Rename Asteroids Mod: Game Crashes After Rocket Change

Experiencing a crash in Oxygen Not Included (ONI) after modifying your rocket when using the Rename Asteroids mod? You're not alone! This article delves into a specific bug reported by asquared31415 in the ONI-mods discussion category, outlining the steps to reproduce the crash and a potential workaround. If you're encountering this issue, read on to understand the problem and how to mitigate it.

Understanding the Crash: Rename Asteroids Mod and Rocket Modification

The core of the issue lies in a conflict between the Rename Asteroids mod and the process of switching rocket modules, specifically when transitioning from a Robo-Pilot module to a Spacefarer Module. Let’s break down the scenario step-by-step:

1. A player constructs a rocket utilizing the Robo-Pilot module. This module allows for automated piloting, a valuable feature in the early to mid-game.
2. The player then renames the rocket. The Rename Asteroids mod enables this functionality, allowing players to personalize their spacefaring vessels. This renaming action is typically performed via the Starmap while the rocket is in flight, as the game's default settings often restrict renaming while the rocket is grounded.
3. The rocket successfully lands at its destination.
4. The player decides to upgrade or modify the rocket, replacing the Robo-Pilot module with a Spacefarer Module. The Spacefarer Module requires a Duplicant pilot but offers increased travel speed and efficiency.
5. Upon this module replacement, the game unexpectedly crashes. This is the crux of the problem, indicating a potential incompatibility or bug within the interaction between the Rename Asteroids mod and the game's module swapping mechanics.

This crash effectively halts gameplay, forcing players to restart and potentially lose progress. It's a frustrating experience, especially for those heavily invested in their colony's space exploration efforts.

Reproducing the Crash: A Step-by-Step Guide

To further clarify the issue and potentially assist in debugging, asquared31415 provided a clear set of steps to reproduce the crash. These steps serve as a valuable tool for developers and other players looking to understand the circumstances surrounding the bug. Here's a recap of the reproduction steps:

1. Build a rocket using the Robo-Pilot module: Begin by constructing a standard rocket and ensuring it includes the Robo-Pilot module. This module is crucial for triggering the specific conditions of the crash.
2. Rename the rocket: While the rocket is in flight, access the Starmap and rename the rocket using the functionality provided by the Rename Asteroids mod. This step is essential, as the crash seems to be tied to the interaction between the mod and the renamed rocket.
3. Land the rocket: Allow the rocket to complete its journey and land at its destination. The crash doesn't occur during flight or immediately upon landing, but rather during the next step.
4. Replace Robo-Pilot module with a Spacefarer Module: This is the critical step that triggers the crash. Replace the existing Robo-Pilot module with a Spacefarer Module. The game should crash shortly after this action.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the crash, confirming the existence of the bug and providing valuable data for troubleshooting.

Mitigation: A Temporary Workaround

Fortunately, asquared31415 also discovered a temporary workaround to circumvent the crash. This workaround involves disabling the Rename Asteroids mod, performing the module replacement, and then re-enabling the mod. Here's a breakdown of the mitigation strategy:

1. Disable the Rename Asteroids mod: Before replacing the Robo-Pilot module, disable the Rename Asteroids mod within the game's mod settings. This temporarily removes the mod's influence on the game.
2. Replace Robo-Pilot module with Spacefarer Module: With the mod disabled, proceed to replace the Robo-Pilot module with the Spacefarer Module. The game should not crash during this step, as the mod is temporarily inactive.
3. Re-enable the mod: After successfully replacing the module, re-enable the Rename Asteroids mod in the game's mod settings. The mod's functionality will be restored, allowing you to continue renaming asteroids and rockets.

This workaround effectively avoids the crash by preventing the mod from interfering with the module replacement process. While it's not a permanent solution, it provides a reliable way to continue playing the game without encountering the bug.

Diving Deeper: Analyzing the Player Logs

To further assist in diagnosing the issue, asquared31415 thoughtfully included their Player.log file. The Player.log is a valuable resource for developers, as it contains detailed information about the game's internal operations, including error messages, warnings, and other relevant data. By examining the Player.log, developers can potentially pinpoint the exact cause of the crash and implement a permanent fix.

The provided Player.log file (https://github.com/user-attachments/files/23760334/Player.log) serves as a crucial piece of evidence for understanding the technical aspects of the crash. Analyzing the log may reveal specific code conflicts, null reference exceptions, or other errors that contribute to the game's instability.

Understanding and interpreting Player.log files often requires technical expertise, but key indicators of errors include lines marked as exceptions or errors. Mod developers can use this information to trace the origin of the crash within their code.

Potential Causes and Future Solutions

While the exact cause of the crash remains to be definitively determined, several potential explanations exist. The Rename Asteroids mod likely modifies the game's internal data structures related to rockets and their names. When a module is replaced, particularly when switching between fundamentally different modules like Robo-Pilot and Spacefarer, the mod's modifications may clash with the game's internal logic for handling module transitions.

Specifically, the issue might stem from:

• Inconsistent data handling: The mod might not be properly updating or clearing data related to the rocket's name when a module is replaced. This could lead to orphaned data or conflicts when the game attempts to access information that is no longer valid.
• Event handling conflicts: The mod might be subscribing to game events related to module replacement and performing actions that interfere with the game's normal processing of these events.
• Null reference exceptions: The mod's code might be attempting to access properties or methods of objects that are no longer valid after the module replacement, leading to null reference exceptions and a crash.

To permanently resolve this issue, the Rename Asteroids mod developer will likely need to investigate these potential causes and implement code changes to ensure compatibility with the game's module replacement mechanics. This may involve:

• Properly handling module replacement events: Ensuring that the mod correctly updates its internal data structures when a module is replaced.
• Avoiding conflicts with game logic: Carefully coordinating the mod's actions with the game's internal processes to prevent interference.
• Implementing robust error handling: Adding checks and safeguards to prevent null reference exceptions and other errors.

Community Collaboration and Mod Development

This situation highlights the importance of community collaboration in mod development. User reports, like the one provided by asquared31415, are invaluable for identifying bugs and providing developers with the information they need to fix them. Clear reproduction steps and detailed descriptions of the issue, along with the inclusion of Player.log files, significantly aid the debugging process.

The Oxygen Not Included modding community is known for its dedication and collaborative spirit. Players actively test and provide feedback on mods, helping developers to create high-quality and enjoyable experiences. This collaborative effort benefits the entire community, ensuring that mods remain a vibrant and integral part of the ONI gameplay experience.

Conclusion: Staying Informed and Contributing to the Solution

The crash encountered when modifying rockets with the Rename Asteroids mod is a frustrating issue, but understanding the steps to reproduce it and the available workaround is crucial for affected players. By following the mitigation steps outlined in this article, you can continue playing the game without encountering the crash.

Furthermore, by staying informed about the issue and contributing to discussions on platforms like the ONI-mods category, you can help developers to identify and resolve the bug more quickly. Providing feedback, sharing your experiences, and offering technical insights are all valuable contributions to the modding community.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the Rename Asteroids mod's update page for potential fixes and improvements. Mod developers are typically responsive to community feedback and work diligently to address issues and enhance their mods.

For more information about Oxygen Not Included and its modding community, consider visiting the official Klei Entertainment forums or the Steam Workshop. You can also find helpful resources and discussions on community-driven websites like the Oxygen Not Included subreddit.