A Desperate Plea to MM for Better Mod Support

Instar · #1 January 11th, 2001, 03:59 AM

Actually, the path.txt allows you to put the mods into separate folders. However, the game doesn't have any way of choosing which mod is run. You have to change path.txt before every game.

Tomgs · #2 January 11th, 2001, 04:21 AM

As far as I know the path.txt is only for modified files in the Data directory. A lot of things I modify are in the \pictures\races folder and also the AI folder so the path.txt doesn't help. I have 3 full installs of the game on my HD now 2 mods and the as patched 1.19 unmodified Version. The Data files if modified significantly will need to be addressed in the races folders to implement the changes or else the AI won't be able to utilize some of the changes. Especially if you create new technologies to research or new components to put on the ships or just change the components enough that the designs need to be modified.

Speaking of mods I was trying to modify the General.txt files for the races to min/max some of the races and it seems that they will ignore any numbers under 100 for their racial traits. Is there a way around this or am I just out of luck trying to give the AI a bonus to racial picks the way humans can?

Daynarr · #3 January 11th, 2001, 08:41 AM

quote:
Speaking of mods I was trying to modify the General.txt files for the races to min/max some of the races and it seems that they will ignore any numbers under 100 for their racial traits. Is there a way around this or am I just out of luck trying to give the AI a bonus to racial picks the way humans can?

You can try using emp files. Edit them so they have desired bonuses and then save them again (under new name preferably). Hyperion base had all the emp files for standard races (2000, 3000 and 5000 racial points). Unfortunately they are removed temporary from it because of some site changes, but when Hadrian puts them back, snatch them.

Or you can make them yourself, but that will take time and effort (several hours of copy/paste/edit).

Tomgs · #4 January 11th, 2001, 10:02 AM

Yea I know about making the emp files and I wouldn't mind the effort but I really like finding random races in the game and if I went the .emp route I would have to preset them. I guess I could but I would rather be surprised, I have a lot of downloaded races so I rarely get the same ones twice in a row now. It just doesn't make sense to code in a limit for AI's that is not present for humans and isn't even present for a .emp file AI.

Jubala · #5 January 11th, 2001, 10:23 AM

Erm, Tomgs, the races are not random. They are all scripted out. They will always be the same and have the same abilites and use the same tech every time you meet them unless you change them between games.

Tomgs · #6 January 11th, 2001, 08:34 PM

Yes I know I was trying to change those abilities at least as much as you can in the Gen.txt file but you can't bring an ability score under 100 so that you can increase others (min/maxing as it has been refered to). I was talking about having random races in the game by not using .emp files and letting the computer choose what races I would meet. I know they are all scripted but if they have different abilities and research different areas they will be at least somewhat different. I would rather not have to set what races I meet everytime.

ColdSteel · #7 January 11th, 2001, 09:49 PM

Great news. I just got an email back from Aaron at MM today on my mod suggestions here. I'm posting the text of the message below for everyone to see:

"You have excellent suggestions. We've been thinking about this as well, and we'll try to add something in for the next patch. - Aaron"