View source for VML-helpfile1.1a.txt

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--------------------------Verker's VML-mod v1.1a help file--------------------------


	***contents***


 1-credits
 2-contents
 3-legal disclaimer
 4-file list
 5-installation
 6-version history v1.1 and v1.1a
 7-version history v1.0a and v1.0b
 8-version history v1.0   (final)
 9-version history v0.9b (beta 3)
10-version history v0.9a (beta 2)
11-version history v0.9 (beta)
12-known issues, bugs
13-feedback, download of latest version

14-appendix-the ideas behind VML (original posting for v0.9 from RGCS)



	***credits***


+ VML-modfile and VML-helpfile by Mag. Dieter "Verker" Wallisch, 2002-2003 
(http://members.chello.at/verker/VML-download.html)


+ Splashscreen graphics "Ventilation" by Moin (http://phusion9.edesigns.nl/)
+ StarEd by Stuart "Pirate Lord" Douglas (http://www.pirates.retreat.btinternet.co.uk) 
+ Stars! v2.0 by Jeff Johnson and Jeff McBride (http://www.crisium.com)
+ Ship icons from Stars! Supernova Genesis, copyright MareCrisium (http://www.crisium.com)
+ Stars! v2.7h published by empire interactive


+ With support from L.W.Johnstone, S.Douglas and T.Yamamoto - thank you guys!
+ With support from my girl Hannelore, who is so incredibly understanding about my Stars! 
addiction - I love you! 



	***legal disclaimer***


The VML-mod and all its files are provided for free and "as is". You are using them at your
 own risk. The author will not take responsibility for any errors, failure or harm that may
 occur on soft- or hardware, within networks, or for any losses that could possibly be due 
to such a failure. This is unofficial work by a private person, 100% free from any commercial
 issues: The author is not and was not involved with the makers of Stars! or with their 
publisher, empire interactive, in any way. Neither of these have tested or given any kind of
 permission for this mod (*). They will not offer any help or support for any problems caused
 by a modified .exe file.

(*) Well, concerning mare crisium, I can report that in their eyes the (quote) "Stars! 2 
lifespan has exceeded any reasonable expectation by a huge margin; user community efforts like
 this to keep it alive are pretty cool. [...] Mare Crisium won't harass you about this kind
 of thing, as long as it isn't abused." (end quote)

Important: Stars! is copyrighted software. You need to buy a retail version or serial code 
to run the game. Unless you legally own a copy, you are neither allowed to download the 
VML-files, nor to use it playing the game. You are not allowed to pass or publish the 
VML-files, change their content or put them on your website for download, without the authors
 permission.

Since using them requires substantial changes to be made to the original Stars!.exe file, the
 author advises to make a backup of this file before using VML.



	***file list:***


The VML-mod comes in a .zip package called “VML_1.1a.zip”. It contains a modified Stars!.exe 
named “VML-modfile1.1a.exe” and the docs you’re currently reading named either 
“VML-helpfile1.1a.txt” or "VML-helpfile1.1a.doc" in the WinWord version.



	***installation***


This mod was made with/for Stars! 2.6j rc4 (english) and will only work properly with that 
version. Upgrade now, if you haven't already.

Installing it is simple: Just copy “VML-modfile1.1a.exe” into your Stars! directory and 
you’re done. You can now choose between running std Stars! or the VML-mod by doubleclicking
 the desired .exe file.

There were several reasons to provide a modified .exe instead of a .stm file (a filetype 
used by StarEd to modify the original Stars!.exe): it is simple, you do not need to 
manipulate with files, you do not need to download and install Xtreme Borders and StarEd
 (though you should, check Stuart Douglas’ website www.pirates.retreat.btinternet.co.uk).
 And there’s the updated graphics in VML: You won't get these by using an .stm file.



