Konnichiwa,

I don't agree. Many files in STW WE/MI are simple open txt files, to some extent this was aslso true for the original STW (Custom Historical Battles, I strongly recommend you to try out Kasins Sekigahara, http://www.totalwar.org/maps/demoedit.shtml).

In WE/MI also other files are open for edit: TroopStats.txt, Projectiles.txt (describes Unitbehavior, http://www.totalwar.org/maps/xmods.shtml), campmap/startpos allows Custom Full campaigns, try Zen-Blades Nobunagas Dilemma, Terazawas GempeiWar http://www.totalwar.org/maps/xmods.shtml, Historical Campaigns (none made yet), edit the behavior of AI (Anti-units.txt, unit-choice.txt etc), it seems Doc is working on this.

It isn't really documented, but it's very nice to figure things out yourselves, Full Campaigns can be easily made by Hecoses easy to use Tool CampaignEditor (2nd version)http://www.totalwar.org/maps/xmods.shtml, Baroccas campaign offers a very nice custom menu which can be reused for your own campaign (thank you very much TNG).

RSW has made a bifreader, so we can finally view those BIF files, someone of the skilled programmers at the Dojo is working on a BIF editor.

But I also agree, the number of tools and documentation shipped with the game is a bit limited. There are for example LBM files that become unusable when edited in a straight paintapp (I tried some rare ones, but none could save it in the proper format).

We can't edit unitcosts, or any of the special bonusses given to units on the field, we can't add our own bonusses.

I really hope MTW will offer more editors/possibilities and documentation to change the visuals and behavior of units, armies and AI.

STW:TW was the first (in this size) of it's genre. It is a good game. I think the developers have done their very best to add modding options to this game and even more to its successor, I think the initial design just didn't allow to add (much) more. We can cry about what we don't have, or use those things we do have (there's much more than just mapmaking).

The custom files we do have, are really worth a try, and the org has enough space available to host many more.

A good way to start (ihmo) is by making a custom Historical battle. Battle/Batinit/Historical Battles. Study how the default battles are made, and implement your own ideas in a new one (there are also Guides available for this http://www.totalwar.org/maps/demoedit.shtml kawanaka.zip). Fully fictional battles are fine. Or download Hecoses CampaignEditor and make your own campaign.

Have fun

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Ja mata
Toda MizuTosaInu
Daimyo Takiyama Shi

http://www.takiyama.cjb.net