Version Control

[scJazz]

I am using GoG.

I want to be able to install and run both the live and beta versions.

Searched all over... can't find any instructions.

HALP!

 

[scJazz]

Still waiting...

 

[Prussian Havoc]

...here, I'll sit and wait with you. Maybe the answer will apply to Steam as well.

 

[stjobe]

What is this, a sit-in? Can I join you?

...What are we protesting against?

 

[Timaeus]

can you download the stand alone installer for live and install it somewhere, and then use GOG Galaxy to install the beta? Not sure how that will work for saves and what not though.

 

[stjobe]

A more serious reply: When the BATTLETECH beta was running, it was possible to move the entire Steam installation folder somewhere else, since the executable didn't refer to anything outside that folder; that way you could have several versions installed at the same time (although only one would be automatically updated, the one in the "standard" location).

 

[Edmon]

A more serious reply: When the BATTLETECH beta was running, it was possible to move the entire Steam installation folder somewhere else, since the executable didn't refer to anything outside that folder; that way you could have several versions installed at the same time (although only one would be automatically updated, the one in the "standard" location).

Sadly, the savegame location is fixed. So you can't run RogueTech and the base game at the same time. They will point to the same save game location and RogueTech saves will cause the base game to lose the plot.

 

[scJazz]

What is this, a sit-in? Can I join you?

...What are we protesting against?

We are protesting against the MAN, er something! Insert Vivian Meme here!

WTB: Not downloading 5.8Gb for switching!

 

[scJazz]

can you download the stand alone installer for live and install it somewhere, and then use GOG Galaxy to install the beta? Not sure how that will work for saves and what not though.

it might be possible... but... I need that bandwidth to imgur, catutubes, watchingbadnetflix, or TTDSWAD (endlessly looped)

 

[scJazz]

it'd be nice if someone was all like... here you go... the directions!

 

[Havamal]

Gog install methodology is a Gog prerogative and responsibility.

Though asking to have two separate installs on one machine, that's not something that I imagine a Dev programming for.
Documents locations would be shared.

 

[Sukobi]

Sadly, the savegame location is fixed. So you can't run RogueTech and the base game at the same time. They will point to the same save game location and RogueTech saves will cause the base game to lose the plot.

If you hard link the folder and use a script for each version, you should be able 'swap' the save file directory for each version.
I've used this frequently (Factorio is the best example with it's sweeping changes) though not with Battletech.

This also works if you want to use Mod sets (Factorio is, again, my best example here, haha) -- you can use the same or a different version app and link swap the mods folder as well as the save files folder.

:: This is a draft of a script to run a particular version of a Battletech
:: It will switch the save directory (located in the Steam files) to preserve version differences

:: Create a different version of this batch per version you use, and only use that file to open it, and you'll avoid save errors
:: If there are icon differences, you can copy the icons over to the script files

:: *** REQUIREMENT: Disable steam cloud sync for Battletech
:: *** NOTICE: Elements have been tested for other games, but I have not actually run this script for Battletech

:: ------
:: Replace "NNNNNNN" with your steam ID (If you only use one account, it's the only one there)
::

cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\NNNNNNN\637090\remote\C0

:: ------
:: SG0 appears to be the save directory.  It's possible this should be done at "C0" instead
:: This should remove the current link folder, so that we can replace it.

rmdir SG0

:: ------
:: As an example, I create a folder in my Dropbox labelled "SAVES" and then make a new folder per version
:: ("BATTLETECH_PUBLIC" and "BATTLETECH_BETA" for example)

:: This command (mklink /d) will create a junction (a pretend folder that is treated like the destination)

mklink /d SG0 %USERPROFILE%\Dropbox\SAVES\BATTLETECH_PUBLIC

:: ------
:: Run the version you want to use with this save directory, so you can use this script once to switch savedir and app.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\BATTLETECH\BattleTechLauncher.exe




:: ------ NOTES
:: Dropbox backs up my saves, and even provides multiple versions to revert in case of corruption in the files.
:: Dropbox and Steam will sometimes get in each other's way, but in 5+ years, dropbox only leaves extra files around, no damage.

:: Alternately, you can use (mklink /d /h) to make a hard link - they work better sometimes, but are harder to track

:: Would be better with more %ENV%, but written clear for example

:: cd / rmdir / mklink <link> <full_original_name>
:: is just the order I've become comfortable with.  These should work without the 'cd' step and full paths

 

[Prussian Havoc]

If you hard link the folder and use a script for each version, you should be able 'swap' the save file directory for each version.
I've used this frequently (Factorio is the best example with it's sweeping changes) though not with Battletech.

This also works if you want to use Mod sets (Factorio is, again, my best example here, haha) -- you can use the same or a different version app and link swap the mods folder as well as the save files folder.

