stop invalidating mods with patches

Yeah, MODding is an integral part of gaming. Lots of game makers make it easy to MOD their games. But, every time the makers of Sins fix something and make one of their numerous patches, their patches 'invalidate' all previous MODS!

STOP THAT CRAP NOW!!

You already make it difficult to install mods because of your 'mod path' crap to the Doc&setting area of wins. WTF is that for? just so u can make the game less fun????

There has been a convention for where MODs go and that is they go under 'Program files' the maker of the game, the game's name, then the MOD folder. that has been the convention for moding for years and it's been that way before u made Sins. NO YOU guys make it difficult so now we have to learn more than one fashion in witch to install a MOD. The fashion in which we would add MOST mods and your way.

Well, I'm here to tell ya ur way sux!!!! and u get negative points for your creative way to place mods. we, the gaming community DID not need a new way and place in which to put MODs at all. the place we would put mods worked just fine for all those other games that we play.

ALso, I have not seen any improvement in game play from any of your patches for Sins nor for emtrenchment, But I have seen my playabilty of the Mods go into the shitter... thay all get 'invalidated' by ur patches. Again STOP THAT NOW!

I as well as other gamers have a great deal of respect for the people who make MODS of games... firstly and most importantly because the Mod makers do their modding out of love for what the game makers create and MORE importantly.. the MODDERS make mods for FREE!!!!

Are the makers of Sins & Entrenchment that oblivious to the fact that making your games easier to Not only make a MOD of them and then place the mods so players can play the mods easier.. i. e. make mod, place mod for download, download mod... play mod... NOT have numerous patches that KILL MODS ALL THE TIME...

here is a great idea for ur next and last patch for sins...

write code so that MODS just work, ir-regardless of any more incessant patching you wanna do to the games. If ya do that ur profitability will go up cause more people will let it be known how easy it is to mod and play sins games.

But, hey, it's just a few statements from someone who is retired and recession-proof. it is the makers right to not take what i have taken my time to write here seriously.

Yes, i have said some of thsi before, but i wanted it in a new thread so i can follow any comments more easily :)

Hope everyone in the forum has a safe and very happy holiday season :)

45,601 views 25 replies
Reply #1 Top

what... the...

 

ok... patchs are good... good thing... and there hasnt been one for what... 2 months ish? shouldnt you be complaining... like... when 1.041 came out or something?

second... the mod locations is good... cause in vista and 7... its a pain to change things in program files... the horrible pain of clicking show hidden folders is pathetic to the changing things in program files. (are you sure you want to do that? cuase you need permission... oh wait... its read only.... )

(and if your not on vista or 7 get out of the dark ages?)

if your so insistant about not having the mod files being in some "wierd" place... just go ahead and overrite the game files. it will work fine then... you may have to reinstall to demod your game... but at least its not "Wierd".

third... obviously your not a modder... cause if you were you would 1. know how easy it tends to be to fix mods (depending on the patch) and 2. you would like patches... cause almost every patch so far has givin modders one or 2 more tools and fun bits to play with.

be happy this game actually has mods... and mods that are very easy to create (unlike most games)

and it seems you got your monies worth... conisdering you remember the last patch... so you have been playing for 2 months or so... lets see here... what would you have rather had... a few movie tickets (at oh... 3 hours of enjoyment each) or this game?

Reply #2 Top

(and if your not on vista or 7 get out of the dark ages?)
End of quote

Not that I don't like your post, but I would beg to differ on this point only, XP is probably the best OS out there, least bug and uses a crap load less ram than vista or 7

and Mike, since the game is already in its last expansion pack, I don't see the point of your post.

and the reason patches kills mods is because the coding difference in each of the version program read differently that is why the mods has to changed to fit the new code, and beside you don't have to play the mods to begin with

even if the patches kill mods, mods updates are usually up in like a few hours to a day, so be patient

and as for cost of the game, to be honest, if you were bill me for the $ / hr, it was worth buying the game instead

Reply #3 Top

Yea, I mod quite a bit.

And I must say, the patches have SERIOUSLY HELPED modding.

 

Most of the patches that have been released have IMPROVED modding. Alot of mods we are doing now wouldn't have been possible without most of the patches.

And updating the mod is no problem. Sometimes it is hard, sometimes it isn't. Deal with it.

 

so, I say MORE PATCHES!!!

Reply #4 Top

i havent played the game cause none of the mods work and i have beaten the game in its entirety on the hardest level over a year ago. The only new stuff is the mods. at least for me.

