Hey Paingod, (hope you're reading this forum) got some more editor questions, specifically in relation to the Singleplayer aspect and perhaps to some degree the multi that I'm hoping you might be able to answer? I've created a test map to get the feel for some of the basic functions and get a handle on the scripting, but I'm stumped with a few problems.

1. How does one get the overview map to display in the Instant Action screen? It's obviously there for the multi, but I'm guessing that there's a file that's not being saved to the .mw4 file that holds this image?

2. How does one add/change/edit the description of the drop in the Instant Action screen? I don't see anywhere to fill this out, and no mention of it in the documentation. I also cannot see an obvious location for it in any of the files (at least the ones that I can access).

3. How does one go about adding audio files? Or is this even possible? And if not, where can I get a listing of the audio events so I can at least use the ones built into the game?

4. How does one change the default 3 lancemates for drops? And how do I make use of the second lance?

5. Is there any way to get a mission designed for single play, useable in a multi game? I noticed a Custom Campaign and Custom Undefined gametype, but no clear description of what these gametypes can be used for. It seems very strange to me that this wouldn't be possible since the setup of the map/editor clearly gives a nod to this possibility, unless I'm misunderstanding the use of some of the drop tags.

6. Is it possible to access the missions that shipped with the game via the editor? It would REALLY help to be able to see some more advanced scripting examples for how certain things were achieved as well as how some of the mission elements were done.

7. How possible would it be to add some custom single player campaign functionality into Mercs? One of the great parts about MC2 was the ability to create new campaigns for single play that gave the game an almost infinite lifespan. Multi just gets dull fast for me (there's only so much kill the other team as quick as you can before it gets rather pointless IMO).

Anyway, if anyone else can answer any of these questions, I'd love to hear them. I'm really not that interested in multi except with a few friends, and I'm really rather disappointed that Mercs doesn't have co-op, so I thought I'd try to add some, but obviously this isn't going to be possible without a fair bit of fenagling. And then there's the absolute lack of ANY single player missions for V/BK... If any game begs for some user created content that would allow the SP game to continue on, this is it.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

- Z

I have asked how to access the Instant Action Info screens many times and no one had ever been able to do it so I think it was left out of the Editor.

The Orders .RTF and Mission ABL .RTF discuss how to place sound files where the Editor can access them. There are also utilities that can browse the game's sound files. Look around for one in the download sections of some Mech sites and you'll find one.

It is possible to make Co-Op missions. All players joining the mission will need their own dropzones, the Editor RTF describes how to add them. From there it gets tricky. Alot of the bots don't function in multiplayer. The info isn't shared between computers. Nothing that flies, some tanks, snowcats, barges, etc.

You can download probably the most complete MW4 Editor tutorial at this link...

http://www.respawn.co.uk/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=16

Hope some of that helped.


Lightfoot

http://the-maproom.com

So it is not possible to port the single player missions from MW4-V & BK, over to Mercs for Instant actions play?

It is a profound error to suppose that, whilst the law is good enough for individuals, it is not for masses of mankind.

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Hey Paingod, (hope you're reading this forum) got some more editor questions, specifically in relation to the Singleplayer aspect and perhaps to some degree the multi that I'm hoping you might be able to answer? I've created a test map to get the feel for some of the basic functions and get a handle on the scripting, but I'm stumped with a few problems.

1. How does one get the overview map to display in the Instant Action screen? It's obviously there for the multi, but I'm guessing that there's a file that's not being saved to the .mw4 file that holds this image?

2. How does one add/change/edit the description of the drop in the Instant Action screen? I don't see anywhere to fill this out, and no mention of it in the documentation. I also cannot see an obvious location for it in any of the files (at least the ones that I can access).

3. How does one go about adding audio files? Or is this even possible? And if not, where can I get a listing of the audio events so I can at least use the ones built into the game?

4. How does one change the default 3 lancemates for drops? And how do I make use of the second lance?

5. Is there any way to get a mission designed for single play, useable in a multi game? I noticed a Custom Campaign and Custom Undefined gametype, but no clear description of what these gametypes can be used for. It seems very strange to me that this wouldn't be possible since the setup of the map/editor clearly gives a nod to this possibility, unless I'm misunderstanding the use of some of the drop tags.

6. Is it possible to access the missions that shipped with the game via the editor? It would REALLY help to be able to see some more advanced scripting examples for how certain things were achieved as well as how some of the mission elements were done.

7. How possible would it be to add some custom single player campaign functionality into Mercs? One of the great parts about MC2 was the ability to create new campaigns for single play that gave the game an almost infinite lifespan. Multi just gets dull fast for me (there's only so much kill the other team as quick as you can before it gets rather pointless IMO).

Anyway, if anyone else can answer any of these questions, I'd love to hear them. I'm really not that interested in multi except with a few friends, and I'm really rather disappointed that Mercs doesn't have co-op, so I thought I'd try to add some, but obviously this isn't going to be possible without a fair bit of fenagling. And then there's the absolute lack of ANY single player missions for V/BK... If any game begs for some user created content that would allow the SP game to continue on, this is it.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

- Z



:

Im not Paingod, but I'll answer some of your questions (keep in mind that I am not 100% sure about them):

1.)Probably a switch that needs to be turned on (or inserted) in one of the editable mission files. I dont think anyone knows and the devs have been dead quiet on anything regarding SP mission design.

2.) Each Mission's briefing text, drop descriptions, and other descriptive details of each of the SP campaign missions (or even in Instant Action), is stored within the MW4 resource string table. Which is stored in the MW4 exe itself. Call a resources string number; you get the resulting text. So even if someone finds out how to call the resource string function ... they can only use the pre-determined strings from the MW4 exe. Therefor ... no customized mission description ... what a wonderful setup huh? Shouldn't they have looked at the way MCG set some of its mission details?

4.) That would be the campaign file OR within the mission editable files (or some other file that controls it) ... but since the developers have given squat for information on properly making SP missions ... I highly doubt anyone will find out.

6.) That would be extremely beneficial to everyone, the devs from the MC series have released mission scripts TWICE before ...

7.) Zero information on the campaign file format ... would be nice if the devs would actually release it. But since its been almost two years since the original editor has been released ... I think its a fat chance that it will be. Also reference #2 because there cannot be customized mission descriptions.

Very little information is actually loaded from the mission file when the user is in Instant Action and thats because the editor does not write enough information into those files. Unless you manually edit them of course.

The editor HAS the scripting ability for SP missions, but it is not SP friendly at all. No mission briefing capability, no custom tac-map ability, no campaign ability, no story ability ... the list goes on.

Of course my answers could be totally wrong, but if I was, wouldn't we be able to create some nice SP missions by now ... after only 2 years? You would figure that the devs would have paid attention to that ... but no ... its their little secret

(one disgruntled and pissed-off sp mission designer)

-WC

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