	***version history: Changes in v1.1 and v1.1a***


999	switched to Stars! v2.6 jrc4 (registered shareware) instead of former 2.7 jrc3
000	Included splashscreen
001	revised item graphics where necessary
002	increased resource cost of IT exclusive stargates
003	reduced range of chaff shredders to r6
004	changed weight of construction modules
005	changed engine names
006	lowered con level of PB hull by 1 (now at 14)
007	lowered con level of ultra station by 1 (now at 15)
008	lowered con level of deathstar by 1 (now at 19)
010	increased starbase shipyard to 1600kt
011	updated the helpfile
012	some minor changes (correcting graphics)
013	added gp slots on ultra and deathstar instead of elec/mech ones
014	all 32 pcs race emblems now with a new look



	***version history: Changes in v1.0a and v1.0b***


001	Superlatanium and heavy strobnium had their armor value reduced by 125 pts to 
        1375 dp, to prevent a math overflow in dp on ultra stations and deathstars 
002	Made changes to the DN hull: inevitable, since putting heavies all over weapon
        and armor slots will cause a math overflow in weight. New ditribution of slots,
        that allows a maximum of 22 shields / or 10 armor / or 30 weapons. This may be
        less than the original DN, but still seems ok compared to the MkII BB, which 
        has a maximum of 14 shields / 8 armor / 22 weapons. 
003	Reduced every combo slot in the game by 1, resulting in the galleon having 2*1,
        the pocket nubian 4*1, the nubian 4*2 
004	Made changes to the HE metamorph hull: slot distribution 6-3-3-2-2-1 gp slots, 
        less engines required and a cost decrease in order to keep it attractive vs the 
        galleon with its combo slots 
005	Galleon moved from con13 to con14 (see above) 
006	The cost for std TF decreased to 80, in case of TT to 60 points, in order to 
        shorten CAs advantages a little more
007	Had help from a pro implementing correct pictures for stargates, TF tech and 
        minelaying robots



	***version history: Changes in v1.0***


Only minor tweaks, but using a modified .exe that contains different pictures for 
the shiplines. Updated the helpfile.



	***version history: Changes in v0.9b (beta 3):***


000	Chaff shredders now have appropriate power settings to cut through chaff 
        a lot faster than missiles do, without representing a serious threat for 
        main line warships of their areas (power ratings: Mk I 60dp / Mk II 150dp / Mk III 375dp)
001	Swapped the picture sets of Galleon Mk II and Medium Freighter, resulting 
        in the MF now having the picture set of the original small freighter. 
        Tweaked the look of Galleon Mk II hull (slim cargo bay) to better fit the 
        looks of the picture set, which was originally the MF one. See changes in 
        0.9a how the Galleon got the picture set of the original small freighter 
        (I know, I know - clear as mud, but it is 3:30am meanwhile...)
002	Increased the con tech levels needed to get bases with unlimited shipyards. 
        There's no reason to get these when the big hulls are still a long way to 
        get. The strong improvements to bases in general will hopefully cope for the 
        setback this will mean to AR races growth. Ultras now at con16, deathstars 
        at con20
003	"Switched" the PB and BB hulls flexibility after a newsgroup poll. The BB 
        "Mk II" now gets the flexibility which the former PB hull had. You will now 
        get the smaller, inflexible PB hull earlier than the revised BB Mk II hull
004	Changed the DNs rear elec slots into elec/mech ones, to keep his flexibility 
        advantage over the BB Mk II hull. Revised DN now also named "Mk II"
005	Revised the shiplines con tech requirements accordingly to the changes named 
        above: PB hull at con15, BB Mk II hull at con19, PN hull at con22, DN Mk II 
        hull at con21. This looks closer than it is in reality, since you won't get 
        the alien hull all the time and since only WMs get the DN Mk II ofc
006	Fitted revised shipline with appropriate hull initiative, from Nubian lowest
        (init1) to scout highest (init10). See changes of v0.9 about reversing init 
        values
007	Slight changes to the gas pump starbase hull: increased cost a little, reduced 
        shipyard capacity to 75 kt



