Hotseat Tech & Online battles (Installation, Set-Up, Q & A)

[grouchy13]

As the number of new members grows within the Hotseat (HS for short) Community it is inevitable that the newer members will have some teething problems in the intial Setting Up of the HS mode and by proxy the Installation of Mods and Patches.
This Stickied Thread is therefore an area where you will find the relevent infomation and links to pieces of software and Infomation that frankly make the HS World go round,
Please feel free if you are experiencing technical problems related to any aspect of the HS MPC Mode to post your quiries here and some of the old salts of the HS world will no doubt give you a nudge in the right direction.

The basics of a HS require you to modify your .cfg file found within your M2TW Folder to enable the HS mode, For an explanation on how to do this and the values that require modification I would advise reading through the Following links as they provide the instructions and values for modifying the .cfg file. (+rep to Armatus the author and Visorslash for providing the links)

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=135739 M2TW Vanilla Set-Up

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=130556 M2TW Kingdoms Set-Up

The next and no doubt most important aspect of a HS is the Downloading of your own save and the Uploading of the next player in the Faction lists save.
The Saved game files when downloaded will come as .rar file therefore you will need some Windows Zip software to extract the .sav file which you can then put in your M2TW Saves file to carry out your turn.
Many amongst our number use Winzip, it can be downloaded here (select the 3rd option for the free software)

http://www.winzip.com/win/en/downwz.htm

I would suggest downloading the saves to your desktop than to extract the .sav file simply right click on the .rar file and select extract here, the .sav file will appear on your desktop you can then copy this into your M2TW Save file or the Mod Saves file.
I would also suggest that you try loading a save from a HS to prove the method, no harm can be done as when a HS is up and running each faction has a password screen which the HS player sets on their first turn, If you see the password screen your in

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to new players is not having M2TW patched correctly for Stainless Steel and most newer mods Ver 1.5 is required

for M2TW Patches up to Ver 1.3 follow this link,

http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/p...war/patch.html

M2TW Kingdoms Patches the game to Ver 1.4, for the Ver 1.5 patch go here,

http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/p...oms/patch.html

simply load the game and go to the credits screen on the main menu and look in the top right hand corner to check that you are up to date with your patches.

So if anybody is going through Installations & set-up issues or if your one of the more experienced HS players and can think of any soloutions to any problems that I have not covered here please feel free to post them here

Also here, advertise for Online battles, be them via Hamachi or Medieval's GameSpy.

[grouchy13]

Originally posted by [Celtíbero]Mencey concerning dual Installation

Original Thread here,

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=410519

...without having to install MTW2 twice!


The example shown here uses Stainless Steel mod, but it works with any mod that uses MTWII Mod folder.
Let’s suppose we want to have 2 different versions of this Mod. Maybe one 6.2 and other 6.3.
6 steps


1.- Install the mod

2.- Go to Mods folder. There we will find a folder named Stainless_Steel_6 There should be all files of this mod.
Rename this folder. For example:


Stainless_Steel_6_HOTSEAT1

Warning: All separate words must be united with an underline. NEVER a blank space

If we try to lauch the mod now, we would get an error. That’s why we need to continue:
3.- Inside the folder named "Stainless_Steel_6_HOTSEAT1" search the following file: Stainless_Steel_Kingdoms.cfg (maybe the extension .cfg is not shown, then you should change the windows view to show Details)
Right click on it an go to Properties: it is is marked as “Read only” uncheck it and save changes.

Right click on int and select “Edit”. Use MSWord, Notepad, Wordpad, etc. Once opened, look for:


[features]
mod = mods/Stainless_Steel_6

Replace it with the name you have given to the folder:

[features]
mod = mods/Stainless_Steel_6_HOTSEAT1

Save and close the .cfg file.
4.- Inside the same folder, search for the file named

Stainless_Steel_Kingdoms.bat (maybe .bat extension is not showed, but it is a Windows Batch File type- change the windows view to show Details).

