Desperately need a final ruling

[scramjet707]

Folks, I've been all over the internet and have been getting conflicting results. So, I figured I'd bring my question here, to the experts.

I've been playing Alpha Centauri since its release. I'm familiar with modding through Alpha's text files, but I'd like to do more. Specifically, I'd like to code in new base facilities, with their own effects. Unfortunately, public opinion appears divided on whether this can be done, and if so, how. Since there aren't entries in the text files, I assume it will involve coding, but my C skills are pretty decent. Of course, if it uses something else (like Python), I'm doomed, but if you don't try you can't succeed, right?

So: is it possible, by code or by text, to build in new base facilities? And, if so, where do I start?

Thanks much for your time, everybody.

 

[Petek]

scramjet707,

Just wanted to say howdy and welcome you to CFC and the Alpha Centauri forum. I don't know the answer to your questions. Perhaps chuft or Kilkakon will drop by. They, and others, can probably advise you in this matter. I assume that you already found this thread, which has a brief discussion about adding facilities?

Petek

 

[vyeh]

It is possible (credit to Darsnan) to put in base facilities that have negative energy maintenance (so they generate energy). Other than that, it is not possible to modify the alphax.txt file to create new facilities.

You might wish to post your question at CGN. According to chuft, scient plans to return there in March. He is best qualified to answer the rest of your question. And for reasons I won't get into, CFC is not a good venue for that discussion.

 

[Darsnan]

It is possible (credit to Darsnan) to put in base facilities that have negative energy maintenance (so they generate energy). Other than that, it is not possible to modify the alphax.txt file to create new facilities.

And I got the info for "Fusion Reactors" (i.e. negative energy maintenance) from Impaler_WrG. The really unfortunate thing was that the AIs would never build them, so they were completely useless.

The other idea regarding additional base facilities (that I will take credit for) was that, because the Aliens get +1 energy for every facility (and +2 energy for every Secret Project), that you could create dummy facilities/ SPs that have no intrinsic value, but would benefit the Aliens by giving them +1 (or +2) energy. I seem to vaguely recall generating a scenario (or PBEM) where I created a fake Nethack Terminus (i.e. the one which gave immunity from probes), including giving it the same name - just as a way to mess with the players (I was evil like that.... ).

D

 

[Core Imposter]

I remember Darsnan from PBEM days. I remember when Darsnan was fresh.

 

[Darsnan]

I remember when Darsnan was fresh.

Are you trying to say I'm stale?

I remember Darsnan from PBEM days.

I don't recognize your handle - what was it back in the Good ol' Days?

D

 

[Core Imposter]

Are you trying to say I'm stale?



I don't recognize your handle - what was it back in the Good ol' Days?

D

I will not say on the off chance I pissed you off then. I am older now and trying to get in heaven. So suffice it to say I was part of the PBEM crew that included MTG, Ann Collins, Mario, and others.

I've lost a lot of details having suffered a brain injury that wiped away a number of years but I am pretty sure I remembered you playing some PBEM.

There was a Bingmann I think and some Italian guy with a name that started with an F. He was pretty tough. Ah, those were the days, talking smac while playing smac.