In-universe pop-up and splash information

[Lord Tirian]

Basically, provide some information regarding the in-universe function and idea of technologies and wonders using a sentence or two.

Here is a mock-up of what I'm thinking of:

I also think short infos like that for buildings and units in the Pedia would help a lot as the current entries are very long and in-depth. Which is nice but not very accessible.

All of that would help a fair deal with the overall worldbuilding and even for people who know the lore already, it's nice to have a little "reminder" to build up the overall atmosphere.

 

[Bezurn]

This is what made Alpha Centauri great. Each new technology had a good bit of backstory with it with various sections of the screen showing information on the function, and then another section showing the in game lore. While the presentation was a bit messy, I am sure some UI wizzes of today's generation can give the player the option to sit and read snippets if they like, or forge ahead with the game

Currently the user needs to right click on entries in the tech web in order to pull out the lore that is buried in the game in the 'pedia.

 

[IphStich]

This is actually a really good idea and will totally help immerse me into the game!

If nobody else mods this into the game, I'll do it myself!

 

[Lord Tirian]

If nobody else mods this into the game, I'll do it myself!

Ohhh, I like your interface mod! I'm rubbish with lua but if you plan to work on this, shoot me a PM and see whether I can help with writing up the short descriptions (not that you can't but the game has a lot of stuff, the more people the better, I assume).

 

[IphStich]

Ohhh, I like your interface mod! I'm rubbish with lua but if you plan to work on this, shoot me a PM and see whether I can help with writing up the short descriptions (not that you can't but the game has a lot of stuff, the more people the better, I assume).

Haha, that would be a lot of work. But... Worth it?

My initial plan was to simply take the first sentence or so from their 'pedia entry, and make that link to the 'pedia itself.

But having actual written summaries is a much better idea! And if you're willing to do the work there... I'd gladly accept your help!

 

[zwergdachs]

I really like this idea too. It does convey a lot of theme.

But I would move the short summary below the quote.

 

[Fabio1701]

This idea is brilliant and has my 100% vote, and I am unanimous in this.

 

[Lord Tirian]

But having actual written summaries is a much better idea! And if you're willing to do the work there... I'd gladly accept your help!

They're not going to be masterpieces of writing, though!

But sure, give me a sample XML so I know what format you want to have them in and I'd happily start writing stuff.

 

[Haggbart]

Great idea! [emoji2]

 

[IphStich]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebcwj2n2lr1t2v3/CivBETechFlavor.xml?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c0fqoqdf25qc3zs/CivBeWonderFlavor.xml?dl=0

Download both these files. You will need to add additional rows to both tables.

The tech and wonder TYPEs are both defined in the CivBEBuildings.xml and CivBETechnologies.xml, so check there if you're unsure of anything.

This is what it looks like right now:

Spoiler :

Now, I just need to figure out how to link back to their 'pedia entries, and then I'm done on my side

 

[Lord Tirian]

Sorry for the wait, here's the XML for the wonders. Still working on the techs - there are a lot of them! Would be nice to know whether the length is okay - if not, I can revise them to make them a bit shorter.

EDIT: Also, I'm aware that they are a bit bland, they are just "cliff notes" of the pedia entries. Once I get a better feel for the allowable length and can test them myself, I might go back and embellish them a bit more to make them a bit more flavourful and include some of the "quirks" the wonders often seem to exhibit (like Cynosure mostly just not bothering about human actions or possibly orchestrating events in the background).

 

[zwergdachs]

Hey how about adding a small in-universe description to the stations?

Like we saw them on early pre-release builds. But this time around in addition to their in-game effects.

Would that also be feasible by your mod?

 

[Fabio1701]

Hey how about adding a small in-universe description to the stations?

Like we saw them on early pre-release builds. But this time around in addition to their in-game effects.

Would that also be feasible by your mod?

That would be cool too, but the stations need so much more work to make them interesting i ont think a little description will cut it.
I would like to see such a thing if stations stuck aroujd for longer than ten turns and influencedd diplomacy or had personalities like states at all.

Regarding the wonders, is it possible to do a mod that one couod scroll down or press a button and the civpopedia lore text appears? Without being redirexted into the civlopedia?