Hey everyone!
Over the next couple of weeks, we will give the beginners among you some help in attempting to create your first mod. The prize? The potential to win one of ModDB's Endless Space 2 Modding Contest's awesome prizes!
Let's do it by the book, quite literally, and start with a reference guide that will help you take your first steps in modding ES2. It contains heaps of helpful advice, from "hot not to mess up your game" to "how to restore it once you've gone ahead and messed it up anyway." Make sure you take a look: Modding - Endless Space 2
But if you've got no time to spare, you could always look at the examples below and let your creativity loose! (But once you've messed up with your game, make sure you check the guide for more info)
CREATING A MOD FOR PEOPLE WITH LOTS OF IDEAS AND LITTLE TIME
Community folder
If it doesn't already exist, create a new folder named “Community” in:
On PC: My Documents\Endless Space 2
On Mac: in “Library” then open the folder Application support\Endless Space 2
It's in this folder that you will place your mod folders.
Starter Pack
We prepared a starter pack that contains all files and folders you need to create your first mod:
StarterPack.zip
You can also look at our example mods to understand how to build your mod:
ExampleReskin.zip: Reskins the Sophon Home World + Craver large ship
ExampleTechnology.zip: Adds an era1 technology
ExampleSimpleQuests.zip: Adds a quest with two variants
ExampleModule.zip: Adds a negative evasion value to the basic defense module
OverColonizationValue.zip: Changes the over colonization threshold to 100 for all galaxy size
ExampleHero.zip: Adds a new Hero to the roster (For testing purposes, modifies the United Empire to have it unlocked immediately)
ExampleBalancing.zip: Reduces the cost of the starting improvements
Structure
In the Starter Pack you will find:
- Gabarit.xml: an XML file (commented!) which must be at the root of your mod folder. You just need to replace all "#########" with your own data. Be sure to name your mod folder and your XML without spaces or special characters (like "&").
- Documentation folder contains information files like:
- DataTypes.txt: your new best friend! This file lists all the different data types that can be edited through XML, as well as their respective files, located in ES2's installation folder's subfolder "Public". The very last version of all our DataTypes could be seen here (v.22062017): Endless Space 2-22062017.xml
- Interpreter.txt: Interpreter Formula Documentation
- Simulation.txt: Simulation Syntax Documentation
- Schemas Folder: It will help you to fill or check your XML files (need to be called in the file header)
COMMUNITY TUTORIALS
- FACTION TRAITS + EXAMPLE MOD by Cyrob
MISCELLANEOUS
- List of all ships models and their module slot names
And that's it! This is pretty much all you need to do to get your hands dirty and start messing with the game's XML. If you have any questions, you can always ask the pros the Modding forum.
What's the mod you're itching to try your hand at?
