Has Microsoft Killed Advanced Genie Editor 3 ?

[Master Sniper]

Just found this on the internet :
https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/16f9rw1/modifying_empires2_x2_p1dat_causes_game_to_crash/

I recently got the same issue since 93001 update. Every time I launched the game, it kept popping "Couldn't load .dat file" message and became unplayable.

I hope it's just a bug caused by the update. Please, Microsoft, please tell us it's not intentional. Please.

[SK]

Got the same issue.
I was using AGE3 to mess around with unit stats so I can enjoy the campaign in various ways, but it seems that after the update the game refuse to load the modded .dat file.
Even adding a single empty "Effect" the game still say no.

[(D)DLC Notsuki Satsuki]

Yes and no, i think the DE version of the game has it's own Genie editior.

But i have no idea where it is.

[SK]

Originally posted by Don Juan The III:

Yes and no, i think the DE version of the game has it's own Genie editior.

But i have no idea where it is.

I am using the version shipped along with DE, inside "AoE2DE\Tools_Builds" (and I'm sure OP is talking about this version).

This version still worked fine even with Return of Rome update, but after the recent 2 campaign addition the game stop accepting modified .dat file.

Original .dat file: game load.
Modify something using AGE3: game no load.
Delete that modification in AGE3 then save: game load.

[Mackinaw Bellerose]

I have kind of a related(?) problem when I load my mod through any campaign scenario. When I load it, I get a prompt saying "Warning. You are about to load a scenario with an unofficial Data Set. This can lead to unexpected behaviour and even application crashing. Continue?" After clicking yes, it runs without any problems, but after quitting I get a message saying "Achievements did not progress this game because cheat codes were used." Anyone else experience this problem or is it just me?

[Marco]

Originally posted by Sniperq352:

Just found this on the internet :
https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/16f9rw1/modifying_empires2_x2_p1dat_causes_game_to_crash/

I recently got the same issue since 93001 update. Every time I launched the game, it kept popping "Couldn't load .dat file" message and became unplayable.

I hope it's just a bug caused by the update. Please, Microsoft, please tell us it's not intentional. Please.

I use AGE3 from the Tools folder too, but I haven't worked on my mods after the last update yet.

Anyway, I tried to select my custom data mod in a campaign (Attila's 5th mission), I got that message that the game could crash, but the mission played anyways and I completed it in about 2 hours (1.7 speed). But I think the game didn't really load my data mod, because I changed health bars and added technologies but they didn't show as I modified them.

Regarding the message "couldn't load .dat file", have you tried disabling all mods (Settings>Mods>press the button 'Disable All') and then importing the local ones from its tab (it should be called 'Local Mods' or something)?
Wait until it is done (30-60 sec; if you made more than 1 mod, they will show in reversed order once imported) and try again (after importing the local mods, all mods you had installed will automatically enable again). I use this procedure when a skirmish doesn't start because of that error. Please note that if you play skirmish, you must repeat this procedure every time you launch the game from Steam. I didn't do the procedure today because I didn't get that error while loading the campaign, but when it comes to skirmish I always do it.

Originally posted by Mackinaw Bellerose:

I have kind of a related(?) problem when I load my mod through any campaign scenario. When I load it, I get a prompt saying "Warning. You are about to load a scenario with an unofficial Data Set. This can lead to unexpected behaviour and even application crashing. Continue?" After clicking yes, it runs without any problems, but after quitting I get a message saying "Achievements did not progress this game because cheat codes were used." Anyone else experience this problem or is it just me?

Many games say that because you are using a mod, which is considered to be "cheating" somehow (you change health, attack, armor, units speed, tech cost, villagers' work rate, etc.). Basically, you are playing a different version than the default game, hence achievements won't unlock. When I've beaten Extreme AI in a skirmish for the first time, my achievement didn't unlock because I loaded my custom data set. I had to play with default data to unlock that achievement.

[StepS]

Thank you for reporting, however this is by design -- modifying the empires2_x2_p1.dat file in the game's installation structure has never been supported. You must install it as a data mod.

If you create a local data mod (%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<ID>\mods\local\MyDataMod\resources\_common\dat) you can then select the custom dataset through the "Data Mod" dropdown in the "Editors" menu, Skirmish, as well as Campaign menus. If you Publish the mod through the Mod Manager, you can then also select it when hosting a Multiplayer game.
For a new data mod I recommend adding not only empires2_x2_p1.dat, but also civilizations.json in the same folder -- this will allow your mod to keep working if the number of total civilizations changes in a future update.

Do note, however, that using a custom dataset is considered as modification of game behavior and thus won't progress Campaign achievements.
This is true even if it only decouples graphics definitions (e.g. for custom architecture sets and frame counts) since those are also contained in the data file -- however, we are aware of that problem as possible subject for improvement in the future.

[Master Sniper]

Originally posted by StepS:

Thank you for reporting, however this is by design -- modifying the empires2_x2_p1.dat file in the game's installation structure has never been supported. You must install it as a data mod.

If you create a local data mod (%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<ID>\mods\local\MyDataMod\resources\_common\dat) you can then select the custom dataset through the "Data Mod" dropdown in the "Editors" menu, Skirmish, as well as Campaign menus. If you Publish the mod through the Mod Manager, you can then also select it when hosting a Multiplayer game.
For a new data mod I recommend adding not only empires2_x2_p1.dat, but also civilizations.json in the same folder -- this will allow your mod to keep working if the number of total civilizations changes in a future update.

