the word PTF everywhere and have no clue what that is, can someone please explain?

[alex]

Found this through google:

https://www.reddit.com/r/kingdomcome/comments/k4fzmn/must_have_mods/

PTF = Patched Tables File

This is a mod made using the official modding tools.

In short, what it means is that it only includes the very specific changes this mod makes. This generally means PTF mods can be installed without having to worry much about comparability.

A non-PTF mod that adds to the weapon list, would include the entire weapon list, meaning two mods that do that would override each other, so you'd have to manually figure out how to combine the two mods.

[Parejnok]

PTF = Patched Table Files, In short, it should be more compatible with future game updates.

[LILI]

PTF : Patched Tables File


It means that the mod uses legit sources from the game.
Some games, not all, come with official tools made by the developer, and designed specifically for the modding community.
A mod with the tag "PTF" means that the moder used the official tools provided by the devs.

In means mainly 2 things:
1- The mod is supposed to have better quality, as it takes its main data source straight from the official source/game.
2- It is also a better guaranty that it will have a better stability/compatibility with the game itself as the foundations are well understood by the engine and the game. It should (hopefully) also increase the compatibility between other mods compliant with the PTF standard.

When you see "PTF" and you have the choice between the same type of mod, one with and the other one without, go for the one with PTF ! :)

[Napoleonic S]

Originally posted by LILI:

PTF : Patched Tables File


It means that the mod uses legit sources from the game.
Some games, not all, come with official tools made by the developer, and designed specifically for the modding community.
A mod with the tag "PTF" means that the moder used the official tools provided by the devs.

In means mainly 2 things:
1- The mod is supposed to have better quality, as it takes its main data source straight from the official source/game.
2- It is also a better guaranty that it will have a better stability/compatibility with the game itself as the foundations are well understood by the engine and the game. It should (hopefully) also increase the compatibility between other mods compliant with the PTF standard.

When you see "PTF" and you have the choice between the same type of mod, one with and the other one without, go for the one with PTF ! :)

But, isn't the official modding tool has not been released yet?

[LILI]

Originally posted by Napoleonic S:

(...)
But, isn't the official modding tool has not been released yet?

Good point.

You must consider 2 possible things:

1- the official tools have not been publicly released, but are already available to some modders , ex because they are in a closed beta testing, or special relationship with the devs.
It is rather common as modders want to have the time to work on the mod, and be prepared with a release, asap.
Friendly studios have also a friendly internal list of contributors : youtubers, twitchers, modders, etc and they try to provide their best community with early tools and support.

Example: Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian) had their toolkit officially released in Steam on 5 Sep 2024. But the Larian thread "Getting Started With The Baldur's Gate 3 Toolkit" was on their official web site as early as 03 June 2024, and the modding discussion started on 02 Aug 2023...


2- Having the label "PTF" in a title ... it can be like the Rolex you buy 10e/usd on a local market in Lagos, Nigeria. It is written Rolex, but it is not. A good thing with Nexus though is that it is really community driven, and read well the comments done by users: if it is really a not-really-a-PTF, you can expect problems, and harsh comments or rating.
If the mod and modder has a good rating, and history, just trust the modder.

[Ser_Chonks]

Originally posted by Napoleonic S:

Originally posted by LILI:

PTF : Patched Tables File


It means that the mod uses legit sources from the game.
Some games, not all, come with official tools made by the developer, and designed specifically for the modding community.
A mod with the tag "PTF" means that the moder used the official tools provided by the devs.

In means mainly 2 things:
1- The mod is supposed to have better quality, as it takes its main data source straight from the official source/game.
2- It is also a better guaranty that it will have a better stability/compatibility with the game itself as the foundations are well understood by the engine and the game. It should (hopefully) also increase the compatibility between other mods compliant with the PTF standard.

When you see "PTF" and you have the choice between the same type of mod, one with and the other one without, go for the one with PTF ! :)

But, isn't the official modding tool has not been released yet?

Nobody needs official tools for PTF modding, it's the same modding method of the first game: the game data files are essentially zipped text. Just unpack, edit/add files and repack.

Edit: To demystify what PTF is: instead of replacing an entire file for a small edit you just write a small targeted line telling the game only what you need edited, so that any other changes by other mods or game updates are not undone.

It has nothing to do with specific tools whatsoever, all you need is a pack/unpack tool like 7zip and a text editor.

[Fokkas]

Originally posted by Ser_Chonks:

Originally posted by Napoleonic S:

But, isn't the official modding tool has not been released yet?

Nobody needs official tools for PTF modding, it's the same modding method of the first game: the game data files are essentially zipped text. Just unpack, edit/add files and repack.

Edit: To demystify what PTF is: instead of replacing an entire file for a small edit you just write a small targeted line telling the game only what you need edited, so that any other changes by other mods or game updates are not undone.

It has nothing to do with specific tools whatsoever, all you need is a pack/unpack tool like 7zip and a text editor.

This here. It's not about any official tools that may or may not exist for a game. PTF just means the method of the mod construction and implementation.