Here's another really simple extension for BlogEngine.Net. This one allows you embed your xbox live gamercard into a post by simply typing the following (without the spaces near the [])

[ xboxgamercard:gamertag ]  -  Replace gamertag with your gamertag

The result looks like this :-

To Install, copy XboxGamercard.cs into the app_code\extensions directory.

You can download the extension below: 

XboxGamerCard1.0.zip (868.00 bytes)

Don't get me wrong, I've played on the Wii and it can be really good fun using the Wii Remote and Nunchuck to do a spot of bowling or boxing. I don't actually own one, I have an Xbox 360, but I'm by no means against them.

I've just read an article  about how Konami plan on using the aforementioned input devices to provide an "innovative user interface" for their latest incarnation of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.

Below are some of the quotes on how this innovation is going to work.

"The Nunchuck is used to move the current player, while the Wii Remote is used to pick out players to send them on runs or to receive passes via simple click and drag system which uses arrows to show the path of the run, and a press of the ‘B’ button to complete the move".

"Dribbling is effected by clicking on the player and using an arrow and the 'A' button to guide the ball. The speed of the run can then be altered by extending or reducing the length of the guiding arrow, allowing stunning quick turns and bursts of speed to catch defenders off-guard"

My question is this. Is this really actually innovativation? or is just forcing a technology somewhere it's not needed to prove a point? Lets face it, is it really going to make the game easier or more enjoyable to play?

Personally, I don't think so. A couple of FIFA versions ago (I've been buying it since 1995 by the way!) they introduced a way of running with players off the ball using the right analog pad. I found that controlling the main player in the left anlog pad, and trying to move a different way on the right analog pad, almost impossible to do (maybe it's my age!). I suspect others did too as this was never included in any future version

The Wii certainly has a place in the market and works brilliantly well for many genres of game.  I think that Wii developers should stick to developing games that lend themselves to the new input devices naturally rather than forcing the technology onto a game where there is really no need for it!

Saying that, I'd still be interested to have a go, and if I'm wrong, I'll eat my words! 

Enhancement Pack 4 is out now, whilst Sports Interactive's servers take their usual battering you can download it from our friends over at Blueyonder by clicking here

Although the software provided here is free, if enjoy it and find it useful, you can make a donation through PayPal.com by clicking here

Here is a little program I wrote one day. Have you ever wished that you could purchase that fantastic 19 year old Brazillian, but been turned down by the DoE. What about if you usually play in Serie A. Sick of being limited to three foreigners? Then wish no more, with this program, you can easily make countries part of the EEC, thereby removing the need for a work permit altogether.

I always thought the foreigner rule was a waste of time anyway. Have Fun !!

Please Note : You will need to start a new game for the patch to work.

Licensing Terms and Conditions

The software contained on this site is completely free, and can be used in any way you wish. However, there are certain terms which must be followed unconditionally when using software obtained from this site. If you wish to change the software in any way or recompile, you are free to do this but you may not distribute altered versions of this software without acknowledgement of the author.

You may distribute the software on this site to other ones, but you must distribute the zip in the original state and notify the author so I can keep you informed of latest updates etc.

If you wish to distribute the source code from this site by other means (for example, CD-Rom), you must have permission of the author.

Disclaimer

Although the information and software supplied on this site are provided in good faith, no warranty is provided. The author accepts no responsibility for the use of this software, for the means intended or otherwise, causing damage to any hardware, software, individual, or company. This software is provided without charge "as is".

VB Source Code Now Available for download

After many requests, here is the source code to EEC Hacker v1.4. I believe that this is the first open source pre-game editor for CM99/00. Hopefully this will encourage others to share their programs so that we can work together to produce better utils. If anyone knows the file format for the save game files let me know :)

EEC Hacker v1.4 Source Code (VB 6.0)

Downloads

If you have downloaded this program before, you can simply download the latest version. If not, you can try the latest version, but if this doesn't work, you will need to download and install the full package, then the upgrade.

Please note, you need to start a new game for the changes to take affect.

