External GalCiv3 game mod utility

from GalCiv3 Forums

I dug around & really only saw one other post regarding an external game modding utility for GalCiv3.  That was nearly 2 years ago and nothing appears to have come from it.

I know we can pretty much get into virtually all the xml files, make changes via notepad or notepad++ or your favorite xml editor and mod the game.  But what I've always thought was nice was to have a utility, or tool, that would help us do it.  So I started writing my own just to help me with my programming training and to make things a bit easier when modding the game.

Right now I'm still in the architecture part of it and gathering info on what all the xml files do.  But I'm wondering how popular this would be with GalCiv3 being "long in the tooth" at 2 years old and if there is a GalCiv4 on the horizon?  If it's not going to be of any use to anyone or if GalCiv4 is somewhere down the road, I won't bother on too much with it.

 

Just looking for input now.  Anyone interested in this or should I just wait for a potential GalCiv4?  

215,657 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

GalCiv4 won't be soon, 3 will be sticking around for a while.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I know nothing of modding tools or what you,re up to.

GalCiv3 is certainly not "long in the tooth".  It's just about to hit puberty with second expansion.

Stardock's stated intention is to support and expand this product for several more years.  Expect a seven year cycle, from release providing it maintains sales.

Don't expect a IV before 2020.  Too much unrealized potential in the 64bit engine now.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Go4Celerity, reply 2

I know nothing of modding tools or what you,re up to.

GalCiv3 is certainly not "long in the tooth".  It's just about to hit puberty with second expansion.

Stardock's stated intention is to support and expand this product for several more years.  Expect a seven year cycle, from release providing it maintains sales.

Don't expect a IV before 2020.  Too much unrealized potential in the 64bit engine now.

Well now...with this being said...I got plenty of time to work on this.  

With games sometimes only lasting 2-3 years, and I apologize...I should have done my homework.  I just looked it up & GalCiv2 was released in 2006 and GalCiv3 in 2015 so you are 100% correct.  GalCiv3 is still a "baby" with a long way to go.

My goal is a windows app that will be run outside of the game to be "user-friendly" in modifying the appropriate XML files and make it easier for people to create a game to their liking.  As I said, it's not hard to open and edit the xml files...if you know which ones to edit & what xml elements to edit.  My windows app will take the guesswork out of that.  

Launch the editor, edit to your hearts content, save files, open GalCiv3 and enjoy your newly modded game.  Quite honestly if it gets used or not used by anyone else is not a big deal.  I'll use it and learn more about C# programming and xml files along the way.  Win-Win for me.  May as well share it with the masses if someone is interested in it.

 

Thanks for the info, Go4Celerity!  Much appreciated!! +1'd your karma.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

You should be aware that there's already an external tech tree editor available.

I have no idea why that link isn't working.  Here: forums.galciv3.com/477456/page/1

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Publius, reply 4

You should be aware that there's already an external tech tree editor available.

I have no idea why that link isn't working.  Here: forums.galciv3.com/477456/page/1

Ummmm....WOW??  That is a CRAZY handy and extremely thorough tech tree editor.  Mine won't be nearly that nice.  Just a windows app with some boxes to change values of ships, races, anything else I can figure out.

Will have to download that tonight & give it a shot.  Thanks for the link!!

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

@John_Cowski

I am the author of the tech tree editor. While I haven't updated it for a while, I haven't stopped developing for it, waiting for Crusades :grin: so I can make it compatible.

I also have plans for other editors using a similar UI , improvements, star base modules etc.

Was hoping for some word from Stardock on whether they are going to ship any editors soon. (don't want to spend time developing if Stardock are going to release their own).

 

 Edit:

If you're interested in collaborating on a tool, I'm up for it. I am not a professional coder, just do it for fun (self taught c#).

 

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Treborblue,

First I want to comment to you directly on how impressed I am with your tech tree editor.  That is, in my opinion, professional grade and it blows me away with how configurable it is and how easy on the eyes it is.  Great job on that.  What did you program that in and how long did it take you?

Second...sure...we can collaborate on this editor if you'd like.  I'm not far on it at all because I'm still trying to figure out how to loop through the XML file based on the lead elements.  I'm still a very new c# programmer myself & have only scratched the surface of what we can do.

I'll be unavailable for the next 2 weeks (going on vacation) but when I get back maybe we can touch base and see what is what on this and what we can get thrown together.

Thanks again & I look forward to hearing from you.

Cowski

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks,

 

Quoting John_Cowski, reply 7

What did you program that in and how long did it take you?

Code C#, WPF, IDE VS 2015

Started last May, mainly coded weekends, on and off. Have no idea how long it actually took.

Quoting John_Cowski, reply 7

I'm still trying to figure out how to loop through the XML file based on the lead elements

I use LINQ to XML to query the xml's. Much easier than trying to iterate over them.

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Just looking for input now.  Anyone interested in this or should I just wait for a potential GalCiv4? 

Always interested in more modding tools!