170 replies to this topic

[LtChambers]

My first mod tool is a standalone GUI for replacing an existing mercenary's attributes, traits, and inventory with your own customized profile.
Simply follow the link, and if you have .NET 3.5, you can get started right away:
https://sourceforge....ad?source=files

Version 2:
- Added the ability to edit names and description (modifies character.ctx). The new text replaces all languages;
if you change the nickname, portraits won't show up on AIM but most of the game doesn't use the portraits, it uses the 3d heads.
- Added slider to quickly browse through mercs
- Added mugshots on the main form.
- Fixed missing TraderMoney property; if you used version 1, you must "Restore Defaults" and recustomize your mercenary before the fix will take effect. Also, it may require starting a new game, but I haven't confirmed that.


Version 3:
- Fixed serialization of Likes/Dislikes/Hates.
- Improved error handling during file parsing; mod authors can now use IMP as a crude file validator.
- Set reprofiled level to 1 and hiring cost to 6000.
- Removed 'nudist' and 'deathwish' as negative traits.

WARNING: Nicknames are stored in the savegames, so if you change a mercenary's nickname (how they are referred to most of the time; it's only in AIM that you see the description and full name), your game will become incompatible with savegames using the default nicknames, and vice versa: if you save a game with non-default nicknames, the savegame is incompatible with the default nicknames. In other words, start a new game after changing the nickname and don't restore to defaults unless you're done with that game!

MOD COMPATIBILITY: This mod will use modify existing TXT/CXT files, or provide vanilla ones if they don't exist. Other mods like R@S, Connor, Confus, etc. overwrite TXT/CXT instead of modifying existing ones. If you install those AFTER IMP, it will overwrite your custom merc. And as per the above warning, if you had a custom nickname, it will break your savegames. So run the IMP tool AFTER installing the TXT/CTX mods you want to use.


How to use:
Select the mercenary you want to reprofile by pressing the "Next" and "Previous" buttons. Then press "Reprofile" to create a customized profile
with that mercenary. When you get in the game, you will choose that mercenary to add your custom profile to your team.

 IMP_Michael.PNG   51.53K   3567 downloads

Like the JA2 IMP, you start with moderate level attributes and some spare skill points to increase them. I haven't thought a lot about balance
here so it could probably bear a lot of tweaking. Likewise you have 3 trait points to spend. Some of the traits are negative and will actually
grant you another trait point. The expert weapon specialties will cost you 2 points.

 ReprofileMercenaryForm.PNG   59.19K   5680 downloads

Every time you change your point allocation your starting inventory will be randomized. The contents are based on the way you've allocated;
e.g. nightops trait gets night camo clothing, high stealth attribute gets you a silencer, high perception gets you an optics attachment, etc.

When you're done allocating points press OK and the tool will create a custom characters.txt file for you. It backs up the old characters.txt first.
You can always press "Restore Defaults" to go back to the vanilla profiles (this simply deletes the characters.txt file).

Enjoy!

 bC_Michael_posed.jpg   109.06K   3961 downloads

In future versions I hope to add editing of body traits like skin and eye color.

[Frehley]

Good job there, i like it.

Hoping you can figure out how to change names and descriptions of the mercs
so we can make our own merc completely, if not able to change model wise, have
it pick your favorite merc as model for yourself.

but, as said good job

[aircrew0]

nice work but you should be hoping they actually add an in game IMP

[resonansER]

Cool! Just keep going! Please! Moderators, Please move this thread as a separate topic! This is first mod with "human" interface =)

[LtChambers]

Judging by the comments in the modding thread ("Oh you're working on something like that?") I think some people are skipping this topic because it sounded like a feature request. I edited the topic to make it clear it's a working tool that I'm playing through the game with now...

[atre]

Great job! During my first run of JABiA I've spent a couple of minutes searching for IMP. I just couldn't believe the devs didn't implement this feature. Any chance for creating a starting merc from scratch, not editing an existing one?

[Splatter]

Judging by the comments in the modding thread ("Oh you're working on something like that?") I think some people are skipping this topic because it sounded like a feature request. I edited the topic to make it clear it's a working tool that I'm playing through the game with now...

Yepp sorry for that. Now I see what you are doing.
So I will go an other way, like I said in the Modding Thread. I will do an totaly Free Edit Every Stats and edit every Weapons Tool wich calculate the Hireing Fee on the Stats and Items of the Merc ! Thatway there would be 2 diffrent Tools with 2 diffrent use.

Anyway I don´t want to use you Thread for other things than your tool.

So here is my Feedback :

First: It´s cool and good to have such a Tool !
Do plan a more Graphical Gui in the Future ?
Do your Tool read in an characters.txt if there is one allready ? - If not do plan such a Feature ?
Scince you plan edit Descripton and Stuff will it be International ? (English, Deutsch, etc)

I hope it´s not to much I ask
Anyway the start of the Modding Community is the Reason that I will buy the Game tomorow and that is thanks to people like you

[LtChambers]

Yepp sorry for that. Now I see what you are doing.
So I will go an other way, like I said in the Modding Thread. I will do an totaly Free Edit Every Stats and edit every Weapons Tool wich calculate the Hireing Fee on the Stats and Items of the Merc ! Thatway there would be 2 diffrent Tools with 2 diffrent use.

