UPDATED Launch Script for NEW Cog-Minder Wiki

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Hi.

This is a VERY basic batch file.

I'm a lazy gamer, and I dislike having to enter new launch command parameters in steam so I decided to write a simple batch file which will allow me to play any of the modes the game offers without me having to go into steam to do it.

If the dev decides to add in a new mode I can simply edit the batch file, and off I go.

Anyway, I won't be sharing my batch file but I will post the script so if you wish to look it over, and create your own then go for it.

For me it does all I want it too do. It's not fancy but now I don't have to manually put the different modes into steams launch command line which is a real pain in my rear end.

=================
=================
I have updated the script to include the latest Cogmind Wiki called Cog-Minder. Please follow the instructions below on how to update the script.
=================
=================

First make a back up of the batch file you created.

Then open it up in your favorite text editor (I suggest Notepad ++), then delete the entire contents of the batch file. Make sure there is nothing left.

Now highlight the entire script below, copy and paste it into your batch file which you just cleared.

Save the file, and continue on as before.

@echo off
MODE con:cols=100 lines=34
:start
cls
echo ==================================================
type lastgame.txt
IF EXIST ".\user\*.sav" (echo Save File: YES) ELSE (echo Save File: NO)
echo.
echo REMEMBER: If there is a save file you will not be
echo able to start a new mode without first deleting the
echo save file.
echo ==================================================
echo ==================================================
echo Choose the Number for the Mode You Wish to Play.
echo ================= GAME MODES =====================
echo (1): Play Regular Cogmind Without a Mode.
echo (2): Play Cogmind Pay to Buy Mode.
echo (3): Play Cogmind RPG Mode.
echo (4): Play Cogmind Player 2 Mode.
echo (5): Play Cogmind Halloween Mode.
echo (6): Play Cogmind Halloween Mode 2020.
echo (7): Play Cogmind Polymind Mode (2022/2023).
echo ================== COGMIND =======================
echo (a): Description of Cogmind Modes.
echo (b): Read Cogminds Game Manual.
echo (w): Visit Cogmind's Website.
echo (f): Visit Cogmind's Forum.
echo (v): Visit Cogmind's Wiki.
echo (s): Visit Cog-Minder Wiki.
echo ============= BACKUP/RESTORE/DELETE ==============
echo (x): BACKUP Your Game Save(s).
echo (c): RESTORE Your Game Save(s).
echo (z): DELETE Your Game Save(s).
echo ==================================================
echo (q): QUIT Back to Desktop.
echo ==================================================
set choice=
set /p choice=Enter Your Choice Cogmind:
if not '%choice%'=='' set choice=%choice:~0,1%
if '%choice%'=='1' goto one
if '%choice%'=='2' goto two
if '%choice%'=='3' goto three
if '%choice%'=='4' goto four
if '%choice%'=='5' goto five
if '%choice%'=='6' goto six
if '%choice%'=='7' goto seven
if '%choice%'=='q' goto end
if '%choice%'=='w' goto website
if '%choice%'=='a' goto modes
if '%choice%'=='b' goto manual
if '%choice%'=='f' goto forum
if '%choice%'=='z' goto kill
if '%choice%'=='c' goto restore
if '%choice%'=='x' goto backup
if '%choice%'=='v' goto wiki
if '%choice%'=='s' goto cogminder
ECHO "%choice%" is not valid, try again.
goto start
:one
cls
start cogmind.exe -noSpecialMode
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "NO Special Mode"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:two
cls
start cogmind.exe -forceMode:AFD2019
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "Pay to Buy Mode"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:three
cls
start cogmind.exe -forceMode:RPGLIKE
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "RPG Mode"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:four
cls
start cogmind.exe -forceMode:AFD2020
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "Player 2 Mode"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:five
cls
start cogmind.exe -forceMode:Abominations
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "Halloween Mode"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:six
cls
start cogmind.exe -forceMode:Halloween2020
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "Halloween2020/Forbidden Lore"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:seven
cls
start cogmind.exe -forceMode:Polymind
@echo Last Game Mode You Played: "POLYMIND"> lastgame.txt
goto end
:kill
set choice=
set /p choice=ARE YOU SURE YOU WISH TO DELETE YOUR SAVE GAME (Y/N)?
if not '%choice%'=='' set choice=%choice:~0,1%
if '%choice%'=='y' goto kill2
if '%choice%'=='n' goto start
ECHO "%choice%" is not valid, try again.
goto kill
:kill2
del .\user\*.sav
goto start
:website
start https://www.gridsagegames.com/cogmind/
goto start
:modes
start https://www.gridsagegames.com/blog/2019/05/special-game-modes-roguelike-context/
goto start
:manual
start https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steam/apps/722730/manuals/manual.pdf?t=1573682289
goto start
:forum
start https://www.gridsagegames.com/forums/index.php
goto start
:backup
mkdir .\user\backup
copy .\user\*.sav .\user\backup
goto start
:restore
copy .\user\backup\*.sav .\user\
goto start
:wiki
start https://gridsagegames.com/wiki/Main_Page
goto start
:cogminder
start https://noemica.github.io/cog-minder/about.html
goto start
:end
exit

Please let me know if there are any issue's with the script.

