Keeping track of how to play rules across version combinations

[sdrga]

I've been wanting to ask these questions to Paradox mod makers and enthusiasts for years.

To wit: how the heck do you keep track of all the rules additions, version update rule changes in mods, etc. I'm mean look: I've been playing these games for a long time, but I've always resisted combining a bunch of stuff all together. Mod and game version combinations, etc. There has to be some incompatibilities with different mod combos, different base game version changes with different mods...

How the hell do you mod dudes keep track of all that and all you mod players as well? I've kind of denied myself of the fun of mods (and this is across all paradox games) because I couldn't see myself being able to juggle all that just from a playing standpoint.

Just keeping to AoD, where do I find out about rules and game play changes (in one document, preferably) between when the AoD manual came out and 1.07 was released? I'm getting very, very tempted to snag the CORE mod, but then you see yet another set of variables.

I mean, I'm 55 and the brain ain't what it used to be

Thoughts? Insights? Flashes of pure genius? How do you juggle all those different game play features?

Thanks

 

[Titan79]

Well, as far as I'm concerned, what I do is basically this: when I stumble upon a mod I'm interested in (let's talk about them right now rather than about patches), I have a good look at the readme in order to know which version of, in our case, AoD it is compatible with and then take note of what it changes/adds. Basically, though, I follow the instructions provided by its author as would any other person do.

So, I'd say that there are no big "secrets" . I understand, however, that one might well get lost when facing after some time (or even worse: for the first time) the noticeable amount of mods available for a game like AoD, so you've got all my moral support.

Anyway, should you want to try a mod, I'd suggest you without the slightest bias this one (but seriously, if you give it a go and then have questions/comments, feel free to write them down in that thread!).

 

[sdrga]

Hey, Titan79, thanks. A lot! My email instant notifications are not working and I went and checked all the settings... email address if fine, notifications are on, my junk mail isn't intercepting it... hmmmm... I just want to thank you because I think it is really bad form for people taking the time to thoughtfully answer a post and then have the original poster either criticize the post, or not respond at all.

Here's two more quick questions... are the AoD version readme's the best information source for functional change information? I just need basic stuff... I don't have some "pet bug" that has to be fixed, just new interface stuff and substantial changes to play. The other question is about moddir, I guess it's called. Whatever the thing is that switches the mods in and out. I'm a proud new owner of For The Glory (FTG) and it comes bundled with AGCEEP, which you can easily swap in and out, I suppose because of moddir.

Has that become the standard for most all Paradox games, or does it go even further than that, say Total War games? And how does it handle a situation like if I wanted to add CORE and your Tripartite Pack? It's not an "either/or" situation, but a "both"

You'd think I would know this as long as I've been around these games, both TW all the way back to the first Shogun and here as well. Thanks again.

Like most Americans, I suppose, I've got diarrhea of the mouth and keyboard. Sorry about that.

 

[Titan79]

No problem, you're welcome. Also, don't worry if you don't manage to answer immediately - this is what happened to me with this reply as well .

About your questions: well, if you want to know what has changed in the course of the various patches then I'd suggest you reading just the patches' changelogs. Here, for example, you can see what has changed thus far in the latest 1.08 beta. Do the same for all the other patches, searching for their threads in the Tech Support subforum, and you should be fine.

On moddir: I'm sorry but I'm no expert. What I can suggest you, if you want to run different versions of AoD at once, is to make copies of your AoD directory to other folders named e.g. "AoD_TP", "AoD_CORE". Then, put above them the mod(s) you want and start the game from the .exe in that directory, obviously.

As far as I know, more recent PI titles allow for multiple mods being installed and run separately while in the same folder, AKA moddir. But again, if you really want to get more info on that subject, I'm not the person to ask.