The general rumor and perception of ROL is that the game is too difficult or not moddable at all, but this is not true.
While the game was released unfinished, modding is still possible.
You can download the 3 mods by Motter to see examples of what kind of modding has been done without full mod tools and support thus far.

This thread will explain the most up to date attempts on modding the game and the problems, failures, success and potential there is with the game.
Background info and links to programs and files used is provided.
Any interested programmers and modders can post their questions, feedback and examples here to help us further our effort for better modding for this game.


Modding History Timeline

- 2006 Big Huge Games releases Rise of Legends
The game was unfinished, as Motter has described here there is lots of unfinished code in the game
Also the Kahan civilization was partially included in the scenario editor but not in the campaign or skirmish modes.
There were concepts for more civs such as the Skald and possibly more content for an expansion

- 2006+ Greypawn (BHG worker) mentioned here that the following would be made available in the game for modding:
- a greater modding capability than Rise of Nations
- customize and add new content
- tools to add custom models
- Rise of Legends is much more heavily mod-friendly
- We intend to support modding and custom scenario creation
- The map editor is robust and feature-rich
- We'll be releasing tools and resources for use in modding and custom map creation

None of this was ever added to the game, either as part of patches, individual downloads, or part of a future expansion, but may be added to a future Steam release or by individual programmer work.

- 2010-2013 Motter released his 3 mods here: Expansion, Skirmish Heroes and New Nations, showcasing his hardworking skills and the possibilities of the game

- 2014 Alincarpetman compiled all the current mod tools and info into a download here

- 2015 Luigi made a script for Quick BMS, an extractor program, and the BIG files were finally extracted
- Quick BMS was able to finally unlock the BIG files and many xml and image files are viewable and editable
- However there are some surprises such as some XML files extracted as BXML files, but these may turn out to be ok (see Post #2 in this thread below, the update on Quick BMS)
- Quick BMS is a script based files extractor and reimporter compatible with the BMS language (aka MexScript)
- QuickBMS supports tons of games and file formats, archives, encryptions, compressions, obfuscations and other algorithms
- However we still need to do some testing to see if the files are usable with the game, so more testing is needed or we may need a new utility written

- 2016 Ryder created ROL BIG Archiver, which answers the prayers of ROL fans worldwide as the BIG files are now extractable for editing, modding, importing and exporting back into the game.
- You can download the program here, post below and in the Modifications forum with any questions, tests and projects.
- Fans of ROL can now mod the game using the info and tools above.
- Fans of Rise of Nations and both games can now make a Rise of Nations 2 Total Conversion mod for ROL using the ROL BIG Archiver, 3DSMax and other programs.
- Please spread the news wherever you can and post in the HG ROL forums with any questions and projects.

- Future - While AOE2, AOM amd RON got EE releases on Steam, there hasn't been any official confirmation if ROL will be on Steam.
Also, there are various issues with the Steam EEs so whether ROL will get an EE or not, we would still like to proceed with modding the original game as some players also prefer the originals over the Steam versions



Current Status

It will help if players and modders can donate to Ryder and find more programmers and modders willing to create scripts and/or addons for programs such as Blender so 3D modeling for ROL can be done by more people using this program
We need programmers knowledgeable in C++ for RTS games, experience with games and series such as Age of Empires, Age of Mythology, Rise of Nations, Empire Earth, Starcraft, Warcraft, Dawn of War, Lord of the Rings Battle For Middle Earth 2, Star Wars Empire At War, Command and Conquer, Total Annihilation Kingdoms, Populous 3, Paraworld, etc may help

Attention to any programmers willing to help out:
- We can pay you to take a look and try to fix the problems we have, this may involve writing new utilities
- Included with the game will be a dvdr or link to current mod data and tools
- Proper credit and links will be given to you everywhere and there may be a possibility for more work on this game and others if there is success


List of files and programs used so far

- Rise of Legends game with full patches
- ROL info encyclopedia - quick index for game info
- Modpack.exe - located in the game directory
- All Modding, Scenario, Map and Script Editing Guides & Tools Pack - contains Modpack.exe, ROL BIG Archiver, Quick BMS and more
- ROL BIG Archiver - import/edit/export BIG files
- Quick BMS with ROL script here and discussion thread here - BIG file extractor program
- Notepad++ - view and edit files
- Hex Workshop - view and edit files
- B1 Archiver - zip program
- Karen's Directory Printer - print file & folder directories as lists
- 3dsmax (free for students here), Gmax - graphics modding programs, untested at the moment
- Adobe Photoshop, Gimp - graphics modding programs, Gimp was successfully tested with extracted TGA image files


The Good News

- We have a working patched dvd version of the game available to buy on Amazon, Ebay, etc
- We have a BIG file import/export program ROL BIG Archiver
- Motter's 3 mods here as examples of large scale modding
- We have identified some things that need to be worked on here
- We are willing to pay some programmers to take a look and work on possible solutions
- The game has many unique features that other rts games do not, such as extensive interface customization and a robust scenario editor


The Modding Possibilities

- More modding within the ROL world of Aio
- More scenario creation options
- More possible options listed here
- More modding within:
the European steampunk setting
Arabian Nights desert setting
Mesoamerican jungle setting
Asiatic snowy steppe setting
- Mods set in:
a specific time period: past, present, future, fiction
genre: historical, fantasy, scifi, etc
with certain technology:
- gunpowder/cannons/bombs
- mana/magic/elemental
- lasers/energy/alien space weapons
- spirit/aurora/nature
- Rise of Nations 2 and Total Conversion mods
- Multi genre mods:
RTS campaigns
RTS skirmish
DOTA / ARTS / MOBA maps
RPGs
scripted multiplayer scenarios, etc
- Pop culture - stories, characters, settings from existing movies, books, comics, anime, etc
- Your own imagination, stories and skills


Conclusion

- If we can more scripts and addons to correctly extract and use the needed files, we will be able to mod the game closer to its full potential
- Players of other games such as Rise of Nations, Age of Mythology, Total Annihilation Kingdoms, etc may become interested and will be able to create even bigger and more creative mods as well as mods that they may not be able to create in any other rts game (we will need a list of unique mod features that ROL has versus other games)
- Future multiplayer testing and support for skirmish and online MP mods

[This message has been edited by alincarpetman (edited 03-26-2022 @ 08:18 PM).]