Creating a World – Adding a new Faction

[DrakeLlandon]

Ahhhhh Alright so when I change the cfg file I just add the File Location Anywhere is there something particular I have to do

[Gigantus]

Let's start from the very beginning:

1. If you want to mod, NEVER use the original game files!
2. For an easy start of a mod folder, download and install my bare kingdoms (link in my sig). You have to have Kingdoms campaigns installed.
3. Running this mod will run the basic medieval game (also known as 'vanilla') with the new abilities of kingdoms (boiling oil, controllable reinforcements etc.)
4. If you want to modify files that are not present you will have to unpack the original game.
5. When you unpack, do it into a different directory, use the attachment (the attachment includes batchfiles that will unpack into c:\games\extract - simply extract into the unpacker directory and run)
6. Copy files from those directories for use with the bare kingdoms mod installation.
7. To convert the string.bin files in the data\text directory for easier editng, use the converter
8. To get the txt files the converter can't handle, go here: Formatted Campaign ModelDB files
9. You need more info, come back here

[DrakeLlandon]

OH dear god... its just like me to use the hard way to get what I want Thank you using the mod made things MUCH easier thankyou

[Gigantus]

One is glad to be of service

[DrakeLlandon]

Not sure if it is something at my end but I noticed when I went to into a battle the screen loads up and crashes soon after loading. Just wondering if this is something at my end or with the mod in general?

Edit: Also to mention I never I had problems with battles using the basic program.

[Gigantus]

If you have previously unpacked, then you have ended up with files that the readme of the unpacker aid you had to delete.
Check for files in the data folder that have 'geography' in them and delete.

[Tar-Narcano]

hi,
me again
I just wanted to add a new faction, but when all was done and I tried to start, the game crashed during the first loading screen.

The log says nothing (to me):

18:06:53.110 [system.rpt] [always] CPU: SSE2
18:06:53.110 [system.rpt] [always] ==== system log start, build date: Feb 25 2008 version development ===
18:06:53.110 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_0.pack
18:06:53.110 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_1.pack
18:06:53.126 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_2.pack
18:06:53.126 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_3.pack
18:06:53.126 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_4.pack
18:06:53.126 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/localized.pack
18:06:56.142 [system.rpt] [error] Uh oh. This isn't good. No idea why, but exiting now. Sorry pal.

Do you know, what's wrong or what could be wrong?

The only thing I did was cloning the hre entries and renameing them in the following files:
descr_banners_new.xml
descr_character.txt
descr_lbc_db.txt
descr_model_strat.txt
descr_names.txt
descr_offmap_models.txt
descr_sm_factions.txt
export_descr_buildings.txt
export_descr_unit.txt
campaign_descriptions.txt
expanded.txt
descr_sounds_music_types.txt
descr_strat.txt
descr_regions.txt

Did I forget something?

greetings


P.S.: Wir könnten auch auf Deutsch schreiben. Aber das wäre etwas diskriminierend den anderen Usern gegenüber.

[Gigantus]

Put your log on trace and then attach the compressed file. There are a number of possibilities (and that's why adding a faction is a b..ch), we might catch it. Else go through it again, step by step according to the manual.

[Tar-Narcano]

I have changed to trace but I don't know what to do with the new information.

There are two log files. One in the Main folder and one in the log folder.
I'll upload both of them:

[Gigantus]

The new log doesn't give a clue - sorry.
But I saw that you didn't create the entries in the expnded.txt file for your new faction - but that wouldn't be the reason for the crash I assume.

[Tar-Narcano]

ok, nevertheless thanks for taking the time

Then I will work on the map for now.

[sparta88]

is there a way to change the old factions names for m2tw gold?

[Gigantus]

That would be in data\text\expanded.txt - you would need to get the correct (converted) file from here:
StringBin Converter

[emotion_name]

I need your help again please gigantus!

I been busy using Geomod and your other little helpful tools to make my own mod, and i have hit a stumbling block.

When trying to add a new faction then edit it in Geomod, i get an error message on loading. It says "the following names do not correspond with any label", and it lists all the names i added to the 3 files your guide says to.

I have checked again and again for mistakes and cant see any, and when i try and ignore it and add some characters, it warns me it cant find a first name, even though all the names i added are visible in the drop down box within Geomod.

Im attempting to get Wales from Kingdoms onto vanilla map, so all the names etc i took from Britannia data files, same with the logo and graphics files.

I can see my Faction name in the factions list, when i load the game i can see the correct logos etc when selecting a faction, but it keeps CTD because i think i have no family members, so Wales is destroyed as soon as created.

How can i amend this, i really have tried doing it myself and to no avail!

[Gigantus]

Geomod reads from the string.bin files while you have been editing the txt files. Simply start the game - apart from the historic_events file all string.bin files will be renewed even if the game crashes on campaign menu start, as long as you have modified the txt files.
Other wise use the BinEditor of Geomod to convert the txt file into string.bin.
The latest version of my Geomod manual contains a chapter on the BinEditor

[emotion_name]

Awesome, thank you very much!

Ill crack on with that and see what i can do!

Thanks again!

[Methismenos]

Hey gigantus i have follow your instructions but when i launch the game the picture of the mediavl 2 apperas and then it close down the game without showing any error .Can you think what i have done wrong.

[Gigantus]

Attach your log (compressed please) - I will have a look.
Unfortunately adding a new faction is about the most complicated\involving thing you can do, so the error can be in a lot of places.

[Methismenos]

Well this is the only log i could find. It was in the main folder not in the mod foldel. I hope it can help.
And thanks for helping.

[Gigantus]

It appears you have been trying to mod one of the original campaigns (crusades). This on it's own is not advisable. You should use your own mod folder, that way it is easier to reverse errors or simply start fresh. Having said that, the log you submitted does not give any clue. The shutdown (crash) after the splash screen points to an error in the modeldb file.
I would recommend to install my Bare Geomod basic mod folder and then start again.