Have Steam dumbed down the Alexander exe file?

[Gigantus]

The slave faction is essential for game mechanics and has too many pitfalls to be able to be played.
The pope is a special faction as well (see descr_sm_faction entry) but can be played. A lot of mods simply remove the faction if the pope is irrelevant to it.
Disabling\deleting the special_faction entry in the pope's faction will reduce it to a regular faction. Beware of the family tree setting.
Which leaves another 29 (30 if you modify the pope) regular faction slots to make a total of 31 factions.

You can use any regular faction as 'labels' for places of interest (see the named fort principle) - just obviously not one that is playable.

[Anarchon]

Thanks Gigantus,

I shall probably give it a go because of your patient replies.

You haven't answered my query about Trade or lack of it.

Anarchon

The slave faction is essential for game mechanics and has too many pitfalls to be able to be played.
The pope is a special faction as well (see descr_sm_faction entry) but can be played. A lot of mods simply remove the faction if the pope is irrelevant to it.
Disabling\deleting the special_faction entry in the pope's faction will reduce it to a regular faction. Beware of the family tree setting.
Which leaves another 29 (30 if you modify the pope) regular faction slots to make a total of 31 factions.

You can use any regular faction as 'labels' for places of interest (see the named fort principle) - just obviously not one that is playable.

[Gigantus]

Ah yes, missed to respond that:

Resources.
In RTW there are resources on the map(from descr-strat)
and resources in descr-Regions.
They seem to be completely independent of each other.
Are you saying both have no impact in M2TW?
Or that only Resources from d-strat work?
So is there no Trade in M2TW?

Trade in M2TW is solely based on the resources listed in descr_sm_resources and their presence on the map via descr_strat, hence my comment about trading resources in descr_regions. I don't think the 'slaves' resource has it's special regional effect anymore, but 'grain' certainly still has (increase in fertility level in import and export region).
The only entries recognized in that line in descr_regions are the hidden resources as listed in the EDB.

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


Thanks for that.
The Resources in d-regions in RTW is weird cos it can contradict d-strat.
So no loss there!


Some further queries on named forts.


If I understand correctly you have to create (spawn?) princesses in one location
and then have them move to where you want the fort.
Can that spawn location be anywhere?
Can it be in ocean or thousands of miles from the fort location?
Or must the princess be able to legally move from spawn site to fort site?


Secondly, is there a limit on number of forts or named locations?
I have around 1500 and more planned.
It seems there is a limit on 'names per section' in RTW.
I think it is 3000 but foolishly did not note it.
That was 3000 per faction characters, 3000 per faction surnames and 3000 per faction women.
Do you know if there are such limits in M2TW?


Thanks again


Anarchon

[Anarchon]

And a quickie. Which of the many M2TW items should I download from Steam?
I think I have the wrong one.

[Gigantus]

The 'spawn and later move' principle is there to make sure that the princess gets back to the original spot in case she gets bumped by a character.
The sequence would be:
1. check if the princess exists, if not spawn on the required spot (initial spawn and re-spawn part)
2. check again if the princess exists, if yes move to the required spot (relocation in case of bumping)

I would suggest not to use more then 500 permanent forts on a very large map - the map will otherwise get unplayable for the AI as it can't handle forts properly.

Also keep in mind that the more characters you have on the map the longer the turn times will get. And having labels all over the place can get distracting, so use it a bit sparingly.

Not sure what you refer to when mentioning 'items to download' - can you be more specific?

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


Adding hopefully my last queries on named forts.


1. Do the princesses age every year or die of old age?
Or are they effectively reborn as 16 year olds every turn?


2. Can they be captured, killed, moved by other forces?


3. Can you use this system for naming ports?


4. Reiterating a request for clarification which seems to have been deleted.
In your instructions you wrote...
spawn_character aztecs, [internal_name], princess, age 16, x 297, y 252
console_command move_character "[internal_name]" 297, 248


a. Which of these is the desired location for the fort? 297-252 or 297-248?
b. What is the other pair of coordinates?
c. Are there any restrictions on where the other pair are located?


Items to download.
I mean which Steam version should I buy and download.
There seem to be several.


Anarchon

The 'spawn and later move' principle is there to make sure that the princess gets back to the original spot in case she gets bumped by a character.
The sequence would be:
1. check if the princess exists, if not spawn on the required spot (initial spawn and re-spawn part)
2. check again if the princess exists, if yes move to the required spot (relocation in case of bumping)

I would suggest not to use more then 500 permanent forts on a very large map - the map will otherwise get unplayable for the AI as it can't handle forts properly.

Also keep in mind that the more characters you have on the map the longer the turn times will get. And having labels all over the place can get distracting, so use it a bit sparingly.

Not sure what you refer to when mentioning 'items to download' - can you be more specific?

[Gigantus]

Princesses age like any other agent, hence the test if the princess still exists.

We eventually discarded the 'killing and reborn' method as it bloated the save game until it couldn't be loaded any more - the assumption was that every 'reborn' instance increased the character record that was kept in memory.

Instead we made it conditional (if not I_CharacterExists [internal name]) followed by the 'spawn' command and end_if. That is then followed by another if check, this time without the 'not' and the 'move' command like I outlined in post #46. You should use co-ordinates of the desired location in both commands, I can't recall why we had different locations.

You can place labels literally anywhere (like on open ocean. Or on top of settlements but there they will slide onto the next available tile) as their placement doesn't constitute a trespass violation.

Agents can be killed or bumped off the tile where they are standing. Princesses are the least likely, hence why they are the preferred agent for this. The existence check mentioned earlier takes care of old age as well as assassination.

