ACES - Additional Casino Enabling System
Modders' and Players' Resource

Team: FMod, Yukichigai, Machienzo

Additional Casino Enabling System is a mod for improving the gambling aspect of Fallout New Vegas. It allows modders to safely add new casinos, players to use them, and, via optional components, expand casino functionality and interoperability.

The main component is ACES - Casino Data Extension.esm, containing new Casino Chip and Casino Data entries. It offers modders a reliable way to prevent slot machines from breaking with the "Invalid Chip in CasinoData List" message. An unlimited number of casino mods can play nice together, as long as all of them rely on this master to add new data.

Version 1.0 adds the Casino Overhaul component, which improves stock casino functionality and provides a nearly "one-click" custom casino script template.

Installation

Always keep ACES - Casino Data Extension.esm in the exact same place in your load order.
If not starting a new game, backup some saves in case something breaks.

Extract the contents into your Fallout New Vegas folder. A mod manager (FOMM, Wrye Flash, NMM, or any other) should be used to place it in the loading order. Where exactly doesn't really matter as long as it's not moved (related to other casino mods). I recommend placing it right after the official DLC, assuming you have them.

FalloutNV.esm
DeadMoney.esm
<other DLC>
ACES - Casino Data Extension.esm
<*.esm>
<*.esp>
Load order for other components doesn't matter.

F.A.Q.

Q. What is this mod for?
A. ACES, or more specifically its Casino Data Extension component, allows you to add new casinos without causing one problem: Installing casino mods, especially mid-game, often causes all slot machines to become unplayable, displaying "Invalid Chip in CasinoData list" message. This problem is very likely and has been recorded with just about every casino mod that's been made.

Q. What is the root of the problem and how does ACES fix it?
A. CasinoData functionality in Fallout: New Vegas appears to have been added through a hard-wired hack that fails wherever CasinoData entries are reordered. ACES will not heal saved games already killed by the problem, but it allows casino mods to be built in a way that will never cause the problem.

Q. I'm a modder, working on a new casino mod. Do I need this?
A. Yes, if you are adding any new casino data. Read this file to the end to see how specifically.

Q. I'm a player, about to start a new game. Do I need this?
A. Yes, if you plan on installing casino or slot machine mods now or later.

Q. I'm halfway through my game and have never used casino mods before. Do I need this?
A. Only if you plan on installing new mods that add or overhaul casinos or slot machines, or want to use Casino Overhaul. It shouldn't break your game, but back it up just in case.

Q. I'm halfway through my game with several casino mods installed. Do I need this?
A. No. Your best bet at preventing "Invalid Chip" is not to touch any of the casino mods in your load order.

Q. I installed this mod and it caused this very problem in my saved game.
A. This can happen. In this case, ACES won't work for you - your save is already too "dirty" for this solution. It's not worth starting a new game over, just be careful about not reordering your mods.

Q. I installed this mod and everything is fine. Is my game safe now no matter what I do?
A. No. Incompatible casino mods can still break it. Corruption will only be prevented if all newly added mods either don't add new casinos at all or add them via ACES. On the upside, mods built using this resource will never cause the problem.

Q. What are optional files for?
A. ACES - Extra Slots.esp adds a few free-standing slot machines into the game, mostly as an example of how to use the Casino Data Extension master. The additions are very low-profile, and could add some fun to the game for players as well. You'll find one machine in Prospector's Saloon, one in Boulder City, and a lot of machines in McCarran Concourse are now working, all playable with your caps.
A. ACES - Casino Overhaul.esp makes changes to stock casinos; read below for detail.

Q. I like this initiative. How can I help?
A. Thanks! There are a few things that could be done:
* If you can create graphics, a few new or retextured models for casino chips and their inventory icons would help both stock casino functionality and modders making new casino mods. Or, really, just any casino-related graphics, if you are willing to release them as a community resource.
* Support by modders is critical to ACES functionality. If you know of any mods adding new casinos that haven't been mentioned here, please tell me about them, and their authors about this project.

