An Almost Complete Guide to Far Cry 2 Modding

[Boggalog]

This is an attempt to document and facilitate Far Cry 2 modding. The guide includes over a hundred pages on how to make all kinds of different modifications including editing weapons, vehicles, npcs, graphics etc. Also included are lots of guides that cover adding new features and more in depth changes also, including weapon holstering, weapon inspecting, friendly npc factions, shooting while driving etc. The guide is available online via Google docs, here.

The download includes a number of extras:

Tools - Unpacking/packing tools and a XML decoder. This is everything you need to do 90% of Far Cry 2 modding. Any other tools required are detailed in the guide.

Patch files - These include all the files you need to do all of the edits from the guide. There are two sets of patch files, one that just contains the necessary files and another that contains the same files but with pre-applied bug fixes and base features. All the details of these are in the download.

Optional additions - These are a selection of larger features that can be immediately dragged into the included patch files. The aim here is to make creating your Far Cry 2 mod's foundation as easy and customisable as possible.

File library - It's hard to know what versions of files are the best when adding to your mod, so I've included most of the ones you could need.

With all of this Far Cry 2 modding has never been easier. Feel free to post a comment if you need any help and I will assist ASAP.

I've uploaded the guide as a mod at these links:
Nexus Mods - https://www.nexusmods.com/farcry2/mods/299
ModDB - https://www.moddb.com/mods/an-almost-complete-guide-to-far-cry-2-modding

Here is a quick link to the actual document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ozhN9s_4puzSXVYs12ZAOayyL036hgQuFCVS_jSXbd0/edit?usp=sharing

[KARL]

Anything to fix the checkpoint guards ?

[Virago]

This info will certainly be useful to the community. Well done Boggalog!

[Boggalog]

Originally posted by KARL:

Anything to fix the checkpoint guards ?

Hunter from Redux has found a way to make the checkpoint never respawn. As far as I'm aware it's still being tested by thirdkeeper. If it works properly I'll be asking Hunter for how it's done so it can be added

[thirdkeeper]

Possibly playable but possible game stopping oddities abound. - There appear to be
too many connections that can't be messed with. The common complaint I've heard
is that even small changes can have far reaching effects.

Fire just one shot in a town, and every time you return to any town the ai
are all over you.

- It is possible to '"trick" the ai, but you have to run through the town and out another perimeter gate. - You'll get the "You have escaped" message and can return. - I did it
once without trouble but having to do it just to get missions would be a repetitive pain
far worse than checkpoints, and in the southern map it would be impossible. -

Several key locations turned into ghost towns.

Critical game AI missing.

Sorry to be the bearer of this news; Looks like the project -at least for now is DOA.
Props to Hunter for putting all that work into it. - I'm sure it's not easy when things
turn out so unpredictably. - Keep in mind it took teams (plural) to put FC2 together.
I can only imagine that sometimes modding this game must be like trying to paint a
watercolor in a rain storm.

I appreciate the opportunity to test as far as I could into the game. - Map 2 Mission 1
to confirm that the southern town was hostile, - Thanks -> !

[Macrowolf]

Originally posted by thirdkeeper:

Possibly playable but possible game stopping oddities abound. - There appear to be
too many connections that can't be messed with. The common complaint I've heard
is that even small changes can have far reaching effects.

Fire just one shot in a town, and every time you return to any town the ai
are all over you.

- It is possible to '"trick" the ai, but you have to run through the town and out another perimeter gate. - You'll get the "You have escaped" message and can return. - I did it
once without trouble but having to do it just to get missions would be a repetitive pain
far worse than checkpoints, and in the southern map it would be impossible. -

Several key locations turned into ghost towns.

Critical game AI missing.

Sorry to be the bearer of this news; Looks like the project -at least for now is DOA.
Props to Hunter for putting all that work into it. - I'm sure it's not easy when things
turn out so unpredictably. - Keep in mind it took teams (plural) to put FC2 together.
I can only imagine that sometimes modding this game must be like trying to paint a
watercolor in a rain storm.

