Play Gears Of War 1 Offline with save feature

I barely play modern games because i don't like them. I remain at 1995-2010 gaming era because it was best for me. Now i started finding more old games and i found gears of war 1. It didn't worked at all and i don't use internet on my windows pc 99% of time. I sometimes use steam to download some old games like DeusEx.

After trying some experiments and solutions at pcgamingwiki website when nothing worked i experimented on my own. I read about Xliveless which allows xlive without actually having xlive.

I pasted xlive.dll into Gears Of War Binaries folder and started the game. It worked perfectly and saving also works.

Fix:

Download Xliveless package from internet or links below. Extract xlive.dll and paste into Gears Of war Binaries folder. If it doesn't work then set compatibility mode to older windows.

Xliveless link:

https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/576-xliveless/

I don't remember from where is got mine Xliveless but mine xlive.dll has size of 209,920 bytes and its x86 i.e. 32 bit dll. Try this exact file version and game should work.

Hacking Infernax Morality system and other settings with save file.

The infernax morality system is hidden but can be seen in save file. This post is for windows version. The save file is located at c:\Users\%USER%\AppData\LocalLow\Berzerk Studio\infernax folder. Other OS have their own location. Extra tips and hacks at bottom of post.

Firstly install Notepad++ and open the file infernax.666

This file contains game related settings and options.666 have sound etc settings.

Search moralityScore in this text and set it to 34 to unlock "Protect the relic quest". 

Warning: changing the length of file will corrupt the save file. Make a backup first!

You can get Whatever XP upto 9999. Search "xp": and change the 4 digits only. DO NOT ADD extra characters to change total length of save file. If morality is 2 digit number then don't make it 3 digit. Same applies to other settings. This way game can be hacked to get your quests or enable hidden locations etc.

Since save state is single any bad decision will ruin the game and replay is needed therefore backing up of save is important. Or trick with morality score and other settings.

How to get full demonology by hacking save file?

Just replace "numKilled":0 to "numKilled":1

This means all demons will be set to be killed at least once. This will give full demonology by hack!. This will enable Gregor to send you to future. Ultimate weapon is then granted to kill the final boss.

Connect Dualshock 3 via Bluetooth on WIndows 10 without SCP toolkit and Motionjoy.

Dualshock 3 connects to Linux like butter both wired and wireless but windows requires lots of work to do. I tried motionjoy but it was like a malware so surrendered it immediately. Then i tried SCP toolkit but it barely worked after restart. Below were problems faced with scptoolkit -

- It installs drivers (filter drivers) which disables bluetooth to be used by other devices. Some users may use a dedicated dongle for it.

- After restart almost every time DS3 was not working until drivers are reinstalled.

- SCP toolkit is no longer maintained.

 

Now coming to the solution that worked very well and is also more compatible and doesn't cause unwanted trouble of disabling bluetooth etc. In parallel do take a look at https://vigem.org/projects/BthPS3/Installation-Guide-Shibari-Edition/

Limitations:

- Works on Windows 10 only.

- Pressure sensitivity and sensors not supported.

Download and install the latest versions of software from below links:

- Install BthPS3 from https://github.com/ViGEm/BthPS3/releases/latest. Install this first and restart PC. BthPS3 is the bluetooth driver.

- FireShock from https://downloads.vigem.org/projects/FireShock/stable/. This is the USB driver which detects connected DS3 and sets current PC's bluetooth as its master. More info below.

- ViGEmBus https://github.com/ViGEm/ViGEmBus/releases/latest

- Shibari.zip from https://buildbot.vigem.org/builds/Shibari/master/

How it all works?

Dualshock 3 doesn't work with standard bluetooth protocol because it uses its own custom bluetooth protocol. This protocol must be installed in some form to the OS which connects to DS3. We install BthPS3 for this task.

 

DS3 always saves a master bluetooth MAC address in its memory. This MAC address is set using USB connection therefore DS3 are connected with console via USB cable and then it starts working. When PS button is pressed DS3 sends a pairing request to this master bluetooth device. We install FireShock for this purpose. I don't know what else fireshock does but in theory if using other apps to set DS3's master BT device then we may not need this step. However It must be installed for possible unwanted or unpredictable issues.

When DS3 gets connected we want it to behave as XBOX 360 controller. We install ViGEmBus for this purpose.

Now we have to run Shibari.Dom.Server.exe. As the official page says it acts as a bridge among the bundle of software we installed. Kindly refer to the official page for more details to run this program as a service and auto start after boot.

Troubleshoot:

- Ensure DS3 is not damaged. You may reset the controller by pressing a tiny button at backside. There is a tiny hole at rightside of top-middle bolt. Press it with thin object. This resets the gamepad.

 - Ensure programs are installed as mentioned in official page because the details i have mentioned is for versions released on March 2021. Apps must be run as administrator rights.

- Current version of above software works on Windows 10 only.

