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Spore Modification to reduce Attack Rate

Written on: September 12, 2008 by xDreamache



A method has been discovered to modify Spore so that you can reduce/control the frequency in which you're attacked, and also control eco disasters.  The purpose of this modification is to let you enjoy and explore your universe without being attacked so frequently.  The particular thread that lists the information is currently over 11 pages long, so I would highly advise reading all of it before attempting to alter your game in any way.

This modification also has been confirmed to work by the gamingsteve guys too.

Note: The mod isn't the first post of the cheathappens thread, it's the last post on the first page.  Here's a paste of it:

Well it turned out to be not that easy as simply adding few lines. Im not sure if it even works since game rewrites preferences.prop each time you start Spore, sorry folks.

For those who want to try another solution and not scared of editing core game files you might try this:

download Link full 5mb version

Go to your game directory and locate file called spore_game.pakage inside data folder and make a copy of it somewhere. Then go to your user directory, locate spore folder and inside it folder called "Games" make a copy of it aswell.

Open Splview that you previously downloaded, select tools, select "unpack DBPF" and find your spore_game.pakage, wait till it unpacks it, then you'll see a folder inside spore Data directory called Spore_Game, inside it you'll see thousands of files, one you need should be called SP-_CHT-024A0E52-00000000-658B0AB2.txt it should be around 276kb.

Open that file and locate

property universeSimulatorPirateRaidFrequency 0x031e7620 float 600
property universeSimulatorPirateRaidMinTime 0x031e761f float 300
property universeSimulatorPirateRaidDefendedRatio 0x031e7621 int 500

property universeSimulatorPirateRaidAllyFrequency 0x039620a6 float 600
property universeSimulatorPirateRaidAllyMinTime 0x039620ae float 300

property universeSimulatorPirateRaidPlunderFrequency 0x0397a072 float 600
property universeSimulatorPirateRaidPlunderMinTime 0x0397a073 float 300

property universeSimulatorWarAttackMinTime 0x031e94b7 float 100
property universeSimulatorWarAttackFrequency 0x031e94b8 float 300

property universeSimulatorHappinessDisasterMinTime 0x04f3b63e float 100
property universeSimulatorHappinessDisasterFrequency 0x04f3b63f float 300

property universeSimulatorGrobTeaseAttackFrequency 0x031e94b9 float 100
property universeSimulatorGrobTeaseAttackMinTime 0x031e94c0 float 300

property universeSimulatorGrobWarAttackFreqExtremelyAware 0x031e94c1 float 40
property universeSimulatorGrobWarAttackFreqVeryAware 0x031e94c2 float 80
property universeSimulatorGrobWarAttackFreqAware 0x031e94c3 float 160
property universeSimulatorGrobWarAttackMinTime 0x031e94c4 float 60


property universeSimulatorBiosphereCollapseTime 0x04488192 float 600
property universeSimulatorBiosphereCollapseFrequency 0x044881a3 float 300

replace all values with higher values to lower the frequencies of attacks (yes it seems that the higher the value is the lower actual attacks/disasters are)

Now save it, go back to splview and select Pack DBPF from tools menu, then pick any file inside Game_Pakage directory in first menu and type spore_game in the save file name in second menu. Wait till it finishes packing. Now just replace spore_game.pakage inside data directory with one you just created. Be sure that you have actually done a copy of it before replacing file.

Proly youll have to delete your save games and start completely new game. Anyway im not responsible to whatever damage you can do to your game and you might not be able to use sporopedia if you modify any of your game files.

For those who wondering there are other different options, including spaceship travel radius, tools, ai behavior and others.

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Here is a paste of the gamingsteve thread:

Yes thats right.  Its not just a rumor any more.  I tried this myself tonight, and it really works!  You too can mod spore, and lessen the frequency of attacks, bio-disasters, and more.

Everything you need to know can be found here:

http://www.cheathappens.com/show_board2.asp?headID=71722&titleID=12378&onPage=1

EDIT:

Yep, it really works.  The instructions provided by Geo at the end of the first page clearly outline exactly what you need to do.  I've tested this myself, and it works.  The only catch is that you need to create a new game before the new parameters take effect.

