Modding Resources

[Chilled Legumes]

Hello!

So, Stellaris is the first paradox strategy game that I've been interested in playing (liked the idea of CKII, but I'm not much a fan of the setting/history), and I am very interested in creating mods for it.

Some of the things that I'd love to do are implementing species, empire icons, colors, etc, basically, tons of cosmetic stuff.

I know that Paradox embraces their mod scene very heavily, but how much support, how much documentation, how many examples are usually provided? For the typical paradox game, are we left to our own devices to figure things out, or not?

Also, If the developers are watching, I'd very much appreciate any sort of sneak-peek on how things like species animations and empire icons are put into the game. I'd love to start commissioning artists to do the artwork for some of the mods that I have in mind, but I wouldn't know what kind of format or other requirements are present.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Ziffallo]

Any luck?

 

[ahhheygao]

Some of the things that I'd love to do are implementing species, empire icons, colors, etc, basically, tons of cosmetic stuff.

Most of those things are fairly self-explanatory; you have all the examples you need just by examining the base files. The species animation seems to be greatest hurdle right now.

I know that Paradox embraces their mod scene very heavily, but how much support, how much documentation, how many examples are usually provided? For the typical paradox game, are we left to our own devices to figure things out, or not?

The modding community does most of the grunt work, wiki/documentation, and tutorials. Devs and mod support staff would chime in occasionally to answer difficult questions or clarify obscure game mechanics/calculations if even the experienced modders are stumped. Devs will also frequently incorporate modder suggestions/feedback and add new triggers and variables during major patches.

Many of the veteran PDS modders are highly familiar with specific areas such as event scripting, UI overhauling, or unit model/graphics tinkering, and they'll be the ones who will answer most of the newbie modders' questions in Q&A threads in the modding subforum. There's no dumb question; even jerks like me will respond gently to basic questions or at least point you in the right direction to the resources/files you need.

Also, If the developers are watching, I'd very much appreciate any sort of sneak-peek on how things like species animations and empire icons are put into the game. I'd love to start commissioning artists to do the artwork for some of the mods that I have in mind, but I wouldn't know what kind of format or other requirements are present.

They already said the upcoming DD next Monday will discuss modding art files; so wait until then.

Based on past PDS games, empire emblem icons will be very easy to do, so don't worry about that. Texture and image files are generally DDS (ideal) or TGA (supported). PNG can work, but it's not recommended. Usually DXT5 8.8.8.8 ARGB format for DDS, if I recall correctly.

 

[SpiritofTheWolfx]

Notepad++ for editing any .txt or .ini files. Thank @ahhheygao for that info.