Hello!
Some players are starting to ask quesions like: "where is the May update?"
And indeed I skipped the may update because I am working now on a huge feature.
The kind of feature that takes months to code.
In fact it is taking so long to code, that I did not want to interrupt that task this month to ship some new content.
Instead I will show you some previews of what I am working on.
The Editor
I want it to be both complete and easy to use.
But don't get me wrong, it is a feature for tinkerers and adventurers, so you will need to spend a lot of time on it to make the mod of your dreams.
I also want it to be usable for players with no specal skills: so no code, no vectors stuff for the map...
You can create a mod completely from scratch, or from your save file, or a classic scenario setup.
Then the system will generate a dense mod folder, like in the image below:
You will then just fill these folders with the resources you will want to use, like your custom leader portraits, flags, country shapes...
Models and default resources are provided, so you can use them as blue print.
Creating a new country will be easy: just draw some png with the image of your country and drop it into the country shapes folder. You will be able to place it anywhere on the map by simply drag and dropping it where you want it to be.
The editor provides an uderlay map to be used as reference.
But you can change it for your own underlay: that will be more useful if you are working on some middle earth mod for exemple.
You will be able to create leaders, flags, guerillas, policies, etc...
Editor ETA?
I have no clear date, but I am confident the editor will be ready sometime during this summer.
Done:
-Create a mod, save it and working on it over several sessions
-Edit country variables, including leaders, borders and flags
-Define and modify playable countries
-Create new policies (that on was endless to code, just because of the instant policy effects)
-Create/modify guerillas
-Custom language dictionnary
Still to be completed:
-Create whole new countries: 90% done
-Create events: 40% done (I still need to code the conditions and presentation, the events effects editor is done)
-Easy launch of modded scenarios: 99% (Seems to work fine, not tested on Mac yet)
-Easy mods upload and download:0% (very important, will be the last thing i code)
-Enable custom variables for countries: 20%
-Localization of the editor in all languages: 0%
-Playtesting by real mod makers: 2% (they accessed a very early prototype of it)
-Adaptation to Mac Os: 25%
-Making some Youtube "how to" videos: 0% (May be never, as I really don't like making videos)
The editor is a key feature, not just a nice addition
I want the system to both enable simultaneously multiple themed mods: like events or flags packs, and whole special scenarios.
The editor will probably receive patches and updates just as the regular game does.
The Editor is compatible with JSON tinkering, so if ever something is missing the most maniacs of you will still be able to puts their dirty fingers directly into the files.
This does not mean I am forgetting the other important things
A "more different actions" content update is still planned.
I know that multiplayer will also need more love
More alt histories and themed events content updates are also on the to do list.
I really hope you are hyped by this feature, because it is really a pain in the a*** to code.
Maestro Cinetik