I guess when i tell impulse to take me to the sins mod page. impulse gets it wrong and it keeps sending me to a page that tells me that the last time mods for sins were uploaded was back in august ... a lot more than a few hours, days or weeks ago. I have been patient.

I'm sorry, I didn't know the game was in the last expansion pack :(

I do understand that patches does normally change game code, but i think it could be written in a fashion that it doesn't or shouldn't interfeer with the coding that we change in a mod.

Oh and to PBHead.... I have modded before and I am acting like a customer who hasn't modded before when i was speaking as to who difficult and frusttrating it is in Sins for the numerous updates to invalidate the installed mods!

also to PBHead.. if your Vista is so damn great then why did windows send out the new OS 7? VIsta is chock full of problems. I use XP cause it is... WAIT FOR IT....  STABLE!!!!! but if u just buy whatever some fools at microsoft sells u or tells u to buy without seeing if it actually works first.. then u are a fool. Also, microsoft has a very long track record of making shitty Operating Systems over the past 2 decades. But then u prolly have forgotten that or u just ignore what ever u dont understand.

oh and just casue microsoft makes computer makers install their crappy software doesn't mean a customer cant remove teh shitty software and install a stable OS!!!!

Reply #5 Top

I would suggest you archive a copy of sins that doesnt break your mod and have another that is current. Then use something like hamachi to actually play the mod with others.  The current one will allow you to recuit players and then switch to the archive one that doesnt break the mod using hamachi

Reply #6 Top

You already make it difficult to install mods because of your 'mod path' crap to the Doc&setting area of wins. WTF is that for? just so u can make the game less fun????
End of quote

You sir, should do a bit of homework.

The reason the mod stuff is where its at along side other game info is due to the requirement for Games For Windows.
Dont blame the Developer for something they had nothing to do with...now take your trollish post and bug Windows.

Reply #7 Top

to -Ue_Carbon...ok, see I didn't know that it was a requirement for the 'gaming with Windows' item. I'm very sorry that the developer has to put up with some OS manufacturer telling it how to make their game. Microsoft does seem to think they rule everything.

to JohnJames... I don't know how to archive a copy of sins, I don't save copies of games. But, if you would know where or how i would go about archiving sins to the last version toat the mods work for.. I would greatly appreciate it. The last mods i have found on here are from August 2009.

to EvilTesla-RG... THank you for telling me that. I love modders. you all make games last much longer. If it wasn't for modders developers would get lots more cranky emails about 'when the next game is coming out'. I'm happy that all these patches makes it easier for you to make mods. ANd if my waiting for 2-3 months is being impatient for an update for teh mods that i liked to play before i let impulse update my games, then i'm sorry.

I do understand that most modders have lives outside of their mods and they now-a-days are more than likely people in high school or college and they make mods as a hobby or for love of their favorite game. My comments were in support of modders!

Reply #8 Top

Umm...are you serious?

Lets get back to basics:

Mods - good.    Patches - good.

Reply #9 Top

ummm, craig.. of course i'm serious. if i wasn't serious i wouldn't have said a thing. I love modders and their mods. Normally it tkaes me about 3 months to go through a game when i buy it. If it wasn't for the modders, I would have stopped playing sins over a year ago at least.

But, i don't know what ur statement is for Craig. Mods = great!       Patches = mostly great.

Reply #10 Top

Yeah, MODding is an integral part of gaming.
End of quote

 

Stopped reading there...idiot.  Should have stopped at the title :(

Reply #11 Top

Quoting EvilTesla-RG, reply 3
Yea, I mod quite a bit.

And I must say, the patches have SERIOUSLY HELPED modding.

 

Most of the patches that have been released have IMPROVED modding. Alot of mods we are doing now wouldn't have been possible without most of the patches.

And updating the mod is no problem. Sometimes it is hard, sometimes it isn't. Deal with it.

 

so, I say MORE PATCHES!!!
End of EvilTesla-RG's quote

This. I do a lot of modding of Sins. I have a pretty large mod that has to be updated for every patch. I don't care. I would much rather have a strongly supported game (patches) over a game that isn't supported and patched, only for modding convienence. If the game dies because of bugs that don't get patched, who gives a d@mn about the mods?

Reply #12 Top

Mike, a lot of the current mods are distributed through the modding forum here on the Sins of a Solar Empire site. I wouldn't trust Impulse or any other site if you want current mods.

Reply #13 Top

Quoting EvilTesla-RG, reply 3
And I must say, the patches have SERIOUSLY HELPED modding.
End of EvilTesla-RG's quote

Agree with Tesla... patches have introduce new ability, new buffers... core engine have become more stable and more fast...

