Windows Registry

[HomsarGuy]

I read on HR wiki that you can get the costumes by using WR so I have 2 questions abut that. 1. How do you do it. 2. Will it work on ep 4?

[poohead900]

Heh. Never thought about that. Piddling around in the registry under CURRENT_USER/software/telltalegames/homestarrunner you get:


http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=157&pictureid=1053


Now, I've collected all the items, and they all show a value as 1. I bet that if you were to copy that exactly how it is (I doubt that it would populate as a 0 until you find it, but I could be wrong) I betcha you'd have all the shirts! I know there's some stuff missing there, I'm still digging for them. Ill edit if I find the rest.

[Strongsadioware]

Heh. Never thought about that. Piddling around in the registry under CURRENT_USER/software/telltalegames/homestarrunner you get:


http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=157&pictureid=1053


Now, I've collected all the items, and they all show a value as 1. I bet that if you were to copy that exactly how it is (I doubt that it would populate as a 0 until you find it, but I could be wrong) I betcha you'd have all the shirts! I know there's some stuff missing there, I'm still digging for them. Ill edit if I find the rest.


How do you acess it, anyway?

[Holyxion]

Y'know, it would prob'ly just be easier to get them in game, but it would be pretty cool to do that.

[poohead900]

How do you acess it, anyway?

Win+r (run) regedit.

Then expand the HKEY_CURRENT_USER, expand Software, expand Telltalegames, expand homestarrunner. They're in there.

Y'know, it would prob'ly just be easier to get them in game, but it would be pretty cool to do that.

Indeed, just collecting the stuff is MUCH easier.

Now, what I want to know -- to all you file nazis out there -- Are there registry strings we can add to get the Wii-specific costumes? I've read that there's some blonde wig that's Wii only... If it was included in the PC build, maybe they can be forced unlocked.

wigZeen?
hatBlonde?
machoMullet?

Someone should look into that.

edit: Its not one of them three, I checked.

[Strongsadioware]

Win+r (run) regedit.

Then expand the HKEY_CURRENT_USER, expand Software, expand Telltalegames, expand homestarrunner. They're in there.



Indeed, just collecting the stuff is MUCH easier.

Now, what I want to know -- to all you file nazis out there -- Are there registry strings we can add to get the Wii-specific costumes? I've read that there's some blonde wig that's Wii only... If it was included in the PC build, maybe they can be forced unlocked.

wigZeen?
hatBlonde?
machoMullet?

Someone should look into that.

edit: Its not one of them three, I checked.

Yeah, the hair is exclusive to the Wii. A telltale games worker said you'll automatically get it in episode 5.

[Holyxion]

Yeah, but what's it's filename?

[poohead900]

This is all assuming it even exists in the PC builds (doubt it). If not, I know that some people (Dangerzone and ReverendTed?) can disassemble the .ttarch files to read dialogue. If possible (doubt it) someone somewhere might be able to find some of that fancy-schmancy uncompiled readable computerbox code to populate the registry, which could (doubt it) be used to force unlock the hidden stuff so that us PC users can use them without Telltale giving them out as freebies.

[ReverendTed]

I noticed on mine that they're not all there. For instance, the Carabowdit hair isn't listed. I suppose this means that only the ones that need to be "unlocked" get a reg entry.

Edit:

Well, yes. Yes, it is possible to unlock new things this way, if you know the names.
Guess who has the Stinkoman hair (http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1680/120108200002rh5.png) now?

The .ttarch files are encrypted, and the only person I know of to ever decrypt them was asked politely not to distribute the utility. It's not necessary to decrypt a .ttarch file to get the names, though.

But I'm sorry, guys...I just don't know if I can share the secret. This really delves into "breaking the game" territory, and I don't want to get in to trouble. Edit: Also, after a little more searching, there aren't many others to unlock this way.

However, since it's been confirmed that the Rocker Hair (http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6310/120108201108eu2.png) was supposed to be unlocked, and will be unlocked by default in the next Episode - the registry key name for the Rocker Hair is "HairBig".

[Strongsadioware]

I noticed on mine that they're not all there. For instance, the Carabowdit hair isn't listed. I suppose this means that only the ones that need to be "unlocked" get a reg entry.

Edit:

Well, yes. Yes, it is possible to unlock new things this way, if you know the names.
Guess who has the Stinkoman hair (http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1680/120108200002rh5.png) now?

The .ttarch files are encrypted, and the only person I know of to ever decrypt them was asked politely not to distribute the utility. It's not necessary to decrypt a .ttarch file to get the names, though.

But I'm sorry, guys...I just don't know if I can share the secret. This really delves into "breaking the game" territory, and I don't want to get in to trouble. Edit: Also, after a little more searching, there aren't many others to unlock this way.

