Summary of available mods please

[Tuhhodge]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen,

I've been absent from the game for some time now, but, having just finished reading Robert Leckie's brilliant book: Helmet for my pillow, I am enthused to start a new campaign.

I currently have an up-to-date installation (according to the 'Check for update' function in the Game menu) and as far as I recall I installed daBabes light about 9 months ago.

What would represent a sensible list of mods to install in order to play an historical campaign from the Allied side? And, if you could spare the time, please indicate how I should go about the installation/re-installation of the various patches, mods etc.

Many thanks in anticipation of your posts. [&o]

Tom

EDITED TO ADD: I intend playing vs the AI.

[inqistor]

It is hard to make real MOD, if you are going to play against AI. Well, maybe not that hard, if MODder wants to write his own AI [:D]

So your only option is some simple modifications only.

[JWE]

Hello Tuhhodge,

BabesLite Scens 26 and 27, both sides are fully playable against the AI, and can use both nominal and Quiet China files.
BabesLite "A" scenarios use the stock map and were updated to v11 on Aug. 1, 2011.
BabesLite "B" scenarios use the extended map and were updated to v12 on Sept. 20, 2011.

BigBabes Scens 28 and 29, are playable as the Allies against the Japanese AI, and can use both nominal and Quiet China AI files.
BigBabes "A" scenarios use the stock map and were updated to v08 on Aug. 1, 2011.
BigBabes "B" scenarios use the extended map and were updated to v09 on Sept. 18, 2011.
All Babes scenarios are as historical as we can possibly make them.

Two other scenario sets/mods that are well structured and thought out are the Reluctant Admiral and Perfect War. Don't know how they respond to the AI, but believe Reluctant Admiral is playable as the Allies against the Japanese AI. Not exactly historical, but they've done a damn fine job of making things plausable. Check with John 3rd or FatR for more info.

Treespiders Real-Deal-Logistics is also well structured and thought out, but modifies the production model such that it may be a difficult proposition for the AI for either side. An approximation to the RDL is the BigBabes "C" scenarios; playable as Allies against the Japanese AI, but even this might eventually eventually choke, burp & puke on Japanese shipping. I would categorize these two as 'historical to the extreme'.

These are the ones I am aware of that you may wish to consider. There may be others.

[ed] be pleased to help with installs of any Babes scenario(s) you wish to use. John 3rd, FatR, Treespider give extensive support to their users, too. Lots of people who regularly play these mods are always willing to jump in and get problems sorted out.

Ciao. John

[Andy Mac]

Most of mine are ahistoric so may not be of interest

Scen 10 Ironman v Jap AI
Scen 23 Ironman v Allied AI

Not what you would call in any way historic and in all honesty do not have the academic rigour of some of the other mods mentioned by JWE they are desinged to make the AI more competitive and not make a player pull his punches without playing on VHard which messes with unit by unit supply.

Andy

[JWE]

Andy's scenarios are also very nicely thought out and I was remiss in not mentioning them. Reason I didn't was because Andy chose to have his made official so one gets them automatically, as part of the game. Sorry about that. [:)]

[John 3rd]

Thanks John. Just a note that Perfect War is in the design stage. Reluctant Admiral is on its 3rd version and is immediately playable. I've had players use it vs. the AI without issue.

[Andy Mac]

Its ok John he did ask for 'historic scens' and mine are now anything but !!!

[Tuhhodge]

Many thanks for the help. However, I'm afraid the process of downloading and installing various mods has completely defeated me. In frustration and dispair I have uninstalled the game so I can start afresh.

I know that the mods who created the wonderful DaBigBabes mod and Andrew Brown who created the new extended map completely understand the games filing system, the concept of extracting files to various folders, but sadly I could not follow the procedure.

I managed to update the game to the latest version but came unstuck when downloading DaBigBabes. Here are the bits that confuse me on the DaBabes website and on Andrew's page. I apologise in advance because I know you'll all be laughing at my ignorance:


1) DaBigBabes is two basic scenarios: Scen028 - Dec. 7 start, and Scen 029 - Dec. 8 start.

- I don't follow the terminology. My game has about 12 stock scenarios. Why are these ones called 28 and 29? Could someone kindly point me to an explanation?



2) Download the Scen files for whichever version you choose to use and unzip into the Scen Folder of the game directory;
Download the modified Map Art and unzip into the ART Folder of the game directory;

- this I think I managed to do! I clicked 'download' and when the extract programme showed the relevant files I selected them all and told the computer to 'extract to' the relevant directory, overriding existing files where necessary.



3) BigBabes_B – The B versions of Scen028 and Scen029 has a modified Locations file (wplxxx.dat) and is compatible with Andrew Brown's Extended Map:;
The B version requires modified Map Art, and modified map data files (get them from the Map and Art page);

- I think this is the one I would like to install!



4) Download the modified pwhexe.dat file and unzip into the main, top-level folder of the game directory

- oops, you lost me there. What, where is the pwhexe.dat file? It's not apparently in the list of attachments at the foot of the page.





5) Warning - AI files are included for your convenience. However, the Allied AI will not work as expected and will give bizarre results; too many units are not where the Allied AI script expects to find them. The Japanese AI works reasonably well, so if one plays against the AI, one should play as the Allies.

and I presume these are the relevant AI files:

Scen029_v05_AI_Files.zip - on Apr 14, 2011 9:03 AM by Web Master (version 1)

- Does this mean I should or should not download AI files at the same time as installing BigBabes_B? And where do I download and extract them to?




6) I presume that I need AB's extended map, so I went to his webpage and see that the mod is set up for use with the Jonesoft "Generic Mod Enabler" (GME)?

- I downloaded this, though the set up instructions are fairly tricky to follow. However I muddled through - confirmation of the normal process would help me though!




