Customizing the Game

 

Overview
There are many elements in Space Empires IV which you as a player can modify. All of the data files for the game are simple text files and can be easily edited with any text editor (such as Notepad). All of the graphics for the game are stored in bitmap files (.bmp) which are easily edited with any graphical editing program (such as Paint).  
   
Data Files
Abilities.txt This file gives a description for the different abilities in the game. This file is not actually used by the game.

CompEnhancement.txt

This file lists all of the different weapon mounts that can be selected for components on designs.

Components.txt

 This file lists all of the components and their capabilities that can be used on ships.

Cultures.txt

 This file lists all of the different cultures and their modifiers.

DefaultColonyTypes.txt

 This file lists the different colony types that you can choose from for a colony.

DefaultDesignTypes.txt

 This file lists all of the different design types that you can choose for a new design.

DefaultStrategies.txt

 This file lists all of the strategies that you start the game with.

Demeanors.txt

 This file lists the different demeanor descriptions that can be selected for a new empire.

EmperorNames.txt

This file lists all of the different sample emperor names that you can choose for a new empire.

EmperorTitles.txt

 This file lists all of the different sample emperor titles that you can choose for a new empire.

EmpireNames.txt

 This file lists all of the different sample empire names that you can choose for a new empire.

EmpireTypes.txt

 This file lists all of the different sample empire types that you can choose for a new empire.

Events.txt

 This file lists the different events that can occur in a game and their descriptive messages.

Facility.txt

 This file lists all of the facilities and their capabilities that can be built on planets.

Formations.txt

 This file lists all of the formations which can be used for fleets in the game.

Happiness.txt

 This file lists the different happiness types and their effects which can be chosen for a new empire.

IntelProjects.txt

 This file lists the intelligence projects that can be undertaken in the game and their effect amounts.

PlanetSize.txt

 This file lists the different planets sizes and the amount of storage each one has.

QuadrantTypes.txt

 This file lists the different quadrant types that you can choose when setting up a new game. The quadrant type dictates how the solar systems will be generated when you start a new game.

RacialTraits.txt

 This file lists all of the different racial traits that an empire can select.

SectType.txt

 This file lists the different planets and their descriptions.

Settings.txt

 This file contains all of the general settings for the game.

StellarAbilityTypes.txt

 This file lists the different abilities for stellar items in the SystemTypes.txt file.

SystemNames.txt

 This file lists the different names that are used for systems in the game.

SystemTypes.txt

 This file lists the different system types that can be created in the QuadrantTypes.txt file.

TechArea.txt

 This file lists the different tech areas in the game, their research cost, and their maximum tech levels.

VehicleSize.txt

 This file lists the different ship and unit sizes which can be used in the game.
   
Picture Directories
Combat This directory contains the pictures used for torpedoes, beams, and explosions.
Components This directory contains all of the different component pictures used in the game. The "planets.bmp" contains a collection of all of the small pictures used in the game. Each one is 36x36 pixels, and you can add more by merely increasing the size of the bitmap in 36 pixel increments. Each component also has a 128x128 portrait picture.
Events This directory contains all of the event pictures. Event pictures are 128x128 pixels.
Facilities This directory contains all of the different facility pictures used in the game. The "facility.bmp" contains a collection of all of the small pictures used in the game. Each one is 36x36 pixels, and you can add more by merely increasing the size of the bitmap in 36 pixel increments. Each facility also has a 128x128 portrait picture.
Game This directory contains general bitmaps used to support the game.
Planets This directory contains all of the different planet pictures used in the game. The "planets.bmp" contains a collection of all of the small pictures used in the game. Each one is 36x36 pixels, and you can add more by merely increasing the size of the bitmap in 36 pixel increments. Each planet also has a128x128 portrait picture.
Race Generic This directory contains a generic race style which is used as a default if the specific race pictures cannot be found. The Neutral Races do not have ship pictures of their own, and by default, use these pictures.
Race Neutral This directory contains the graphics which are used for all of the netural races. Each race is in its own subdirectory.
Races

This directory contains the graphics and AI files which are used for the different races of the game. Each race is in its own subdirectory.

For more details on the picture layout for a race style, see Race Styles.
Stellar This directory contains all of the stellar manipulation animations graphics.
Systems This directory contains the graphics for the different system types such as Normal, Black Hole, and Nebulae.
   

AI
AI_Anger.txt This file describes how much this AI player will grow angry at different actions by other players.
AI_Construction_ Facilities.txt This file dictates what kind of facilities this AI player will construct.
AI_Construction_ Vehicles.txt This file dictates what kind of vehicles this AI player will construct.
AI_DesignCreation.txt This file gives the general pattern for this AI player's designs.
AI_General.txt This file gives the general descriptions and setup values for this AI player.
AI_Planet_Types.txt This file sets the parameters for setting the colony types of new AI colonies.
AI_Politics.txt This file controls the political reactions of this AI player.
AI_Research.txt This file gives the order of tech research for this AI player.
AI_Settings.txt This file contains general settings and values for this AI player.
AI_Speech.txt This file contains all of the saying that the AI player uses during the game.
AI_Strategies.txt This file gives the AI player's starting strategies.