Disable Startup Movies

[Miloch]

This is an adaptation of a similar component in Borsook's Mix-Mod. I could never get it to work fully for BG2 or Tutu, and it doesn't work at all for BG1. So here's my version of it for BG1, Tutu, BG2 and BGT. I tested it with all of those except BGT.

 

Download links:

Windows version

OS X version*

 

The idea is that if you've watched the startup movies (logos, Nietzsche quotes, etc.) once or twice, there's no need to sit through them or even press the Esc key repeatedly whenever you start up a game. So this dispenses with them and drops you right to the game menu. (FWIW, I dropped Borsook a note about this, but I think he went missing a while ago, and this version is rather different from his anyway.) Edit: permission obtained.

 

General Note: To get this to work with EasyTutu, you must install this in both your EasyTutu and BG2 folders. Otherwise, it will find the movies in one or the other.

 

* OS X Note: The OS X version is packaged with WeiDU v202. Since the Mac version of WeiDU does not update itself automatically, you will need to install the updated WeiDU as described in its documentation.

BACKUP ~DisMovie/backup~
AUTHOR ~forums.gibberlings3.net/index.php?showtopic=12363~ 

BEGIN ~Disable Startup Movies~

<<<<<<<< .../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif
>>>>>>>>

ACTION_IF FILE_EXISTS_IN_GAME ~ar0125.are~ AND FILE_EXISTS ~Movies/MovieCD1.bif~ THEN BEGIN //BG1 PC
 COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~Movies/MovieCD1.bif~
END ELSE BEGIN
 ACTION_IF FILE_EXISTS_IN_GAME ~ar0125.are~ AND FILE_EXISTS ~Game Data/Movies/MovieCD1.bif~ THEN BEGIN //BG1 Mac
COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~Game Data/Movies/MovieCD1.bif~
 END ELSE BEGIN
ACTION_IF FILE_EXISTS_IN_GAME ~fw0125.are~ AND FILE_EXISTS ~CD2/Movies/Movies.bif~ THEN BEGIN //Tutu
  COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~CD2/Movies~
  ACTION_IF FILE_EXISTS ~bg1mov/MovieCD1.bif~ THEN BEGIN //Tutu PC
	COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~bg1mov/MovieCD1.bif~
  END ELSE BEGIN
	ACTION_IF FILE_EXISTS ~bg1movies/MovieCD1.bif~ THEN BEGIN //Tutu Mac
	  COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~bg1movies/MovieCD1.bif~
	END
  END
END ELSE BEGIN
  ACTION_IF FILE_EXISTS_IN_GAME ~ar0083.are~ AND FILE_EXISTS ~CD2/Movies/Movies.bif~ THEN BEGIN //BG2 or BGT
	COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~CD2/Movies~
	COPY ~.../DisMovie-inlined/Movies.bif~ ~CD2/Movies/MovIntro.bif~
  END ELSE BEGIN
	FAIL ~This component is not compatible with your game. Please ensure you're installing this on BG1, BG2, BGT or (Easy)Tutu and that the [Alias] section in your baldur.ini file points to the correct default paths for your game.~
  END
END
 END
END

Edit: code updated, downloads added.

[aVENGER_(RR)]

Heh, there's already a setting in baldur.ini which does exactly that. It's even listed on Bioware's official BG2 technical support FAQ:

 

Open the baldur.ini file in the main BG2 Directory under [Program Options] type Disable Movies=1 this will disable all FMV in the game and may fix issues with the game if it is crashing when attempting to play certain movies.

[Miloch]

I don't want to disable all movies, just those that launch on startup.

 

Also, I did hear back from Borsook, who said he would be happy if his Mix-Mod content got adapted or included in Tweaks. (I said he'd get credit of course.)

[Ascension64]

Don't know if it is really necessary since you just click a few times.

[Azazello]

I never heard of this before. Gave it a try and component failed because I did not have \CD2\movies folders -- which I removed to save space, plus my games reading from a ISO.

 

So I did the steps manually: created those folders; copied the one file from Borsook's mod into 'movies' folder; extended the CD2 string in baldur.ini [CD2:=I:\MegaInstall\CD2;J:\SoA\CD2\]

 

Kicked started the game. Fast load. Sweet. I like it. Thanks Miloch.

