Posts from Is it possible to create mods?

Hello.
I have been involved in mapmaking for Heroes 4 for quite some time, but throughout my mapmaking experience, I have only used the standard features of the editor. Now that I am working on a large-scale RPG project, I would like to know if it is possible to create mods?
Thank you in advance for your answer.

Since there is a mod for HoMM4 – **Equilibris**, which has more extensive features compared to "Whirlwinds of War", it seems possible.

We need to create new mod files for artifacts, units, and so on, and then we need to know where to enter their properties, somehow add them to the registry, and maybe change the scripts. Basically, something like that.

Equilibris is not a mod; it's a full-fledged expansion pack, and I was referring to mods that introduce new creatures, artifacts, and so on. In Heroes of Might and Magic V, for example, it seems like you can...

"Equi" - IMHO, it's a mod, as it only modifies the game. It doesn't contain new races, creatures, full-fledged campaigns, or scenarios, so it doesn't qualify as an add-on. However, it does include 6 new artworks.
In the context of HoMM4, all that an ordinary user can do is make cosmetic changes to the parameters of existing objects and their descriptions. Adding new content is quite problematic.

Regarding HoMM4, all that an average user can do is make cosmetic changes to the parameters of existing objects and their descriptions. Adding new ones is quite problematic.

How can changes be made?

Added 3 minutes later
And is it still possible to create new ones? :)

A simple example: take the game archive text.h4r, unpack it. From the many tables, choose the one you need (for example, creatures.h4d, which contains the parameters of creatures, their growth rate, etc.). Edit it as needed. Then pack it back up (into the existing archive or a new one). Check the changes in the game.
Programs for unpacking, packing, and editing are available online. If needed, I can upload them.

As far as I remember, the developers of "Equi" refused to create new creatures because there are no source codes for the game, and inserting such changes using hacks can be risky. You can find more details on the "Equilibris" forum.

P.S. Are the capabilities of "Equi" insufficient for an RPG project?

A simple example: take the game archive text.h4r, unpack it. From the many tables, choose the one you need (for example, creatures.h4d, which contains the parameters of creatures, their growth, etc.). Edit it as needed. Then pack it back (into the existing archive or a new one). Check the changes in the game.
There are programs for unpacking, packing, and editing available online. If needed, I can upload them.

As far as I remember, the developers of "Equi" refused to create new creatures because there are no source codes for the game, and inserting such changes using a hack is risky. You can find more details on the "Equilibria" forum.

P.S. Are the capabilities of "Equi" not sufficient for an RPG project?

I understand.
The capabilities of Equi are not sufficient because I DON'T HAVE IT!
I once downloaded it, installed it, and nothing (absolutely nothing) changed; the vortices remained as they were.

2__VeT__,

There aren't enough possibilities with Equi, because I don't have it!

Strong argument :)

I once downloaded and installed it, and nothing changed (absolutely nothing). The vortices were still there.

"Vortices" should remain - the mod doesn't affect them; it's installed "in parallel" with the main game. It's launched with a separate .exe file.

There, Valex, I also get an error saying that your counter-sum for Heroes 4 doesn't match the standard. They ask you to read the section, which is also dead, just like the Westwood studio (what a pity). An incompletely installed mod says that it is not a Win32 application. And all that remains is to hope for "Whirlwinds of War."

2nikitos palisos,

You need to download the CD-less executable file beforehand.
I will now prepare a build that doesn't require any extra steps and upload it to "narod".
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I have compiled the Equilibris ver. 3.55 installer.
It contains the latest version of the mod (base 3.55 + all fixes for it + updated texts). It is installed in the directory with the installed "Heroes". It does not affect "Warlords". It is launched with the h4mod.exe file.
It contains an updated map editor, the c_e_mod.exe file.
The map editor has added panels: "Equilibris" [contains new objects that appeared in the mod] and "Hidden Objects" [HoMM4 objects hidden by the developers].
A test map has been added to the \maps directory, where you can see the new objects: Test_3.55.h4c.
Information about the new features of this version of the mod can be found here: Readme_355.txt

Link to download the installer: http://narod.ru/disk/33264546001/install_Equilibris_v.3.55.exe.html

Wow, it's dark, it works, thank you! But the new objects look a bit dull, no offense, and the levitation boots, do they allow you to fly like in Heroes 3? Do they appear as random artifacts? If so, then you'll have to practically ban their spawning on almost all maps.

2nikitos palisos,

What grudges – I’m not the mod creator :) It doesn’t matter how they look, IMO; what matters is how they work.
“Levitation Boots” allow the hero to fly in battle.
You can read the descriptions of objects by right-clicking on them.

Okay, I understand. What is the purpose of the arrows in hidden object scenes?

Arrows can be used as direction indicators (for movement or to point to a specific object. Or: red – danger, green – safe passage; in general, use them however your imagination suggests). As I mentioned before, the mod allows you to display the values of numerical variables in text (I provided an example). This means you no longer need to write long scripts like: if variable "A" = 1, then display the text "one, one, one" if variable "A" = 2, then display the text "two, two, two" and so on. Moreover, the mod allows you to create conditional statements in the text. Here's a simple example: ?(PUZZLE_Temple5=1 : `Red` | PUZZLE_Temple5=2 : `Orange` | PUZZLE_Temple5=3 : `Yellow` | PUZZLE_Temple5=4 : `Green` | PUZZLE_Temple5=5 : `Blue` | PUZZLE_Temple5=6 : `Indigo` | PUZZLE_Temple5=7 : `Violet`) sea wave symbol. Accordingly, depending on the value of the PUZZLE_Temple5 variable, the following will be displayed on the screen: " sea wave symbol". The syntax is copied exactly: the text for each value of the variable is enclosed in backticks; the presence of spaces between the : and | symbols does not seem to matter