Getting your hand on the disk version is most likely much more difficult then getting the steam version - it would also require you to purchase the kingdoms DLC plus download the kingdoms patch. All of that is already included the Steam purchase.
There are some minor issues one has to keep in mind when modding in Steam but it's nothing earth shattering.

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


Please can you help.


I have installed M2TW, GeoMod & bare-geomod with a view to porting my mod.


However, when I launch Geomod I get the startup screen with a jumping mouse-cursor.


I suspect another Compatibility issue.
But unlike my RTW mod checking the 'disable full screen optimization' has no effect.


I have not yet installed any files from my mod so i know it is not that.


I am fairly certain I have installed correctly but setting out below for confirmation/contradiction.


I have installed under Steam


M2TW
Tools/GeoMod
Mods/bare-Geomod
and
Mods/bare-Geomod copied then renamed as ALK60E2(my mod name)


I get the jumping mouse-cursor no matter what I launch in Mods,
bare-geomod, ALK60E2 or any of the other mods listed there.


I have tried launching Geomod with 'disable full screen optimization' checked
but it has no effect.


This is a very new, very high end system so my tekkie says.


Any ideas for solving it?


If I can get Geomod working it should make modding way easier than in RTW.


Actually my directory tree looks like this.
Should I put bare-geomod and my mod under tools/geomod/m2tw-files/mods
Instead of under Medieval II Total War/mods?


Anarchon


E
Rome Total War
steamapps
common
Medieval II Total War
mods
ALK60E2
americas
bare_geomod
british_isles
crusades
teutonic
tools
Geomod
include
M2TW_files
data
fmv
text
ui
world
mods
americas
british_isles
crusades
teutonic
unpacker

[Gigantus]

Bare Geomod installs into the mods directory like any other mod, simply do the standard installation.
The Geomod tool installs into the tools directory for convenience, that way browsing to your mod (when the selection screen is open) is easy.
No need to move either and keep the manual handy once you get going.

I do recall that mouse issues in Geomod can be solved by choosing the 'change high DPI setting' button and overriding scaling behavior in compatibility mode.

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


Thx.
I am now 90% sure I am set up right.


However, still cannot cure the jumpy/sticky mouse cursor.
Its heartbreaking as I can see just how useful Geomod would be if I could cure this problem.
Thx for all the hard work you obviously put into this.


I have tried choosing the 'change high DPI setting' button and overriding scaling behavior in compatibility mode.
No success.
Also experimented with various other compatibility settings.
Nothing seems to work.


Please can you tell me the appropriate setting for all the Compatibility options.
Do I need to change screen resolution?


Anarchon

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,

That link seems to be for downloading the Geomod app.
I cannot find a manual there.
Am I missing something?

Anarchon

[Gigantus]

Do check the DPI setting in your system (settings\display) as well and reset it to 100% if needed.
Check your mouse setting and try a standard pointer

Download Link

The Geomod Manual - 6.18_2012.09.12

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


I eventually partially 'solved' the mouse problem at a very high cost.


Geomod now operates in a window less than 4 inches by 3 inches.
All text is scrunched up.
It would be very difficult to work with.


I tried very many settings, both Compatibility and also including my PC settings res at 100%, 200% and 300%.
My mouse cursor is already bog-standard.


I can get the mouse working properly in this tiny window with the following settings;


Compatibility page1; disable full screen optimizations
Compatibility page2; override high dpi scaling behaviour
Compatibility page2; scaling performed by application


Any ideas on how I can get the Geomod window to a sensible size?
Working in a window this tiny would be a real misery.


Anarchon

PS Thx for Manual Link

[Gigantus]

You can't scale Geomod itself afaik, to give you an idea of the size of the tool I have taken a screenshot with your post as back ground. You can however easily zoom (move cursor into window, use scroll wheel) within the display window of the tool. My browser window is enlarged to 130%, please take that into consideration.

------------------------------------

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


If I could get that I would be overjoyed!
What you show is 1740x1194 pixels.


The Window I get is 867x533pixels.
This is less than half.
and all text scrunched up.
I would send a screenshot if I could figure out how to use TWC's url request.


I can get something similar to what you show.
Actually 1734x1104
by selecting either
system or
system enhanced
in the Compatibility page2 ; Scaling performed by...
(instead of 'Application')
but if I do this the jumpy/sticky mouse returns.


Anarchon

[Gigantus]

You have to either directly attach a picture by going into advanced mode and using the attach feature or upload the picture to a service (I use imgBB) and then copy the link here.

I did another screenshot and cut out the tool - the original size is 870*601 pixels (give or take the odd pixel for sloppy cutting)

[Anarchon]

trying to attach not easy this

[Gigantus]

The relative size of the elements seems to be fine (the tabs got stretched because of the font size), it's the font that's oversized.

I ran a little test and managed to get the jumpy cursor when increasing the DPI in the system settings, the tool's font size however was not affected.
Even using the 'increase text' setting only increased the tool's menu font, the rest remained normal.

I am a bit at a loss here. Are you using some fancy super resolution system set up? 4k and multiple mega pixels?
The tool being old and pretty simple that's the only thing I could think of.

[Anarchon]

Hi Gigantus,


Many thanks for your great help and hard work.
But it is looking like I shall have to revert to RTW.
So irritating.
With Geomod I can get a sensible sized and texted window
OR a working mouse,
BUT not both.


On your question about graphics, I have no idea and no idea how to find out.
My tekkie says my specs are as follows; (all Greek to me)


Intel Core i9 10900
16GB 3200MHz Gskill Trident
Z Royal
Asus Z490-G
Asus TUF RTX 3060 12GB
HDD 2TB WD Blue
SSD 1TB XPG SX8200 PRO


I would be happy for you or someone nominated by you to access my PC via TeamViewer.
If you think you would be able to find a fix.


Anarchon