SE4 Modders Guide

[Dubious]

The initial release of the Modders Guide has been posted in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive (name: SE4 Modders Guide).

The "SE4 Modders Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed in the discussion forum only under this topic.

Actually I am not very satisfied with how it is going so far. The information seems (to my inexperienced eye) much more spotty and choppy than with the Strategy Guide, and the organization is much more haphazard; it just doesn't flow together into a coherent picture. Feedback from the experienced modders is GREATLY needed.

Original release: 21 May 2001
GETTING STARTED:
* Tools

SHIP\UNIT FILES:
* CompEnhancement.txt
* VehicleSize.txt
* Components.txt

DESIGN\CONSTRUCTION AI FILES:
* AI_DesignCreation.txt
* AI_Construction_Vehicles.txt

RESEARCH FILES:
* AI_Research.txt

PLANET CHOICE\DEVELOPMENT AI FILES:
* AI_Construction_Facilties.txt
* AI_Planet_Types.txt

SETTING\GENERAL AI FILES:
* AI_Settings.txt


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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

[Tampa_Gamer]

Good Start Dubious! Thanks for the mention on the article. Just one nit - my Last name is spelled with an "e" not "o". As for the guide being disorganized - well the problem lies in the ability to modify so much of the game. I ran into this problem when outlining my article, so I just setup an arbitrary organization. It may help to explain the directory structure in the beginning of the article and maybe cutting/pasting my "Table 1 - Directories"?? But I would not worry too much - the guide will undoubtedly fill-up.

[Dubious]

TG: Oops. Sorry about the spelling error. It's fixed. I'll also update the link information since CGM has moved it around.

I've also taken your advice and included the directory structure from your table. May I also crib from your other tables as well? Your file descriptions basically.

Does anyone think it worthwhile to include all the parameter descriptions from each file in full? I use a dual monitor setup and find it just as easy to put up several windows with the different parts of the file on display, or use an editor which allows multiple windows with multiple files, so I've been lazy and just included those which need further explanation. But I can see where some might find all the parameters and their descriptions in one file helpful.

I especially need help with identifying 'related files' for each specific data file. This is one of the first questions to always come to my mind and usually you can only figure this out by trial and error.

Ayone have anything they were expecting to see (in the parts which are there anyway) which is missing?

[Tampa_Gamer]

Dubious - crib all you want - just source it to the article via footnote or whatever.

[Nitram Draw]

I could definately use a description of each parameter, what it does, acceptable values and what effect it has.
Thanks for keeping this and the strategy guide going. A game this complex needs these things.

[Dubious]

TG: No problem.
ND/MW: Noted. I'll put in what I can find on the parameters.


[This message has been edited by Dubious (edited 24 May 2001).]

[Dubious]

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Modders Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html

The "SE4 Modders Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed here.

Revision 28 May 2001: Added sub topics: 'Game Directory Structure' under topic 'GETTING STARTED'; 'TechArea.txt' under topic 'SHIP\UNIT FILES'. Added parameters under each file desciption currently in the guide. Not all data files have been added as yet.

[Dubious]

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Modders Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html

The "SE4 Modders Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed under this topic.

Revision 03 June 2001: Added key information on how 'ship type' is determined and 'initial AI state' is affected by first item under 'AI_Research.txt'; on adding new ship pictures under 'VehicleSize.txt'. Added new topics and sub-topics -
BUILDINGS\PROJECT FILES:
* Facility.txt
* IntelProjects.txt
* TechArea.txt

DIPLOMACY AI FILES:
* AI_Anger.txt
* AI_Politics.txt
* AI_Speech.txt

Not all data files have been added as yet (about half done).


[This message has been edited by Dubious (edited 03 June 2001).]

[Marty Ward]

Thanks for the update, great job!

[Dubious]

You're welcome. Thanks for the request to list all the parameters and their value ranges. Otherwise I wouldn't have realized how many are undocumented.

Now we just need people to fill in the gaps. (And for me to finish all the files of course.)