I appreciate the opportunity to test as far as I could into the game. - Map 2 Mission 1
to confirm that the southern town was hostile, - Thanks -> !

Aww, man! I'm so sorry to hear that :/

It's such a bummer that the experiment turned out to be a failure, but it was worth a try. Props to Hunter indeed who tried to fix the most renown annoyance of an otherwise almost flawless game, and props to you too Thirdkeeper for the extensive testing.

At this point we can only hope for Ubisoft to release an updated version - not strictly a remaster, even though it wouldn't be a bad idea - of the game, by addressing the main problems the community has with FC2, including (but not limited to) the infamous militia respawn, but also the removal of the deprecated Punkbuster software, some visual fixes like the mirrored weapons and so on.
Heck, they could even take the opportunity to throw some new weapons in, while they're at it!

It's not like Ubisoft lacks the money to do such operation; after a series of copypasted entries, it would be refreshing to go back to the roots and honoring the best game in the series with an up-to-date, polished version.

A man can hope...

By the way, Boggalog: I've been playing the game with your Vanilla+ mod and I absolutely love it! I couldn't have predicted that this game was such a source of satisfying moments. I really feel like I'm part of the world and your quality of life fixes really contribute to make the experience even more memorable.

As a seasoned gamer, I thought I've experienced everything. It turns out I was wrong, ah ah.

[KARL]

Damn those ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ checkpoints

[Boggalog]

Originally posted by Macrowolf:

Originally posted by thirdkeeper:

Possibly playable but possible game stopping oddities abound. - There appear to be
too many connections that can't be messed with. The common complaint I've heard
is that even small changes can have far reaching effects.

Fire just one shot in a town, and every time you return to any town the ai
are all over you.

- It is possible to '"trick" the ai, but you have to run through the town and out another perimeter gate. - You'll get the "You have escaped" message and can return. - I did it
once without trouble but having to do it just to get missions would be a repetitive pain
far worse than checkpoints, and in the southern map it would be impossible. -

Several key locations turned into ghost towns.

Critical game AI missing.

Sorry to be the bearer of this news; Looks like the project -at least for now is DOA.
Props to Hunter for putting all that work into it. - I'm sure it's not easy when things
turn out so unpredictably. - Keep in mind it took teams (plural) to put FC2 together.
I can only imagine that sometimes modding this game must be like trying to paint a
watercolor in a rain storm.

I appreciate the opportunity to test as far as I could into the game. - Map 2 Mission 1
to confirm that the southern town was hostile, - Thanks -> !

Aww, man! I'm so sorry to hear that :/

It's such a bummer that the experiment turned out to be a failure, but it was worth a try. Props to Hunter indeed who tried to fix the most renown annoyance of an otherwise almost flawless game, and props to you too Thirdkeeper for the extensive testing.

At this point we can only hope for Ubisoft to release an updated version - not strictly a remaster, even though it wouldn't be a bad idea - of the game, by addressing the main problems the community has with FC2, including (but not limited to) the infamous militia respawn, but also the removal of the deprecated Punkbuster software, some visual fixes like the mirrored weapons and so on.
Heck, they could even take the opportunity to throw some new weapons in, while they're at it!

It's not like Ubisoft lacks the money to do such operation; after a series of copypasted entries, it would be refreshing to go back to the roots and honoring the best game in the series with an up-to-date, polished version.

A man can hope...

By the way, Boggalog: I've been playing the game with your Vanilla+ mod and I absolutely love it! I couldn't have predicted that this game was such a source of satisfying moments. I really feel like I'm part of the world and your quality of life fixes really contribute to make the experience even more memorable.

As a seasoned gamer, I thought I've experienced everything. It turns out I was wrong, ah ah.

