Initial full mirror of c:\VWE (source + assets + toolchain + outputs) via Git LFS

Complete disaster-recovery snapshot: engine/game source, game data assets, VC6 toolchain + DX SDKs, build outputs, deployed game, and _UNUSED archive. Large binaries in Git LFS; text preserved byte-for-byte (core.autocrlf=false, no eol attributes). See RECOVERY.md for the one-clone rebuild procedure.
2026-06-24 21:28:16 -05:00
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+# BattleTech: FireStorm — Git attributes (full-mirror repo)
+# Legacy Windows tree: preserve bytes as-is (git config core.autocrlf=false).
+# Strategy: route ALL binary file types to Git LFS so the git history stays lean,
+# while plain-text source/scripts/headers stay in normal git for real diffs.
+# Anything binary NOT listed here still commits fine (just not LFS-optimized) — the
+# post-stage size check catches large stragglers.
+
+# ---- Game/art assets ----
+*.tga      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.bmp      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.png      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.psd      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.raw      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.ico      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.cur      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.erf      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.bid      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.bsp      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.gaf      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.material filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.igdata   filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.mw4anim  filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.mw4      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.d3f      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.ebf      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.obb      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.pkg      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.256      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.016      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+
+# ---- Audio / video ----
+*.wav      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.avi      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.mpg      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.mp3      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.ogg      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+
+# ---- Binaries / build outputs / toolchain ----
+*.exe      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.dll      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.ocx      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.sys      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.lib      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.obj      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.pch      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.pdb      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.idb      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.ilk      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.exp      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.res      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.sbr      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.bsc      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.tlb      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.ncb      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.opt      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.aps      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+
+# ---- Archives ----
+*.zip      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.cab      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.gz       filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.7z       filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+
+# ---- Fonts / help / office ----
+*.ttf      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.fon      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.otf      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.hlp      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.chm      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.gid      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.xls      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.xlsx     filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.doc      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.mdb      filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.db       filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.mr       filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+
+# NOTE: intentionally NO `text`/eol attributes. This is a byte-for-byte mirror — with
+# core.autocrlf=false and no text attrs, git stores/restores text files exactly as-is
+# (no LF<->CRLF conversion) and still auto-detects text for diffs. Do not add `text` here.
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+# BattleTech: FireStorm — full disaster-recovery mirror.
+# NOTHING is excluded on purpose: this repo is a complete, self-hosted (local Gitea)
+# snapshot of c:\VWE so that one `git clone`/`git pull` reconstitutes a working machine
+# (source + assets + VC6 toolchain + SDKs + build outputs + deployed game + archive).
+# Large binaries are routed to Git LFS via .gitattributes; they are NOT excluded.
+#
+# (Intentionally empty. Add entries here only for truly machine-local, non-portable
+#  state you decide you never want mirrored.)
@@ -0,0 +1,561 @@
+# BattleTech: FireStorm — Project Notes (CLAUDE.md)
+
+Working notes for Claude Code. Updated as work progresses.
+
+## What this project is
+A total-conversion / expansion ("FireStorm") built on the **MechWarrior 4** game
+engine (the *Gameleap* engine, v5.03), using Microsoft's **GameOS / GOS**
+technology (same lineage as MechWarrior 4 and MechCommander 2). ~60k files mixing
+C++ engine source, an asset/content pipeline, and game-design spreadsheets.
+Toolchain is late-90s/early-2000s **Visual C++ 6.0** — no git, no modern build system.
+
+## Repo layout (top level)
+> **2026-06-23 cleanup:** unused/duplicate trees archived to **`_UNUSED\`** to reduce newcomer
+> confusion (Gameleap\{Archive,Drivers,EditorDocs,Notes,batch,utilities}; GameleapCode5_03\{Content,hsh};
+> resource_fullbak). Build paths untouched. See **`README.md`** for the orienting layout map.
+> Build/deploy uses only: `Gameleap\mw4` (data), `Gameleap\code` (code+binaries), `build-env` (toolchain).
+
+- **`Gameleap\code/`** — THE BUILD TARGET. Engine + game source + content. *(confirmed by user)*
+  (Its `Content\` + `hsh\` were stale 2005 duplicates → moved to `_UNUSED\`; live data is `Gameleap\mw4`.)
+- **`Gameleap/`** — only **`mw4/`** is used (game-data source for resource packing). Former siblings
+  (editor docs, drivers, batch tools, runtime env) were historical/utility → moved to `_UNUSED\`.
+- **`BTFrstrm/`** — FireStorm design data: mech stat workbooks (`MechInfo_5.04.xls`, `scriptaddmech.xls`).
+- **`Finished HUDS from J&J/`** — per-mech HUD art (MFD + Radar) for ~15 'Mechs.
+
+### Inside `Gameleap\code/`
+- `CoreTech/` — reusable engine layer (GameOS, gosFX, GOSScript, MLR renderer, Network, Stuff, Language, blade) + Tools.
+- `mw4/Code/` — the game itself. `mw4/Code/MW4/` = ~590 files; AI subsystem dominates (~65 `AI_*` files).
+- `mw4/Libraries/` — mw4-local libs (Adept, Compost, ElementRenderer, gosfx, ImageLib, MLR, server, stuff, **stlport**).
+- `Content/` — game content: `ABLScripts/` (ABL scripting language), Defines, Subsystems, Tables, `.build` files.
+- `rel.bin/` `dbg.bin/` `pro.bin/` — **build OUTPUT folders** (libs/exe/dll land here). Generated, not source.
+
+---
+
+## ✅ STEP 1: Build process reconstruction — COMPLETE
+
+### Toolchain
+- **Compiler/IDE:** Visual C++ 6.0 / MSDev98 (all `.dsw`/`.dsp` are "Format Version 6.00").
+- **STL:** bundled **STLport** at `mw4/Libraries/stlport/` (custom, build it first).
+- **External SDKs (NOT bundled)** — exact reqs from `CoreTech/Libraries/GameOS/pch.hpp`:
+  - **DirectX 7.0 SDK** — headers must be **FIRST** in include order
+    (`#if DIRECTDRAW_VERSION != 0x0700 → #error`; uses ddraw7, dinput7, d3d.h immediate mode, dplay).
+  - **DirectX Media 6.0 SDK** — DirectShow video (`amstream.h`, `__IDDrawExclModeVideo`).
+  - **EAX SDK** (Creative `eax.h`) — audio.
+  - **DirectX 8 link libs** (`d3d8.lib d3dx8.lib dinput8.lib dxguid.lib`) — used by standalone tools
+    (Gos2Light/Text, HighTide, etc.).
+  - NOTE: SDK paths are NOT in the `.dsp` files — they come from the IDE's global
+    **Tools → Options → Directories**, which is why DX7-first ordering matters.
+- Compiler flags of note: `/G6 /Zp4` (struct packing 4 — must be consistent across all libs),
+  `/MD` runtime (Release), `/MDd` (Debug). Mismatched packing/runtime = link/crash.
+
+### Locating VC6 + SDKs on the ORIGINAL DISK IMAGE
+- **VC6 / MSDev98:** `C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\`
+  - `VC98\Bin\` (cl.exe, link.exe, `VCVARS32.BAT`), `VC98\Include`, `VC98\Lib`, `VC98\MFC`
+  - `Common\MSDev98\Bin\MSDEV.EXE` (IDE + command-line builder).
