Create Minor Races

Can I just add as many as I want to RaceConfig.xml?

Hello all! This is my first post in the Modding section, so please be gentle!

I want to add a few new minor races to my game. I have race portraits and logos ready to go, along with names and everything.

Can I just go into the RaceConfig.xml, copy an existing minor race (like the Akilians, for example), change some names around, and paste as many as I want into the file? I see each race has a RaceID, so I'm guessing I'd have to change that to something unique. Is there anything else I need to know? Can I have as many as I'd like?

Thanks for your help!

6,586 views 5 replies
Reply #1 Top

no you don't have to change its not hard coded or anything and you can have as many as you want there's no limit here's an example.

</Race>
        <Race Name="Krinor Empire">
        <RaceID>19</RaceID>
        <DisplayName>Krinor Empire</DisplayName>
        <Alignment>1</Alignment>
        <Homeworld>Dark Yor</Homeworld>
        <Homestar>Dark Yor</Homestar>
        <RaceLeader>Commander Trilo</RaceLeader>
        <Description>A dark empire hell bent on destruction.</Description>
        <ShortEmpireName>Krinor</ShortEmpireName>
        <AIPersonality>5</AIPersonality>
        <LeaderGender>1</LeaderGender>
        <Portrait>Gfx\Race\Krinor.png</Portrait>
        <Logo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo18.png</Logo>
        <SmallLogo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo18.png</SmallLogo>
        <DefaultTradePortrait>Gfx\Race\Krinor_Trade minor.png</DefaultTradePortrait>
        <CustomizationPoints>0</CustomizationPoints>
        <CivType>3</CivType>
        <PoliticalParty>0</PoliticalParty>
        <RaceColor>142,142,142</RaceColor>
        <ShadowColor>128,128,128</ShadowColor>
        <UndefendedStarColor>72,21,7</UndefendedStarColor>
        <DefendedStarColor>192,128,32</DefendedStarColor>
        <SectorColor>142,142,142</SectorColor>
        <BaseColor>196,223,155</BaseColor>
        <TrimColor>142,142,142</TrimColor>
        <EngineColor>255,100,255</EngineColor>
        <InterfaceColor>142,142,142</InterfaceColor>
        <ShipStyle>Yor Collective Style</ShipStyle>
        <ModuleStyle>1</ModuleStyle>
        <Tech>Root</Tech>
        <ECONOMICS>100</ECONOMICS>
        <WEAPONS>0</WEAPONS>
        <DEFENSE>0</DEFENSE>
        <SPEED>0</SPEED>
        <MORALE>0</MORALE>
        <POPULATIONGROWTH>0</POPULATIONGROWTH>
        <SOCIALPRODUCTION>0</SOCIALPRODUCTION>
        <MILITARYPRODUCTION>0</MILITARYPRODUCTION>
        <RESEARCH>0</RESEARCH>
        <INFLUENCE>0</INFLUENCE>
        <TRADE>0</TRADE>
        <DIPLOMACY>0</DIPLOMACY>
        <HITPOINTS>0</HITPOINTS>
        <REPAIR>0</REPAIR>
        <SENSORS>0</SENSORS>
        <ESPIONAGE>0</ESPIONAGE>
        <SOLDIERING>0</SOLDIERING>
        <INTERESTRATES>0</INTERESTRATES>
        <PLANETQUALITY>0</PLANETQUALITY>
        <TRADEROUTES>0</TRADEROUTES>
        <CRIME>0</CRIME>
        <CABINET>0</CABINET>
        <RANGE>0</RANGE>
        <LUCK>0</LUCK>
        <COURAGE>0</COURAGE>
        <CREATIVITY>0</CREATIVITY>
        <GOVERNMENT>0</GOVERNMENT>
        <LOYALTY>0</LOYALTY>
        <LOGISTICS>4</LOGISTICS>
        <MINIATURIZATION>0</MINIATURIZATION>
                <Tech>HyperDrive</Tech>
        <Tech>IndustrialRevolution</Tech>
        <Tech>NeutralHistory</Tech>
        <Tech>FusionReactors</Tech>
        <Tech>TraditionalResearch</Tech>
        <Tech>Innovative History</Tech>
        <TechTree>MinorRace_TechTree</TechTree>
    </Race>
    <Race Name="Chroma">
        <RaceID>20</RaceID>
        <DisplayName>Chroma</DisplayName>
        <Alignment>60</Alignment>
        <Homeworld>Crom</Homeworld>
        <Homestar>Chroma</Homestar>
        <RaceLeader>Vorch</RaceLeader>
        <Description>A once powerful race of energy beings that are returning to the stars.</Description>
        <ShortEmpireName>Snathi</ShortEmpireName>
        <AIPersonality>5</AIPersonality>
        <LeaderGender>1</LeaderGender>
