Modding research... (long)

[Qohnil]

I am a newbie at SE4 modding, but being a software developer I thought it would not be too hard... - oh well.

I started by copying the (ModPack) Eee folder to a Meee folder and renaming the files accordingly. I created an Empire ".emp" file for the Meee with "Minister Style: Select From Race".

Then I modded the "Meee_AI_General.txt" file with obvious success: After starting some new games as Darlok I had a computer player named "Meee". Switching to him and reviewing "Our Race", I found my settings (after some fighting with the file format: It seems that you have to enter the characteristics you want to reduce first). - Oh, the joy!

Finally I copied the Darlok research file into my folder and renamed it to "Meee_AI_Research.txt". - But it seems to get ignored completely, whatever I do with it.

I have tried the following to view what the Meee research: "New", "Add existing: Darlok", no neutrals, high number of computer empires, hope that the Meee are playing (if not, redo from start), end the first turn, switch to the "Meee" and look at their research queue. Or: "New", "Add existing: Meee", toggle all ministers on, end turn, look at research queue. - Both of this works for other races like Sergetti and Darlok: They produce what they should according to their research files; only my Meee research strange things: Ship Construction, Physics, Construction, Smaller Weapons.

At Last my question: Why? Where do they get their research from? Why do they ignore everything I tell them? - And as a bonus question: After modding the research file, do I have to restart SE4 or is it enough to create a new game or even to load an existing game?