I'll do my best to paraphrase what needs to be done:

1.  Download SPView from here: http://www.customsims3.com/forum1/wbin/SpViewDL.html

NOTE: You will need .RAR extraction software to install SPView.  If you don't have one already, there are a number of free tools out there.  I downloaded this one tonight, and it worked like a charm.  http://www.techsono.com/supernzb/index.html

2.  Download the latest C++ runtime libraries from Windows Update here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?pocId=&freetext=VC%208&DisplayLang=en
3.  Download the latest Direct X runtime libraries from Windows Update here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?pocId=&freetext=DirectX&DisplayLang=en
4.  Open SPView, Click Tools, Unpack DBPF, Browse to C:/Electronic Arts/SPORE/Data, double click Spore_Game.package
5.  SPView "unpacks" the package into a bunch of text files.

NOTE:  At this point I had some difficulty.  The SPView program is supposed to unpack the package in the same directory, but Vista didn't like this on my machine, instead it was extracted to here: C:UsersDawsonAppDataLocalVirtualStoreProgram FilesElectronic ArtsSPOREDataSpore_Game.

6.  Open the unpacked file entitled SP-_CHT-024A0E52-00000000-658B0AB2.txt
7.  Change the values of these parameters:
     property universeSimulatorPirateRaidFrequency 0x031e7620 float 4800
     property universeSimulatorWarAttackFrequency 0x031e94b8 float 1800
     property universeSimulatorBiosphereCollapseFrequency 0x044881a3 float 4800

NOTE: the numbers at the end of each string are seconds.  The higher the number, the more seconds between attacks.  The default values in the file were 600 for each of these items.  The numbers listed above are what I configured in my personal mod.  You can choose your own difficulty.  If you still want a challenge, try 1200 for attacks every 10 minutes instead of every 5.  Personally, I went for 1800 (15 minutes) as I would still like a challenge, but I also want an opportunity to breathe between attacks, disasters, etc.

8.  Save the text file.
9.  Go back to SPView, and click Tools, Pack DBPF, Browse to the location of your unpacked txt files, double click on any one of the txt files, choose a location for the packed files to be saved, click OK.

NOTE: You can call the new .package file whatever you want.  Spore simply reads every .package file in the SPORE/Data folder.  As long as your modded file is in the right folder, and the Date Changed is later than your game files, you're all set.

10.  Allow the software to do its thing.
11.  Open My Computer and Browse to C:/Program Files/Electronic Arts/SPORE/Data
12.  Cut the Spore_Game.package file, and paste it into a backup directory in your My Documents.

NOTE:  If you do not remove the old version of the parameter file (Spore_Game.package) you will notice some odd duplication behavior.

13.  Open up Spore and start a new game (old saves won't inherit your changes).
14.  Attack everything with a mouth.
11.  Have a drink, make a sandwich, trim your fingernails (they're really getting too long, you know), and sit back and watch.  You'll see that the relentless every 5 minute attacks are blissfully absent.


This may sound like a lot, but (minus my difficulties dealing with Vista's hiding of my files) the whole process took less than 20 minutes.

If you'd rather not go to all this trouble, someone has already done all of the work for you.  You can download the modified spore_game.package parameters provided by Duthos here: http://www.cheathappens.com/show_board2.asp?headID=71985&titleID=12378

Simply choose your mod, download the file, paste it into C:/Program Files/Electronic Arts/SPORE/Data, remove the Spore_Game.package file, and let the fun begin.  If you download a prepackaged mod, please let us know how you make out.  Please note, that while I have thoroughly tested my own mod, I have not tested Duthos' mod.  With that said, I'm confident that it works, as Duthos used the same method that I have posted here.

View the cheathappens modification thread.
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26 Comments

1. sagelund - Oct 11, 2008 09:56 PM

Why can't other empires do crap themselfs? They have a eco-disaster i have to help them, they get attacked by pirates, iahve to help them. Why can't they for once kill the infected animals in my planet so i don't have to go back and kill them myself. I made one account where i made no allies what so ever and it's a little easier.

2. crustysdemons99 - Sep 25, 2008 10:33 AM

ok, i know this is really off-topic but... i just WIPED (windows OS and everything) on this laptop im currently typing on and after installing Vista again i installed spore on it also. i have been playing spore since the release date and i have heaps of great game saves on our desktop PC. so anyone know where the directory for the spore game saves are so i can load my game saves on my newly Windows OS installed laptop? i've tried the C:/Users/X/Documents/My Spore Creations but that didn't work, as it only loaded my history with the races i created. not my actual planet game saves if you know what i mean. any help would be greatly appreciated guys :D

3. FadingDream - Sep 21, 2008 11:03 AM

I'm getting now. That download link at the bottom has 4 different versions. If you pretty much don't ever want an attack, get EXtreme.

