Learning To Mod Commander, Much Options Available

alaric318 · Post by **alaric318** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:22 am

Greetings, i have played some games for now and balance is good-outstanding, only issue is that i think it will be hard to defend United Kingdom against a offensive axis player and sealion invading united kingdom is not too hard, the royal english navy have naval advantage but with the tasks of protect UK and save some convoys they may have a hard time, my main suggestion is to make a sticky explaning that the scenario files can be modded, is a game that react too very much good to modding, it is reflec of a good game system and file structure used, for the scenario file, in my case i want to mod the 1939 scenario, is easy to understand the main information whitin the file on some tips, in example, starting a new game and writing manpower levels will reveal at the bottom of the scenario file what nation number is each, so, germany with manpower level at 858 reveals as nation "0", so forward you can reveal what number are the tech levels for each nation, for germany in the 1939 scenario them start at industry 1 and organisation 3, all tech for all countries can be revealed with this information, as in the line for germany a "1" and a "3" are listed at the near end of the file, tech order is as seen in the file as it is in the research in game control pad, so forward you can balance tech for a more challenging game, and for try something different onwards when main options are tried on some games, i encourage to make a backup copy, as it is needed a "unmodded" version install of the game for online and pbem games, copy dir of the game and rename it to maybe "Commander Smith Mod", you can run each exe of commander one at a time with or without modded changes, IainMcneil advice about scalated mod is the better, one change, confirm it running the game and if it do not cause problems and are shown implemented as wished, go to next stage in the modding procedure, it is the best way to avoid unwished problems i hope this help to people that wish some changes on inital tech or play balance, fo course the files on the /commander/data folder are much in relation with the scenario .sce file, 1939.sce file, in example. have fun, hope it helps, and can speak about all it if people like for it,

with best regards,

alaric.

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:56 am

We'll look in to this but no promises on an editor

alaric318 · Post by **alaric318** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:25 pm

greetings, thanks for the reply and possible suport, i think that modding abilities are good at this moment, an scenario editor will make available editing options for users that have problems in management of the needed files, so more people will make mods and different scenario, so far my modded model is working very well, really honestly there are passed years before the addiction that i have found with this game, the good interface and management gives at the end more time to play and play faster, this and the bonus on commanders for direct combat are the features more apreciated, thanks for this game, has passed some months without a good turn based and as much some more players say i are having a good fun time with it, replayaibility given the modding ability for my, i think will be of grade high, with only a little time is capable to make much different scenarios,

with best regards,

alaric.

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:46 pm

Cool - will be good to see some mods out there!

davetheroad · Post by **davetheroad** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:31 pm

how do you even read a scenario file? It looks gibberish to me!

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:36 pm

You can't they are binary. You would need a map editor for that. We have one internally but is not exactly user friendly and not really suitable for release in its current state.

You can only edit the text files, which change unit attributes, game rules etc.

davetheroad · Post by **davetheroad** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:39 pm

Ah! binary.

How did you implement the scenarios, with a special editor to compile the source file? I would think it would have to be a fairly simple process or it would drive you crazy. Same for the terrain array, surely the whole array was not typed in by hand!!!

Dave

alaric318 · Post by **alaric318** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:58 pm

greetings, scenario.data files are binary and at this time it is imposible, but scenario.sce files can be read, some post explaining them will be great, i will try to post a image about the 1939.sce file, it is needed to change if are going to give advantages by nation, more germany industry and maybe United Kingdom air fighters and tactical bombers advantage.
i will post a picture about the 1939.sce file edited but i do not know how to upload pictures, will see if can learn it.

with regards,

alaric.

edited... well, i make available it at matrix forums, just is more easy to upload pictures there, if interested you can see what i are spealing of on the following thread...
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1492410
hope it helps, and remeber that both players must have same files exactly to can run a pbem or online game.