4 new campaigns - request assistance

[Wellington]

Guys,

As many of you already know I'm busy writing LMM and intend to release the next version as a none-BETA version. Implicit in this is the need to ensure that not only the code and documentation is as good as possible but also to ensure good (albeit rather small) example campaigns are provided together with the next LMM release in order to show whats possible.

As LMM provides the functionality for creating campaigns via cropped/resized portions of either the existing MTW map or new maps (downloadable from the WWW) creating basic campaigns is now relatively easy.

I currently have 4 mini-campaigns 'on the go' for which the basic map/Script requirements have been done (via LMM). These mini-campaigns are -

1) War of the Roses (based on a cropped/resized portion of the MTW maps)
2) The 100 years war (based on a cropped/resized portion of the MTW maps)
3) The Reconquista (based on a new map downloadable from the WWW)
4) A HolyLands campaign (based on a new map downloadable from the WWW)

All of the above 4 mini-campaigns are deliberately set in the MTW era - in other words no new units or other major additions are anticipated. Also, all required maps and a basic Script file are already available for all 4 mini-campaigns.

The idea is that these 4 mini-campaigns will be available as examples when the none-BETA version of LMM is released. Furthermore, it would be nice to ensure they are not just LMM examples but ALSO playable campaigns in their own right.

So - WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

The problem is they need balancing. They require additions to the LMM generated Script files in terms of units and buildings, and perhaps a bit of play-testing. We are NOT talking vast changes and additions as per KD's "Patrician" mod here. Only a few additions to the Script file to ensure they are 'playable' and reasonably balanced. No new images, no new units, no new graphics.

Unfortunately I don't have the time to both write and test LMM and also to provide good examples (the basics are there but more work needs to be done on these mini-campaigns).

HENCE, ANY OFFERS OF HELP TO FURTHER DEVELOPE THESE MINI-CAMPAIGNS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

Note, you don't require LMM knowledge - just an interest in any of the 4 campaigns I've mentioned and a basic knowledge of Script keywords/parameters contained in the MTW startpos files.

Therefore, if anyone is interested in assisting with (taking over&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif any of these 4 mini-campaigns I would be most greatful. The idea would be to install the latest version of LMM (not yet released - but will be provided by myself via E_mail) on your PC and tweak the Script parameters in order to ensure these new campaigns are MORE than just examples Within a week or two they would then be available for download as campaigns/examples for the next release of LMM.

Anyone interested?

Welly

[Galestrum]

hey there,

I have been modding my startpos file for my own mod for sometime (changing units, buildings, province ownership, removing land bridges, modifying trade goods etc) is that good enough tech knowledge?

I'd love to help, (3) of the campaigns you mentioned i just posted on the main hall asking if CA would make them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

so i would love to help if I have the knowledge you need? The spanish reconquista & the holy lands would be my primary interests, and perhaps the 100 years war.

Are you going to have new factions for the campaigns? I have personally been pondering how to add completely new factions.

Take care

[Lord Of Storms]

I have modded the startpos file I would say I have a basic working knowledge, one thing I do have is plenty of time and the willingness I would gladly help if you think you could use E-Mail ronin27k@aol.com

[Wellington]

Galestrom/SoS,

Many thanks for the offers. I really appreciate it and your assistance with these mini campaigns will enable to me to concentrate on getting LMM correct for the next none-BETA version.

A basic knowledge of Script files is fine. No one knows everything about Script files and, as changing Script files in earnest can be VERY painful due to the none-existent error messages when you do something wrong, one of the basic principles of LMM was to create a working Script file that could be added to further.

Also, knowledge can always be aquired. It's interest/enthusiasm that's important

ANyway, I'll E-mail you two guys with the latest version of LMM (LMM4v2 - which is not yet downloadable) together with the 3 basic mini campaigns (Holylands/Reconquista and 100 Years War). I'm not happy with the WoTR mini-campaign as I've not yet found a good map on the web to use for it and all efforts at cropping/resizing a portion of the MTW maps never looks good. Basically, England (on the MTW map) is too small to base a mini-campaign on. Resizing a cropped portion of the existing MTW map does'nt look good. Maybe I'll wait for VI before I try this again - sad because a WoTR mod is my own personal priority

Anyway, my E-mails will probably be the day after tomorrow - I still have a couple of code issues to resolve.