Damn, that sucks that the fix doesn't properly work. The checkpoints must be the most requested feature... maybe one day someone will find a complete fix but it seems doubtful at the moment. Thank you thirdkeeper for doing all the testing, I'm adding you as a contributor as testing is just as important as content creation.

Thanks for your support and kind words about my mod Macrowolf, I'm glad to hear you're having a good time with Vanilla+.

[Boggalog]

14/01/21 - Added sections for for following:

Small Resource Pickups
-Ammo/explosive/fuel boxes
-Ammo type/quantity
-Health boxes - Syrette quantity)

Monocular
-Look Sensitivity
-Zoom

Enemy AI Behaviours
-Combat
-Grenade Throwing
-Vehicle Use

Enemies
-Reinforcements - Enemy/Vehicle type

Buddies
-Buddy weapon packs
-Buddy weapons
-Buddy Health
-Buddy Invincibility

[thirdkeeper]

Boggalog, Macrowolf. KARL.. - Hell, -> Everyone <-

A couple of things here : - I'm very grateful to be added. - I've done loads of testing,
mostly in much older games, and I've restarted FC2 now more times than I can count,
but I love the game and I've learned the maps inside and out. - I don't mind restarting
at all and I'll drop any game to do it.

- I've always tested with more than the intent of discovering issues, but also seeing
if I can create them by playing unpredictably and trying everything I can think of - no
matter how absurd - to trick the game; - Get to a place I'm not supposed to be, find
unknown shortcuts, destroying key items or using items in different ways.. etc.

Nothing about playing / testing is work for me, not in this game. it's always an
adventure, and I also enjoy logging and summarizing detailed reports. What I've
stumbled on that bears reporting is nearly always interesting, and the mere act
of discovery is rewarding to some degree. - Truth is - you guys do all the hard
work and I have all the fun. - That's not very fair.. ! 8 /

You can use the FC2Crew addy as a contact link if you like. Makes more sense than
using my profile. - Thanks for considering me -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Respawns

Yes - by far the most common complaint about the game. - Probably why most
of my articles have addressed this so many times. - This is one subject that I
won't 'copy-paste' to answer because it's become so deeply etched into this
poor abused cranium.

Of course I hated them at first and took me a while to appreciate their true purpose.
Now, though I've thought it a few times I won't be rude and just say "grow a pair",
That's no help for those so put off by them. - However I must say that the game
throws all kinds of off the wall stuff at the player with no advice or explanation and
just expects the player to 'Deal with it'. - That doesn't mean "Keep going through checkpoints" -it means - (and here's where i get just a little rude) - Put on your
'adult garb' and figure out how to deal.

Sorry kids - driving - especially in the beginning is a crutch and a handicap.
Dump the ride for now.

Locate checkpoints and identify them so that they're marked on your map.
Note patrols when you spot them and mark their routes. You may not remember
exactly - but when you return to the area you'l have a better sense of what areas
to avoid.

Nearly all checkpoints can be completely avoided or stealthed by easily.

Plan your routes carefully and avoid all unnecessary checkpoints.

You can then drive close to checkpoints - stealth by on foot and pick up another
vehicle on the other side, or walk in and surprise them - then go back for the ride.

- I've now played the northern map with cleared checkpoints, and as I'd suspected
it just re-enforces the claims that FC2 is a driving simulator and it's dead boring.

The devs spent roughly 2 years in Africa to plan this game. They created the
landscape, settings characters and dynamics to simulate the environment
but what was missing from the equation was what it felt like to be there.
A near constant sense of tension, uncertainty, apprehension, - Especially about
travel.

- I have a close relative who is a 'community planner" for the US. She's worked in
Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, and South Africa - to name a few - and the
most troubling and fraught with apprehension activity in all of those places - except
for western Mongolia where there's about 20 people for every 300 square miles -
is just getting from here to there.