 

Just got to get a check for the folders, and create them if missing, plus the INI string addition, into the TP2 code.

[Miloch]

By definition, none of the tweaks are necessary, and no one's forcing you to install any of them . But when I have to exit and launch the game multiple times while modding and testing various things, it does spare me a lot of annoyance.

 

Incidentally, the "Disable Movies=1" .ini option does not work for BG1, which is the main reason I adapted this tweak in the first place.

 

Edit:

Just got to get a check for the folders, and create them if missing, plus the INI string addition, into the TP2 code.

Not sure if we can edit the .ini like that with WeiDU... well I suppose a REPLACE_TEXTUALLY would work on it like any other file, but we'd have a hard time scanning your drives to figure out where you put the folder (I guess that should've been added to the .ini when you moved the install or did a multi-install).

 

The folder check should be pretty easy though, with a FILE_EXISTS I guess (though I suppose it *should* fail if the folder isn't where it's supposed to be for your install).

[Ascension64]

I've developed a habit of triple-clicking as soon as I start BG2. In effect, I hardly notice the logo movies.

[Miloch]

I've developed a habit of triple-clicking as soon as I start BG2.

Well, now you can get out of that habit and spare yourself repetitive motion strain or whatever .

 

Also, I think Mix-Mod got rid of only 2 of 3 startup movies in BG2 - this tweak should skip all of them.

[Kulyok]

I've developed a habit of triple-clicking as soon as I start BG2. In effect, I hardly notice the logo movies.

 

Same here. In fact, in Diablo I automatically click-click-click-enter-password-choose-a-character-enter-game-name-and-password - and all in the space of two seconds.

 

What I mean is, there are things for players(showing the Readme, traification) and there are things for modders(hiding the readme, MODDER flag). This one sounds like the latter.

[Miloch]

What I mean is, there are things for players(showing the Readme, traification) and there are things for modders(hiding the readme, MODDER flag). This one sounds like the latter.

I doubt it. I don't believe Azazello claims to be a modder, and I would use it even if I wasn't modding.

 

The fact of the matter is, it makes no difference to your game, unless you like watching logo movies, or clicking a screen for no reason whatsoever.

 

And again, it's a tweak. You don't have to install it if you're self-satisfied with your (unnecessary, in this case) speed-clicking/typing skills, and you certainly don't have to flame it if you don't like it either .

[Kulyok]

That's the point: the more components there are, the more heavy and difficult to install and hard to manage the mod becomes. And since Baldur.ini already has this option, too bad.

[Caedwyr]

I'd use it. I don't want to see the opening movies, but still want to see the normal in-game movies.

[Miloch]

And since Baldur.ini already has this option, too bad.

Wrong:

Incidentally, the "Disable Movies=1" .ini option does not work for BG1

I don't want to disable all movies, just those that launch on startup.

...

That's the point: the more components there are, the more heavy and difficult to install and hard to manage the mod becomes.

Actually, now you're trying to make a different point entirely. And I'm sure the addition of one single component is going to break the mod. If it does, and you don't want to click 'N' one time only, instead of clicking multiple times every single time you start the game, then I'll put it in some other mod. So "too bad" for you and your ceaseless naysaying .

 

(Amazing how resistant to change some people are... and modders at that, who should be trying to push the boundaries of what can be changed...)

[Ascension64]

(Amazing how resistant to change some people are... and modders at that, who should be trying to push the boundaries of what can be changed...)

Don't know if you can call emptying .bif files 'new ground', but hey, if some people like it, that's satisfaction enough. You dunnit, might as well show it.

 

The extra WeiDU.log line is not necessary for me, though, so won't be using it.

[Miloch]

Don't know if you can call emptying .bif files 'new ground', but hey, if some people like it, that's satisfaction enough.

I didn't say it was new ground and wasn't taking credit for it - this component has been around for years: the Mix-Mod is in v5 and I think CamDawg and some other folks even helped code it (says so in the readme anyway). It was more of a comment on how crotchety old modders are set in their ways . Which is fine, if that's your bag, but there's no need for the negative: "I don't like this component and won't be installing it." Fine, no one's making you. But let's leave this open for constructive feedback instead, eh?