Argalius Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 (edited) 0 A.D. Modding FAQFor all your questions about modding for 0 A.D.Disclaimer: This is how we hope it will likely be, and represents the plan at time of writing - we cannot promise anything, and if technical or gameplay specifications require us to change anything from this list, it might not be in the final version the same way it's described here... Can I modify 0 A.D.? Yes, a substantial number of our development tools will ship with the game, including the map, scenario, scripting, tech tree and victory condition editors. Do units and buildings have to be in 1 object or is it possible that 1 building/unit is made of several different objects? No, you can have as many prop points as you want. But the more you have the bigger the load will be in CPU and Ram.You can make 1 box, and then just make 3 prop points and attach that box there and save yourself from having to make 3 different boxes. Will weapons be incorporated into the units mesh? Or will they be seperate from them? And what about the animation?Weapons are seperate prop objects, and animations are seperated from the mesh in thier own animation file. This is all controled by the entity's xml file.What is the maximum size for a texture?The biggest texture used was 2048x2048, a bigger one hasn't been tested (yet).What are the game poly amounts we should aim for?Humanoid Bodies ≈ 350Animal Bodies ≈ 450Humanoid and Building Props ≈ 20World Objects ≈ 150Buildings ≈ 400 What is a game poly?A game poly is the same as a face in 3DS Max and GMAX. To see how many faces you have select the option faces in Max and select them all. Now a number should show up on the right side.Is there gonna be a \0ad\mods folder?Each mod will have its own folder. Mods can be archived into a modpack (all modded files compressed into a single file), which can then be distributed and just dropped into its folder to be picked up by the game.Is there a SDK like in most FPS games?Probably not an SDK in the traditional sense, but we'll give similar power through modding to change the game that our asset creators have. A lot of game modification stuff will be built into the editors. Some will require a fair a bit of technical acumen (eg editing scripts or XML tables).Comment Wijitmaker: A SDK really won't be needed because we are leaving all our assets in a 'open' format that will be easily modable with commonly used software.What does the WFG team think of modders?We definitely intend to support them, and they're what will give 0 A.D. a long life. Although we have to do a lot of work on creating the game itself before we have much information about exactly how the game will be modded.How hard is it to chang the sounds?Pretty easy. With any luck, you'd probably extract the audio file from the official game SFX packs, edit the file however you wanted, then create a new mod folder, create a directory tree that matches the location where the file would be if unpacked, and put the file there.Adding new ones would work on a similar principle. Of course, you'd need to specify places where the file was actually used (eg edit the attributes associated with an actor), and probably update an XML index of sound files to create a handle to it.Will Gameplay features be able to change?Wouldn't be much point in modding if they didn't. But if the other player doesn't have the same mod, you will get an OOS error (out of sync).How will you guys react if i want to make a Total Conversion mod?Gleefully. If we're putting those kinds of tools into the game, obviously we want people to use them. And TCs definitely make the most use of modding capabilities.Can I enable and disable mods in-game?Yes, that will be possible.Will modders be able to add to add civs, buildings and all that stuff, so you can play 0 A.D. and the mod? Yep, if you want to have... say... the Simpons vs. the Romans, you will be able to do it.. just make sure if your playing with another player, they also have the same mod.Is there a Built-in Sound Editor? Not as such. New audio files can be added using mod packs, and can be attached to game objects using the Object Editor. They will first need to be converted to .ogg format using an included application. What scripting language is used for 0 A.D.? JavaScript (Spidermonkey, to be exact). Can I make my own triggers? Yes, our extensive scripting language is available for end-user development, allowing modders to create their own triggers, Random Map Scripts, and AI (behaviour) scripts. How adaptive and what form will the...I guess "action" definitions be for units?The details on that we are not exactly sure on yet and can't say. We would like it for people to be able to have the same power to develop something in the game as we do - but with that power comes potential for cheating.More questions that must be answered? Post them and wait till you get a reply and I'll update the list.This is only a 'beta' FAQ because the game hasn't been released yet. Edited March 6, 2005 by Argalius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufinwe Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 (great FAQ Arga!! nice piece of work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wijitmaker Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Need idea, I'll clear up some of the confusion Can I modify 0 A.D.?Yes, a substantial number of our development tools will ship with the game, including the