[Samoan64]

This is insanely useful considering how many modes you have to remember and how annoying it is to input them. I really do hope that a mode menu is integrated into the new game menu or the options menu in the future. Thanks for making this!

[Samoan64]

Thanks for the fixes. Haven't had problems yet fortunately since I've only used it once so far.

EDIT: wtf you deleted your response posts and I thought I was going nuts because I swore there were posts before this one but they vanished as I posted this.

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Originally posted by Someone64:

This is insanely useful considering how many modes you have to remember and how annoying it is to input them. I really do hope that a mode menu is integrated into the new game menu or the options menu in the future. Thanks for making this!

I would create a new batch file, and copy the code in original post. I had to fix an issue with one of the options.

Cheers.

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Originally posted by Someone64:

Thanks for the fixes. Haven't had problems yet fortunately since I've only used it once so far.

EDIT: wtf you deleted your response posts and I thought I was going nuts because I swore there were posts before this one but they vanished as I posted this.

Yeah there was. Haaaa, sorry. i just wanted to keep this thread clean of my mind numbing spatter. It must be my Minecraft induced OCD kicking in again.

Sorry.

-- edit --

I hope the dev decides to create a launcher which will take care of not having to create a batch file like this.

Cogmind is such a great game.

[LordBlade]

Yeah, I don't know why this isn't something that's being included by the dev. I mean, it's very simple. And honestly as someone who used to use lots of batch files when playing older Roguelikes, I'm disappointed I didn't think of it myself. lol

[LordBlade]

Oh, a question. How would I change the file to let me run it from the desktop? Basically I'd need to set it up to find where Cogmind is I suppose, just wondering the best way to do it with your setup.

[Samoan64]

Kyz himself said it would be a huge technical undertaking to implement a mode menu in-game due to the way the game's engine was made and he would have to rework a ton of it just for that, unfortunately.

The easiest way to launch it from the desktop without touching the contents of the batch file itself is to make a shortcut. Right click drag it to the desktop and the corresponding menu that will appear will have an option for that. If you would like to place the .bat file somewhere else, make a shortcut for it but in the shortcut's properties, set it to run from inside Cogmind's root folder (the entry field for 'Start in:') and it will behave as if it was launched from within there.

[LordBlade]

Well, I've played a number of games on Steam which basically load up a "launcher" window first, which gives options for different game types or to go to settings and such. I figure something like that shouldn't be too difficult.

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Originally posted by LordBlade:

Oh, a question. How would I change the file to let me run it from the desktop? Basically I'd need to set it up to find where Cogmind is I suppose, just wondering the best way to do it with your setup.

All you will do is copy & create s shortcut to your desktop. Easy Peezy.

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Originally posted by LordBlade:

Yeah, I don't know why this isn't something that's being included by the dev. I mean, it's very simple. And honestly as someone who used to use lots of batch files when playing older Roguelikes, I'm disappointed I didn't think of it myself. lol

That's the thing, I grew up on dos, and it just occurred to me the day I posted it. haaa.

[LordBlade]

Originally posted by MycroftCanadaNS:

That's the thing, I grew up on dos, and it just occurred to me the day I posted it. haaa.

Yeah, I remember doing everything in DOS. My first real PC (after my C64) was a 286. I remember getting a 386 later on and being blown away by how much faster everything ran. lol

God I'm old. :p

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Originally posted by LordBlade:

Originally posted by MycroftCanadaNS:

That's the thing, I grew up on dos, and it just occurred to me the day I posted it. haaa.

Yeah, I remember doing everything in DOS. My first real PC (after my C64) was a 286. I remember getting a 386 later on and being blown away by how much faster everything ran. lol

God I'm old. :p

Haaaa, I know what you mean. Those were the days.

Old? Nah, you are just well seasoned is all.

[The Fireman]

This is awesome. Is there a reason the dev doesn't make a menu?

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Originally posted by The Fireman:

This is awesome. Is there a reason the dev doesn't make a menu?

Someone64 (post above) did mention something about it being difficult having to integrate it into the game itself.

I'm just curious as a front end would be only a game launcher (tool) instead of being part of the main game itself which does have me wonder the real reason why they wouldn't make a launcher which would allow for all kinds of options.

It didn't take me long to create the batch file so it could take far less time for the dev himself to pound out a real cool feature rich launcher for us to use.

But who knows really.

[LordBlade]

I wouldn't think it would be too complicated to get launch options simply through Steam itself. Many games do it.

For example, when you launch ARK, you get the following launcher options:
https://imgur.com/a/DP8tzm6

Basically various ways to launch the program. Cogmind should be able to do the same, even easier as the changes are a simple launch command, not loading up different versions or choosing whether or not to load up associated programs (like BattlEye for ARK).