3rd party software request
 

could someone write something that will check my files and tell me about inconsistancys? This is the 3rd time that I have installed SEIV, went shopping for add-ons (mostly races), and polluted the game beyond playability.

OK fine, Im beginning to understand the notes about requiring certain Versions and certain MODs. I can only have one mod running? And once I have a build that works I will zip all my subdirectorys off of SEIV and copy it somewhere. But it would sure be nice right now if I could just run some exe to tell me that a few races are lacking some files.

Are there race files on the shrapnel server that need updated or deleted so they wont be downloaded anymore?

Re: 3rd party software request
 

The main problem with races is sometimes they have missing pictures.

I think some races have a file named "StyleTester.exe" thats around 292Kb in size (give or take) Do a search in your SEIV Gold Directory for it. It's designed to show the stock race pictures and show you how well "masked" they are.

The downside is it has to be in the races folder (as in the Racestyle folder e.g. "Abbidon") to run and it should tell you if it is lacking any pictures for the stock game by displaying an error. Not exactly convienient but better than nothing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 05, 2004, 15:36: Message edited by: Raging Deadstar ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Forgot to add.

You can have more than one mod installed http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=23;t=011991

Grab the Mod Launcher from there, it allows you to load up that program and then switch mods as well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Edited: For Terrible Spelling http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ July 05, 2004, 17:02: Message edited by: Raging Deadstar ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Thanks Raging Deadstar I was trying to find this the other day - This is just what I wanted.

Perfect, this is directly from the Shrapnel site http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

You could always have any amount of MODS installed as long as (THEY DO NOT OVERWRITE OR ADD DATA TO THE MAIN ROOT SE4 DATA ETC...) or at least they should give an pre-instructional warning http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
Or as you say “pollute” or CORRUPT if you will - another MODS DATA with out warning that this rewrite into another MODS folders may VOID THAT MOD. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

- - - -

It is the (se4 Path file) that becomes awkward for new players and this just may alleviate the troubles from switching MODS and/or returning to the stock se4 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

EDIT REMOVED OLD LINK reinserted RD's:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1039630481.zip

[ July 05, 2004, 20:05: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Hmm..just noticed now. The link in the thread i linked goes to the 3rd page of the Mod Launcher thread...Terrible on my behalf.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1039630481.zip

Thats the Link to the Most updated and recent Modlauncher file. I don't think it changed much from the older Versions but some were having trouble with it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: 3rd party software request
 

THANKS AGAIN http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Well I wasnt going to use MODs until I had played with the game abit. Maybe DevNull or TDM which seem to just add capabilities without trying to rewrite thegame (doesnt try to make the AIs harder or anything). Do I have those right?

I wouldnt mind increasing options, and increasing maps, playing with more races and neutral races. But I didnt want an extremely modified Version of the game

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Actually, TDM is a major re-write of the AI files to make a MUCH tougher AI. It does not change any of the component or facilities or anything, just changes the AI's, and I believe a few of the formations.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

A common problem with adding races is getting races that were designed for SE IV "classic" (v1.49 or lower). A pre-Gold race will produce a flock of error Messages in Gold every time its AI files are accessed. Instructions for converting pre-Gold races to Gold are linked in my sig.

I don't know of any software to check and fix this automatically.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I do not know how this went from the 3rd party MOD Launcher search - to TDM: but I also Agree that TDM is the way to go as you said Gandalf Parker - "after new players have played the se4 game abit."

And agreed: se4 Players also enjoy MODs - whether they offer a MODED AI as with TDM and AIC or just Facilities and/or just Component styles, Vehicals, Mounts, Formations Etc... and of coarse ALL the above: Would you not agree?

= = = = = =
NOTE: I have noticed that TDM also changes the se4 Path to its folder, so the use of the Latest MOD launcher that we originally discussed will be of value all around http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 05, 2004, 19:16: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I do not think TDM and for a fact AIC or DevNull (DOES NOT) - re/overwrites anything. Other then the PATH I mentioned earlier.

