Mod Questions - A lot of replies welcome

[Mattygerst]

Okay guys.

I don't know how to explain this, so I'm just going to write what comes to me as I go. I've played Civ4 BTS for a long time, and really have enjoyed CivRFC BTS, and also a mod for original Civ4 with the Cold War.

I have a LOT of time on my hands, feel I am a quick learner, but have zero experience - but if pointed in the correct directions I feel I can make a mod that many, many might try.

I don't know where to start, or simply, HOW to start - and I'd like AS MUCH input as possible on the possibilites of the following points & questions:

First things First:

#1 - Is there a mod online that is playble & enjoyable that is created in a "today's world" format? And if so, can someone please provide a link?

Now, to the mod I want to create and provide:

#1 - I want to make a mod that deals with the world TODAY - and include AS MANY countries or union blocs as possible. Also, I'd like to use a HIGH QUALITY EARTH map, and my preference is to use Rhye's RFC map. Is it possible to put 30+, or even 40+ countries on a map, and if so how do I start this?

#2 - A. I'd like to make the game more about ECONOMIC idealogies such as FreeMarket Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, Radical Religious, etc. How is it possible to change the game from the religion set to this new set of idealogies? Also, I want to give each idealogy its requisite benefit, and requisite risk/disadvantage and for them to be LOCKED throughout game-play. BUT - I want some independent countries to be able to align with superpowers of their choice (countries in Africa and South America, for example). How is this possible, and what do I do to create this in this mod?
B. I'd like to change the names of the Holy Shrines to something else (not sure, yet?) and make their production power something else (not sure, yet?) how is this possible?

#3 - This also applies somewhat to #2, but, I'd like to create the leaders of the current world (Bush, Putin, etc.) - how do I create these leaders with their traits and how do I create leaderheads for them to be used in the game? Also - where do I do this? Also...where do I use new "Icons" for the changes from #2, etc.?

#4 - I'd like to have some "specific" units for each country. How is it possible to use and create these and to assign them ONLY to a certain country?

#5 - I'd like to make some countries REALLY favor one another, and have pure hatred for others (USA with close ties to the UK, and hatred of the Radical Islamics, and a fear of Russia, etc.) How can I input this into the game?

#6 - I'd like for the game speed to travel by only MONTHS at a time (1 Month/turn). How is this possible, and how/where do I label this in the game?

#7 - Something just for me right now, I'd only like a Domination or Conquest victory. How is this possible?

#8 - I'd like to make some resources unimagineably valuable such as oil so that while the Empires (America, China, etc.) will be wealthy - they will SPEND their wealth to buy oil from the Middle Eastern countries, therefore giving the Middle Eastern countries an ability to create weapons and armies from gold spending. How is this possible and what needs to be changed?

#9 - Also, I'd like for Nuclear Weapons to only be held by the countries that already have them, AND for countries that DO NOT have them to have a VERY, VERY, VERY hard time attaining them (making them expensive to build, etc.) How is this possible?

#10 - Going with #9, I'd like for a country going to war to REALLY, REALLY not use Nuclear weapons except as maybe a last resort. How is this possible?

And - HOW can I make the AI understand HOW to use these things for a playable game?

For right now - this is all I can think of...

But - PLEASE understand...I am a LOYAL player, and I REALLY DO have a LOT of time to do this and make this work. I simply don't know where to start or HOW to even start. I imagine it is not easy - but, I feel I can pick it up with some explanation. Please throw me some bones here, and even offering to help would be nice - but I promise to make this work if possible and if it is explained a bit more in depth than my normal understanding

I have an AIM, and it is mattygerst17. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Refar]

There is a similar project... World 2008 or something...
http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=294
I have no idea in what development stage it is.

 

[Mattygerst]

Okay.

Now that that is out of the way...

I'm not looking to join an exisiting team that has apparently quit working.

Simply put...I don't know, yet, how to mod that stuff from the 10 points above, and would like someone to help out. I'm quite quick at understanding this stuff and would like some help is all...

Please read the top post and comment.

 

[Ekmek]

man, you looking to do a big project. i cant boil it all down now as my 2 year old keeps jumping on my key board. but i recommend starting with something "small" first like either the xml, the art, or the python/coding.

 

[Mattygerst]

I know a bit of how to work around XML, etc., but art, python/coding would be a help if someone could hop on AIM and help me out.

I'm dedicated. You have to trust me. I can do this, just need someone with the experience and knowledge to help. Heh, I'm not some 14 year old kid who is going to flake out. I am retired - although young, and want to devote my time to creating this since I believe it will be very fun.

