Kael said:
I see both sides. Given the option to have only one or the other (program access through XML and Python or an editor) I would take what we have. It requires more knowledge (and time) but it is way more flexible. But ideally both options would be great.
I suspect Firaxis released the program side assuming that the community would develop an interface for simple changes.
Long term though an interface won't work for any but the simpliest mods. XML is extendible. Which means I can add and remove attributes from the object. I can add a RACE attribute to units and use it to determine if that unit is an elf, dwarf, etc.
An interface isn't going to recognize that change (and thats just a very simple example) so it would be nice for mods that don't include any new features, its not of much use to mods that do include new stuff.
For what's worth, I have been working on an editor that is GUI based, that will allow people to modify the existing XML files, and I have given thought to designing it to allow people to ADD attributes of their own design into the XML files.
I am building it in Python 2.4.2, and the GUI is built with wxPython 2.6.
My first iterations looks to use a GUI based loosely on the Civ III GUI, since people are comfortable with it.
Why Python and wxPython? I need to learn the language to work with scenarios, and indeed there will be parts no editor can get around NOT without writing code.
That being said, it is indeed a nightmare to build.
My best guess is I will have my first iteration out for public critique sometime in the summer.
I am certain there are other people working on their own versions.
I fully expect that someone, or a group of people, far more talented and determined than I, will indeed release a GUI based editor before I do.
Just because I said it is a nightmare to do does not mean a better coder than I could not churn through it and build something.
We are already seeing a number of XML editors out there, but each seems to focus on different XML files. Eventually someone will build something that encompasses all of them.
That is what I am trying, but it is indeed taking a long, long time.