All of the things that people hate about the game - well, three things: - Checkpoints,
Malaria and Gun Jams all contribute to the uncertainty and trepidation that the devs
experienced daily just by being there. - They keep us on edge, alert, cautious and
always harboring a little doubt about what's around the next corner and all of the
'What-Ifs' about our next malaria attack and our next weapons fail.

So, not only were they as true to the environ as possible, they also gave us a taste
of what it actually feels like to be in that environ.

Now I give them more props, not less, and I wouldn't play the game without them.

Sorry for the tone of lecture that I've tried with little success to avoid - I'm just hoping
that If you understand the reasoning and the value of their inclusion you might enjoy
the game more - possibly tune in to that sense these elements create for the player.

- Best Wishes - and thanks for the feed -> !


https://steamcommunity.com/groups/FarCry2Crew

[Macrowolf]

Originally posted by thirdkeeper:

Originally posted by Boggalog:

Damn, that sucks that the fix doesn't properly work. The checkpoints must be the most requested feature... maybe one day someone will find a complete fix but it seems doubtful at the moment. Thank you thirdkeeper for doing all the testing, I'm adding you as a contributor as testing is just as important as content creation.

Thanks for your support and kind words about my mod Macrowolf, I'm glad to hear you're having a good time with Vanilla+.

A couple of things here : - I'm very grateful to be added. - I've done loads of testing,
mostly in much older games, and I've restarted FC2 now more times than I can count,
but I love the game and I've learned the maps inside and out. - I don't mind restarting
at all and I'll drop any game to do it.

- I've always tested with more than the intent of discovering issues, but also seeing
if I can create them by playing unpredictably and trying everything I can think of - no
matter how absurd - to trick the game; - Get to a place I'm not supposed to be, find
unknown shortcuts, destroying key items or using items in different ways.. etc.

Nothing about playing / testing is work for me, not in this game. it's always an
adventure, and I also enjoy logging and summarizing detailed reports. What I've
stumbled on that bears reporting is nearly always interesting, and the mere act
of discovery is rewarding to some degree. - Truth is - you guys do all the hard
work and I have all the fun. - That's not very fair.. ! 8 /

You can use the FC2Crew addy as a contact link if you like. Makes more sense than
using my profile. - Thanks for considering me -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Respawns

Yes - by far the most common complaint about the game. - Probably why most
of my articles have addressed this so many times. - This is one subject that I
won't 'copy-paste' to answer because it's become so deeply etched into this
poor abused cranium.

Of course I hated them at first and took me a while to appreciate their true purpose.
Now, thought I've thought it a few times I won't be rude and just say "grow a pair",
That's no help for those so put off by them. - However I must say that the game
throws all kinds of off the wall stuff at the player with no advise or explanation and
just expects the player to 'Deal with it'. - That doesn't mean "Keep going through checkpoints" -it means - (and here's where i get just a little rude) - Put on your
'adult garb' and figure out how to deal.

Sorry kids - driving - especially in the beginning is a crutch and a handy-cap.
Dump the ride for now.

Locate checkpoints and identify them so that they're marked on your map.
Note patrols when you spot them and mark their routes. You may not remember
exactly - but when you return to the area you'l have a better sense of what areas
to avoid.

Nearly all checkpoints can be completely avoided or stealthed by easily.

Plan your routes carefully and avoid all unnecessary checkpoints.

You can then drive close to checkpoints - stealth by on foot and pick up another
vehicle on the other side, or walk in and surprise them - then go back for the ride.

- I've now played the northern map with cleared checkpoints, and as I'd suspected
it just re-enforces the claims that FC2 is a driving simulator and it's dead boring.

The devs spent roughly 2 years in Africa to plan this game. They created the
landscape, settings charav\cters and dynamics to simulate the environment
but what was missing from the equation was what it felt like to be there.
A near cnstant sense of tension, uncertainty, apprehension, - Especially about
travel.

