Idiots' guide to GemRB. Definitive tutorial for Android users on how to get started

[AndroidAl]

Hi, as a complete novice at modding, I’ve so far been unable to install and run GemRB and an infinity engine game on my Android device (ASUS TF300). I am very grateful for the team’s work on creating an Android port of GemRB but I’m pretty frustrated by my inability to get the thing running. A brief perusal of the forum and even the android app store indicates I’m not the only one experiencing problems. As the app is entirely free, I don’t feel entitled to complain at all, so instead I’d rather help while I get this sorted for myself too.

 

While it may start as a basic troubleshooting guide to getting GemRB setup on Android, I hope this thread can serve as a record for others to get things started a lot faster.

 

The guidance on the app store is the following:

1. Install apk and run. GemRB will install some data files to you device and close.

2. Open directory app-data/net.sourceforge.gemrb on SD card with any file manager and rename file GemRB.cfg.sample to GemRB.cfg.

3. Install original game to PC (full installation needed!).

4. Copy all folders and files(except *.exe) from game folder on your PC to app-data/net.sourceforge.gemrb folder on your device SD card.

5. Edit GemRB.cfg in text editor to configure GemRB (instructions inside file).

6. Start GemRB and configure controls if needed.

 

This is clearly enough for some but not for me J, so there are a number of things I’d like to be clear about. I’ve grouped them into 4 categories.

 

First, what version of GemRB to use and how/where to get it. It would appear that the version on the Android app store is not the most up to date.

 

1.1 Should I install the app from the app store, then update with the latest version on sourceforge?

 

1.2 WRT latest version, should I get this from the link under “looking for the latest version?” from here: (http://sourceforge.net/projects/gemrb/files/Other%20Binaries/android/)?

 

1.3 I assume I will need to download and extract the latest version on a PC before transferring the files to my Android device. Is there any guidance on updating existing gemrb files? i.e. file structure etc.

 

Second, installing and patching/modding infinity engine games.

 

2.1 Are there any particular processes to follow depending on the source of the game install? e.g. whether from original game CDs or a GoG install?

 

2.2 What are the patches or mods that need/should be applied to the games (fixes and improvements)? I understand from here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1287324) that the widescreen mod (http://www.gibberlings3.net/widescreen/) should be applied to the game install, whilst on PC and before transfer to the Android device.

 

2.3 Is there a list of functioning mods that can be applied to the game install prior to the transfer to the Android device? i.e. the Baldur’s Gate Trilogy-WeiDU? (http://www.shsforums.net/topic/54841-release-bgt-weidu-version-115/) –I appreciate that this would likely merit its own thread or two…

 

Third, copying files to Android device.

 

3.1 A small point but what happens if you do copy the EXE’s? Is there any disadvantage beyond using up disk space? I’m lazy so I just copy/paste the entire folder.

 

Fourth, Editing GemRB.cfg.

 

4.1 Is there any clearer guidance on what changes to make and why? Would anyone mind sharing their .cfg files for others to download directly and run? I imagine this might need to be device specific.

 

I’d be very grateful for any advice on the above, in the first instance so that I can get BG1 going on my tablet. Once I can do that, I hope to produce a bit of a step by step idiots guide, as no one is better at advising one idiot than another idiot…

[lynx]

http://forums.gibberlings3.net/index.php?showtopic=24499

 

1.2 yes.

1.3 if you can't do it on the phone, yes. Maintain the structure and everything will be fine.

2.1 not really, you just need to make sure the paths are fine. GOG PST for example has some extra hurdles, since it has files also directly in the game dir.

2.2 i'm pretty sure it's easier to install mods on a computer, so that's a good strategy. Fixpacks are a must or we'll get blamed for a lot more than we deserve. All the rest is optional.

2.3 all should work, though there may be some incompatibilities with the large hacks like bgt and tutu. We fix them as they're discovered.

3.1 none

4.1 enabling debug keys is a popular choice, but all but the gamepaths and gametype are completely optional. There's nothing device specific that could go in there.