TDM-ModPack 2.00 BETA

Mephisto · #1 November 6th, 2001, 05:45 PM

Dear all,
here is the new TDM-ModPack Version 2.0:
This is a BETA Version. As you may know, it is planned to put the TDM-ModPack on the new charge of SE4-CDs. Therefore we want to make absolutely sure that no bug slips in and is burned on the Master CD. That's were you come in - yes, you! - don't hide! We need you to report every single bug, any issues, any play balance problems you find back to us by posting here or mailing me at heavyload@gmx.de.

Ok, here we go:

TDM-ModPack 2.00
November 06, 2001

For use with Space Empires IV Version 1.49 only.

INTRODUCTION
============

First - many thanks to the folks at Malfador Machinations ("MM") and Shrapnel Games for their continued support and communication with the gaming community. Since MM is dedicated to releasing a number of future patches, this "Mod" pack does not contain any modified tech trees, new components or facilities, just tweaks to get the most of the current Version of SE4.

Installing the ModPack
======================

(1) Unzip this file using the "All Files," "Overwrite Files" and "Use Folder Names" options (i.e. the default settings for winzip). This will place all the new files in the appropriate subdirectories under the new "ModPack" folder.

(2) That's it! Since the authors are constantly "tweaking" their races, make sure to report any bugs or other feedback on the Shrapnel Games Board.

Un-Installing the TDM-ModPack, 1. Method
========================================

(1) Copy the "original Path.txt" from the TDM-ModPack folder to your Space Empires IV folder.

(2) Delete the "Path.txt" in your Space Empire IV folder.

(3) Rename the "Original Path.txt" now located in the Space Empire IV folder to "Path.txt".

(4) The game will now run with it's default settings. The "TDM-ModPack" folder is still present. You can either delete it now or keep it to reinstall the TDM-ModPack if you desire to do so. To re-install the ModPack, follow the instructions for un-install but use the "TDM-ModPack Path.txt" instead.

Un-Installing the TDM-ModPack, 2. Method
========================================

(1) Open "Path.txt" in your Space Empires IV folder.

(2) Alter this line

Using Mod Directory := TDM-ModPack

to

Using Mod Directory := None

Installing the other MODs
=========================

Make sure to install all other MODs you download into the "TDM-ModPack" folder and do not edit or override the "Path.txt" in your Space Empires IV folder. Following these instructions makes sure you don't cripple your ModPack installation involuntarily.
BEWARE: Overriding any files in the "TDM-ModPack" folder may disrupt your ModPack installation!

HISTORY
=======

VERSION 2.00 Introduction screens modified to indicate use of "TDM-ModPack Directory," major reworks to previous races and several races added (Jraenar, Praetorian, Ukratel, Terran, Xiati, Vaxin and Orks)

Compiled file contains the following:

(1) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Earth Alliance" - Version 2.50 (with shipset by Randy Stuce and other artists and AI/speech files by K126 Mephisto).

(2) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Narn Regime" - Version 2.50 (with shipset by Randy Stuce and other artists and AI/speech files by K126 Mephisto).

(3) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Toron Confederation" - Version 2.50 (with shipset by Klaus Lehtonen and AI/speech files by K126 Mephisto).

(4) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Dra'kol" - Version 1.80 (with shipset by Don Phillips a/k/a Voidhawk, AI files by Tampa_Gamer and speech file by John Zamarra).

(5) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Sergetti" - Version 1.80 (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by Daynarr).

(6) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Xi'Chung" - Version 1.40 (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by Daynarr).

(7) Revised default AI_Planet_Types file to tweak planet selection for AI (by Daynarr).

(8) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Piundon - Version 1.20 (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by Tampa_Gamer, speech file by John Zamarra)

(9) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Rage Collective" - Version 2.20 (with shipset and AI files by Alpha Kodiak)

(10) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Battle Star Galactica - Colonials" - Version 1.20 (with shipset by Dracus and AI files by Tampa_Gamer)

(11) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Norak" - Version 1.20 (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by Daynarr).

(12) New formations.txt file that includes 9 new formations (contributions by Tampa_Gamer, Daynarr and Master Belisarius)

(13) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Pyrochette" - Version 1.50 (with shipset by Grand Mausic Yith Saulkar and AI files by Master Belisarius).

(14) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Klingon" - Version 1.49a (with shipset by Atrocities and others, AI files by God Emperor and speech file by Dracus).

(15) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Romulan" - Version 1.49a (with shipset by Atrocities and others and AI files by God Emperor).

(16) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Shadows" - Version 1.49a (with shipset by Atrocities and others and AI files by God Emperor).

(17) Settings.txt modified to make "Quick Start" option available for all races - including 4 additional default races and all new races and increased default max units/ships (modified by Tampa_Gamer and Mephisto).

(18) "Modlauncher" info file added (created by Mephisto).

(19) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Aquilaeian" - Version 1.20 (with shipset by Klaus Lehtonen a/k/a Zarix and AI files by Master Belisarius).

(20) Revised "Intro.bmp" screens for both 800x and 1024x Versions to indicate that "TDM-ModPack Directory" in use (created by Tampa_Gamer).

(21) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Jraenar" - Version 1.49a (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by God Emperor).

(22) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Praetorian" - Version 1.49a (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by God Emperor).