+- **DirectX/Media/EAX SDKs** — check these era-typical roots:
+  - DX7 SDK: `C:\DXSDK\`, `C:\mssdk\`, or `C:\DX7SDK\`
+  - DX8 SDK: `C:\DXSDK\` or `C:\Program Files\Microsoft DirectX 8*SDK\`
+  - DX Media 6: `C:\DXMedia\` or `C:\DXMEDIASDK\`
+  - EAX SDK: under `C:\` or the Creative/SB SDK folder.
+- **⭐ Most valuable artifact — the IDE directory ordering** (reproduces the env exactly).
+  Load the build user's `NTUSER.DAT` and read:
+  `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\DevStudio\6.0\Build System\Components\Platforms\Win32 (x86)\Directories`
+  → values **"Include Dirs", "Library Dirs", "Path Dirs"** (ordered; copy verbatim).
+  Also: `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VisualStudio\6.0`, `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX` (records DX version).
+- **Signature-file search on a mounted image:** `MSDEV.EXE`/`VCVARS32.BAT` → VC6;
+  `ddraw.h`/`d3d.h`/`dinput.h` → DX7 includes (verify `DIRECTDRAW_VERSION 0x0700`);
+  `amstream.h` → DX Media 6; `d3dx8.lib`/`eax.h` → DX8 / EAX SDK.
+
+### Master workspace & final target
+- **Workspace:** `Gameleap\code/mw4/Code/MechWarrior4.dsw` (the modern/current one).
+  - Self-contained: all 24 sub-projects verified present on disk, spanning both
+    `mw4/Libraries` and `CoreTech/Libraries`.
+- **`MechWarrior4Build.dsw`** = LEGACY/alternate (uses old `MW4Gos`, `Network`, `GamePlatform`,
+  `MW4GameEd` v1). Do not use; superseded by `MechWarrior4.dsw`.
+- **Final game target:** project **`MW4Application`** → `MW4.exe`.
+- **Editor target:** project **`MW4GameEd2`** → editor exe (separate).
+
+### Build configurations → output paths (from MW4Application.dsp)
+| Config  | Defines                | Output            |
+|---------|------------------------|-------------------|
+| Debug   | `_DEBUG _ARMOR` `/MDd` | `dbg.bin/MW4.exe` |
+| Armor   | `NDEBUG _ARMOR` `/Zi`  | `arm.bin/MW4.exe` |
+| Profile | `NDEBUG` profiling     | `rel.bin/MW4pro.exe` |
+| Release | `RELEASE NDEBUG`       | `rel.bin/MW4.exe` |
+| icecap  | `_ICECAP`              | `ice.bin/`        |
+
+A prior successful **Release build exists** in `rel.bin/` (MW4.exe, MW4pro.exe, all `.lib`s,
+Launcher.exe, ctcls.dll, MissionLang.dll, ScriptStrings.dll, autoconfig.exe, mw4print.exe).
+`arm.bin/` and `ice.bin/` are absent (those configs were never built here).
+
+### Build dependency order (topological, from MechWarrior4.dsw)
+1. **`stlport`** — foundation, no deps. Build first.
+2. **Leaf libs** (depend only on stlport / nothing): `GameOS`, `Stuff`, `MLR`, `gosFX`,
+   `ImageLib`, `Compost`, `GOSScript`, `ElementRenderer`, `Adept`, `server`,
+   `DLLPlatform`, `MFCPlatform`, `GamePlatformNoMain`, `ctcls`.
+3. **`MW4`** — the game library.
+4. **Helper exes/dlls:** `Launcher`, `autoconfig`, `mw4print`, `MissionLang`,
+   `ScriptStrings`, `MW4DedicatedUI`.
+5. **`MW4Application`** — links everything into `MW4.exe`. *(Set as Active Project.)*
+
+VC6 honors these dependencies automatically via the `.dsw` "Project Dependency" records,
+so a single "Build" of MW4Application pulls the whole chain in order.
+
+### How to build
+- **IDE:** Open `mw4/Code/MechWarrior4.dsw` in VC6 → set **MW4Application** as Active Project
+  → pick config (Win32 Debug / Release) → Build.
+- **Command line (VC6):**
+  `msdev MechWarrior4.dsw /MAKE "MW4Application - Win32 Debug"`
+  (or `"... - Win32 Release"`). Add `/REBUILD` for a clean build.
+
+### How to RUN (the `mw4/*.bat` scripts are LAUNCH, not compile)
+- `game_dbg.bat` etc. just run the exe: `binaries\mw4\MW4_dbg -armorlevel 3 -nobuild`.
+- `-build` = (re)build game resource `.erf`s from source assets at startup; `-nobuild` = skip.
+- `bldresources_game_dbg.bat` = run with `-build` to regenerate resources.
+- `editor_dbg.bat` = launch the editor (`MW4Ed2_d`).
+
+### ⚠️ Open discrepancies to resolve before a real build
+1. **Output path vs. launch path mismatch:** `.dsp` files emit to `dbg.bin/MW4.exe` /
+   `rel.bin/MW4.exe`, but the `game_*.bat` launchers point at `binaries\mw4\MW4_dbg.exe`.
+   There is a missing copy/deploy step (or the bats target a different deployed layout).
+   `mw4/Binaries/` currently only holds `3DSPlug-ins/`. **TODO: find/recreate the deploy step.**
+2. `FullExport.batch` references dead studio network paths (`\\aas1\...`, `d:\ContentExport\`).
+   That's the *art* export pipeline, irrelevant to the code build.
+
+---
+
+## ✅ STEP 2: Toolchain extracted from original disk image (E:\) — COMPLETE
+Original build machine image mounted at `E:\`. Build user = **`jeff`**.
+Everything needed is now copied into **`build-env/`** (self-contained):
+- **`build-env/VisualStudio6/`** ← `E:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio` (VC6: CL, LINK, NMAKE, MSDEV).
+- **`build-env/dx7asdk/`** ← `E:\Code\dx7asdk` (DirectX **7.0a** SDK; `ddraw.h` = `DIRECTDRAW_VERSION 0x0700` ✓).
+- **`build-env/DXMedia/`** ← `E:\Code\DXMedia` (DirectX **Media 6.0** SDK; amstream/control/strmif + libs).
+- **`build-env/setup-mw4-build.bat`** + **`README.md`** (generated; build instructions).
+
+Resolutions to prior open items:
+- **DirectX version pinned:** DX **7.0a** SDK (headers) + DX **Media 6.0** SDK. NOT DX8 for the game.
+- **VC6 located & copied:** VC++ 6.0 at `build-env/VisualStudio6/`.
+- **EAX:** bundled in repo (`GameOS/Eax.h`); no static `eax.lib` needed (runtime-resolved).
+- **DX8 SDK:** absent from image; only blocks 3 standalone tools (Gos2Light/Text, HighTide), not the game/editor.
+- **Critical ordering:** DX7 includes MUST precede VC98\INCLUDE (engine `#error` guard); enforced in setup .bat + README.
+
+### ✅ Exact registry directory order RECOVERED (from jeff's NTUSER.DAT)
+Key: `HKCU\...\DevStudio\6.0\Build System\Components\Platforms\Win32 (x86)\Directories`
+- **Include:** `DXMedia\include → dx7asdk\include → VC98\INCLUDE → VC98\MFC\INCLUDE → VC98\ATL\INCLUDE`
+- **Library:** `VC98\LIB → VC98\MFC\LIB` only.
