Hi Duke John,

That's really sad particularly coming from you. I just got RTW and yeah the whole thing is really kind of confusing. Its actually almost a totally different game from the previous ones w/c is both good and bad. There are a lot of things that were improved over MTW, diplomacy particularly but I think its because of its being so different from the two previous games is what makes it so seemingly inaccessible. Maybe it will just take time to figure out everything and the thought that everything is a 3D model w/c is moddable with simple 3D Studio with anims taken care of by the engine is worlds easier for the simple modder to do I think (though it is limited by the animations that are available).

One problem is what if the anim you need is not included? Or the unit type you need? For instance in the Sengoku Jidai mod or if you wanted to mod a medieval mod (and a Medieval game with the Rome engine would be super particularly given the improved diplomacy) is the 'musketeer loading' animation included? Or a 'crossbowman loading'? What if you wanted to make a crusade or jihad piece? Does the game still recognize these?

I think the problem stems from the promise that this game will be the most moddable. It certainly looks like it has the potential to be the most moddable of the series but like you said without the proper tools and without knowing where the sandtraps are hidden (like you mentioned unopenable CAS files or some colors not being valid for provinces, etc) it certainly can't live up to that.

again so sorry to hear that,
Clare