Version 1.4 Full Package

Version 1.3 (no VB Runtime)

Version 1.2 (no VB Runtime)
Version 1.2 (Full)

Version 1.4 (Released 2/7/00)
Fixed a few small problems with certain configurations. Released VB Source Code.

Version 1.3 (Released 24/3/00)
Fixed bug when nation.dat is set read only. Thanks to Azhar Budi Prasetyo for spotting this.

Version 1.2 (Released 23/3/00)
Initial Release

Welcome to the EEC Hacker User Guide. This document explains how to install the editor, and how to use the program.

1. Installation Instructions.

Download the main setup program from my website http://www.tumelty.com/blog/post/2003/01/EEC-Hacker.aspx

Unzip the file using winzip or your favourite zip program. Run the setup.exe file, and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Using The Program

If you downloaded the full version of the program, you should have an icon to run the program on your Start Menu. If not, go to the directory you installed the program to, and double click the executable.

When the program is loaded, you need to do the following :-

1. Firstly, you need to tell the program where the nation.dat file is. Championship Manager uses this file to store information about the Nations in the game. You can do this by clicking on the "Load Nation" button. Using the file dialog box, change directory to your CM3 directory. There should be a dir called "data", inside data you can find the nation.dat file. Double click on the file to open it up
2. After the file has loaded, you will be given a list of all the countries. A tick next to the country indicates that that country is marked as being in the EEC.
3. Adjust the ticks as necessary, or click on "make all countries EEC" to patch all countries.
4. Click on the Patch Nations.dat button to write the changes to the disc. Although this program has been tested, it might be worthwhile taking a backup of the file just in case.
5. If you get an error about a Runtime File/Path access error, you can either download the patch from my website, or change the properties of the nation.dat file, and untick the read-only check.
6. Thats it, start a new game and all the countries you selected will now be patched. Have fun.

 
3. Frequently Asked Questions

3.1 How do I uninstall the program?

EECHacker has a standard uninstallation program. Click Start, Control Panel., Add/Remove Programs, select EEC Hacker, and click uninstall.

3.2 When I try to patch the nation.dat file, I get an error message saying something about File/Access error.

This problem was fixed with version 1.3. You can download the executable from the page above, it's only about 14k. Copy the new executable into either the same directory as the original program, or your CM9900 directory.

3.3 Hang on, this program doesn't do anything that you can't do in other editors

Point taken, if you want to go through every country in the game, and change all the fields seperately, you are more than welcome :)

3.4 It doesn't work

Honestly it does, start a new game for the changes to take affect

3.5 Does making all these teams European, mess up the European Championships?

No, there are countries that aren't part of the EEC, that play in the European Championships (i.e. Romania). I believe the game uses the nations governing body (i.e. UEFA etc.) to work out which teams are eligible for the European Championships.

3.6 Why???????

Depending on which league you usually play, you may or may not be aware of the foreigners rule imposed on nations in the EEC. Basically, if you have any players in your squad that were born outside of the EEC, you need a work permit for them. This has several repercussions.

1. When buying new players, they will only be granted a work permit if they are established internationals. Very very rarely, a player of exceptional ability may get a work permit, but I have never seen this in the game.
2. If you have a non EEC player in your squad sitting on the bench, after a while, he will become ineligible to play for you because his work permit will expire. You therefore may have a multi-million pound player sitting in your reserves.

This program lets you make whichever countries you like be part of the EEC, therefore removing the problems listed above. You can sign any player from anywhere in the world (if you have the money) and get a work permit for them. There are some very good players in South America if you have a look about. Usually, these players will not be available becuase they are not internationals, therefore would not have got a work permit. Also, you will not have to worry about playing players that are non EEC just so they will keep their work permit.

The main reason I wrote this program is because as a Middlesbrough fan, I found it really annoying having to bring Hamilton Ricard on for the last 5 minutes of every game just so he will have enough appearances to keep his permit. With this program, a simple tick on Colombia solves this problem :)

Thanks for downloading this program. If you have a question that I have not covered, feel free to contact me via ICQ or email and I will do my best to help.

This program comes with no guarantees. Although this program has been thorougly tested and virus checked, it is used at your own risk. I will not be held responsible for anything that may happen to your computer after installing this progam