Changing a name?

[Von Nanega]

I would like to change the name of a starting character. I added the name to the name lookup, and the factions name list. Then I changed the last name in the imperial campaign file. The character does not have the last name i put on him. What did I miss?

[FactionHeir]

I think the one file you missed was the descr_names string.bin file. This basically controls a list of all names available for display in game and what name will correspond to what display.
Thus if you add a name that was not on the overall name list yet, you need to edit this file too to make an entry for it.

The best way to do this is to unpack the file and then use alpaca's stringbin converter to make it a plain text file where you can actually add things into the file. Add using the same format (and best properly in alphabetical order) your names into the existing list and their corresponding display.
Then save the file and using a basic mod folder (alpaca's tutorial) have the game convert the text file back into a string.bin file which now has your entries inside.

M2SBE could also be used as its a direct string.bin editor, but the problem with that is, that it does not properly add new entries and thus is only useful for changing existing ones.

[alpaca]

Moved to modding questions

[Meneldil]

Make sure your character isn't a leader or an heir. Their surnames don't appear in game once they get appointed.

If you really want a leader/an heir to have a surname, create a new name that would be in fact both a name and surname (like "{Alexander_Roivas}Alexander Roivas"), or create a new epithet trait.

[FactionHeir]

A note of caution on epithets is that getting another trait with an epithet is going to overwrite your current one.

[CristianS]

I don't mean to hijack his thread, but I'm interested in this issue too.

Where can I find that third "descr_names string.bin file"? I couldn't find it anywhere.

[alpaca]

Have a look at this thread:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=76289

[CristianS]

Have a look at this thread:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=76289

As I installed 1.02 over 1.1, I have already used the unpacker, but the file still does not appear. Should I unpack again?

[alpaca]

As I installed 1.02 over 1.1, I have already used the unpacker, but the file still does not appear. Should I unpack again?
Actually you shouldn't use the 1.1 files with 1.2 so delete them and unpack again, yes.
And the file should be in data/text

[CristianS]

I made a fresh install of M2TW and then I installed 1.02 directly, without 1.1. The 1.02 install seems to be successful, as the game shows me it's the 1.02 version, but now I can't use the unpacker. I get an error telling me a certain .dll file is missing.
Have you experienced something like this?