Modding Q&A

[Oni Ryuu]

Thank you.

Will the file be placed in the Conquests or Master folder?
If it’s possible, putting it in the Master folder would make it easier for people to install.

 

[Nathiri]

Thank you.

Will the file be placed in the Conquests or Master folder?
If it’s possible, putting it in the Master folder would make it easier for people to install.

The Bat files will be placed where you want the era folders to change. So that would be the Master Folder.

 

[Nathiri]

Sorry for the delay. I wrote 4 bat files to switch around folders 1 by 1, but I wanted a revert all script, which was not really in my knowledge. Plus each bat file had to be ran in the same order for it to return to the original, so I wanted a smoother way. So I contacted someone who did know how to write a revert script and he offered to write an entirely new script to cover everything, since he wanted some way to save the progress of renaming to easily revert. But there appears to be errors in it as it isn't functioning as intended... and I appear to keep missing when he is online, or something interrupts me, and when I come back, he is gone. First interruption was going to bed, 2nd time was thunder and lightning so I turned off the internet (and power).

 

[Oni Ryuu]

I’m happy to hear you’re making progress. You sound quite enthusiastic.

 

[Nathiri]

So it took a few days for me to find the guy online again and he got the problem fixed in his script. The script may or may not be more user-friendly. In some ways it is, and others not. I'll provide my simplistic version and his; and you can choose which one you want.

My way is a simple rename process back and forth. I used Era 2, Era 3, Era 4, and Current Era (Era 1) as the placeholder names. You have to run through each bat file to return it to Era 1. Switch to Era 2, then run Switch to Era 3, then run Switch to Era 4, then run the Switch 4 to 1 etc.

The alternative bat file was made to be toggled. So you run one to change to Era 2, then run it again to change it back to Era 1. You have to do this every time to change to the other eras though, so it didnt turn out exactly how I asked it to be. From there, you hit the Switch to Era 3.bat. Then when you want to do Era 4, you run the Era 3 bat again to return it to the original before you hit the Era 4 bat. This may be a bit tedious in that, but he didnt seem to want to change it. Also, it basically swaps the names of the folders; so dont be alarmed when it doesnt appear to change. I put a text file in all of them to show which folder was what. They do get switched. Current Era is renamed Era 2 or whatever Era, even though it is Era 1. If you do get them a bit out of order, it isnt difficult to re-allign them. You can just rename the folders to their original names. The txt file I have in each can tell you.

The bat files can be named whatever you want, but they have to be in the same location as the folders that need to be swapped. If you want to rename the folders something else: just change the file name in the quotes " " for mine, and for the alternative, change the Mod Path on the 4th line.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/82d4h33qv202lvo/Oni+Bat+files.zip

 

[Oni Ryuu]

Thanks Nathiri, you’ve made this old game feel young again.

I’m going to use your system because it’ll be easier to work with.
Do I put the ancient graphics in the Current Era folder?
I’ve just successfully tested it and you can create a shortcut for the batch files wherever you want.

These are examples of the BIQ addresses I’ll need in case anyone else is following what we’re doing.

Spoiler :

My standard mod
TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

My standard mod with railroad restored
TLC Master Folder\Mercantile\Railroad;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

My derived Mod
TLC Master Folder\Mercantile;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

My derived Mod with railroad restored
TLC Master Folder\Mercantile\Railroad;TLC Master Folder\Mercantile;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

Again, thanks and great work.

 

[Nathiri]

Thanks Nathiri, you’ve made this old game feel young again.

I’m going to use your system because it’ll be easier to work with.
Do I put the ancient graphics in the Current Era folder?
I’ve just successfully tested it and you can create a shortcut for the batch files wherever you want.

These are examples of the BIQ addresses I’ll need in case anyone else is following what we’re doing.

