mod noob needs help

[Yimboli]

so i've never modded before, really. I was playing AIC (latest Version) and didn't like the fact that the highest master computer had a minus 10 to offense. So I got it in my head to mod the components.txt file to include a new master computer, acheived one tech level later, with no minuses to abilities.

I added a master computer 5 to the components.txt file right after the highest master computer. The problem now is that all my ships in my game are messed up. i.e. my attack fleets now have tachyon cannon IV's in stead of tachyon cannon V's. I assume this is because of what I changed. Am I correct?

-Tim

[Ed Kolis]

Yes, changing the data files mid-game will have odd effects on your ship designs... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
This is because SE4 indexes the component entries based on their position in the file (e.g. "this ship has six of the 32nd component") rather than by name or some other index (e.g. "this ship has six Anti-Proton Beam IV's" or "this ship has six of the component with ID string APB_04").

[Fyron]

If you move your new master computer component to the end of the file, everything will work fine in your current savegame.

[QBrigid]

The MC has been a debate for the longest time.

Will the computer have the same responsiveness of a crewed Bridge?
In real life and in most Sci-Fi it doesn't seem like it would. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[kerensky]

The MC has been a debate for the longest time.

Will the computer have the same responsiveness of a crewed Bridge?
In real life and in most Sci-Fi it doesn't seem like it would. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">An idea about master computers that will be implemented in one of the mod's that I am currently working on goes as such...

The first master computer is worth next to nothing, it has offensive and defensive minuses, but is cheaper than putting a crew on the ship.

The second set of master computers are nearly identical to the ones in vanilla SEIV.

The Last set are designed for warships and actually have to hit modifiers, but weigh nearly double and cost a lot, so as to balance them out.

[Suicide Junkie]

Another option is to make the Master Computer into a simple component that provides both crew quarters and lifesupport ability.

The idea being that large ships can have multiple computers to replace some crew.

[spoon]

Originally posted by QBrigid:
Will the computer have the same responsiveness of a crewed Bridge?
In real life and in most Sci-Fi it doesn't seem like it would. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">That all depends on what sci-fi you're talking about... Culture Ships and Bolos? AI is better. Star Trek and Star Wars? You need a crew.

Speaking of which, for SE5, I'd like to see the role of computers be more important than just some marginally useful component...

[QBrigid]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
Another option is to make the Master Computer into a simple component that provides both crew quarters and lifesupport ability.

The idea being that large ships can have multiple computers to replace some crew. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">This I like http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[Yimboli]

Originally posted by QBrigid:
Will the computer have the same responsiveness of a crewed Bridge?
In real life and in most Sci-Fi it doesn't seem like it would. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">do you not think that at some point, a race could develop an AI with sufficient capacity to respond as quick as a human? Perhaps this is *well* into the future. To reflect this, you could make the MC that has no ability minuses cost a TON to research. Whaddya think?

[JLS]

do you not think that at some point<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">And this is the debate http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I agree with Yimboli http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif There will be other MC levels in the next AIC Version and with NO negative attributes.

I also like SJ's post and this may be implemented http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[ July 20, 2004, 15:52: Message edited by: JLS ]

[oleg]

Not really relevant to SEIV modding, but what is that you consider to be a "master computer" Must it be a pure silicon machine or can a specificaly engeenering human being, like in "preludes to Dune" series be considered too ? If someone makes a very complex but still specialized machine based on proteins and DNA will it be treated as a living being or as a computer ???

[Yimboli]

thanks for the help all. I added the component at the end of the file, it worked great.