The version of LMM currently available on the Downloads (LMM4v1) does enable you to create and install the 'old' examples and the HolyLands mini campaign. I say this for SoS - the version I'll E-mail you will have more functionality that is required for the Reconquista and 100YW mini-campaigns.

Bear with me and I'll try to provide sufficient instructions regarding these 3 mini-campaigns and how you can add to them. Obviously it's better if you have a quick look at what's possible with these mini-campaigns and if you want to add more to one campaign or other that interests you then that would be great ...

... you'll also probably learn a lot more about MTW, Script files and new camaigns

1 or 2 days and I'll E-mail the stuff.

Many thanks for your offers - I appreciate it.

Welly

[Lord Of Storms]

Hi Welly I can not wait to get started I already have LMM4V.I up and all the necessary files registered as per the read me and doc files I just have to download my holyland map037 from FLU site somehow my last one was corrupted so when I put the paths in forLMM to start and build map for holyland I got the corrupt file message I will fix it I guess I will wait for your e- mail it will give me more time to go over the docs on everything. Thanks. P.S. I have lots of time I will try and help you look for a suitable map for england on the web I will use the holyland map as reference to what you are looking for TSOS.

[Lord Of Storms]

I have everything in place The Holyland map is up and running when I start MTW there it is on the list of choices what a thing of beauty and in under twenty minutes total processing time Good job Welly I think LMM will be a great tool once you finish tweaking well off to play around in the Holyland LOL

[Wellington]

Quote[/b] (The Sword Of Storms @ Mar. 07 2003,16:55)]I have everything in place The Holyland map is up and running when I start MTW there it is on the list of choices what a thing of beauty and in under twenty minutes total processing time Good job Welly I think LMM will be a great tool once you finish tweaking well off to play around in the Holyland LOL
Have you tried installing HolyLand - the Scripts very basic at present (only 1 peasant and a castle per region).

Still, it plays.

I'll have the new version of LMM ready by tomorrow.

[Lord Of Storms]

I am currently playing a campaign as the egyptians I will let you know of the progress. I have mailed you a screenshot and have more if you need them thanks

[Lord Of Storms]

So far everything is OK , I am onto my third prince with the Egyptians. and it plays smooth , I especially like the border tiles very nice I must say the possibilities LMM opens up are exciting I feel priviliged to play a minor part in the testing. Outstanding work. I would like your permission Welly to fiddle with the startpos a bit ?I have a few things like what I mentioned in my e-mail let me know thanks .

[Wellington]

Quote[/b] (The Sword Of Storms @ Mar. 07 2003,21:08)]So far everything is OK , I am onto my third prince with the Egyptians. and it plays smooth , I especially like the border tiles very nice I must say the possibilities LMM opens up are exciting I feel priviliged to play a minor part in the testing. Outstanding work. I would like your permission Welly to fiddle with the startpos a bit ?I have a few things like what I mentioned in my e-mail let me know thanks .
SoS,

By all means change what you want. I'm quite happy for you take over this HolyLands mini-campaign. Make whatever changes you want.

BTW - I sent you an E-Mail - got a "Returned Mail : User Unknown" back. Anyway this was what I E-mailed you -

There are a few things that remain to be sorted out with the LMM generated Script files and other MTW files that require translating for new campaigns..

The next version, LMM4v2, will solve a few of them. For now try replacing the 6 "SetStartLeader::" lines in the Script.txt with the following -

SetStartLeader:: FN_ALMOHAD 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
SetStartLeader:: FN_EGYPTIAN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
SetStartLeader:: FN_ENGLISH 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 2 0
SetStartLeader:: FN_FRENCH 0 5 3 1 1 1 0 0 0
SetStartLeader:: FN_TURKISH 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
SetStartLeader:: FN_PAPIST 0 2 1 8 20 2 1 2 7

I think that solves that problem. There will a lot more translation names etc done by LMM4v2 but bear in mind LMM is an ongoing project. All the 'hard works' been done and works ok but there's a lot LMM still has to do in terms of generating better/accurate files for new campaigns.

As for the other things, check the "SetResources::" and "SetGoods::" lines for the provinces and change them as you wish (check Early.txt for the possibilities).

Also check out the "MakeUnit::" and "MakeBuilding::" lines. You can add quite a bit to these for balancing purposes.