4. VasQuarde - Sep 17, 2008 08:27 PM

Heh, I totally forgot about this. Re-installed windows lately, so I didn't even think about the hidden folder. If some of you are having trouble with finding your saved games, you can enable hidden files by using windows explorer, go to the tools option on the top, click folder options, go to the view tab, and look on the selection tree and find the "show hidden files" check box. Select it, and hit apply The Application data folder should appear ghosted, in it, you'll find the Spore folder, inside that, there's a Games folder. This is where you can find your saved games. Game0.old folder is basically a "soft" backup of the main Game0 folder. The backup is built into the game. I also found, if some of you are having trouble with corrupt saved game files, copy the files from the Game0.old folder and put them into the Game0 folder. It seems to work for some, but not all.

5. VasQuarde - Sep 17, 2008 07:54 PM

I'm not seeing that folder anywhere. Anyone know exactly where the saves are for the XP version of Spore? It shouldn't be this fricking hard to look for saves >_<.

6. Lordemil - Sep 17, 2008 08:38 AM

It looks like the games are saved in C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\SPORE\Games\

7. avmf8 - Sep 16, 2008 08:02 PM

That is allot of work for something the developers of spore should have thought of in the first place.

8. VasQuarde - Sep 16, 2008 02:33 PM

I've been wondering where the game saves are. I've never been able to locate my saved games. Whatever happened to saving games in the install directory? Or just in "My Documents". In any case, I have quite a few ideas for mods. With this method, I should be able to implement them quite easily. Filefront should start a new page for Spore now. hehe.

9. Torbin - Sep 14, 2008 07:37 PM

The problem with using these in the cheat console, is that it doesn't save. So if you want these times to apply, you'd have to type them in every time you load a savegame... which would become just as annoying as having to deal with the attacks themselves :P

10. AcuteSynthetic - Sep 14, 2008 03:06 PM

why not just use the cheat console?

11. Torbin - Sep 14, 2008 07:15 AM

If the numbers at the end of each hex is the duration in seconds, then default intervals are 10 minutes, not 5. 600/60 =/= 5 :P Anyway, this was very useful information. Definitely going to apply this to my future races. Mission exterminations are annoying enough, it's annoying that you're required to help other races solve thier own problems so frequently.

12. Spderweb - Sep 13, 2008 12:14 AM

here's to hoping the modders develop an installer for this. looks like more of a headache then putting up with the space attacks.

13. lad16 - Sep 12, 2008 06:27 PM

Actually sporetime, they only take control of your colonies if they are a different empire. So if you have no enemies, your empire doesn't shrink...at least thats what i found

14. Sporetime - Sep 12, 2008 04:32 PM

nomad 52 if they attack your colonies, they take them over, thus shrinking your empire and growing there own, and if thy attack your home planet you can lose your cities and thus your spice production!

15. Nomad522 - Sep 12, 2008 04:01 PM

You know I've just ignored those attacks and eco disasters and really haven't seen a big impact, I think it's just there to give you something to do, cause it's not like letting them go is a big deal

16. spider22 - Sep 12, 2008 03:54 PM

Maxis should be the ones patching this up in 5 days...where the hell are they?

17. marcspc - Sep 12, 2008 01:27 PM

i just erradicate every race which try to declare war to me bombs in citys and run is the faster way

18. Looseshooter - Sep 12, 2008 12:20 PM

This ticks me off, that this much hassle has to be done to make the space stage of the game enjoyable.

19. xPedro - Sep 12, 2008 10:59 AM

Weird. The download link of the program we need to use is... Broken. The file always comes damaged. Grrr... I need something else, I see.

20. vetrijar - Sep 12, 2008 10:23 AM

probably nobody cares right now but to mention, over 13 million creatures at spore.

21. Sporetime - Sep 12, 2008 09:06 AM

yess! lets hope this all works! thanks muchly!

22. killath303 - Sep 12, 2008 09:05 AM

Looks complicated.. But worth a try all the same

23. xRWiggum - Sep 12, 2008 08:40 AM

interesting, may have to try this

24. Nibwoddle - Sep 12, 2008 02:21 AM

What... it won't work with old saves!? Hold on a second... why should I care... that means I can just start from Space with my preferred CC guys.

25. plavonica - Sep 12, 2008 02:00 AM

As with all games it just takes a few days for some genius in the modding community to come up with a way to take the annoying aspects and bugs out of the game to make it better for everyone playing it.

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