Right click on int and select “Edit”. Use MSWord, Notepad, Wordpad, etc. Once opened, look for:


del Data\text\*.bin /S /Q
cd ..\..
start kingdoms.exe @mods\Stainless_Steel_6\Stainless_Steel_Kingdoms.cfg

As before, change it to show the new name of the folder

del Data\text\*.bin /S /Q
cd ..\..
start kingdoms.exe @mods\Stainless_Steel_6_HOTSEAT1\Stainless_Steel_Kingdoms.cfg

Close the file saving the changes.

5.- Right click over the bat file and select “Send to”, creating a new icon on the desktop (and delete the original icon that was installed with the mod in the desktop). Launch the mod. It should work!!
6.- Install again the mod without fear. It will not overwrite the previous installed version, and you will have two different icons to launch them. If you want a 3rd version installed... change again the folders and files as explained before!

[Visorslash]

Great idea.

+rep to you grouchy.

[Polska]

very nice grouchy? how i make a rep?

[Playeraka]

Soo guys help me out,
I just wanna start a hotseat campaign and skip until, lets say round 200 in vanilla.
But when i go to mutliplayer it doesnt say hotseat xD
So how can i solve this
and can i easily skip the turns by ending them?

[Visorslash]

Feel free to comment, add suggestions, say it was a waste of time whatever.



Regarding Playeraka's question in the Q and A thread and considering there is a few of these hotseats around, I thought I might make a detailed guide on this and show some useful commands for hotseat admins to know.



Contents:

1. Basics of being an Admin.

2. Setting up your .cfg file for hotseating.

3. Setting up a hotseat.

4. Using your admin controls/useful console commands.

5. Skipping Turns.

6. Removing AI bonuses.



1. Basics of being an Admin

The admin of the hotseat is the gamemaster, the creator. It is his/her responsibility to set up the hotseat, make sure it runs smoothly, add/remove players, sub turns, create rules, etc. Just because you are the admin doesn't mean you can abuse the console though. To be an admin, requires an admin password. Also, if you plan on making a hotseat in Vanilla Medieval 2 (Medieval 2 with no mods), then you need to add certain lines to your .cfg file.

IMPORTANT: That file is called medieval2.preference.cfg (It may or may not have an extension (.cfg) but that is the file type. It opens in Notepad.



2. Setting up your .cfg file for hotseating.

Open medieval2.preference.cfg (This is in your medieval 2 folder. Usually C:/Program Files/SEGA/Medieval II Total War), search for [game]

At the end of that section, copy the following lines into that file.

IMPORTANT: Always back up your files before you edit them!!!

[multiplayer]
playable = true

[hotseat]
autoresolve_battles = 0
disable_console = 1
disable_papal_elections = 1
passwords = 1
save_prefs = 1
update_ai_camera = 1
validate_diplomacy = 1
admin_password = *****

Make sure there is a one line gap between each section.

In the admin password section, put the password you want. Make sure it is not easy to guess and you don't use it for other hotseats. This is your admin password, which will allow you to access the console as the administrator, which you will need.



3. Setting up a hotseat.

To set up a hotseat in both Kingdoms and Medieval is very easy. In Kingdoms Campaigns and mods requiring Kingdoms, simply load up the mod, go to the multiplayer menu, then click on hotseat. Then you can select what factions are playing, what difficulty the game is on, whether all battles are autoresolved or not, whether the console is disabled or not, whether passwords are used, whether there is a time limit on battles, and make sure AI moves are shown.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the console is disabled in every hotseat you make!!! And make sure passwords are enabled!!!

In Medieval 2, you need to go to the single player menu, then select the factions you want. You will notice less options are available. The console is disabled automatically, passwords are automatically enabled.

Now, you have a hotseat set up.



4. Using your admin controls/useful console commands.

When your hotseat loads up, you will notice a screen which shows the faction, turn number, and some more details about your hotseat.

Now, you want to test your admin password. Open the console with the tilda button (`). Type logon "password", where "password" is your admin password. Make sure you don't have quotation marks there (Unless of course, your password has quotations.) Say your password is jog. Then you would type logon jog. (Without the fullstop obviously.) Then press enter.

If it says administrator logged in, please use logoff when finished. (I.E. logoff jog) then you are now logged in as the admin and can perform various console commands. If it says wrong format, you may have spelt it wrong.

