Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (
More info?)
I just sent the utility to Klingon Kommand to post. If you would like
a copy sooner, then please e-mail me through Drewheads. Here is a copy
of the documentation that I just typed up.
The VGAP4 Assistant utility is a simple console application that when
run will perform a series of tasks against exported CSV files from VGA
Planets 4. Below is a list of those tasks:
· Create more legible CSV files in a separate folder that will be
kept for historical data.
· Combine other player data into the CSV files when available. This
is good for allies to share data outside of the game.
· Offer suggestions for building structures, refueling ships, etc.
(This is not offered to the public yet.)
· Create a host script file from the data. This can be useful to
create a local test game for games that are hosted elsewhere to "see
what happens when...". This host script can be used in VGA Planets 4
Master (new game universe creation utility) or Diplomat to simulate
games. You can also open them for editing/viewing in ScriptZor.
· Compare previous turn(s) data and offer comments. (Not implemented
yet.)
Installation
To install this program, copy the VGAP4Assistant.EXE file into your
VGA Planets 4 installation folder.
Execution
To start the utility, double click on VGAP4Assistant.EXE from the
installation folder. An MS-DOS console will open and close. The
process is then complete. You should have first prepared the CSV files
(see below). Here is what was done:
· The CSV data was read into RAM.
· A new folder named VGAP4Assistant was created in your installation
folder if it didn't already exist.
· A subfolder under the VGAP4Assistant folder was created with a name
that is made up of your game's name and game ID if it didn't
already exist.
· An optional playerX.cfg configuration file (see below) is read.
· The VGAP4Assistant game folder is scanned for other player data
generated by VGAP4Assistant and combined into existing data in RAM,
using more accurate data where applicable.
· Parse through the data and offer suggestions for bases, ships and
planets. (This is not offered to the public yet.)
· Write out VGAP4Assistant data to its folder.
· Compare previous turn(s) data. (Not implemented yet.)
· Provide turn data analysis using historical data. (Not implemented
yet.)
· Create a host script file, placing it in the VGA Planets 4
installation folder's scripts directory.
How To Get The CSV Files
To export CSV files, simply open the VGA Planets 4 client
(PLANETS.EXE), select your slot, player and press Play Saved File as
normal. Once you have the game in view, press the OPT button on the
toolbar then press the Make CSV File button. The CSV files and a
descriptive text file are immediately written to your installation
folder. The files are: CSVInfo.txt, Planet.csv, Ship.csv, Base1.csv,
Base2.csv, Base3.csv, Base4.csv, and Base.csv. The Base.csv file is
broken up into 4 parts (due to the large amount of data) for you so
that it they can open in a spreadsheet program. The VGAP4Assistant
utility will not use the extra 4 Base files, but will use all of the
others.
(Optional) Player Configuration File
You have the option of creating a configuration file to provide
VGAP4Assistant with data that is not available in the CSV files. That
data is:
· The number of players in the game and which races they are.
· Which players are your allies?
· What is your tax setting at?
· Which bases would you designate as shipyards?
· Which bases would you designate as front-line resupply points?
· Which bases would you designate as training bases?
To provide this data, create a text file named playerX.cfg where X is
your player number in the game. Put this file in the directory created
by VGAP4Assistant for your game. For example, I would create a text
file named player1.cfg and put it in VGAP4Assistant\Greener
Recruits_ID48430097 for my Greener Recruits game on Drewhead's since
I am player 1 in that game. The contents of that file need to be
formatted as shown below. This example shows a 15 player game with
various examples.
It is recommended that at a minimum, the [players] area be provided.
The rest of the data is for the "offer suggestions" portion of the
code that isn't released yet.
#
# This file is manually generated by the VGAP4Assistant user. Use the
# instructions for each heading to provide information to the utility.
#
# Instructions: For players, list the race pack number for each player
in
# order so that the first race pack number is player 1, the next player
2, etc.
#
# Description: This will provide the utility with information about
racial
# special abilities of enemies and allow a host script to be generated
# properly.
[players]
109
802
104
102
803
803
109
111
808
110
810
110
108
808
107
# Instructions: For allies, list the player numbers of those you are
allied
# with.
#
# Description: This will skip attack and defense suggestions against
these
# players' ships and bases.
[allies]
7
8
14
15
# Instructions: For tax rate, place the tax code according to the chart
below.
#
# Chart:
# Ultra Conservative 1
# Conservative 2
# Liberal 3
# Complex 4
# Enslavement 5
#
# Description: This will provide the utility with information how much
income
# you are generated at your bases.
[tax rate]
1
# Instructions: For shipyards, list the base ID numbers.
#
# Description: This will generate suggestions to have nearby bases send
metals
# to shipyards.
[shipyards]
501
507
514
646
699
# Instructions: For front line bases, list the base ID numbers.
#
# Description: This will generate suggestions to have nearby bases with
# repair, fuel, and ordnance to send it to the front line bases.
[front line bases]
1512
1637
# Instructions: For training bases, list the base ID numbers.
#
# Description: This will generate suggestions to have colonists, crew,
troops,
# high guard and food/contraband sent to provide a proper training
facility.
[training bases]
1665
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