Icon0099.shp

[DRG]

The Icons slots available were set up the way they are so that we, the game designers, would have enough empty spots to add Icons in the future without having to expand that list every time we issued a patch as we had done in the early days. The added slots were NOT added so that third party modders could stake out a claim to them. We have said a number of times over the years that those empty slots are for our use and that I would NOT set aside blocks of Icons for anyone and I have no intention of changing that policy.

Don

[RecruitMonty]

So what is the point of moding the game then? Why bother? Why do any of us bother? Wouldn't it be a good idea to make the game mod friendlier then? Or at least to keep that in mind?

After all from what you just wrote, what you are basically saying is, ,,thanks guys but no thanks".

So all the people who produce icons are really just being a terrible nuisance and are nothing more than hackers then? Using programmes provided (CHLANDA's SHP file editor etc) with the game but to no avail?

Thatguy 96's Vietnam mod, the Cold War 2020 mod, my mod, Plasma's work, my work, Pierre's work, Oragus' work and everyne else's is really just a waste of time. After all eventually there will, according to your logic, be no space for it at all, right? Wouldn't it make a little more sense to provide extra space for you and for everyone else too? I think that might be a very popular idea.

Oh, and that argument about modders' conflicting interests is redundant as all you have to do is copy the game files and hey presto you have a nice clean version of the game to install a mod onto. Thats why I have multiple copies of MBT and WW2 on my PC.

[RecruitMonty]

Why provide the end user with the empty slots then? You would have to update the master icon list everytime you added new stuff anyway wouldn't you? Why also provide blank .shp files to the end user as well? Either you want us to be able to add icons or you don't!

[Warhero]

One thing came to my mind as I followed this topic... Ok, now I can only copy modded OOBs via main window/manage OOB sets (or take off from use to choose defaults if wanted) but is it any way possible to add same function for shps too into future patches? Maybe just adding "default shps" folder etc.?

[RecruitMonty]

Well, as far as I can tell, that wouldn't even be necessary as Don stated that all they would have to do is programme in some new slots (like they did in the past).

Put it this way, the only reason we (those of us who mod) have reached capacity (will reach, for those not quite there yet) is because the next slots haven't been programmed in. Capacity has therefore only artificially been reached.

What you are refering to was done with SPWAW, another Steel Panthers game (WW2) whose internal workings I am a little more familiar with.

[thatguy96]

Warhero said:
One thing came to my mind as I followed this topic... Ok, now I can only copy modded OOBs via main window/manage OOB sets (or take off from use to choose defaults if wanted) but is it any way possible to add same function for shps too into future patches? Maybe just adding "default shps" folder etc.?

I still would love a .shp function similar to that of the OOB replacement function. It would allow for more flexibility with this "artificial limit," and easier rapid testing of new icons.

[junk2drive]

I have had great success with Jones Software Generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) with the other games that I play and mod. Might work for what you want.

[RecruitMonty]

That wouldn't help though would it. For testing sure. Good Idea it saves having to have more than one copy of the game. Great, but...

It might help if you are only modding in one or two .shp files but if you've got 15 of the damn things and apparently X number have already been overwritten in the latest patch then you are up a well know creak without a paddle if 120 is as far as you can go.