	***version history: Changes in v0.9a (beta 2):***


000	Lowered the required con levels for both the CC and BC hulls by 1 (now con10
        and con11)
001	Increased the required con levels for the PN (supplied by the MT) by 2 (now 
        con22), altered mineral costs for the PN
002	Revised the Galleon Mk II hull (now with 2*2 combo slots). Galleon now has 
        the picture set from the former small freighter hull
003	Revised the PB costs, in order to avoid it being too expensive vs the BB 
        when 1st available, due to the latter getting miniaturization benefits. PB 
        now has the picture set from the former Galleon hull
004	Revised chaff shredder weapons, which should now occur at a time when chaff 
        becomes interesting [power still subject to change in v1.0], shredders now 
        cost mainly Ger
005	Alien mining robot now requires additional bio tech to become available
006	Introducing heavy armor plates for starbases only. 2 types, which require 
        high con
007	Adapting armor items to fit with the starbase armor plates concept. Higher 
        con levels for Kelarium, Valanium (now at 600dp)
008	Introducing bionic and depleted bionic armor for ships (need bio tech, Ger 
        to build)



	***version history: Changes to Stars!.exe in v0.9 (1st beta):***


000	Changed stargates with infinite weight limits into ones with high weight 
        limits (now 750/300, 1500/800, 1500/any) in order to prevent ITs from gating 
        vessels with items, which are intended to be "starbase only"
001	Renamed mass drivers (only std drivers are called mass drivers, PP exclusive 
        ones have different names). Slight changes of tech requirements and costs of 
        the PP exclusive drivers [VML-mod v1.0 may feature higher warps for PP drivers 
        if players demand that]
002	Changed r0 weapons into long range, starbase exclusive chaff shredders (3 types)
003	Changed cap missiles into starbase exclusive components. Altered tech requirements 
        and chance to hit.
004	Changed torpedoes to fit with the cap missile changes (mass, range, cth)
005	TF now at higher tech levels in general (eg radTF +/-15 at weap20)
006	TT slightly cheaper but at higher bio fitting with altered std TF, altered 
        values a bit, highest levels need con tech, too
007	Genesis device cheaper in res, but needs minerals to engage (to be run on reds)
008	Mining robots have a 20-25% increase in efficiency
009	Altered weight of ML robots, slightly increased ML rate of speed traps
010	Altered free warpspeeds of ramscoop engines, to limit vessels using starbase 
        exclusive items. Engine names now reflect free warpspeeds [exact values still 
        subject to change]. 
011	Replaced the small freighter hull with the PB hull (pocket battleship)
012	Revised the Galleon
013	Increased con tech needed for CC, BC, BB, DN ships (eg BB at con 16 now)
014	Replaced the mini morph with the PN hull (pocket Nubian)
015	Reduced fuel capacity of Nubian, Sfx, Galleon, DN, BB, BC
016	Altered initiative values for std ship hulls, basically reversing them
017	Nubians now have a limited number of combo slots
018	Replaced the orbital fort with the gas pump (90kt shipyard)
019	Increased base armor of all bases
020	Slightly increased tech requirements for ultras and death stars, added 3rd 
        orbital slot on these
021	Limited the std starbase to a 1250kt shipyard



	***Known issues, bugs:***


001	The braindead AI won't be able to make the most of the changes. Expect 
        starting vessels to be useless, expect weird ship designs. This mod is 
        made for human (pbem) play!
002	Some items may show incorrect pictures. ***fixed***
003	When the MT gives out ships, it will use the known designs, but based on 
        the revised hulls. The designs you get may turn out to be completely useless, 
        maybe not even able to go anywhere
004	SS without con expensive and without start at3 will start with a "shadow 
        transport" ship. The exe uses the known design (1 engine, 1 transport cloak), 
        but with the PB hull, which will become available at con20 in the game. You 
        cannot copy, but edit the design - the exe won't let you build any ships based 
        on that before con20, so this is consodered a minor bug. It is true that SS will 
        have an advantage when scrapping the ship (tech level advance, small amount of 
        minerals), but that isn't completely unthematic with its spying bonus.

Hosts using this mod should inform players whether they have to delete the design, 
        losing the ship, or whether scrapping it is allowed. All the above is valid 
        for other cases, when a race starts with a ship based on the former small 
        freighter hull (don't know any).



