Preparing a Text File for a Scenario

[Wild Bill]

Writing a Text File for SPWAW, SP2, SP3

Writing the introduction for a scenario in these games is a little tricky. Here is how its done.

You use a simple text file editor such as Notepad or Wordpad. If you use any other more sophisticated program, you should always save it as a .txt file.

The Text File should include the following information with this sort of setup.

_____TITLE*
<space>*
__Type of Battle*
_Location and Date*
_____Turns: x*
<space>*
_Design: John Doe*
<space>*
Background and hints*

Read this over carefully. This is the usual order of information we use at the Raiders. Now in more detail.

The underscore (____)is used to move the text so that it is centered.
The Asterick ( * ) is used to create a line break so that the text is not all run together.

Now here is an example already filled out:

___SAVING PRIVATE RYAN* <I always do titles in caps)
*
_German Advance vs US Delay*
Ramelle, France, June 10, 1944*
________Turns: 15*
*
__Design: Wild Bill Wilder*
___billw@matrixgamers.com*
*
Background;*
*
Type in the background here. Make paragraphs short. Include hints if you wish.*
*
Don't write a book. Keep it to the point. Its very easy to write too much.*
*
Include sources if you wish.*
------------
Now notice that I used the _underscore to center my text. Notice that the asterick separates sections and paragraphs and puts a space between each section.

To get an even better idea, open some of the text files in the game with a text editor such as notepad or wordpad.

When you think it is done, save it as xxx.txt in the SPWAW \Scen subdirectory. Save it with the same numbers (xxx) as the scenario it introduces.

Finally, always open the game and check how the text looks in the game. It may look good in the text file but the game may show it differently.

From there you can reopen the text file and make any corrections you wish.

It takes some practice. Don't get frustrated. You can do it.

Wild Bill

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Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games

[talon]

thank you for this information Wild Bill !

[Wild Bill]

A pleasure, Talon. I hope it helps. Any problems, let me know...Wild Bill

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Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games