posted 08-01-17 08:58 PM EDT (US)
At the moment ROL is not as moddable or as easy to mod as other rts games such as Age of Empires 2, Age of Mythology, etc.
For example scripting in AOE2 is much simpler and easier, but in RON and ROL the scripter needs a knowledge of basic C and/or JavaScript programming languages to edit and create scripts.
Some players may also not have an interest or skill in some areas of modding and need help from others to complete a project.
For example you may be working on a scenario and are able to create terrain and landscapes for maps but you can't write scripts for scenarios very well, or, the opposite may be your situation.
However, there are some solutions and workarounds and this post is a list of common problems when modding, creating maps, scenarios, and campaigns:
Problem: You want to modify the existing game code and/or create a new feature such as a Random Map Generator or Mod Manager, but it isn't possible or seems impossible
Solution: A community-created
Workaround: You can continue to work on maps, scenarios and campaigns but within the current limits of the game - while this may sometimes be a problem, limits can sometimes be a good thing and can shape a project in different directions than previously imagined
Problem: You want to edit existing visual aspects of the game, either the 3D models, skins, textures, graphics, animations, lighting but you don't have the technical skills or can't afford to buy the programs needed
Solution: You can get a
Workaround: You can import assets from other video games such as BHA, BH3, PFA & PFB files into ROL
Workaround: You can import textures from photographs and images found online or taken by you into ROL
Workaround: You can import other filetypes into programs which may then be converted to the BHA, BH3, PFA & PFB formats and imported back into ROL
Problem: The devs used an older version of Speed Tree (Version 4) to create the flora, trees, shrubs, plants, grass, etc and either only a
Workaround: There may be plugins for 3DS Max, Maya, Gmax, Blender, etc which enable SPT modding inside those programs
Workaround: You can import assets from other video games such as SPT models into ROL
Workaround: You can import other filetypes into programs which may then be converted to the SPT format and imported back into ROL
Problem: ROL doesn't have a basic Random Map Generator and you are having trouble with ideas for terrain and landscapes for maps or using the tools inside the Scenario Editor to create maps
Workaround: You can also modify an existing map and use it as a template for more projects
Workaround: To save time you can import black and white/grayscale
Workaround: You can also create heightmaps using
Problem: You are having trouble thinking of ideas for maps, scenarios and campaigns
Solution: Try finding inspiration by playing existing scenarios in ROL, other RTS games and any video games in general
Solution: Visual art, movies, anime, literature, graphic novels, fiction books, nonfiction books and human fields of study such as history, geography, biology, geology, etc can be sources for ideas for characters, places, landscapes, events, features, stories, dialogues, quests, plot twists and turns, etc for your scenario
Solution: Read websites such as
Solution: Review your own personal life experiences which can be modified to create a story
Problem: You want to edit and create scripts but have little or no knowledge of basic C and/or JavaScript programming languages
Solution: You can try to learn these languages online for free or sign up for courses locally
Workaround: Programmers who have intermediate to advanced knowledge can start by combing through the existing scenarios and extract sample scripts to create a Sample Script Library that can be used as a quick source for easier scripting
Also, as new features in scripts are created these can be saved in the Sample Script Library as a shared community resource with proper credits and tutorials
Workaround: Collaborate with advanced scripters on different parts of a project
Problem: You would like to modify existing sounds or create some new sounds but don't know how
Solution: You can import sounds from other video games, movies, etc - make sure to credit and link to the sources
Solution: Find open source/royalty free sound libraries online which can be used for free - make sure to credit and link to the sources
Solution: Record your own sounds using sound editing software
Problem: You want some music for your scenario but don't know what to use or how to find it
Solution: You can import music from other video games, movies, etc - make sure to credit and link to the sources
Solution: If you have a music collection, try searching through it for tracks that fit the atmosphere of the game and see if they are a good fit for your project - perhaps instrumental tracks are best for a non-intrusive and cinematic feel
Solution: Find open source/royalty free music online which can be used for free - make sure to credit and link to the sources
Solution: Record your own music using sound editing software
Problem: You want to add voice acting to your scenarios to add another layer of immersion and bring scenarios to life but don't feel you can do voice work that sounds professional
Solution: Experiment more with your own voice to create accents and voice work using audio editing software, digital vocal effects and manual techniques for creating unique voices
Solution: Ask friends and family if they would be interested in providing some voice work for your project
Solution: Create a community-sourced voice acting project in online video game forums
Solution: Search for voice actors online or locally, depending if and how much you are willing to pay them for their work
Problem: The campaign world map can't be modified and new campaign world maps can't be created for custom single or multiplayer campaigns
Workaround: You can still create a series of scenarios that include graphics and cinematics either inside the scenario or in between scenarios that tell a story, show images such as a world map and geographic flyover cinematics
[This message has been edited by alincarpetman (edited 08-11-2017 @ 07:34 PM).]