+Two verified facts that make this work:
+1. `DXMedia\include` has NO core DX headers (DirectShow only) → `ddraw.h` still resolves
+   from `dx7asdk` before VC98's old one (satisfies the `pch.hpp` 0x0700 guard).
+2. The DX/DShow `.lib`s were **copied into `VC98\Lib`** on the original machine (verified
+   present in our copy: ddraw/dinput/dsound/dxguid/strmiids/quartz/strmbase/amstrmid);
+   pulled in via `#pragma comment(lib,...)` in `GameOS\guids.cpp`, not the link line.
+Captured as **`build-env/vc6-directories.reg`** (rebased to local copies; HKCU import, no admin)
+and reflected exactly in **`build-env/setup-mw4-build.bat`**.
+
+### ✅ HKLM VC6 install registration extracted & rebased
+Exported jeff's offline `software` hive trees (`Microsoft\VisualStudio\6.0`,
+`Microsoft\DevStudio\6.0`) and transformed into **`build-env/vc6-hklm-registration.reg`**:
+- Key root redirected `oldsw` → `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\...` (32-bit `msdev` on 64-bit Windows
+  reads HKLM\SOFTWARE redirected to Wow6432Node; HKCU\Software is NOT redirected).
+- All paths rebased: `C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio` → `build-env\VisualStudio6`;
+  `C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared` → `build-env\CommonFiles-MSShared`
+  (copied `VS98` + `MSDesigners98` so those refs resolve).
+- Verified: 0 leftover `oldsw`, 0 un-rebased paths, 202 keys, ProductDir/InstallDir correct.
+- Raw exports kept as `build-env/_raw_*.reg` (provenance).
+- Import order (ELEVATED): `vc6-hklm-registration.reg` then `vc6-directories.reg`.
+
+---
+
+## ✅ STEP 3: Clean build from source — SUCCESS (game target)
+Registry imported (HKLM `vc6-hklm-registration.reg` + HKCU `vc6-directories.reg`), msdev
+runs from the copy, and a **full clean rebuild of `MW4Application - Win32 Release` succeeds**:
+- 22 projects compiled in dependency order (stlport → GameOS/Stuff/MLR/gosFX/… → MW4 →
+  helper exes/dlls → MW4Application). **`MW4.exe` — 0 errors**, 384 warnings (normal for VC6).
+- Output: `rel.bin\MW4.exe` (~3.64 MB), plus fresh `*.lib`, `Launcher.exe`, `autoconfig.exe`,
+  `mw4print.exe`, `MissionLang.dll`, `ScriptStrings.dll`, `ctcls.dll`.
+- Build is reproducible head-lessly via:
+  `msdev MechWarrior4.dsw /MAKE "MW4Application - Win32 Release" /REBUILD /OUT <log>`
+  (run via `Start-Process -Wait`; msdev is a GUI-subsystem app so the shell won't block otherwise).
+- Build logs kept in `build-env\build_*.log`.
+
+### ✅ `stlnative` dependency relocated INTO the working tree
+`mw4/Libraries/stlport/stl_inc_find.hpp` hardcoded a native-headers path
+`<c:\stlnative/##x>` (3 macro defs, the only references in the codebase). STLport wraps a
+27 MB snapshot of the VC98 + Platform SDK headers (974 files) restored from the image.
+Originally placed at `C:\stlnative`; now **moved into `build-env\stlnative\`** and the 3
+macros repointed to `<c:\VWE\build-env\stlnative/##x>`. Verified: with `C:\stlnative`
+removed, a full clean rebuild still succeeds (MW4.exe, 0 errors). The build is now
+self-contained under `c:\VWE` — no external `C:\stlnative` needed.
+
+---
+
+## ✅ STEP 4: Runnable deployment assembled at `C:\VWE\MW4` — DONE
+Rules-based deploy (no image/E: dependency) via **`build-env\deploy-mw4.ps1`**:
+- **Result: `C:\VWE\MW4` — 845 files, 895 MB** (target was ~900 MB), with our freshly
+  built `MW4.exe` (3,637,248 bytes) + all runtime DLLs + prebuilt `resource\*.mw4`.
+- Sources (all from working dir): runtime base = `Gameleap\mw4`; binaries = `rel.bin`.
+- The old `game_*.bat` assumed a `binaries\mw4\MW4_dbg.exe` layout that the real game
+  never used — the runnable game has `MW4.exe` at the deployment root. Launch via
+  **`C:\VWE\MW4\run-mw4.bat`** (resources prebuilt, no `-build` needed).
+
+### Deployment selection rules (the dev tree `Gameleap\mw4` is a ~6 GB bloated superset)
+- KEEP whole: `Resource\` (767 MB .mw4 packages), `hsh\` (102 MB), `Assets\`, `Stats\`.
+- KEEP subset: `Content\shellscripts\` MINUS `Graphics\` (119 MB source .tga) and
+  `Original\` (57 MB backups) -> ~9 MB of compiled scripts/.gaf/.d3f.
+- KEEP root: runtime `*.dll/*.ini/*.options/*.txt/*.rtf/*.ico/*.016/*.256/...` + `clokspl.exe`.
+- DROP: `Content\*` (4.6 GB source except shellscripts), `Movies\` (352 MB), `Notes\`,
+  `fonts\`, all tool exes (ERF Deluxe, EffectEdit, MapCreator, ResourceBrowser, MW4Ed2, ...).
+- OVERLAY: fresh `rel.bin` binaries (MW4.exe, MW4pro.exe, Launcher, autoconfig, mw4print,
+  MissionLang.dll, ScriptStrings.dll, ctcls.dll).
+
+---
+
+## ✅ STEP 5: Runtime brought up at `C:\VWE\MW4` — RUNS (fullscreen + windowed)
+Reference for "working" = **`C:\MW4knowngood`** (NOT `E:\gameleap`, NOT `D:\5.0.8.2_console`
+— those are unrelated). Two independent issues had to be fixed; both are now in
+`deploy-mw4.ps1` so a fresh deploy is runnable out of the box:
+
+1. **DirectDraw 16-bit compat shim (Win11).** MW4 runs `bitdepth=16`; modern Windows fails
+   its DirectDraw hardware-surface creation with `DDERR_NODIRECTDRAWHW` unless the
+   **`DWM8And16BitMitigation`** AppCompat layer is applied to the exe *path*. Our path had a
+   stray `HIGHDPIAWARE`-only layer that suppressed the auto-shim. Fix: set HKCU layer
+   `DWM8And16BitMitigation HIGHDPIAWARE` for `C:\VWE\MW4\MW4.exe` (deploy script does this;
+   matching all-users HKLM `$ DWM8And16BitMitigation` is in `build-env\mw4-compat-hklm.reg`).
+   Note: AppCompat is keyed on exe PATH, so a copy at a new path needs the layer re-applied.
+2. **Dev-only DLLs shadowing system DLLs.** Our rules copied every root `*.dll`, which pulled
+   in `dbghelp.dll`/`imagehlp.dll` (2003 copies that shadow Windows' system DLLs and break
+   DirectDraw init) plus tool DLLs `ijl10.dll`, `ctcl.dll`, `Language.oeg.dll`, `Resources.dll`.