I am a member of the 7DS team... for us, since the mod is very huge, patches are a pain in the a$$... but they are needed...

By example, i really hope that with diplomacy, AI will be allowed to use super weapons... i need it for allow the halo ring to fire !!!

About mod being upgraded... something like our 7DS take a lot of time because it is huge... but some other mod from our group are updated... Like the TriPirate mod from Tesla, the B5 mod from Tobi, the Starwar  Empire mod from scratch, the BSG mod from Kryogre...

Add some numerous mod who are not part of our team like the Stargate mod from Dolnick, and several other...

Mike Snyder, don't complain to much for a excess of support... better a little too much that nothing... like some big company who never release any patch for their game filled with bug...

By the way, it is not economical interesting for Stardock to work on and release patch... they earn no money with it... it is ethical correct for them to correct bug but some of the patch was related to wish from player or wish from modders... thing that Ironclad and Stardock are in no way obligate to make... it cost them time ( and money ) without any financial return... only the "thank you" from player and modders...

Finally, a incomplet list of mod for the last sins version :

- Star Wars Requiem v2.7 by JasonFJ : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/344013

- Stargate races by Dolynick : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/314779

- Dynamic Battle system by Manshooter : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/341567

- Battlestar Gallactica by Kryogre : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/351057

- Bailknight's graphic mod : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/368651

- Sacrifice of Angel 2 ( Star trek ) by Soa2team : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/358241

 

Some other mod in alpha/beta stage, not fully finish but already playable :

- Tri pirate mod by Tesla : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/369301

- Babylon 5 : sins of the younger races by Tobi : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/361694

- 7DS alpha G by Danman : http://sri-corp.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2581.0 ( only for people having request the alpha/beta tester status )

 

WIP, planned to be released soon :

- Halo mod by CanadaMan ( planned for Christmas ??? ) : https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/304735

 

Already enough choice to keep you busy for the next few months... and sure that in a few months, some other mod will be completed and will be able to extend your pleasure...

 

Reply #14 Top

...

Bwahahaha!

 

:fox:

Reply #15 Top

Impulse has an archive feature that will copy the game to a different directory before a patch is applied.  Unfortunately, I dont have previous versions.   A simple thing to do is to make a copy of the game before you update it.

 

Himachi u can read on how to do it. Basically u wont be using ico anymore

Reply #16 Top

Click the blue menu button in the upper left of Impulse and then click preferences. Click 'Archive & Install'. Place a check in the box that says 'Archive applications before updating'. If you ever need to roll back, click the blue button again and choose 'Restore archive'.

Reply #17 Top

As a modder myself (working with the Distant Stars Team, great mod, try it, its fully up to date https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/335474 ) I can only saw that I agree with most of the ones who have replied to this tread.

 The patches have rarely been a problem, and when they were we....wait for it..... asked the devs for help and they helped us willing (it only happened once)

I do agree with the annoying mod path though but as brought out, thats Windows fault.

and while we appreciate all of the desire to support us in our modding efforts (we all truly do) this is not something at is necessary

instead, try to get the devs to increase the limits so we can mod further, oh wait that would take another patch and more "work" to update the mods so never mind, you would not want that

Reply #18 Top

Yeah, MODding is an integral part of gaming. Lots of game makers make it easy to MOD their games. But, every time the makers of Sins fix something and make one of their numerous patches, their patches 'invalidate' all previous MODS!

STOP THAT CRAP NOW!!

You already make it difficult to install mods because of your 'mod path' crap to the Doc&setting area of wins. WTF is that for? just so u can make the game less fun????
End of quote

As an occassional Sins mapper, I share your sentiments about how annoying it is to have to update mods and maps.  (Thankfully Harpo9999 has released a program that will automatically update custom maps for people.) Perhaps the Mods folder could be moved into the main Program Files folder.

Blame Microsquish for the Application Data mess.  It was an idea that seemed good but proved to have the unintended consequence of making everything so much more complicated, at least for gaming.  It used to be that all of the files for a game could be found in one single coherent location--the game's folder in the Program Files (or wherever you installed it).  But now in order to be Games for Windows compliant settings and some other stuff have to be saved to the Application Data folder.

BTW, I really don't think Stardock and Ironclad deserve so much criticism--they are two of the few companies that wholeheartedly support PC gaming right now, they aren't loading their games up with nasty DRM, and they aren't producing console ports or making compromises for the sake of consolization.  As concerned PC gamers we should give our moral support to Stardock and Ironclad.

