                            Ultimate Strategies Mod

Author:  Imperator Fyron
Version: 1.01.00
Date:    January 27, 2003
E-mail:  kazharii@hotmail.com
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  Table of Contents

1) Installation
2) Using the Mod
3) Description
4) Submissions/Usage
5) Version Updates
6) Comments/Suggestions
7) Credits
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1) Installation

To install this mod, simply extact the contents of the zip file into the folder where you installed Space Empires IV Gold. An example of this would be:

C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador\Space Empires IV Gold\

This should create a folder called USM inside the Space Empires IV Gold folder. It should make:

C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador\Space Empires IV Gold\USM\Data

Data includes all the necessary files for the mod.

To uninstall, simply delete the USM folder.
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2) Using the Mod

There are two ways to use the mod. I would suggest that you use Matryx's Mod Launcher, which comes on the Gold CD.

If you don't use it, then you need to go into Path.txt, located here:

C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador\Space Empires IV Gold\Path.txt

Change the line that says:

Using Mod Directory                                               := None

to say:

Using Mod Directory                                               := USM

To play with the original SEIV Gold, change:

Using Mod Directory                                               := USM

back to:

Using Mod Directory                                               := None
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3) Description

This mod makes alterations to the strategies and formations in SEIV Gold. The goal is to expand upon the strategic choices available to the player.

Because formations are controlled by a data file and not changeable from within the game, this mod will allow PBW and PBEM users to play otherwise normal games with custom formations.

This mod also modifies the DefaultColonyTypes and DefaultDesignTypes files, to create more variety in the default selections.
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4) Submissions/Usage

If you would like to submit custom strategies or formations to this mod, email them to me at kazharii@hotmail.com. If they are not similar/identical to an existing strategy or formation, I will add them to the mod.

If you would like to use this mod in your own mod, please feel free to do so, as long as you give credit by including the entire Credits.txt in your mod. Also, send me an email about it.
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5) Version Updates
 
1.01.00 January 27, 2003
- Added Fighter Superiority, Missile Attack, Point Defense, Charge, Launch Swarm, Anti-Ship Drone Attack, Passive Blockade, Active Blockade, Stand-off, Soft Planet Capture, Max Missile Strong, Max Missile Weak, Optimal Missile Strong, Optimal Missile Weak, Maximum Range (Slow Reload), Point Blank (Slow Reload), Picket, Capture Aux. Ships, Fighter (Slow Reload), Fighter Oneshot, Fighter, and Satellite strategies.
- Added Pyramid and Pincer formations.
- Changed Targeting Priorities for Optimal, Max, Short and Point Blank Range strategies from Has Guns, Most Damaged, Strongest, Nearest to Has Guns, Most Damaged, Nearest, Strongest.
- Changed all default game formations to use the new versions of them from the SE4 Gold Patch 1.84.

1.00.01 January 10, 2003
- Changed Puke's Parade of Victory formation to use more ships, creating a better formation.

1.00.00 December 23, 2002
The original release of the modpack.
- Added modified standard formations from TDM modpack.
- Added custom formations from TDM and UM mods.
- Added Phalanx Inside, Phalanx Outside, Puke's "Parade of Victory", and Triple Threat formations.
- Added many new items to DefaultColonyTypes.txt and DefaultDesignTypes.txt.
- Changed all default strategies so that all object types Break Formation by default.
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6) Commments/Suggestions

If you have any questions/comments/ideas, please e-mail them to me at:

		kazharii@hotmail.com

Or you can contact me in the #SE4 channel on the gamesnet.net IRC server.

I would appreciate any constructive critcism that you might have!
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7) Credits

Check the Credits.txt file for the list of sources and contributers.
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