 

[Kael]

Okay guys.

I don't know how to explain this, so I'm just going to write what comes to me as I go. I've played Civ4 BTS for a long time, and really have enjoyed CivRFC BTS, and also a mod for original Civ4 with the Cold War.

I have a LOT of time on my hands, feel I am a quick learner, but have zero experience - but if pointed in the correct directions I feel I can make a mod that many, many might try.

I don't know where to start, or simply, HOW to start - and I'd like AS MUCH input as possible on the possibilites of the following points & questions:

First things First:

#1 - Is there a mod online that is playble & enjoyable that is created in a "today's world" format? And if so, can someone please provide a link?

The 2008 mod is a good startiong place for what you want.

Now, to the mod I want to create and provide:

#1 - I want to make a mod that deals with the world TODAY - and include AS MANY countries or union blocs as possible. Also, I'd like to use a HIGH QUALITY EARTH map, and my preference is to use Rhye's RFC map. Is it possible to put 30+, or even 40+ countries on a map, and if so how do I start this?

With Rhye's permission its possible to use worldbuilder to export his map to an xml file that you can then import into your mod. I would remove all units/cities/improvemnet/roads/etc from the map before the export to keep it simple.

You will also need to remove any objects in Rhye's mod that dont exist in your or it wont load (things such as swamps). Or alternativly add those things to your mod so you can import it.

#2 - A. I'd like to make the game more about ECONOMIC idealogies such as FreeMarket Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, Radical Religious, etc. How is it possible to change the game from the religion set to this new set of idealogies? Also, I want to give each idealogy its requisite benefit, and requisite risk/disadvantage and for them to be LOCKED throughout game-play. BUT - I want some independent countries to be able to align with superpowers of their choice (countries in Africa and South America, for example). How is this possible, and what do I do to create this in this mod?
B. I'd like to change the names of the Holy Shrines to something else (not sure, yet?) and make their production power something else (not sure, yet?) how is this possible?

This is probably going to be a major task depending on what you want these ideologoes to do. Its certainly easy to rename the religion to these names, but that doens't really accomplish anything. You will face 2 problems:

1. Economy isn't as imporant in Civ4 as you want to make it in your mod. If you really want to get deep here I would create a world economy, block economy (for you and your trade partners) and a local economy (your country).

These economies could be influenced by events, wonders, buildings (to a smaller scale), quantity and diversity of trade goods, and a little luck. It could be negativly influenced by natural disasters, suffering from attacks, terroist attacks and epidemics. Add in whatever other metrics you would like to apply.

You will probably need to change several key features of Civ4 and have them run off of your economy model. Things like research rate wouldnt be on a slider, but a direct result of healtier economies. Likewise for great people and production.

2. Depending on how creative you want these functions to be will take a lot of programming to accomplish. Just the ones I have mentioned are considerable tasks. Be prepared to learn to program. I would start with the takss on this list that are easier before working up to these.

#3 - This also applies somewhat to #2, but, I'd like to create the leaders of the current world (Bush, Putin, etc.) - how do I create these leaders with their traits and how do I create leaderheads for them to be used in the game? Also - where do I do this? Also...where do I use new "Icons" for the changes from #2, etc.?

Id recommend using 2d pictures of the leaders so you can get real pictures of them in the game. But if you want to use 3d models there are a ton in the art forum (Garretsidzaka has some really cool current leaders). The icons for the religions are in a special gamefont.tga and gamefont75.tga file. Its a hassle to deal with but it isnt to hard if your accustomed to messing around with photoshop.

There are tutorials for both adding leaders and modifying the gamefont files int he tutorial forum.

#4 - I'd like to have some "specific" units for each country. How is it possible to use and create these and to assign them ONLY to a certain country?

There are tutorials on adding untis to the game and making them UU's. Its not that hard.

#5 - I'd like to make some countries REALLY favor one another, and have pure hatred for others (USA with close ties to the UK, and hatred of the Radical Islamics, and a fear of Russia, etc.) How can I input this into the game?

Worldbuilder allows you to set starting attitudes of leader to each other.

#6 - I'd like for the game speed to travel by only MONTHS at a time (1 Month/turn). How is this possible, and how/where do I label this in the game?

In FfH we changed this just to "turns" because the actual timeline isnt that important (do we really need ot know that its 1612 or october?). But if you want to do this it should be settable in xml (i think civ4gamespeeinfo.xml but i could be wrong).

#7 - Something just for me right now, I'd only like a Domination or Conquest victory. How is this possible?

