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Thread: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it) Commentary

  1. #1
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it) Commentary

    Leave comments on the blog here.
    Last edited by Augustus Lucifer; March 13, 2010 at 04:59 PM.
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
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    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
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  2. #2

    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 1

    Tac don't be worried about no modding skills. I started on FATW and I couldn't texture at all, I'd never unwrapped a UV map, I was a decent modeller but had never even done a character! In 2 months I was making character models and rigs, in 4 months using photos to texture, in 6-8 months texturing by hand. I taught myself video and sound editing, made trailers, some digital paintings, etc. However one thing always plagued me, I never got into the technical stuff. A year and a half after I joined FATW, I started production on my own game, and less than a year later I've become responsible for all coding, editing, scripting, implementation, shaders, etc., for my game, everything short of actual C++ code.

    The key to anything, the main barrier, is always going to be conceptual. Just remember, the construction of a game is very logical... it may not be logical to you, or conform to your logic, but there is ALWAYS a definite pattern, rhyme, and reason. Once you can crack this logic, the scripting and editing becomes much simpler. In a couple months I'm sure you will know all your neccessary skills, and have the ability to implement some of the trickier features. While you don't have modding skill, you do have maturity, a work ethic, wisdom, and did I mention maturity (not that I think you're the most mature person on the boards but I wanted to draw a parallel to your emphasis on your lack of skill). Having worked on projects with people ranging in ages from 14 to 44, the older people are generally more reliable if sometimes less skilled... they know what it means to make a committment.

    Good luck!
    Count no man happy until he is dead.


  3. #3
    MasterOfNone's Avatar RTW Modder 2004-2015
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    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 1

    Ditto to that (from someone nearer to the 44 than the 14 )
    "One of the most sophisticated Total War mods ever developed..."
    The Fourth Age: Total War - The Dominion of Men

  4. #4
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 1

    I'm a lot closer to 44 than 14

    by the by - there will be a next installment today or tomorrow - over the last week I have had my birthday, my 12th wedding anniversary, my kids' half term holidays, easter holidays, 24-hour projectile vomiting virus (courtesy of my 3 year old), resigned from my current job, got a new job.....

    so I haven't been doing much TW stuff at all

    The key to anything, the main barrier, is always going to be conceptual. Just remember, the construction of a game is very logical... it may not be logical to you, or conform to your logic, but there is ALWAYS a definite pattern, rhyme, and reason.
    yeah, I've just realised that. I redid about a weeks work because I wasn't following proper programming disciplines and lost control of my versioning - now I've got that sorted things should be a lot easier.

    (not that I think you're the most mature person on the boards but I wanted to draw a parallel to your emphasis on your lack of skill).
    I have to be mature in RL so i certainly ain't going to do that on TWC
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
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    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
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    Child of Seleukos, Patron of Rosacrux redux, Polemides, Marcus Scaurus, CaptainCernick, Spiff and Fatsheep

  5. #5
    MasterOfNone's Avatar RTW Modder 2004-2015
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    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 1

    To make things easier remember to keep to good naming conventions and file organization. It is important to be able to identify both in text files and in directory file listings the files or coding which are your own. You'll notice, for example, FATW has things prefixed with 4a_

    24-hour projectile vomiting
    Hmm..now there's an idea for something to add into descr_projectiles_new.txt



    p.s. I look forward to the update. Our units for you could be available in May some time
    "One of the most sophisticated Total War mods ever developed..."
    The Fourth Age: Total War - The Dominion of Men

  6. #6
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 1

    Quote Originally Posted by MasterOfNone View Post
    To make things easier remember to keep to good naming conventions and file organization. It is important to be able to identify both in text files and in directory file listings the files or coding which are your own. You'll notice, for example, FATW has things prefixed with 4a_
    hmm, good idea

    Quote Originally Posted by MasterOfNone View Post
    p.s. I look forward to the update. Our units for you could be available in May some time
    that'll be great, I'm practicing adding in units in the RTW game I'm playing with my son. I can't seem to get building pictures to come up though (or text) when I add them , though they work. I'll have to find that tutorial
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
    ______________________________________________________________

    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
    ______________________________________________________________
    Child of Seleukos, Patron of Rosacrux redux, Polemides, Marcus Scaurus, CaptainCernick, Spiff and Fatsheep

  7. #7

    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 2

    Encore, encore!

