rr3-server/ASSET_DOWNLOAD_STATUS.md

# 🎮 Asset Download Status & Instructions

## Current Status: **CDN URL Unknown** ⚠️

We have successfully:
✅ Extracted APK and found 1,236 asset manifest files  
✅ Parsed manifest format (path, MD5, compressed size, uncompressed size)  
✅ Created automated downloader script  
✅ Organized storage structure  
✅ Copied all manifests to server  

**Blocking Issue**: We need the correct EA CDN base URL.

---

## 📋 What We Have

### Manifests Extracted (1,236 files)
All stored in: `E:\rr3\RR3CommunityServer\RR3CommunityServer\Assets\manifests\`

**Critical Assets:**
- `asset_list_base.txt` - 271KB of core game data
- `asset_list_audio_base.txt` - 70KB of engine sounds
- `asset_list_base_gui.txt` - 244KB of menu assets

**Vehicle Assets:**
- 400+ vehicle manifest files (F1, NASCAR, GT3, etc.)
- Each car has models, textures, physics data

**Track Assets:**
- 30+ track manifests (Silverstone, Monaco, Spa, etc.)
- Each track has geometry, textures, AI data

**Special Content:**
- Formula 1 (2019-2024 seasons)
- Formula E
- NASCAR
- WRC
- Time trials & events

### Estimated Total Size
- **10,000+** individual asset files
- **2-5 GB** when fully downloaded
- **Critical assets only**: ~500 MB

---

## 🔍 How to Find the Correct CDN URL

### Method 1: Network Monitoring (RECOMMENDED)
1. **Setup**: Install mitmproxy or Charles Proxy
2. **Configure**: Set up Android device to use proxy
3. **Launch**: Start Real Racing 3
4. **Observe**: Watch for asset downloads
5. **Extract**: Record the actual CDN domain

Example URLs to look for:
```
https://cdn-rr3.ea.com/...
https://d1q35ni3zsr8wd.cloudfront.net/...
https://rr3assets.s3.amazonaws.com/...
https://[something].akamaihd.net/...
```

### Method 2: APK String Analysis
```powershell
# Search for CDN URLs in the game binary
cd E:\rr3\rr3-extracted\lib\arm64-v8a
strings libRealRacing3.so | Select-String "http://|https://" | Select-String "cdn|cloudfront|akamai|s3"
```

### Method 3: Decompile Java Code
```powershell
# Look in decompiled smali for asset download code
cd E:\rr3\rr3-extracted
grep -r "cloudfront\|amazonaws\|akamai" --include="*.smali"
```

### Method 4: Check Game Cache on Device
If you have an Android device with RR3 installed:
```bash
adb shell
cd /data/data/com.ea.games.r3_row/cache
ls -la
# Look for cached asset files and examine their directory structure
```

---

## 🚀 Once CDN URL is Found

### Step 1: Update Downloader Script
Edit `E:\rr3\RR3CommunityServer\download-assets.ps1`:
```powershell
$EaCdnBaseUrl = "https://CORRECT-CDN-URL.com"
```

### Step 2: Download Critical Assets First
```powershell
# Download only essential game files (~500 MB)
.\download-assets.ps1 -ManifestFiles @(
    "asset_list_base.txt",
    "asset_list_base_gui.txt",
    "asset_list_audio_base.txt",
    "asset_list_startup.txt"
)
```

### Step 3: Download All Assets (Full Preservation)
```powershell
# Download EVERYTHING (~2-5 GB)
$allManifests = Get-ChildItem "Assets\manifests\*.txt" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Name
.\download-assets.ps1 -ManifestFiles $allManifests
```

### Step 4: Move to Server Storage
```powershell
# Organize downloaded assets
Move-Item "Assets\downloaded\*" "Assets\" -Force
```

---

## 📦 Alternative: Manual Asset Extraction

If EA's CDN is already down or inaccessible:

### From Your Own Device
If you have RR3 installed:
```bash
# Connect device via USB
adb devices

# Pull game data
adb pull /data/data/com.ea.games.r3_row/files/ assets-backup/
adb pull /sdcard/Android/data/com.ea.games.r3_row/files/ assets-backup/

# Copy to server
Copy-Item "assets-backup\*" "E:\rr3\RR3CommunityServer\RR3CommunityServer\Assets\" -Recurse
```

