File Format MAD

[JakeMD 107]

Along with the help of Pegasus, and the "How to make a custom loading screen" tutorial, I have discovered what the MAD files are in the main intro.dat.

According to wiki, EA uses MAD files for their videos.  A MAD file is a type of multimedia video format.  It says so [here].

This could greatly add more of the "SimMars" feel into SimMars.  By creating an intro video, SimMars will be even better.

It seems Microsoft Access [link] can open MAD files, but I would not know if this is true or not, because I do not have it.

If anyone has any info they would like to add, please do so here!

[un1 41]

I actually kindof guessed that. Why, because I way back went through the "intro.dat" and I guessed what those files were.

It is great to see that they are that.

-un1

[RippleJet 36]

Originally posted by: SWAT-MEDIC It seems Microsoft Access [link] can open MAD files, but I would not know if this is true or not, because I do not have it.quote>

 

Naw, "Microsoft Access Database files and Madcow Movie files are not the same.

They just happen to have the same file extension.

Originally posted by: SWAT-MEDIC If anyone has any info they would like to add, please do so here!quote>

 

The information posted in the link below stems back to 2003 when most file formats used in SC4 by Maxis were decoded:

http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=MAD

[JakeMD 107]

So I suppose it WOULD be possible to create a video... This is really a breakthrough!

[timcravey 169]

Have you checked out http://mad-project.sourceforge.net/files.shtml ? Is this the same MAD we're talking about? Look at the Docs section and I think you'll see why I thought so.

[timcravey 169]

Having read the above document myself along with a quick study of the Known Formats section, I would like to propose a theory - that the .mad file is not a VIDEO but a procedurally generated graphic somewhat like a Flash animation, probably made up of .fsh files and .s3d like all the other animated elements of the game. This is probably true of the animated Advisors .dbpf files as well.

[timcravey 169]

How does one 'unpack' a package file?

[Admiral Norton 0]

Originally posted by: timcravey Having read the above document myself along with a quick study of the Known Formats section, I would like to propose a theory - that the .mad file is not a VIDEO but a procedurally generated graphic somewhat like a Flash animation, probably made up of .fsh files and .s3d like all the other animated elements of the game. This is probably true of the animated Advisors .dbpf files as well.quote>

Personally, I don't think so. SimCity game engine does not regularly render such movies as a part of the game and I doubt they would bother to embed a whole program to play a 3D animation just for the intro.