This quick guide will show you how to do basic Hex editing of memory of the current game loaded to edit your character name and then save it to make it permanent. Note here that we don't need any additional software to achieve this since PCSX2 version 2.0+ is shipping with his very own real time debugger with a memory search function, so that's what we will be using.
Disclaimer: Since this is technically editing the save file, this is prohibited to do for a save that will be used to get online. I would like to know admin opinions about the usage of this for an online save. This guide is only on how to do it on your solo mode offline/village save and was only tested there. Do it at your own risk!
Also, I haven't tested it, but this process should be very similar for MH1, MH1J & MHG.
Requirements:
- PCSX2
- A copy of MH2 DOS
- SaveFile on .ps2 format for PCSX2 (and a backup of it, in case)
- mymc (Optional, only if you are using PS2 hardware)
If you're on a PS2 hardware, you will need first to convert the save using mymc (http://www.csclub.uwaterloo.ca:11068/mymc/)
This won't be covered here but it's pretty straight forward to do.
How-to:
- Launch MH2 DOS from the PCSX2 menu and load into your save. (Fresh launch, fully restart PCSX2 if you were already in-game)
- Once arrived into the village, directly go into Tools -> Show Advanced Settings.
- Click "Yes" on the warning to continue with advanced settings.
- Now into Debug -> Open Debugger:
- In the PCSX2 Debugger, change the main tab to Memory Search (1), then enter your current character name into the Value field (2), then change the Type to "String" (3), ensure that Hex is checked and hit Search.
- You should find 9 or 10 address. (See troubleshoot section at the bottom if not) Go to the very last one and double click on it. (We will edit each address starting from bottom to top)
- Replace with the new name you want to have. (Maximum of 8 characters long, you can remove value using backspace)
- Once you arrive to the 2 first address (last in the order to edit) they should be already contain the new name. If it's not the case, you probably missed one or wrongly edited a value, try again on a fresh loaded save.
- If the 2 first value contain the new name, congrats! Now save your game using the in game menu to make the change permanent.
- The next time you will load of your save file, you will see your new name of your character:
- Profit!
Now if you were on PS2 hardware, you have to convert back your save using mymc.
Troubleshoot:
If you find more than 9-10 addresses on the step #8, you need to validate and skip the one that are not required. For example, your current name is interfering with same text in the interface already loaded into memory. This should be technically easier to do on a non english patched ISO since you should be the only thing with Latin alphabet and always hit 9-10 address no matter the current name of your character. Also, be sure that it's a fresh launch of PCSX2 and the game as your name may be found multiple time in the memory on a long game.
There you go, this is how you can rename your solo character on PCSX2 for MH2 DOS. Feel free to comment or share improvements.
Remember to have backups! I'm not responsible for any corrupt save.
Happy hunting,
Cheers!
