File.fpb, Compression Details and TMLL help

[M3rror]

Okay as far as I know, the Tales of Series uses the File.fpb format, correct? and Cless has the tools necessary to unpacking these files and editing them/viewing them, correct? Well before this post gets start off on some debate about why he won't release the tools, I'm not asking for them. I am only asking for his help...well an acquaintance of mine is the one that really needs the help, this is only Dev to Dev. This person I know is known as essen by many. Essen is currently the one responsible for the EGS server that supports PSU. My question to the Devs of Phantasian Productions is simply, What did you make of the TMLL files inside of the File.fpb? and also, we came across a different format of the nbl files. Btw this isn't a mere translation project or "changing the songs of the game" Essen is working hard on Decrypting these files for his Private server to be fully operationally and I just happen to come by that you have already messed with these files. We have a tool to extract and manipulate some of the files. However some of them are in a strange compression. Any help would be nice. a full discussion on this project can be found here PSUmods.co.uk. in the wiki section is what we know. Any help would be nice

[Cless]

I don't even know what a TMLL file is, much less seen anything indicating any such files exist in the times I've spent examining unpacked file.fpb files.

[M3rror]

Hmm that's odd.... I guess the Tales games didn't follow the format all the way. Does the Tales games not feature any 3D models? Because if it doesn't chances are that is why. I'm going to get a Tales game for the PSP and extract the File.fpb so I can do more research. Thanks for the help. Oh and BTW TMLL files don't actually exist, its more of a form of compression. The file format is still nbl but its in a different compression form causing it to be different. Its more used for 3D models I believe as they seem to be the largest in size, and maybe a few maps.

[M3rror]

Could you explain to us the structure of the File.Fpb? It seems that we are actually just seeking through it and extracting stuff.

[Cless]

Well, er...considering ToD2 is an almost entirely 2D game, I wouldn't expect there to be many 3D models at all, outside of the PS1-quality ones used on the world map.

[M3rror]

well NBL and TMLL files are SEGA specific files. We are now wondering if you could tell us the structure of the .fpb format.

[StorMyu]

If you're playing with the files inside the pbp, you must have known the structure of it... don't understand why you ask...

[M3rror]

The reason we need the structure is well let me explain it this way: He's pretty much looking at a mystery box and guessing how much is in there. A structure will help him know if he is getting all the files. He pretty much made an intelligent guess on the number of files.

*EDIT* Btw we're messing with the File.fpb in Phantasy Star Portable 1/2's ISO. the .PBP file is something completely different. The File.fpb contains all of the games files.

[Cless]

I know nothing of those games, but unless Sega's licensed a Team Destiny engine for the Phantasy Star games, I have my doubts their FILE.FPBs are in the same format as ToD2's, as it's more likely to be a coincidence.

I've examined quite a few packfiles for various different games from different companies and they all use their own methods and data structures. Your best bet is to figure out where the first, second, and maybe third file begin in the packfile and using that knowledge to locate an offset or LBA table of sorts and go from there...

[Datschge]

Both the ToD2 PSP port and the Phantasy Star Portable games were done by Alfa System, that may be the only link and not related to the Tales series per se.

[Carnivol]

Alfa System did the PSP port?

I thought Alfa was just doing RM1-2 for Namco (games which has a lot in common with Phantasy Star Portable)

[Cless]

that may be the only link and not related to the Tales series per se.

ToD2 PSP appears to be an extremely faithful port of the PS2 version, down to its internal workings...just with a new compression scheme that seems slightly more efficient.

I see that the first Phantasy Star Portable was released a year after the ToD2 PSP port. It's not impossible that Alfa System got inspiration from it, at least for naming it.

At any rate, I don't own Phantasy Star games, and the info I gave dealing with packfiles in this thread is still fully relevant.

[Datschge]

Alfa System did the PSP port?

Yes they did. All PSP games except the ToE port (with some Namco staff though) and the upcoming NDX are outsourced. It's pretty funky since outside of the Alfa works they are even outsourced to different companies each time. ToP:FVE is by Mineloader Software, ToR by Prokion, ToVS by Matrix Software, and the upcoming ToPX included on NDX is by Climax Entertainment.