This is a step by step guide to creating a new region in MTW2.
Please follow this guide step by step and you will be adding new regions in no time. Be sure to back up your files. You are better off making a new file in the main MTW2 dir. And adding your files there. For now make a file called MyMod and follow the mod switcher instructions that by now you should be well versed in otherwise you wouldnt be looking to mess with the map!!! 
I find it better to work with a writing pad for this, so that I can write down the RGB colours I use, the names of the regions and settlements I use, and the x y pos of the settlements etc.
1. Firstly make sure you have MSPaint and Irfanview. These are the only two programs you will need.
2. You will also need to edit the file: imperial_campaign_regions_and_settlement_names.txt so make sure you have the text files as the unpacker does not unpack this!!!!!
3. Goto folder data/world/maps/base and open the file map_regions.tga in Irfanview simply save the file as a bitmap (bmp).
4. Now open the map_regions.bmp in Paint (You can use Photoshop for this, but it is not needed, paint can do it easily!)
As you can see I have added a number of regions to the UK
5. In Paint make sure you select a unique colour. Do this by going to Colours, Edit Colours and make yourself a custom colour, make sure you write down this colours RGB numbers (pref next to the name of the region you are going to create)
6. Then simply colour the part of the map you wish to put your new region in with your new colour. Make sure you do not go over the coast line if your region is adjoined to the sea.
7. Next simply add a black (single pixel) dot where you want your city to be, and a white dot for a port (if it is adjoined to sea). It is a good idea to fire up MTW2 in windowed mode whilst doing this so you can make sure you are putting your city in the right place etc (not on top of a resource and that an army can reach that area etc).
8. Once you are happy with your pixel art save your file, and close paint.
9. Next you need to add the new region to the relevant text files. First open imperial_campaign_regions_and_settlement_names.txt note this file must be contained in the folder text (MyMod/data/text), it is a read only file so change it.
Look at the picture above, for example if you were adding Cornwall and the city was to be called Penzance you would add the following line
PHP Code:
{Cornwall_Province}Cornwall Region
{Penzance}Penzance
Now save the file and then change it back to read only. (VERY IMPORTANT)
10. Next goto the folder MyMod/data/world/maps/base and open descr_regions.txt
As you can see above I have added the Cornwall region. Be aware of the culture you are adding, I copy and paste a region that has a simular culture in this case York, and then this is where you need the RGB number you jotted down earlier (in italic), change these three figures to your colour.
PHP Code:
Cornwall_Province
Penzance
england
English_Rebels
[I]184 22 72[/I]
iron, coal, wool, atlantic, explorers_guild, woodsmens_guild
5
6
religions { catholic 90 orthodox 0 islam 0 pagan 5 heretic 5 }
11. Next in the same folder open descr_sounds_music_types.txt add your province to the relevant cullture here you would add cornwall to england.
12. Next goto the folder MyMod/data/world/maps/campaign/imperial_campaign and open the file descr_strat
add:
PHP Code:
settlement
{
level village
region Cornwall_Province
year_founded 0
population 1000
plan_set default_set
faction_creator england
}
Remember this is an example! Here I added the region as a slave settlement.
13. Now you need to goto the folder MyMod/data/world/maps/base and open your map_regions.bmp in Irfanview and save it as a TGA file, overwrite the original and then always, always remember to delete your map.rwm file.
Now fire up your mod (again this is not a mod-switch tutorial!!) and your new region should now be there, obviously without an army!
Always remember all spellings must match, if you make one mistake it will not work for you!! 
Xerces
PS by Burebista: The "~" console command to show map x,y coordinates is: show_cursorstat
OFF-TOPIC WARNING! 13/02/09
Apologies I wanted to post for the first time since the actual medieval period! lol! Just wanted to say a BIG thankyou to Lord Condormanius (and apologies to those who also pointed some lost souls in the right direction that I dont mention), as I was almost thinking that my tutorial may need to be completely re-done again, but glad you have been able to point people in the right direction and that indeed if it is followed step by step to the letter on vanilla then regions can be added fairly "easily." I am very, very happy that this was help to alot of you and apologies to those that are having difficulty (and those that PM'd me and I obviously never replied simply due to me never logging on here, and instead modding for my own enjoyment, wont win me any awards or rep, but that was never the point of this tutorial anyway!). I wont repeat alot of the advice given earlier in this thread but will simply say dont jump ahead, do ONE region at a time, save delete map.rwm and test, ALWAYS if there is an error more often than not it will due to an error in the text or you have placed the port or settlement in a place it doesnt like. So you go back to your unchanged files from your previous region (when it was working, and hey you did backup your files didn't you ) and more often than not you will find your mistake and sit there slapping yourself wondering why you missed it for the past 3 hours of frustration and 20 posts later in here asking why it isnt working?! lol!
Anyway I am getting married on the 21st, and the sad thing is that I am more excited about Empire's release date!!! lol!! So good luck to all!! And man, I cant wait to contribute (properly this time!) and get stuck in to modding Empire soon!!!!
Happy modding!
Xerces
P.S. Just to contradict myself completely if you have found this useful, rep me lol!!!
How To Create A New Region
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Re: How To Create A New Region
Originally Posted by oorah87