However, since it's been confirmed that the Rocker Hair (http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6310/120108201108eu2.png) was supposed to be unlocked, and will be unlocked by default in the next Episode - the registry key name for the Rocker Hair is "HairBig".

Dude, you totally had to Photoshop that Stinko-wig.

[poohead900]

However, since it's been confirmed that the Rocker Hair (http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6310/120108201108eu2.png) was supposed to be unlocked, and will be unlocked by default in the next Episode - the registry key name for the Rocker Hair is "HairBig".

http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=157&pictureid=1066

And this is why we must all bow to the almighty ReverendTed. Kudos to you, my friend.

edit: You shouldn't share outright "hacks", you're right. But still, some of this stuff you've discovered should come to light! Nothing new, or otherwise accessible in the future, though (like the Stinkoman hair) Just the added hidden regkeys that we all want and need! Either that or give some subtle hints on how to pull out the regkeys. If its ultraedit or notepad I will be ever so pissed. I ain't found a string of coherent un-compiled anything in the .ttarchs using them two.

[ReverendTed]

But still, some of this stuff you've discovered should come to light! Nothing new, or otherwise accessible in the future, though (like the Stinkoman hair) Just the added hidden regkeys that we all want and need!The only other things I found are "new, or otherwise accessible in the future".

[poohead900]

In that case, I'll just stick to the awexome hair. I can unlock the rest in EP5.

[bigdondoo]

That's CHEATING!

[Strongsadioware]

I think I'll fool around with the hair until episode 5 comes out.

EDIT: It isn't cheating, it's just having good skills of finding stuff in the game early. Nor is it hacking.

[poohead900]

EDIT: It isn't cheating, it's just having good skills of finding stuff in the game early.

Those good skills belong to ReverendTed. I'm still piddling with the .ttarchs to try to figure out where he pulled that from.

[ReverendTed]

Nor is it hacking.Actually, I do think it would fit the description of hacking, if only loosely.

[poohead900]

Was the Hot Coffee Mod for GTA: San Andreas considered a hack? Its pretty much the same thing, unlocking something that wasn't supposed to be unlocked yet.

I'd say you could consider it hacking. Ish.

[bigdondoo]

Unlocking something that isn't supposed to be unlocked yet is pretty much a good definition of cheating.

[Quuux]

Cheating involves makng the game easier, the costumes are just extras.

[Holyxion]

Yeah, cheating is only bad when it destroys the challenge, and hacking is only bad when it breaks the game. I see getting bonus content out completely justifiable. I mean, Telltale even said themselves that they were gonna put the big hair in ep. 4 'cept for the deadline, so if the fans put it in after the deadline, it solves the problem, right?

[bigdondoo]

Ah, but you have made finding the costumes easier, in fact you did not even find them at all, and being rewarded for something you did not accomplish constitutes a form of cheating.

I have a quick question, when you do this, does it affect you awesomeness score, or do you get the costume, but the awesomeness stays down until you find the actual costume?

[poohead900]

I have a quick question, when you do this, does it affect you awesomeness score, or do you get the costume, but the awesomeness stays down until you find the actual costume?

No, it doesn't modify any of the awesomeness ranks, considering it wasn't supposed to be "found" (like peering into a box) on PC in the first place. Since its going to be auto-unlocked in EP5, I think all that Telltale is going to do is put in that registry key anyways.

[Holyxion]

Ah, but you have made finding the costumes easier, in fact you did not even find them at all, and being rewarded for something you did not accomplish constitutes a form of cheating.


Yeah, if you get the ones that you would normally be able to get in-game then that would fit my definition of cheating, but if you just get the big hair then it's okay. But unless you're a major hacking wiz it's prob'ly easier to just get em in game anyways so it doesn't necessarily make finding them easier.

[poohead900]

Hey ReverendTed,

http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=157&pictureid=1086

I got it, bwa ha ha ha.

[Holyxion]

I bet you can't find the ab-abber shirt/lines that Dangerzone said he found though.

[ReverendTed]

I bet you can't find the ab-abber shirt/lines that Dangerzone said he found though.I couldn't.

[poohead900]

I'm still digging.

[Holyxion]

That one sure seems harder to figure the filename for.

[ReverendTed]

That one sure seems harder to figure the filename for.I haven't guessed on any of them - I have a "list" of sorts.

[poohead900]

I haven't guessed on any of them - I have a "list" of sorts.

As do I.

8 bit is enough indeed, eh, Ted?

Edit: I think it IS going to be a guessing game, I came up with one not in the "list"

[Strongsadioware]

He said they were pennings, by the way.


HairBlue: Failed. Didn't get the Stinkohair.

HairStinko: Nada.