(23) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Ukratel" - Version 1.49a (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by God Emperor).

(24) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Terran" - Version 2.50 (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by Mephisto).

(25) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Xiati" - Version 2.50 (with default shipset from Malfador Machinations, AI files by Mephisto).

(26) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Vaxin" - Version 2.50 (with shipset and AI files by Alpha Kodiak).

(27) Complete AI Race files and Shipset for "Orks" - Version 3.00 (with shipset and AI files by Atraikius).

VERSION 1.80 Aquilaeian race added, Klingon, Romulan, Shadows races updated and ModLauncher info file added.

VERSION 1.75 All races (except Norak, Xi'Chung and Sergetti which have been tested and are working with Version 1.41) reworked by respective authors; new race called the "Shadows" added.

VERSION 1.72 - Minor patch to include strategy changes to Norak, Sergetti & Xi'Chung and minor tweaks/spelling corrections to Klingon & Romulan AI files

VERSION 1.71 - Revisions to all races, updated for SE4 ver 1.35 & addition of Klingon, Romulan & Pyrochette races

VERSION 1.70 - Revisions to all races & additional races added

VERSION 1.60 - Revisions to all races

VERSION 1.50 - Added shipsets for Earth Alliance and Dra'kol, all AI files tweaked and updated

VERSION 1.01 - Fixed several range errors caused by spacing and spelling error in Dra'kol files.

VERSION 1.00 - Initial Release

NOTES
=====

(1) Each of the races has a complete revision history and additional notes contained in their own respective "readme.txt" files located in the race subfolders.

(2) You can find the most recent Version of this ModPack in the "Space Empires: IV - AI Races/Ship Sets" folder on the Shrapnel Games website download section located here: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...20&LastLogin=.

(3) This TDM-ModPack may be freely distributed as long as no files are modified, added or deleted.

Have Fun!
- The TDM-ModPack Team

[This message has been edited by [K126]Mephisto (edited 13 November 2001).]

[This message has been edited by [K126]Mephisto (edited 15 November 2001).]

Tampa_Gamer · #2 November 6th, 2001, 06:15 PM

Everyone who uses the TDM-ModPack:

As Mephisto said, we WANT your comments/criticisms, etc. Please post them in this thread so all of the authors (and there are a lot of us) can see what needs to be fixed. When posting, please state what Version you used, what type of game you were playing (planets/tech start/racial point levels/galaxy type/warp points connected or not) and whether any other mods were installed at the same time or you were using a modified set. If there is something really screwy, it helps to send us a savegame. Even if you have no bugs, etc. - it would be helpful if people posted "leaderBoards" from their games and explained the type of game so that we can see which races need to be improved in what type of games starts.

Thanks in advance for you help.
-Tampa_Gamer

Alpha Kodiak · #3 November 6th, 2001, 06:20 PM

Mephisto:

Quick note - the Version number on the Vaxin should be 1.1, not 2.50. Very minor issue, but I wanted to let you know about it.

Thanks,

AK

Tampa_Gamer · #4 November 6th, 2001, 06:26 PM

Sorry about that Alpha K. - that was my fault, not Mephisto's. We will correct for final Version.

Alpha Kodiak · #5 November 6th, 2001, 06:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Tampa_Gamer:
Sorry about that Alpha K. - that was my fault, not Mephisto's. We will correct for final Version.

No problem - just didn't want people to get confused later.

khanuk · #6 November 6th, 2001, 06:43 PM

Apologies but I am a total newbie at SEIV - so new that Fedex only just delivered my copy home today and I still havn't got back to instal it.

I am just checking the various threads on this board to get a feel for the game and should be grateful if one of you pros could please tell me what I DO need to download/instal in order to get max satisfaction.

Seeing all these MODs and patches and stuff makes a computer virgin like me slightly scared.

Cheers

------------------
sodomis non sapiens

oleg · #7 November 6th, 2001, 07:15 PM

New SE4 disk with TDM-mod is a commercial product, right ? Would't Shrapnel Games have copyright problems about klingons, romulans, earth alliance, etc. with Paramount, Warner Brothers and god knows who else ?

Mephisto · #8 November 6th, 2001, 07:34 PM

Yea, they would have. We will remove the copyrighted races in the CD-Version. All the AI files from these races have been transfered to races that came with the game (e.g. Earth Alliance -> Terrans)

Sinapus · #9 November 6th, 2001, 07:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by oleg:
New SE4 disk with TDM-mod is a commercial product, right ? Would't Shrapnel Games have copyright problems about klingons, romulans, earth alliance, etc. with Paramount, Warner Brothers and god knows who else ?

Good point. Especially Paramount.

Of course, I did notice that the Drakol appear to be a rename of a certain race from another game.

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--
"What do -you- want?" "I'd like to live -just- long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price. I would look up into your lifeless eyes and wave like this..." *waggle* "...can you and your associates arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?"

Mephisto · #10 November 6th, 2001, 07:55 PM

Just try this Mod for the start. It doesn't change any settings from the original game, it just adds new and - i hope - better AIs.

quote:
Originally posted by khanuk:
I am just checking the various threads on this board to get a feel for the game and should be grateful if one of you pros could please tell me what I DO need to download/instal in order to get max satisfaction.