[Tool] Keep My Mod

NBA 2K13 Keep My Mod
by Lefteris "Leftos" Aslanoglou


Shortest Tutorial EVER
1. Start NBA 2K13, do your thing until you reach jersey and side selection.
2. Start Keep My Mod, go to Online Data Browser, make sure the files you want to keep modded are in the 3rd column named "Content Updated but Kept Modded". If not, select them from the 2nd column and click Replace With Mod. Save & Return.
3. Click on Force Keep My Mods.
4. Play the game.
5. When you're in Game Summary or just ready to quit the game, go to Keep My Mod, click Restore Online Data Backup.
6. You can now quit back to the main menu.

phpBB [video]

Quick Notes
For reasons I've explained in detail in this thread, I've created this tool.

Starting with NBA 2K12, 2K implemented a way to update game art and text (actually, any game file) silently, without the need for a patch, using the Online Data folder. However, the files 2K updates this way override any mods the user has installed, and there's no easy way for the user to make sure his mods override 2K's updates.

This tool tries to solve this problem, by letting the user select which mods to keep, and also gives modders a semi-automatic way of making sure their mods won't get overridden/replaced by 2K's updates. The tool waits for the game to finish downloading updates, and automatically replaces 2K's updated files with the modded files the user/modders have instructed the tool to.

Detailed instructions for both users and modders offered in the Readme file (latest one included with all downloads). Make sure you read it in full before asking questions that are already answered in it.

Newbie's warning
Don't be scared by the number of buttons and features the tool offers. Normally you won't need to do anything other than start the tool and click on "Start Game". The tool is fully-automatic in what it needs to do, that is, force the roster refresh, watch for new updates, and replace any conflicting ones with mods. You won't need to press any of the other buttons to do any of that. Just start the tool, and start the game. The rest of the buttons are either for modders or people who want to use a specific feature manually.

2K13 Note: If you start the tool and THEN start the game, go to Options > Load/Save > Save Roster and save using "Roster" as a name. This will tell Keep My Mod to force your mods and to unhide all your other rosters. If that doesn't work to unhide your rosters, click on "Restore Custom Rosters".

Just make sure you keep the tool running while you're playing the game.

Quick note though, to avoid having the game resync its updates when you quit a game and return to the Main Menu (which takes about 10-15 minutes during which you don't have the Online Data updates, such as the new shoes), remember this:
- When you're about to enter a game, Alt-Tab into the tool and click on Force Keep My Mods.
- When you're about to quit a game and return to the Main Menu, Alt-Tab into the tool, and click on Restore Online Data Backup.
If you remember to do these two things, you'll always have both your mods and the rest of 2K's updates, without having to wait through the lengthy update.

Screenshots


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DISCLAIMER
The tool is still in beta, so use it at your own risk. Make sure to keep a full backup of your NBA 2K13 folder inside %appdata%\2K Sports, in case something goes wrong.

When you edit the Roster.ROS file, ALWAYS save the edited Roster in a file WITH A DIFFERENT NAME! The Roster.ROS is needed by the tool to know when the game has finished booting up.

So, two tips:
1. Always keep a backup of %appdata%\2K Sports\NBA 2K13. Always, always, ALWAYS.
2. When you want to edit the official Roster, always create a copy of it first with a different name, and always save to that file.
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Download
NBA 2K13 Keep My Mod

Donate and support my work
If you enjoy using my tools and want to show your appreciation, all you have to do is say a hello and a thank you in a reply here. If, however, you want to show a little more appreciation, you can always consider making a small donation towards my everyday and studies expenses. Any donation, no matter the amount, will give me even greater incentive to develop these tools and helping the community.

Click here to donate!

& as always

Everytime i install and try to open it says NBA 2k13 keep my mod encountered a critical error and will be terminated An error log has been saved at C:\Users...........errorlog.txt.

What does this mean?

Open that errorlog and paste its contents in a reply here in [code] tags.