7) On Andrew's webpage: Extract the AE Extended Map Data and Structure file into your game directory

- I extracted the AE Extended Map Data and Structure.zip and that seems to work.




8) It then says: extract all four of the map art files into the new ART folder. The data files are already in the Extended Map v2 folder.

- Ok, so it says extract 'all four map art files' but which four? There are 2 each of Hexes, Non-hexes and Wif style, so you lost me at this point.

- What relevance is the statement that the data files are already in the Extended Map v2 folder?




Basically, I really need a step by step guide to this process, please. It seems that the mod scene is so in-depth that you've all developed into computer programmers and I'm not up to it! I've already got a headache doing this and it's not getting any better! Sorry to be such a hassle.

[JWE]

Sorry for your problems Tuhhodge. We’ve been doing this for so long that perhaps we assume a certain familiarity with the game’s administrative procedures and folder/file locations that many new players do not have. My apologies.

Preparing a step-by-step ‘how to’ document. It’s a ‘ReadMeFirst’, so ya’ll gonna have to read it first, but I think it will cover every one of the Babes installation options. Hang in there; won’t take too long, should be done by end of the day. That should take care of your 2, 3, and 4.

Q 1) is simple. Every scenario has a unique scenario number. Scenario numbers 1 - 25 (whether present or not) are 'official' scenarios, authorized by Matrix/Henderson Field which come with the game, are document controlled to protect PBEM play, and which cannot be modified, under the same scenario number, unless done by an 'official' data patch. Babes scenarios occupy scenario numbers 26, 27, 28, and 29, so that they may be modified/updated at the discretion of the scenario designers.

[Alfred]

I'll only comment on the OPs first question as JWE has indicated he is preparing an indepth answer for all the other questions/issues.

The first 25 scenario slots are reserved exclusively for only Matrix officially developed scenarios.

Any mod developed unofficially by players can only be allocated a slot number above #25. Basically first in get the higher numbers. The DaBabes mods were developed very early in the AE post release life cycle, so they were quick to grab those high scenario slots.

Alfred

[JWE]

You actually beat me to it Alfred. You got your answer in while I was typing out my edited response. You are a quick thing, aren't ya? Oh well, two of us saying the same thing isn't all that bad, yeah??

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: JWE

You actually beat me to it Alfred. You got your answer in while I was typing out my edited response. You are a quick thing, aren't ya? Oh well, two of us saying the same thing isn't all that bad, yeah??

You're the second person in the last 30 minutes to express such a sentiment. See this thread

tm.asp?m=2899779&mpage=8

posts #217-219.[:)]

I've already floated the idea that I might have to change my name to

Speedy Gonzalez, the fastest mouse in all of Mexico.

Although to counter the excessive speed of that character, we would also need to include the two crows by the door of the taverna.

Alfred, anderle anderle arriba arriba

[JWE]

Well ... it's supposed to be 'andele, 'andele, but the Spanish don't really say that either. I guess you are going to need a sidekick to keep you out of trouble. I mean, Qweek Straw MaGraw had Baba Louie. Since you are an Alfredo, maybe you need a Sancho Ricotta, or a Padre Parmegiano. I thought of Senor Doctor al Dente, but there's too many associations with Novacaine and root canals. So ...

[Tuhhodge]

JWE and Alfred.

Thanks ever so much. I look forward to reading the ‘ReadMeFirst’.

[:)]

[RevRick]

ORIGINAL: JWE

Well ... it's supposed to be 'andele, 'andele, but the Spanish don't really say that either. I guess you are going to need a sidekick to keep you out of trouble. I mean, Qweek Straw MaGraw had Baba Louie. Since you are an Alfredo, maybe you need a Sancho Ricotta, or a Padre Parmegiano. I thought of Senor Doctor al Dente, but there's too many associations with Novacaine and root canals. So ...

You are old enough to remember El Kabong!!!!! I thought you were younger than that!

Speaking of the indepth how to add stuff to the game post... I'd love to have that as well. With my sometimes long absences from the game .. because of professional considerations... I sometimes feel as if I have missed stuff and can't begin where to catch up!

Gratia et pax..

[Ron Saueracker]

Hey all. Any official August 42 start campaign that runs until 46 in the works? Always thought it might make a great Japanese AI scen.

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

Hey all. Any official August 42 start campaign that runs until 46 in the works? Always thought it might make a great Japanese AI scen.

Not official, but Nik has done some work on that:

tm.asp?m=2753637

[Nikademus]

The 42 'mod' could be considered "semi" official as it uses the 41 GC device/class etc data as it's template and the unmodded AE map. Also because it was created by a dev with the AI being worked on by another dev.

So in that sense its "official" enough. The only thing "non - offical" about it is that it doesn't try to place every chess piece in it's EXACT historical position in May 1942 except for hot theaters like Coral Sea and Burma. However it is far more accurate than the old Stock WitP 42 campaign which was essentially just the 41 GC with a few pieces moved and 80% of the rest still sitting in their 41 ports ready to invade the SRA.

[:D]

[TOMLABEL]

ORIGINAL: JWE

I mean, Qweek Straw MaGraw had Baba Louie.

That's "Quick Draw McGraw" as you can see. Maybe a little to quick!

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Most of mine are ahistoric so may not be of interest

Scen 10 Ironman v Jap AI
Scen 23 Ironman v Allied AI

Not what you would call in any way historic and in all honesty do not have the academic rigour of some of the other mods mentioned by JWE they are desinged to make the AI more competitive and not make a player pull his punches without playing on VHard which messes with unit by unit supply.

Andy

Can someone point me to where I can download scenario 23 - Ironman Vs Allied AI?

TTFN,

Mike