I know this is an old post, but if anyone ever replays it (since I love the game myself), there are some tricks with hex editors and Cheat Engine.
IMPORTANT: Always make a backup of the ig2.exe file, so you don't have to reinstall if you mess up. :)
For hex editors (like HxD):
- You can modify the ig2.exe file (New game is required, after changes)
- Just search for the name of the tech (like "Destroyer" for example, w/o quotes)
- Techs can be set to already be researched at the start of a new game and can modify by race (Solarian/Shinari/Kra'hen)
Notes:
- Researching weapons works fine, but ships researched this way, won't show up in the design screen (F5).
- Weapons are automatically upgraded to ships/tanks/spacebases at the start of the new game, if the ship/tank/spacebase can normally be updated to it.
For Cheat Engine:
- After selecting the process, you can set Scan Type to "String" and do a search for the Planet name, Spy name, etc.
- Look at the results that are in green font and right click and select browse address (don't recall exact line). (may get multiple results to check)
--- You can change Planet type (desert, forest, etc.), Planet sub-type (different variations of the Planet type) (2-byte address)
--- You can change Planet growth type (Solarian is 150%, Pirate is 100%, etc.) (2-byte address)
--- You can change Production value % to 500% or 5000% etc. I believe only it's a 4-byte address. Don't go overboard or it may crash game.
Someone posted more details on Steam and some other site (don't recall), which is where I got my info. Google should get the site/post links.
All of this is off the top of my head, but if people are really interested, I can try to make a small walkthrough with pics included. Just not right away lol.
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Post edited June 18, 2023 by gog2002x