If you veiw the Zip File you will see that both DevNull and AIC just write to their own folder, and NO other: however, I would think you would know this, so please forgive my imprudence.
= = = =

I am unsure of TDM: because it has its own installer and I can not preview the file before hand or before it is installed; however, yes I think TDM is safe to install, I have played many memorable TDM games.

[ July 05, 2004, 19:19: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Well its becoming clear how I messed things up.

I do get the "slew of errors" so Im sure I added some of those races. Its too bad that they havent been upgraded.

Also, not all of the races installed the same. Some created paths as if from the SEIV directory. Some from the Pictures directory. Some with only a race-named directory as if it was already in the races directory. And one created a race-named directory off of its own race-named directory.

I got so smooth at cut-n-pasting races between two windows to get things where they should be, that I think I did it to the MOD directorys also (moved their races to the races directory)

*sigh* OK time for install #4 and do it all again. Does anyone happen to have nice full races, AI, Dsgnames, and neutral races which dont require any mods that would be willing zip it and send it? Or pop it into a webspace I can snag it from?

Gandalf@Community.Internet
(without the Inter of course)

[ July 05, 2004, 20:48: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

For your Design Names files needs, you want Design Names Anthology. It has most of the design names files from the various shipsets in it, plus many, many more.

Also, SE.net has a large number of shipsets available in it's Downloads database. Unfortunately many of the entries lack descriptions, and not all shipsets are updated to Gold compatibility... but they can be downloaded. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ July 05, 2004, 20:51: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Quote:

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker: Well its becoming clear how I messed things up. I do get the "slew of errors" so Im sure I added some of those races. Its too bad that they havent been upgraded.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">DevNull, Proportions, AIC, Adamant, AST and a host of other MOD RACE files (THEY ALL ARE INDEED UPDATED to v1.91)
However, they may totally be incompatible with stock se4 because they have MODED DATA components and facilities etc. (and as such, should remain in that MODS folder) Please review reference below.

- - - -

I can assure you: if you want an up-to-date AI Files and Race Ship SETS - ONLY FOR unmoded Space Empires 4 v1.84 plus

TDM 1.30 is the best way to go.
However, if you do not have access to the MOD Launcher that we discussed - you may alter the TDM path file to resume your se4 game or any other MOD at anytime. Please review reference below http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif


REFERENCE se4 PATH.txt file

================================================== ================================
PATH DATA FILE
================================================== ================================

This file must be located with the executable to tell it which directories to look in.
(very important from se4's Aaron Hall)
" If you make your own data sets or modifications, you should install them in a {{{new directory}}} under the se4 directory, and then modify this file to be that directory name."

Some how all this info gets lost with the 3rd Party MOD launcher and this critical se4 {its own "new directory" procedure} - entirely lost with a few MODS/moders.???

Using Mod Directory:
This indicates the name of the directory under which to look for for the game files. If this value is "None" or blank, then the standard SE4 files will be used. If this is set to a directory name, then the game will attempt to load its files from that directory first.

If a mod directory is present, then it must contain all of the files that are
in the original SE4 directory. The only exception to this rule is in the case
of bitmaps. If a bitmap can't be loaded from the mod directory, then the game
will still attempt to load it from the standard SE4 directories.

For Stock se4 play := None

================================================== ================================
*BEGIN*
================================================== ================================

Using Mod Directory := TDM-ModPack back to NONE ================================================== ================================
*END*
================================================== ================================

Or use the MOD path file that is in that MODS directory and/or just copy it yourself to the se4 Gold Folder - MOST MODS also have the Original Path File stored for you as an aid to resume se4 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ July 05, 2004, 22:41: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">An update of this is in order too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I shall send you some files.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

OK does anyone have a nice collection of subdirs I can just unzip with permission to overwrite for patched SEIV using
For Stock se4 play := None

Not the executables (of course) just the subdirs.
Or I can reinstall and try to weed my way thru the "this will work, this wont work" jungle of files

Re: 3rd party software request
 

gandalf try this heres a picture of a clean install of my se 4 then i made mod folders for each of my pbw games (guess thats why they all start with pbw some even have races and such which are stored under the mod's directory

ok well guess i have to email it to you

[DEEEEEEEEEEPPP Breath] INCOMING !!!!!!!

