DSGE v1.0 Documentation

This is a relatively early version of the DSGE documentation. First, let me thank you for choosing Descent Saved Game Editor. I'd also like to say that this application is meant to be used after you have completed the game without this or other "cheaters". Using programs such as this to create a super-ship, seems to take some of the fun out of the game if you haven't beaten it yet.

Also note that this is a BETA version. I'm sure it contains many bugs, so back up your "Players" folder before modifying any of the saved game files. This application is provided "as is". I am not responsible for any damage caused to your equipment or your sanity through the use of this product (directly or indirectly).

Praise and bug reports (use the included form, please) can be sent to GrnJadeite@aol.com. (Actually, you can send me whatever you want as long as it isn't detrimental to my equipment or my miniscule self-concept.) Now to the docs...

Editing a Saved Game File

There really isn't that much to using DSGE. But this document will outline the neccessary steps of the proccess.

Launch DSGE and Open a Saved Game File

In this window, navigate to your Descent folder and into the Players folder within. The players folder contains all the ".sgx" files which compose a saved game.

Edit the Saved Game File

Openning a saved game file results in this window. It is within this window where you edit the data composing a saved game. Descriptions of the items and possible values follow.

General Information

Pilot Name: The internal name of the pilot. It can't be altered.
Lives: The number of lives the pilot has remaining, not including the current one. This must be a value between 0-255 (0 meaning no lives in reserve).
Energy: The value of the ship's laser energy. This is a short integer which, unsigned, has a maximum value of 65535. Thus, theoretically the ship could be ableuse that maximum value (however, I haven't tried this yet).
Shields: The value of the ship's shield energy. As with the Energy attribute, one should be able to set this to the maximum of 65535 (but I haven't tried it).

Primary Weapons Info

Lasers: Are the lasers installed on the ship?
Quads: Are the quad lasers installed on the ship? This is a checkbox (true or false) item. If you wish to have the quads, set an 'x' in the checkbox.
Level: The level of the lasers. Descent actually stores all of the laser level data for all robots globally. For examlpe, the normal values of this attribute are 1-4. If you set this value above 4, you will start to get different types of armaments for lasers. (try 17)

Vulcan: Is the Vulcan cannon installed on the ship?
Ammo: Number of Vulcan ammo cartriges in the ship. (I think this is a signed integer, so don't go overboard...)

Spreadfire: Is the Spreadfire cannon installed on the ship?

Plasma: Is the Plasma cannon installed on the ship?

Fusion: Is the Fusion cannon installed on the ship?

Secondary Weapons Info

Missiles: The number of concussion missiles aboard the ship. As with the energy and shields, I beleive all of the secondary weapons can be set to the maximum value).
Homing: The number of concussion missiles aboard the ship.
Proximity: The number of proximity bombs aboard the ship.
Smart: The number of smart missiles aboard the ship.
Mega: The number of mega missiles aboard the ship.

Keys Info

Blue: Is the Blue key aboard the ship?
Red: Is the Blue key aboard the ship?
Yellow: Is the Blue key aboard the ship?

Misc Info

Currently this is a "reserved" space and a filler to make the window format aesthetically pleasing.

Saving the Changes

After the settings look the way you wish, either choose Save from the File menu, or close the window or application. DSGE will prompt you to save the changes, choose Yes.

As this application is updated, the documentation will too.

If you have any suggestions or need any help, feel free to contact me at GrnJadeite@aol.com. And look for updates of this application at Jadeite Software or at your favorite online service or FTP archive.