- I have a close relative who is a 'community planner" for the US. She's worked in
Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, and South Africa - to name a few - and the
most troubling and fraught with apprehension activity in all of those places - except
for western Mongolia where there's about 20 people for every 300 square miles -
is just getting from here to there.

All of the things that people hate about the game - well, three things: - Checkpoints,
Malaria and Gun Jams all contribute to the uncertainty and trepidation that the devs
experienced daily just by being there. - They keep us on edge, alert, cautious and
always harboring a little doubt about what's around the next corner and all of the
'What-Ifs' about our next malaria attack and our next weapons fail.

So, not only were they as true to the environ as possible, the also gave us a taste of
what it actually feels like to be in that environ.

Now I give them more props, not less, and I wouldn't play the game without them.

Sorry for the tone of lecture that I've tried with little success to avoid - I'm just hoping
that If you understand the reasoning and the value of their inclusion you might enjoy
the game more - possibly tune in to that sense these elements create for the player.

- Best Wishes - and thanks for the feed -> !


https://steamcommunity.com/groups/FarCry2Crew

Malaria and gun jamming is not that kind of a big deal: it can be dealt with literally the press of a button.
Continuous enemy respawn, on the other hand, it's a real hassle IMHO. Especially when they keep chasing you after you've barely managed to get out of the hostile zone.

It would be acceptable if there was a timer that stops enemies from respawning for a while after you've left the zone; it makes sense that outposts get repopulated after a while: Africa is an unsafe place.
But seeing the outpost you've just cleared with much effort crawling with soldiers again because you walked 50 metres away... well, that's annoying, and kills the immersion.

[thirdkeeper]

Checkpoints

Don't - Repeat - Don't even bother going through them. - Nearly all can be avoided
quite easily. - Forget the roads - the most dangerous places on the map.

Don't let the game boss you - Take control. -Either drive around or stealth by.
You'll rarely have to deal with checkpoints again.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[[EDIT]] - My apologies for reading too fast -

Correction:

Outposts

Not to nit pick but it's more like 100 meters - just for the record.

I know the feeling all too well.

You do all that work , mess around on the perimeter and return to see all that
work nullified, and sometimes forced to engage again.

It's a drawback not being able to create safe spaces like in most shooters.
I always saw it as the definition of progress to expand my 'territory'.

- Not so in this game.

- There are plenty of safe spaces and routes, but I believe that It's part of the
message that there's nothing anyone can do to make a difference to the place.
The danger is always there.

- Clear an outpost - don't look back ; )

[thirdkeeper]

Originally posted by Boggalog:

This is an in-progress project to document Far Cry 2 modding.

I've uploaded the guide as a mod at these links:
Nexus Mods - https://www.nexusmods.com/farcry2/mods/299
ModDB - https://www.moddb.com/mods/an-almost-complete-guide-to-far-cry-2-modding

Here is a quick link to the actual document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ozhN9s_4puzSXVYs12ZAOayyL036hgQuFCVS_jSXbd0/edit?usp=sharing


At the moment the guide is partially complete, in the future I will also include a collection of tools and useful files to assist you on your modding journey.



Feel free to give suggestions of topics you would like to be covered. If you have a discovery of your own you would like to be included then please submit them here or in a private message and I'll add you to the contributors list.

Sorry for the semi OT distraction -

This is really great news 8 ) - No way to adequately thank you ! 8 /

-> May the Modders Guide grow and flourish ! <-

[Boggalog]

23/01/21 - Added sections for the following:

Patrols
-Entry titles
-Vehicles
-Faction (Enemy infighting)
-Enemy type
-Enemy ethnicity

[Virago]

Keep up the good work, Tom!

[BigTinz]

I dunno if this is worth adding, but I've answered this question a handful of times over the last year...

https://old.reddit.com/r/farcry/comments/l3hyko/far_cry_2_cant_turn_off_auto_aim/

Seems like a lot of folks that use a controller want to disable auto aim.