Sometimes, someone will need a password cleared, the command for this is: clear_password "faction"

For example, if you are clearing england's password for a new player, you would open the console and log on as admin and type: clear_password england

To turn a faction from AI to human, simply type: control "faction"

To see how the world is going, type: toggle_fow

To give someone a password when it isn't their turn type: set_password "faction" "password" "password". I.E. set_password england joab joab

To add or take money from a faction: add_money "X", where X is the amount of money.

If someone moves a character they shouldn't and thereby breaks a rule, you can move it back using the following:

show_cursorstat = This shows the position of the area you want to move it to. Simply put your cursor over the position on the map, open the console and type show_cursorstat and you will get a two numbers separated by a comma. (Example 12,210)

Then you will need to move the character there. Type: move_character "A" "X,Y"

Where X = the character (IMPORTANT: The name requires quotation marks around it, but only the name!!!), and X,Y = the co-ordinates of the position you want to move him. I.E. move_character "Isaakios Komnenos" 12,210

IMPORTANT: Every character has a last name, if the character has a title, it is not his last name. (If it is a character that exists at the start of the game, check your descr_strat.txt file. You will find their full name under their faction. If the character doesn't exist at the start of the game, his son/daughter.wife might have his last name.

IMPORTANT: Say your character is Chagoke of Fars and you want to move him to 12,210. You will type move_character "Chagoke of_Fars" 12,210.



5. Skipping Turns.

To do this is very easy. But if you want it to stop at a certain date, one can either create a trigger in the campaign_script.txt (Complex, but foolproof. If enough people want this, I will make one.) Or they can check every so often to see how close they are to the turn they want.

Basically, select ALL factions. (This is because some of these faction will become human later and we don't want to give them AI bonuses.) Choose other settings and then start the hotseat.

When the turn screen loads up, log on as admin and type: control "faction" and turn every faction AI. Then press start turn and the AI will play every turn. If you want to check what turn it is or just see how the world is going, type control "faction" (Faction being the faction of your choice.) It is usually best to select England, as they are first in the turn order, make sure you do not type this when it is England's turn. This is a guess and check scenario, so it's adviable to keep an eye on your computer.



6. Removing AI bonuses.

Removing AI bonuses is useful if you plan to add players into a campaign after it has started.

Basically, open your campaign_script.txt file in data/world/maps/base/imperial_campaign (Though if it is a mod, open the modfolder and go from there.)

Then find every example of the AI getting bonuses and delete it.



If I've forgotten anything please don't hesistate to inform me.



Have fun playing hotseats and enjoy the community.

Thanks to goro and Armatus.

[goro]

nice +rep

[Visorslash]

Thanks. Got any suggestions?

[goro]

dont think so.as for commands you got pretty much most of the important ones covered.its the set_password [Faction] [Password] as well but its time consuming to login every time to put new password when the player was subbed.you should add the way to remove the ai bonuses by modifying the campaign script before starting a hotseat so that the ai factions can be changed to human normally.cant remember anything else right now

[emotion_name]

set_password [Faction] [Password]

I thought that command was [Faction] [Password] [Password]

(need to put the chosen PW in twice)

[Visorslash]

its the set_password [Faction] [Password] as well but its time consuming to login every time to put new password when the player was subbed

When you need to sub someone, clear their password, then press Escape twice. Then you can put a password in yourself. Simple.

you should add the way to remove the ai bonuses by modifying the campaign script before starting a hotseat so that the ai factions can be changed to human normally.cant remember anything else right now

Yeah I'll do that, but you can just select every faction and make them all human then turn them AI but I did remove AI bonuses for the SS Skip a Few.

[goro]

yeah i guess.as for the command it enables you to put a password for the faction wherever you are not only in the factions turn.but as i said its not used so doesnt matter

[Visorslash]

Updated.

[[Celtíbero]Mencey]

Excellent. +rep

(ooops need to spread it first)

[[Celtíbero]Mencey]

sry for double post...

Info I would like to have:

how to change forts costs?
how to weaken a faction (ie Mongols)?
how to disable garrison script?
how to modify king's purse?
how to disable crusades/yihads?
how to avoid certain historical events?

thx

[Visorslash]

how to change forts costs?

