Modern GTR2 Patch

Description

• Goal: Simple one-step patch to update a Vanilla GTR2 (Disc or Steam) to Modern GTR2
• Right now, this is a work in progress to provide patches that upgrade GTR2 installs to more modern versions. For example, patching Disc versions to Steam version.
• Work In Progress - Experimental Proof of Concept - Use At Your Own Risk - Make Your Own Backups

Downloads

• GTR2 Disc EU 1.1 to Steam GTR2 as of 2023-12-08 (Patch Version 241201):
  • GTR2-Patch-EUDisc11Pristine-to-SteamPristine-231208-241201.zip
• GTR2 Disc EU 1.0 to Steam GTR2 as of 2023-12-08 (Patch Version 241201):
  • GTR2-Patch-EUDisc10Pristine-to-SteamPristine-231208-241201.zip

Notes:

• I recommend just buying GTR2 on Steam as it's cheap even when not on sale and dirt cheap when on sale or when purchased with the SimBin Mega Bundle
  • Steam GTR2 does not need Steam and the Steam GTR2 folder can be copy&pasted anywhere else and run just by running GTR2.exe
  • The SimBin Mega Bundle includes GT Legends, GTR - FIA GT Racing Game, GTR 2 FIA GT Racing Game, GTR Evolution Expansion Pack for RACE 07, RACE - The WTCC Game, RACE 07, , RACE 07: Andy Priaulx Crowne Plaza Raceway (Free DLC), RACE Injection, RACE On, RACE: Caterham Expansion, and STCC - The Game 1 - Expansion Pack for RACE 07 (as of 2024-12-13)
  • But I have provided this patch to make the process as simple as possible
• Pristine means after installation but before the first run

Install

Overview:

1. Download appropriate ZIP above
2. Extract into the GTR2 folder you want to convert to Steam GTR2. Ideally, this folder should be a pristine install that has never been run.

Notes:

• Some original Disc files will remain. To be 100% matching, they should be deleted. See #Notepad for file list.

Why

• Updating GTR2 to Modern GTR2 has become a complex process that is daunting even for existing users
• There are now many, many steps to achieve a fully Modern GTR2 which itself assumes the user already has setup Vanilla GTR2 and Minimum GTR2
• The idea is to radically simplify what has become a very daunting and complex series of steps for users who just want to play a fully Modern GTR2

Goals

• Single package applied over Disc or Steam GTR2 that brings it up to Modern GTR2 standards
• Package only contains the files and patches needed to patch GTR in order to avoid legal issues
• One-shot: Avoid asking the user to select options from menus.

Vision

• Single ZIP file download
• Extract ZIP over vanilla Disc or Steam GTR2 which adds and replaces files
• Command-line script to clean up files that should be removed

Ideas

• Start with patching Disc versions to Steam version
• Then patch Steam to Vanilla GTR2
• Then patch Vanilla to Minimum GTR2
• Then patch Minimum to Modern GTR2
• Updating: Include clear steps for how to keep components up-to-date (eg. Crew Chief GTR2 Enhancements Plugin, ReShade, etc.)

Issues

• Permissions
  • GTR2
    • Shouldn't be a big deal as we're not distributing a whole working game
  • Modders
    • Many mods will be present in this patch
    • Ideal is to get permission where possible
    • Credit will be given for every mod used anyway
• Include Extra Mod Files
  • READMEs, Licenses, and other meta files will be included to ensure modder's efforts are represented as they are intended
• Steam GTR2 vs Disc GTR2
  • Patch will create a Steam GTR2 out of a Disc GTR2
  • Some people won't like this but, I don't know what to say, Modern GTR2 requires Steam GTR2
  • Point people to Steam GTR2 vs Disc GTR2 to show them how minimal the differences are

Notes

• WinMerge (PortableApps)
  • Can produce a ZIP containing only the differences that can merge one folder with another (Source)
• Git
  • Use git to systematically add, track, and update GTR2 and the mods that will be used
  • Might be able to use git-diff as a patch and distribute this as a patch instead of a zip with added/replaced files

WinMerge How to

Steps:

1. Start WinMerge
2. File > Open
3. Set 1st File or Folder to Steam GTR2 Folder
   1. Check Read-only
4. Set 2nd File or Folder to Disc GTR2 Folder
   1. Check Read-only
5. Check Include Subfolders
6. Click Compare
7. Select all files in the comparison results
8. Right Click and select Zip > Differences too...
   • Select a folder and it will create a 7z file of only the files and folders that were different
   • If the 7z file contains altered and original folders, use the contents of the original folder
     • See "3.8. Archiving files" here: https://manual.winmerge.org/en/Compare_dirs.html
   • Copy the contents into a Disc GTR2 Folder to convert it to a Steam GTR2 folder

Gotchas

• Files that are only found in 2nd File or Folder are not displayed in the WinMerge comparison results
  • Click Swap 1st | 2nd in WinMerge and compare again to see these files
  • This means that some Disc files remain in the Steam GTR2 folder
  • This is likely fine but to be 100% matching they should be deleted. See #Notepad for file list.

Credits

• TBD

Notepad

EU Disc 1.1 Files Remaining That Are Not Found in Steam GTR2 231208:
- ie. Delete or move these out of the way for a 1:1 Steam GTR2 match
MovieFiles\ChampionshipUnlock.bik
MovieFiles\GameIntro.bik
MovieFiles\GoldAward.bik
MovieFiles\Intro.bik
MovieFiles\PassAward.bik
MovieFiles\Podium.bik
MovieFiles\TrackUnlock.bik
MovieFiles\Win.bik
GTR2 1.1.0.0 Readme.txt

EU Disc 1.0 Files Remaining That Are Not Found in Steam GTR2 231208:
- ie. Delete or move these out of the way for a 1:1 Steam GTR2 match
MovieFiles\ChampionshipUnlock.bik
MovieFiles\GameIntro.bik
MovieFiles\GoldAward.bik
MovieFiles\Intro.bik
MovieFiles\PassAward.bik
MovieFiles\Podium.bik
MovieFiles\TrackUnlock.bik
MovieFiles\Win.bik
UserData\LOG_Dedicated

Scratchpad

...