[oleg]

Originally posted by comisar:

"I don't know how you guys do it. There are so many MODs outthere. What is the differnce. I am trying to categarize them all. It seems like I can get any race I want from different web sites. I will not call them Mods because I could probably use those races with any MOD, right?"

-You may need to adjust AI files when you move the race from one mod to another. The best way is to copy AI files from the race already tuned to this mode. Just take care to keep appropriate AI_general file.

"I can see there are mods for single player(TDMModpack or Devnull)? What is the difference between the two? Both of these MODs have pretty much the same descriptions."

- TDM is not strictly a mod. It is a collection of best AI for standard SE IV. Other modes have some (sometimes profound) changes in data files

"And one for multi-player (Proportions)?"

- There are no special modes for single-player or multiplayer. You can use any of those in any way you like. Do not be put out by PvK warning about deficient Proportion' AI. It is getting better and can find it quite chalenging on high difficulty and high AI bonus settings.

"There there are special mods(Pirates and Nomads) which really alter the game mechanics."

- Only if you play as Pirate or Nomad race. If you play as Normal, it is pretty close to Devnul mod

"Do any of these mods borrow things from one another or they are all stand alone."

- Yes, there is some cross-breeding.

"I want to play a single played MOOII type of game but with the Star Wars, Bab5, Star Trek races I have donwloaded. Which MOD will be the most realistic and challenging for me to try."

- First of all, download latest TDM-Pack. It alresdy has some Trek and Babylon races. All Trek races from NASY (Attrocities site) do not require any changes as well. If you need AI for some other race not currently in TDM, ask on this forum and in half hour you will get it. Once you get bored, try either Devnull, Proportions or P&N. Just be sure to alter AI files for your races as I mentioned above.

"I am sorry, it is just all those different MODs have me all confused."

- You are not alone !

"FOr other games that allow played to MOD that I play (Europa-Universalis) there is like a one ultimate MOD that everyone on the forum help to create. It makes it a lot easier for newbie. Why is there nothing similar for SEIV?"

- Because there is much more variety in SE IV. You can change almost everything one way or another. You can design a completely different game up to your taste. With so many people and so many variables, there will never be "ultimate mod" for SE IV. This is what makes SE IV so much fun !