Challenge for Modders

from Sins Forums

 

As I was reading over some IRC chat in #sins, it occurred to me that almost all modding is geared toward the single player game (simply because mods don't auto-download for online multiplayer and are thus not viable online at this time).  Anyway, it occurred to me that perhaps some people might wish to make a mod to enhance the online multiplayer part of the game.  So, here is your challenge:

Create a mod that changes nothing about the game except that it allows auto-downloads for custom, Galaxy Forge made maps.  So, when someone joins a game with a Galaxy Forge-made map, it auto-downloads for them into their Application Data (XP) or AppData (Vista) Galaxy Forge folder with any targa.tga map title files going into their Program Files Sins folder's Textures folder.  People would only need to download the mod and activate it when they load the game.

Would that be doable?  Is anyone up to the challenge?

modding
2,082 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

centurionjixra, it is a good idea, but I can only work on the move the file to the correct location part as I do not know the file tranfer between computer part of the program needs. it would not be a mod for sins, but more along the lines of an addon program, OR a alteration of the matchmaking part of the ICO.

harpo

 

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

 

Well...like I said...it would be a challenging task.  I suppose that it would require experience with C++ programming (I assume that's how the game is coded.)  I also suppose that it might not be possible for a modder to do it if it's something that has to be taken care of on ICO.

My understanding of the situation is that it has something to do with permissions settings since Map Designer-made "custom" maps--maps that only exist on a game host's computer--can seamlessly auto-download.  At issue is, "Why won't Galaxy Forge-made custom maps auto-download" and "What can be done to fix it?"

 

 

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

I did not know about the mapdesigner maps auto tranfering,

but it should be a small change for ironclad now that the galaxyforge folder is next to the mapdesigner folder, with the SAME permissions for both folders,
but it would have been a permission problem back in the days of the program files galaxy folder on vista/windows 7 as these operating systems do thier best to prevent alterations in files stored in the program files tree,
but without access to the source then it would be on the order of reverse engineering the ico software to do.

harpo

 

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

 

Thanks for the insight, Harpo.  So, in principle, it shouldn't be much work for Ironclad to do this?

 

 

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

also, thier is a multiplayer based mod, The Dome Mod

Not what your thinking, but it's intent is still to improve multiplayer.

 

Yea, it should be easy for Ironclad to impliment it. I don't know why they havn't. Every game I know will automaticly download maps. Mods, and saved games shouldn't be too much harder.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Aye, it'd be straightforward for Ironclad; nigh impossible for the rest of us. If it came out in the second expansion... heck, that'd be reason enough for me to buy it right there.

 I'm also working on a mod - if not specifically designed for multiplayer, I'm working on balancing the game and addressing some of the gameplay concerns to help make multiplayer more varied and interesting. :)

(First step - rigging capships so there's a bit more choice between 'em. Hey, it's a start.)

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

the only reason against mods is the size of them. any map should not be a problem as the largest map that I have seen is under 150kb uncompressed

harpo

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

As for auto transfer in general, DeadMG over at the the GPGnet forums seems to have a prototype working for mods being transfered in Supreme Commander (GPG's game that isn't Demigod.) Dont know how much it applies. But it is at least it being possible there means theres hope. Linky if anyone cares. http://forums.gaspowered.com/viewtopic.php?t=36581

If you have an account on the forums there try PMing DeadMG about it to see if you can learn anything from it.

:ninja:  Edit: Sorry if that didn't help.:ninja: