U8 Archive
Arc File is the file format used for this game's packed filesystem. It's derived from Nintendo's archive format, commonly known as U8 Archive. These files are located in the xenon, ps3 and win32 directories on the game disc in a subdirectory called archives.
Filesystem
The internal filesystem follows an organisational pattern where the directories starting from root are platform identifiers for the file formats contained within them.
| Identifier | Endianness | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| common | N/A | Used for files where endianness is non-applicable (e.g. files that are read manually in a specific byte order irrespective of the current platform). |
| xenon | Big | Used for files that are read directly into memory and mapped to structures where big-endian byte order is expected for the Xbox 360 platform. |
| ps3 | Big | Same as above, but for the PlayStation 3 platform. |
| win32 | Little | Used for files that are read directly into memory and mapped to structures where little-endian byte order is expected for the x86 Windows platform. These files would be read manually for endian swapping on big-endian platforms. |
Specification
TBD
List of Arc Files
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| cache.arc | Core render scripts, event playbook, and optical camouflage noise texture |
| download.arc | DLC episode mission and SET data |
| enemy_data.arc | Boss textures and objects |
| enemy.arc | Regular enemy textures and objects |
| event_data.arc | Event-specific textures and objects |
| event.arc | Event-specific sounds, particles, and scripts |
| game.arc | Actor properties, light and camera parameters |
| human.arc | NPC textures, objects, and scripts |
| object.arc | Interactive object textures, objects, and scripts |
| particle_data.arc | Particle textures and objects |
| particle.arc | Particle definitions |
| player_*.arc | Player-specific textures, objects, and animations |
| player.arc | Player scripting and packages |
| radarmap.arc | Mini-map objects, colour textures, and icons |
| scripts.arc | Most Lua scripting, SETs and paths |
| shader_lt.arc | Multiplayer shaders |
| shader.arc | Singleplayer shaders |
| sound.arc | Common sound banks |
| sprite.arc | UI textures, layouts, and animations |
| stage_*.arc | Stage-specific textures and objects |
| stage.arc | Reflection areas and stage collision |
| system.arc | |
| text.arc | Font textures, maps, and string tables |