Simple Mod Question about XML

[DeclanTKatt]

Hey, thanks for reading this!

I'm totally new to modding and XML, so I have a little question. I have seen a lot of mods that make balance changes for example by updating values in various .xml files like:

assets\Gameplay\XML\GlobalDefines.xml

Pretty standard stuff right?? You just use the <Update> tag yadda-yadda and change an integer value. Ok, but all of these changes, and indeed the GlobalDefines.xml itself are all under are <GameData> tag, where that seems to be the 'master' tag for all the various items and whatnot in the file.

So here's the question. Can I make updates to XML files which are not written like the GlobalDefines.xml in a <GameData> tag? In particular I'm looking at:

assets\UI\InGame\CityView\CityView_small.xml

In this XML, there is no <GameData> tag, but I would still like to be able to alter (update) some of those Label ID's that are in that file, whilst keeping the mod 'modular'.

Any suggestions as to how this can be done?? Thanks in advance.


Other question: in that CityView folder, does anyone know the difference between CityView.xml and CityView_small.xml?? They both appear to be very very similar, however, only the changes I make to CityView_small.xml show up in game, whereas the (seemingly identical) changes I make to CityView.xml have no effect in game at all.

 

[Galacticat42]

The <GameData> tag you see in the XML is nothing more then the main SQL table that holds data. Any table/column/row can be changed and updated by both XML and/or SQL.

 

[Spatzimaus]

In this XML, there is no <GameData> tag, but I would still like to be able to alter (update) some of those Label ID's that are in that file, whilst keeping the mod 'modular'.

The only files that can be modified in a modular way are the GameData files. All other XML must be replaced in their entirety; you put the new version into your mod, and set "Import into VFS" to True in the file's Properties. It's the same as if you modify an existing Lua file.

This means that if you want to add a new unit art define, or a new type of UI window, you have to duplicate the entire original file, and then add your changes. This also means that any time the devs update that file during a patch, you'll have to merge your changes by hand. It's as painful as it sounds.

 

[DeclanTKatt]

Thanks for the help guys!