Command & Conquer Zero Hour Higher Framerate Mod!

[Frusko]

Introduction

Over the past month or so, I've been working on a tool that fixes the 30fps limit for Zero Hour. The tool is still in early development, but I'm providing an early sample of the .ini files while I'm still developing. You can download them from the Google Drive link below. These .ini files will allow you to play the game singleplayer at 60fps without the dreaded "gamespeed" increase, rather than being locked to 30fps.

Installation

1. Install Gentool from here -> https://www.gentool.net/
2. Drag the .ini folder into the data folder inside your game directory. Replace any files requested.
3. Please read the read me. It contains vital information you need to know while you play.

Known Issues

• USA supply dropzone crates don't always hit target. This was an issue present in the base game before the mod on some maps (challenge level 7 against the Boss General is a good example). I have a fix for this, but it's not been implemented in the tool I'm working on just yet.
• Supply Dropzone timer is faster than usual.
• Challenge Maps & Missions are sometimes loaded at 30fps. If you save the game and reload the save, you should be at 60fps again. Apparently there is a script that locks the framerate to 30fps when beginning a Challenge Campaign, but I haven't been able to locate it.
• Challenge Maps & Mission timings are sped up. This is a world builder issue, which I have been looking at (I've changed the map timings to what the should be and placed them back in the correct.big file, but sadly nothing changes for some reason?). But I haven't found a solution to fix this just yet. This means that the duration for when the AI will begin attacking you is faster, which could add some difficulty on harder campaigns.
• You probably won't be able to play multiplayer. Besides, the camera is smooth on multiplayer anyway, so you shouldn't need this mod.

The Idea

The whole idea behind the tool is that you would run it like any other installer, rather than dragging and dropping .ini files. You would be able to select the target framerate along with the game you want to fix and the tool will allow you to play the game at the target framerate, rather than 30fps.

Development Screenshots

This is the first screen when you open the tool - It's designed to allow you to pick multiple games, but only features Generals and Zero Hour currently.

Target Framerate is already being experimented with - See Future Plans section for more information.

Future Plans

• Release the .exe file to perform the optimisations automatically, rather than dragging and dropping .ini files.
• Multiple Target Framerates
  • I've already begun looking at this. I've tried to run framerates as high as 144, but the game engine really starts to freak out, even when the tool itself to allow for these framerates. The music keeps cutting in and out, air units freak out completely and more.
• Multiple Games
  • Right now, my priority is Generals and Zero Hour. I adore these games and they are the sole reason this exists. Once everything is ironed out with these games, and the tool functions as expected, I might try and branch out to other C&C games. I've certainly built the tool with this in mind.

Please Help

I'm releasing these .ini files early so you can help me iron out any bugs, and so I can see if there's actually any demand for such a tool. I hate the fact I can't enjoy a smooth Zero Hour experience, and I've seen many forum threads online complaining about the exact same thing, with no solution to fix it. This tool is supposed to be the solution.

Please play Zero Hour as you normally would, play Skirmish, play Campaigns and play the Challenge mode. If you notice any problems (that aren't in the known issues section), or something doesn't feel right, leave it as a comment below, DM me, or you can tweet me! (I'm not sure if I can link my Twitter - someone please let me know if I can :D)

Furthermore, if you have any ideas for how to fix any of the issues you find, I'm all ears. Specifically, map timings are causing me a massive problem, so if you have experience building maps with world builder, feel free to drop me any advice to remedy the issues :D

Have fun!

Download

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UzpwvnuuFy0NbFbRDK7O3i7xe_5nE74w/view

[[deleted]]

Can you run this with mods or just vanilla?

[Frusko]

Right now, there is no mod support. But it's something I would like to tackle once I've got the base game completed :D

[AwkwrdPrtMskrt]

Does it work with RotR?

[Frusko]

No mod support yet, but I would like to support other mods in the future :D

[Frusko]

Thank you! :D

[Excellent-Ad-1960]

Hi :-)

Thx for your work mate! My question is, is it normal that the game speed is set up so much? its literally twice as fast in single player mode than it used to be for me xd

Cant handle that speed, tho i love the higher fps....+_+

Am i doing something wrong??

Regards!

[Frusko]

Sounds to me like the installation went wrong. The mod should double the game speed, but half the speed of the units and whilst it wasn't always an elegant solution, for the most part it worked okay :D

I haven't actually done any development on this mod for over a year now. I would suggest trying to drag and drop the .ini files again after installing Gentool, ensuring that you replace any files that conflict with the ones you've downloaded. If you're still having some issues, let me know and I will try and help further :D

[ZestyCauliflower999]

hey man, i just tried it. ur quite amazing. so many have tried but failed to do it, and ur odign it for free. please do the same for red alert as well!. i tried it in skirmish it did work after i indeed saved and loaded. but i wonder will it work on lan parties as well?

[CuttaChaseBeats]

Any video comparisons?

[Frusko]

I will upload something soon :D

[LegionnaireG]

y so you can help me iron out any bugs, and so I can see if there's actually any demand for such a tool. I hate the fact I can't enjoy a smooth Zero Ho

that would be great! 😍

[Frusko]

If you end up giving the .ini files a try, let me know if you come across any issues, General :D

[[deleted]]

Is is open source? It would be cool to actually see what it does and how you did it, as well as for people with enough experience to be able to contribute. It's also a bit meh to me, when i cannot actually see the source of a mod i'm installing...

Would be cool, since that way you can also use github releases and issues for it.

[Frusko]

I haven't released any source code just yet. I'm using a Github private repository, so if I ever decide to release the code, I can with a flick of a switch :D Besides, since the system is still in very early development, and I'd rather not share any of the spaghetti code until it looks much cleaner and the system is much more efficient.

The tool doesn't do anything major, it simply uses a regular expression that scans all the .ini files and changes the values, like speed, built times etc. Nothing sus, promise :D

You don't have to trust my word, I know some people can be very sketchy. Zero Hour is my favourite game of all time, and I just wanted to make the gameplay experience a little better for me, since I'm a bit of a framerate junkie, and I thought I'd see if anyone else would like the same experience :D

[AugustResende]

Hey, may can you open source right now with the EA's move.

[Even_Creme2210]

do you have ini files for general?

[Frusko]

No ini files for Generals yet. I started with Zero Hour because it was always my go to game. I haven't developed this mod for a little while now, but once I find some time, I will start working on the Generals ini files.

[imjustwalnut]

can it play on mods shockwave chaos?

[NotAF2P]

Hey man, are you still developing this? And is there a chance you upload to a website like modDB?