xml MS-DOS.XML File is Getting Over-Written with Old Data

[CardinalBass2112]

Hey mighty hive-mind!

My MS-DOS.XML file is getting over-written with old data. Here are the steps to re-create the issue.

1. Update the 'Progress' metadata for the MS-DOS game 'Lands of Lore: Throne of Chaos' from 'Not Started / Unplayed' to 'Active / In Progress',
2. Launch the game.
3. Close the game.

I've manually added the line <Progress>Active / In Progress</Progress> to the MS-DOS.XML file in the following locations:

• \xml\all (This retains the correct progress value after performing the above steps)
• \xml\family (This retains the correct progress value after performing the above steps)
• \Data\Platforms (This version reverts the progress value back to <Not Started / Unplayed</Progress>)

Please let me know if you need additional information or questions answered. I appreciate any advice!

Attached is the corrected file.

Chris

MS-DOS.xml

[JoeViking245]

10 hours ago, CardinalBass2112 said:

My MS-DOS.XML file is getting over-written with old data.

What is the criteria you have set to have LaunchBox change it "Active"?  If it doesn't meet the threshold, it will get marked as "Not Started".

That said, I'm not sure if manually changing the games Progress value (either by simply editing the game or via editing the xml file) is "supposed" to stick or not.  Or if it's to change per the set criterium.

 

An aside...

10 hours ago, CardinalBass2112 said:

I've manually added the line <Progress>Active / In Progress</Progress> to the MS-DOS.XML file in the following locations:

• \xml\all (This retains the correct progress value after performing the above steps)
• \xml\family (This retains the correct progress value after performing the above steps)

Where exactly are you finding the "\xml\" folder?

[CardinalBass2112]

Hey Joe - great content in your reply. It shed some light into why I'm seeing this behavior.

Your initial point on the playtime threshold value was spot on. It was set at the default value of 30m. The play time value for this game was 4 seconds. Meaning every time I finished playing a session, it would revert the progress value back to 'Not Started / Unplayed'.

So that brought up another question. Why does this game not accrue all the play times? I've got at least 30 hours invested in this game. As a DOS game, I'm using SCUMM VM as the engine (not DOSBox).

To test your line of thinking, I manually entered "100000" in the game's play time value in the MS-DOS.XML file and saved it. I went through the steps to re-create the issue I noted in my initial post, and the problem did not happen again. 😁

So, at this point, there's a workaround in place. Thank you.

To answer your last query "Where exactly are you finding the "\XML\ folder?", it's the last directory off the install directory root, right after directories named 'ThirdParty', 'Updates', and 'Videos'. However, the MS-DOS.XML file that I updated with the play time value was located in the \Data\Platforms directory.

Chris

[JoeViking245]

1 hour ago, CardinalBass2112 said:

So, at this point, there's a workaround in place. Thank you.

To answer your last query "Where exactly are you finding the "\XML\ folder?", it's the last directory off the install directory root, right after directories named 'ThirdParty', 'Updates', and 'Videos'. However, the MS-DOS.XML file that I updated with the play time value was located in the \Data\Platforms directory.

You are very welcome.  I'm just glad my guess was a good guess.  (As I never pay attention to the playtime)  

Ok.  So that xml folder was put there by something or someone else.  It's not a folder that is default/native to, nor put there by, LaunchBox.