I didn't want to post this in bug reports since i dont believe its a bug, but this exploit is quite a snake in the boot for paradox. I was in the national_focus file in hoi4's files, getting a focus tree from there as a base for a new mod i was working on, (i had picked the mexico one), i noticed that there was a modifier called 'has_dlc = Man_The_Guns", and i got curious, so i removed that modifier and started the game up (note, i do not have the man the guns dlc), and the focus tree was there. the national spirits werent, but the focus tree was. this needs to be fixed soon, as these focus trees are still part of paid content and can now just be gained for free via this method. please let me know if i should post this somewhere else, i.e in bug reports (which, again i didnt since this modifier is intentional)
New exploit?
- Thread starter McDonaldsMapping
- Start date
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I feel like if it was THAT easy to get paid content for free HoI4 would have never gone past the first DLC...
The "has_dlc" check is probably here for situations where a player who bought the DLC disables it. I'd imagine the tree and everything in the DLC is actually not even present in the game files of whoever didn't buy it. At least, I hope.
The "has_dlc" check is probably here for situations where a player who bought the DLC disables it. I'd imagine the tree and everything in the DLC is actually not even present in the game files of whoever didn't buy it. At least, I hope.
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It is that easy to get the paid content (focus trees at least) for free, but it is not really a problem for multiple reasons.
First of all, the DLC focus trees usually tie into the mechanics the DLC introduced. Those mechanics (like espionage, puppet levels etc.) can not be enabled with a simple text change, so parts of the focus tree will be broken. Achievements will be disabled as well. If a player is willing to put up with that, they might just as well use a focus tree mod. I doubt that a significant number of players are playing this way who would otherwise be buying the DLC.
Secondly, you can join a multiplayer game without having all the DLC the host has. So the possibility to play a DLC without owning it is baked into the game anyway and as a result the base game contains the necessary files of all DLC (like focus trees). The DLC files only contain art like loading screens, music, 3D models etc. Preventing players from getting a hold of any DLC files while still allowing them to join DLC MP games would be quite a hassle.
Thirdly, even if DLC compatibility for multiplayer was removed, sticking all the files in the DLC would be a burden for modding. DLC is stored in zip files which are less discoverable and searchable than normal base game ones.
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OP has already told you it is, and it has to be or otherwise multiplayer wouldn't work.
Buying game and dlc is more or less a honest system.
There are lots of pirating resource online.
If anyone really wants to get "free DLC", they can simply go ahead downloading those cracked pirate version there.
I consider it's a good gesture that Paradox trust we as players will buy the game and dlcs honestly. Thus, those check is quite loose.
They can easily put into more complicated DRM otherwise.
It's just like there are many other things in life people can cheat. But, most people will not, they follow the rules, thus we can build a nice society together.
There are lots of pirating resource online.
If anyone really wants to get "free DLC", they can simply go ahead downloading those cracked pirate version there.
I consider it's a good gesture that Paradox trust we as players will buy the game and dlcs honestly. Thus, those check is quite loose.
They can easily put into more complicated DRM otherwise.
It's just like there are many other things in life people can cheat. But, most people will not, they follow the rules, thus we can build a nice society together.
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Mods can add new focus trees anyway and there are many mods that do. As @bitmode explained, it’s not possible to unlock DLC-specific mechanics.
But It’s possible to recreate DLC trees with a mod adjusting the foci to comply with vanilla mechanics.
Sprites, music and unit voiceover are sold as DLC but can also be added via mods.
But these are not really exploits, if you call that exploits, you have to say that any major mod is an exploit. (And there are many people who play heavily modded games ONLY)
But It’s possible to recreate DLC trees with a mod adjusting the foci to comply with vanilla mechanics.
Sprites, music and unit voiceover are sold as DLC but can also be added via mods.
But these are not really exploits, if you call that exploits, you have to say that any major mod is an exploit. (And there are many people who play heavily modded games ONLY)