Casino Overhaul

Casino Overhaul is an undertaking to rework and improve the functionality of stock casinos - and, potentially, mod-added casinos.
The following features are currently fully or partially implemented:

* Playable Casino Chips: In real-life Las Vegas, chips are said to be "good as cash", and are often used for payments in casinos and outside, valued for the ease of carrying large sums and better safety than cash. They sure beat bottle caps as a currency - and now they work as one. No effort needed, use them or not, it's completely seamless.
* Multiple Table Limits: Reactivates non-functional tables in casinos and diversifies them for lower and higher table limits. Table limits vary between casinos - be a dollar flea in Primm or put down thousands in Ultra-Luxe high-limit tables.
* Buy-in changes: Adds options for larger buy-ins, and requires the first buy-in for Ultra-Luxe to be at least 5,000 caps or NCR$10,000. Also, Pre-War Money can be cashed in for a small value, if you don't plan on saving it for Sierra Madre (no spoilers here).
* Softer Luck: In vanilla game, any value of Luck other than 5 ruins Blackjack for you, making it either impossible to win or a money press. Not anymore - now the games will stay reasonably fair unless your Luck is off the charts.
* One-Script Casinos: Modders' resource. Your custom casinos can now get all this functionality too, with just one configurable script.
* Action Based Comps: Receive comps based on your betting action, like in real casinos. Partially complete.

Minor features:
* Restored slots: Intended for users of mods that populate casinos, more slot machines and chairs are now working, so NPCs won't occupy them all.
* Atomic Wrangler blackjack: Now pays 7:5. It's a rare but existing variation, which isn't as bad as 6:5, although still pretty hard on the player.
* Caravan player tweaks: Changes players, especially merchants, to have maximum play strength, better decks
game limit to 1 game per every game day passed (so they accumulate). Also affects Restored Caravan Players - be sure to install it if you like Caravan.
* New challenges: Adds a few challenges for big-time gamblers and caravan players and increases the requirements for original ones. Currently the challenges run concurrently, not consequently, but it ensures that they actually start.
* Bug fixes: Now cashing out NCR or Legion money in Ultra-Luxe works without glitches.

Known issues: Cashiers will sometimes not be voiced when buying chips. It's not difficult, but time-consuming to fix and I'm swamped IRL at the time.

Configuration

Configuring the mod is currently only possible via console. Press ~, type "set <variable> to <value>" and press Enter.
ACESChipsPlayable - Chips will be usable as a currency (default 1, set to 0 to disable)
ACESChipDenominations - You will have $5, $25, $100, etc. chips in your inventory. Set to 0 if you prefer to receive all chips as $1 for ease of counting (default 1)
ACESEdgeBlackjack (default 0.01), ACESEdgeRoulette (default 0.04), ACESEdgeCraps (default 0.015), ACESEdgeSlots (default 0.1) - Sets assumed house edge for each game, used for comps calculations. Doesn't affect actual house edge.
Roulette is set to 0.04 (4%) because it sometimes pays out on multiple-number bets when it shouldn't. Should be 0.0526 if you only play single numbers and 0.027 if you play rows, odd/even and such.
Blackjack edge is assumed at 1% for Basic Strategy players. That's very tight and what casinos would assume for an excellent player, the actual edge for perfect play ranges from as low as 0.2% at Ultra-Luxe to as high as 0.6% at Atomic Wrangler (yes - you can beat the house through exploiting comps). If you follow a simplified strategy, set it to 0.02-0.03, and if you're just going with your gut, 0.04-0.05.

Uninstallation

Don't uninstall the master file unless you are sure. This mod isn't designed to be turned on and off.
If you want to remove the optional files, just do so, delete or deactivate ACES - Casino Overhaul.esp and ACES - Extra Slots.esp.

Compatibility

Mods that use ACES:
* Regional Slots Expanded Gambling by Machienzo - ACES version
* Extra Slots in the optional files section adds a few slots to the game. That's it for now. Working on others.

