Mayhem 3: Zero Hour

[Baronfuming]

https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=448700

Just posting this here in case anyone is interested in this mod. Installed over Litcube's Universe, M3:ZH provides the slow-burn space economic sandbox at its best. With amazing automation and QoL features this is by far my favorite way to play X3.

[Vladolf Putler]

wow gonna try it

cant wait to get home to try...
any general tips what to avoid from start or what to do?
In vanilla, can you get somehow AI to buy your produced weapons? I tried dock but that did not work, will they buy via trading station? How is it in this mod?

edit: the installation itself is adventure
please confirm that I DO NEED BASE MAYHEM 3 latest version - this includes installation of litcubes and then Zero Hour itself

[Baronfuming]

You DO need 'regular' Mayhem 3.

The installation process is certainly a lot of steps. Here's the basic process and links:

0. Back up your existing X3 Terran Conflict installation folder.
1. Install X3: Albion Prelude from Steam normally (without the 'Bonus Pack' scripts, since they can mess things up)
2. Install Litcube's Universe from http://litcubeswiki.rf.gd/luwiki/wiki/index.php/Download.html
2a. Don't forget to install the 1.7.2 patch!
3. Install the colored GUI of your choice.
4. Install the Litcube's Universe Soundtrack
5. Download and install Mayhem 3 from https://www.moddb.com/mods/mayhem/downloads/mayhem-3-main
Additional instructions (https://www.moddb.com/mods/mayhem/tutorials/mayhem-3-how-to-install). You don't need to use the nosteam.exe if you install it right into your Steam X3 Terran Conflict folder. This way you can still keep track of your gaming hours (if you care about that).
6. Download and install Mayhem 3: Zero Hour from https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=448700
6b. Download and install the ZMap Galaxy Generator from https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=5138529#p5138529/url
Mayhem 3 includes a galaxy generator already, but ZMap and is highly-recommended since it has more features and is compatible with the 'Peaceful' and "Chaotic" start scenariors from M3ZH


I am assuming that anyone interested knows about the 'false-patch' method of installing X3 mods. Just rename the .cat/.dat to the last number of those in your X3 terran conflict folder. Make sure to read the mod descriptions so you know if the files go into your addons file.

Optional extras:
Cockpit Mod for Litcube's Universe - https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=370506
Mayhem 3 Laser Overhaul - https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=449212
Mayhem 3 Backgrounds pack - https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=432009
Auto-Rename Player Property - https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=225432

It's a lot of work to install, but as a reward you get 5,000 credits (and an excellent modded X3 installation.

[Baronfuming]

Hector0x/Darth Fisicus, the author of M3ZH has helpful guides to various concepts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYg3gOXKYD4&list=PL4c4Ymq37GHS_sTCf6HnXKzSSiau7mpQ1

[Vladolf Putler]

I managed to install it, I made a clean install and created a copy, after installation I created new map with Zmap, but when I start new game, I let it spawn some things and when it seems to be over I click on military outpost and on info and game freeze, music is stuck in loop. Have to kill it by loging out of win, there is no way to alt +f4 in this case. So I tried again, started new game, waited for spawn and then I tested on that military outpost to click on info and freeze again. Seems like I must dig in deeper:/

edit: all seems ok, I did create a new map in Zmap but did not activate it, even the new game options were completely wrong, like no argon/terran or anything else to choose.

thanks for recommendation!

[Shadian]

I've found Mayhem 3 on version 3.9 year or two ago. Since then it was slowly turning into masterpiece, the superior X-series game, that we all wanted for years. It takes best empire building and early dog-fighting expirience from vanilla and powerful QoL from LU, but in this case the quantity was turned to absolutely new quality.
After Zero Hour changes in automatisation routine processes such as station building and trader's settings X3 become really more comfortable game, than standart Mayhem 3. Plus AI improvements, returning of the Terrans, ZMap and new galaxy events (even End-Game Crisis, just like a Stellaris) - all of these things so great as for sandboxing and calm empire building, as for roleplaying with holy wars, alliances and shady political games.
And great news for everyone, who ever want to be a pirate king in X game, but was to afraid for it. In Mayhem 3 Zero Hour you can become really Godfather of Galactic Mafia with squadrons of mercs, spaceweed dealing, piracy and looting on battlefields. And what is most great about that - it is not equal total destruction from main functions, it is a real option.
I hope my opinion about this great masterpiece will help someone to try to dive into Mayhem!

[Baronfuming]

There is now the Mayhem 3: Renegades mod which adds a lot of new features and qoL on top of those from M3ZH. Most importantly though, the installation is much easier with less steps. This is the latest 'incarnation' in this series of mods, and the one to be using currently!

Check it out here:
https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=460221