Do note, however, that using a custom dataset is considered as modification of game behavior and thus won't progress Campaign achievements.
This is true even if it only decouples graphics definitions (e.g. for custom architecture sets and frame counts) since those are also contained in the data file -- however, we are aware of that problem as possible subject for improvement in the future.

I have deleted my original reply. I admit I didn't read and understand your reply well enough due to my rashness. It's my fault without a doubt.

However, I'm still hoping you can revert this change because it's overly complicated for small modifications like this. Furthermore, having freedom of choice in singleplayer without limitation of multiplayer is always a big part of gaming, and I believe AOE is way more beyond the competitive sides or e-sport.

If it's a necessary change due to technological reasons, that's fine. Just do your best to improve the game and make it run better for everyone. But if it's simply for the sake of competitive / e-sport stuffs, why don't we rename the game "Age Of Meta 2"?

I will never forget the good old days having fun in AOE2 just simply because of the game itself. Thank you, devs, for spending time on reading my nonsense. Have a nice day.

[Mackinaw Bellerose]

Many games say that because you are using a mod, which is considered to be "cheating" somehow (you change health, attack, armor, units speed, tech cost, villagers' work rate, etc.). Basically, you are playing a different version than the default game, hence achievements won't unlock. When I've beaten Extreme AI in a skirmish for the first time, my achievement didn't unlock because I loaded my custom data set. I had to play with default data to unlock that achievement.

Thank you for reporting, however this is by design -- modifying the empires2_x2_p1.dat file in the game's installation structure has never been supported. You must install it as a data mod.

If you create a local data mod (%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<ID>\mods\local\MyDataMod\resources\_common\dat) you can then select the custom dataset through the "Data Mod" dropdown in the "Editors" menu, Skirmish, as well as Campaign menus. If you Publish the mod through the Mod Manager, you can then also select it when hosting a Multiplayer game.
For a new data mod I recommend adding not only empires2_x2_p1.dat, but also civilizations.json in the same folder -- this will allow your mod to keep working if the number of total civilizations changes in a future update.

Do note, however, that using a custom dataset is considered as modification of game behavior and thus won't progress Campaign achievements.
This is true even if it only decouples graphics definitions (e.g. for custom architecture sets and frame counts) since those are also contained in the data file -- however, we are aware of that problem as possible subject for improvement in the future.

Well, I've done what I can, but I'm afraid I have to play the campaigns without my mod. It is what it is, so be it, etc.

[wr1000]

bonjour je cherche a modder le jeu via le fichier empires2_x2_p1.dat mais je ne comprend pas le chemin %USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<ID>\mods\local\MyDataMod\resources\_common\dat
c'est quoi <ID>
c'est quoi MyDataMod
merci de réexpliquer
cordialement

[babadanputih]

Originally posted by StepS:

Thank you for reporting, however this is by design -- modifying the empires2_x2_p1.dat file in the game's installation structure has never been supported. You must install it as a data mod.

If you create a local data mod (%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<ID>\mods\local\MyDataMod\resources\_common\dat) you can then select the custom dataset through the "Data Mod" dropdown in the "Editors" menu, Skirmish, as well as Campaign menus. If you Publish the mod through the Mod Manager, you can then also select it when hosting a Multiplayer game.
For a new data mod I recommend adding not only empires2_x2_p1.dat, but also civilizations.json in the same folder -- this will allow your mod to keep working if the number of total civilizations changes in a future update.

Do note, however, that using a custom dataset is considered as modification of game behavior and thus won't progress Campaign achievements.
This is true even if it only decouples graphics definitions (e.g. for custom architecture sets and frame counts) since those are also contained in the data file -- however, we are aware of that problem as possible subject for improvement in the future.

REFUNDED, bethesda GS laugh in the corner XD

[Jersey Raccoon]

Originally posted by StepS:

Thank you for reporting, however this is by design -- modifying the empires2_x2_p1.dat file in the game's installation structure has never been supported. You must install it as a data mod.

If you create a local data mod (%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<ID>\mods\local\MyDataMod\resources\_common\dat) you can then select the custom dataset through the "Data Mod" dropdown in the "Editors" menu, Skirmish, as well as Campaign menus. If you Publish the mod through the Mod Manager, you can then also select it when hosting a Multiplayer game.
For a new data mod I recommend adding not only empires2_x2_p1.dat, but also civilizations.json in the same folder -- this will allow your mod to keep working if the number of total civilizations changes in a future update.

Do note, however, that using a custom dataset is considered as modification of game behavior and thus won't progress Campaign achievements.
This is true even if it only decouples graphics definitions (e.g. for custom architecture sets and frame counts) since those are also contained in the data file -- however, we are aware of that problem as possible subject for improvement in the future.

that's stupid. you're just artificially preventing people from modifying the base files.

[Hachik0]

Same here. Whenever i open up AGE, and open my data file it just closes the program/crashes with out a warning. No idea how to fix this.

[Cass]

Originally posted by Hachik0:

Same here. Whenever i open up AGE, and open my data file it just closes the program/crashes with out a warning. No idea how to fix this.

AGE req update, I hope devs did it soon. Otherwise, MOD development will stop.

[Master Sniper]

Originally posted by BAD *Man:

Well guys do not use the Editor from the website

a version is included in your game dict..
BLA :\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\AoE2DE\Tools_Builds

that one worked without crashing

in fact, i was using the version included in the game until the update came out.
i'm afraid it's the same. this is why i'm playing HD version nowadays.

[Vega]

They definitely need to push a fix for AGE, hopefully with the DLC, because their new changes to it is causing it to crash when you close AGE. This happens regardless of where you open the program from.

It's not a huge deal, you can still use AGE, save it, just don't close any of the windows or it'll crash lol.