You can set this for a specific scenario, or you can edit the civ4victoryinfo.xml file to remove all the other vicotory types from the mod entirely. Id recommend adding a victory condition around raising the world economy to a certain point.

#8 - I'd like to make some resources unimagineably valuable such as oil so that while the Empires (America, China, etc.) will be wealthy - they will SPEND their wealth to buy oil from the Middle Eastern countries, therefore giving the Middle Eastern countries an ability to create weapons and armies from gold spending. How is this possible and what needs to be changed?

This would have to be tied pretty closely to the economy mechanics discussed in #2. You may want to consider having countries stockpile resources instead of simply having/not having them. Your rate of adding or reducing the sotckpile would be based on your peoples consumption of that resource (consumption could be a result of civic choices). Oil could be a special example where consumption was heavily influenced by military units, meanign that you needed more coming in the larger your active army is (and it may be worth differentiating between active and non-active military for this mod, so that you can set units in your home territory as non-active to reduce consumption/unit maintenance but then they need several turns to become active again if requested).

#9 - Also, I'd like for Nuclear Weapons to only be held by the countries that already have them, AND for countries that DO NOT have them to have a VERY, VERY, VERY hard time attaining them (making them expensive to build, etc.) How is this possible?

This would probably be just an xml change. Have the missiles require a special building which is incrediably expensive to build. You could also tie the economy levels from #2 as a requirement for certain units so that you would have to have a top tier economy before you would even have the option of building a weapons grade nuclear reactor or missiles.

#10 - Going with #9, I'd like for a country going to war to REALLY, REALLY not use Nuclear weapons except as maybe a last resort. How is this possible?

And - HOW can I make the AI understand HOW to use these things for a playable game?

Both of these come down to Ai coding, which is very difficult. Its going to take time and effort to get it done. Id recommend doing everything else before worrying to much abotu the AI. Mostly because you can teach the Ai to play a game until the game is made.

As for mechanics to support these ideas. I would have nuclear weapons strongly impact the world economy and create disasters/effects in surrounding areas (or world wide) that ruin local economies they effect. It should be as localized as it is in Civ4.

If you agree with this sort of design you should start to rethink Civ4 in the terms of the world/block/local economy mechanic. Lets say they all average together to form an "effective economy" (the actual economy rating that applies to your country). The local economy would have 10 tiers each with requirements:

1- must have markets in half your cities
2- must have at least 5 luxary goods
3- must have at least 3 trading partners
4 - etc
5
6
7
8
9
10

Your effective economy (EE), the average of your world/block/local economy, would be on a 1-100 scale andgive you bonuses based on its result:

Research rate = EE (ex: 60% EE = 60% research rate)
Great people points = EE - 20% (ex: 60% EE = 40% normal GPP)
Production = EE + 20% (ex: 60% EE = 80% normal production)

Specials
20% EE required to build missionaries
60% EE required to grant foreign aid (foreign aid is a trade good that is expensive for the offering nation but raises the local economy of the recieving nation if they are below a certain amount)
70% EE required to form corporations
80% EE required to build weapons grade nuclear reactors

Note that in this model its very possivle for a country to have an 8 local economy but only a 60% EE. That means that his block or the world economies are dragging him down. This encourages players to consider block and world situations and get involved in global events. Players may want to send foreign aid to countries to help them out, increase their attitude in that country and hopefully raise the global economy numbers. Low economy countries could be made more likely to start epidemics and wars. Helping one country against another becomes an economic as well as a military decision.

And so on, though you would have to fill in all the requirements and results you want. This gives you a game where economy plays as strong a part as military and more accuratly models the present day world state. It is just the start of an actual design, there is a ton left to do. Hopefully its helpful to you.

Its a huge amount of work, start small and then slowly start chipping away at the bigger pieces. There isnt anyone who can sit down and puch sometihng liek this out in a few hours. Be prepared to spend a lot of time to do this and fail over and over again in trying. Eventually you will get there, and I think there is some potential in this idea to play a new version of civ that many will enjoy and could become a very popular mod.

 

[Mattygerst]

I hope you don't mind...but a lot of that went a bit over my head & I believe that I will be able to figure it out at some point - but I will need some help and I hope you don't mind me picking on you to help me out.

First of all, I'd like to say thank you for being correct about my wanting to create an "economy based" game. I believe that the economy is a much larger factor in the world than is displayed in Civ4 BTS, or any mod I've seen.

With that...even though this is far, far down the road - how and where would I go into the coding of the game to create these economies and what exactly would I be doing?