Mods no longer work

[darthhawk]

copy xml file I want to change to mod folder. Change copied xml file. Start game. enable mods. exit and restart game. Start playing. It's apparent my mod is not working.

Got frustrated. copied xml file from base game files and moved to backup folder. changed base game xml file in game directory. Start game. changes did nothing.

How do you mod this game? did stardock get rid of modding?

[Redbull102]

modding files in the game folder does not work. You have to move the files to
C:\user\username\own documents\mygames\galciv3\mods\yourmodname

in the mods folder is an example mod.

dislike it too.
prefered to make a backup and then mod the main files,
but that is the way it works now...

[darthhawk]

Doesn't work. I did that first and when the xml files in the mod folder, in the correct sub folders, did nothing that's when I tried changing the base game files. I've put my mod in the GalCic3/Mods folder and the GC3Crusade/Mods folder. Nothing works.

The way STEAM workshop is setup you can only "mod" the game with content created in game; maps, ships, factions. You can't upload xml files to the workshop for this game. That combined with the fact Stardock has no documentation for modding the xml files and modding the xml files does not work leads me to believe Stardock has killed xml modding for this game.

[Airmaster]

I suggest you contact Horemvore or Gauntlet and ask their advice to get your mod to work and make sure you're putting the right files in the right folders. Horemvore and Gauntlet are probably the two best modders for this game. Either one can help you.

[darthhawk]

So I moved my save game to a backup folder. Then uninstalled and reinstalled everything for GalCiv3. Moved my save file back after redoing the mod. I then ran the game again. No change. I checked the debug err log and found 1 line that acknowledge the xml file had been changed. I only copied the xml files from the game directory and edited them in the mod folder in my documents.

Debug Message: Game XML has been changed: Yes

My files are in the right place in the documents folder but Stardock has chosen to no longer support xml modding.

Also I found the following line repeated multiple times interesting:

api.epicgames.dev port 443: Bad access

I bought GalCiv3 from STEAM not epic games. Why is GalCiv3 trying to connect to epic games during play? I see there is an optin to connect an epic account but it is off and I have never messed with that option.

[Rhonin the wizard]

It would help if you told us what you are trying to modify.

Modding has not been disabled. I just tested it by changing FactionDefs.xml so the Terrans have Militant instead of Likeable.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2679717186

[darthhawk]

I've copied xml files from the folder "Game" and only edited some values, numbers in the xml files. I have the Retribution DLC. I checked to make sure none of those xml files were in that DLC folder as it would overwrite any changes to the same xml files in Core or Game folders. Nothing changes even though the debug log shows the game recognizes the xml has been changed and mods are enabled.

I'm not wanting to modify or create a race. If I wanted to do that I wouldn't do it through xml I would do it through in game race creation.

I want to change game data not cosmetics.

[Airmaster]

Your files nerd to go into folder GC3Crusade/ mods folder with the Retribution expansion and you need to have the mods folder named for the kind of mod is it. Mods file path needs to be directed to the specific named folder with files you copied and edited.

[Rhonin the wizard]

Which files have you copied and where?

XML modding is working as in the example above I changed one of the traits of a default civilization.

For example my modified FactionDefs.xml has to be in \Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Mods\ExampleMod\Game

Or any other folder name in place of ExampleMod.

[darthhawk]

I put the edited xml files in the same mod directory you have. The debug log shows the game recognized the xml has been changed and mods are enabled but nothings changes.

It seems Stardock is only allowing xml editing IF the same editing could be achieved through in game modding options; race/ship creation.

I'm not wanting to change cosmetics, how things look, I'm wanting to edit game data.

The xml files I've edited are not in a sub folder of the game folder. They are in the Game folder. So in the mod folder I put the edited xml files in the Game subfolder.

[Rhonin the wizard]

I reiterate, which files are you trying to modify?

And modifying the trait of a civilization is not a cosmetic thing.

[darthhawk]

Why would that matter? I'm trying to change game data by just changing some number values in xml files. I'd like to do a total conversion and this is just a test to see if it would work. Looks like it dies here and I'll move on to something else.

You can modify a trait of a civ without editing xml using in game modding options through race/faction creation. My point is it seems Stardock won't accept xml changes if they are outside the scope of changes they let players do with in game modding options.

[Rhonin the wizard]

To see if you are placing the files where they should be, if the values can even be modified, if you aren't modifying a text file.

Here is another example with an improvement modified.

Default version
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2679795608

Modified
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2679796006

And you are staring a new game after modifying the files? Because the values are stored in the save file.

[Redbull102]

I modded many xml files in the game folder.
I changed planetary buildings, space station parts, ship components, planets, starting systems and much more. It is working for me.

My guess would be that you used a wrong editor.
I use notepad++. It is a free tool.

If you used the normal windows editors, it often breaks the filecode. You do not see that, the file looks the same, but it is now in an other code and no longer readable for the game.

When I used winpad in the past that happened to me ( was an other game, many years ago ).
Notepad++ is much saver, it keeps the filecode.

[Airmaster]

I think he is editing the xml files directly which should be edited with note pad as Redbull stated. Using notepad to edit the files still retain xml format when saved.

[darthhawk]

Thanks Airmaster, Rhonin the Wizard, and Redbull102! Yes I needed to use something besides windows notepad, yes I was editing the files and loading a saved game, and yes I unfortunately followed rule #3 in my life. Which is I must make a dumb @-$ of myself at least once every few months. Sigh.

Zombieland is an old movie but I like it.