CHAPTER III: How To Play Custom Battles and Missions
In this chapter:
-Playing custom missions using old ways
-Emperor’s Hammer Battle Launcher
The ability to play missions from the EH Mission Compendium is the most basic and important function of each TIE Corps pilot. With the introduction of the EH Battle Launcher, the entire process became as easy as one click of the mouse.
4.1 Playing custom missions using old ways:
Before EHBL was introduced, each battle and free mission came in a .ZIP file package. All battle related files were put inside the .zip and then had to be manually extracted into game directories. This could often became problem.
4.1.1 Tie Fighter
TIE Fighter Battles can be found in the Mission Compendium and are simple to install in Windows. However, all battles are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH pilots.
Pilots are encouraged to install the TIE 95 ISD Laser Patch in the Utilities section.
All TIE battles consist of three types of files:
· Mission Files (.TIE)
· Resource Files (.LFD)
· Documents (.TXT,.DOC)
While this manual does give generic instructions for playing all TIE battles, any document file that has unique instructions should be followed over these. Be sure to read the Documents before installing the battle!
4.1.2 X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter
X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter Battles can be found in the Mission Compendium and are very simple to install. However, all battles are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH pilots.
All XvT battles consist of these types of files:
· Mission Files (.TIE)
· Mission List Files (.LST)
· Documents (.TXT,.DOC)
· Voice Files (.WAV) [Optional]
· Voice List Files (.LST) [Optional]
While this manual does give generic instructions for playing all XvT battles, any document file that has unique instructions should be followed over these. Be sure to read the Documents before installing the battle!
This tutorial assumes your game is installed in the default directory C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWINGTIE\. If you have installed your game to another directory, simply replace C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWINGTIE\ with your custom directory.
All of the Mission files (.TIE) go into the following directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWINGTIE\Train
The Mission files contain all of the information specific to each mission's variables, and tells the program how to construct the mission.
The Mission List Files (.LST) go into this directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWINGTIE\Train
Mission List Files can be any of the following:
· Mission.LST
· Imperial.LST
· Rebel.LST
The Mission List files instruct the XvT game that the new Battle is installed.
Voice Files and Voice List files (.LST,.WAV) go into this directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWINGTIE\Wave\
Voice List Files always have the same name as the Mission Files, only instead of having a .TIE extension, they have a .LST extension.
To play the battle, start up X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter and create a new pilot.
It is the current standard to name the pilot after the Battle number that you are playing. For example, if LT Joe is playing TC-XvT Battle 5, he would name his pilot: JOE-XvT-5
Do NOT use your old game pilots to play custom battles! Always make a fresh, new pilot for every individual EH Battle or Free Mission you play.
Select "Training" and select the appropriate side (Rebel/Imperial, usually Imperial). The custom missions should be displayed there. Do NOT use the unlimited waves option, otherwise your score would be recorded as zero.
Complete the battle as normal and when it is finished you may send your .plt pilot file (found in the C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWINGTIE\ directory) to your immediate superior, who will then fill out a Battle Submission Form to award you credit for playing the battle.
4.1.3 Balance of Power
X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter: Balance of Power Battles can be found in the Mission Compendium and are very simple to install. However, all battles are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH pilots.
4.1.4 X-Wing Alliance
X-Wing Alliance Battles can be found in the Mission Compendium and are very simple to install. However, all battles are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH pilots.
All XWA battles consist of these types of files:
· Mission Files (.TIE)
· Mission List File (Mission.LST)
· Pilot File (.PLT)
· Documents (.TXT,.DOC)
· Data Files (.TXT) [Optional]
· Voice Files (.WAV) [Optional]
· Voice List Files (.LST) [Optional]
While this manual does give generic instructions for playing all XWA battles, any document file that has unique instructions should be followed over these. Be sure to read the Documents before installing the battle!
This tutorial assumes your game is installed in the default directory C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\. If you have installed you game to another directory, simply replace C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\ with your custom directory.
All of the Mission files (.TIE) go into the following directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\Missions\
The Mission files contain all of the information specific to each mission's variables, and tells the program how to construct the mission.
The Mission List File (Mission.LST) goes into this directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\Missions\
The Mission List file instructs the XWA game that the new Battle is installed.
Data Files (.TXT) go into this directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\
The Data File EMAIL.TXT, however, goes into this directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\Missions\
Voice Files and Voice List files (.LST,.WAV) go into this directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\Wave\
Voice List Files always have the same name as the Mission Files, only instead of having a .TIE extension, they have an .LST extension. You may need to create the "WAVE" directory if one doesn't currently exist.
Do NOT use your old game pilots to play custom battles! Use the provided pilot file instead. You may however rename the pilot filename after the Battle number that you are playing. For example, if LT Joe is playing TC-XWA Battle 5, he would rename his pilot file: JOE-XWA-5.plt However, you are not to rename the in-game pilot name through a mission editor.
