Dat File Format

Spritze · 07-31-2002, 12:00 PM

Hi: Love the game.

I need the ability to unretire players occaisionally, which could be done in version 3 with Pierres Unretire/Undelete utility.

Since this is not available for version 4, I thought perhaps it might be useful to create one.

So the only question I have is how to read the dat files (if this is not secret proprietary information). I have tried to open the player dat file using various database formats, text and hex editors etc. so far I have not found the correct one that converts the dat to a logical information stream.

If I can open the dat files I should be able to figure out what field/switch in the data you use to delete/retire and reverse it when necessary.

Thanks

Killebrew · 07-31-2002, 03:54 PM

The OOTP DAT files are game data files and they can be opened with a hex editor (strongly not advised though). In order to program a utility to edit player info (unretire the player) you would need the data structure, informing you what information was stored where in the data file in question. If you are are programmer & want to create a utility you could write to Markus and explain your situation. If you are not a programmer then having the DAT file structure won't be helpful anyway

.

Spritze · 08-01-2002, 02:09 PM

Well, I am a programmer. Have been since 1982. I'll try a different hex editor and see whats what. Thanks.

rdomico · 08-02-2002, 02:34 PM

Spritze,

Any luck figuring out the data structure in the *.dat files? I am a programmer also and if I had that infomation, I could write some utilities for myself.

Bob

07-31-2002, 12:00 PM	#1
Spritze OOTP Historical Czar Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bothell Wa Posts: 7,253	Dat File Format Hi: Love the game. I need the ability to unretire players occaisionally, which could be done in version 3 with Pierres Unretire/Undelete utility. Since this is not available for version 4, I thought perhaps it might be useful to create one. So the only question I have is how to read the dat files (if this is not secret proprietary information). I have tried to open the player dat file using various database formats, text and hex editors etc. so far I have not found the correct one that converts the dat to a logical information stream. If I can open the dat files I should be able to figure out what field/switch in the data you use to delete/retire and reverse it when necessary. Thanks

07-31-2002, 03:54 PM	#2
Killebrew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 3,326	The OOTP DAT files are game data files and they can be opened with a hex editor (strongly not advised though). In order to program a utility to edit player info (unretire the player) you would need the data structure, informing you what information was stored where in the data file in question. If you are are programmer & want to create a utility you could write to Markus and explain your situation. If you are not a programmer then having the DAT file structure won't be helpful anyway.

08-01-2002, 02:09 PM	#3
Spritze OOTP Historical Czar Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bothell Wa Posts: 7,253	Well, I am a programmer. Have been since 1982. I'll try a different hex editor and see whats what. Thanks.

08-02-2002, 02:34 PM	#4
rdomico All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Monaca, PA Posts: 832	Spritze, Any luck figuring out the data structure in the *.dat files? I am a programmer also and if I had that infomation, I could write some utilities for myself. Bob