Cannot load SE4\TDM\Empire files?

[Vger]

Hi,

OK, I KNOW I'm doing something dumb. I just reinstalled SE4, then patched to 1.49, then unzipped TDM200. Added one extra race, the Borg. Whenever I try to load an existing empire, it pops up a Windows dialog box that tells me it can't load that empire file.

This is on WinXP Pro upgrade, rather than clean install. Now, I also made mods to Techarea, Facilities, Components and Racialtraits, most of which was the cut and paste of Borg tech. (I added the Assimilation Racial Trait and changed it to Borg, so other races could do the vodoo they do.)

I checked my path.txt and it looks OK, pointing to TDM mod pack. It seems odd, since it SEES the empire files and lists them, it just won't load them. It WILL load empire files I create.

Just tell me what stupid thing I forgot and I'll run along happily. Thanks bunches.

Ciao,
V'ger gone

[Baron Munchausen]

Not necessarily something that you did. It might be that the .EMP files were created with the latest beta Version of SE IV and have some additional features. Tampa Gamer can check that himself and speakup when he knows.

[Atrocities]

You have to copy the EMP files to your EMPIRES directory. After you do that, they should come up fine in normal play or with the TDM pack.

Be sure you have the Race Folder in the Pictures/Race directory of the TDM pack as well.

------------------
New Age Ship Yards

"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Captain Picard STNG

Borg Breen Species 8472 Cardassian Dominion STNG Ferengi Klingon Romulan
Trek Movie era TOS Illuminati Starwolf Rogue Fleet SS Tutorial

[Mephisto]

The emp files are not done with the new beta.
Can please give as the exact error message? That would be of help. Thanks!

[Q]

As soon as you add a new racial trait you will not be able to load any empire file that was made before!
You must create new empire files (even if the race does not use the new racial trait).

(sorry for the error in the original post!)

[This message has been edited by Q (edited 16 November 2001).]

[Master Belisarius]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Q:
As soon as you add a new racial trait you will not be able to load any empire file that was made before!
You must create new empire files (even if the race does not use the new empire files).

---

Exactly. I think that this is the point.

For this reason, is good to keep different MODs in different folders, and use the Mod Launcher to pick the Mod that you want.
For example, I have installed the standard SE4, the TDM, the Star Trek races (with the Borg variant) and the SW MOD, at the same time, and have not problems.

[Suicide Junkie]

To get new EMP files:
1) start a new game with many randomly generated empires (no neutrals)
2) set all players to human control, and save them to disk.
3) start a new game, use "add existing empires" to load the races you saved.
4) edit each saved race, and add the new Advanced Traits, as required.
5) save EMPs to disk once more
6) Repeat steps 1-5 using a 0, 2K, 3K, and 5K racial point game, saving EMPs under a new name, of course.

[Master Belisarius]

quote:

---

Originally posted by suicide_junkie:
To get new EMP files:
1) start a new game with many randomly generated empires (no neutrals)
2) set all players to human control, and save them to disk.
3) start a new game, use "add existing empires" to load the races you saved.
4) edit each saved race, and add the new Advanced Traits, as required.
5) save EMPs to disk once more
6) Repeat steps 1-5 using a 0, 2K, 3K, and 5K racial point game, saving EMPs under a new name, of course.

---

Sadly, this is not so simple... because exist a bug with the random AI generator, and then, most of the TDM's AIs will be not generated ok.

[Vger]

Hi,

Well, yes, I did indeed add a new racial trait. I added Assimilation and renamed it Borg Technology, so I wouldn't have to redo all the Borg techs. I wanted to be able to use assimilation tech and to give it to hostile races, as well.

So, I borrowed the Assimilation Racial Trait from another Version of the Borg and am trying to use it with the current, popular Version.

While I'm at it, how does this current Borg Version keep everyone from researching Borg tech, since it's not a Racial Trait?

What I've done so far is:

Make new empire files for the ones I wanted to play with in my next game.

Tell them to use racial style ministers.

Pick out their abilities as listed in their general.txt files.

Save the empires.

Having done all that, now I get range errors trying to start the game while it's creating the map. Is there a list somewhere of what the max values are for settings in Settings.txt, Planet types, Racial Traits, Components, Facilities and Tech Areas?

I don't remember running across such a list, but will now go in search of.

BTW, thank you, all of you, so much for your replies. I read a lot more than I post on here and it is so great so many people be helpful and have discussions without flames.

The only other board I've seen this cooperative for a game is the one for Europa Universalis and they don't quite come up to this level.

Engage,
V'ger gone

[capnq]

quote:

---

Sadly, this is not so simple... because exist a bug with the random AI generator, and then, most of the TDM's AIs will be not generated ok.

---

That's not that big of a problem here, because you're already editing the files in step 4 anyway. You can fix the results of the bug at the same time; you just need to check the General_AI files to see what the values are supposed to be.

------------------
Cap'n Q
My first SE IV mod! Hypermaze quadrant
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the
human mind to correlate all of its contents. We live on a placid
island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was
not meant that we should go far. -- HP Lovecraft, "The Call of Cthulhu"