What order should I make things for a custom civ

GameBoy2000 · Feb 26, 2017

Hello, I don't relay know much about modding, but I was wondering if anyone knows how I should make things for a new civ. What I mean is let's say I want to make a custom unit for a civ, would it befit me more to try and make the civ first and then a second mod with the unit or is there some other way that is easier? On a side note though, this would probably turn into a semi-lengthily discussion about me trying to understand this (Especially given the fact I know basically nothing about XML, SQL, and LUA [I hope I got those right.])

Thank you for your time,
GameBoy2000

richardsvensson · Feb 26, 2017

GameBoy2000 said:
Hello, I don't relay know much about modding, but I was wondering if anyone knows how I should make things for a new civ. What I mean is let's say I want to make a custom unit for a civ, would it befit me more to try and make the civ first and then a second mod with the unit or is there some other way that is easier? On a side note though, this would probably turn into a semi-lengthily discussion about me trying to understand this (Especially given the fact I know basically nothing about XML, SQL, and LUA [I hope I got those right.])

Thank you for your time,
GameBoy2000

I'm definitely not the right person to answer your questions, but I just have to suggest this answer by LeeS in another thread (in case you haven't seen it yet) describing the relationship between XML, SQL, LUA:

SQL and/or XML and/or LUA ?

GameBoy2000 · Feb 26, 2017

richardsvensson said:
I'm definitely not the right person to answer your questions, but I just have to suggest this answer by LeeS in another thread (in case you haven't seen it yet) describing the relationship between XML, SQL, LUA:

SQL and/or XML and/or LUA ?

I've seen that post (I did my best to look around before posting this.) but thank you for directing me to that.

DavDarkelf · Feb 26, 2017

The best way to start is to look at another Civ Mod. The Punt Civilization is a great one to start with as it's not too complicated
https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/punt-civilization.601946/
I found working in XML easier but you can you SQL instead. Basically what the game does when it loads a MOD is to read the XML and turn them into SQL statements for the in game databases.
XML also has an advantage in that most of the game and the DLC is written in it so it is easier to 'borrow' ideas.

GameBoy2000 · Feb 26, 2017

DavDarkelf said:
The best way to start is to look at another Civ Mod. The Punt Civilization is a great one to start with as it's not too complicated
https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/punt-civilization.601946/
I found working in XML easier but you can you SQL instead. Basically what the game does when it loads a MOD is to read the XML and turn them into SQL statements for the in game databases.
XML also has an advantage in that most of the game and the DLC is written in it so it is easier to 'borrow' ideas.

I'll take a look at that, thank you.

Edit: I tried downloading it and looking at it, but all I get it s bunch of random symbols and letters. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or not, but my apologies.

Spoiler What I see :

HandyVac · Feb 26, 2017

Did you extract the rar file?

Rar is a compressed folder format, like zip, so you need to extract the files with a tool like Rar Extract Frog before you can look at them.

GameBoy2000 · Feb 26, 2017

HandyVac said:
Did you extract the rar file?

Rar is a compressed folder format, like zip, so you need to extract the files with a tool like Rar Extract Frog before you can look at them.

I did not know they needed to be extracted, I'll try that and take a look. Thanks.

GameBoy2000 · Feb 26, 2017

Okay, so I've started using that civ as a guide (and hoping that what I guess everything is correctly.) but I was wondering. Can I simply copy and paste Arabia's "The Last Prophet" ability and use it in a mod or would I have to basically re-make a copy of it? Just curious as I have a feeling that if I can copy it i'd be easier down the road.

DavDarkelf · Mar 2, 2017

I think you should be able to reuse it. The only thing you won't be able to change is the name and description. If you want to change that you would need to create a new trait that has a unique name and use the existing modifier Ids.

If you do a search for TRAIT_CIVILIZATION_LAST_PROPHET in the games Assets directory you'll find where it uses the ModifierId.

E.g.

Code:

<Row>
<TraitType>TRAIT_CIVILIZATION_LAST_PROPHET</TraitType>  
<ModifierId>TRAIT_SCIENCE_PER_FOREIGN_CITY_FOLLOWING_RELIGION</ModifierId>
        </Row>
        <Row>
            <TraitType>TRAIT_CIVILIZATION_LAST_PROPHET</TraitType>
            <ModifierId>TRAIT_GUARANTEE_ONE_PROPHET</ModifierId>
        </Row>

GameBoy2000 · Mar 2, 2017

DavDarkelf said:
I think you should be able to reuse it. The only thing you won't be able to change is the name and description. If you want to change that you would need to create a new trait that has a unique name and use the existing modifier Ids.

If you do a search for TRAIT_CIVILIZATION_LAST_PROPHET in the games Assets directory you'll find where it uses the ModifierId.

E.g.

Code:

<Row> <TraitType>TRAIT_CIVILIZATION_LAST_PROPHET</TraitType> <ModifierId>TRAIT_SCIENCE_PER_FOREIGN_CITY_FOLLOWING_RELIGION</ModifierId> </Row> <Row> <TraitType>TRAIT_CIVILIZATION_LAST_PROPHET</TraitType> <ModifierId>TRAIT_GUARANTEE_ONE_PROPHET</ModifierId> </Row>

Okay, thanks for the reply and the continued help.

What order should I make things for a custom civ

GameBoy2000

Warlord

richardsvensson

Chieftain

GameBoy2000

Warlord

DavDarkelf

Chieftain

GameBoy2000

Warlord

HandyVac

Gentleman

GameBoy2000

Warlord

GameBoy2000

Warlord

DavDarkelf

Chieftain

GameBoy2000

Warlord

Similar threads