Epic Game Pre-Planning

[Sekrit Jay]

Apologies for the portentous thread title, but I have many questions that are only related to this project that I'm doing for another forum (though if you want, I can provide a link)

I am currently planning to do a SMACX diary for a forum that I frequent, but instead of using the vanilla factions, I'm trying to figure out a way to make custom factions. The reason for this is because it's a follow up to another story that I did previously (funnily enough, was a Transport Tycoon Deluxe game, which was a follow-up to a Hearts of Iron II game that someone else did ).

So that questions that I need answering

1) Is there any way to play the game in windowed mode? I am aware of a command parameter, but the webpage in question refers to the Linux version of the original SMAC (I'm running SMACX on Vista), so I'm looking for clarification before I type anything or fiddle with the .ini file. The reason why I want it in windowed mode is, first of all, the resolution is terrible, but I know from a thread topic on this very forum that it looks awful on high resolutions. In any case, because I'll be posting screenshots whilst I'm playing, I need to be able to switch quickly between the game, my browser and erm, MSPaint regularly.

2) I'm fairly familiar with the faction editor (although I'd like to add factions rather then change existing factions), but I'm not as familiar with the factions graphics. I'd quite like to change the faction leader pictures for example, but the .pcx files that contain this information is a bit over my head, and in any case, I'll need to find a free program that'll let me change the graphics easily

3) Is there any way to increase the number of factions at play at once? It's not necessary, but I would really like an epic game with 14 factions at once

4) I have a backstory ready but it means that I'll need help in balancing the factions - for example, for various reasons, one of the factions will start with Doctrine: Air Power, but will be severely nerfed elsewhere. You don't have to help, but any help would be appreciated. If you'd like, I'll post the faction details I have planned if anyone's willing to help

Thanks for the help.

 

[Psyringe]

Can't help you with the other questions, but (3) is, unfortunately, impossible. The game uses only 3 bits to denote faction ownership (I don't know if that pertains to units and bases, but it's at least one of them), and with 3 bits you can only distinguish 8 states - 7 factions and the native lifeforms.

 

[Sekrit Jay]

Fair enough, I didn't think it was possible, it just means someone's going to have to go without a faction to their name

I did a bit of research on 1) - there was a program that I downloaded called D3D windower or something that SAYS it works, but I've been left disappointed so far.