Modern GTR2 Patch

Experimental Proof of Concept - No Download Available Yet

Description:

• Simple one-step patch to update a Vanilla GTR2 (Disc or Steam) to Modern GTR2

Download:

• Not Yet Available

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:

• Maybe I start with patches for Vanilla GTR2 and Minimum GTR2 and build up 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
    • Not a problem as long 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)
  • How to:
    • After comparing, select all files
    • Right Click and select Zip > Differences too...
    • Select a folder and it will create a 7z file
    • The file has two folders: altered and original, which has the required changed files.
    • Copy & paste the contents of the 'altered' folder into the 'original' folder in order to create the updated folder
• 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

Credits:

• TBD

Notepad:

...

Scratchpad:

...