How To: Increase Size of Default Random Starter Planet

[Anthony]

Hello friends! As of a recent, and always welcomed, update planet sizes have been reduced to a 3 (down from a 4). While I don't like the change myself, this game isn't about me! For those who are like me, or at least miss the larger default start, I've made a tutorial to help you change the setting :)

Step 1: The Library (Shhh)

Go to your game Library, find Empyrion in the list on the left, and RIGHT click it's name...
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418071951

In the menu that drops down, please select "Properties" from the list. LEFT click it.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418072807

In the window that pops up (below), please select the "Local Files" tabulation located at the top.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418073658

From here, hit the "Browse Local Files" button:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418074237

This will open up a file folder on your PC, should look like this:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418074739

1) Open up the folder called: "Content"
2) In "Content" open up the folder called: "Playfields"
3) In "Playfields" open up the folder called: "TemperateStarter"

End result should be:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418075787

**IGNORE the icon shapes, they matter not, take note of the file NAMES**

Now, RIGHT click on the file titled: "playfield_dynamic.yaml"

In the drop down menu that appears, select "Copy"
Now, press CTRL+V on your keyboard (This will paste a copy (backup) of the file we're going to edit)

RIGHT click again on "playfield_dynamic.yaml" (NOT the copy) In the drop down menu that appears, select "Open With..."

There will be a small prompt, with application choices. Find "WordPad" or "notepad" from among them. If they're not listed, look for an option to "choose more programs"

(If you have trouble with this step, PLEASE message me here I'll hook you up phat.)

Anyway, assuming you get the file open; we get:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1418076330

This is the easiest step in the journey, you see the part (at the top) that says:

PlanetSize:
  SizeRange: [3]

Change it to a 4, and save. (You're done)

[Hondo]

Thanks for the info.

I'm like you, I prefer the larger planet size. Not sure why they thought changing the planet size was needed.

[gatheris]

because this most recent update(s) seem to be nothing but handholding - "survival" has been removed from the game again
can't find stuff on my own and when i do it is too far away - fixed
too many spiders wahhh!!! - fixed
it's too cold - fixed
it's too hot - fixed
don't know how to get food (despite it being everywhere) - fixed

hopefully they don't start nerfing the "meaner" POIs - yeah, right

[aztekann]

Originally posted by gatheris:

because this most recent update(s) seem to be nothing but handholding - "survival" has been removed from the game again
can't find stuff on my own and when i do it is too far away - fixed
too many spiders wahhh!!! - fixed
it's too cold - fixed
it's too hot - fixed
don't know how to get food (despite it being everywhere) - fixed

Which is why democracy is only good on paper.
(not that i have a better solution lol)

[Anthony]

Originally posted by gatheris:

because this most recent update(s) seem to be nothing but handholding - "survival" has been removed from the game again
can't find stuff on my own and when i do it is too far away - fixed
too many spiders wahhh!!! - fixed
it's too cold - fixed
it's too hot - fixed
don't know how to get food (despite it being everywhere) - fixed

hopefully they don't start nerfing the "meaner" POIs - yeah, right

I'd have to agree, this gutting of the learning curve is a saddening experience gameplay wise.

I just assume it's a sign of the times, gone are the days of learning for yourself.

But, like I said in my opening post, this game isn't about me. Or my preferences to playstyles. And, at least Eleon has given us the ability to "fix" the fixes. (Unlike the other camp, I'll not complain about the game I'll just adjust it myself.)

[urialia]

Thanks! It's very useful

[Adjoint [PAX]]

I tried to do that on a dedicated server and it didn't work. I asked GTX Gaming and they informed me that I I have to do wipe at the whole server so it works. I thought "Wipe Akua all" would help me to reform beginner planets that I needed. Since it is RE server I updated all the "starter" playfields but still nothing. I always do stop/restart server. Anyone could solve this issue without wiping the whole server ?