Re: 3rd party software request
 

A little proggy would be cool though, that went through all AI files in pictures/races/* and either corrected or flagged up all missing/invalid lines in the files.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Hi Gandalf!
TDM will install a clean Version of itself with the new and additional races in the TDM-Mod-Subfolder. It will also install the latest ModLauncher. It will search for the correct path to install to all by itself and will add an Icon for the Modlauncher in your Start-Menu if you wish so. In short, TDM should be everything you wish for. All other "standard" races you wish to install should also be installed to the TDM-Folder. This way your SE4-Basis will be kept clean.
You can download TDM at Fyrons site since the main TDM-site is down at the moment.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thank you. That may save me on cleanup.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">specially since I might be interested in repairing some of them if the missing piece is small. And if its a kewl ship-set without any personality then maybe I will ask the creator for permission to flesh it out as my own.

Something Im noticing though... there is no way to create "yourself" without a chance of meeting "yourself" in a game? I mean, if I create an empire and save it to be "me" in a game, I cant do it with a porttrait/shipset that will never show up as another race?

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">That all sounds good. So TDM just adds things without rewriting the game? DevNull sounded like that also. I was trying not to use a MOD at all but its beginning to sound like a catchall for added things so I dont make the mess I did

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sure have all 20 races of just youself - or is it me? " dang - what folder did I put it in this time " http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
- - -

So basically, you are looking for Ship Sets of others: so you may personally change (rewrite) their AI files - OK

Most of your questions can be answered by reviewing the TDM AI and with a little home work invested - you will see how fine the TDM AI is, the fact that they deal with many situations that an AI will face and the personality they possess add so much to our games.

Modding Aaron Halls Space Empires is indeed an endless joy, have fun.

= = = = = =

Gandalf Parker, I have noticed just today that you work for Shrapnel Games and you are (Director of Community Relations and Tech Advisor for Shrapnel Games Inc)

Perhaps as a Shrapnel Tech Advisor you can provide a 3rd (or would it now than become a first party?) (as not to get off topic to the topic of your thread originate) and also, perhaps to achieve the points that we Players and that of yourself - addressed?

- - -

As a Director of Community Relations; again, I have just now followed all your recent Posts thru-out the forum to include this thread and I wish you great success in most of your endeavors.

At this time I would like to thank you and Shrapnel Game and it does appear personally: in your fine representation of and for - one of the Worlds most fascinating and enduring games and that being Aaron Halls Space Empires and Star Fury series

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 06, 2004, 16:45: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Gandalf Parker.
As a tech adviser for Shrapnel; Perhaps you could explain how a MOD rewrites the game.

Actually, by changing AI Data or any-one other file - does this in fact constitute a rewrite?

- - -
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">As Shrapnels Community Relations guy - perhaps I should chime in so you do not create an uproar… http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

DevNull in not a "catch all" and strays very little to that of the stock se4 AI Player that you would like to mold, and is a fantastic game (opps sorry, modified) that many of us still very much enjoy.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 06, 2004, 17:13: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Perhaps this may set the tone you are looking for Gandalf.

What I and many others and perhaps yourself Gandalf - is a Thread and one that Mephisto
could lead where Players with question regarding the (STOCK AI Player) would be answered professionally.

I would like to ask the next stock se4 AI question.
- - -

With se4 v1.91, would it behoove me to reduce the AI Research Colony percentages in the AI Planet File as to slow the stock AI Players growth - in a low to med bonus game.
And retain the integrity in late Med Bonus and High and not to over degrade this AI in the LOW bonus (Resulting in Higher Resource in None and Low) and as to have a closer equality to that of Human Players in regards to AI Ship Construction and that of its armament.

