Patch 1.5.0 - probably no more modding

I've tested some time ago patch 1.5.0 "Arcade Beta", and it's not just an interface patch. It reworks game client with new streaming system, that check EVERY ingame file, including renamed and overlaped files.

You can just change brightness of SC2 logo in the Battle.Net UI, bring modified texture file back to MPQ-archive and it will redownload again. There are no more way to add custom backgrounds for Battle.Net, no more Stronger Team Color mod, no more BroodWar sounds, etc etc.

I will be glad, if it's wrong and there will be a way to add new backgrounds and new resources into game without modifying original resources or any other way to customize some ingame stuff.

But with patch 1.5.0 after game launcher it will lock modified file (renamed or not, no matter) and start redownload it.

^ same happens with any modified file. Also method with creating new enGB.sc2assets or base.sc2assets, created in "LibertyMulti.sc2mod" folder, no longer works.

As you can see, if file was broken or modified (for example you're deleted one DDS-texture file), instead of redownloading 2 gb sized MPQ-file, it skips entire file (that is unmodified) and starts redownload only modified part of MPQ file (at screenshot it starts redownload from 272 mb to 295 mb, and not all 295 mb from zero)

You can test it now, launch SC2 Arcade Beta 1.5.0, open any MPQ file, go to Texture folder (inside MPQ file) and just change small DDS-texture (change brightness or saturation for example, modify it in any way) and bring it back to MPQ-file, where you get it from. After launcher it will redownload file and lock modified one. Same system was implemented in Diablo 3 game client, where you can't change ingame language via renaming files (like koKR to enGB), because with that it will redownload files too. Glad they added Global Play function, that will be in HotS too.

But...

But there are a good side of that game client revamp. PROBABLY less cheaters, maphackers, drophackers and other heretics. I don't know how their cheats works, but probably (I'm just guessing) some of them used same ways to alter game resources, like Stronger Team Color mod/BW sounds/Bnet backgrounds/etc. So after patch 1.5.0 come out, probably many cheats and hacks will be broken too.

P.S.

Again, here are just my assumptions based on small tests in Arcade-Beta 1.5.0. I will be VERY glad, if I'm wrong and it will be still possible to do some ingame customization.

Last edit: 2012-07-25 13:22:48

Chargelot July 25 2012 12:33. Posts 2274

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I wonder if this will also have any real anti-hacking utility.

Last edit: 2012-07-25 12:34:55

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emichaelnd86 United States. July 25 2012 12:33. Posts 20

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Such a shame if this is really how it will be.

ㅈㅈ

OMGaZERGling Canada. July 25 2012 12:36. Posts 44

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DAMN YOU BLIZZARD

ALL HAIL ZERG HEROS DRG - SYMBOL- NESTEA -

NKexquisite United States. July 25 2012 12:37. Posts 469

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Probably a step in the right direction though

Whattttt Upppppppp Im Nesteaaaaaa!!

BlackPanther United States. July 25 2012 12:41. Posts 447

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If it prevents hacking, then this is fantastic.

Netsky Australia. July 25 2012 12:41. Posts 1102

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Diablo 3 has the same protection. I tried to swap the MPQ/assets file the same way I would with SC2 (pre-1.5 of course) to play Korean sounds and performs the check on game start up and downloads the correct file.

Plexa Administrator July 25 2012 12:41.

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I can see both sides of the coin for this

I wish some of these features like background skins, units sounds and strong colors were already prebuilt in though.

~ Spirit will set you free ~

PauseBreak United States. July 25 2012 12:42. Posts 270

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Good, I'm glad Blizzard has decided to truely fix the problem instead of just banning thousands of players.

Pronkers Australia. July 25 2012 12:42. Posts 13

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Yep, punishing their legit paying customers yet still letting pirates pirate and hackers hack.

Sounds like blizzard.

GinDo July 25 2012 12:42. Posts 2926

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Good call by Blizzard.

Now is the perfect opportunity to ask Blizzard for features such as Stronger Team Colors, to be an option in-game.

ⱩŦ ƑⱠẬ$Ħ / ƩǤ ɈƩẬƉØƝǤ [ɌȻ]

AndAgain United States. July 25 2012 12:43. Posts 2485

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At least Orb casts will be watchable for me.

All your teeth should fall out and hair should grow in their place!

Diamond United States. July 25 2012 12:43. Posts 9005

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"We support and love the color mod!"

Kills it without a replacement. Solid logic.

Check out ESV TV at http://www.esvtv.com ****** TaeJa, he's pretty good.

desarrisc Canada. July 25 2012 12:46. Posts 225

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So does this block hacking or no? Has anyone got the opportunity to test this?

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Shellshock1122 United States. July 25 2012 12:46. Posts 38905

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Nooooo! My Nova background with those sweet curves T_T It made playing terran so much worth it. How could you do this to me Blizzard!

"Holy fuck, no wonder the guy above me has 27k posts. Guy's a fucking speedyass ninja." -Roffles | COLIN CORAN CORN QOLIN CORINNE | #1 TL WORLD OF TANKS FAN AMONG SC2 FANS > FIONN