Below is example log from shibari:

[06:16:42 INF] Launching Shibari, version: 1.6.186.0
Configuration Result:
[Success] Name Shibari.Dom.Server
[Success] DisplayName Shibari Dom Server
[Success] Description Manages AirBender, FireShock & BthPS3 Devices.
[Success] ServiceName Shibari.Dom.Server
Topshelf v4.2.1.215, .NET Framework v4.0.30319.42000
[06:16:43 INF] Loaded sink plugin ViGEm Xbox 360 Sink
[06:16:43 INF] Loaded bus emulator BthPS3 Bus Emulator
[06:16:43 INF] Starting bus emulator BthPS3 Bus Emulator
[06:16:43 INF] BthPS3 Bus Emulator started
[06:16:43 INF] Bus emulator BthPS3 Bus Emulator started successfully
[06:16:43 INF] Loaded bus emulator FireShock Bus Emulator
[06:16:43 INF] Starting bus emulator FireShock Bus Emulator
[06:16:43 INF] FireShock Bus Emulator started
[06:16:43 INF] Bus emulator FireShock Bus Emulator started successfully
The Shibari.Dom.Server service is now running, press Control+C to exit.
[06:17:43 INF] Found SIXAXIS device \\?\BTHPS3BUS#{53F88889-1AAF-4353-A047-556B69EC6DA6}#A&1E23908E&0&0007040BAF51#{7B0EAE3D-4414-4024-BCBD-1C21523768CE} (BTHPS3BUS\{53F88889-1AAF-4353-A047-556B69EC6DA6}\A&1E23908E&0&0007040BAF51)
[06:17:43 INF] Device DualShock3 (00:07:04:0B:AF:51) got attached via Bluetooth
[06:17:43 WRN] Auto-pairing not supported as BthPS3 and/or Bluetooth Host Radio not found
[06:17:43 INF] Connecting ViGEm target Nefarius.ViGEm.Client.Targets.Xbox360Controller
[06:17:43 INF] ViGEm target Nefarius.ViGEm.Client.Targets.Xbox360Controller connected successfully
Controller 1: [■■■ ] (its green colored bar)

 

For using other drivers or testing of ds3 using rpcs3 emulator

https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title=Help:Controller_Configuration

Connect gen game s3, x3, GSH, shanwan wireless gamepad to various devices

The controller is available in various different brand names but its same. Companies do rebranding and sell.

 

Flipkart page for sample -

https://www.flipkart.com/dwh-x3-mobile-wireless-bluetooth-game-controller-bracket-gamepad-support-ios-android-smart-t-v-pc-black-joystick-black-pc/p/itm5fa472358e25b

 

I have tested it on Android phones, tablet and Ubuntu laptop. It works with both Bluetooth and usb mode. Wifi/wireless mode also supposed to work using a BM-703 dongle which i couldn't test due to lack of dongle.

This seems to be BEST BUDGET gamepad!. Very surprising when compared with others at Rs1000.

Update:

I tested GSH model and it looks like multiple types of other clone models also exist. But the basic idea and techniques to connect are same as described below. Your device may show different name and may have different combinations of keys!. Don't give up by thinking your device is not working it just has different keys and ways to connect. Don't throw your gamepad manual because its hard to find on internet and unique to your device.

As Bluetooth gamepad in Keyboard mode:

Turn on Bluetooth of Android. If gamepad is on then turn it off by long pressing home button until lights are off. Press X or Y then home for ~3-5 seconds. Home led with blink and Bluetooth search will show a wireless keyboard device named "gamepad". Will easily pair and DON'T forget to enable option "show virtual keyboard when hardware keyboard is connected" option in Android otherwise soft keyboard will remain disabled!. In this mode home button can be pressed to switch to Mode 2 and L3,R3 will act as mouse. This seems to be most compatible mode.

Bluetooth HID gamepad mode

Press A or B then home and Bluetooth gamepad will show and gamepadplus name will show. In this mode it doesn't act like keyboard and not every app can detect correct key names. Some apps may show KEY_UNKNOWN while mapping. This mode supports L3,R3 which is needed for PS1, PSP etc games. Retroarch worked very well with both above modes.

Try experimenting with home + all the buttons you have. Even if your model is different, old version or latest some keys can surely work.

Some combinations mentioned in manual below:

Home+X = Android

Home+Y = Ios

Home+A = Switch

Home+B = PS3

Home+L1,L2 for PC Bluetooth or cable.

Manual provides other details for Ios.

USB otg mode:

Press R1 + Home. 1 and 4 leds will blink. If XBox gamepad drivers are present in ANY OS the gamepad will detect after plugging by usb cable. 

NOTE: provided usb cable in box is not data cable but charging cable. Use data cable and gamepad works as Microsoft xbox 360 controller.

Lots of users are unable to find these details and think the gamepad is bad. Gamepad is really great and also has less latency. Almost like wired.

Official manual:

Manual also shows other devices and ways to connect.

Secret/Hidden:

There is a hole at the back side of gamepad to reset the current pairing master device just like dualshock 3 gamepad. Use something like needle and insert in the hole to press a switch. Hole at right side of usb port at back side. After reset the gamepad will not automatically connect to last Bluetooth device.

Common issues:

- Pairing fails on some devices like TV etc. Try different modes to get the connection established. The gamepad didn't connected to my TCL Android TV. May work by forcing to trust the device and pair or use other modes of gamepad.

- Stock androids lack commercial drivers and many other such drivers. This cause no detection of various gadgets not just this gamepad. E.g. F310 Logitech gamepad didn't connected to Nokia 8.1 but worked on other devices. Xinput mode requires drivers.

The gamepad is available with names MJ600, shanwan x3, gsh wireless, Gen Game S3 etc. All are same.

- When connection is getting problematic reset the gamepad by the secret hole at back side.