	***downloads, feedback, bug reports***


You can download the latest version of the VML-mod and check out other Stars! stuff at


http://members.chello.at/verker/VML-download.html


Please send your feedback to verker@home.pages.at. I will be running a pbem with my 
mod from time to time, just check RGCS or the "VML-lounge" at the AH forum 
http://library.southern.edu/sahforum/index.php?t=thread&frm_id=36&rid=130&S=23ab755a919927e2ba07f6436cd38ed6

, if you're interested to play.



Have fun playing the VML-mod – keep Stars! alive.


Verker, Feb. 4th, 2003




------------------------------------end of helpfile---------------------------------------





----------------------------------------appendix------------------------------------------


***the ideas behind VML (original posting for v0.9 from rec.games.computer.stars)***

Hi all,

Warning: this is for tough Stars! addicts only. But before we start:

1st of all, my credit and respect goes out to Stuart Douglas, who provided
the great StarEd utility to our community. Unfortunately his program, which
allows to modify a lot of things in the Stars!.exe, so far didn't get the
attention it deserves IMHO. This post will try and change that. For those of
you who don't know yet, StarEd 1.2 is the current version, and you can get
it from Stuarts website: the URL is www.pirates.retreat.btinternet.co.uk
(note: you won't find the VML-mod there [yet], for now you'll have to mail
me for a copy. If you're running a well known Stars! website and you want to
become the home of the VML-mod, please drop me a line).

What does "VML-mod" mean?

Verker's-Missing-Link-modification: When I started modding Stars!, I had one
goal in mind: to create nothing less than the new "standard" version of
Stars! used in pbems and on AH - the missing link between Stars! 2.x and SN,
so to speak. Before you call me nuts: I'm not saying my current mod is or
will ever be anywhere close to that attempt - I'm just trying. Time will
tell if I / we manage to add a little to this wonderful game, instead of
just uselessly sitting around waiting for SN (which won't make it any time
soon it seems).

Note: I did contact Ron from AH about running a test with AH using the modded .exe. 
For understandable reasons, which I cannot mention here, Ron said he was unable to 
fulfill the request.

Keeping my goal in mind, I tried to avoid a common modding mistake: changing
too much at one time. Players shall still recognize "their" Stars!, tech
paths and breakpoints shouldn't differ so much that you get a whole new
game. What you won't find here is things like capital ships with 100eds of
slots, a change of SFXs into "carriers", big changes to PRT related items
etc. What you will find here is changes to items, which are too popular or
too unpopular in Stars! pbems IHMO, as well as changes, that should enhance
strategic/tactical abilities within the game. Don't worry, that's still a
*lot* of changes. You'll find a complete list of changes once the VML-mod
found its home on a website somewhere.

Following is a list of my most important changes to the Stars!.exe with some
explanations. BTW, I used Stars! 2.7 Jrc3 (english), just in case it
matters.

0) There's 3 things I didn't care about when doing the mod: (a) graphics -
you'll see things like a ML50 having a ML40 picture; I'll wait until someone
finds a way to manipulate the graphics in Stars! before I get to that (b)
the AI and the problems it has with my changes - guess what, you can test
the VML-mod vs the AI, but it's meant for human play in pbems; BTW I
designed it having a long slow tech game in mind (c) MT ship designs -
StarEd doesn't allow access in that area, so the MT will provide his well
know designs, now using a hull that won't fit.

1) Capital missiles is the place I started with. They're just too powerful,
too common are BB designs using them, too easy is it to take out even ARs
(note: I'm not too fond of ARs, still I have to mention them often here,
since starbase changes mean changing that PRT, too) deathstars using a few
BBs and some chaff. Also, I never quite liked the idea of ships having an
infinite amount of missiles aboard, like the Stars!.exe suggests. Finally,
torpedoes are hardly being used - at least compared to the cap missiles.