  8. #8

    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 2

    An interesting read. I eagerly await the next one
    Whoever gives nothing, has nothing. The greatest misfortune is not to be unloved, but not to love.
    -Albert Camus

  9. #9

    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 2

    excellent post, as well as amusing, I wish more people showed same dedication to following things through from the tutorial.
    ..a delay in modding when said wife persuaded me that following up on the kiss was a much better idea..
    not sure such things are really allowed for serious modders but never mind!

    best of luck for part 3...

  10. #10
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Re: Adventures in Modding (or how not to do it): Part 2

    part 3 was almost a disaster - I thought I had just deleted all the texture files and the changes to the file that controls them.....

    Luckily they are under the separate Data folder (ie. not under the BI/Data folder) so I am sitting here trying to calm down

    Anyway, they're backed up now and I hope to write up Part 3 about them tomorrow......
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
    ______________________________________________________________

    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
    ______________________________________________________________
    Child of Seleukos, Patron of Rosacrux redux, Polemides, Marcus Scaurus, CaptainCernick, Spiff and Fatsheep

  11. #11
    MasterOfNone's Avatar RTW Modder 2004-2015
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    Excellent and committed work - I'd recommend Tact's sig link if you want to see some great visuals!

    I'm looking forward to playing this mod - and I do not say that about many.
    "One of the most sophisticated Total War mods ever developed..."
    The Fourth Age: Total War - The Dominion of Men

  12. #12

    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    Huzzah Tac! This is proving to be highly entertaining and interesting! Keep it coming, keep it coming!
    TWC Divus

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  13. #13
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    thanks, I'm currently so busy doing the tech tree and units I haven't had time to do this, ho hum
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
    ______________________________________________________________

    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
    ______________________________________________________________
    Child of Seleukos, Patron of Rosacrux redux, Polemides, Marcus Scaurus, CaptainCernick, Spiff and Fatsheep

  14. #14
    MasterOfNone's Avatar RTW Modder 2004-2015
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    That is totally understandable. I'm frankly amazed modders working on a project heavily have any time to do *anything* else but eat and sleep
    "One of the most sophisticated Total War mods ever developed..."
    The Fourth Age: Total War - The Dominion of Men

  15. #15

    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    Tac do you have or are you planning to add a Balrog?
    Count no man happy until he is dead.


  16. #16
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    there won't be a Balrog in the actual campaign, no. Reasons are:

    • This is set after Lord of the Rings so the Balrog is already dead
    • The Balrog originally destroyed the Dwarven army at the height of the Dwarves' power - the Balrog would be a lot stronger now (it has orcs helping it) and the Dwarves are a lot weaker. End result would be the Dwarves would get wiped.


    However, I'm hoping to do an historical battle with the Balrog, plus I'm hoping to have a few dragons wandering around......

    Why?
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
    ______________________________________________________________

    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
    ______________________________________________________________
    Child of Seleukos, Patron of Rosacrux redux, Polemides, Marcus Scaurus, CaptainCernick, Spiff and Fatsheep

  17. #17

    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    Because I'm thinking of something to model and texture for a class as the TWCUni and a new set of video tutorials.
    Count no man happy until he is dead.


  18. #18
    Tacticalwithdrawal's Avatar Ghost
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    Someone over at FA:TW said they already had a balrog finished, haven't seen it yet.

    but if you did one I'd love to use it

    you could do me a dragon...... base it on the Blue Lotus ones
    : - It's my smilie and I'll use it if I want to......
    ______________________________________________________________

    Ave Caesar, Morituri Nolumus Mori (in Glaswegian: gae **** yrsel big man)
    ______________________________________________________________
    Child of Seleukos, Patron of Rosacrux redux, Polemides, Marcus Scaurus, CaptainCernick, Spiff and Fatsheep

  19. #19
    MasterOfNone's Avatar RTW Modder 2004-2015
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    I think there is a Balrog somewhere but it's not FATW that has it (why would we? They are all dead - like dragons )

    Go for drakes, not dragons unless they are in HBs.
    "One of the most sophisticated Total War mods ever developed..."
    The Fourth Age: Total War - The Dominion of Men

  20. #20
    Scorch's Avatar One of Giga's Ladies
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    Default Re: Adventures in modding Part 3 - the map

    That's some great work Tac. I'm definitely following this. As soon as you come up with a workable download I'm gonna use it.
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