Proof of concept for creating and using plugins for Trackmania Nations Forever.
This project demonstrates a proof of concept for Trackmania Nations Forever (and possibly United, though it hasn't been tested) that allows users to develop their own plugins for the game without the need to modify the game's original executable.
The game uses binkw32.dll as a video player. This is our entry point. We owe a lot to Thirteen AG Ultimate-ASI-Loader; without it, this project would not have been possible. You can find more information about the ASI Loader in their repository.
The original binkw32.dll in the game's folder is renamed to binkw32Hooked.dll, and the 32-bit variant of the Ultimate-ASI-Loader binkw32.dll is placed in the game's root directory. This setup allows us to load .asi files into the game's memory, enabling modifications to the game's code and behavior. The plugins are essentially .dll files that are loaded into the game; I developed them using C++.
I have included some plugin examples along with their source code to help you understand how the plugins work (Plugins are developed in VS2022 with v143 toolset):
- SkipOutro: Skips the Trackmania.com video when exiting the game and immediately ends the execution of the game engine, allowing for faster game exits.
- More to come...
Special thanks and credit go to pixeltris ModTMNF for their work on the game's source files and for making information about the game publicly available.
I have also included the TmForever.map file, which you can use with tools like Ghidra (which I used) to explore the game's internal mechanics and find functions and entry points for modifying the game.
The goal of this project is to develop an open and easy-to-use plugin system for the game, similar to those found in never Trackmania games. If you are interested in this project, feel free to contribute to creating a more open plugin system that everyone can use and expand upon.