Making factions appear

Hello, I noticed that in the early MTW startpos file, the Golden Horde is listed to have its own region called ID_GOLDEN_HORDE and it isnt actually on the map. Is this a mechanism for them to appear during the game. If so, how could i make factions appear during the game, on a specific date. It would be really interesting if this could be done. Does anyone know where the Mongol apearance is programed (if its not hard-coded)


also, how do people change and add types of resources and goods? ive seen this done a few times. do they use startpos.txt?

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i see where you declare trade goods, but i dont know the complecations behind it. Can i make new resources that require certain buildings to obtain?

I've been looking at it and I think I have a theory about it.

If you'll notice the whole rebel lands and sea area ownership declaration section has //s in front of the lines. This coding causes the computer to ignore these lines. //s (it varies for different languages) are very often used to make a comp ignore code that you might use later and also and more importantly for making notes for the coders.

The theory is that these sections were blocked off earlier in development and left in the code. ID_GOLDEN_KHANATE is probably an older name for Khazar. Programming changes might have made declaring ownership for rebel lands and seas redundant so that the coding could be more efficient.

The Swiss and Burgundian may also able to emerge though I've never personally had it happen. If so I think these things are hard coded. Maybe they are only for multiplayer but they are declared and fully treated for the singla player campaign. I'm not sure one way or the other.

I havn't done it myself but yea I think you can add resources. The startpos file is only part of the story so to speak. I think you must also add lines in a "loc" (language localization) folder and possibly in other places. Modding any of the loc files is no quick task but totally doable and straight forward.

Hopefully I've shed some light and someone else will come and explain in more detail for the resource adding.