Matrix Games Forums

I am looking forward to this game and sounds like it will be out very soon (july timeframe?) had a couple questions maybe the developers can answer?

1. How will the data (scenario files, etc) be layed out plain text for anybody to edit or binary (uneditable through a text editor) hopefully they will be binary? Reason I ask is too see if the game will be user moddable or not. For example all the HPS game scenarios are all plain text files with a bunch of numbers and some description text. Games from Boku (Shrapnel games) such as combat command and or horse n musket their scenario files are data files (binary format) the prefered way I like


2. How many scenarios will the game have and what are their names? (This may be too early to tell or unapplicable sorry if it is)


Thanks for the time and input

AFAIK they're in text format, although not formatted in an obvious way.

I prefer text format actually, in any case! [;)][:D]

Steve.

1. How will the data (scenario files, etc) be layed out plain text for anybody to edit or binary (uneditable through a text editor) hopefully they will be binary? Reason I ask is too see if the game will be user moddable or not. For example all the HPS game scenarios are all plain text files with a bunch of numbers and some description text. Games from Boku (Shrapnel games) such as combat command and or horse n musket their scenario files are data files (binary format) the prefered way I like

As I understand it, yes most of the data files are text format. I believe we decided to open some of the gfx files to make uniforms moddable. I'm not sure if we decided to do this for battles and scenarios--but I don't think so. However, last time I checked we were talking about making a battle editor in an upcoming patch/version (post-release), so maybe you will have that to look forward to

2. How many scenarios will the game have and what are their names? (This may be too early to tell or unapplicable sorry if it is)

There are five scenarios built into the release version--1792, 1796, 1805 (standard scenario), and 1815. The fifth scenario is set in 1820, but this is just a stand-in date: the scenario itself is a balanced scenario, where no one power is especially stronger than another.

We would like to make more scenarios available in future add-ons, but we'll see.


Thanks for the time and input



[/quote]

I'm not sure if we decided to do this for battles and scenarios--but I don't think so. However, last time I checked we were talking about making a battle editor in an upcoming patch/version (post-release), so maybe you will have that to look forward to

Thanks for the reply I actually prefer using an Editor that the developers include with the game then text files that you would edit manually I hate those. That is one reason why I like the scenario editors and format of the Boku Strategy game titles. The scn files are binary format but you can easily add new scenarios through the build in editor. Thanks for the prompt reply.

Now that the game has gone Gold can the developers post a screen shot of the text layout of one of the scenarios? I want to see how it looks I assume users are allowed to modify and create scnearios?


Thanks so much

Sabre100,

Here's an example of one of the text files used to create scenarios. They are very easy to edit. I think you can figure out what this is... [8D]

Here's an excerpt from the manual on Generals:

1.6.9 Generals

You begin the game with a certain number of generals, each with a historical name. Additional generals are added to your home provinces as the game progresses. Generals can move up to five provinces in a turn, but they must be attached to a fleet to cross a sea zone.
1.6.10 Details for Generals

Each general has a historical image, displayed on the control screen. Generals have three attributes – Morale Bonus, Initiative Bonus, and Tactical Bonus – that determine how effective the general is in various aspects of combat. These bonuses are measured on a relative scale of 0 – 1.0.

Morale Bonus

In combat this general provides his morale bonus to a unit under his command, helping the unit to change formation, attack, rally, resist falling into disorder, etc.

Initiative Bonus

The general provides a bonus to movement for units under his command.

Tactical Bonus

The general provides a bonus to casualties caused during combat. In a charge combat, top quality generals can increase combat damage by as much as 30%; in a fire combat, the best generals can increase damage by about 15%.

Special Ability

Some generals have one or more special abilities, such as:

• +20 to National Morale

• Displace Defender:

A charging unit under this general is more likely to displace the unit it is charging.

• Cavalry Re-form:

Charging cavalry under this general have a 50% chance to avoid becoming disordered or shaken when charging any unit (normally cavalry automatically become disordered when charging a non-disordered unit).

• Stand Against Charge:

A unit under this general is much less likely to become disordered or displaced when targetted by a charge attack.

• Great Devotion:

A unit under this general recovers double the normal amount of morale

Cavalry Bonus

A few generals are especially proficient in the command of cavalry divisions. Generals that have this rating provide a bonus to damage inflicted by cavalry units charging while under their command.

Rank

Every general has a rank of between 1 and 4 stars:

 National Commander – This leader is the supreme ruler of his nation, and his presence on the battlefield represents an increased degree of command and control.

At the beginning of each turn of combat any routed friendly unit on the battlefield has a chance to become rallied.

 Army Commander – This leader has the authority to command an entire army.

At the beginning of each turn of combat any routed friendly unit attached to the same army as this leader has a chance to become rallied.

 Corps Commander – This leader can rally units in the same corps.

 Division Commander – This leader can command divisions directly but the influence of his command does not extend to other divisions.

Set Auto Join

This button opens a list of armies, corps, and cities. Select an entry from this list to give an auto-join destination to the general. A general with an auto-join destination will, whenever he has no other orders outstanding, attempt to move toward the province containing its destination and to attach himself to the specified target.

Inspect Orders

This button opens a pop-up display listing all of the orders that have been issued to this general this turn.

Regards,

- Erik

Hi Erik -

Thanks for the reply appreciate it, can you tell me what the maximum values are for each field. For example mugshot does each leader have a number by him which corresponds to the database is that from 1 - 2000 etc?

The other fields I had a quesiton on are
nation
turn-#_base0
province

what are the min - max numbers on those. The other ones look self-explanatory.


Thanks so much for the quick reply appreciate it

sabre100,

Eric or Mr. Z will have to answer that as I'm not sure.

Regards,

- Erik

For example mugshot does each leader have a number by him which corresponds to the database is that from 1 - 2000 etc?

This is a cut-and-paste of a text document, so the columns are not quite aligned. "1795" is the year Erskine died, hence he cannot be used in any scenario except 1792.

"Mugshot" is the number of the portrait used for the general (if we have it). I suppose it would be possible to add whatever artwork you wanted for a general, though it would have to be the right size, and it would have to be numbered properly. Sorry I don't have the exact specs for portraits right now. Don't know how many generals we have right now.

The other fields I had a quesiton on are
nation
turn-#_base0
province

Nation defines to which nation a general belongs, and is pretty straightforward--1-8 for each of eight nations, respectively (though they can also be assigned to countries: Devins, for example, appears to be assigned to Piedmont.)

I forget what turn-#_base is, I think it has to do with initiative movement order. Eric can tell you.

Province is just the number of the province the general begins the scenario in--each province on the map has a number (corresponding with it's nation or country.)

I believe there are 91 nations and countries, and many more provinces--about 130, I think?

Here's an example of one of the text files used to create scenarios. They are very easy to edit. I think you can figure out what this is...

Hi Eric -

Are the scenario files the only ones that are text?

Thanks