Noob modder

[Hellhawk]

Hi, this is my first post - until a few days ago I'd never heard of the Evochron series, but after purchasing EM and spending some intense time in-game I've come to like it a lot. I cut my teeth as a gamer playing "Star Trek" on a Cyber mainframe at university in the '70s (no screens in them thar days - just printed output). I've been wishing someone would make a really good space exploration game ever since, and maybe I've finally found it. Freelancer came close, but it was too simplistic and was crippled for modding. Most games are too "storyline driven" for my tastes (why do people call Mass Effect a role-playing game when it clearly isn't?) but EM looks like having real flexibility.

I think a few things could be improved, but that's just an observation - not really a criticism. The nav system is a bit clunky and the text is difficult to read. Still, I understand that this is all pretty much one person's work, and as such it is an amazing effort. All praise to the maker

I'm currently trying my hand at some mods and I really like the way things have been designed to make modding easy. I did heaps of mods for Homeworld a few years back but the system EM uses is easier. I do have a couple of questions, the answers might be in the documentation, but if they are I've missed them.

1. Is there a way to change the default game font globally?

2. Is there a way to change the colour of the font used in specific places, such as in particular HUD readouts or on buttons?

3. I'm a bit confused about cockpit/hud textures - what are the requirements of texture samples (pixel size, file type etc) and where are they specified in the game?

4. I noticed a quest.txt file in the modding pack, but no instructions on how to implement custom quests - is this possible, and what are the parameters of quest files. Is it possible to set event or time activated triggers for quest events?

Thanks for any replies - see you out there.



[Edited on 11-30-2010 by Hellhawk]

[warsign]

Hi, this is my first post -

Welcome to Evochron. You made new and great discovery, you know that...

The nav system is a bit clunky and the text is difficult to read.

I don't think so, you can zoom in an out with your mouse wheel easily, on and off some text If you want to...

I'm currently trying my hand at some mods and I really like the way things have been designed to make modding easy.


Yes, Evochron series modding system is quite easy and great. You can easily install/uninstall mods, very very easy to turn back to the original game...

1. Is there a way to change the default game font globally?

Yes, please refer to customizing kit for details...

2. Is there a way to change the colour of the font used in specific places, such as in particular HUD readouts or on buttons?


I don't think so but not sure about that!

3. I'm a bit confused about cockpit/hud textures - what are the requirements of texture samples (pixel size, file type etc) and where are they specified in the game?


In customizing kit, there are enough info and some sample files help you. 256x256,512x512 or 1024x1024 would be good...Bmp works great with cockpit...Check out my mod page(under my signature), might be help...

4. I noticed a quest.txt file in the modding pack, but no instructions on how to implement custom quests - is this possible, and what are the parameters of quest files. Is it possible to set event or time activated triggers for quest events?

This is a question for Vice I think. May be customizing kit helps you...I don't know anything about it actually...

Thanks for any replies - see you out there.

See you in Mp If I can participate



[Edited on 11-30-2010 by warsign]

[Maarschalk]

Hi Hellhawk, welcome to the game and forum. Hope to see you out there some time...

[SeeJay]

Hi there Hellhawk.

Welcome to a great sim and forum. Best support I've ever encountered.

It's truly an big open (no storyline) sandbox. There is only one quest (IMG) that is all up to
you to do or not. I recommend you do. It is rather short and designed to teach you the
different aspects and basics of the game.

Hope to see you out there.

[Marvin]

4. I noticed a quest.txt file in the modding pack, but no instructions on how to implement custom quests - is this possible, and what are the parameters of quest files. Is it possible to set event or time activated triggers for quest events?

If you write your own quest.txt file and place it in the game folder, it will override the default quests. I'm pretty sure that means you'd need to start a new profile to play the new set of quests (the quests are numbered and your "save" tracks which number you're at). I suggest, though, that you first get familiar with the game and the current series of quests (for example, there are no triggers or timed events ... the closest thing is "get to this location" to activate the next quest) ... also, you might get in touch with SeeJay, who is planning a different sort of quest.

[49rTbird]

Hello Hellhawk, Welcome to the forum and the Sim. Have fun and hope to see you out there sometime.