+   known-good has none of these. Fix: deploy script now excludes those 6 by name. Removing
+   them was what made it run in BOTH fullscreen and windowed.
+
+Diagnostic note: swapping known-good binaries into our deploy still failed *before* the shim
+was applied — that proved our rebuilt binaries are NOT the cause (the shim + DLL excludes were).
+Final deployment: **`C:\VWE\MW4` = 894 MB, 839 files, DLL set identical to known-good**, running
+our freshly built `MW4.exe`.
+
+---
+
+## Resource (`.mw4`) build process — documented & ✅ VERIFIED
+Full writeup in **`build-env\RESOURCE-BUILD.md`**. Tested end-to-end 2026-06-11 with our
+freshly built `MW4pro.exe` (Profile/LAB_ONLY): minimal `Content\MechWarrior4.build` ->
+`resource\restest.mw4` + `.dep` (exit 0); `#VBD` magic + payload confirmed; `.dep` tracks
+source; incremental skip/rebuild both verified; Release exe confirmed to ignore `-build`.
+Key facts:
+- The resource compiler is **inside the game exe**, triggered by the **`-build`** flag,
+  which is `#ifdef LAB_ONLY` — so **only Debug/Armor/Profile (`MW4_dbg`/`MW4_arm`/`MW4pro.exe`)
+  can build resources; Release `MW4.exe` cannot**. (That's why `bldresources_game_*.bat`
+  use the LAB_ONLY exes.)
+- Entry point: `MW4Application.cpp` -> `Tool::Instance->BuildResources("Content\MechWarrior4.build",
+  VER_CONTENTVERSION=63, deps)`; recursive driver `Adept::Tool::BuildResources` /
+  `ParseBuildFile`; per-type packers in `Adept\Tool.cpp` + `MW4\MWTool.cpp`.
+- Input: `Content\MechWarrior4.build` (master tree) -> per-package `.build` manifests
+  (`[resource\X.mw4]` + `data=`/`instance=`/`file=`/`notation=`/`campaign=`/... entries) ->
+  source assets under `Content\`. Output: `resource\*.mw4` + `*.dep` (incremental via `.dep`
+  timestamps + content version). Needs the full ~4.6 GB `Content\` source tree.
+
+## ✅ STEP 6: Editor (`MW4GameEd2`) builds — DONE (with a 1-line source fix)
+- Target `MW4GameEd2 - Win32 Release` -> **`rel.bin\MW4Ed2.exe`** (3,973,120 bytes, 0 errors).
+  MFC app (`Use_MFC 6`); needs `mfc42.dll` (present in deployment) at runtime. Profile config
+  also exists (-> `pro.bin\MW4Ed2.exe`).
+- **Source fix required** (editor source had drifted; shipped `MW4Ed2.exe` is from 2003 and
+  was never rebuilt against the 2009 code): enum `MPGameTypes` in
+  `mw4\Code\MW4GameEd2\ObjectManager.h` was **missing `GT_StockCampaign`**, which
+  `ObjectManager.cpp` references (string map @1013, int map `case 14`). Added the enum member
+  between `GT_StockSiegeAssault` and `GT_CustomDestruction`. (This is the only repo source edit
+  beyond the stlnative relocation; both are marked with `[...]` comments in-place.)
+- Built incrementally but it was a *full* compile of the editor's own sources (none existed
+  prior); shared libs reused from the Release game build.
+
+---
+
+## ⚠️ STEP 7: Editor builds + launches + draws UI, then HANGS (viewport spin)
+Set up via **`build-env\deploy-editor.ps1`**; launches to window
+**"MechWarrior 4 Mission Editor - 05.07.00.00"** and creates its MDI children (Game View,
+Object Manager, Overview Window) — but then **spins one CPU core at ~100% with zero memory
+growth and a stalled message pump** ("not responding"; 282s CPU / 283s uptime). It's a
+busy-loop hang in the editor's real-time 3D viewport/idle loop — a **runtime** compat issue
+on modern hardware, NOT a build issue (it compiled, launched, and drew its UI). The game runs
+fine (different render path: fullscreen exclusive vs the editor's windowed live viewport).
+### ROOT CAUSE FOUND: incomplete dev content + modal-STOP-over-windowed-DDraw
+The editor loads/builds the full content tree at startup and **STOPs (fatal) on missing/
+inconsistent dev content**, one item at a time:
+- `skies\reduex_sky\reduex_night.erf` — misnamed (`Reduex_sky_night.erf`); FIXED by copy.
+- `Texture skyfbb1` (referenced by `Content\Skies\fact01_sky\fact01_sky.hint`) — **genuinely
+  absent** from the dev tree (no file of that name anywhere). The FireStorm dev `Content\`
+  is an incomplete WIP with real asset gaps.
+GameOS's `STOP` pops a **modal dialog**. Build-specific behavior on that dialog:
+- **Profile** (LAB_ONLY, lighter opt): shows the STOP dialog cleanly; dismissing it exits.
+- **Release** (`/Ox /Og`, no LAB_ONLY): trying to show the modal STOP over the **windowed
+  DirectDraw** viewport **hangs (100% spin) or crashes (AV)** — a dialog/DDraw interaction
+  fragility under full optimization. So the earlier "hang/crash" was this same content STOP,
+  handled badly by the Release build (NOT a separate memory bug as first guessed).
+So: **editor compiles + launches correctly; the blocker is incomplete dev content** (a
+content-curation task on the project's own unfinished assets, distinct from build/toolchain).
+
+### Option 2 attempted (make content STOPs non-fatal) -> uncovered the REAL bug: heap corruption
+- Patched `mw4\Libraries\Adept\ResourceImagePool.cpp:385` (texture-not-found): first tried
+  `continue` (skip) -> downstream **access violation** (missing texture deref'd later); then a
+  **placeholder-substitute** (`file_name="content\\textures\\01AACA1.tga"`) -> got PAST the
+  content STOPs. Both are tagged `[editor degraded-mode]` in-source.
+- With content handled, the editor returns to the original symptom: **main UI thread spins at
+  100% CPU, not responding**. EIP sampling (`Wow64GetThreadContext`) located the spin in a tight
+  loop inside **`SysWOW64\ntdll.dll`** heap code (~`0x76F73E04`) = **walking a corrupted heap
+  free-list**. ROOT CAUSE = **heap corruption** (buffer overrun / double-free / use-after-free)
+  in the editor; it manifests non-deterministically as the ntdll heap-loop HANG or an AV, and
+  shifts with optimization (Release vs Profile) -> exactly the observed behavior.
+- To actually fix: enable **PageHeap** for `MW4Ed2.exe` (registry `Image File Execution
+  Options\MW4Ed2.exe` GlobalFlag=0x02000000; needs admin) to trap the corrupting write at its
+  source with the Profile build's symbols, then fix the overrun. This is a deep memory-bug hunt
+  in old code (the 2003 editor never hit it on XP / with complete content).
+- NOTE: `ResourceImagePool.cpp` placeholder patch is a degraded-mode hack; revert if not wanted.
+
+### PageHeap hunt (in progress) — corruption confirmed, but a Heisenbug to pin down
+- Enabled full PageHeap via `build-env\mw4ed2-pageheap.reg` (IFEO GlobalFlag=0x02000000,
+  PageHeapFlags=0x3; off-switch in `mw4ed2-pageheap-off.reg`). Confirmed active (editor mem
+  45->94 MB). Built `pro.bin\MW4Ed2.map` (added `/map` to the Profile link in MW4GameEd2.dsp,
+  preferred base 0x00400000) for address->function resolution.
