Official CA comment - Total War: The modding situation

[last_name_left]

Here's an example of what other developers are supplying to their customers by way of information on modding their game (rFactor2, by developer ISI)

rF2_Packaging_Tutorial.pdf - 01-09-2012
rF2_Track_Technology_v2.pdf - 01-10-2012
rF2_car_modding_introduction.pdf - 01-12-2012
rF2_car_modding_workflow.pdf - 01-12-2012
rF2_car_modding_tires.pdf - 01-12-2012
Tutorial_car_tires_files.7z - 01-12-2012
rF2_TGM_TyreTool_QuickStart.pdf - 01-16-2012
rF2_car_modding_complete.pdf - 01-12-2012
Tutorial_complete_car_files.7z - 01-12-2012
swheel_trackmapTEMPLATE.zip - 01-16-2012

Here's a link to one of the example PDFs - rF2_car_modding_complete.pdf

http://isiforums.net/dl/rF2_car_modding_complete.pdf

The game is still in Public Beta and yet these files are already available. Note too that the developer supplies 3D Studio plugins for the export of all models used in the game engine - for various versions of MAX.

Take a look at the detail, the help, the built-in open-ness........

That's how to do it.

ISI develop a professional level simulation (rfactor PRO) for professional race teams including Formula 1 team, RedBull. They also make a commercial entertainment package, rfactor (1 and 2) for general public. This puts into sharp relief all the BS from CA about modding.

more here, if anyone is interested:

http://isiforums.net/f/showthread.php/1573-Tutorials

rFactor now has an enormous amount of mods, and a hugely talented and diverse community constantly adding and expanding to the core game, in a multitude of ways the developers themselves could never do.

This has meant the shelf-life of rF 1 has been 6 years. Whilst the old engine is showing its age, it has had a constant supply of new and varied material, and modders have even moved onto licensing the engine themselves and releasing full-price games.

What a contrast.

[EricWass]

So, what has been done with these files??

[Wicked Moose]

I'd like to ask if it is possible to have 40 (or more) units per army in RTW and M2TW. It can be done in empire, nap and shogun2, but I'm a little sad that it's not possible (yet?) in mods like Roma Serructum 2, Third Age Total War or, in the future, Europa Barbarorum 2.

But I guess I'm way too late to ask something in this thread xp

[lolIsuck]

It is not possible to do that in M2TW or RTW

[The_Doctor97]

Can someone tell me how do I use them please?

[RandomSarmartian]

maybe they could release the tools they use so we may get an understanding of how to change the files so we could create our own modding tools before the end of this century

[Rorarii]

Choose King Arthur II instead, modding available, developpers who listen to the players.

I'm waiting for the Roman version ..

R

[RandomSarmartian]

mod your own roman version

[atheniandp]

I've played since the original Shogun up until BI and Alexander expansions came out. I gave up on CA before Medieval 2 Total War was released after seeing all the fantasy units and the elimination of the year/turn system. That being said, the game didn't turn out horrible, but I only bought it a few weeks ago in order to play the mods.

Which leads me to my point: modders really sculpt the game to perfection, bring out it's true potential. It's the only reason I'll ever buy more total war games. Not for the vanilla versions.

[Rorarii]

mod your own roman version

.. BUT i have no talent! nor the stamina ...
... getting old is a royal pain in da ..

R

[Bob Doad]

SKYRIM FTW they made that modding tool thing for the fans and ppl love it CA ill give mo money for a more modable game

[Axius]

Ty CM a belated but heart felt thank you

[LoveSickPuppy93]

I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to the technical. In M2TW gamers had the ability to open a text window by pressing ' and in RTW it was ` so would it be possible to do this with Empire and Napoleon? If so, which key is it?

[magpie]

To be straight up about the mod situation and the TW series. I think its over folks except for a few small tweaks here and there.
CA/SEGA have moved on since M2TW/Kingdoms and have a different business strategy.

So for those who like full on TW mods go back to the earlier games. For the rest just play the new released games in CA/SEGA format and hope they are good games.

[Humble Warrior]

It is over. CA are like a cruel girl friend who`ll keep the boy hanging on for the rest of his life when she should just say, "It`s over."

I find it disengenous of CA to keep people hanging on like this like they care. What a waste of effort for the poor modders hoping for mod tools..

[MathiasOfAthens]

There wont be mod tools... we can only "hope" ca makes future TW games easier to mod. But I sincerely doubt that... what motivation do they have to make the next title easier for us to mod? The era of mods is over.

[Éorl]

Magpie originally wrote:

To be straight up about the mod situation and the TW series. I think its over folks except for a few small tweaks here and there.
CA/SEGA have moved on since M2TW/Kingdoms and have a different business strategy.

So for those who like full on TW mods go back to the earlier games. For the rest just play the new released games in CA/SEGA format and hope they are good games.

^This!

A question: Is there any game published by SEGA in the past 5 or 6 years that was easily moddable, or even had mod-support? This might give a clue as to whether the publisher or the developer has to be blamed.

[Agostinos]

There wont be mod tools... we can only "hope" ca makes future TW games easier to mod. But I sincerely doubt that... what motivation do they have to make the next title easier for us to mod? The era of mods is over.

Yes thats why the bethesda modding community (fallout, skyrim, oblivion) is skyrocketing

I'm sure that some people would be capable of writing tools for mapediting if they would get some advice

[MathiasOfAthens]

Doesnt Skyrim have a modding kit released by the Devs, I dont know I dont play those games on the PC.

[wis]

Yes thats why the bethesda modding community (fallout, skyrim, oblivion) is skyrocketing

I'm sure that some people would be capable of writing tools for mapediting if they would get some advice

The starcraft II and Mount and blade modding community is also large.

Doesnt Skyrim have a modding kit released by the Devs, I dont know I dont play those games on the PC.

Yes its called Creation kit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKivlGmia4

CA should take a hint from them. It really makes them look bad.