Plug-in (Escape Velocity)
Encyclopedia
Plug-in is the term used for the add-on files used to modify the Escape Velocity series of games by Ambrosia Software
. They are similar to what is now often referred to as a 'mod
' for other games, but that term was not common when Escape Velocity was first created, and in any case the Macintosh development community generally prefers clearer and more accessible terminology. Another difference in the terminology is that while ‘mods” often involve a certain amount of reverse-engineering of the game engine (since developers prefer to sell their own expansion packs), plug-ins are specifically authorised and facilitated by the developers.
Plug-ins are collected on the official web sites for the Escape Velocity games (or, of course, can be downloaded from a plug-in creator’s own site) and are installed by placing them in the ‘Plug-ins’ folder within the game folder. The effects of the plug-in will be active so long as the game is run with the file in the correct folder.
The plug-in architecture takes advantage of the Macintosh resource fork
, and a plug-in is composed of multiple resources, most of which are graphical or textual in nature. Each aspect of an Escape Velocity game (including the space ships, graphics for various animated items, missions, planets, and description texts for different items) is described by a different type of resource.
A special file type that ‘flattens’ these resources (with the file extension .rez) is used by the Windows version of EV Nova
. To distinguish them from this new format, the traditional resource fork-based plug-ins are sometimes referred to by their Macintosh type code
Npïf or, especially among Windows users, by the extension .rsrc which they are given by some Windows-based expansion tools.
Neither version of EV Nova can use the other’s format without conversion. The Windows version includes an Npïf-to-.rez converter, which is a common source of confusion to new users. The Macintosh version does not include a converter, but third-party utilities are available to convert in both directions. Converting .rez plug-ins to Npïf on Windows is not possible, since resource forks cannot exist on Windows; this is, in fact, why the .rez format was originally required.
, or by a third-party editor specifically designed to edit plug-in files, such as MissionComputer. The first two Escape Velocity incarnations utilise simple templates included with the game files that can be loaded into ResEdit and used to edit the resources in a human-readable fashion. With EV Nova
, these are still available, but have been superseded in general use by a set of ResEdit add-on editors called NovaTools http://davidarthur.evula.net/resedit/, which offer a more graphical interface, and can perform necessary hexadecimal
calculations which the templates left to the user’s own mathematical skills.
Even with the benefit of NovaTools, however, ResEdit can prove unwelcoming to many users, and cannot run natively under Mac OS X
(or at all on Windows and on Intel-based Macintoshes). There is therefore a long-standing tradition of purpose-built plug-in editors, which offer extra features and a more user-friendly interface. The present-day editors supporting EV Nova are the free MissionComputer, the shareware
EVONE, the under-construction Rezilla Custom, and the Windows-only EVNEW, which is at present the only option open to Windows-based developers. Past editors which have not been updated to support subsequent games include Schmelta-V (named for Ambrosia's delta-v plug-in development mailing list
), EV-Edit, EEEV (later called Override Override), EVO Developer's Map, and many others.
Alternatively, programs such as ConText and ResStore (both part of the NovaTools package) can be used to export certain types of resources into spreadsheet
s, where various values (such as damage dealt by a weapon) can be edited. This can be particularly useful for modifying many resources at once, as many spreadsheet programs provide the ability to fill cells. These spreadsheets can then be imported back into plug-in format.
With developers realising the amount of work involved in creating a proper ‘total conversion’, derivative terms such as ‘mini-TC’ and ‘quasi-TC’ have also become common, but there are no standards for their meanings.
Ambrosia Software
Ambrosia Software is a predominantly Macintosh software company located in Rochester, New York. Ambrosia produces utilities and games. Its products are distributed as shareware; demo versions can be downloaded and used for up to 30 days....
. They are similar to what is now often referred to as a 'mod
Mod (computer gaming)
Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
' for other games, but that term was not common when Escape Velocity was first created, and in any case the Macintosh development community generally prefers clearer and more accessible terminology. Another difference in the terminology is that while ‘mods” often involve a certain amount of reverse-engineering of the game engine (since developers prefer to sell their own expansion packs), plug-ins are specifically authorised and facilitated by the developers.
Plug-ins are collected on the official web sites for the Escape Velocity games (or, of course, can be downloaded from a plug-in creator’s own site) and are installed by placing them in the ‘Plug-ins’ folder within the game folder. The effects of the plug-in will be active so long as the game is run with the file in the correct folder.
Format
Resource fork
The resource fork is a construct of the Mac OS operating system used to store structured data in a file, alongside unstructured data stored within the data fork. A resource fork stores information in a specific form, such as icons, the shapes of windows, definitions of menus and their contents, and...
, and a plug-in is composed of multiple resources, most of which are graphical or textual in nature. Each aspect of an Escape Velocity game (including the space ships, graphics for various animated items, missions, planets, and description texts for different items) is described by a different type of resource.
A special file type that ‘flattens’ these resources (with the file extension .rez) is used by the Windows version of EV Nova
Escape Velocity Nova
Escape Velocity Nova is a computer game by Ambrosia Software, in collaboration with ATMOS. It is the third game in the Escape Velocity series of space trading & combat games.-History and development:...
