Area Data

Author(s): Gonhex
Research: Bond697, PlatinumMaster, Gonhex, Hello007

The area data describes the current state of the overworld. It selects all the optical elements. The area is selected by the zone data in /a/0/1/2 but can also depend on the season.

Table of Contents

• Area Data
  • Table of Contents
  • Data Location
  • Data Structure
    • Container
    • Area Data Entry
  • Specification
    • Seasons

---

Data Location

The file (not a NARC!) can be found in the following game path:

• Black 2 and White 2: /a/0/1/3

---

Data Structure

Container

struct ContainerAreaData
{
    /* 0x0 */ struct AreaData areaTable[409];
}; // entry size = 0xFFA

Field Name	Description	Data Type
areaTable	Array of area configurations. Only one entry is active.	AreaData[]

Area Data Entry

struct AreaData
{
    /* 0x0 */ uint16_t buildings;
    /* 0x2 */ uint16_t mapTextures;
    /* 0x4 */ uint8_t textureAnimation;
    /* 0x5 */ uint8_t frameAnimation;
    /* 0x6 */ uint8_t fieldEnvironment;
    /* 0x7 */ uint8_t ambientLight;
    /* 0x8 */ uint8_t outlineColor;
    /* 0x9 */ uint8_t bbdMdlColors;
}; // entry size = 0xA

Field Name	Description	Data Type
buildings	Select builing container from the NARC: Interior: Model = /a/2/2/6, texture = /a/1/7/5. Exterior: Model = /a/2/2/5, texture = /a/1/7/4.	uint16_t
mapTextures	Select map texture NSBTX from the NARC: /a/0/1/4.	uint16_t
textureAnimation	Select map texture SRT animation NSBTA from the NARC: /a/0/6/8. Is 0xFF if none.	uint8_t
frameAnimation	Select map frame animation container from the NARC: /a/0/6/9. Is 0xFF if none.	uint8_t
fieldEnvironment	Area type: 0 = interior, 1 = exterior.	uint8_t
ambientLight	Select ambient light settings from NARC: /a/0/6/0. Note: Weather can overwrite the setting.	uint8_t
outlineColor	Select outline color profile from NARC: /a/0/1/5. Is 0xFF if none.	uint8_t
bbdMdlColors	Material preset for actor billboards.	uint8_t

---

Specification

Seasons

The current season depends on the month.

enum Season
{
    SEASON_SPRING = 0,
    SEASON_SUMMER = 1,
    SEASON_AUTUMN = 2,
    SEASON_WINTER = 3
};

enum Season getSeason()
{
    // example if january = 0 ... december = 11
    return currentMonth % 4;
}

While the area data is selected by the zone, it can also be influeced by the season. This is necessary to adjust lights and textures. The decision whether to change the area data depending on the season or not is hardcoded.

bool isSeasonsEnabled(uint32_t zoneAreaID)
{
    return (zoneAreaID >= 0x2) && (zoneAreaID < 0x11A);
}

uint32_t getAreaID(uint32_t zoneAreaID)
{
    uint32_t areaID = zoneAreaID;
    
    if (isSeasonsEnabled(zoneAreaID))
    {
        areaID += getSeason();
    }
    
    return areaID;
}