Poltergust

Poltergust

Author:	Scutlet
Operating systems:	Any
Programming language:	Python 3
Software type:	Viewer
Console:	Wii U
File Formats:	DAT (Ghost Data)
Version:	v2.0
Date of latest version:	2022-07-21
Download:	GitHub

Overview

Poltergust is a Python 3 application for visualizing, extracting, and converting data from ghost data files. This includes player ghosts, staff ghosts, and downloaded ghosts, but not MKTV Replays. Currently, there is only active support for Wii U ghost files.

Media

• 

  A preview of a custom staff ghost linked to Wii Dry Dry Ruins

• 

  A preview of the UI viewing the staff ghost of Sunshine Airport

• 

  A preview of changing the track slot and custom track of a ghost

• 

  A preview of selecting and searching a track slot

• 

  A preview of selecting a custom track to link to a ghost

• 

  A preview of downloading custom track information

Features

• Previewing information such as player name, vehicle combination, and lap splits.
• Extracting Mii Data.
• Converting player/downloaded ghosts to staff ghosts, or player/staff ghosts to downloaded ghosts.
• Change the ghost slot of a downloaded ghost, or the track slot of any ghost.
• Link a ghost to a specific custom track.
  • This program stores custom track information locally. When ghost files linked to a custom track are loaded, the custom track information is automatically added to this local storage. Custom tracks can also be added manually through the program's Custom Track Manager, and doing so is required when a mod author wishes to link their (staff) ghost to their custom track.
  • When a ghost file linked to a specific custom track is loaded, information is automatically fetched from either the Custom Mario Kart 8 Wiki or GameBanana in order to display the track's name, author, and image. Custom tracks must be linked to ghosts manually and can be added by inserting their URL in the Custom Track Manager.

Installation

Windows users can use the executable in the provided download. Other systems (but also Windows) can run the source code:

1. Download the latest source code (either the zip or tar.gz).
2. Install the latest version of Python 3.10.
3. Open up a terminal of choice, and navigate to the place where the source code was extracted.
4. Create a new virtual environment using python -m venv venv.
5. Activate the newly created virtual environment using venv\Scripts\activate.bat (Windows CMD), venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 (Windows Powershell), or source venv/bin/activate (MacOS or Linux).
6. Install the tool's dependencies using pip install -r requirements.txt.
7. Run the tool using python poltergust.py.

Steps 3, 5 and 7 need to be repeated if the user wishes to reopen the program via source code.

Version History

Version	Date of release	Information
v1.0	2022-06-27	First release
v1.1	2022-06-30	Added an auto-build script that creates a Windows executable. Various bug fixes related to downloaded ghosts.
v2.0	2022-07-21	Major code resctructure. Ghost files can now be "dragged into" the .exe file to open them immediately. Track slots of ghosts can be changed under "Edit -> Change Track". Ghosts can now be linked to specific custom tracks from the Custom Mario Kart 8 Wiki or GameBanana. Various minor bug fixes.

By the same author: Scutlet

Retro Tracks:
Wii Dry Dry Ruins – SMG2 Tall Trunk's Big Slide

Software:
Poltergust – Character Roster Swapper