. To distinguish them from this new format, the traditional resource fork-based plug-ins are sometimes referred to by their Macintosh type code
Type code
A type code is the only mechanism used in pre-Mac OS X versions of the Macintosh operating system to denote a file's format, in a manner similar to file extensions in other operating systems. Codes are four-byte OSTypes...
Npïf or, especially among Windows users, by the extension .rsrc which they are given by some Windows-based expansion tools.
Neither version of EV Nova can use the other’s format without conversion. The Windows version includes an Npïf-to-.rez converter, which is a common source of confusion to new users. The Macintosh version does not include a converter, but third-party utilities are available to convert in both directions. Converting .rez plug-ins to Npïf on Windows is not possible, since resource forks cannot exist on Windows; this is, in fact, why the .rez format was originally required.
Editing
Plug-ins can be created or edited either by a resource editor such as ResEditResEdit
ResEdit was a developer tool application for the Apple Macintosh, used to create and edit resources directly in the Mac's resource fork architecture. It was an alternative to tools such as REdit, and the resource compiler Rez. For the average user, ResEdit was generally easier to use, because it...
, or by a third-party editor specifically designed to edit plug-in files, such as MissionComputer. The first two Escape Velocity incarnations utilise simple templates included with the game files that can be loaded into ResEdit and used to edit the resources in a human-readable fashion. With EV Nova
Escape Velocity Nova
Escape Velocity Nova is a computer game by Ambrosia Software, in collaboration with ATMOS. It is the third game in the Escape Velocity series of space trading & combat games.-History and development:...
, these are still available, but have been superseded in general use by a set of ResEdit add-on editors called NovaTools http://davidarthur.evula.net/resedit/, which offer a more graphical interface, and can perform necessary hexadecimal
Hexadecimal
In mathematics and computer science, hexadecimal is a positional numeral system with a radix, or base, of 16. It uses sixteen distinct symbols, most often the symbols 0–9 to represent values zero to nine, and A, B, C, D, E, F to represent values ten to fifteen...
calculations which the templates left to the user’s own mathematical skills.
Even with the benefit of NovaTools, however, ResEdit can prove unwelcoming to many users, and cannot run natively under Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
(or at all on Windows and on Intel-based Macintoshes). There is therefore a long-standing tradition of purpose-built plug-in editors, which offer extra features and a more user-friendly interface. The present-day editors supporting EV Nova are the free MissionComputer, the shareware
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
EVONE, the under-construction Rezilla Custom, and the Windows-only EVNEW, which is at present the only option open to Windows-based developers. Past editors which have not been updated to support subsequent games include Schmelta-V (named for Ambrosia's delta-v plug-in development mailing list
Electronic mailing list
An electronic mailing list is a special usage of email that allows for widespread distribution of information to many Internet users. It is similar to a traditional mailing list — a list of names and addresses — as might be kept by an organization for sending publications to...
), EV-Edit, EEEV (later called Override Override), EVO Developer's Map, and many others.
Alternatively, programs such as ConText and ResStore (both part of the NovaTools package) can be used to export certain types of resources into spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
s, where various values (such as damage dealt by a weapon) can be edited. This can be particularly useful for modifying many resources at once, as many spreadsheet programs provide the ability to fill cells. These spreadsheets can then be imported back into plug-in format.
Classification
In recent years, it has become common to use several terms to classify plug-ins, though this practice has been criticised as limiting the growth of the plug-in community:- A total conversion usually completely replaces the game’s scenario. Particularly with EV Nova, this has become the form of plug-in preferred by players and developers, though with the amount of work needed to create one, most projects fail long before producing a playable game.
- A partial conversion usually adds new ships or systems, or modifies existing ones. This was the most common type of plug-in for the original Escape Velocity, but has now been relegated to a lower stature due to the proliferation of complete new scenarios and the universal use of terms which minimise its importance.
- A cheatCheatCheat can refer to:* A cheat code, a hidden means of gaining an advantage in a computer or video game* Cheat!, a television show on the G4 network* The Cheat, a 1915 Cecil B...
usually adds an outfit or ship (or both) that is extremely powerful, makes all outfits and ships purchasable, or grants money. Cheats receive little respect from the community, given their lack of originality and ease of creation, but have the merit of introducing people to the workings of the Escape Velocity engine who may thereafter go on to develop more significant works.
With developers realising the amount of work involved in creating a proper ‘total conversion’, derivative terms such as ‘mini-TC’ and ‘quasi-TC’ have also become common, but there are no standards for their meanings.
See also
- Escape Velocity
- EV Override
- EV NovaEscape Velocity NovaEscape Velocity Nova is a computer game by Ambrosia Software, in collaboration with ATMOS. It is the third game in the Escape Velocity series of space trading & combat games.-History and development:...
- ResEditResEditResEdit was a developer tool application for the Apple Macintosh, used to create and edit resources directly in the Mac's resource fork architecture. It was an alternative to tools such as REdit, and the resource compiler Rez. For the average user, ResEdit was generally easier to use, because it...
- Resource forkResource forkThe resource fork is a construct of the Mac OS operating system used to store structured data in a file, alongside unstructured data stored within the data fork. A resource fork stores information in a specific form, such as icons, the shapes of windows, definitions of menus and their contents, and...
Plug-in directories
- Ambrosia Add-ons Directory for Escape Velocity
- Ambrosia Add-ons Directory for EV Override
- Ambrosia Add-ons Directory for EV Nova