Code:

Additional: MainWindow InitializeComponent

System.Windows.Markup.XamlParseException: Add value to collection of type 'System.Windows.Controls.UIElementCollection' threw an exception. ---> System.IO.FileNotFoundException: The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002)
   at System.Windows.Media.Composition.DUCE.Channel..ctor(Channel referenceChannel, Boolean isOutOfBandChannel, IntPtr pConnection, Boolean isSynchronous)
   at System.Windows.Media.MediaSystem.Startup(MediaContext mc)
   at System.Windows.Media.MediaContext..ctor(Dispatcher dispatcher)
   at System.Windows.Media.Visual.VerifyAPIReadWrite(DependencyObject value)
   at System.Windows.Media.VisualCollection.Add(Visual visual)
   at System.Windows.Controls.UIElementCollection.AddInternal(UIElement element)
   at MS.Internal.Xaml.Runtime.ClrObjectRuntime.Add(Object collection, XamlType collectionType, Object value, XamlType valueXamlType)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
   at System.Windows.Markup.WpfXamlLoader.Load(XamlReader xamlReader, IXamlObjectWriterFactory writerFactory, Boolean skipJournaledProperties, Object rootObject, XamlObjectWriterSettings settings, Uri baseUri)
   at System.Windows.Markup.WpfXamlLoader.LoadBaml(XamlReader xamlReader, Boolean skipJournaledProperties, Object rootObject, XamlAccessLevel accessLevel, Uri baseUri)
   at System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader.LoadBaml(Stream stream, ParserContext parserContext, Object parent, Boolean closeStream)
   at NBA_2K13_Keep_My_Mod.MainWindow..ctor() in e:\Development\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\NBA 2K13 Keep My Mod\NBA 2K13 Keep My Mod\MainWindow.xaml.cs:line 68

The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002)

Try downloading 0.1.0.1 which I just released, tell me if it still happens.

Still got that error message

I got it to work, thanks.

Outstanding. Thanks as always!

That was quick Thanks bud

Hey leftos I watched your tutorial for the 2k12 keep my mod tool and i read instructions, but everytime i isolate my mods by pressing the last button (forgot the name) and start game my mods still get overwritten. I also lost my custom rosters and i saved them multiple times. What am i doing wrong?

1) Start the tool.
2) Start the game from inside the tool.
3) Once you get to the Main Menu, go to Load/Save > Save Roster > Save as Roster.ROS.
4) Your custom rosters will show up now, and your mods should be in.
5) Start a game to test.

Does the updates 2k make also overwrites any global mods I make? Or is it just rosters. arenas, jerseys?

Thanks Leftos

You can see what files the Online Data released has updated and added via the Online Data Browser in the tool.

Question:

How do I use this tool?

I downloaded ThaKing's Knicks jersey and since 2K's updates, I can't keep my jerseys.

1. Should I copy ThaKing's jerseys into the regular directories or in the %AppData% online folder?
2. Should I go into KeepMyMod and use 'Force Keep My Mods', 'Online Data Browser: Select Mods to Keep', select 'Force Keep My Mods', or just start the game.

Any help appreciated.

Question:

How do I use this tool?

I downloaded ThaKing's Knicks jersey and since 2K's updates, I can't keep my jerseys.

1. Should I copy ThaKing's jerseys into the regular directories or in the %AppData% online folder?
2. Should I go into KeepMyMod and use 'Force Keep My Mods', 'Online Data Browser: Select Mods to Keep', select 'Force Keep My Mods', or just start the game.

Any help appreciated.

I`ve been battling that battle ever since 2k released their NY Knicks jerseys... I cant figure it out neither... Hopefully someone will explain in detail..

Minimalistic Usage Notes
1. Install your mods normally, in the game's installation folder.
2. Start Keep My Mod before starting the game.
3. Select which mods you want to keep by using the Online Data Browser. You don't have to select them every time, the tool will remember them.
4. Click Start Game.
5. When you reach the Main Menu, go to Options > Load/Save > Save Roster. No Rosters should show up, not even your custom ones. Save a roster with the name Roster.ROS.
6. All your rosters should now show up again. You may hear a beep. That's Keep My Mod telling you the game has updated its Online Data, and that you may need to visit the Online Data Browser again. The tool's logs will denote which files got added, and which updated.
7. You're ready to play the game with your mods and 2K's updates living in perfect harmony.

I've added them to the top of the first post as well.

Thanks Leftos, the downloaded jerseys show up.

One other question. Will I still get roster updates? Or will I have to download them here manually?

You'll still get them. Game updates on every boot as long as you're connected.

Hey Again,

Just went into my game again, and the Knicks jersey reverted to the 2K download. Is there a way I must enter the game each time? I used 'Start Game' in KeepMyMod.

Did you save a Roster.ROS?

Did you save a Roster.ROS?

Yes.

Try using Force Keep My Mods then.

Thank you leftos... it worked. Do i have to save roster.ROS every time i start the game in order jerseys to show up?