ALso, I have not seen any improvement in game play from any of your patches for Sins nor for emtrenchment, But I have seen my playabilty of the Mods go into the shitter... thay all get 'invalidated' by ur patches. Again STOP THAT NOW!
End of quote

The patches have corrected the unit balance, strengthened some features that were underpowered or weren't working properly and nerfed other things that were overpowered.  However, if you don't read the forums regularly and keep up with these issues (such as the threads that come out with each patch detailing the changes and other threads where players debate and make suggestions for upcoming patches) you wouldn't notice them or might not be aware of them.

write code so that MODS just work, ir-regardless of any more incessant patching you wanna do to the games. If ya do that ur profitability will go up cause more people will let it be known how easy it is to mod and play sins games.
End of quote

When possible, it would be great if they could do that.  This game could also use auto-downloading (or at least the ability to allow auto-downloading) of custom maps and mods in online multiplayer.

i havent played the game cause none of the mods work and i have beaten the game in its entirety on the hardest level over a year ago. The only new stuff is the mods. at least for me.
End of quote

If you're really bored with the challenge the AI presents, have you considered trying it in online multiplayer over Ironclad Online?  (A great many players who have never been to this forum seem to be unaware of this option.)  People don't play mods online (too few players to support that), but I guarantee you that you will find a much greater challenge than anything the AI could ever throw at you and more compelling games.  Also, you'll discover that the online game presents a number of new strategic considerations and that you cannot be as "sloppy" as you might be against the AI.  You need to give more thought to everything you do and to consider the nuances of the different unit types.  Also, you have to deal with being part of a team and coordinating attacks and defenses with allies.  Another aspect is what to do if you personally are being beaten in a team game but other members of your team are winning their battles elsewhere or if the game is at a stalemate elsewhere.  You are confronted with the question of what you can do to remain a factor in the game and help your team to victory.  (It's improper to just quit the game and restart a new one like you can against the AI because if you can help your team win in some sort of a way, even though you personally may have been beaten, if your team wins, you win.)  That is an aspect of the game that some people find rather thrilling and it's something you don't get to deal with in single player.  (Suppose you're playing a 5v5 and start out in the "suicide spot" with 3 enemies on one side of you and two on the other.  You're gonna get smooshed, but the challenge is to find a way to be a pain in the rear and to help your team.)

 

Reply #19 Top

Quoting Craig, reply 8
Umm...are you serious?

Lets get back to basics:

Mods - good.    Patches - good.
End of Craig's quote

 

This.

 

Be greatful this game actually has regular mods AND patch updates.

 

You obviously haven't played the command and conquere series, or infact just anything made by EA lol

Reply #20 Top

Thank you Danza

Reply #21 Top

STOP UPDATING NOW!
End of quote

first of all,

 

second of all, someone likes living in the past.

Reply #22 Top

Quoting DanzaDragon, reply 19



Quoting Craig Fraser,
reply 8
Umm...are you serious?

Lets get back to basics:

Mods - good.    Patches - good.


 

This.

 

Be greatful this game actually has regular mods AND patch updates.

 

You obviously haven't played the command and conquere series, or infact just anything made by EA lol
End of DanzaDragon's quote

 

I am grateful for this game and some other great space rts games also. I play this and star wars EAW & FOC and they have an awesome modding group.

 

I have to appoligize for not remembering to look for the mods on the rela sins site instead of just looking for them in impulse here.

'm very happy and grateful for all the modders who gave me excellent feedback on this topic. I did learn sme new stuff and i just want to say thanks to everyone who replied.

I will try out ironclad online to see how i like a multi-player game. i havent really liked multi-player games in the past though.

As for the mention about C&C games and other EA things. i stoped playing EA stuff when i got outta college in the late 90's.. EA sux hind tit. they are corrupt and just in it for profit. They never fix any of their shitty games and they are rude,... they would make excellent ferengi!!!!!

Hope every one has a safe and happy Christmas season and they get everything that they deserve this year :D

Mike

Reply #23 Top

thanks, i've checked out and downloaded both the requiem_v2.7 full release adn the dolynick_SGGalaxy-e1.02.zip. hopefully they will work with ent 1.4 :)

Reply #24 Top

Thanks Mike :)  Have a great Christmas too!

Reply #25 Top

Actually EA is kinda a cash cow, look at the series they over milked, no pun intended:

Note: when I say cash cow, I mean "A series of games of more than 5 games based on the same theme or title name"

  1. C&C
  2. Sims (including Simcity (although Simcity is a great game))
  3. Their sports series
  4. Need for speed
  5. Battlefield
  6. Jane Combat Simlulation (although they haven't release one since 2000)
  7. The lord of the Rings
  8. Medal of Honor
  9. NASCAR