Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:57 pm
**Tutorial** - Changing starting ship in multiplayer
I've not yet seen a tutorial for flying something other than that sissy starflier in every MP server I go to, so here's a tutorial for your reference, to change the ship new characters get without them needing to download anything. This type of mod can work with the patch, so long as your ship doesn't have anything "illegal" like a uber shield or hull, or some other infinite item. Best of all, you don't need to modify two or three files like maybe other tutorials have stated. The only file you'll be modding is mpnewcharacter.fl
You'll need to use a ini decompressor/extractor, like BiniQBU or BWS ini editor. I prefer using a command line decompressor with a batch file, but you should use what seems most comfortable to you. You'll also need a reference to decipher those IDs. I recommend using *** IDS_NAMES *** to Friendly Names created by vovin. It deciphers the IDs in the following files:
DATA\SHIPS\loadouts.ini
DATA\SHIPS\ships_arch.ini
DATA\EQUIPMENT\weapon_equip.ini
DATA\EQUIPMENT\engine_equip.ini
DATA\EQUIPMENT\misc_equip.ini <--powerplants
DATA\EQUIPMENT\st_equip.ini <--shields
DATA\EQUIPMENT\select_equip <--commodities
I want to make this clear, you won't be altering these files. extract them to a txt format and have them available as you make your mod.
PART 1:
First, let's take a look at the default ship used. This is pulled directly from the loadout.ini file in the DATA\SHIPS folder:
[Loadout
nickname = msn_playerloadout
archetype = ge_fighter <--ship referenced by nickname in shiparch.ini
equip = ge_gf1_engine_01 <--engine
equip = shield01_mark01_lf, HpShield01 <--shield
equip = ge_fighter_power01 --powerplant
equip = ge_s_scanner_01 <--scanner. comes in two flavors
equip = ge_s_tractor_01 <--tractor beam. usually the same for every ship.
equip = ge_s_thruster_01, HpThruster01 <--thruster
equip = li_gun01_mark01, HpWeapon01 <--justice Ilaser
equip = li_gun01_mark01, HpWeapon02 <--justice I laser
equip = LargeWhiteSpecial, HpHeadlight <--these are the lights for your ship.
equip = SlowSmallOrange, HpRunningLight01
equip = SlowSmallOrange, HpRunningLight02
equip = SlowSmallOrange, HpRunningLight05
equip = contrail01, HpContrail01
equip = contrail01, HpContrail02
equip = DockingLightRedSmall, HpDockLight01
equip = DockingLightRedSmall, HpDockLight02 --right down to here. -->
cargo = ge_s_battery_01, 3 <--batteries on board
cargo = ge_s_repair_01, 3 <--nanos on board.
from archtype on down, you can copy and paste the above into your mpnewcharacter.fl file, but it still won't work properly. first you need to change
archetype = ge_fighter
to this:
ship_archetype = ge_fighter
then you need to comment out
%%PACKAGE%%
at the bottom. just put a ; in front of it so it'll look like
;%%PACKAGE%%
instead. You can start up a MP server but won't see any noticable change however, since it's the same ship.
___________________________________
There is no knowledge that is not power.
Edited by - Chips on 10/31/2004 7:35:44 AM
You'll need to use a ini decompressor/extractor, like BiniQBU or BWS ini editor. I prefer using a command line decompressor with a batch file, but you should use what seems most comfortable to you. You'll also need a reference to decipher those IDs. I recommend using *** IDS_NAMES *** to Friendly Names created by vovin. It deciphers the IDs in the following files:
DATA\SHIPS\loadouts.ini
DATA\SHIPS\ships_arch.ini
DATA\EQUIPMENT\weapon_equip.ini
DATA\EQUIPMENT\engine_equip.ini
DATA\EQUIPMENT\misc_equip.ini <--powerplants
DATA\EQUIPMENT\st_equip.ini <--shields
DATA\EQUIPMENT\select_equip <--commodities
I want to make this clear, you won't be altering these files. extract them to a txt format and have them available as you make your mod.
PART 1:
First, let's take a look at the default ship used. This is pulled directly from the loadout.ini file in the DATA\SHIPS folder:
[Loadout
nickname = msn_playerloadout
archetype = ge_fighter <--ship referenced by nickname in shiparch.ini
equip = ge_gf1_engine_01 <--engine
equip = shield01_mark01_lf, HpShield01 <--shield
equip = ge_fighter_power01 --powerplant
equip = ge_s_scanner_01 <--scanner. comes in two flavors
equip = ge_s_tractor_01 <--tractor beam. usually the same for every ship.
equip = ge_s_thruster_01, HpThruster01 <--thruster
equip = li_gun01_mark01, HpWeapon01 <--justice Ilaser
equip = li_gun01_mark01, HpWeapon02 <--justice I laser
equip = LargeWhiteSpecial, HpHeadlight <--these are the lights for your ship.
equip = SlowSmallOrange, HpRunningLight01
equip = SlowSmallOrange, HpRunningLight02
equip = SlowSmallOrange, HpRunningLight05
equip = contrail01, HpContrail01
equip = contrail01, HpContrail02
equip = DockingLightRedSmall, HpDockLight01
equip = DockingLightRedSmall, HpDockLight02 --right down to here. -->
cargo = ge_s_battery_01, 3 <--batteries on board
cargo = ge_s_repair_01, 3 <--nanos on board.
from archtype on down, you can copy and paste the above into your mpnewcharacter.fl file, but it still won't work properly. first you need to change
archetype = ge_fighter
to this:
ship_archetype = ge_fighter
then you need to comment out
%%PACKAGE%%
at the bottom. just put a ; in front of it so it'll look like
;%%PACKAGE%%
instead. You can start up a MP server but won't see any noticable change however, since it's the same ship.
___________________________________
There is no knowledge that is not power.
Edited by - Chips on 10/31/2004 7:35:44 AM
. The costumes are all defined in DATA\CHARACTERS\costumes.ini.
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