        <Portrait>Gfx\Race\Chroma.png</Portrait>
        <Logo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo22.png</Logo>
        <SmallLogo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo22.png</SmallLogo>
        <DefaultTradePortrait>Gfx\Race\Chroma_Trade minor.png</DefaultTradePortrait>
        <CustomizationPoints>0</CustomizationPoints>
        <CivType>3</CivType>
        <PoliticalParty>0</PoliticalParty>
        <RaceColor>166,124,82</RaceColor>
        <ShadowColor>128,128,128</ShadowColor>
        <UndefendedStarColor>72,21,7</UndefendedStarColor>
        <DefendedStarColor>192,128,32</DefendedStarColor>
        <SectorColor>166,124,82</SectorColor>
        <BaseColor>196,223,155</BaseColor>
        <TrimColor>166,124,82</TrimColor>
        <EngineColor>0,255,0</EngineColor>
        <InterfaceColor>166,124,82</InterfaceColor>
        <ShipStyle>Iconian Refuge Style</ShipStyle>
        <ModuleStyle>0</ModuleStyle>
        <Tech>Root</Tech>
        <ECONOMICS>100</ECONOMICS>
        <WEAPONS>0</WEAPONS>
        <DEFENSE>0</DEFENSE>
        <SPEED>0</SPEED>
        <MORALE>0</MORALE>
        <POPULATIONGROWTH>0</POPULATIONGROWTH>
        <SOCIALPRODUCTION>0</SOCIALPRODUCTION>
        <MILITARYPRODUCTION>0</MILITARYPRODUCTION>
        <RESEARCH>0</RESEARCH>
        <INFLUENCE>0</INFLUENCE>
        <TRADE>0</TRADE>
        <DIPLOMACY>0</DIPLOMACY>
        <HITPOINTS>0</HITPOINTS>
        <REPAIR>0</REPAIR>
        <SENSORS>0</SENSORS>
        <ESPIONAGE>0</ESPIONAGE>
        <SOLDIERING>0</SOLDIERING>
        <INTERESTRATES>0</INTERESTRATES>
        <PLANETQUALITY>0</PLANETQUALITY>
        <TRADEROUTES>0</TRADEROUTES>
        <CRIME>0</CRIME>
        <CABINET>0</CABINET>
        <RANGE>0</RANGE>
        <LUCK>0</LUCK>
        <COURAGE>0</COURAGE>
        <CREATIVITY>0</CREATIVITY>
        <GOVERNMENT>0</GOVERNMENT>
        <LOYALTY>0</LOYALTY>
        <LOGISTICS>4</LOGISTICS>
        <MINIATURIZATION>0</MINIATURIZATION>
                <Tech>HyperDrive</Tech>
        <Tech>IndustrialRevolution</Tech>
        <Tech>NeutralHistory</Tech>
        <Tech>FusionReactors</Tech>
        <Tech>TraditionalResearch</Tech>
        <Tech>Innovative History</Tech>
        <TechTree>MinorRace_TechTree</TechTree>
        </Race>
        <Race Name="Shilodo Republic">
        <RaceID>20</RaceID>
        <DisplayName>Shilodo Republic</DisplayName>
        <Alignment>70</Alignment>
        <Homeworld>Shilodo Prime</Homeworld>
        <Homestar>Prime Star</Homestar>
        <RaceLeader>Sorcon</RaceLeader>
        <Description>A race of traders that are tougher than they look.</Description>
        <ShortEmpireName>Shilodo</ShortEmpireName>
        <AIPersonality>5</AIPersonality>
        <LeaderGender>1</LeaderGender>
        <Portrait>Gfx\Race\Shilodo.png</Portrait>
        <Logo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo22.png</Logo>
        <SmallLogo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo22.png</SmallLogo>
        <DefaultTradePortrait>Gfx\Race\Shilodo_Trade minor.png</DefaultTradePortrait>
        <CustomizationPoints>0</CustomizationPoints>
        <CivType>3</CivType>
        <PoliticalParty>0</PoliticalParty>
        <RaceColor>166,124,82</RaceColor>
        <ShadowColor>128,128,128</ShadowColor>
        <UndefendedStarColor>72,21,7</UndefendedStarColor>
        <DefendedStarColor>192,128,32</DefendedStarColor>
        <SectorColor>166,124,82</SectorColor>
        <BaseColor>196,223,155</BaseColor>
        <TrimColor>166,124,82</TrimColor>
        <EngineColor>0,255,0</EngineColor>
        <InterfaceColor>166,124,82</InterfaceColor>
        <ShipStyle>Iconian Refuge Style</ShipStyle>
        <ModuleStyle>0</ModuleStyle>
        <Tech>Root</Tech>
        <ECONOMICS>100</ECONOMICS>
        <WEAPONS>0</WEAPONS>
        <DEFENSE>0</DEFENSE>
        <SPEED>0</SPEED>
        <MORALE>0</MORALE>
        <POPULATIONGROWTH>0</POPULATIONGROWTH>
        <SOCIALPRODUCTION>0</SOCIALPRODUCTION>
        <MILITARYPRODUCTION>0</MILITARYPRODUCTION>
