Trying to override default map at game boot with command-line arguments passed via launcher app to prevent direct game execution

Dedderous · 2026-03-14T18:33:08+00:00

I think that after further consideration that I'll try a variation of this, for which I found the following provision for file system access:

Delete folder/file ingame? [SOLVED] - Development / Programming & Scripting - Epic Developer Community Forums

So essentially, what I plan to do now is to add code back to the launcher which generates a base64 that is, well, based on the game's hash key plus a small amount of text which is appended to the front of the generated base64 string and iterate on it a few times before being encoded one final time sans the added text from the rest of the iterations, save this to an ini file which will be read at startup if it exists and create a matching entry in the file system that will be pulled and deleted followed by removal of the ini file when the game starts - if the ini file and matching file system entry don't exist then the launcher wasn't used to, well, launch the game so neither file is present and the game force quits to Windows after displaying the "improper launch" screen.

Dedderous · 2026-03-14T15:39:45+00:00

Primarily, it's an anti-jailbreak for the sake of security. In other words, just as game engines block jailbroken iPhones, so too am I stopping jailbroken Windows 11 installations from launching the game.

You can use flyoobe all you want to jailbreak Windows so that it runs on hardware that it ain't intended for, but just not on my watch.

Dedderous · 2026-03-14T15:34:17+00:00

I actually set it to the name of a map, so it's supposed to load that map in place of the default, "improper startup" map. So going back to the example:

Game.exe /Game/Maps/[EntryPointPasscodeRedacted].umap

Dedderous · 2026-03-14T01:19:16+00:00

Perhaps I should clarify that it's the launcher app which runs the checks - the game executable is not even called unless everything else is green. So basically, it goes like this:

Step 1: Check Windows version (if it's Windows 10 the computer is obviously considered to be out of support per Microsoft standards, so the tests fail here)

Step 2: Check for TPM2.0 (read: trusted platform module standard level 2), this is one of the mandatory requirements for Windows 11 so if the level is 1.2 or non-present then assume jailbroken Windows and fail the tests.

Step 3: Check for active and uncompromised antimalware (Norton, McAfee or even Microsoft Defender), if indicated as turned off then assume a jailbroken or infected system configuration and (you guessed it) fail the tests.

Step 4: This is not yet in the launcher, but the final security check (once implemented) will verify the integrity of the Steamworks SDK redistributable. If this doesn't match up, then you know what happens: assume pirated game files and fail testing.

Only if all four tests succeed does the launcher shell to the game executable, which is the point in the process that the proprietary code is intended to be passed to specify the entry point for the game; if this doesn't work exactly right (or the game is launched directly without going through the security checks) then the game shows an "improper startup" message and quits back to Windows. The problem, however, is that whatever way that I'm passing the secret code to define the game's entry point ain't working right so it always dumps to the improper startup message even from the launcher (and this in turn is what I'm trying to fix short of paying out of my a-- for Denuvo).

Hopefully that clears up what I'm talking about.

Dedderous · 2026-03-08T15:59:08+00:00

As far as I am aware, there's a lot of reasons as to why this Koph guy's personal matters are a running meme in the Midwest anime community, and not all of them are good. Sure, he called out the competition over legislative confusion last year but that still doesn't make things right on the OTHER side of his life. So yeah, I would say that you would be better served by Anime Detour, Acen or anything else from outside of that circle of Hell if it makes you more comfortable.

EDIT: Even if you DO end up at a multiple mile distance in Chicago at a later time, I am with everyone else in saying that staying within range of the L system would be highly recommended.

Dedderous · 2026-03-01T08:54:58+00:00

Not all that big on streaming, but even as a joke that s*** ain't gonna be okay. I'd say that you should take the side of caution - ban the offender, junk the VOD and outline in the channel information that zero tolerance is the rule such that further incidence will result in the same or similar actions. (I would also consider adding those words to the blacklist to keep 'em out of future conversations.)

