Can .dat files be manipulated?

[steelers99_58_36]

I was looking in the folder where the 2K5 Game Save Editor is installed C:\Program Files (x86)\NFL 2K5 Game SaveEditor, was located there for me. And in the data folder is multiple files with a .dat extension I opened one in Notepad and saw what is in the attachment. So I was wondering if it was possible to maybe rename those and maybe have it work in the game.

EDIT: I saw that when I opened every other .dat file with notepad it has some strange font, so I think that if these files can be edited only the Stadiums are a possibility.

[GillBoldberg]

Re: Can .dat files be manipulated?

I noticed these files too when I was trying to figure out some 2K4 hexing.

I'm not 100% sure but I think these files are pieces of the hex that Finn extracted to make it easier for the editor to read/look up. The one you posted is obviously the stadiums. Changing it around shouldn't effect the actual game save but it might change the text in the editor. Or maybe it's just reference. Speculation of course..

[steelers99_58_36]

Re: Can .dat files be manipulated?

I'm just curious to see how much we can modify this game. I also noticed that in the images folder you can insert a JPEG rename it to match one of those image files, then you can check the config files of what player name matches up with that number and you can change the picture of a player in the editor to the one that was saved in the folder and it actually shows up in the editor. But when I loaded up the save it was a default roster, so I'm not sure if any of this works or not. Would be extremely cool if it does, but I just think it may be to good to be true. Then again look at what you can do with Hex editing on APF.