Client Modding

   WARNING: Modding can trash your client so make backups and proceed with caution!

Note that any changes made to these files can be overwritten by the Net-7 Launcher on an update so it is advisable that you make backup copies of your changes. It may work to set the files to read-only after you're done (right-click -> Properties -> check Read-only) but this won't work if it removes the old one first so best to have a backup.

Startup Movies

You can save some time on startup by disabling the startup movies, just rename these files:

C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\mixfiles\EB_Sizzle.bik
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\mixfiles\eb_ws_logo.bik

Sound

In general these can be changed in a few ways, either swapping the SFX=, SoundOnID=, etc. with another one that you prefer, or reducing or muting it altogether(0) with SoundVolume=.

Potentially interesting config files (containing .wav references):

C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\sounds.ini
- This is the big one that contains most of the sounds
- Megan (Dorie Barton) (1492_*) if the login is grating to you
  - [1]
- Admiral Diego Herrera (1066_*)
- Anjuren Khan (1294_*)
- Ariad (1068_*)
- Gratis Augustus Var (Charles Adler) (1075_*)
- Merjan Kathrada (1027_*)
- Proconsul Dionysius Kerr (John Vernon) (1299_*)
- Du'Shao Silva (1074_*)
- Theodoric Cassel (Andrew Robinson) (1069_*)
- Vinda (Lori Tritel) (1076_*)
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\FA_HARVESTING.INI
- Replace fontcricket.wav with SR_rollover14b.wav as an alternative when you click on an asteroid
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\effect.ini
- This is another large one that contains most of the ship sounds
- Replace psionic_shield_idle.wav with wormhole_effect_level_1_idle.wav for a much more chill Psionic Shield
- Replace afterburn.wav with TerranSmall_Idle01.wav to chill out Afterburn
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\ambient.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\bridgesounds.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\buffdef.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\FA_ATT.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fa_bio.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\FA_CE01.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fa_cinfo.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\FA_MIS.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fa_ptmis.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fa_ptppl.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\FA_PUB2.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\FA_PUB6.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fa_tsi22a.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fc_iteminfo.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\footsteps.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\MOVIE3D.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\music.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\rs.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\testeffects.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\tutorialdef.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\W3DAnimSound.ini
C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\basset.ini

Colors

C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\fc_cpit.ini
- Change Color= under [STR-15] (VictimDamageChemical) from FA_GREEN to FA_YELLOW
- See Damage_mechanics#Damage_type_bonus to understand what is possible here (e.g. Energy, Explosive, and Impact all share one color, and cannot be changed independently)

Effects

Tired of being blinded by suns and lens flares?

C:\Program Files (x86)\EA GAMES\Earth & Beyond\Data\client\ini\Dazzle.ini
- For each star type set HaloScaleX=0, HaloScaleY=0, DazzleScaleX=0, DazzleScaleY=0, and remove the LensflareName=... line entirely

Mix File Editing

Use XCC Mixer to copy the .dds file you want to change
Using GIMP (or your image editor of choice, but GIMP was tested here) modify the image and then Export:
- Select file name > ok
- Compression bc3/dxt5
- Save: selected layer
- Mipmaps: generate mipmaps
- Defaults the rest of the way
- Export!
Use XCC Mixer to edit mix file and repack
- do NOT run as Administrator
- Open mix file on left
- Delete desired dds file
- Drag new dds file from explorer window into left pane
- Close the mixfile, do not save or compact