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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl > Guides > Troggian's Guides
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Logging Time Played with Mods (OGSR)
By Troggian
This guide teaches how to modify the Steam launch file for the xrEngine of the OGSR Mod. This way, you can track the hours played on Steam even when using mods for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl.

This modification work if the mod uses the original game structure. If the game is STANDALONE, It will count, but I don't think it's the right one. If you want to add a STANDLONE version, I recommend adding it as a NON-STEAM GAME.
   
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Created by
Troggian
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Languages: English
Posted
Updated
18 Apr @ 6:20pm
28 May @ 1:36pm
158 Unique Visitors
5 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Step 1: Install the Game 
Step 2: Add the Mods 
Step 3: Create the Startup .bat File 
Step 4: Convert the .bat File to .exe 
Step 5: Replace the Original Executable 
Step 6: Test and Launch the Game 
Notes and Cautions 
Comments
Step 1: Install the Game
• Make sure that STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl is properly installed via Steam.
Step 2: Add the Mods
• Install the OGSR mod and any other desired mods in the game, following the instructions provided with the mods.
• Test according to mod instructions and make sure the mods are working correctly before proceeding.
Step 3: Create the Startup .bat File
• Create a .bat file that will launch the game using the new path of the OGSR was installed. bin_x64/xrEngine.exe.
The content of the .bat file should look like this:

@echo off cd /c C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64 start "" "xrEngine.exe" exit

Step 4: Convert the .bat File to .exe
• After creating the .bat file, you’ll need to convert it into a .exe file.

• Use a converter program like Bat To Exe Converter - by F2ko[www.f2ko.de] to transform the .bat file into a .exe.

• Select the .bat file you created.
 └ Visibility: Choose "x64 (Invisible)" so the command prompt window doesn’t appear.
 └ Click on "Convert" to generate the .exe file.
 └ Save the converted file as "XR_3DA.exe (Steam manifest file)".

Step 5: Replace the Original Executable
• Go to the folder where STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl is installed (in my case: D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl).

• Locate the original XR_3DA.exe file in /bin folder. Rename it to XR_3DA_original.exe. This allows you to revert the process if necessary.

• Place the newly converted XR_3DA.exe file in the same directory where XR_3DA_original.exe was renamed. This will be the new launch file for the game.
Step 6: Test and Launch the Game
• Launch the game using Steam. The OGSR and other mods should be working correctly, and the playtime will be tracked by Steam, even with the mods enabled.
Notes and Cautions
It will only work if the mod uses the original game structure. If the game is STANDALONE, It will count, but I don't think it's the right one. If you want to add a STANDLONE version, I recommend adding it as a NON-STEAM GAME.

The logic described below can be adapted to other mods that require launching a different executable to load mods or dependencies, as long as the path is correctly set inside the .bat file to be converted into .exe.

How it works:

Startup Sequence
Play on Steam  └ Steam runs the manifest   └ Reads and runs the modified XR_3DA.exe file    └ The modified XR_3DA.exe file runs xrEngine.exe.
If another mod uses a different initialization file, just follow the same logic

Vanilla uses /bin/XR_3DA.exe to launch the game.
OGSR uses /bin_x64/xrEngine.exe.

This means that the new .bat converted to .exe needs to be placed inside the Vanilla folder, pointing to the OGSR Engine launch file:

On Disk C
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64".
if you installed it on Disk D, the path will probably be
"D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64".

*Check your installation path*

Disk C:
@echo off cd /c C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64 start "" "xrEngine.exe" exit

Disc D:
@echo off cd /d D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64 start "" "xrEngine.exe" exit

4 Comments
< >
Troggian  [author] 28 May @ 1:12pm 
Kot, depends of your path installation, so you need check before create the file.
I tested the code in my path in Disc D, and worked propely.
I believe you forgot /d before the Path:

@echo off
cd /d D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64
start "" "xrEngine.exe"
exit
Kot 21 May @ 1:30pm 
@echo off
D:
cd "D:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin_x64"
start "" "xrEngine.exe"
exit
Troggian  [author] 25 Apr @ 5:14pm 
Thx man.
Redrick 22 Apr @ 5:04am 
I haven't played Stalker in a while but its fantastic to see its still alive and well and that there is still demand for guides on tracking playtime with mods. Good work keeping this knowledge alive and updated.