a little confused...
 

I see .emp files that define a race and then there is a races directory underneath the pictures directory.
So, what is the difference and meaning?

The races directory contains the AI and various BMP's for a race, correct? If I want to add new races they get a directory here?

What about the empires directory, what is the relationship between a emp and a race?

Sort of confused.

Thanks

Re: a little confused...
 

Good question.

The pictures/races contains graphical and AI files that define the race's behaviour in-game.

the .emp file contains race setup data that is used at the start of the game - how racial points are spent, emporer name and title etc. .emp files are crucial when setting up multiplayer games (except possibly hotseat games)

A race with an emp file can be added manually to a game during game setup. A race without one will generate its setup information from the AI_General file.

Re: a little confused...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Empire file serve basically to add a predetermined player. AI will still use AI_files from the race directory. If you want to add new race, make the appropriate directory in pictures/races directory and put all pictures and AI files there. Empire file, if supplied with the race should go empires directory. If you download the race which has no emp files, start new gameswith random opponents till that race is selected. Then go to game pulldown menu, click on the race name, wait till its game turn has come and save empire file for future use.

Re: a little confused...
 

Another main purpose to the .emp file is for multi-player PBEM/PBW games. Each player saves their empire setup as .emp and then sends that to the host, who uses them when generating the first turn.