:: This is a draft of a script to run a particular version of a Battletech
:: It will switch the save directory (located in the Steam files) to preserve version differences

:: Create a different version of this batch per version you use, and only use that file to open it, and you'll avoid save errors
:: If there are icon differences, you can copy the icons over to the script files

:: *** REQUIREMENT: Disable steam cloud sync for Battletech
:: *** NOTICE: Elements have been tested for other games, but I have not actually run this script for Battletech

:: ------
:: Replace "NNNNNNN" with your steam ID (If you only use one account, it's the only one there)
::

cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\NNNNNNN\637090\remote\C0

:: ------
:: SG0 appears to be the save directory.  It's possible this should be done at "C0" instead
:: This should remove the current link folder, so that we can replace it.

rmdir SG0

:: ------
:: As an example, I create a folder in my Dropbox labelled "SAVES" and then make a new folder per version
:: ("BATTLETECH_PUBLIC" and "BATTLETECH_BETA" for example)

:: This command (mklink /d) will create a junction (a pretend folder that is treated like the destination)

mklink /d SG0 %USERPROFILE%\Dropbox\SAVES\BATTLETECH_PUBLIC

:: ------
:: Run the version you want to use with this save directory, so you can use this script once to switch savedir and app.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\BATTLETECH\BattleTechLauncher.exe




:: ------ NOTES
:: Dropbox backs up my saves, and even provides multiple versions to revert in case of corruption in the files.
:: Dropbox and Steam will sometimes get in each other's way, but in 5+ years, dropbox only leaves extra files around, no damage.

:: Alternately, you can use (mklink /d /h) to make a hard link - they work better sometimes, but are harder to track

:: Would be better with more %ENV%, but written clear for example

:: cd / rmdir / mklink <link> <full_original_name>
:: is just the order I've become comfortable with.  These should work without the 'cd' step and full paths

it'd be nice if someone was all like... here you go... the directions!

What Good @Sukobi said. :bow:

 

[Havamal]

^Modding relevant solution above.

Moving thread to the modding subforum. Temp redirect left in main forum.

 

[scJazz]

Gog install methodology is a Gog prerogative and responsibility.

Though asking to have two separate installs on one machine, that's not something that I imagine a Dev programming for.
Documents locations would be shared.

If you hard link the folder and use a script for each version, you should be able 'swap' the save file directory for each version.
I've used this frequently (Factorio is the best example with it's sweeping changes) though not with Battletech.

I know GoG is GoG! And I do not want to flip saves!
I already asked in GoG forums! (and got more or less the same answer)

I want... Live Version and Beta Version in isolated installations. Period. Full Stop.

Possible? Impossible?

 

[Havamal]

I know GoG is GoG! And I do not want to flip saves!
I already asked in GoG forums! (and got more or less the same answer)

I want... Live Version and Beta Version in isolated installations. Period. Full Stop.

Possible? Impossible?

Read Sukobis post. (and Edmons)

Impossible without an unsupported technical workaround like they present.

Edit: It's not something that there are existing instructions for because it's not normal intended use.
However if someone has a functioning solution or script for this we can also pin it here for the future.

 

[Havamal]

If you hard link the folder and use a script for each version, you should be able 'swap' the save file directory for each version.
I've used this frequently (Factorio is the best example with it's sweeping changes) though not with Battletech.

This also works if you want to use Mod sets (Factorio is, again, my best example here, haha) -- you can use the same or a different version app and link swap the mods folder as well as the save files folder.

:: This is a draft of a script to run a particular version of a Battletech
:: It will switch the save directory (located in the Steam files) to preserve version differences

:: Create a different version of this batch per version you use, and only use that file to open it, and you'll avoid save errors
:: If there are icon differences, you can copy the icons over to the script files

:: *** REQUIREMENT: Disable steam cloud sync for Battletech
:: *** NOTICE: Elements have been tested for other games, but I have not actually run this script for Battletech

:: ------
:: Replace "NNNNNNN" with your steam ID (If you only use one account, it's the only one there)
::

cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\NNNNNNN\637090\remote\C0

:: ------
:: SG0 appears to be the save directory.  It's possible this should be done at "C0" instead
:: This should remove the current link folder, so that we can replace it.

rmdir SG0

:: ------
:: As an example, I create a folder in my Dropbox labelled "SAVES" and then make a new folder per version
:: ("BATTLETECH_PUBLIC" and "BATTLETECH_BETA" for example)

:: This command (mklink /d) will create a junction (a pretend folder that is treated like the destination)

mklink /d SG0 %USERPROFILE%\Dropbox\SAVES\BATTLETECH_PUBLIC

:: ------
:: Run the version you want to use with this save directory, so you can use this script once to switch savedir and app.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\BATTLETECH\BattleTechLauncher.exe




:: ------ NOTES
:: Dropbox backs up my saves, and even provides multiple versions to revert in case of corruption in the files.
:: Dropbox and Steam will sometimes get in each other's way, but in 5+ years, dropbox only leaves extra files around, no damage.

:: Alternately, you can use (mklink /d /h) to make a hard link - they work better sometimes, but are harder to track

:: Would be better with more %ENV%, but written clear for example

:: cd / rmdir / mklink <link> <full_original_name>
:: is just the order I've become comfortable with.  These should work without the 'cd' step and full paths

Do you have a version that uses GoG directory locations?
OP specified GoG

 

[Sukobi]

Do you have a version that uses GoG directory locations?
OP specified GoG

Basically changing the save folder "cd" command to match GoG, with the rmdir and mkdir using the appropriate folder name, and the final command pointed to the location for GoG. I have not used GoG and an internet search presents terms unfamiliar to me ("Galaxy" vs "non-Galaxy") so I'm unsure of that directory and cannot provide the actual locations comfortably.

If someone provides the location(s), I should be able to upgrade to a fully tested file with GoG vs Steam in the same file. (I was actually playing Battletech while posting originally, so was not willing to test on my save files at that moment.)

 

[jamiechi]

For those that use mklink as Sukobi mentioned above this might be helpful. I have been using this Link Shell Extension tool that adds to file manager. I have been using it for years and it works great.
Edit: I usually use Junction links.