Greetings all,

This is a simple mod created which allows a hassle-free way tthe vanilla experience 4 player without Hex Editor and .pak files. All done safely from the Steam Workshop.

It isn't the most sophisticated, but it is what it simply is.

Simply 4 Player Steam Workshop


I am trying to find a way where it can retroactively work for current games outside of Savegame Editing. This would make this simple mod work better.

If you want to talk about 'Extended 4 Player' ideas, feel free to post those too.

Added Non-Steam download at Mega so you can join in with your Steam buddies.

Issues downloading the mod? Try this: (thanks to seraJard):

awesome! We are waiting for a "extended" 4 player mod before we play this game. Would it be possible to make it so that all 4 players can start from the beginning? That, and being able to customize the henchmen are all we need.

Good luck

regarding dialogue. how difficult would it be to let each henchman be linked to one of the two main characters?

Just added a non-Steam link and a little thing to help those having difficulties in downloading from the workshop.

I was messing around with that last night, Olje. From the looks of it, it has to be done this way:
Create a new player3 and player4 object.
Create the dialogues and linked resources for these (or cannabalise them from others)
Create a new 'Starting Level'.
Possibly have to edit the Cyrael level too, I would prefer not to do this if it can be avoided.

I will be looking at doing step 1 and 2, these seem to be steps I can do without much guidiance and it is a matter of tracking down resources. Step 3 is something I would have to self-learn using the toolkit, and check up level editing guides.

If step 4 can be avoided, I may update the Simple mod with the new characters, because unless Larian does a big change in the character creation which impacts 3, it should survive countless updates. Obviously, if I am also able to pull this off in some fashion. This would allow other modders to use this starting level with some brief edits for their custom maps and campaigns.

So should be win-win if it occurs for everyone involved.

Edit: And saying that, I haven't been able to find where abouts the files I am looking for are...

As for progress on extended. I have got Players 3 and 4 in on a character customisation level with their names. Just need to figure how out to get them placed in a nice arrangement, then look to see if I can get options up for them. Once I get the character customisation side done, then I will have to do some testing.

Update:

So I got the characters, I got them in the right position, etc.

Issues so far:
- They are naked
- Not able to find the interface options to do customisation (maybe linked to the first point)

Screen

Good news, the characters are no longer naked and completely loading with random appearance/armour and such.

Just need to track down that pesky GUI custom option.




Those edit the two on the left. This means the customisation is fully working on all the characters. Basically, this means when the GUI is edited with another two panes, all 4 characters should be able to be edited and used.

After that would be playtesting. I currently made player3/4 run from Henchman scripts.

Edit: I think I found what I need to edit. Unfortunately, it is in .swf and not .fla which makes a lot trickier. I will try to contact a Larian dev to see if they are generous.

This is fantastic! Your progress has already been great and I love the drive you're putting into it! Keep up the great work man, if this comes to fruition it's going to be huge.

Please continue to post updates regularly as well, I'll be looking towards this mod with loads of anticipation.

This really deserves more attention! Good job so far, would be awesome if this becomes a reality. What exactly is it that doesn't currently work?

hell yea!

I registered for two things :

1) To thank Larian Studios for making this gem of a game.
2) To thank every modder out that is "working" on a project (expecially the 4 players one)

It's a good thing to have such mod and i'm looking forward to it when it's completed so i can thank you again .

I have hit a brick-wall when it comes to editing the GUI, due to the .swf format and if I manage to overcome this, I am not entirely sure if it can be uploaded to the workshop due to restrictions, so maybe a download.

I requested Larian if we can get access to the .fla files to make this easier. If not, I will need to find someone who has a .swf decompiler and hope something workable comes out of that.

Alternative for appearance is to engage with the mirror, but that still leaves an issue with name and class.

Edit:
Just thinking of long-term plans as of now, this mentally seems to be the best route to go down >
- Get the mod to the stage where it is 'playable' (loose term)
- Attempt at QC and Public Beta, will do a new topic with a new name.
- Start looking at dialogue, interactions and scripting side to improve the experience.
- Will take a look at level designing.
- My aim is to get this all done before October, ideally. Because I am attending Medical School and that will eat up my time. Studies and placements, been a while!

Mace has generously provided me with a decompiled copy of the .swf file, so it looks like I am resume my efforts. I have little experience in actually developing/using flash, but I am generally a quick learner, so I will see what I can do, and post if I hit into a brick-wall for some advice.

Edit:
I had to resort to using a Flash Trial in order to edit the .fla, it looks like for 30 days at least, I should be able to make adjustments. The decompile wasn't perfect, but it did provide the source picture files and actionscripts, so I might be able to remake it from using those. First priority is to see if I can edit it, compile it and get it working in the game.

Findings so far:
- The game doesn't recognise /Public/Modname/GUI folder
- Experimented by putting it into /Public/Game/GUI which the game recognised, but caused it to crash so hard, I had to log-off my windows user account and log back in, to free my system up from it.

Since the crash occurred simply by having minor changes to it. I am going to do two experiments:
- Try unaltered characterCreation.swf in that same location.
- Try recompiled version of characterCreation.swf.