        <RESEARCH>0</RESEARCH>
        <INFLUENCE>0</INFLUENCE>
        <TRADE>0</TRADE>
        <DIPLOMACY>0</DIPLOMACY>
        <HITPOINTS>0</HITPOINTS>
        <REPAIR>0</REPAIR>
        <SENSORS>0</SENSORS>
        <ESPIONAGE>0</ESPIONAGE>
        <SOLDIERING>0</SOLDIERING>
        <INTERESTRATES>0</INTERESTRATES>
        <PLANETQUALITY>0</PLANETQUALITY>
        <TRADEROUTES>0</TRADEROUTES>
        <CRIME>0</CRIME>
        <CABINET>0</CABINET>
        <RANGE>0</RANGE>
        <LUCK>0</LUCK>
        <COURAGE>0</COURAGE>
        <CREATIVITY>0</CREATIVITY>
        <GOVERNMENT>0</GOVERNMENT>
        <LOYALTY>0</LOYALTY>
        <LOGISTICS>4</LOGISTICS>
        <MINIATURIZATION>0</MINIATURIZATION>
                <Tech>HyperDrive</Tech>
        <Tech>IndustrialRevolution</Tech>
        <Tech>NeutralHistory</Tech>
        <Tech>FusionReactors</Tech>
        <Tech>TraditionalResearch</Tech>
        <Tech>Innovative History</Tech>
        <TechTree>MinorRace_TechTree</TechTree>
        </Race>
        <Race Name="Venix Hive">
        <RaceID>20</RaceID>
        <DisplayName>Venix Hive</DisplayName>
        <Alignment>1</Alignment>
        <Homeworld>Kohron</Homeworld>
        <Homestar>Venix</Homestar>
        <RaceLeader>Vanok the mighty</RaceLeader>
        <Description>A very nasty race of ant like insects bent on galactic rule.</Description>
        <ShortEmpireName>Venix</ShortEmpireName>
        <AIPersonality>5</AIPersonality>
        <LeaderGender>1</LeaderGender>
        <Portrait>Gfx\Race\Venix.png</Portrait>
        <Logo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo22.png</Logo>
        <SmallLogo>Gfx\Race\RaceLogo22.png</SmallLogo>
        <DefaultTradePortrait>Gfx\Race\Venix_Trade minor.png</DefaultTradePortrait>
        <CustomizationPoints>0</CustomizationPoints>
        <CivType>3</CivType>
        <PoliticalParty>0</PoliticalParty>
        <RaceColor>166,124,82</RaceColor>
        <ShadowColor>128,128,128</ShadowColor>
        <UndefendedStarColor>72,21,7</UndefendedStarColor>
        <DefendedStarColor>192,128,32</DefendedStarColor>
        <SectorColor>166,124,82</SectorColor>
        <BaseColor>196,223,155</BaseColor>
        <TrimColor>166,124,82</TrimColor>
        <EngineColor>0,255,0</EngineColor>
        <InterfaceColor>166,124,82</InterfaceColor>
        <ShipStyle>Iconian Refuge Style</ShipStyle>
        <ModuleStyle>0</ModuleStyle>
        <Tech>Root</Tech>
        <ECONOMICS>100</ECONOMICS>
        <WEAPONS>0</WEAPONS>
        <DEFENSE>0</DEFENSE>
        <SPEED>0</SPEED>
        <MORALE>0</MORALE>
        <POPULATIONGROWTH>0</POPULATIONGROWTH>
        <SOCIALPRODUCTION>0</SOCIALPRODUCTION>
        <MILITARYPRODUCTION>0</MILITARYPRODUCTION>
        <RESEARCH>0</RESEARCH>
        <INFLUENCE>0</INFLUENCE>
        <TRADE>0</TRADE>
        <DIPLOMACY>0</DIPLOMACY>
        <HITPOINTS>0</HITPOINTS>
        <REPAIR>0</REPAIR>
        <SENSORS>0</SENSORS>
        <ESPIONAGE>0</ESPIONAGE>
        <SOLDIERING>0</SOLDIERING>
        <INTERESTRATES>0</INTERESTRATES>
        <PLANETQUALITY>0</PLANETQUALITY>
        <TRADEROUTES>0</TRADEROUTES>
        <CRIME>0</CRIME>
        <CABINET>0</CABINET>
        <RANGE>0</RANGE>
        <LUCK>0</LUCK>
        <COURAGE>0</COURAGE>
        <CREATIVITY>0</CREATIVITY>
        <GOVERNMENT>0</GOVERNMENT>
        <LOYALTY>0</LOYALTY>
        <LOGISTICS>4</LOGISTICS>
        <MINIATURIZATION>0</MINIATURIZATION>
                <Tech>HyperDrive</Tech>
        <Tech>IndustrialRevolution</Tech>
        <Tech>NeutralHistory</Tech>
        <Tech>FusionReactors</Tech>
        <Tech>TraditionalResearch</Tech>
        <Tech>Innovative History</Tech>
        <TechTree>MinorRace_TechTree</TechTree>
          </Race>
If you want more minor races just copy and paste should do but remember stay far far far far fay away from the dred lords raceconfig.Its hard coded your game will crash everytime hope this helps you.                                                                                                           