[Amrak]

Originally posted by Adjoint PAX:

I tried to do that on a dedicated server and it didn't work. I asked GTX Gaming and they informed me that I I have to do wipe at the whole server so it works. I thought "Wipe Akua all" would help me to reform beginner planets that I needed. Since it is RE server I updated all the "starter" playfields but still nothing. I always do stop/restart server. Anyone could solve this issue without wiping the whole server ?

You do know that this method is 3 years old right?? A lot has changed since then. You might want to make a new thread to get up to date information from creator that work with this issue. Ravein or vermillion come to mind that could maybe answer your question.

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by Amrak:

Originally posted by Adjoint PAX:

I tried to do that on a dedicated server and it didn't work. I asked GTX Gaming and they informed me that I I have to do wipe at the whole server so it works. I thought "Wipe Akua all" would help me to reform beginner planets that I needed. Since it is RE server I updated all the "starter" playfields but still nothing. I always do stop/restart server. Anyone could solve this issue without wiping the whole server ?

You do know that this method is 3 years old right?? A lot has changed since then. You might want to make a new thread to get up to date information from creator that work with this issue. Ravein or vermillion come to mind that could maybe answer your question.

You do know that Anthony's instructions, while encompassing only the temperate starter option and not others, are still even now completely accurate? That fact that "a lot" has changed doesn't matter, because this procedure HAS NOT. And once a person has followed these steps they would have noticed the other obvious starter planet directories and reasoned that the same process could be repeated for them.

Sure, this COULD have changed in three years, BUT IT DIDN'T.

[Docsprock]

I still use this method. It still works. However, I change my value to a '5' to make a Very Large planet.

[Adjoint [PAX]]

You tried it at a dedicated server ? what exact procedure did you follow ?

[ravien_ff]

Yes it still works but...

It only works on a new save game. You cannot change planets in an existing game without risk of corrupting the database and causing yourself all kinds of problems later on.
You need to delete both the save game and the cache and then start a new game after applying your changes.

If you're using a custom scenario then you need to edit the files under the scenario, not the default game folder.

[Amrak]

Originally posted by VulcanTourist:

Originally posted by Amrak:

You do know that this method is 3 years old right?? A lot has changed since then. You might want to make a new thread to get up to date information from creator that work with this issue. Ravein or vermillion come to mind that could maybe answer your question.

You do know that Anthony's instructions, while encompassing only the temperate starter option and not others, are still even now completely accurate? That fact that "a lot" has changed doesn't matter, because this procedure HAS NOT. And once a person has followed these steps they would have noticed the other obvious starter planet directories and reasoned that the same process could be repeated for them.

Sure, this COULD have changed in three years, BUT IT DIDN'T.

Did I say it does not work??? Maybe reread and understand what was said so you do not waste a lecture that is pointless!!

[zaphodikus]

So, ladies and gentlebeans... is there a good and much easier way to accomplish this robustly that does not require doing it again later?

[Adjoint [PAX]]

Originally posted by ravien_ff:

Yes it still works but...

It only works on a new save game. You cannot change planets in an existing game without risk of corrupting the database and causing yourself all kinds of problems later on.
You need to delete both the save game and the cache and then start a new game after applying your changes.

If you're using a custom scenario then you need to edit the files under the scenario, not the default game folder.

So there is no solution without full wipe.
Great I need to act like Eleon ....
Thx Ravien_ff

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by zaphodikus:

So, ladies and gentlebeans... is there a good and much easier way to accomplish this robustly that does not require doing it again later?

About the best thing you can do is what I do with ECF files: replace the vanilla files with symbolic links to your modified files that you locate elsewhere. When a game update modifies one of the files that you modded, Steam replaces just the symlink and leaves your file untouched. Then you can use WinMerge to see what changed and decide how to handle it, save your file, and then finally overwrite the new vanilla file with a symlink to your file again. Use Link Shell Extension to manage all of this.