+- **With PageHeap + NO debugger: editor reliably AVs (0xC0000005) at ~1 s** = the overrun caught
+  at the corrupting write (the goal). **But under my PowerShell debug loop it will NOT reproduce**
+  (many attempts, even with `_NO_DEBUG_HEAP=1`): attaching perturbs heap/timing so the editor
+  takes a different path and exits without faulting -> classic heap-corruption Heisenbug.
+- Conclusion: pinning the exact corrupting instruction needs a REAL debugger that holds heap/
+  timing steady. Cleanest: install **Debugging Tools for Windows** (`cdb`) and run
+  `cdb -g -G -c "kb;q" -o MW4Ed2.exe` with PageHeap on -> one-shot symbolicated faulting stack.
+  Alt: WER LocalDumps (HKLM) -> parse the minidump's exception stream for the faulting EIP ->
+  map via `MW4Ed2.map` (uncertain: GameOS's UEF may pre-empt WER). The corruption is in the
+  content-load path (~1 s, texture/sky loading).
+- Working dir = proven runtime DLLs from the game deploy (NO `imagehlp`/`dbghelp`) + editor
+  tool DLLs (`ctcl`/`ijl10`/`Resources`/`Language.oeg`) + MFC + our `MW4Ed2.exe`; the bulk
+  (`Content\`, `resource\`, `hsh\`) are **directory junctions** to the dev tree
+  `Gameleap\mw4` (no 5.5 GB copy). Same `DWM8And16BitMitigation` compat shim as the game.
+- **Content data fix needed to launch:** `Content\skies.build:109` declares
+  `File=Skies\reduex_sky\reduex_night.erf`, but the night-sky erf was misnamed
+  `Reduex_sky_night.erf`. The editor (LAB_ONLY, asserts on missing files) STOPped on it.
+  Fixed by adding `reduex_night.erf` (copy of `Reduex_sky_night.erf`) in
+  `Gameleap\mw4\Content\Skies\Reduex_sky\`. (A dev-content naming inconsistency, not a
+  build/toolchain problem — the editor itself builds+runs correctly.)
+
+---
+
+## ✅ STEP 8: Editor RUNS — root cause was DirectInput, NOT heap corruption (2026-06-22)
+Installed **Debugging Tools for Windows** (`cdb` at `C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\
+Debuggers\x86\cdb.exe`) and got the first fully-symbolicated faulting stack. **This overturned
+the STEP 7 hypothesis:** the crash is NOT content-load heap corruption — it is a **modern-Windows
+DirectInput init cascade** during `CMInstall` (GameOS), reproducible and deterministic:
+
+1. **Joystick enumeration heap-corrupts in modern `dinput.dll`.** `CMInstall` ->
+   `CMCreateJoysticks` -> `wEnumDevices(DIEDFL_ATTACHEDONLY)` -> `CMCreateJoystick7`
+   (`ControlManager.cpp`). On Win11 the legacy **IDirectInput7** path, when it `Release()`s a
+   phantom/virtual HID "joystick" (0-axis "misreported device" at line ~602), corrupts the heap
+   inside `dinput.dll`. Surfaces as `RtlFreeHeap` AV (normal heap) or, under full PageHeap, as a
+   guard-page over-read in `dinput!DIWdm_InitJoyId` (`[esi+0x44]`). **The PageHeap "AV at ~1s"
+   from STEP 7 was THIS, mis-attributed to content loading.** The game survives by heap-layout luck.
+   - **FIX (source):** `CoreTech\Libraries\mfcplatform\MFCPlatform.cpp` `InitGameOS` now sets
+     `gDisableJoystick=1` (editor/`Platform_MFC` only; the game uses a different platform path and
+     is unaffected). Chosen over the `/gosnojoystick` switch because in **LAB_ONLY** builds
+     `WinMain.cpp:~398` shows a help dialog and **exits** if any leftover `/gos` token remains on
+     the command line — fragile (e.g. cdb perturbs the cmdline -> trips it). Tagged `[editor modern-Windows fix]`.
+
+2. **Mouse `SetCooperativeLevel(NULL, FOREGROUND|NONEXCLUSIVE)` fails 0x80070006.**
+   `CMCreateMouse` (`Mouse.cpp`) resolves the coop window from `hWindow`, which is **always NULL**
+   in the editor at `CMInstall` time: the editor passes `pFrame->GameWnd->m_wndView.m_hWnd`, but
+   `InitSecondaryWindows` (`MainFrm.cpp:173`) only `new`s `CGameFrame` and never `Create()`s it, so
+   `CGameFrame::OnCreate` (which builds `m_wndView`) hasn't run. XP tolerated a NULL coop window;
+   modern DirectInput rejects it -> fatal PAUSE. (Keyboard has no coop-level call, so it survived.)
+   - **FIX (source):** `Mouse.cpp` `CMCreateMouse` falls back to `GetForegroundWindow()`/
+     `GetDesktopWindow()` with `BACKGROUND|NONEXCLUSIVE` when the resolved window is NULL; the game
+     path (valid `hWindow`) is unchanged. Tagged `[editor modern-Windows fix]`.
+
+Rebuilt **`MW4GameEd2 - Win32 Profile`** (recompiles GameOS + MFCPlatform, relinks; 0 errors) ->
+deployed `pro.bin\MW4Ed2.exe`+`.pdb` to `C:\VWE\MW4Editor`. With both fixes + the content fixes
+below, the editor **launches to a live, responsive, idle (0% CPU) main window** ("MechWarrior 4
+Mission Editor - 05.07.00.00", ~70 MB) — the old "100% spin / not responding" is GONE. Launch with
+just `-armorlevel 3` (no `/gos` flag needed).
+
+### Content-curation fixes (FireStorm WIP dev tree, in `Gameleap\mw4\Content`)
+The editor enumerates+loads EVERY mission/map at startup (`ObjMan->BuildResources()`) and STOPs
+fatally on the first defect. Fixed (all additive/non-destructive unless noted):
+- **`_backup` dev-copy dirs** (files named after the original, not the dir): created the missing
+  `<dir>.build`/`<dir>.instance` (page `[<dir>]`, unique resource targets):
+  `Maps\Colsm01_backup`, `Maps\StormCanyonSiege_Backup`, `Missions\Coliseum_backup`.
+  (Editor compiled these into `resource\maps\colsm01_backup.mw4` etc. — confirms they're valid.)
+- **Dangling map refs:** `Missions\EditorTemplate\EditorTemplate.instance` `Map=` arctic01 (exists
+  nowhere) -> `arctic04`; `Missions\s1s2\s1s2.instance` `Map=` lunar02 -> `lunar01`.
+- **Double-nested user mission:** `Missions\PhoenixPalaceSTB\PhoenixPalaceSTB\*` moved up one level
+  (the files already referenced the top-level path); then its `.instance` `Model=` pointed at
+  `dropzones\hill.contents` (page `[droppoints]`) -> fixed to `phoenixpalacestb.data` (page `[gamedata]`).
+- Scans confirmed scope is small: 0 remaining mission page-name mismatches; 1 dangling map ref
+  (fixed); arctic01/lunar02 are genuine content gaps absent from ALL installs (dev Resource\Maps
+  has 46 .mw4 — MORE complete than game-deploy/knowngood's 26 — so launch folder/junctions are correct).
