New quadrant mod posted

Daynarr · #1 April 4th, 2001, 05:20 AM

FYI I have posted my Quadrant Mod I have promised a while ago. It contains a huge number of new systems and changes most of the old ones. I have also made changes to planet composition distribution so that rock planets show up mostly near the stars, while ice/gas giant planets show up farther away from the start. There are 2 new star types as well - Red Dwarf and White Giant. Of course, there is a lot more but I don't want to spoil things - its more fun to find them out yourselves. With this mod you will really feel like you are exploring the galaxy (a little advertising won't hurt) .
Installation:
Just unzip the file in the SE4 main folder and start new game. For those that use other mods, unzip in that mods folder (for example - unzip to SE4\TDM-Mod Pack folder if you have TDM Mod Pack installed)

Some things you need to know about this mod:

- This mod changes all the quadrant types included in the original game. That means that you can start game in cluster quadrant and all the systems that come with this mod will be included (you don't need to use only the new quadrant that comes with this mod). This also means that this mod is not compatible with any other quadrant mod posted.

- This mod is compatible with TDM Mod Pack and should be compatible with any non-quadrant mod posted so far.

- The black holes are a rarity (mostly only 1% chance to show up). That makes this mod AI-friendly (even in ancient quadrant).

- This mod has been in beta-testing for a while now so there should be no problems with it.

Marty Ward · #2 April 5th, 2001, 02:41 AM

I installed the mod, cause I hate black holes (ty

), and it created a folder called planets with 3 pictures in it.Where do they go?

mottlee · #3 April 5th, 2001, 03:15 AM

When I install mod will it alter an ongoing game or should I wait till I finish it?

------------------
mottlee@gte.net
"Kill em all let God sort em out"

raynor · #4 April 5th, 2001, 03:17 AM

There is a directory called 'planets' in the se4 directory structure under pictures--i.e. se4\Pictures\Planets. As this is a modified file, you may want to copy it to a mod directory such as se4\ModPack\Pictures\Planets.

I dunno the answer to the second question. My intuition says that these files just affect the creation of the map and so shouldn't affect an ongoing game. But I'm not going to back that answer up since I haven't personally tested it.

[This message has been edited by raynor (edited 05 April 2001).]

Marty Ward · #5 April 5th, 2001, 03:19 AM

Thanks

chewy027 · #6 April 5th, 2001, 03:57 AM

Am playing with the new quadrant right now as I type. Nice new systems. Good work Daynarr

!

Baron Munchausen · #7 April 5th, 2001, 05:56 AM

Apparently these two new star types are the only additional graphics? I was expecting something much more involved for the file size. How about if someone creates a "comet" and implements the comet in the system files?

Yeah, it would be stationary but it could still look cool in the system window. Or how about if someone creates some more interesting nebula backgrounds? The whole system doesn't have to be one featurless fuzzy/cloudy color. We could have a swirled nebula with interwoven colors or even a "ring" nebula with a visible star remnant in the middle and ring of denser stuff against a background of thinner haze that might let a star or two peek through. And some obviously 'distressed' stars in various stages of flares and eruptions would be good for scenario builders once the map editor comes out.

Daynarr · #8 April 5th, 2001, 09:44 AM

Marty, you don't need to modify anything yourself. If you have unzipped the mod in for example TDM-Mod Pack folder, it will create planets folder in it an put 3 files there. This is exactly where they should go. The game will use these files as long as your path.txt points to the TDM-Mod Pack. Of course this also applies for geoschmo's Trek Mod or any other mod out there.

mottlee, you can install this mod while you have game going and it won't disrupt anything. However, the changes will only take affect once you start new game.

Baron, you are right about it. The problem is that I simply don't have the necessary skills to make this kind of graphics yet. I am still learning how to use photoshop and making new nebulas is little too hard for me to do at the moment.

If anybody has time and skills to make such graphics I would be more then happy to implement them in this mod with all the credits given of course.

Thanks for the great feedback guys.

Krakenup · #9 April 5th, 2001, 07:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Baron Munchausen:
A Or how about if someone creates some more interesting nebula backgrounds? The whole system doesn't have to be one featurless fuzzy/cloudy color.

I replaced all the nebula backgrounds with pictures of actual nebulae mostly from Hubble shots. They are really spectacular and make you happy to be in a nebula. I will be happy to E-mail them or post them if anyone is interested. The zip file for the 1024x768 screen resolution (5 pictures) is about 4.2M and for 800x600 the zip file is about 2.4M. Each zip contains direct replacements for the Storm1 through 5.bmp images.

Baron Munchausen · #10 April 5th, 2001, 07:34 PM

Please post. I'm sure many would like to use this. Maybe it can be incorporated into the QuadMod 1.1 or something. Although, it's kinda large. Maybe it can just be an 'addition' to the Quad Mod.