Extending the Life of Halo Modding

[nil]

I'm dabbing at the moment of getting rid of the serial key check prompt when starting Halo for the first time and using whatever invalid CD key I want. I've some progress, although it's not quite complete. I'll hopefully come back later with some more information on it.

To those with knowledge of GDB:

Code: Select all

break * 0x002a7eae
run
(...wait until Halo breaks at 0x002a7eae...)
ret 1
y
cont

This will make Halo accept whatever serial key on launch. First time, you will be prompted to enter one, but it will accept anything. Next step is translating this to an executable modification.

[nil]

Okay, here's the executable modification: http://halodemomods.com/wiki/File:Halo_ ... ck_osx.zip (for version 2.0.4)

This allows you to use any serial key (valid or not or made up) as you please. Note that only valid serial keys will work for joining other public games or for creating internet games, as gamespy or whatever is tied into it. So, I'll leave that stuff to Modzy like he said he was going to do.

My work here seems to be done.

[edit]: Have not tested on PPC, but who cares .

[Modzy]

Very coolness Nildo, mind giving me the info on what parts of the executable you edited? I'll add them to the modded one I have that disables the gamespy key check.

[nil]

At offset 006DBBAE, the following five bytes I changed to 90 90 90 90 90 (so each one of the 5 bytes is 0x90)

At offset 006DBC1A, the following five bytes I changed to 90 90 90 90 90 (so each one of the 5 bytes is 0x90)

Everything I said above is in hex.

[Modzy]

Works wonders nil. I may have found a way around the Invalid key message that appears when you try to start a server with a random key.

[TaxiService]

I think i can speak for everyone in here if i say OH YOU TWO ARE FUCKING GENIUSES!!! O_O

What is going to happen next? You'll make the app able to host only Bloodgulch servers? Maybe via an UI mod? (well, via an UI mod means that if i use a normal UI i'll be able to play normally, so… :-\ )

[Modzy]

SUCCESS! I am able to create servers on the Master Gamespy server using a random key.

Edit: My success seems to have some trick to it, as my servers are no longer appearing on the master server list. Hmm.

I think i can speak for everyone in here if i say OH YOU TWO ARE FUCKING GENIUSES!!! O_O

What is going to happen next? You'll make the app able to host only Bloodgulch servers? Maybe via an UI mod? (well, via an UI mod means that if i use a normal UI i'll be able to play normally, so… :-\ )

I believe it is possible to edit the maps listed in the executable. So that it may be reduced to just bloodgulch.

[kiddten]

May I suggest if it is possible to have a second option, a second map that just links to a dupe bloodgulch.map renamed custom.map?
Just so you could use that instead of the default bloodgulch, and if people did use that instead, you could tell the difference between a stock and custom map.

[Mgalekgolo]

SUCCESS! I am able to create servers on the Master Gamespy server using a random key.

Edit: My success seems to have some trick to it, as my servers are no longer appearing on the master server list. Hmm.

So direct IP?

[Modzy]

So direct IP?

Nah, if it worked once then there must be a way to duplicate that result. I am able to create servers with a random key, but more work is needed for them in a list.

[Mgalekgolo]

So direct IP?

Nah, if it worked once then there must be a way to duplicate that result. I am able to create servers with a random key, but more work is needed for them in a list.

Oh, well how about this as a beta? also has anyone tested? If you want and I do want I'd like to test.

[Dead Site]

I'm not the best at Mac applications and I only know how to make most Leopard utility apps work with older versions like Tiger. I'm not great at the Xcode set either. But doing some mass internet searching, good luck porting Halo CE to Mac.

(as far as I'm sure, you can still play it on Boot Camp. I have Halo Full on Windows only! Score one for me!)

*cough* Right. Modding.

*cough* Good luck, have fun.

[Mgalekgolo]

I'm not the best at Mac applications and I only know how to make most Leopard utility apps work with older versions like Tiger. I'm not great at the Xcode set either. But doing some mass internet searching, good luck porting Halo CE to Mac.

(as far as I'm sure, you can still play it on Boot Camp. I have Halo Full on Windows only! Score one for me!)

*cough* Right. Modding.

*cough* Good luck, have fun.

No. read what were doing. We(they) are trying to make an application mod where we can have halo demo in a sort of shell of halo Full UB. for lion(I wrote tiger -_-) users.

[TaxiService]

It's getting confusing with all these felines.

[Excend]

[off topic]You know the little dashboard widget that is one of those slider puzzles? 10.5 is a leopard, 10.6 is a snow leopard, and guess what 10.7 is? A SNOW LEOPARD SAHRAKHE.[/off topic]