+
+### ✅ 3D viewport FIXED via DDrawCompat (2026-06-22)
+Root cause pinned with temporary diagnostics in `SetupMode`/`DirectDrawCreateAllBuffers`
+(`DXRasterizer.cpp`, since reverted): every surface (front/back/Z), the clipper, and the
+`IDirect3D7` object create fine with a valid `hWindow`, but **`IDirect3D7::CreateDevice` fails
+with `0x88760082 = DDERR_INVALIDOBJECT`** for BOTH the hardware HAL (`IID_IDirect3DTnLHalDevice`
+-> `IID_IDirect3DHALDevice`) and the Blade software device — i.e. **Win11's legacy DirectDraw does
+not support creating a windowed Direct3D7 device** on an offscreen backbuffer (the game avoids
+this by using a fullscreen flip-chain). Not a code-flag issue.
+**Fix:** dropped **DDrawCompat** (narzoul, v0.7.1, `ddraw.dll`) into `C:\VWE\MW4Editor\` — a
+drop-in ddraw/d3d7 reimplementation. With it, `CreateDevice` succeeds and the **Game View/Overview
+render** (user-confirmed). Source kept at `build-env\ddrawcompat\ddraw.dll`; `deploy-editor.ps1`
+now copies it. The standalone game (`C:\VWE\MW4`, fullscreen) is unaffected and does NOT use it.
+**The editor is now fully working: launches, edits, and renders the 3D viewport.**
+
+### ✅ Open-Mission dialog now lists ALL source missions (2026-06-22)
+Symptom: editor's File->Open showed only **5** missions. Cause: `COpenMissionDlg::OnInitDialog`
+(`OpenMissionDlg.cpp`) listed `Resource\UserMissions\*.mw4` (compiled/published user-mission
+packages) — only 5 exist in the dev tree (and **0** in the game deploy `C:\VWE\MW4`, so co-locating
+the editor with the game would have shown ZERO, not more). But `CMainFrame::LoadMission` loads from
+`Content\Missions\<name>\<name>.Instance`. **Fix:** changed the dialog to enumerate
+`Content\Missions\*` subdirectories that contain a matching `<name>.instance` -> now lists all **51**
+source missions. Tagged `[editor data fix]`. (Note: `INVALID_FILE_ATTRIBUTES` isn't defined in the
+VC6 SDK; used the literal `0xFFFFFFFF`.) This made the requested "move editor into the game-binaries
+folder" unnecessary — the editor already junctions the dev tree (`Gameleap\mw4`), the most complete
+data (51 missions, 46 maps); the game deploy `C:\VWE\MW4` actually has **0** user missions, so it
+would have shown FEWER.
+
+**Second half of the fix — actually LOADING the listed missions (`EditorApplication.cpp`
+`LoadMissionResources`):** listing wasn't enough. Opening any non-user mission STOPped with
+`Can't open <garbage>`. Cause: `LoadMissionResources` hardcoded the resource path as
+`"Resource\\User"` + (name after first `\`), i.e. only `Resource\UserMissions\<name>.mw4` (the 5
+user missions), and produced a garbage path (bad `strchr+1` pointer) for other name forms. But
+**stock** missions compile to `Resource\Missions\<short>.mw4` with abbreviated lowercase names
+(`CentralPark`->`cpark.mw4`, `Frostbite`->`fbite.mw4`) that aren't derivable by transform — the
+short name is declared in each mission's `.build` (`[resource\missions\X.mw4]`). Fix: extract the
+bare mission name, prefer `Resource\UserMissions\<name>.mw4`, else read the resource path straight
+out of `Content\Missions\<name>\<name>.build`. Verified headlessly via `-report` (which also calls
+`LoadMissionResources`): Coliseum -> 248 entities, CentralPark (cpark.mw4) -> 1709 entities, no STOP.
+All 51 missions are now openable; the 5 user missions still work. Tagged `[editor data fix]`.
+
+### (historical) Editor INTERACTIVE; the (now-fixed) windowed 3D viewport blocker
+Verified via window enumeration: at startup the editor creates ALL its MDI children
+(**Game View, Object Manager, Overview Window**) and presents a modal **"Open Mission"** dialog
+(normal startup; main frame correctly disabled behind it) — the user opens a map from there and
+the UI is usable. (Headless test runs "exit code 1" simply because nothing clicks that modal
+"Open Mission" dialog — NOT a crash. Earlier "idle/Responding" readings were the process sitting
+on that dialog; `Responding=True`+0% CPU cannot distinguish a working UI from a modal dialog —
+enumerate windows to tell them apart.) The only real failure is **live 3D rendering**: selecting
+**Game View** (and the Overview render once a mission draws) STOPs:
+**`No software rasterizer available`**
+(`DXRasterizer.cpp:2488`). Path: `DirectDrawCreateAllBuffers` -> `SetupMode` tries windowed
+**hardware D3D7** (primary surface + clipper on `hWindow` + VRAM 3D backbuffer) which fails on
+Win11's legacy DirectDraw, then falls back to **Blade software** (555 system-mem surface,
+`SetupMode` line ~1816/1835) which also fails -> STOP. This is the **windowed legacy DirectDraw/
+D3D7-on-Win11** problem — the SAME core incompatibility the game avoids by running **fullscreen-
+exclusive** (+ `DWM8And16BitMitigation` shim). It is a distinct, deeper rendering-compat task from
+everything above (which was input + content). To pursue: capture the exact failing `HRESULT` by
+reproducing interactively (open map -> Game View) under cdb; candidate directions = a DDraw
+compat layer (e.g. DDrawCompat), forcing a supported windowed surface format, or hosting the
+viewport via a different present path. NOT yet solved.
+
+### ✅ Deployment finalized (2026-06-22)
+- **PageHeap REMOVED** (debug aid only): ran `reg import C:\VWE\build-env\mw4ed2-pageheap-off.reg`
+  ELEVATED (UAC) -> HKLM IFEO `MW4Ed2.exe` key gone. The real-name `MW4Ed2.exe` now runs directly
+  (no longer AVs at ~2s). The `MW4Ed2_nph.exe` copy remains as a page-heap-immune fallback.
+- **`deploy-editor.ps1` updated:** sources the **Profile** build (`pro.bin`, the working config) +
+  `.pdb`; writes `run-editor.bat` (`MW4Ed2.exe -armorlevel 3`, no `/gos`); sets the DDraw shim;
+  warns if PageHeap IFEO is present. A fresh deploy is runnable to the editor UI.
+- **Launch:** `C:\VWE\MW4Editor\run-editor.bat` (or `MW4Ed2.exe -armorlevel 3`). Pick a mission in
+  the startup "Open Mission" dialog. Everything except the live 3D render works.
+- Expect more WIP content STOPs only if exercising missions/maps not loaded at startup.
+- (Optional) Build Debug/Armor configs (need `dbg.bin`/`arm.bin` output dirs).