Spoiler :

My standard mod
TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

My standard mod with railroad restored
TLC Master Folder\Mercantile\Railroad;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

My derived Mod
TLC Master Folder\Mercantile;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

My derived Mod with railroad restored
TLC Master Folder\Mercantile\Railroad;TLC Master Folder\Mercantile;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder\Current Era;TLC Master Folder\Main Folder

Again, thanks and great work.

Yes, first era graphics go in Current Era. By default, first era is current era. When you switch to 2nd era, it is renamed first era.

 

[Oni Ryuu]

It looked fairly obvious but I’ve learned to make fewer assumptions when it comes to this game.

I’m going to write a proposal to see if any members are interested in doing a graphics pack specifically for this setup.

 

[Oni Ryuu]

The batch files don't work if they're in the game folder.
I think it might have something to do with the game using file protection.

 

[Nathiri]

The batch files don't work if they're in the game folder.
I think it might have something to do with the game using file protection.

They have to be in the same directory as the files you want changed, unless you edit the script. I made no file path. It assumes its in the same folder. The folders you want changed also have to be the same names as the name in " "

 

[Oni Ryuu]

It works when it’s placed outside of my game files. I can transfer it back and forth but something’s preventing it from working where it is.
I have to use the compatibility Files button to access my saved game files and editor BIQ’s; and I have to confirm administrator permission every time I mess with the files.
I think the batch files are being refused permission to alter the folder names.

 

[Nathiri]

It works when it’s placed outside of my game files. I can transfer it back and forth but something’s preventing it from working where it is.
I have to use the compatibility Files button to access my saved game files and editor BIQ’s; and I have to confirm administrator permission every time I mess with the files.
I think the batch files are being refused permission to alter the folder names.

Oh. I dont have those permissions. Cant you remove them?

 

[Oni Ryuu]

Don't worry, i know that; It has something to do with the game being installed in Program Files.
It will still work for other players using another location and i'll get it working for me eventually.

Can a "next era" bat file be used to activate the other ones in sequence?

 

[Nathiri]

Don't worry, i know that; It has something to do with the game being installed in Program Files.
It will still work for other players using another location and i'll get it working for me eventually.

Can a "next era" bat file be used to activate the other ones in sequence?

Not sure why you would want that. I think it would mess up the process if you activated all at once. That would mean it would just run them all and you would get no where?

 

[Oni Ryuu]

I thought you could put a counter on the Next Era bat so it would know which era bat needs to be activated.
Players could then create a shortcut on their desktop so they don't have to go into the folders after installation.
I'm pretty sure that if we knew the code everything could be done with just one bat file.

 

[Nathiri]

I thought you could put a counter on the Next Era bat so it would know which era bat needs to be activated.
Players could then create a shortcut on their desktop so they don't have to go into the folders after installation.
I'm pretty sure that if we knew the code everything could be done with just one bat file.

Something could probably done if it was an actual exe and looking at the autosave.

 

[Oni Ryuu]

Thank you i found what i neded
I managed to write a working program (based on your work) that does everything, so happy days.
Download

 

[Oni Ryuu]

Does anyone know why my advanced worker options have disappeared?

I have them enabled in preferences and the options were available yesterday. I updated the flavours in my .biq and lost the advanced worker options when I tested the game.

 

[Oni Ryuu]

I have no experience using plagues (in the disaster menu) but I’m sure it could be repurposed to simulate bad weather.

I would have it so it:
- Caused next to no damage.
- Came and went in a maximum of 2 turns.
- Could start immediately (5000BC).
- Could occur 15 times in 1000 turns.
- Is totally unpredictable.

The plague would be called “A Bad Storm” so i'd get the message "unit X was killed by A Bad Storm".
I would like a storm animation to replace the vultures but that's not important now.

Does anyone know what settings will have the desired results?

 

[Blue Monkey]

One thing people have done is create a faction or use barbarians as a "nature" civ. In addition, there are several units by Rhodie & others such as clouds or lightning which could be used as sources for the plague animations.