Will the mod tools include XML schemas to allow for Intellisense in tools like Visual Studio?

Is there anyway we can get access to a comprehensive library of all of the game modifiers instead of looking through the game files? So something like a PDF file which says what properties we can change for each unit/technology/etc...

I'm absolutely, 100% certain that, even if Stardock doesn't provide one, one of the community of modders will within a week or two of release. That kind of thing is very easy to provide, just time consuming, and a lot of modders are the kind of people who have time to spare.

Could have sworn we could see the .xml files in previous versions but now I can't find them. Wish I could help.

Very cool, definitely the best way to show people what can and can't be implemented is to show them the details of how you implement things.

Since it was mentioned, I do NOT like the idea of leveling cities getting points to spend on buffs.  While it sounds fun, there is already information overload when it comes to cities, this would just add to that.  I prefer to have citie characteristics managed entirely through the improvements, as there is already a ton of flexibility in that system, and its easier to evaluate enemy cities that way.

I'd like to propose taking this one step further, but rather than clutter up this thread I made my own:

https://forums.elementalgame.com/386375

How about mutually exclusive buildings instead (or in addition)?

For example, when a city reaches level 2, you could get the option to build a Food Production building OR a Research Production building, OR a Whatever building, OR....

At further level-ups, the bonuses could be increased, new choices could be offered (or you could have one large set of options, and each level-up gives you one pick from it), or you could choose to improve a current bonus or get a new bonus at a lower value (e.g. at level 3 you could have "lvl 3" Research bonus, or {"lvl 2" Research bonus + "lvl 1" Food bonus}).

This way you'd also get the ability to have more varied cities, but it'd do so in a way that gives a stronger visual indication (of course, that also means new graphics...).

The random trait idea also seems neat.

Good post, thank you

I absolutely agree! "Specialized cities" is the way to go!

Frogboy, exposing this during the beta could be beneficial as we could help find simpler bugs in the python or xml file.

Only if all the possible values are in use at the time you run the script. If there's options in the game that the current files aren't using, we wouldn't know. That's where good modder documentation comes into play.

I'd like to see this too.

frogboy, I have done some questioning of the local bookstores in australia, and apparently the australian release date on your book is supposed to be the 15th of september, and the year was not stated, but as that is at least three weeks after the american launch that says that the publishers/distributors have no desire for a consistant worldwide release of your work.

harpo