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Battle for Bikini Bottom Guide

Battle for Bikini Bottom Setup Guide

Required Software

Installation Procedures

For more information about .apworlds see here

Create a Config (.yaml) File

What is a config file and why do I need one?

See the guide on setting up a basic YAML at the MultiworldGG setup guide: Basic Multiworld Setup Guide

Where do I get a config file?

A default yaml is included in the download. Alternative you can use the Web Host when running from source.

Verifying your config file

If you would like to validate your config file to make sure it works, you may do so on the YAML Validator page. YAML validator page: YAML Validation page

Joining a MultiWorld Game

Start MultiworldGGLauncher.exe and choose BfBB Client. You will be asked to provide a .apbfbb patch file so choose your patch file. The client will then open, patch and attempt to open the resulting .gcm ISO file. Patching can take a while and the client will become unresponsive while patching. You can also select a .gcm directly to just open it without patching or just click cancel, if you don't want to patch or open any ISO.

Connect to the Client

With Dolphin

The Client will automatically try to connect to Dolphin every 5 seconds and will do so if BfBB is running. If this doesn't work try restarting Dolphin and make sure you only have one instance running of Dolphin. If you still get the invalid game error message when using the US Version make sure that Emulated Memory Size Override ( under Settings > Advanced) is disabled.

Connect to the MultiworldGG Server

If the client window shows "Server Status: Not Connected", simply ask the host for the address of the server, and copy/paste it into the "Server" input field then press enter.

The client will attempt to reconnect to the new server address, and should momentarily show "Server Status: Connected".

Hosting a MultiWorld game

The recommended way to host a game is to use the MultiworldGG hosting service. The process is relatively simple:

  1. Collect config files from your players.
  2. Place the config files in the Players folder in your MultiworldGG install
  3. Run MultiworldGGGenerate.exe and location the resulting zip in the output folder
  4. Upload that zip file to the Host Game page.
  5. Click "Create New Room". This will take you to the server page. Provide the link to this page to your players, so they may download their patch files from there.
  6. Note that a link to a MultiWorld Tracker is at the top of the room page. The tracker shows the progress of all players in the game. Any observers may also be given the link to this page.
  7. Once all players have joined, you may begin playing.

Troubleshooting

The setup for this AP world is rather complex, so here are some common issues encountered during setup and how to fix them.

I don't see the BfBB Client in the Launcher.

Make sure you have installed the AP world. It should be in the custom_worlds folder within your AP directory.

I see the BfBB Client, but it doesn't open.

This is most likely due to dolphin_memory_engine not loading correctly.

  1. Ensure you have placed all files from the included lib folder into the lib folder in your AP directory.
  2. Verify that you are using the correct version for your AP installation, as described on the release page.

If you are unsure which AP/MWGG version you are using:

In this example, the Python version is 3.12. This should match the end of the file name of the downloaded release (e.g., bfbb_apworld-vX_X_X-win_amd64-py3_12.zip).

If the issue persists, try the following:

The BfBB Client opens, but it's just a black window.

This is normal. The client becomes unresponsive while patching, which can take a while, especially the first time.

I get an error during patching...

Error: Failed to resolve Python.Runtime.Loader.Initialize from [...]\lib\pythonnet\runtime\Python.Runtime.dll

Windows may block this DLL included in the download. To fix this:

  1. Navigate to \lib\pythonnet\runtime\ in your AP directory.
  2. Right-click on Python.Runtime.dll and select Properties.
  3. Near the bottom of the Properties window, check for an option to Unblock the file and apply the change.

Error: Permission denied '[...].gcm'

This usually occurs when the patched file is already open in Dolphin or another program. Close all programs that might access the file and try again.

Error: No such file or directory: '[...]\Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants - Battle for Bikini Bottom (USA).iso'

Ensure that you have placed the vanilla USA ISO in your root AP directory with the exact name:

Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants - Battle for Bikini Bottom (USA).iso

If file name extensions are hidden in Windows Explorer:

  1. Enable them temporarily under View in the menu.
  2. Ensure the file does not have a double extension (e.g., .iso.iso).

Error: Failed to create a default .NET runtime [...]

Ensure that Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or higher is installed.

This error may also occur if the libraries were not installed correctly. To verify the installation, follow all the steps outlined here.

Additionally, ensure that none of the dlls in lib\clr_loader\ffi\dlls are blocked:

  1. Right-click on the dll and select Properties.
  2. Near the bottom of the Properties window, check for an option to Unblock the file and apply the change.

If the issue persists, consider uninstalling older versions of the .NET Framework. NOTE: Uninstalling older versions may prevent other programs that depend on them from working correctly.