At the XWA Launch screen, select the new pilot file (the pilot name should match the original name of the pilot file provided), and either enter the large doors to play the next mission or go into your quarters and click on Emkay to play the next mission.
Complete the battle as normal and when it is finished you may send your .plt pilot file (found in the C:\Program Files\LucasArts\XWingAlliance\ directory) to your immediate superior, who will then fill out a Battle Submission Form to award you credit for playing the battle.
4.1.5 Jedi Knight
Jedi Knight Levels can be found in the Mission Compendium and are very simple to install. However, all levels are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH members.
All JK levels consist of these types of files:
· Level File (.GOB)
· Standard Readme File (Readme.txt)
· Documents (.TXT,.DOC)
While this manual does give generic instructions for playing all JK Levels, any document file that has unique instructions should be followed over these. Be sure to read the Documents before installing the battle!
This tutorial assumes your game is installed in the default directory C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Jedi Knight\. If you have installed you game to another directory, simply replace C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Jedi Knight\ with your custom directory.
All of the Levels files (.GOB) go into the following directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Jedi Knight\Episode\
The Level files contain all of the information specific to each level's variables, and tells the program how to construct the level.
Start Jedi Knight, the new level should show up on the Singleplayer/Multiplayer selection screen, depending on which type of level it is. There is a limit of around 25 levels that can be "installed" at any one time.
4.1.6 Mysteries of the Sith
Mysteries of the Sith Levels can be found in the Mission Compendium and are very simple to install. However, all levels are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH members.
All MotS levels consist of these types of files:
· Level File (.GOO)
· Standard Readme File (Readme.txt)
· Documents (.TXT,.DOC)
While this manual does give generic instructions for playing all JK Levels, any document file that has unique instructions should be followed over these. Be sure to read the Documents before installing the battle!
This tutorial assumes your game is installed in the default directory C:\Program Files\LucasArts\MotS\. If you have installed you game to another directory, simply replace C:\Program Files\LucasArts\MotS\ with your custom directory.
All of the Levels files (.GOO) go into the following directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\MotS\Episode\
The Level files contain all of the information specific to each level's variables, and tells the program how to construct the level.
Start Mysteries of the Sith, the new level should show up on the Singleplayer/Multiplayer selection screen, depending on which type of level it is. There is a limit of around 25 levels that can be "installed" at any one time.
4.1.7 Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Jedi Knight II Levels can be found in the Mission Compendium and are very simple to install. However, all levels are downloaded in .zip format, and therefore a Zipping utility such as WinZip is a necessity for all EH members.
All JK2 levels consist of these types of files:
· Level File (.PK3)
· Standard Readme File (Readme.txt)
· Documents (.TXT,.DOC)
While this manual does give generic instructions for playing all JK Levels, any document file that has unique instructions should be followed over these. Be sure to read the Documents before installing the battle!
This tutorial assumes your game is installed in the default directory C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Jedi Oucast\. If you have installed you game to another directory, simply replace C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Jedi Outcast\ with your custom directory.
All of the Levels files (.GOB) go into the following directory:
C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Jedi Outcast\GameData\base\
The Level files contain all of the information specific to each level's variables, and tells the program how to construct the level.
For Single Player Levels, start Jedi Knight II, open the console with [shift] + [the button below ESC] and type "map ***", where *** is the map name provided in the installation information.
4.1.8 Tie Fighter for Macintosh
Playing battles in TIE for MAC is no different than in normal TIE. However there are some difficulties with battles with many voices. Visit Tactical Office website, tutorials section and read MAC tutorial for more information.
4.1.9 Jedi Academy
N/A
4.1.10 Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds
N/A
4.1.11 Imperial Alliance
This platform has not yet been released. Installation instructions will be added here later.
4.2 Playing custom missions using the Emperor’s Hammer Battle Launcher.
In 2003 collaboration between the Emperor’s Hammer Tactical and science office put into play their work for the past months and the results of project shield. The EHBL makes installing the battles very simple. By downloading the battle or mission you wish to fly from the EH mission compendium and double clicking on it (Once EHBL is installed of course) you can simply click the button for the appropriate platform and the game will launch itself. All that remains is making a pilot file based on your name or pin.
The EHBL is downloadable in everybody’s TIE Corps Login. The install instructions are in the readme file that is supplied along with the launcher itself.
4.2.1 I got EHBL, but still download zips from the compendium
If you’re downloading files on the Emperor’s Hammer mission compendium and they still come out as .zip files, it is because the .ehm file is based on a .zip. Therefore your file extensions are not turned on. Now, many pilots are unable to turn on the file extensions due to lack of admin privileges or other reasons. Thankfully there has been a new way to download the file as .ehm that was found. Simply change the name of the file in the field when you click download.
Instead of downloading: XvTTC1 in the name of download field, change things up a bit and add: “XvTTC1.ehm” by adding the “s and the .ehm in there the file will download as type .ehm and not a .zip therefore your problem is solved. Double click on it once downloaded and if the EHBL is installed it will run properly.
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