Where do I start?

[Rodion Romanovich]

I want to create a total conversion mod. Factions, map, units, buildings and wonders will be changed, as well as senate changed into a new faction, and victory conditions being changed. Models and animations probably don't have to be changed (perhaps good in some cases, but not necessary), What's the best thing to start modifying first?

I reckon changing units now would mean linking them to a faction but won't I then have to do a lot of new work in order to change to correct factions when I change faction names etc. afterwards? Or if I change factions first, can I test run anything until I've fixed all units etc.? My question is basically in what end I should start if I want to be able to complete the mod as quickly as possible with as little effort as possible.

(And it wouldn't hurt if some experienced modders joined my team too...)

[Myrddraal]

Well I like to start with the campaign map, I dunno if this is the best way, but you can make the campaign map with a minimum of factions/units. Once this is done, you can then modify the factions and place them on the map, then finish off with the units.

But you can start from the other end with no difficulty. You just decide when you start which factions will become which modded factions, then start adding units to them. Then you can edit the factions, and then make the map.

Really it doesn't make much difference. Do what takes your fancy.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Ok, thanks. I've done some unit modding and minor adjusting of other stuff, but I've never made a campaign map from scrath. Any good tutorial avaialable for creating a campaign map from scratch? I've searched the first few pages here but I only found some "create campaign map from part of current map" etc., that's not what I want. I want a simple tutorial for how to fix the campaign map with new provinces and new city positions/names and new terrain etc. - from scratch. Any idea where I can find that?

[Bwian]

There is a tutorial in the tutorial section that does cover the whole process. IT is quite simple to get the basics of hte map...but when it comes to laying out all the cities etc. it got a lot more complex. It's a lot of work!

[Rodion Romanovich]

Ok. Is there a list somewhere of ALL files which determine how the campaign map looks? That would be of much help because then I could probably guess what the different parameters mean. I'll check the tutorial section again to see what I can find.

[Bwian]

I downloaded the 'Mundus Magnus' mod, which basically is just a new campaign map ( with some extra stuff ) and used that as a guide.

I will see if I can remember where I saw the tutorial and post a link later ~:D