Since I regard starbases as way too weak in Stars!, the idea was to change
cap missiles into "starbase exclusive" items. That's not too easy to manage:
Stars! supports a weight up to 30000 kts for a single item. If you put a
single 30000 kt jihad missile on an empty CC hull using a FM engine, you end
up with a fuel consumption of approx 37767mg for a single year of warp 9
travel going 81.15 lys, about what I want to get. Unfortunately, that
doesn't do the trick. The Stars!.exe will go nuts and show (and calculate
fuel with) wrong low weight values, once a vessel exceeds a weight of
approximately 65000kts (I just hope there isn't a similar problem with fleet
weight, too - at least, in testing it doesn't seem so). Since Dreadnoughts
can carry a max of 40 missiles, a maximum weight of 1600kts per missile will
have to do.

That still leaves 3 cases of using 'em, besides on bases: stationary support
vessels for bases once you got unlimited shipyards [see below] (I'm ok with
that), gating them with IT gates (don't like that), going with ramscoops at
"free" warpspeeds (hmmm...).

Since IT's advantages are quite huge, I ended up with eliminating gates with
"any" weight capacity. ITs will still be able to gate a lot better than
anybody else, but with any gates still in the game, my attempt with the
capital missiles would have been completely useless.

The ramscoops are a different case: Warp for free always seemed a strange
idea from my POV, especially at higher speeds. But since NRSE is a very
common choice these days and since I like the idea of being able to still
possibly use cap missiles on ships, but being reduced to slow speeds (or a
few missiles) doing that, I decided to go a compromise here: ramscoops will
still go for free in some cases, but only at low warps, enabling you to
mount cap missiles on ships going slow. So, choosing NRSE in the RW
basically means you loose that option playing the VML-mod (at least until
you get the alien engine, that is...). The downside here is that I had to
manipulate with both fuel consumption of engines (eg even the best ones burn
more fuel now at high warps - boy, the consumption graphs look nasty, but
they are working for me as long as I don't have the time to get that better)
and with base fuel in the various (fighter) hulls. Overall, fuel and
supporting vessels should play a bigger part in the VML-mod.

I kept the missiles at r6 and r7 - basically, bases using them will outrange
ships with torpedoes by 2 at compareable tech due to the +1 range advantage,
that bases get.

2) Torpedoes were changed to fit the idea above: light (compared to cap
missiles, still not easy to gate), affordable, need some computer power to
hit, ranging from r3 for the alpha to r6 for the omega.

3) Bases - being a part of the cap missile concept, they recieved some
changes. Eg., their base armor went up a lot. Also, I never liked the idea
that you could have an unlimited shipyard right from the start. It is more
than difficult to change that, keeping ISB useful as is at the same time,
and keeping ARs special needs in mind. Part of the problem is the starting
equipment of races, esp so with the 2 planet PRTs. Even if you change the
orbital fort into some kind of ultra station requiring con20 to build, IT
and PP will still start having their 2nd world fitted with one. Damn.

If you're setting the starbase con20 - same here, everybody gets one at the
start. I still considered that an option: you got 1 unlimited dock from the
start, which you cannot reproduce for a long time - but ARs need for bases
to grow in doesn't make that idea work.

Check the mod for what I ended up with. I hope limiting the starbase to a
shipyard of below 1600kt will do the trick. It will also hinder you to put
cap missiles or chaff shredders (see below) on ships, even single ones.
Basically, everybody will get a cheap dock instead of the fort, while ISB is
needed to mount cap missiles on ships via ultras, unless you have the
deathstar.

Best bases now support 3 orbital slots for a gate plus 2 mass drivers.

I'm still unsure wether the tech requirements for the bases go well enough
with the new shipline con requirements. May well be they don't.
Unfortunately, I don't have the time to do more testing - in any case, I had
to stay as close as possible to the old tech requirements for ultras and
deathstars, otherwise the ARs would complain too much I guess. IOW: tech
level requirements for starbase hulls are subject to change due to players
reports for the 1.0 version of VML-mod.

4) Alien items general: in general, learning to build alien items will
always allow you to do things that can't be done other ways - at least not
for the given cost. Eg the alien engine is the only one allowing vessels
with cap missiles to go warp8 for free, the alien hull is the only one being
perfectly versatile before the Nubs etc.

