Making a WC4 DVD Video...

[SDDS]

Hey all, I'm in the process of making a DVD Video using the VOB files off the WC4 DVD game. The thought is to make an interactive video for the set-top box. I got a used DVD on ebay and it was warped + scratched.. I managed to flatten the disc and get ALL the VOB files except 3...

Can anyone help me get the following files (all from side B of the DVD):

SC_3670F.VOB
SC_3670G.VOB
SC_3670H.VOB

They were sequencial files where the scratches were... I'm in the process of verifying the rest of the disc. Then after I know I have all the VOBs, I'm going to start making the interactive DVD.

Any help is appreciated.

-Doug

 

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Your talking about 77.4 MB of video (the scenes in question are a yes vote on was, blairs execution, and tolwyn launching the offensive) Unless you have an ftp or something (you can transfer files using msn messenger put it's painfully slow) I would recommend reevaluation whether or not you need these files.

On another note, Are you going to have options for win/lose each individual mission?

 

[SDDS]

Your talking about 77.4 MB of video (the scenes in question are a yes vote on was, blairs execution, and tolwyn launching the offensive) Unless you have an ftp or something (you can transfer files using msn messenger put it's painfully slow) I would recommend reevaluation whether or not you need these files.

On another note, Are you going to have options for win/lose each individual mission?

I would like to make a DVD with ALL options available that change the video story. It is to satisfy a curiousity if this kind of DVD would be worthwhile to produce for other stories. Yes I have an ftp that I could set up, 77 MB is not a great concern to me, compared to all the other footage, 77 MB is nothing, but it IS something I'm missing and couldn't do EVERY option because of it...

I'm not sure how I want to handle the mission options... I don't know if it'd be something like a menu screen that basically just gives the option of "Did you complete the mission successfully? Yes/No" I mean, I kinda have to do that I suppose...

Obviously, I don't need it right away either. I'm trying to figure out if I want to make a single layer video DVD or leave the VOB quality intact and go for a DVD+R DL disc...

In any case, if you have the files, I can set up an FTP to receive them!

Thanks!

-Doug

 

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It is to satisfy a curiousity if this kind of DVD would be worthwhile to produce for other stories.

I'm not sure what you have in mind Doug. Do you mean whether or not it would be feasable to convert the video from other cames into a interactive DVD? Or are you talking about essentialy producing a choose your own adventure DVD of your own originality?

If your wondering how a entirely FMV game would turn out, try and get your hands on a DVD version of Silent Steel (alternatively theres a 4 disk cd version). It would be a better example of a game designed entirely of FMV clips and wc-like choices. Also Star trek:Borg is in a similar vein but with a little (and I mean little more interacton (no real dialogue choices).

 

[SDDS]

...*snip*...Or are you talking about essentialy producing a choose your own adventure DVD of your own originality?

I want to explore eventually making my own branching DVD. I work in feature films and have long thought of trying this on my own, but I wanted a good example first. This game was my first choice. I remember playing it back in the day and amazed at the idea THEN. Of course, figuring out the production aspects of this have been tricky as well for what I want to eventually do... But shooting in the traditional movie scheduling sense is completely feasible. You just have to make sure you shoot everything you need at a specified set before it's torn down (but this is no different than today...)

...

 

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I would really suggest, then, getting your hands on silent steel. It is better than some FMV games but it will give you an Idea of where some of the traps lie. The biggest problem with silent steel was that it was never very clear how or where certain choices would screw you up. So even though the video was different you would replay sections.. sometimes verry long portions of the game ove and over untill you got just the right sequence to avoid, for example, being destroyed. It had a very elaborate branching story.

WCIV's structure is somewhat simpler. Plus some of the choices were oviously negative and quickly result in an end game and others ar options that affect the story yet dont change the overall scope of the narative (for example hawk vs. panther). Even when you dont defect right away, there is still the option to do so later.

Personally I'm undertaking an opposite sort of task. I've been combining wc4dvd's videos into something more akin to a feature film. I've been editing the videos together (and sometimes rediting) to simplify the structure. (not so many missions yet keeping the integrity of the story) As well Ive been video capturing gameplay stuff (using various shots from the different in game cameras ant their controls) to fill in the story elements that take place in-flight rather than in the FMV. So far the results are promising. Here's a few samples:
https://www.wcnews.com/news/update/6127
https://www.wcnews.com/news/update/6137
In the first samples I hadn't worked out the Gameplay stuff yet so make sure you take a look at the last one too.


PM me with info on your FTP

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[SDDS]

As well Ive been video capturing gameplay stuff (using various shots from the different in game cameras ant their controls) to fill in the story elements that take place in-flight rather than in the FMV. So far the results are promising. Here's a few samples:

Outstanding! Well, I suggest that you and I have more or less the same goal here... Would hate to reinvent the wheel. I know you are trying to keep everything 'simpler' by just cutting together one version of the story... I wonder how we can acheive both here... hmmm...

Are you planning on a 4 GB DVD or a dual layer? Not that it matters until everything is finished...

Also, in this editing, are you de-muxing all the VOBs into MPG files and then doing edits with an MPG cutter or what?

I'm downloading the DIVX sample of battle play now... got it. Yeah, I guess to do my plan, you could do the same in flight style recording and do a pass/fail version of EACH!? whew... wouldn't THAT be fun...

I sent you a msg btw...

-D

 

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THe program I use allows me to use the VOBs and I can edit and such all in one step . It does the demuxing in the process I guess as it down mixes to stereo and such and can't go staight to Vob (unless when burning I guess).

My goal was to produce something more along the lines of something I would share online, but had in mind completing a DVD version once I had the editing and final video complete. There's still the possibiltity of having 5.1 audio for the DVD but I'll work that out after I finalize all the gameplay vids. Oh, and they're alot more time consuming than one might think. The sample one is quite simple compared to what I am doing now that I have more practice with different camera controls. If someone wanted to spend the time to do two versions of each mission they could I suppose.