This will tell me if it is the fact its there, or if it is an issue witth the decompiled/compiled. If both work, it means it was down to my edits, which is the most 'positive'. The most negative is it failing with the default, it means I have to put the work on hold until Larian change the system. The second one would be an issue with the decompiled/re-compiled version, which means I have to mess around or hope Larian release the original .fla file.

Fingers crossed.

Update:
Good news, the extracted version is working. Now to test step 2.
Bad news, the compiling of the decompiled didn't work.

Loving the updates, keep them coming!

I have to be honest, these files do some really weird things.

For example, I open the extracted file in flashplayer in the extraction folder, it works fine. I move it out of that folder (to, lets say, the desktop), and then it doesn't work.

So it looks like the files are linked to some other files within the extracted area. Not sure how important these are, but this is a crucial different and might be part of why the decompiled is not working.

Found!:
The files read fonts_en.swf

Edit:
Yeah, the decompiled files are causing a very nasty crash, I may need to put the project on hold till Larian releases source for the .swf's. I can try experimenting with creating one from scratch, but I am a little out of my depth, so unsure how successful that would be.

same problem here... i am keeping a eye on your updates.

I was thinking going totally different direction (single player mod) but then theres same problem with GUI. Also removing all GUI elements from view would be nice (unless summoned via keypress).
Never touched flash elements except on one class 5 years ago so mostlikely wont remember anything but lets see what I can dig out.

I have started working on one from basically from scratch. I am using some web-tutorials to try to reproduce the basic functions but I haven't a clue what the impact will be within the game environment and that is if I manage to get the barebones.

From what I have seen with the decompiled files, the GUI does have a lot of functions which push into the game to cause certain effects then calls upon a refresh (hence the jerkiness of changing appearance, etc). I may explore/look at these to try to find the 'receiving end'. but I have an ugly feeling these might even be in the .exe

So fingers cross someone from Larian sees this and wants to endow us with sticks and stones to go along with the fire.

would you mind sharing those tutorials if you have them?

Sad to say, they are not that great and I got them from google. =/

They were mostly things like 'how to get a button working'. Was doing the root of trying to do that, then use that to call upon existing actionscripts which were salvaged.

aah i see.. yeah i don't think i will make it as far as you. i'm pretty fresh to this kind of stuff.

Can you share how you got the players to not be naked?

Edit: Never mind, got it.

"A mini-fix today with a very small change list, and at the same time a big update for those who are busy with the Divinity engine toolkit as we added the source files for the main campaign.

We also added a truckload of new tutorial movies[www.larian.com] which will teach you how to script. "

I'm not sure if you've seen this, but I thought it might be relevant for the progress?

Were you adding extra characters or were they the original two?

Thanks Mace, I saw those.

GUI is one of those things which appears not to be up for modding much by Larian mostly because it uses .swf and many games I have dabbled in use other formats, the most often I have come across is the .dds format. Those are basically icons/pictures.

.swf is proprietary technology owned by adobe, so you are forced to use their software to make the best of it, and the .swf is specially the 'end-result' compile of source material, it is not designed to be reversed engineered and this is intended, so people cannot simply 'steal your work'. This is obviously a big issue for modding as whilst we are not 'stealing it' but simply 'reusing it' to the benefit of Larian and the community, not having those source materials makes it very difficult to get right, especially with low-level of general expertise in the format.

Having the source material would also allow those 'less-savvy' to mod easier, as you can do 'rearranging the plate' to get the desired results compared to having to prepare the food and cook it all.

Breakthrough!

Larian is using Flash version 9 in the game, thus it needs to be compiled to this standard. This isn't supported in Adobe CC suite, and you need to follow these instructions .

Tiaexz, does your mod allow the 3/4 player to continue playing even though player 1 and 2 is dead?

The one in the OP? It would be the same as vanilla.

I'm asking because I'm actually using another mod for it right now, but whenever player 1 and 2 dies, the game ends, because technically, the last player is the henceman who can't continue on his own.

Mh... that is something I will have to look at. I don't understand that restriction, considering henchmen can revive as well.

Edit: Note to self: Impact of 'Lone Wolf'

So some updates!

I have been messing around with flash, not been at my best, so I have been looking at other aspects of the game. Mostly, how it will work.

Currently like in Simply 4 Player, 3 and 4 (now source hunters) have limited interaction, this would require me to write extended Dialogue for them, however....

- Player 3/4 can trigger events/scripts like player 1 and 2 can. So Mages coming out of the tutorial area, the guards at the bridge. They can respond to challenges, and act as if it was player 1 or 2 alone, but the stat change is only applied to them.
- Game doesn't end when 1 and 2 are dead.
- They can talk to NPCs without getting told to f- off.

So they act like 'player 1' when the real 'player 1/2' is not there.

You've managed to succesfully implement the those 3 items? Because that would be great news!

EDIT: Saw the image, keep up the good work, this is shaping up to be one great mod already

Great update! I can't wait to play with four people.

Initial testing suggests this is the case, yes.

I am going to try some experimental player 3/4 dialogues at those beginning challenges, just to see if they 'work' as intended.

nice work. you mention 3/4 are source hunters. does that mean they can be customized and start from the beginning with 1/2 ?

