For a couple of years now I've been using a home-made desirability calculator and design aid which I've been thinking about making publicly available. It's nothing flash but I've found it very useful. You just place structures on a grid and it 'spreads' desirability according to the figures in c3_model.txt. I know there are other tools, but I'm having fun with this one
I'm currently in the process of tidying it up and adding a few extras. I'm able to import a scenario map (or portions thereof) to assist with layout and I'm able to highlight where tents will merge (I can also fix it so none of them will - could be fun). I can overlay various data from the file and I can read things like the special events table, allowed buildings, enemy types, price changes, etc.
I expect to be able to do the same things with saved game files just as soon as I've debugged the decompression routines. Of course, if I can read the data I can also edit it, and it's tempting to add in all sorts of handy 'modding' tools, such as those dragon2 released (very responsibly) some 9 years ago.
Before going too far down that road, I'm inviting input from designers and players (especially the CBC crowd). Questions such as: When does a 'utility' become a 'cheat tool'? Is my program going to spoil contests? How does it affect scenario designers if users can modify their work, even after a save?
It is not my intention to kill the fun and all views are welcomed, either here or by email to dmiller55(at)live(dot)com.
I'm currently in the process of tidying it up and adding a few extras. I'm able to import a scenario map (or portions thereof) to assist with layout and I'm able to highlight where tents will merge (I can also fix it so none of them will - could be fun). I can overlay various data from the file and I can read things like the special events table, allowed buildings, enemy types, price changes, etc.
I expect to be able to do the same things with saved game files just as soon as I've debugged the decompression routines. Of course, if I can read the data I can also edit it, and it's tempting to add in all sorts of handy 'modding' tools, such as those dragon2 released (very responsibly) some 9 years ago.
Before going too far down that road, I'm inviting input from designers and players (especially the CBC crowd). Questions such as: When does a 'utility' become a 'cheat tool'? Is my program going to spoil contests? How does it affect scenario designers if users can modify their work, even after a save?
It is not my intention to kill the fun and all views are welcomed, either here or by email to dmiller55(at)live(dot)com.