It's in a .txt file, I'll check in a second.

how to weaken a faction (ie Mongols)?

Weaken how?

how to disable garrison script?

In the KGCM Mod thread, there are numerous questions there about disabling the garrison script. Alternatively, you could edit the campaign_script.txt (I'll post a version of it without garrison scripts if you like?)

how to modify king's purse?

Extremely simple. Open the descr_strat.txt file and open up the find fuction and type kings_purse (This will skip to every factions king's purse. Then you can change the values.

how to disable crusades/yihads?

Ban it in hotseating. Not to sure on this one, don't know what file to edit.

how to avoid certain historical events?

Edit the campaign_script.txt and remove the events you don't want.

[[Celtíbero]Mencey]

Weaken the mongols as they don't spawn so many or none stacks at all.

[Visorslash]

Ah. Easy.

Edit the campaign_script.txt (I think, lemme check.)

[goro]

you just delete the spawning armies in the campaign script.the armies are there with the exact number of units in each stack.you delete what you dont want

;================== TIMURIDS INVASION ===================
declare_counter timurids_konjikala
declare_counter timurids_yazd
declare_counter timurids_kerman

monitor_event EventCounter EventCounterType timurids_invasion_warn
and EventCounter > 0
; ADD SCOUTING INVASION
add_events
event counter timurids_invasion
date 2 4
end_add_events
if I_EventCounter timurids_invasion_warn == 2
terminate_monitor
end_if
end_monitor

monitor_event EventCounter EventCounterType timurids_invasion
and EventCounter > 0
if I_EventCounter timurids_invasion == 1
;;; SCOUTING INVASION
add_events
event emergent_faction timurids
date 0
region Konjikala_Province
region Mashad_Province
region Yazd_Province
region Kerman_Province
movie event/timurids_invade.bik
; ADD TIMURID INVASION 1
event counter timurids_invasion
date 2
end_add_events
end_if
if I_EventCounter timurids_invasion == 2

;Konjikala
if I_CharacterTypeNearTile timurids named_character, 15 505, 135
set_counter timurids_konjikala 1
end_if
;Yazd
if I_CharacterTypeNearTile timurids named_character, 10 505, 75
set_counter timurids_yazd 1
end_if
;Kerman
if I_CharacterTypeNearTile timurids named_character, 10 505, 60
set_counter timurids_kerman 1
end_if


;;; TIMURID INVASION 1 SCRIPT
spawn_army
faction timurids
character Timur, named character, age 30, x 503, y 95, family ;Command 9 Dread 9 Loyalty 6 Piety 4
traits GoodCommander 3 , Bloodthirsty 2 , BattleDread 3 , StrategyDread 2 , PublicFaith 4 , Loyal 1 , ContentGeneral 3 ;command 9, dread 9, loyalty 6, piety 4
unit Keshikten Bodyguard exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Halberd Militia exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Halberd Militia exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Merguen Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Elephants exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit Elephants exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Grand Bombard exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Grand Bombard exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
end

add_money timurids 15000
spawn_army
faction timurids
character Husayn, named character, age 24, x 504, y 95, family ;Command 7 Dread 7 Loyalty 6 Piety 4
traits GoodCommander 1 , Anger 3 , BattleDread 2 , StrategyDread 3 , PublicFaith 4, Loyal 1, ContentGeneral 3 ;command 7, dread 7, loyalty 6, piety 4
unit Keshikten Bodyguard exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Turhagut Lancers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Khorchi Horse Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Disamounted Turhagut exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Halberd Militia exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Halberd Militia exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Merguen Archers exp 6 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit Elephants exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit Elephants exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Grand Bombard exp 6 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit ME Grand Bombard
and so on.it has everything in detail even the location of their spawning.you can change it to wherever you like
this is for timurids.above it there is the mongol one as well

[[Celtíbero]Mencey]

Thank you very much.

So then, if I want to get rid of the timurid invasion I shall delete everything from

;================== TIMURIDS INVASION ===================

to

set_counter timurids_kerman 1
end_if

?