This is currently limited by GUI restriction.

So yes, but haven't done the GUI changes to actually do this. Reverse-Enginneering the SWF's are more difficult than antipicated hence taking a short break to make sure other aspects are working.

Just quoting this from a different thread for those interested:

Tiaexz.. thanks for everything you're doing. Seriously it's awesome.

Okay, so far:
- Player 3 and 4 can use the mirror in the homestead to change appearance
- Interactions such as Jahan, player 3 would do the two-way agreement with player 1. This would swap with Player 4 and 2.
- Lone-wolf doesn't affect 3 and 4, but it affects any additional characters. Yes, Jahan and Madora can still be hired and join as '5 and 6'. This is something that would need to be fixed.



So pretty much need to get that Flash GUI sorted, then I can start considering beta testing. Hardest part for me, since I am a flash newbie.

Is it possible and if it is would it be too much to ask...

You mention the ability where the game isn't over unless all 4 die. Is it possible to do this with just the regular setup without the 4 Player part? And if so, is it possible to just get a mod that have just that feature? Thanks.

Great news Tiaexz!

It might be a good idea to add 5, 6 or 8 (August) for new companions, maybe you can mod it to make it as a SUMMON UI (Next to player profile UI)?

It is tied in with the player script, which is why it doesn't affect the 4 players. But I guess if all 4 died with a companion left, it would get the same result.



Once we (the community) gets some successful flash creation going, we should be able to start employing all sorts of features. An idea might be to have a better 'respec' option so you can still keep learnt spells, rather like a merger of the mirror and initial set-up.

First goal of this mod is to get a four-player vanilla experience. After that, I may experiment with a lot of smaller features and perhaps a few 'mod resources' where other people can implement things in their own mod.


Nexus link here as well to the mod in the OP: http://www.nexusmods.com/divinityoriginalsin/mods/16/

is the version you took a screenshot earlier of, with the 4 source hunters the one in the nexus link? or is that version not out yet?

Not out yet.

just wanted to say im watching for your 4 player vanilla mod page like a hawk. when you come out with the version that allows 4p edited from game start i'm going to be ALL over that.

Same here. I have been observing this thread each and every day since it first saw the light of the forum index, and I must say, I am most pleased with the progression of the mod and all the marvellous work that has been done so far. I am certain you will get the GUI sorted in a jiffy, Tiaexz.

Since you are able to start with 4 Source Hunters now, if there won't be a flash gui break through, you could use a script and trigger/dialogue heavy option similar to how most older mods for Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas used terminals.
Also you might try to contact someone from the SkyUI team from the Skyrim nexus, all done in flash.
For appearance try to copy the mirror to the start point.
For the skills etc. you will need a custom solution.

Yes, my flash skills are no where near the level to successfully recreate what is needed within a short time-span. Not trying to false hope people, which is why I have been honest with my limitations, or if someone is good in that technical area, they maybe interested in getting involved.

I was thinking of other options, but I wouldn't be able to do name or class. I could put the respec demon's option there, so you would get skill point reassignment (no spells, perhaps spell books?) and the mirror for appearance.

I read somewhere that the Larian developers went on Holiday so there will be a lull in any updates or replies.

I guess youve seen this one?

http://www.larian.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=526440&gonew=1#UNREAD

"While explaining to someone why this was impossible, I accidentally created a mod that allows you customize four characters by putting an extra character creation screen in front of the normal one.

You can download it here:
http://www.nexusmods.com/divinityoriginalsin/mods/21/?

I also changed the game to allow four players to connect in multiplayer, but I haven't tested to see if this works yet. If you manage to get this working with more than 2 people, posting your experiences would help greatly.

Anyway, hopefully someone will enjoy this mod. Please report any issues you have in this thread. I suspect this is going to break a lot of things.
"

As a possible workaround for the 4 player creation (posted on Steam thread as I did not have an account here originally)

Depending on how you can script the game flow... Is is possible to have the existing character selection screen for the first two then the next game 'scene' is the character creation screen again for the 3rd/4th characters?
Original post:

re: 4 players from the start (and the lone wolf issue) is it at all possible to run the character customisation screen for the first two chars as normal, then instead of going to the game when finished and accepted, it takes you to character customisation screen 2 for the following 2 characters? This would also allow you to run a test for the lone wolf perk (ie. if both initial chars have it then you cant make additional, if one has it then there is only one char on the second screen)

Not sure how much you can script the flow of the game from char customisation to gameplay but if it is possible it would get around the GUI issues at least

I will try doing rougelikes's possible solution to it. Feel a litte silly that I didn't think to try that.

Effectively, he has one level for two characters, then a second level for the other two.

I will get this sorted and if it is working comfortably, I will move it into a new thread with an open-beta with a download link on Nexus.

To keep things seperate, 'FourPlay' or the Four Source Hunter mod will be discussed in the following topic:
http://www.larian.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=61&Number=526890

Hey Tiaexz. I'm having issues with the Simple 4 Player, my friends cannot joing, the third player to enter always get a message of full server, I even edited the main.pak. to 4 players with hex editor, but it didn't work. Could you help me?