### Community Contribution
Create upload form for community members to share their cached assets:
1. Users extract from their devices
2. Verify MD5 hash matches manifest
3. Upload via web panel
4. Server distributes to all players

---

## 🗂️ Current File Structure

```
E:\rr3\RR3CommunityServer\RR3CommunityServer\Assets\
├── manifests\                    ← 1,236 manifest files (✅ DONE)
│   ├── asset_list_base.txt
│   ├── asset_list_audio_base.txt
│   ├── asset_list_vehicle_*.txt (400+ files)
│   ├── asset_list_track_*.txt (30+ files)
│   └── README.md
├── downloaded\                   ← Empty (waiting for CDN URL)
├── cars\                         ← Placeholders only
├── tracks\                       ← Placeholders only
├── audio\                        ← Placeholders only
├── textures\                     ← Placeholders only
├── ui\                           ← Placeholders only
└── README.md
```

---

## 💡 Next Steps

### Option A: Find CDN URL and Download Now
While EA's servers are still up (until March 2026):
1. Use network monitoring to find CDN URL
2. Run downloader script
3. Archive 2-5 GB of assets
4. Share with community

**Time Sensitive!** EA servers may shut down March 2026.

### Option B: Wait for Community Contributions
After EA shutdown:
1. Community members extract from their devices
2. Upload via web panel
3. Server aggregates all contributions
4. Complete preservation over time

### Option C: Hybrid Approach
1. Find CDN URL and download critical assets now (~500 MB)
2. After shutdown, crowdsource remaining content
3. Best of both worlds!

---

## 🛠️ Tools Included

### download-assets.ps1
**Location**: `E:\rr3\RR3CommunityServer\download-assets.ps1`

**Features**:
- Parses asset manifests
- Downloads from EA CDN
- Verifies MD5 hashes
- Resumes interrupted downloads
- Logs all activity
- Test mode for verification

**Usage**:
```powershell
# Test with 10 assets
.\download-assets.ps1 -TestMode

# Download specific manifests
.\download-assets.ps1 -ManifestFiles @("asset_list_base.txt")

# Download all
$all = Get-ChildItem "Assets\manifests\*.txt" | % { $_.Name }
.\download-assets.ps1 -ManifestFiles $all
```

### Future: Web-Based Uploader
When AssetsController is implemented:
- POST /synergy/assets/upload - Manual upload
- GET /synergy/assets/list - Browse cached assets
- GET /synergy/assets/stats - Storage statistics
- DELETE /synergy/assets/{id} - Remove cached files

---

## 📊 Asset Priority List

### Priority 1: Game Won't Start Without These
- `/data/events.dat.nct` (14.4 MB) - All race events
- `/data/jobs.bin.nct` (3.5 MB) - Job system
- `/data/championships.bin.nct` (157 KB) - Championships
- `/camTweaks.dat` (131 KB) - Camera settings
- Base GUI assets for menus

### Priority 2: Core Gameplay
- Audio base (engine sounds)
- Base vehicles (starter cars)
- Base tracks (first races)
- UI elements

### Priority 3: Extended Content
- All F1 seasons
- NASCAR
- Additional tracks
- Premium vehicles

### Priority 4: Optional Content
- Special events
- Time trials
- Seasonal content
- Exclusive vehicles

---

## 🎯 Success Metrics

**Minimum Viable Preservation**: 500 MB
- Game launches
- Basic races work
- Core cars/tracks available

**Complete Preservation**: 2-5 GB
- All content available
- All vehicles unlockable
- All tracks playable
- Full game experience

**Current Progress**: 0 MB downloaded (waiting for CDN URL)

---

## ⚠️ Legal Notice

Assets are copyrighted by Electronic Arts. This preservation effort is for:
- ✅ Personal use after EA shutdown
- ✅ Players who own the game
- ✅ Historical preservation
- ❌ NOT for piracy
- ❌ NOT for public redistribution
- ❌ NOT for commercial use

---

## 📞 Need Help?

1. Check the log file: `E:\rr3\asset-download-log.txt`
2. Review manifest README: `Assets\manifests\README.md`
3. Test with `-TestMode` first
4. Ensure internet connection
5. Verify CDN URL is accessible

---

**Last Updated**: February 2026  
**Status**: Ready to download (CDN URL needed)  
**Tools**: ✅ Complete  
**Manifests**: ✅ Extracted (1,236 files)  
**Storage**: ✅ Organized  
**Downloads**: ⏳ Pending CDN discovery