Mod Management & Integration

from GalCiv4 Forums

After publishing my first Mod, the current Mod integration within GC4 feels very weak. :(

I do have some experience publishing around a dozen Mods for other games.

There seems to be a lack of versioning control for published Mods.  At least from the website.  Are you expecting users to manually delete their existing Mod and then resubmit a new one when they want to update / publish a bug fix?

If so, that is extremely primitive.  (sorry guys, but it is...) :(

Also, having to enter the Mod description at the point of the upload is also very wonky too.

I was sincerely expecting / looking for details on a Mod configuration file that would be placed in the root directory of the Mod.  It would contain typical things like:

  • Mod Name
  • Author's Name
  • Mod Description
  • Mod Version
  • Date

Much of the information I put in the associated markdown file, I expected would go into a required Mod configuration file.

Better Leader Traits.md

 

Also, when viewing what is on the Steam workshop, it appears you only have support for either Ship Mods or Race Mods, and nothing else.  Really?  There are other aspects of the game that you have provided Mod support for, but there is a lack of typical management of those kind of Mods via the Workshop.

As far as what is on your web site ( https://www.galciv4.com/mods/manager ), there is no mechanism to upload screen shots or any kind of feedback forum for users of the Mod.

To date, I have yet to see the integrated "Workshop" button actually function.  I suspect that all it does is open up a weblink to the Steam Workshop page, but this is entirely a guess at this time.

As far as authoring the Mod itself, I did not encounter much of an issue. :)

It was only later on publishing the Mod was I really disappointed on the lack of integrated Mod management support that currently exists in GC4.

I hope this is something you are looking to improve.... soon....

 

 

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1,927 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

The way I've done it, I edited my mod entry, changed the title and replaced the file with the newer version. So you really only have one version of your mod available at a time, the last version you uploaded. No need to make a new entry for a new version, just edit the old one.

As for the mod itself, you can create a Readme.html file along with it in the root folder. Won't help for the website itself, but it will show up in the launcher.

As for Steam workshop support for gameplay mods, yeah that would be nice but I doubt we'll ever see that.

Reply #2 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

I am not accustomed to something as primitive. 

Even the basic features of the Steam Workshop is light-years beyond this. 

I do not see myself publishing another gc4 mod sans better mod management support and integration.

I would encourage the devs to just flesh out the steam workshop integration rather than trying to roll your own. Because what you have now is very sad. 

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Reply #3 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

I agree, that fully developing steam workshop would be very nice and would probably attract many new players. 

Reply #4 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

The Steam Workshop uses the "publish-subscription" model where players subscribe to your mod and automatically get updates pushed and installed as the Mod Devs publish changes / fixes.

I cannot even imagine trying to do that manually.

There is also inter-mod (or intra? always get that confused...) dependencies built into the Steam Workshop.

Not to mention, subscription stats, etc...