A problem with modifying files

**Magician Reversed** · February 16, 2013, 09:56 PM

I can't seem to make any modifications to the export_descr_buildings and export_descr_units files without the game crashing. Even the slightest changes, such as changing the amount of turns it takes to recruit a unit from 3 to 2, will cause a crash when I try to load a saved campaign. I noticed that the export_descr_buildings file has written at the top that it's generated from a spreadsheet and shouldn't be 'modified by hand'- could that be part of it? Or am I just doing something wrong?

**Eldren** · February 17, 2013, 12:31 AM

Any Modification to the Game will make any saved game not load able. Any new patch or update will do the same thing. Sorry you lost your data.

**HTD** · February 17, 2013, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by Eldren

Any Modification to the Game will make any saved game not load able. Any new patch or update will do the same thing. Sorry you lost your data.

No, if you don't touch any campaign-related files, then it is still save game compatible.
(That's assuming that the modified files are modified correctly. If you made a mistake, there'll of course be a CTD.)

**Opus** · February 17, 2013, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Magician Reversed

I can't seem to make any modifications to the export_descr_buildings and export_descr_units files without the game crashing. Even the slightest changes, such as changing the amount of turns it takes to recruit a unit from 3 to 2, will cause a crash when I try to load a saved campaign. I noticed that the export_descr_buildings file has written at the top that it's generated from a spreadsheet and shouldn't be 'modified by hand'- could that be part of it? Or am I just doing something wrong?

I well, I don't really know much about editing the text effecting your save files, but you should start by seeing if a new campaign can be made and if the changes you made are in effect. If that is true, then your saves will probably be invalid. You can still copy your save files and paste them elsewhere, reinstall the game, and then paste then back where they go and that should get your saves back. If worse comes to worse, you can have two installs of the game, one in which you have the campaign you are playing, one where you are modding files. Once you are done with the campaign, delete that install and just use the modified install for playing games.

**Magician Reversed** · February 17, 2013, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Opus

I well, I don't really know much about editing the text effecting your save files, but you should start by seeing if a new campaign can be made and if the changes you made are in effect. If that is true, then your saves will probably be invalid.

I'm planning on trying that next.

**HerofTime** · February 20, 2013, 11:55 PM

I've only tried shifting some unit recruitment levels (example: shifting somehting down from large to medium barracks) butall my saves work pretty much with the unmoddified building file or edited one. It probably depends what you're changing. I'm only adding a few lines with my edits and they are all just adding units to building lines.

**Magician Reversed** · February 21, 2013, 12:44 AM

That's kind of the same stuff I've been doing. I can start new games with modded files, but any games I've saved beforehand don't seem to work. I guess I'll have to wrap up my current campaigns before I start one with my customized settings.

**HerofTime** · February 21, 2013, 02:43 AM

O THAT. Well when I did the modding I always started a new campaign. However, I could still play the campaigns without the modded file and load them up either way as long as the campaign was started with the modded files. I doubt old saves started form before the modded file was in there would load. Good Luck