Best version to play ETW

[paramedicguyer]

OK so I don't even have the game (its in the mail), but I have the demo (it sucks). My question then is whether or not the latest patch makes the game playable. And if it does. what kind of AI mods are available. Lastly, this may be quite off topic but, how would one install a mod and not intefere with steam.

[Beskar]

installing mods doesn't interfere with steam. Bad coding and continuous updates of it from CA interfere with mods.

[pevergreen]

OK so I don't even have the game (its in the mail), but I have the demo (it sucks). My question then is whether or not the latest patch makes the game playable. And if it does. what kind of AI mods are available. Lastly, this may be quite off topic but, how would one install a mod and not intefere with steam.

Program called ModManager, link in the modding subforum, it isolates what E:TW loads.

Latest patch is the best, however you have no choice, as when you install a game, steam automatically updates it to the most recent version. after that however, you can disable automatic patching.

Check out the modding subforum for anything relating to mods, we can help you out there.

[Odin]

Program called ModManager, link the modding subforum, it isolates what E:TW loads.

Quoted for truth. ModManager is a great tool to have for ETW.

[Hooahguy]

and if you dont want a mod but do want to change a few stats here and there, the Pack File manager is the way to go.

[Obadiah]

Ok, maybe this comment belongs as a new thread in the Mod forum, but since someone's opened this discussion here.....

I'm a generally competent computer user, but not someone who messes with systems, etc. I've always played EA's generic version of previous TW games, and am thinking a mod might really be worthwhile right now. But this thread and everything I've read in the Mod forum leaves me bewildered b'c they all assume a background of knowledge I don't have. And I don't want to start messing around with my game files without either really understanding what I'm doing (or clear step-by-step instructions) to give me some confidence I'm not going to end up with a train-wreck.

Could someone create a tutorial for people like me? I know this would be a real labor, but other Org folks have created major-length compendiums of strategies for each country, for all units in the game etc. I'd love a thread that lists what mods are out there, their focus, how to install them (DETAILS!), etc., etc.

Or should I just give up on this idea unless I'm willing to become a lot more computer savy?

[pevergreen]

The problem is that it means a lot of work for someone.

You're right, this is taking a definate modding turn which plants it even more firmly in my court

A lot of learning to mod is self discovery, tutorials help and can get you started, but it really is worth it to jump in, change some things, make note of what they changed, or if the game doesnt load after changing something, make a note: don't change that.

I mucked around a lot with R:TW and M2:TW. I'm by no means a great modder, but I can get by.

Chuck me a PM or an email or just start a thread in the modding section, and I'll help you out. But this thread is hitting the end of its lifespan here.

[paramedicguyer]

The problem is that it means a lot of work for someone.

You're right, this is taking a definate modding turn which plants it even more firmly in my court

A lot of learning to mod is self discovery, tutorials help and can get you started, but it really is worth it to jump in, change some things, make note of what they changed, or if the game doesnt load after changing something, make a note: don't change that.

I mucked around a lot with R:TW and M2:TW. I'm by no means a great modder, but I can get by.

Chuck me a PM or an email or just start a thread in the modding section, and I'll help you out. But this thread is hitting the end of its lifespan here.

Just remember to make a backup copy of the game lol

Yes I have forgotten to do that...more than once

[pevergreen]

Don't really need to anymore. Steam will replace changed files with the normal ones if you ask it to.