Editting Empire Files

[MTCason]

Quite simply ... how is it done? I notice the EMP files are incompatible with text editors (Wordpad, Notepad, and Word/Works, at least). Is there a proggie floating around out there that can be used to do it?

[Combat Wombat]

You can edit them from inside SE4 by loading it and then hitting the edit button

[MTCason]

Let me be a bit more specific, then. What about editting the 'points' one has to spend on traits and such? The maximum is 5000. Is that hardcoded, or can it be changed?

[ March 03, 2004, 22:11: Message edited by: MTCason ]

[Loser]

It checks them as it loads them anyway. It still has to add up.

[MTCason]

So no going over 5000 points?

[spoon]

Your starting points are hardcoded (0, 2k, 3k, 5k). But if you wanted to, you could reduce the costs of the characteristics (in settings.txt) and the cost of the Advanced Traits (in RacialTraits.txt).

As always, backup any files you alter. You won't be able to play in multiplayer games with altered files.

[spoon]

Actually, though, the best way to add points is to add an entry to RacialTraits.txt that gives you points. For example, if you want another 10,000 points to work with, add this entry:

Name := Free Points
Description := Give me more points!
Pic Num := 0
General Type := Advantage
Cost := -10000
Trait Type := Luck
Value 1 := 0
Value 2 := 0
Required Trait 1 := None
Required Trait 2 := None
Required Trait 3 := None
Restricted Trait 1 := None
Restricted Trait 2 := None
Restricted Trait 3 := None

[MTCason]

Eep. I added that, as you suggested, and now it won't allow any Existing Races to be added to a game. I have to start any I want to play from scratch.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

you have to add it to the bottom to be backwards compatible.

[MTCason]

I added it to the end. I also tried moving it after the 'end' footer, but then it doesn't show up at all.

[Fyron]

Are you modifying the stock data, or using a mod folder, as is recommended? Check out SEIV Modding 101 (http://www.spaceempires.net/se4modding/) for info on how to set up a new mod.

[MTCason]

Ick. Was using the stock RacialTraits file. I'll make a mod folder, then.