Reply #2 Top

That does help! I wasn't sure if I could just add as many as I wanted or if there was a limit. Thank you very much!

Reply #3 Top

OK, I played around with this today and I got some of it to work, but not all.

I edited my RaceConfig.xml and I copied the Snathi, just for a starting point.

I pasted the Snathi section to the end of the file, and changed the <RaceID> to be one more than the last one in the file. I did this multiple times, adding about 8 custom minor races to the file. For each one I incremented the <RaceID> by one.

I started a new game with cheats enabled, and set it up to have 8 minor races. I hit Ctrl-U to remove the fog of war so I could see the whole map. My minor races seem to be working, but there are a couple of glitches.

<Homeworld> and <Homestar> don't seem to be working. I made up star and planet names to use with my races, and I put them in there. Each race has a different planet name. However, in the game they show up as "Race Name III" or something instead of the planet name I specify. Did I do something wrong, or is there something else I need to do?

Also, the "stuff" I'm using for these minor races are from the Formis Custom Race stuff that I downloaded on the site here. He made a bunch of portraits, logos, and movies to be used for custom races. The portraits and logos seem to work great, but not the movies. Do they only work for the major races? Also, using this same method, can I create more major races?

Thanks for your help!

Reply #4 Top

1. There is no way I know of to give the minor race homeworlds names of their own (instead of "Race Name III"); you can, however, manually rename them in-game if you want. However, I don't think it can be done with modding. It might be possible by tweaking the CustomPlanets.xml file, but I've never tried.

2. I believe minor races can't have race movies; none of the defaults do. I created a mod where I "switched" the major and minor races, so that (for instance) the Snathi are now a major race and the Drengin are a minor one. The former major/now minor races still have their original movies, but, in the one game I played with the mod, none of them showed up, so it may or may not work.

Reply #5 Top

That does make sense about the movies. I did just look and noticed that none of the pre-packaged minors had them.

Using this same method of editing the RaceConfig.xml file, can I create more major races? It would be kind of cool to start a game with X number of random opponents and see some of my own custom races show up. I have a feeling that would take a bit more modding though than just changing an XML file! :)

Thanks for all your help!