[poohead900]

What's funny is that when EP5 does come out, I think I'm gonna spend a good amount of time looking through what is in the .ttarchs for anything Telltale might have missed, if anything at all. Who knows, maybe there IS an actual way to unlock Homestar as a playable character.

Hmm.....

(shifty eyes)

[Ray-The-Sun]

Well, all I can do is guess for the name, but I managed to guess my way through Where's an egg, so I might as well try, Right? RIGHT!? I AM NOT CRAZY!

EDIT II:
I. Found. The. Ab. Shirt. I. Win.

[poohead900]

Bah, why'd you have to do that? Now I gotta keep guessing....

[Strongsadioware]

Yes! I got the Stinkoman hair, a-this mornin', a-this morin' ma-ma-ma-ma-ma mornin'!

[Holyxion]

This mo'nin', this mo'nin', this mo-, re-mo-,re-mo-mo'nin'! That little song is still pretty cool.

That abshirt sure looks a lot more detailed than I expected, though.

[splash1]

Yeah, I expected it to be the crappy one from suntan.

[Ray-The-Sun]

Anyone got any other ideas I should try? I'm kinda bored and I've been guessing random thinks (like hatFez) all day, Its quite entertaining.

[splash1]

Stinkoman hair is called... I don't know, you're pretty stupid to click this :D

[Ray-The-Sun]

Stinkoman Hair is called Stinkoman Hair ingame. You have to guess the filename.

[ReverendTed]

EDIT II:
I. Found. The. Ab. Shirt. I. Win.For best results, never shower again. Nice find.
Gaze upon the disturbing countenance that you have wrought, and DESPAIR (http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1007/120408200500uw3.png)!

..and now you guys have got me guessing, too.

Edit: Seriously, Telltale - nine exclamation points? Were they all really necessary?

[poohead900]

Edit: Seriously, Telltale - nine exclamation points? Were they all really necessary?[/QUOTE]

You know that if Telltale ever answers that, I wouldn't be surprised if we were all banned for life.

[Dangerzone]

Ok, first, let's note how this is my first post in this thread. (It will also be my last.)

Second, since you are editing files to access content not normally available in the game play itself... That (by definition) makes this hacking.

Third, telltale is going to have the same stance as me, they acknowledge it, but keep their back turned on it... If they had any stance on it, they would most likely dis-condone it. (F.Y.I. Mess with your registry at your own risk!) Need I state that messing with the registry entries for a game could wreak all sorts of havoc with not just the game, but with your computer itself if you add/change/delete something in the wrong folder by accident.

All you are doing by enabling these costume items is ruining yourself of the experience of finding them in episode 5, Yeah it's "cool" to have/see/find something that nobody else has... But take it from me, in the end... File diving sucks, as I have known about those costume items (and a few others you guys have not found yet) since 101 came out. Keeping quiet about them until now has really sucked. You will get to have them legally in episode 5, just be patient until then. (you will not be disappointed)

I know that nothing I can say will sway anyone. Actually, I am just writing this as a formality so I can quote this and say "I told you so" when a few dozen "Episode 5 crashes when I enter the photo booth" threads pop up in the support forum.

[Ray-The-Sun]

I just removed all my Bonuses (Except for Big Hair) so when episode 5 comes out, I'll be able to get 'em legit.

[Gibbeynator]

I love this thread. It reminds me of the days on dothackers when it was revealed that most of the Vol 2 party members (And even most of the unique NPCs) were playable in Vol. 1.

[Ray-The-Sun]

Offtopic Much? (I assume you mean the Game/Manga/Anime series .Hack, Yeah?)

Ontopic: I've stopped my guessing games.

[poohead900]

I just removed all my Bonuses (Except for Big Hair) so when episode 5 comes out, I'll be able to get 'em legit.

I got all my regkeys that have to do with telltale backed up, less of a hassle. Just delete all keys, then repopulate the registry! If something goes awry, just go back through the first 4 and recollect everything.

[ReverendTed]

File diving sucks, as I have known about those costume items (and a few others you guys have not found yet) since 101 came out. Keeping quiet about them until now has really sucked.Known about, sure. But have you actually *seen* them?

Sure, I'm ruining the experience of finding them legitimately, but I'm gaining the excitement of finding them illegitimately. It's a different kind of game (and for me personally, it's probably more rewarding than the "normal" way).

[Holyxion]

You can always just delete them before you play 105 like Ray The Sun did if you want to get them the normal way to.

[Will]

For the record, you shouldn't have to delete them for 105. Episodes aren't set up to read their own costume data from the registry. That way you can start a new game and you won't have the costumes remembered from your old game. It is only other episodes that it pulls from the registry.

[Ray-The-Sun]

I put that into practice yesterday on my Bad Compy (Used to run Win ME), And Will speaks the truth.