Or would this best be served with a properly timed spacing with that of the TECH within the AI research Files or the Combination of both?

[ July 06, 2004, 17:53: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Heehee. Surely in a fantasy/scifi gaming environment we all know what titles are good for. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Customer Relations would often be an advance on the unit known as Moderator. Not that this forum needs any kindof Master Moderator. It would often be simply a paid moderator with a wider territory such as keeping an overview eye on all of the forums here. The area of customers who have gotten past the sales-and-complaints area. Supporting happy customers who already have their game (an area that many companys tend to drop). But in this case Im happy to also include newsGroups and many other forums around the net where Shrapnel and Shrapnel games would be good to be mentioned.

A "tech advisor" to a company is not the same as a developer. Think of it as an advance on the unit known as a System Administrator. I can do SysAdmin things like setting up the Avatar arrangements that David wanted, but I also get to provide input on new hardware/software.

Truthfully, Dominions 2 brought me here. Im still trying to get up on all the other games. Mostly to better provide in those other areas altho SEIV is a game I would have gotten into eventually anyway.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Yes, STOCK might have been the word Im looking for. But so far Im having fun with the stock game and the stock AI. Im just in a hurry to increase things like my choice of races, events, neutral races, design names, components. Anything I can add-on without finding myself in a different game or suddenly facing a whole new level of enemys.

Im sure that will come just as it did for the advanced players here. But I keep getting suggestions of MODs. And MOD is something I tend to hold off from for awhile. Most games MODs tend to be peoples rewriting the game to their idea of improvements, or turning it into something completely different because they had played the stock to death. No problem with those, I just dont seem to need them yet.

Where do I go for the biggest add-on collection to the stock game? I think my mistake before was in finding Tescoma(?) before I knew what all of the compatibility notes refered to.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">
Not to press the Issue but to state an observation.

If something is modded or as you say (“ rewritten “) slightly from default se4 and you are comfortable with this - its ok in your opinion and not a rewrite but is truly authentic to that of se4 Gold and its Version releases.
And you state that MODS that have “ rewritten “ DATA or a "catch all" that is not to your taste; in my interpretations, is a gross change from the authenticity of se4.

Your comments would not interest me if you were not representative of Shrapnel Games (Title standing in full) and therefore less weight may be applied to your statements and or opinions.

Yet you yourself - want to change the DATA that deviates from the defaults that se4 offers, and in fact will change the outcome that the default AI’s must bare, if released as such (hypothetically of coarse) - would this now be considered a mod and is this not as gross of a change: if the default AI suffers in the coarse of my game allowing my outcome to be determined by your modded ("Rewritten and your preceived "idea of improved") AI?

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 06, 2004, 19:44: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

To me there are add-ons or expansions, and there are MODs (modifications). In SEIV it seems that the line isnt as clearly defined as in some games.

I was seeking expansion sets without mods. I dont want to change the game, just increase the options of whats there. Obviously if a MOD changes it into purely a StarWars game, or a Babylon % game, or an AI upgrade for advanced players, then those are mods I dont want yet.

Atrocities says that I can set the game to use a MOD. As I understand it I can make my own MOD directory, tell the game to use it, and copy all new things there. That makes it easy to turn off anything that I do which seems to go too far. That kindof blurs the definition of MOD but I can see the sense in it. I also got the impression that one of the downloaable mods was already along that line. A collection of many peoples projects which basically expanded what the stock game already had.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Kindof like pestering the janitor for algebra answers because he "represents" the university? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Im sure you are probably correct and Im using the wrong terms. It is your area. Or I could ask the developers. We have those.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">That's exactly what TDM is doing: it adds races, improves their AI but does not change any rules, techs etc. from the Stock game. Just more and improved races.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Whats in a term anyway, perhaps its just the level of the verb, who knows?
That and I am attempting to quit Smoking again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif - I should just shoot myself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I also enjoy the tdm MOD pack
And as I assuredly recommended earlier in the thread, TDM is exactly the instructional base you needed.