Concerning the genesis device, a lot of players wished it was cheaper in
order to be able to run it at reds. Consider that done, but you'll need some
stuff to engage the thing (minerals).

5) Ship hulls are a big issue. I tweaked 1 unpopular to be a bit more
versatile and cheaper (the galleon), while I added another fighter instead
of the useless small freighter. AFAIK, there's no situation where your race
starts with a small freighter, so that should work. Think of it as a pocket
BB, smaller, cheaper, slightly more versatile, but coming after BB tech. I
also tried to spread fighter hulls a lot more over the tech tree, in order
to lenghten periods, where a certain vessel rules the battlefield. Nubs will
now be able to carry limited amounts of bombs / mining robots if needed,
using a few combo slots.

When Stuart Douglas set up his own mod, one of the players involved
suggested to reverse hull initiative, making the weakest hulls firing 1st,
the strongest firing last in general. I liked that idea and included it. The
numbers may or may not change a bit in v1.0. The idea goes well with my
imagination of small ships being quicker and more maneuvreable than big
ones. Other than that I tried to stay away from the PRT related ones, but
there's a small change in WMs DN base armor.

6) Terraforming happens later in the tech tree now, and TT at higher bio
(+con needed for the best levels), hopefully taking away some of CAs power
that comes from there. Hope it is enough to increase CAs played in pbems
again. TT also has a bit lower resource cost now, helping non-CAs and -f
races a bit more. There's little TF left at low tech.

7) Remote mining is more effective = attractive now. The robots eff was
increased by about 20-25%, that should be enough to see more non-OBRM
designs out there. Maybe the increase I made was too big - if so, I'll tweak
that once more results come in.

8) One of the good ideas I didn't include, was copying the cap missile
concept to armor parts. Some light ones for ships, some very hevy and tough
ones for bases. The number of std armor in the game seemed to low in my eyes
to do the things I had in mind there. Maybe I'll change my mind and include
that later.

9) Mine layers got changes in both weight of the robots and eff, esp the
speed traps are now lighter, while heavies are - guess... ;-)

10) Orbital items: I already pointed out that even IT gates are not
unlimited in weight any more. Testing will show if I got the new ranges into
a useful position. Check the VML-mod for details. Starting a PP revival
seems difficult from my POV. Still, I tried to make the exclusive throwers
look more tempting (other - lower - tech levels needed, cheaper).

11) Range0 beams are hardly being used in the original version. Since my
starbase concept needed a way to get rid of simple chaff attacks, I replaced
the r0 beamers with low power, high weight r8 gatlings (base exclusive chaff
shredders, say). I'm quite sure I messed their power along with that range
(hints welcome here), the idea here is the 1st one being able to cut through
a lot of scout chaff, the 2nd just managing FFs. The 3rd will be WM only and
also take kind of DD chaff, to counter a little for that lack of minefields.
I'm yet to testbed that decently.

Ok, if you managed to read all that stuff until here, you made it, you're
really interested in modding Stars! Ofc there's some things included which I
didn't mention here... Mail me, play the mod and see if you love it or hate
it!

 You can download VML-mod v0.9 (still a beta version, since it still needs a
lot of balancing) including this introduction and a (soon to come)
"list-of-changes" .txt-file as soon as I found a webmaster willing to host
it on his page, meanwhile you need to mail me for a copy (size:42KB). Any
reactions / testers welcome ofc. Please send your feedback to
verker@home.antispam.pages.at while removing the obvious part of the
address. I'll be running a test pbem with my mod shortly if reactions are
positive: just mail me or post here, if you're interested to take part in
that one, or host your own (just remember playing it at AH won't work at the
moment, since AH is using the original unmodded Stars!.exe, naturally).

FWIW,


-- Dieter    ¦¦¬]
-- alias "Verker" on various NGs. Delete "antispam." in my address to reply.

-- "Ugh! Macs, I figured people who use mac's by choice must get overwhelmed
-- by the number of choices on a 2 button mouse so mac's always come with
-- one button mouses." Blake Walsh posting on rec.games.computer.stars


------------------------------------end of appendix---------------------------------------