Bear in mind the Script.txt is only intended to be a basic template. A good idea is to copy the Script.txt that LMM generates (name it 'HolyLand.txt' otr something similar) and then change the -

cn_title::"HolyLand"
cn_short_title::"HolyLand"

lines to another name ("Holyland 2" or something) so they show up as a different file in the MTW campaign screen. Note that if you run LMM a 2nd time it will delete and recreate a new Script.txt - therefore its safernot to make changes to this file - create a new copy for your changes/additions.

You can then also add this new new startpos file to the InstallBackout.txt to ensure it's included with any Installs/Backouts. Just copy the InstallBackout.txt (in Defaults) to your MapFolders/Holyland folder and then add the line -

OptionalLMM=(\campmap\startpos\HolyLand.txt)

Welly.
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[Lord Of Storms]

Welly, I received your mail and changed the stats on the leaders the alliance parchment looks as it should now already started to upgrade buildings and trade and resources I think some province base values need some tweaking I will keep track of the changes and send you a zip of the file if you like by the way my e-mail ronin27k@aol.com

[Lord Of Storms]

I would like to know what the names for the provinces once corrected will be i.e. Sotland will be= whatever historical names you are choosing I want to make the trade/resource goods historically correct and province specific . I have lots of info on the Holyland (two years of Bible college) and the correct prov. names would help . also Welly you have mail...

[Wellington]

Quote[/b] (The Sword Of Storms @ Mar. 08 2003,11:57)]I would like to know what the names for the provinces once corrected will be i.e. Sotland will be= whatever historical names you are choosing I want to make the trade/resource goods historically correct and province specific . I have lots of info on the Holyland (two years of Bible college) and the correct prov. names would help . also Welly you have mail...
Sos,

I've sent you an E-mail. The province names, for regions dating back to the crusades, would have been different at that time - depending on whom you talked to (Christian, Muslim, Jewish) and who currently owned such a province

Maybe, if Bubya has his way, Iraq will go down in History, post 2003, as being called "Iraq" for Muslims, The "Protectorate" for Europeans and the "53rd State" for Americans

This would be equally confusing for people 1n 1000 years time

This is exactly what we are faced with today in terms of province names for various regions of the HolyLand throughout the period of the Crusades.

Welly

(BTW: you have mail)

[Lord Of Storms]

I made all the necessary provincial name changes and have begun changing castle names, titles and also added buildings and units sorted out all the trade and resources to try and make the historically and regionally correct (as close as reasonably possible) The province names were a big challenge because of Christian, Muslim and Jewish influences there can be tribal city or regional names so I picked a mix to make it interesting and simple. More later.http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Big%20Thumb%20Up.gifhttp://www.petrafineart.net/jerus2.jpg

[Lord Of Storms]

Welly , I named those last 3 provinces Scotland= Kerak,Smolensk =Askalon amd Muscovy =Jazer If you already picked names also let me know and we can compare .Thanks http://www.petrafineart.net/egypt1.jpg

[Wellington]

Quote[/b] (The Sword Of Storms @ Mar. 14 2003,06:52)]Welly , I named those last 3 provinces Scotland= Kerak,Smolensk =Askalon amd Muscovy =Jazer If you already picked names also let me know and we can compare .Thanks http://www.petrafineart.net/egypt1.jpg
SoS,

Sound fine to me. I'll try to test your stuff later today and give you some feedback.

Just E-mailed you with LMM4v2 - it's 950k but I've includeded the other 2 mini-campaigns -

1) 100 Years War (with new province names)
2) Reconquista (with new factions)

The approach should be to install LMM4v2 in an entirely new folder (don't mix it in with your LMM4v1 folder). Then copy your HolyLand folder into LMM4v2 - you'll then have to rename the file "HolyLand.txt" to "GMParameters.txt"

Any prob's let me know ASAP.

Many thanks for assistance in this - it's invaluable.

Welly

[Lord Of Storms]

I just completed the download and will get right into the documentation. OH boy it is like opening a present at christmas I can not waithttp://www.petrafineart.net/holyland1.jpg

[Lord Of Storms]

Welly, I generated the 100 yrs. war map tonight it looks fantastic, I am going to play it through a few years and I will let you know how it goes. I am going to download the Reconquista map tonight also I am considering putting a 3rd copy of MTW on my HD so I can Generate and Play test that map also , More later thanks