Shift 2 repacking question

[Zpectre87]

Hi, I've noticed QuickBMS can now repack files. Is it possible to pack files from Shift 2 and (maybe PCARS if it uses same format) back into BFF containers? Would get me really interested in those games.

[aluigi]

I don't see problems with the reimporting.
It's just an rc4 encryption without custom algorithms.
The only issue I see is with the Xbox platform that uses XMemCompress and it "may" give problems in reusing the reimported data but I'm not sure.

Anyway do a test, it's easier

[Zpectre87]

Thanks, I'll take a look. Repacking would be fantastic for Shift 2 IMO.

[Zpectre87]

I've finally tested it. Repacking works perfectly, but it can only insert files, not add nor change their names, or even create a bff from scratch. So it is, definitely, very useful, but not as useful as I'd hoped.

How possible would it be to create a tool to actually "build" bff files?

[aluigi]

That's a very good news.

Creating a bff rebuilder would require lot of effort in case someone is interested in creating one.

[Zpectre87]

That's a very good news.

Creating a bff rebuilder would require lot of effort in case someone is interested in creating one.

In the readme you mention that the files must be the same size as the original or less. I've heard bff files are quite sensitive to size. You could probably go a bit over the limit when reimporting even despite your statement, but not much.

For what's worth, the game will load any bff that's in the Pakfiles folder, so you don't "have" to use any naming convention. But, as you said, if there's no interest, it won't happen.

The problem was the community where Shift 2 modding took off. The guys at NoGrip are used to rFactor and GTR2's fully open format. When NFS Shift came out with a superior, packed format, they hit a roadblock. japamd made an injector, but you can only do so much with that. The reason there was no interest was mainly because the big guns in Shift 2 modding didn't "want" to. They thought unpacked was better, and so it was. So the game is moddable, but you must endure terrible loading times and a dramatic increase in file sizes.

I've heard SMS intends to open up pCARS to modding, maybe the tools also work with their old games if they happen.