+
+## ✅ STEP 9: Editor runs IN PLACE in the data tree — no separate `MW4Editor` dir (2026-06-23)
+The editor's only job is editing the source content/resources in `Gameleap\mw4`, so the separate
+`C:\VWE\MW4Editor` deploy (which just junctioned back to `Gameleap\mw4`) was removed. `deploy-editor.ps1`
+now **installs the editor into `Gameleap\mw4`**: copies `MW4Ed2.exe`(+pdb) + DDrawCompat `ddraw.dll`,
+renames the two DDraw-breaking DLLs (`dbghelp.dll`/`imagehlp.dll` → `.disabled`), sets the DWM shim on
+`Gameleap\mw4\MW4Ed2.exe`, and writes `Gameleap\mw4\run-editor.bat`. Verified: editor launches in place
+with the full UI + DDrawCompat viewport (Game View/Overview/Object Manager/Resources).
+- **Conflict handled:** DDrawCompat `ddraw.dll` is **fatal** to `MW4pro.exe`'s fullscreen build init
+  (`[DDrawCompat] Fatal Error`). Since the resource builder runs from the same `Gameleap\mw4`,
+  `build-resources.ps1` now moves `ddraw.dll` aside (`.buildaside`) for the build and restores it in a
+  `finally` (verified: build exit 0, ddraw restored).
+- **Game deploy unaffected:** `deploy-mw4.ps1` adds `ddraw.dll` to its skip list, so DDrawCompat + the
+  editor exe/pdb/launcher/`.disabled` DLLs never leak into `C:\VWE\MW4` (verified: 682 files / 868 MB,
+  58 packages, fullscreen native DDraw). Old launch path `C:\VWE\MW4Editor\...` is superseded by
+  `C:\VWE\Gameleap\mw4\run-editor.bat`.
+
+## 📋 Reference: raising the MP player cap 16 → 24 (investigated 2026-06-24; NOT planned)
+Captured for the future; **we are not tackling this in the foreseeable future.** Question was
+whether `ConLobby.script`'s `MAX_ROSTER_COUNT 16` could be 24. Findings:
+- **No engine wall at 16 — the real ceiling is 255.** `Adept::Maximum_Players = 255`
+  (`mw4\Libraries\Adept\Application.hpp:139`); every per-player fixed array (`servedConnectionData[]`,
+  scoreboards, net-stats, mission-review logs, `pdmg_given/rcvd`) is sized to 255. `connectionID`
+  is a `BYTE` (0–255). `Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers` is passed straight to DirectPlay's
+  `dwMaxPlayers` (`CoreTech\...\GameOS\Net_Main.cpp:2142`) — no GameOS ceiling; `m_maxPlayers` has
+  no hard upper clamp (`MW4Shell.cpp:1803` only clamps *bots* down to the player count).
+- **16 is enforced in THREE layers — a script edit alone is insufficient/misleading:**
+  1. UI: `Content\ShellScripts\ConLobby.script` `#define MAX_ROSTER_COUNT 16` (already 8→16; gated by
+     `USE_O_MORE_PODS`/`g_nMechPodNum`; also clamps vs `MAXTESLA_P` = cafe Tesla count, ≤8).
+  2. **Compiled defaults (the real connect gate):** `MW4Shell.cpp:13319-13321` non-coop sets
+     `m_maxPlayers=16; Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers=16; m_maxBots=16` (coop branch caps at 9).
+     Editing only the `.script` shows 24 slots but the session still rejects the 17th player.
+  3. Lobby pods / scoreboard (`hudscore`) / radar UI are laid out for ≤16.
+- **To actually reach 24:** raise `MAX_ROSTER_COUNT` **and** the `m_maxPlayers`/`NetworkMaxPlayers`/
+  `m_maxBots` defaults (→ rebuild `MW4.exe`), rework lobby/scoreboard/radar layouts, and ensure maps
+  define **≥24 drop zones / start points** (many MP maps only have ~16 — a per-map content limit).
+- **Why the cap exists (the practical blocker):** replication is ~O(n²) — 24 vs 16 ≈ (24/16)² ≈
+  **2.25× host outbound + CPU**; the dictionary/culling netcode was tuned for ≤16. Bandwidth, not
+  the data structures, is the ceiling.
+
+### 📐 PLAN: raise MP cap 16 → 32 (drafted 2026-06-24; NOT scheduled)
+Concrete plan extending the reference above to **32 players**. Phased; each phase is independently
+testable. 32 is safe vs the engine ceiling (255 arrays, `BYTE` connectionID) and has **no 32-bit
+player-mask boundary risk** — verified the only `0x1<<id` masks are per-mech *weapon* bits
+(`MWEntityManager.cpp:1332`, `NetWeapon.cpp`), not player/connection indices.
+
+**Phase 1 — Code defaults + lobby-param path (rebuild `MW4.exe`, Release + Profile).**
+- `MW4Shell.cpp:13319-13321` (non-coop game setup): `m_maxPlayers`, `Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers`,
+  `m_maxBots` `16 → 32`. Coop branch `13309/13315-13316` (`=16`/`=9`/`=8`) — leave or bump per design.
+- `MW4Shell.cpp:1803-1831` (lobby-driven path): `m_maxPlayers=INTPARM(1)`, `m_maxBots=INTPARM(1)`,
+  `Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers = params->m_playerLimit`. No hard upper clamp exists
+  (`1808 Max_Clamp(m_maxBots, m_maxPlayers)` only clamps bots down) — but confirm the lobby
+  "player limit" control feeds a value up to 32 (param `PLAYER_LIMIT_PARAMETER`, `NetParams.h:53`).
+- Grep-audit for any other implicit ≤16 assumptions before rebuild (none found so far; arrays=255).
+
+**Phase 2 — Lobby + in-game UI (repack `props.mw4`). [LOW PRIORITY]**
+Cosmetic/usability, not a functional blocker: with only Phases 1+3 done, 32 players can still
+connect, spawn, and play — the lobby pods/roster and scoreboard/radar just overflow or clip past
+16 (and the host can still set the limit via the param path even if the slider UI caps lower).
+Defer this polish until 32p is otherwise proven; do the minimum to make the lobby usable, leave full
+pod/scoreboard re-layout for later.
+- `Content\ShellScripts\ConLobby.script`: `MAX_ROSTER_COUNT 16→32`, `MAX_TEAMMATE_COUNT 8→16`
+  (both under `USE_O_MORE_PODS`/`g_nMechPodNum`); raise the player-limit control's max to 32.
+  Note the `MAXTESLA_P` clamp is cafe-only (CTCL Tesla count) and won't block non-cafe play.
+- **Biggest UI lift — the mech-selection "pods":** the lobby draws a fixed grid of player/mech pods;
+  32 needs a reworked layout (grid size, scrolling, or smaller pods). Same for the team-assignment
+  panel (`TEAM_MAX_PLAYERS`, `team_max_plyrs` @ ConLobby:328).
+- Multiplayer lobby scripts (`Content\ShellScripts\Multiplayer\*` incl. `lobby_listbox.script`,
+  `HostLobbyMission.script`): roster list sizing + player-limit slider range.
+- In-game **scoreboard** (`hudscore.cpp`) and **radar** (`GUIRadarManager.cpp`): data is fine
+  (255 arrays) but the on-screen score table / legend is laid out for ≤16 → rework for 32 (scroll
+  or two columns). `MP_Review.script` top-down review screen likewise.
+
+**Phase 3 — Map content (per-map; the gating gameplay task).**
+- Every MP map used at 32p must define **≥32 drop zones / start points**. Most stock maps have ≤16;
+  players 17-32 silently fail to spawn otherwise. Audit + author extra drop points in the editor
+  (now runnable in place from `Gameleap\mw4\run-editor.bat`). This is per-map, independent of code.
