is there a fix for the datalinks?

[debulm]

Hey, I just want to point out that the only faction that has a datalinks entry are the Peacekeepers, and Lal is the only faction leader that has an entry as well. I think I can fix that (maybe), but I only want those original quotes from each faction leader (remember Alpha Centauri?) as the pedia entry, for both the faction and a repeat for the leaders.

 

[Pickly]

If you have notepad++, or some other file that can edit XML files, you can directly edit the particular files that include this information.

(I'm not sure what these would be, but if you look in the (folders)\Beyond the Sword\Mods\Planetfall\Assets\XML\Text, you should be able to find the required files.

 

[GeoModder]

I've thought of fixing those for a while now, but something always came inbetween. And I currently have time but not access to them since the laptop I'm using doesn't have BtS on it.

 

[Lord Tirian]

Actually, the leaders *do* have individual datalinks entries - only the Aki, Cha Dawn and the aliens are using Lal's entry as a placeholder (a couple of versions earlier, Aki and Cha Dawn weren't planned to be implemented, their factions were done as religions only instead, that has changed now; the aliens are obviously not implemented at all so far).

The problem with the faction descriptions is a) all the traits are associated with the leader anyway and b) it's not possible to copy over the SMAC/SMAX text for that, since the text describes a rough game strategy/traits of the faction - these are obviously very different in Planetfall.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Maniac]

You did put the Aki description in xml once, but I decided not to link it because I don't like the description of the Consciousness being born from some rogue AI experiment implanting itself in Aki's brain or whatever.

 

[Lord Tirian]

You did put the Aki description in xml once, but I decided not to link it because I don't like the description of the Consciousness being born from some rogue AI experiment implanting itself in Aki's brain or whatever.

I've drafted an alternative version of Aki's datalinks - I left it somewhat ambiguous, so you could read the rogue AI into it, if you really want to. However, the main idea is that Aki's experiment didn't become a rogue AI, but that Aki's goal was, from the onset, to create a seed AI that could become self-aware in order to upload human minds into it.

That also fits together with the game theme of a) memetics (need to understand how humans work if you want to upload them) and b) the supercities (if you want to create a super self-improving seed AI, you need the biggest computer centres you can get). By the way, the SMAX canon backstory does support the whole thing a bit, considering she studied "computer age philosopy" - so I hope it's not a total change from the SMAX personality (if you can call her that...)

Hit the spoiler to read it and tell me what you think (I also wrote it in 20 minutes or so, so it may contain typos and other mistakes) - though fiction isn't my strength.

Spoiler Aki backstory :

Service Record:
Aki Luttinen born 2028, Hollingsdall Norway, of shopkeeper parents. Studied at Oslo University, earned Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Programming, Masters in Computer Science, Ph.D. Computer Science and Computer Age Philosophy. Became expert with C* and C** programming languages; joined Zakharov Research Institute three years prior to launch of Unity. Assigned to Alpha Centauri crew as expert computer tech.

Details are unclear, but evidence suggests she initiated an unauthorized experiment involving virtual brain simulation and recursive programming, utilizing unused capacities on the Unity computers during the transit to Alpha Centauri. Shortly after her awakening, the data about the experiment was downloaded to a personal storage device and purged from the datalinks. Luttinen was investigated as potential suspect for the data theft, but the Unity crash interrupted the investigation and the crew lost track of Luttinen's whereabouts.

Several months after Planetfall, Luttinen re-appeared, amassing computing equipment and followers. Her goal is apparently the continuation of her experiment aboard the Unity in the hope of creating a fully aware seed AI that is capable of uploading and integrating the human consciousness in order to transcend human existence.

Psych Profile: Emotionally Detached
Though the exact motivations are unclear, Luttinen seems to be obsessed with transhumanism and immortality after reviewing the data of the Unity brain simulation. Her belief in the superiority of technology causes a strong emphasis on logic and reason, sacrificing emotion and intuition for pure practicality. With no sentimentality or personal code, treachery is likely. Appeals to emotion or tradition as well as psychological intimidation are unlikely to succeed.

If you go with it, "The Transhumanist" might be a better description for Aki than "The Cyborg" (for the leader trait, like Morgan is "The Mogul", Yang "The Despot" etc.). In the same vein, I've also tried to find a couple of fitting base names, beyond the bland "Greek Letter + Place" names (though you might want to change the order, some are better than others).

Spoiler Base names :

Consilience (mainly the first paragraph of wikipedia here
Singularity (referencing the technological singularity)
Convergence (because... it just fits?)
Emergence (for emergent behaviour, like swarms form unified behaviour - same with all human (minds) becoming a bigger entity)
Syncretia (from syncretism - again the idea of ideas melding together)
Extropia (taken from Extropianism - wikipedia is an amazing resource for weird niche stuff )
Qualia (from philosophy, for a faction named "the Consciousness", this is a must! )
Omega Point (again referencing the technological singularity)

If you like the backstory, I can put it into the appropriate XML format, in the same go, I could copy over Cha Dawn and the aliens.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Maniac]

I like it

 

[Lord Tirian]

File attached - contains Luttinen, Cha Dawn, H'minee and Marr. All formatted in the usual style, just add it to the TextCivilopedia_CivLeaders.xml and link it.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Maniac]

Thanks downloaded.

While I'm editing that descriptions file, I'll change the leaders' birthdays to the European date notation. :idea:

 

[Lord Tirian]

While I'm editing that descriptions file, I'll change the leaders' birthdays to the European date notation. :idea:

(though I'd suggest to spell out the months, makes confusion next to impossible )

Cheers, LT.

 

[GeoModder]

(see? I go offline for 2 days and things get done... )