Pre-modding questions

[Rexxx]

Someday (hopefully) I will be able to modify (maybe even improve) my favourite bubbles, the EEE. I haven’t got the time to invent the wheel twice (my lack of skills doesn’t help either). Thus, I began searching this forum and digging deeply into the TDM-files for hints and inspiration. However, some pretty basic questions remain:

1. What is the best way to playtest my modifications? Set the race to computer control and check it regularly? Set it to player control with “complete AI on”?
2.Does the AI jettison cargo to make place for upgraded WPs?
3. Do the AIs trade among each other?
4.Are you (the ones who still play against the AI)using tactical or strategic combat? Tactical combat renders WPs pretty useless which means fighters, fighters, fighters… (credits to God Emperor).
5.Is it o.k. for you (the ones who created these wonderful TDM-races) if I use some ideas from your files (the spaces per one = 95 from God Emperor or Mephisto’s “Terran Trade Embargo” to mention just two of them)?

Regards
R.

[oleg]

Did you check EEEvil Empire from TDM ?

1. Usually I check AI with player control and full AI on. Once I am more or less satisfied, I make this race a normal AI and play against it. Time after time I revert it to human control to check its status. It is the only known to me way to check how AI plays with bonuses "on".

2. No

3. No, AFIK. It can maintain trade/research treties but I never saw AI make trade deals amaong themselves.

4. Depends on my mood. Sometimes tactical, sometimes strategic. WP are not useless in Gold. New WP mounts extend weapon range quite nicely. No longer can you close in, fire and get out without shots fired on you. If you are still unsatisfied, change range bonuses to WP even more. Actually, i think I'll do it in my games.

5. I think it is OK as long as you keep credits.
If in doubt sent e-mails to authors. I do not think anybody would object.

[Rexxx]

Hi Oleg,
thanks for your answers and the hint about the EEEvil Empire. Just found it and look forward to trying it.

R.