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This mod was designed primarily for Very Sparse maps. (note the 2 Universal Arks at the start). A friend & I have thouroughly enjoyed this program. Have played multiplayer with great satistfaction. Particularly the feature of creating huge maps with random starts. 500x500 Very Sparse plays quite fast & is extremely stable ( 1 crash in 20 hours but was able to get back in with no problems). We are finding 400x400 to be maybe a bit better for "contact" with other races, & of course 300x300 is definitetly more active. Attached is a mod "we" have designed for ourselves which "we" think makes the game even better. Thought I would share with the community. Each modded XML file (5) comes with a readme.

Cool. In general, what changes does the mod make?

Updated BPES Mod

Added 6 new Planet types:


Planets have been added to the --- TERRAFORMING & CLIMATE CONTROL --- section


<planetChance planetType = "Gaia Planet"
<planetChance planetType = "Terran Planet"

<planetChance planetType = "Arid Planet"
<planetChance planetType = "Swamp Planet"

<planetChance planetType = "Tundra Planet"
<planetChance planetType = "Desert Planet"



<!-- Shipyards -->
<FacilityType Name="Surface Shipyard" Level="0">

Time="6" ( was 2 ) To slow down the initial "spamming" of colonies at the start---our preference


RESEARCH has been modified as follows: LABS' original costs = 600

CONSTRUCTION LAB = 800

DEFENSE LAB = 700

HYPERSPACE LAB = 700

INFO LAB = 700

WEAPONS LAB = 600

BIO LAB = 600

PSI LAB = 600

SKUNKWORKS = 600




RESEARCH CENTERS' original costs = 900


CONSTRUCTION RC = 1000

DEFENSE RC = 900

HYPERSPACE RC = 900

INFO RC = 900

WEAPONS RC = 800

BIO RC = 800

PSI RC = 800

SKUNKWORKS = 800




All FACTIONS have been adjusted as follows:


All FACTIONS have 2 UNIVERSAL ARKS, 2 SCOUTS, 3 Corvettes, & 5 Transports

10 Light Missiles & 5 Militia


ALL VICTORY POINT categories for each FACTION are identical:

<VictoryPoints Area = "TotalPopulation" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "OwnPopulation" Multiplier ="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "TotalHappyPopulation" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "OwnHappyPopulation" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "EnemyKilled" Multiplier ="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Technology" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Glory" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Profit" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Booty" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Assimilation" Multiplier ="1"/>


All RACES have been modified to a point system

ARK Ship Build Time: ( original # )


SHIP Time to Build

Ark 9 (3)

Super 12 (4)

Extreme 15 (5)

Universal 18 (6)

Mother 18 (6)



CUTTER has been redone: ( original# )


Construction Cost = "50" (125) Time ="1" (.5)
Upkeep Amount = "4" (11)

BasicCombat Defence = "1" (2)

Weapon Type = "Pulse Cannon" Attack = "1" (2)
Weapon Type = "Pulse Cannon" Attack = "1" (2)

Movement Speed = "4" (2)

Up date to BPES Mod minor adjustments to Gaia, Terran & Desirable planets. A few tweaks to some Factions. Now each faction starts with 2 Universal Arks.
Primarily because of our using only Very Sparse maps.

Another adjustment...decided to enhance Home World defenses to aid the AI with 10 Heavy Missiles instead of Light, as well as adjust the VP scoring.

<VictoryPoints Area = "TotalPopulation" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "OwnPopulation" Multiplier ="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "TotalHappyPopulation" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "OwnHappyPopulation" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "EnemyKilled" Multiplier ="5/> rewarding conquest
<VictoryPoints Area = "Technology" Multiplier="5"/> makes sense
<VictoryPoints Area = "Glory" Multiplier="5"/> rewarding conquest
<VictoryPoints Area = "Profit" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Booty" Multiplier="1"/>
<VictoryPoints Area = "Assimilation" Multiplier ="1"/>

new additions to the BPES Mod


ADJUSTED --- <!-- Standard combat ship mix standard mix = 100 -->


<ShipProportion Category="AirAttack" Speed="Normal" Amount ="23"/> was "13"

<ShipProportion Category="GroundAttack" Speed="Normal" Amount ="10"/> was "20"



DREADNAUGHTS are no longer a prerequisite for IMPROVED SHIELDS


CRUISER II's are now 3.5 "Tech Time" was 4

DREADNAUGHTS & MISSILE SHIPS are now 4 "Tech Time" was 3.5

IMPROVED SHIELDS are now 3.5 "Tech Time" was 4

IMPROVED SHIELDS II are now 5.5 "Tech Time" was 6

After playing a few hundred turns, the above technology adjustments feel just right, particularly playing on "slower" tech settings. We like 30%