Request: A mod for soundtrack files.

[Mouthwash]

This mod should replace the soundtrack folder and block all music from the base game. The new folder should be subdivided into sections for all eras, into which Mp3 files can be dropped. So, for instance, putting a particular song in the Ancient file folder will cause that song to be played only in the ancient era.

The era folders should also have a secondary folder inside them, which lead to civ and religion specific folders, into which music files can also be dropped. All XML work would be done automatically (which I know is possible; Caveman2Cosmos has a similar system). This includes the folders themselves. Making new folders in the appropriate areas and titling them after additional eras, civs, or religions should be as easy as that.

If this works, one should be able to make Medieval and Renaissance Christian soundtracks, or follow the evolution of Arabic music across the ages. It's perfect for mods like RFC.

 

[Leoreth]

This seems to be a lot of work on part of the person creating this kind of dynamic loading of music files, while the only gain is that someone else saves some time doing relatively easy XML changes.

Is there a benefit that I don't see that would justify this effort?

 

[Mouthwash]

This seems to be a lot of work on part of the person creating this kind of dynamic loading of music files, while the only gain is that someone else saves some time doing relatively easy XML changes.

Is there a benefit that I don't see that would justify this effort?

Everybody would be able to participate; it wouldn't require an effort of one person and others would no longer be subject to their whims. Even if the maker(s) of a mod didn't see fit to include certain tracks, users could just put them in their own version.

More to the point, it isn't just about doing XML work. Most people barely know their way around XML, and they certainly wouldn't know how to achieve the level of customization this mod entails. I'm not even sure it's possible. If I'm playing a Catholic England in the Renaissance, can I have English music, Catholic music, Renaissance era music, Renaissance-specific English music, and Renaissance-specific Catholic music playing simultaneously? If so, then I'd accept an in-depth guide to this instead of a mod.

Also, this place is freaking deserted. Isn't it time to merge the Civ IV forums a bit?

 

[Leoreth]

XML is a pretty straightforward way of entering game data in my opinion, plus it's pretty well documented. XML isn't a programming language, and most people I've interacted with could easily handle XML after being told where to put in their modifications.

You're right that the current game doesn't allow civ-specific or religion-specific soundtracks in addition to the era parameter (not without some DLL trickery at least), but if I'd create such a feature I'd still do the specification in XML because that's what the XML is for. There's little reason not to rely on it.

 

[Mouthwash]

XML is a pretty straightforward way of entering game data in my opinion, plus it's pretty well documented. XML isn't a programming language, and most people I've interacted with could easily handle XML after being told where to put in their modifications.

You're right that the current game doesn't allow civ-specific or religion-specific soundtracks in addition to the era parameter (not without some DLL trickery at least)

How would that be done?

 

[Leoreth]

The trickery or a proper implementation?

The latter sort of depends on what exactly you are envisioning. If a playlist can depend on era, civilization and religion, do you have to specify a playlist for every permutation? If not, what happens if there is say an English Renaissance playlist and a Christian Renaissance playlist and I happen to play Christian England? Do I get the union or intersection of these playlists?

 

[Mouthwash]

The trickery or a proper implementation?

The latter sort of depends on what exactly you are envisioning. If a playlist can depend on era, civilization and religion, do you have to specify a playlist for every permutation? If not, what happens if there is say an English Renaissance playlist and a Christian Renaissance playlist and I happen to play Christian England? Do I get the union or intersection of these playlists?

I don't know what you mean by union or intersection. But all songs which meet the requirements should play, yes.

 

[Leoreth]

In other words, are the requirements OR or AND? If I am Christian England, should only songs play that are both Christian and English, or either Christian or English?

 

[Mouthwash]

In other words, are the requirements OR or AND? If I am Christian England, should only songs play that are both Christian and English, or either Christian or English?

Either. There isn't a category for both civ and religion anyway.