By request, I have created UnTGZ, a tool that will convert Zork Nemesis‘ *.TGA art files to *.BMP. Basically, it was a matter of reverse engineering the executable to see that Apple’s LZSS code was used to compress and decompress these *.TGA files. Zork’s TGA files are basically 16-bit bitmaps (LZSS compressed) with RGB codes in the bitmap data. Download UnTGZ to convert *.TGA files to windows bitmap.
The tool: UnTGZ 0.02
By request I’ve edited some old source code of TRE Archiver to not require MexCom registration. So, basically this is the same as 1.0.3, but now without the need to have a registered copy of MexCom. Don’t complain that it won’t open any new TRE types. The original tool was from 2003, it’s now 6 years later. I won’t support it any further.
Zench created a simple extractor for the GCF format used by TikGames’ Monopoly. Currently the extractor is command line only; a MexCom plugin to extract and repack the format is planned for the future, if support is desired. Usage should be self-explanatory, but if not, ask at the forum. The discussion can be found here, and the tool can be downloaded at this URL.
This tool is quite old (2003) and basic, but it does the job surprisingly well. ClipMon is a simple Windows tool that will allow you to make screenshots and store them where you want them. I wrote it as some games I wanted to show to other people did not allow screenshots to be made. Just start the tool, set the folder you wish to store the .jpg files in, and click “start monitoring”. In this mode, every time you press [Print screen] a shot of the currently active screen will be saved. Works in many games! And no annoying watermarks! Download: ClipMon 1.1
Rheini has partially translated the German-only game Settlers 2: Rise of Cultures into English, via tools he created to decrypt and encrypt its data files. Currently only the basics have been translated, and anyone can help out by translating more. The data files, including the unencrypted versions, can be found at this topic. Discussion on the tools is here.
We are now hosting the official Jaeder Naub website. Jaeder Naub is an advanced media ripping tool that can find and extract a large number of sounds and graphics from any file that harbours them. It is a stand alone tool, and it is also offered in MultiEx Commander as an optional tool to scan and then select which found media to extract where. Keep browsing to http://www.jaedernaub.com for updates!
Turfster, a Game Reseach Forum regular, created a nifty tool by request for Assassin’s Creed *.forge files! The format of the .forge files can be reviewed at the Game File Format Central!The tool Animus will enable you to extract files from .forge files. Note that some of them are still in another game specific format.
We’ve taken the liberty to mirror Game File Explorer’s Geocities location, to preserve it. Note that we could not get into touch with Aahlstro himself, so perhaps he’ll come to us. In any event, this is a cool program that should be available from a more dedicated site, such as XeNTaX. Game File Explorer will let you open a lot of different Game Resource Archive Formats! Check it out!
Mr. Mouse released a MexCom plugin for *.PAK files from the Playstation Portable game Puzzle Quest. By request at the Game Research forum, the PAK format was demystified. In addition, Deniz Oezmen created a tool to convert binary XML files back to text form. Options: Read the whole discussion, Learn about the PAK format, Get the Plugin, Get XMLConv.
Deniz Oezmen and Benjamin Haisch (John_doe) reverse engineer compression or encryption techniques while you wait! Visitors of the Xentax boards will have met Deniz and Benjamin before and have seen their prowess. I felt it time to set the spotlight on them for some excellent work they did. While I am not afraid of reverse engineering compression/encryption techniques (read the Definitive Guide), I am absolutely no expert. However, these guys play that game in a higher league. Two pieces of work I’ll highlight.
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