[poohead900]

as I have known about those costume items (and a few others you guys have not found yet) since 101 came out.

I'm a bit skeptical on that one, considering when I step into the snap shak in 101, I'm only are awarded the costumes that came with that episode. If what Will said is true:

Episodes aren't set up to read their own costume data from the registry. (...) It is only other episodes that it pulls from the registry.

Then 101 would be using the registry to make available the costumes logged in the regs. Since our registries all have multiple extra entries (both legit and "found") that don't show up in 101, it makes me want to believe that the costume items weren't available in 101 yet. I'm gonna re-install as standalone just in case the files are recursive, in that the exes only read from the newest ttarches to save space.

edit: Hey 200 posts!

[Dangerzone]

While the registry trick does not unlock anything in episodes 101-103 (Since I have recently re-played all 4 episodes, and none of the "new" costumes are there) But it is true that most of the costumes are in the earlier episodes (locked away in the files). I was able to view a file list of all the costumes... While I like to dig, I do not hack, so no. I have never actually altered anything to view the costumes in game, but I have seen the art assets that make them (which is almost the same), and known about their existence for some time.

I may be full of shit on occasion, but a liar I am not... Now look at that, you made me post again, argh!

... and my warning about messing with the registry still stands, don't mess with it unless you know what you are doing. Because messing with the wrong thing can really screw up your computer.

[poohead900]

Oh man, I wasn't trying to call you a liar for crying out loud, I'm just saying I was skeptical. I would never test the almighty dangerzone, what with his pulling apart of files to single-handedly compile a "did you try list" before Telltale releases theirs.

But I do get the "found" costumes in 102-103-104, and I was skeptical in the inclusion of later costumes in 101 because of how small and uninformative 101's ttarches were in searching for stuff. (I just figured out how to "read" them--hint: not much need for debuggers). It just seemed funny to me.

... and my warning about messing with the registry still stands, don't mess with it unless you know what you are doing. Because messing with the wrong thing can really screw up your computer.

And yeah, you're right about that one, If you're smart about it, there shouldn't be any problems.

Edit: I edited this post so I don't sound like a pansy.

[Ray-The-Sun]

Right, I can access the registry as a Non-Admin account, and thus, I have no access to System/User files. Making my use of it safe, No danger whatsoever.
I post alot on this topic. Shows how boring it is here in good 'ol England...

[Flyingman356]

I got into the registry folder and everything, but when I add something, how do I set its data to (1)? I'm not asking for costume file names, just how to do that.

[poohead900]

Assuming you added a 32-bit DWORD --

Just double click it. Or right click it, then "modify". Keep it as a hex value, and set it to 1.

[splash1]

Ok, first, let's note how this is my first post in this thread. (It will also be my last.)

Second, since you are editing files to access content not normally available in the game play itself... That (by definition) makes this hacking.

Third, telltale is going to have the same stance as me, they acknowledge it, but keep their back turned on it... If they had any stance on it, they would most likely dis-condone it. (F.Y.I. Mess with your registry at your own risk!) Need I state that messing with the registry entries for a game could wreak all sorts of havoc with not just the game, but with your computer itself if you add/change/delete something in the wrong folder by accident.

All you are doing by enabling these costume items is ruining yourself of the experience of finding them in episode 5, Yeah it's "cool" to have/see/find something that nobody else has... But take it from me, in the end... File diving sucks, as I have known about those costume items (and a few others you guys have not found yet) since 101 came out. Keeping quiet about them until now has really sucked. You will get to have them legally in episode 5, just be patient until then. (you will not be disappointed)

I know that nothing I can say will sway anyone. Actually, I am just writing this as a formality so I can quote this and say "I told you so" when a few dozen "Episode 5 crashes when I enter the photo booth" threads pop up in the support forum.

Are you like supposed to be the self proclaimed, I Told You So guy? Cause you're totally acting like you know everything, and it sounds really bad. No offense though.

[bigdondoo]

Isn't I Told You So Guy the sidekick of Hit-Enter-Too-Soon Man?

[Holyxion]

Naw, man, he's Killingyouguy's wimpy depressed younger brother.

[Ray-The-Sun]

Anyone think about trying Scalding Lake? I haven't. But we'll see in a matter of minutes.

[poohead900]

Since the Ab-Abber didn't come out in EP5, I figured it wouldn't be breaking the game to post how to get it in the hints section:

http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7452

[SuperBosco]

what about the roman helmet in Dangeresque 3

[Holyxion]

Isn't that one of the ones which is automatically in the booth if you by it on PC? I don't remember though, it was quite awhile ago.

[SuperBosco]

Yes that's the one I'm talking about. If you find out any thing, send in my way