One of the new features coming in 1.03 is user definable units and brigades.
In our never-ceasing drive toward moddability, we implemented a slew of generic divisions and brigades that modders can now use to create their own unit models. There are 99 moddable divisions (d_01 ... d_99) and 99 moddable brigades (b_01 ... b_99); so there is no more need for wedging units inside other model lines, or having to overwrite entire division types to add the ones you like.
Initially, members of the DH Team latched on to this idea and began developing some of the units they felt were sorely missing. But we quickly decided to make them proper named models, so as to not use up the extensible ones for the modders. We now have a new rocket_interceptor unit, a light_carrier unit, as well as 5 new brigades: amphib_armor, glider_armor, glider_artillery, LCAG, and super_heavy_artillery.
Being one of the big naval enthusiasts of the DH Team, I'm going to go into detail about the CVL+LCAG.
Many of us have always hated the way there was a model type called escort_carrier, but it was used to model light carriers. In version 1.02, we had added two escort carrier models wedged into the light carrier model and tech tree lines. This was nice for flavor, but had limitations. First, the AI would never build these CVEs, since they were always one model back from the latest CVL model. Also some players have just found the model confusing (and rightly so!). So we removed these models and developed the new light_carrier and light_cag.
Developing this new dedicated CVL model line required some reshuffling of the already existing models; however we did this while trying to keep the tech tree relatively unchanged. So the CVEs and CVLs are both found within the CVL tree. We also kept the early, experimental carriers from the WWI era in the escort_carrier line. The models break down like this:
Code:
CVL:
(1929) I 'Basic CVL' (Japan's Ryujo)
(1941) II 'Improved CVL' (USA's Independences)
(1944) III 'Semi-modern CVL' (USA's Saipans)
(1948) IV 'Modern CVL' (UK's Centaurs)
CVE:
(1912) I 'Seaplane Carrier'
(1916) II 'Converted Experimental' (UK's Argus, USA's Langley)
(1920) III 'Experimental Small Carrier' (Japan's Hosho, UK's Hermes)
(1941) IV 'Conversion CVE' (USA's Bogue-class)
(1944) V 'Improved CVE' (USA's Casablanca-class)The escort_carrier model was traditionally brigadeless to denote limited upgrade capabilities and limited longevity. We felt that was still an appropriate limitation for the WWI-era experimental carriers, whose early designs largely left them obsolete by WWII.
The new light_carrier model meanwhile gets a new Light CAG brigade. This brigade is activated from within the current CAG tech tree and so follows that tree's tech years.
We've also added some documentation for the modders to show how to make use of the extensible brigade and division models. Below is a summary of how the user-definable units modding works.
There are four relevant files under folder db\units\:
- modifiers.csv
- brigade_modifiers.csv
- division_types.txt
- brigade_types.txt
modifiers.csv
This file is already present in DH 1.02 and contains the weather and terrain modifiers for existing units. We have now added 6 new modifiers, to make this file complete: ATT_CLEAR, ATT_PLAIN, DEF_CLEAR, DEF_PLAIN, MOV_CLEAR, MOV_PLAIN. These new values represent the modifiers for attacking, defending or moving under clear weather and plain terrain.
NOTE 1: since this file has been changed, mods will need to upgrade to the new version of the file to be playable with 1.03 (both beta and final) (just adding these 6 lines is enough). But we will give all necessary informations on how to upgrade mods from 1.02 to 1.03 in due time, don't worry.
NOTE 2: you'll also notice that there are 8 new columns (rsv_33, rsv_34, rsv_35, rsv_36, rsv_37, rsv_38, rsv_39, rsv_40). Please don't pay any attention to them, they're for internal and possible future use. So please don't modify or remove them, ok? Deal!
brigade_modifiers.csv
This is a new file. It contains the weather and terrain modifiers for brigades (the old ones and the new ones). As above, the file will have to be added to mods to convert them to 1.03. Also, please don't modify or remove the final 5 columns (rsv_36, rsv_37, rsv_38, rsv_39, rsv_40).
division_types.txt
This file contains the definitions of ALL the division types. First, there is a commented section with instructions on how to use the file. Then the standard DH units are described, from infantry to flying_rocket to the last one, d_rsv_40 (one of those you're not supposed to touch).
brigade_types.txt
Similarly, this file defines the brigade types. Similarly, don't touch b_rsv_* entries!
There's lots of good documentation about the details of these files at the top of them. We're also working on a tutorial to thoroughly walk modders through this system.
Hope you all have enjoyed this sneak-peek!
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