Not sure what you mean by this. Do you mean a proper icon or description or just being able to use the ability.

If you just want to use the ability, put the name of it (excluding the ".entity") in one of the ability slots of the ships entity file (but not in ability:4 unless its a passive ability)

You can use a started game but need to spawn a new ship. Ships you had before adding the ability wont gain them.

subfolder strings, file "language.str" e.g. english.str

As for Icons, best use some existing for testing. If you look at some of the sotyr entity files that have no icon yet (research, ships) you notice I've already made a blank icon which you could use.

Icon names are specified in the *.brushes files.

TobiWahn,

Finally cracked the code on Abilities... Expect 3 tested multi level abilities with Buff files for the EA Hyperion. That leaves it with only 8 buffs for 10 levels. I have not cracked the code on string files though I do know where they are, instead I will include a .txt file with the appropriate verbage. The string files are rife with errors, the biggest are mismatches between weapons listed and what is in the entity files. A minor issue but it will take time to clean up.

Near as I can tell the 5th ability slot in the entity files in addition to being passive only cannot contain level progression. It is a one time buff.

I'm still playing with the ability files but suspect there are some hard coding limits to how far they can be stretched.

My son has been helping me test and game multiplayer, learning a lot. He begs me every day wanting to know when the Shadows will be playable. Several issues I'll post at Origo.

Darvroth

Doing abilities can be a b*tch. Thanks for the efforts. Real life keeps me busy but I hope to have and update for making shadows playable this weekend. There's still much missing (ship prerequisites and such) but for a very early draft it should suffice. Thanks to your son as well

I've internally got the shadows research done for a first preliminary test. I will tell you (davroth) once I've checked the files into the repository (this week) so you can do your tests/work on them. I've started working on the shadow scout.

It hosts downloads yes. Though, due to how borky their uploader is, you're best off uploading from a url when putting up a dl on moddb (you'll understand what I mean if you try to add stuff to it).

Thanks ZombiesRus5, I will take a look, though I do have that creepy feeling whenever google is involved in my creations...

TobiWahn,

Nice! With your permission I'd like to spend a bit of time correcting string descriptions to more closely align with the entity files. Then back to atacking abilities and buffs.

Darvroth

If you change the entity name (which you should better not do) you need to adjust the entity.manifest (here all entities that need to be loaded are specified). All the entities are exported from my database (including the strings) so it would be best for you to send me just the entries that need changing. I will then change them in the db, reexport and check in the sources into bitbucket.

Have you got access to the application Filemaker?

Gave the Minbari a good vetting yesterday in MP, posted the issues.

The Minbari have by far the best tech tree layout. There are too many early ship and resources buffs, some need to migrate to more mid-game. From an in-game perspective there is little difference in the way the Minbari capital ships play, that may change once the abilities are in and working. I'll dig into the entity files to compare and contrast what is not apparent in game, adjusted string descriptions and or visuals may help that.

Minbari main weapon beam range is awe inspiring. It is not uncommon for a Minbari captital ship to pop (one-shot-kill) one or two frigate/cruisers of the other younger races before that race can even close to their maximum weapon range. Once the Minbari have 5-6 Sharlin class or batter capital ships in one fleet they sweep the other younger races before them. It is a blast, but not while on the receiving end. It is cannon but from a game perspective will need close review for balance. An upgraded starbase will give the Minbari pause and will work to delay conquest till the larger mid-to late game fleets.

The Minbari are fun to play. Fleet size is small but lethal. Once a gate network is built using two fleets alternating between offense and repair/refit worked very well. The fleet in refit was the strategic reserve if needed.

The Narn for the most part lack rear facing weapons, when confronted with a superior Minbari fleet is better off staying to fight. When the AI turns to run the Minbari pop the ships with impunity. Since the Minbari overall are faster the Narn simply die. While not as well tested, EA and Centauri also favor forward facing weapons but not to the degree the Narn do. An ability to give the Minbari pause should work to mitigate this tactical/strategic disadvantage.

One odd note, composite beam weapon damage is implemented at the end of the beam firing cycle, not as apparent for the other races but since the Minbari almost exclusively use beams it is a weird combat element.

Darvroth

Shadow Stalker / Scout