Truly Gandalph, perhaps we may have other fine debates, I have enjoyed this one.

= = =

Actually, I am unsure how this got OFF topic, it was so long ago.

Other developers may be a good idea to bring into this topic - we could discuss that 3rd party program resolution?

[ July 07, 2004, 14:44: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

OK I finally worked out a way to find the offending races. I used the file search to look for "Number of Anti-Ship Drones Per Target" in all of the files in all of the race directorys. Then I sorted it alphabetically, and used explorer to give me an alphabetical view of the races directories. I lined them up side-by-side and looked for gaps (meaning directorys where the settings file did not have that line)

Sure would have been easier on linux where I could have grepped */*settings*.txt for NOT having the line. That took care of most of the problems although there are some small errors in some that pop up once in awhile.

It is beginning to look like a checker would be pretty easy to do.

[ July 07, 2004, 21:48: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Re: 3rd party software request
 

Excellent idea http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: 3rd party software request
 

The follow on errors seem to be along the same line. A "compact" formation not in a file (5 races), "Colonial Development" not found (2 races), not having a count on mega evil in a file.. still working on that one.

Im kindof confused on that one since it originally seemed like the problem was missing any speech.txt file. I was going to copy the empire_AI_Speech.txt into each directory and see if it would use it or I had to (painfully) rename each one to the race name.

I still think small executable would be possible once I find a list of easily searched for items, and the recommended fix for each. But it probably wont be MY program. I could do something to read and rewrite a text file but fast searches of multiple text files in multiple directorys is something I wouldnt want to write. Some C programmer might be best. I would probably cheat and get an open-source windows Version of grep to make a list of problems then have my program process the list. Very clunky.

Re: 3rd party software request
 

The link in CapnQ's signature has the list of all items that need to be added to a 1.49 AI to get it to work smoothly in Gold.

Compact formation is one of the custom formations added in TDM. Everybody forgets to tell you that the mod does actually have some modified data, though it is just the Formations.txt file...

Re: 3rd party software request
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">INTERESTING: And here I thought our discussion was all but over http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

You do realize that not all MODS use Colonial Development. And it was my impression you were searching for (inactive Ship Sets and stock ready them for se4 v1.91... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Other then AIC or Proportions I am unaware of any other MODS that use “Colonial Development“. Since you post this - I feel a response may become necessary? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

- - - -

The AIC AI at one time did have an interest in Colonial Development - I decided this Tech was not for them. So for now, the AI will not research it.

Regarding AIC Mega Evil: I decided that a few Races just do not care who is winning - Serine Races would be a good example. Actually, the more aggressive the AIC race is - the more upset that AIC AI Race would get when a Human Player starts wining in a big way. In this way the AI Players do not break their Treaties with Human Players ALL at the same time. And a few like the AIC Honarabe AI Races may never break a treaty or declare war FIRST - depending on the AIC Version you have http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

In regards to Compact Formations - does your statement apply to AIC?
In regards to any Speech files - does your statement apply to AIC?
AIC should have an AI Speech file in all the AI Players folders http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

- - - - - - - -

Briefly with and with total respect to Proportions: This Active MOD also uses Colonial Development, as well; however, if the RACE designer felt that Colonial Development may not have been in that Races best interest - him or her may have just left Colonial Development out of that Races research http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

- - - - - -

Basically, se4 will not research anything that it does not have the pre-req for.

Very good point Gandalf. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
The AI will search its own Race Folder for it’s own RACE_AI_ Speech file. If there is none - the AI will then go to the MODS main AI Folder for the Default_AI_Speech .
However, if there is no Default_AI_Speech File in your Mods main AI Folder in this instance - se4 will CRITICAL ERROR

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 09, 2004, 02:22: Message edited by: JLS ]