map, scenario, scripting, tech tree and victory condition editors. Not sure where you heard of the scripting, tech tree, and victory condition editors Though you will be able to mod all that stuff with a notepad... Will weapons be incorporated into the units mesh? Or will they be seperate from them? And what about the animation?Weapons are seperate prop objects, and animations are seperated from the mesh in thier own animation file. This is all controled by the entity's xml file.What is the maximum size for a texture?The biggest texture used was 2048x2048, a bigger one hasn't been tested (yet).True, but you would be crazy for using anything over 1024x1024 Is there a SDK like in most FPS games?Probably not an SDK in the traditional sense, but we'll give similar power through modding to change the game that our asset creators have.A lot of game modification stuff will be built into the editors. Some will require a fair a bit of technical acumen (eg editing scripts or XML tables).A SDK really won't be needed because we are leaving all our assets in a 'open' format that will be easily modable with commonly used software.Will Gameplay features be able to change?Wouldn't be much point in modding if they didn't. True, but if the other player doesn't have the same mod, you will get an OOS error (out of sync).Will modders be able to add to add civs, buildings and all that stuff, so you can play 0 A.D. and the mod?(this will be possible?)Yep, if you want to have... say... the Simpons vs. the Romans, you will be able to do it.. just make sure if your playing with another player, they also have the same mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire Giant Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Nice FAQ, Argalius That should definately sort out some confusion about modding in 0 A.D. Still, I'd like to add something: This is how we think it will likely be - we cannot promise anything, and if technical or gameplay specifications require to change anything from this list, it might not be in the final version the same way it's described here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acumen Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Well said, Malte. I hope you don't mind, Argalius, but I've added Malte's disclaimer to your FAQ to make that abundantly clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argalius Posted September 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 Added a bit.@Acumen: Sure, do with it what you want, it's 'your' forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Zorinthrox Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 How adaptive and what form will the...I guess "action" definitions be for units? I know it will be XML, but I am really curious of it will be more customizable than AoM, like defining actions not by preprogramed action types, but by describing all aspects of the action with highly specific modifiers etc. Basically, will it be higher level than AoM's static system, but be able to do the same stuff (and better)?Lord ZPS - Pretty sure/hope this hasn't already been directly answered, I am just paranoid about how inhibited my plans will be by engine functionality (hopefully not at all). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeros Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 The details on that we are not exactly sure on yet and can't say. We would like it for people to be able to have the same power to develop something in the game as we do - but with that power comes potential for cheating.IMO the majority of unit editing you'll be doing is by just editing pre-programmed action types in XML(simply because thats faster) - however if you know javascript or C++ it should be possible for you to go and create your own actions for units as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Zorinthrox Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 Oh, okay. That should do nicely. I was kinda hoping, you know, for something like 'actiondef(actionname="jump attack")=(useprojectilepath (parameters)(affecttype=current_unit); use:uniqueanimation; damage(vector for damages); cooldown=(time)); end(actiondef).' *makes up script as he goes along* Something kinda flag based.But you guys are making the game, so I wouldn't know.Anyway, thanks. All I wanted to know was the form it will take, and either way seems adaptable enough for my plans *whips out C++ manual that was collecting dust.*Lord Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wijitmaker Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 Actually, C++ will be hard coded. So, that will be 'unmoddable'. But, our scripting language (javascript) will allow you to modify functions that are exposed. The stuff your talking about above, is just simple entity modifications which will be very easy for you to tweak in the xml files.For more discussion about scripting, check out this forum:http://www.aiscripters.com/ivb/index.php?showforum=5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petar Tasev Posted March 16, 2007 Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 (edited) I know this topic is old but I have a question. Will you be able to make new special abilities and actions in 0 AD? Like making a teleport power that makes a unit go to the other side of walls or something like that. Edited March 16, 2007 by Petar Tasev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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