+
+**Phase 4 — Netcode / performance. [LIKELY FINE on modern hardware/networks]**
+- Replication is ~O(n²): 32 vs 16 ≈ (32/16)² = 4× host outbound + CPU. This was the limiting factor
+  in 2002 (dial-up / early broadband), but **modern broadband upstream + CPU absorb 4× easily** — raw
+  bandwidth/CPU is no longer expected to block 32. Demote from "real ceiling" to a verification item.
+- Residual (non-bandwidth) thing to check when implementing: any **fixed-size netcode buffers / per-
+  frame packet or replication caps** hardcoded for ≤16 (distinct from bandwidth; e.g. packet-count or
+  buffer limits). Audit during Phase 1; bounded by the 255-array design, so likely none. Still do a
+  live load test to confirm, but don't expect tuning to be needed.
+
+**Verification:** (1) rebuild → headless `-report`/launch sanity; (2) host a game, confirm 32 slots
+in lobby + 17th–32nd players connect (`Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers`/DirectPlay `dwMaxPlayers`);
+(3) confirm spawns on a 32-drop-zone map; (4) load/bandwidth test; (5) check scoreboard/radar/review
+UI legibility. **Primary remaining work:** per-map drop-zone authoring (Phase 3) is now the main
+gating task. UI (Phase 2) is low-priority non-blocking polish; bandwidth/CPU (Phase 4) is expected
+fine on modern hardware — just verify fixed-size netcode buffers and run one live load test.
+
+## Next steps (proposed)
+- [x] ~~Windowed 3D viewport on Win11~~ — DONE via DDrawCompat (see STEP 8 viewport section).
+- [ ] (Optional) Curate remaining WIP content as features are exercised (editor loads dev `Content\`).
+- [ ] (Optional) Build Debug/Armor configs (need `dbg.bin`/`arm.bin` output dirs).
+- [ ] (Parked, NOT scheduled) Raise MP cap to 24 or 32 — see "Reference"/"PLAN" sections above.
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+Annihilator Exploded
+
+LL 0,148,78,324
+RL 260,148,340,324
+LA 6,40,78,132
+RA 260,40,334,132
+RT 212,80,240,216
+LT 100,80,128,216
+CT 146,12,192,200
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 162,236,176,242
+S1 0,0,0,0
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+Annihilator Unexploded
+
+LL 78,152
+RL 182,152
+LA 56,72,
+RA 210,72
+RT 180,64
+LT 132,64
+CT 146,10
+CTR 0,0
+HD 162,32
+S1 0,0
+S2 0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+Annihilator Exploded
+
+LL 8,270,108,500 
+RL 398,270,498,500
+LA 30,24,126,42
+RA 400,28,498,146
+RT 322,120,362,294
+LT 146,118,186,292
+CT 226,54,282,294
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 244,338,266,348
+S1 0,0,0,0
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+Annihilator Unexploded
+
+LL 34,186 
+RL 164,186
+LA 4,78
+RA 198,78
+RT 158,66
+LT 100,68
+CT 120,2
+CTR 0,0
+HD 138,26
+S1 0,0
+S2 0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+Argus Unexploded
+LL 42,138
+RL 176,138
+LA 54,30
+RA 224,24
+RT 194,38
+LT 124,38
+CT 128,14
+CTR 0,0
+HD 156,48
+S1 0,0
+S2 0,0
+
+Argus Exploded
+LL 4,138,120,326
+RL 216,138,332,336
+LA 12,14,82,90
+RA 242,14,324,114
+RT 174,200,202,262
+LT 140,200,158,262
+CT 126,14,208,186
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 156,294,178,302
+S1 0,0,0,0
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 98,142,148,328
+RL 190,142,240,328
+LA 56,48,124,154
+RA 216,48,282,154
+RT 180,22,220,120
+LT 120,22,158,120
+CT 144,36,194,186
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 158,70,180,86
+S1 148,10,190,48
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 6,148
+RL 282,148
+LA 6,10
+RA 266,10
+RT 206,22
+LT 98,22
+CT 144,180
+CTR 0,0
+HD 158,140
+S1 148,10
+S2 0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 8,220
+RL 336,220
+LA 8,48
+RA 314,48
+RT 244,48
+LT 120,48
+CT 178,206
+CTR 0,0
+HD 192,78
+S1 178,3
+S2 0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 114,170,178,406
+RL 232,170,294,406
+LA 60,48,144,184
+RA 264,48,348,184
+RT 218,18,268,140
+LT 142,18,190,140
+CT 174,36,234,140
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 192,78,218,98
+S1 178,2,230,48
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+Avatar Unexploded
+LL 60,108
+RL 138,108
+LA 40,40
+RA 168,40
+RT 140,28
+LT 76,28
+CT 98,6
+CTR 0,0
+HD 116,16
+S1 112,78
+S2 0,0
+
+Avatar exploded
+LL 12,174,56,316
+RL 198,174,240,316
+LA 12,42,46,86
+RA 198,42,248,90
+RT 158,42,186,118
+LT 60,42,86,118
+CT 96,42,144,174
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 120,202,128,210
+S1 116,238,132,254
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+Avatar Unexploded
+LL 98,174
+RL 222,174
+LA 62,64
+RA 266,64
+RT 220,44
+LT 118,44
+CT 152,10
+CTR 0,0
+HD 184,24
+S1 178,124
+S2 0,0
+
+Avatar Exploded
+LL 50,258,116,484
+RL 384,258,450,484
+LA 24,38,80,110
+RA 408,38,490,112
+RT 324,38,372,162
+LT 104,38,152,162
+CT 198,38,278,248
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 230,356,248,372
+S1 224,302,254,332
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 6,172
+RL 246,172
+LA 6,8
+RA 281,8
+RT 226,82
+LT 72,82
+CT 138,172
+CTR 0,0
+HD 164,122
+S1 142,8
+S2 0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 76,170,152,302
+RL 184,170,262,302
+LA 12,106,126,174
+RA 212,106,326,174
+RT 176,86,226,174
+LT 110,82,160,1742
+CT 140,96,198,224
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 164,122,174,134
+S1 142,38,194,98
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 8,236
+RL 348,236
+LA 8,26
+RA 302,26
+RT 294,130
+LT 108,130
+CT 202.242
+CTR 0,0
+HD 230,174
+S1 202,28
+S2 
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+LL 84,206,184,374
+RL 222,206,322,374
+LA 2,124,150,210
+RA 260,124,404,210
+RT 214,94,278,210
+LT 130,94,194,210
+CT 166,110,242,274
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 198,144,210,158
+S1 170,36,236,112
+S2 0,0,0,0
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+BlackHawk Unexploded
+LL 32,82
+RL 188,82
+LA 6,12
+RA 236,12
+RT 176,18
+LT 92,18
+CT 152,6
+CTR 0,0
+HD 154,38
+S2 184,112
+S1 110,112
+
+
+BlackHawk exploded
+LL 8,128,116,340
+RL 228,128,334,340
+LA 8,0,90,122
+RA 252,0,334,122
+RT 188,0,246,114
+LT 0,96,152,114
+CT 160,0,180,126
+CTR 0,0,0,0
+HD 164,146,178,150
+S1 132,168,164,194
+S2 176,168,208,194
--- a/Show More
+++ b/Show More