PRE files originally found in THPS1 were used to stack multiple files in a single package to be loaded at once in RAM.
Since TH3 Neversoft added option to compress data using LZSS.
it's controlled by script functions LoadPre and UnloadPre, unfortunately dummied in Skate3.exe.
PC ports of th3/th4 do not use console PRE files, having all content unpacked instead.
A positive outcome is its easy to mod this way.
A negative outcome - it takes longer to load stuff (for example, all anims and scripts could be loaded in a single disk read)
Additionally can implement same functionality from a simple ZIP. Gives less compression ratios, but much easier to process.
Auto updater ( #12) could benefit as well, can just download packs without special unpacking logic then.
PRE files originally found in THPS1 were used to stack multiple files in a single package to be loaded at once in RAM. Since TH3 Neversoft added option to compress data using LZSS. it's controlled by script functions LoadPre and UnloadPre, unfortunately dummied in Skate3.exe.
PC ports of th3/th4 do not use console PRE files, having all content unpacked instead. A positive outcome is its easy to mod this way. A negative outcome - it takes longer to load stuff (for example, all anims and scripts could be loaded in a single disk read)
Additionally can implement same functionality from a simple ZIP. Gives less compression ratios, but much easier to process. Auto updater ( #12) could benefit as well, can just download packs without special unpacking logic then.