That's fine, although I may add a "cheat mode" where you get unlimited skill and trait points, although I doubt I'll add a full inventory editor.

Do plan a more Graphical Gui in the Future ?

I assume you mean pictures? Yes, I hope to pull out the merc portraits, inventory icons, and tooltips for the different skills and traits.

Do your Tool read in an characters.txt if there is one allready ? - If not do plan such a Feature ?

Yes, I create it if it doesn't exist and then edit it. So if you download a custom one, my program will work using that. This actually includes ALL the gun/ammo/item TXT and the equipment/character CXT files, including realistic gun stats and names.

Scince you plan edit Descripton and Stuff will it be International ? (English, Deutsch, etc)

It shouldn't be hard to add a combo box to support more than just english as the name/description language. I will probably leave the labels and buttons in English though.

[Comrade Mrki]

LtChambers, mate, you made my day.
Not having IMP almost averted me from buying this game. It is far from JA2 but it is still fun to play. I didn't like the forward approach i used (easy mode 2 snipers, 2 machine-gunners, 2 assault guys with grenades) in my first play-through, so after 45 in-game days (steam tells me i played it for 39 hrs) and 500k$ in my pocket I have decided to re-roll, going all stealthy and shit.
Your mod really gives me hope And if you made it 3 days after release, how come entire company that made BIA couldn't implement it at start?
But i have high hopes, this game have great replay value, i just hope they will implement full in-game IMP soon, so old school fans can start with their alter ego and not some random dude.
Is there any notion from developers that they are even considering implementing IMP?

Thanks yet again.

Edit: If they are not even planning it, is there a chance you can make it so you can rename merc, maybe change his/hers pic, screw voice-over it is mighty anoying anyways? That would be just awesome, and i know i am asking too much from someone who is not payed for this but i am just an old ass gamer remembering happy happy days with JA2.

Edited by Comrade Mrki, 12 February 2012 - 07:46 PM.

[LtChambers]

Great job! During my first run of JABiA I've spent a couple of minutes searching for IMP. I just couldn't believe the devs didn't implement this feature. Any chance for creating a starting merc from scratch, not editing an existing one?

Nor could I, so I didn't start playing until I had it! My SMG/melee specialty merc is sucking against the higher level enemies. If you can't get a one shot kill with melee, it's useless.

Anyway, yes I plan to allow editing name, description, and physical appearance of any existing merc, but I don't think it's possible to add new ones.

[atre]

Nor could I, so I didn't start playing until I had it! My SMG/melee specialty merc is sucking against the higher level enemies. If you can't get a one shot kill with melee, it's useless.

Anyway, yes I plan to allow editing name, description, and physical appearance of any existing merc, but I don't think it's possible to add new ones.

How about editing an npc, changing it's group to merc (=0 if I'm right) and using then? Would that be possible? Not all the named npc's are essential for the gameplay. Will that work?

[LtChambers]

Maybe but I doubt it - they wouldn't have the same art assets for portraits, voices, etc.

Honestly I don't see what the problem is using an existing merc. It's not like you usually hire all of them in one game!

[Comrade Mrki]

Anyway, yes I plan to allow editing name, description, and physical appearance of any existing merc, but I don't think it's possible to add new ones.

I am totally straight, but you can have me if you like

Now you just made me realize I don't even want to start a new game (and i deleted all of those saves) until you make this happen... I am experiencing strange mixture of love and hate toward you now

[Splatter]

It shouldn't be hard to add a combo box to support more than just english as the name/description language. I will probably leave the labels and buttons in English though.

Editor Language english is fine for me !

What about an Option that the new Name, Descripton, etc overwrite ALL Languages with the new Entry ? Thatway it will be useable for all languages in an easy way ?
Thatway If I edit something and send it to a Friend he can at last see something, cause my russian and french is at a zero knowlage

[atre]

Maybe but I doubt it - they wouldn't have the same art assets for portraits, voices, etc.

Honestly I don't see what the problem is using an existing merc. It's not like you usually hire all of them in one game!

You're right, there's no problem. I just would like to have a possibility to hire the merc I want to at the moment. Without this awkard moment "where is Thor/Gus/Steroid/Whatever" and then realizing, he's permamently unavailable. Still, you did a great job there!

[Doktor]

Wow, great stuff!! Thanks a bunch.

Hope this helps the developers realize that user mods can elevate this game from pretty good to awesome, and therefor embrace it.

[rughar]

Hi, i used your tool, it seems nice, but when i am finished, the file characters.txt is in the directory, it has values i used but in game the change is not vissible. can you help me, please?

[LtChambers]

Did you actually reprofile a merc? Just loading the program will create the txt files, but they won't be modified until you press OK in the reprofile form.

[SuperrerSuper]

For those having issues or weird errors.

Try setting the program to launch in administrator mode.

And set compatibility mode to windows XP service pack 3.

Should help.

[What'sthis]

Thank you very much LT! This saved the game.

I was dumbfounded beyond stupidity and rage when I found out there was no custom merc. I mean, seriously, what the hell? even the bad copy cat Jagged Edge had the custom merc.

It's quite clear the people who made this game (and I know there's a whole ton of them) haven't he slightest clue what is important to a Jagged Alliance game. IMP was like THE single most important thing in the game for me, even above Turn-Based combat. I could live with the Real Time Play and Go thing but not the lack of a custom merc.