Other:
ACES - Casino Data Extension.esm is technically compatible with all mods, but the whole point is not to use any non-ACES new casino mods, so you can think of them as soft-incompatible until updated.
ACES - Casino Overhaul.esp is incompatible with any mods that change casino betting limits or chip purchase options. You don't need them, it takes care of that and more. It might have incompatibilities with non-ACES new casino mods, in which case you should place it above these mods.
ACES - Extra Slots.esp has no known incompatibilities.

For Modders

If you have a mod that adds a new casino, you most likely have already heard of the Invalid Chip problem. A number of things have been suggested as solutions (update the game, etc), none of them known to have an effect. The problem is in the way slot machines and casino games in general are handled in Fallout New Vegas, not specific to errors in any particular plugin. Turning the mod itself into an .esm can help a little because .esm files tend to be moved around less, but it's not a reliable solution.

The problem can be prevented by establishing all new casinos in one .esm file and using overrides in .esp files as necessary. It's important that one common master is used for all mods, not individual masters for each.

To make a new casino mod using ACES:
1. Get your casino data added to the Master File, for which send me a PM specifying the name of your mod and the name of your casino.
2. Load the updated ACES - Casino Data Extension.esm in GECK as a master file.
3. Use casino chips and casino data provided in the master for your casino. Feel free to override and modify them in any way, just as long as you don't change the FormID.
4. Place a link to ACES in your mod's description so your users can get it.

To convert an existing mod to use ACES:
0. Keep a backup of the non-ACES version of your mod, as saved games using it might not work with the ACES version.
1. Check if your casino data is in the master already. Entries have been provided in advance for NVR v11, SMOTS, Run Lucky 38, Bison Steve, Regional Slots, ACM and BDH. If there is none for your mod, see above.
2. Add ACES - Casino Data Extension.esm as a master to your mod. If your mod is an .esp, just load it in GECK and save. If it's an .esm, you will need to use Wrye Flash NV or FNVEdit.
3. Change your scripts to use casino data and casino chips from the ACES master.
4. Save your mod and back it up again. This intermediate version might be able to work with some non-ACES saved games that the final one doesn't work with.
5. Remove previously added casino chips and casino data from your mod. GECK can be used for .esp files, FNVEdit for .esm. Use FNVEdit or view Details in GECK to make sure that all such entries are removed for good.
6. Place a link to ACES in your mod's description. It's best to mark the old version as obsolete, but keep it available just in case.
Be sure to warn your users that the ACES version might break older saves.

Third option - playing it safe
If you really want to make your mod work for everyone without exceptions, there is a way.
1. Make your casino mod an .esm file that does not add any new casino data, reuse an existing entry instead, like has been done in SMOTS. Don't touch the casino entry itself. This of course means your casino will use another casino's chips.
2. Add an .esp file with your mod and ACES as masters. This .esp should override your mod's scripts to use casino data from the Casino Data Extension master, as intended.
3. You might also add another optional .esp for non-ACES games that modifies reused casino data to suit your mod better, although it is not a clean solution.
It isn't a great option, but it's the only option that works safely on already "dirty" saved games. It's possible to add a new casino entry via an .esp, but it risks breaking the game at a later point, so it's better not to add it at all.

All parts of ACES are a modders' resource that you are free to copy, modify and use in your mod. The scripts from Gambling Overhaul can be especially useful when building a new casino, with far more functionality than copying stock scripts.

Casino chips and data are not the only things the master file can add. There are several global variables (and more can be added) that can be used by multiple mods to work together well. If you need something added, please post a comment so that I can add it.
The file is fully forward-compatible - mods relying on any version starting from this one will work fine with any future version with no need for updates.

Version History

Master
v0.9 Closed Beta - Successfully tested, deprecated.
v0.99 Open Beta - First release, deprecated.
v1.0 Release - Current as of January 1, 2012.

Casino Overhaul
v0.50 Developmental - Current as of January 1, 2012.

Credits, Distribution and Permissions

For all questions regarding this mod, please contact FMod first.
This mod contains content created by Yukichigai and approved for distribution same as other content.

You are permitted to copy, modify and use parts of ACES in your mods, and distribute them in any way.