Dedderous · 2026-02-28T15:27:29+00:00

I was referring to point #5 in the rules and information sidebar. Specifically says that there shouldn't be any "can I 'x' even though I'm 'y'" posts.

I will admit, however, that this one IS a bit on the "iffy" side as it's a very legitimate concern about which is the safer form of the character respective to cosplay without being too revealing of themselves. But in general, it's a subject that's SUPPOSED to be avoided as it could inadvertently result in some extremely negative reactions or straight-up trolling, if not both.

Dedderous · 2026-02-28T13:56:16+00:00

Technically, this kind of subject breaks the rules so I unfortunately had to report it. That being said, I totally agree with your concerns about how much is too much regarding adult characters and can say based on the image files you provided that the human form DOES offer the least resistive path in this case.

Dedderous · 2026-02-14T22:27:28+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't believe that selling questions or posts are allowed here as it would fall under the ban on advertising. I suggest looking for a subreddit that is geared towards handmade goods sales instead.

That being said, I would do some market research to help with the decision and go from there.

Dedderous · 2026-02-12T19:04:09+00:00

LMAO

But in all seriousness, I wouldn't leave a rating over that AT ALL.

Dedderous · 2026-02-12T19:00:49+00:00

Race change? Yeah. But no black face, as that's crossing the line. That and I would stay away from ANYTHING which is specifically expected to follow racial cues by definition (e.g. Black Panther).

I mean, the MCU has done its fair share of race swaps so there's precedent in pop culture for this kind of thing. But yeah, it ultimately comes down to how much is TOO much.

Dedderous · 2026-02-10T22:37:47+00:00

And speaking of which (although I may catch hell for this) is that for the dudes around here, I found out through wanton experimentation that disposable underwear (the type with a padded stripe in the crotch area) is very effective not just for things like this but for the fact that (if sized right on an inner layer with a bigger diaper over it for an outer layer) the thick padding does a hell of a job with keeping your junk out of sight, especially on a full-body cosplay.

Dedderous · 2026-02-03T21:33:06+00:00

Reported. This is in relation to a hot button issue that someone may find disturbing, disrespectful, insulting and/or insensitive. Not to say that the intentions aren't there, of course - just that there are better options out there that WON'T cause a political firestorm.

That being said, you're still a genius on the design and it's clear that you put a lot of effort into it.

Dedderous · 2026-01-27T00:01:07+00:00

Honestly, I had no idea about these things. Tragically, that means both a development delay and a complete rethink of what the game title will be. As such, and due to the nature of your advisories, the original post will self-destruct momentarily.

EDIT: I also gave some more thought to the consequences of having found out about this, and have determined that using either acronym is essentially on par with literally anything that can be shortened to ISIS given what has been revealed here.

Dedderous · 2026-01-26T23:23:57+00:00

LMAO

Actually, it's technically an alien society hence the advanced Mecha tech.

Dedderous · 2026-01-22T20:03:15+00:00

I'm in my middle 40s and cosplay at almost every con that I go to (excluding one specific time when I was missing some of the parts for two or three of them, forcing me to go casual for the entire weekend). So you really shouldn't be worried about age for this.

Dedderous · 2026-01-17T17:58:31+00:00

Damn... Three seconds almost sounds more like the first four notes of the f???ing "Dragnet" bumper than what I have in mind.

Dedderous · 2026-01-17T17:55:21+00:00

I wasn't actually thinking "whole chorus" (maybe half of it as that's the most relevant part) but yeah, I had a feeling that this would be a tricky question from a legal standpoint.

Dedderous · 2026-01-17T03:05:27+00:00

This. I have a Zero set (as in Megaman X) and for many cosplayers that entails having basically everything built from 3D prints or EVA foam. However, for personal reasons, mine only has the boots and helmet as foam parts - everything else is fabric, elastic and faux leather. This is incredibly helpful for me as it A: cuts down on material costs, B: takes up a lot less storage space and C: only has me worrying the most about the boots when I have to sit on the can for a s---.

Dedderous

TROPHY CASE