Enable AI to Build New Ships tutorial - Homeworld 2 Game

Homeworld 2

Relic Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment | Released Sep 16, 2003

Homeworld 2 continues the epic struggle of the Hiigarans and their leader Karan S'jet. Many thought their hardships would end when they returned to Hiigara, yet fate has not been so kind to the Exiles. Now the Hiigarans face a new and bitter enemy, a renegade clan from the eastern fringes of the galaxy, who wield the power of the ancients. Homeworld 2 chronicles the valiant journey of the Mothership and its crew into the oldest regions of the galaxy to confront their new foe and discover the truth behind their exile.

Report article Enable AI to Build New Ships

Okay, so you have a new race, or you've added a new ship into Homeworld 2. That's great and all, but your computer, no matter how good, doesn't know what to do with it. I will show you how to make your computer make sense of you new ship(s)

Posted by Mr.Grim on Jul 26th, 2006 digg this super bookmark
Intermediate Client Side Coding.

[page=Introduction]
Okay, so you have a new race, or you've added a new ship into Homeworld 2. That's great and all, but your computer, no matter how good, doesn't know what to do with it. I will show you how to make your computer make sense of you new ship(s).
[page=The ClassDef.lua File]
Before you can tell the AI to build the ship, you have to tell it what kind of ship it is. But this tutorial, I will show you two examples, a new race from my mod, the Progenitor, and to add a new ship, the "Bishop" Crew Transport (from the single-player mission). This is so you know how to add a new race to the listing.

Now, in you Data folder, add a new folder, name it "AI". This will contain all the AI needed files (but I'm sure you already knew that). Now, make sure to use the file given in the RND pack, this is because LuaDC does not properly de-compile the AI files (I have no idea why). Now, if you see, that is more-or-less a list of all the games ships. Now to add those ships. First, add the new Mothership for the Progenitor, Sajuuk. This is how it originally looked:

 code:
squadclass&#91;eM&#111;therShip&#93; = {
  HGN_MOTHERSHIP,
  
  VGR_MOTHERSHIP,
  VGR_MOTHERSHIP_MAKAAN,
}
 

I'm not sure of this, but you have to add the new ships in a specific order, and way (correct me if I am wrong). Now, under VGR_MOTHERSHIP_MAKAAN, we'll add Sajuuk. It should now be:

 code:
squadclass&#91;eM&#111;therShip&#93; = {
  HGN_MOTHERSHIP,
  
  VGR_MOTHERSHIP,
  VGR_MOTHERSHIP_MAKAAN,
 
  KPR_SAJUUK,
}
 

Hopefully you understand what need to be done. Now each "table" has a purpose, this first one was to define the Mothership. Now to add the Crew Transport. We'll define it as a Capital class ship.

 code:
squadclass&#91;eCapital&#93; = {
  HGN_TANKER,
  HGN_CARRIER,
  HGN_MOTHERSHIP,
  HGN_SHIPYARD,
  HGN_DESTROYER,
  HGN_BATTLECRUISER,
  HGN_DREADNAUGHT,
  
  VGR_CARRIER,
  VGR_MOTHERSHIP,
  VGR_MOTHERSHIP_MAKAAN,
  VGR_SHIPYARD,
  VGR_DESTROYER,
  VGR_BATTLECRUISER,
}
 

Now remember, it does matter whether or not you use uppercase and lowercase letters.

Now add all of your new ships to their appropriate place.
[page=The CPUBuild.lua File]
Okay, so the AI knows what?s what, but yet it doesn't know...what?s what? Well, it know what it's good for, it doesn't know whether or not it's something it needs to build, or something like that. It's time to go to the CPUBuild.lua file. It's fairly easy. If you?re just adding a new ship and isn't replacing and existing ship listed here (such as a replacement carrier, destroyer, etc.). If you?re adding a new race, everything changes. This is what my CPUBuild.lua file looks like, with the Progenitor added in (not the whole file, just the top section)

 code:
functi&#111;n CreateBuildDefiniti&#111;ns&#40;&#41;
  if &#40;s_race == Race_Hiigaran&#41; then
  
    kC&#111;llect&#111;r = HGN_RESOURCECOLLECTOR
    kRefinery  = HGN_RESOURCECONTROLLER
    kSc&#111;ut = HGN_SCOUT
    kIntercept&#111;r = HGN_INTERCEPTOR
    kB&#111;mber = HGN_ATTACKBOMBER
    kCarrier = HGN_CARRIER
    kShipYard = HGN_SHIPYARD
    kDestr&#111;yer = HGN_DESTROYER
    kBattleCruiser = HGN_BATTLECRUISER
    
  elseif &#40;s_race == Race_Vaygr&#41; then
  
    kC&#111;llect&#111;r = VGR_RESOURCECOLLECTOR
    kRefinery  = VGR_RESOURCECONTROLLER
    kSc&#111;ut = VGR_SCOUT
    kIntercept&#111;r = VGR_INTERCEPTOR
    kB&#111;mber = VGR_BOMBER
    kCarrier = VGR_CARRIER
    kShipYard = VGR_SHIPYARD
    kDestr&#111;yer = VGR_DESTROYER
    kBattleCruiser = VGR_BATTLECRUISER
 
  else
 
    kC&#111;llect&#111;r = KPR_MOVER
    kRefinery  = KPR_KEEPER
    kSc&#111;ut = KPR_ATTACKDROID
    kIntercept&#111;r = KPR_ATTACKDROID
    kB&#111;mber = KPR_MOVER
    kCarrier = KPR_KEEPER
    kShipYard = KPR_SAJUUK
    kDestr&#111;yer = KPR_KEEPER
    kBattleCruiser = KPR_DREADNAUGHT
    
  end
  
end
 

If you just look it over, I think you can understand what needs to be done. Just replace all the Progenitor ships, with your own, just make sure what you add in makes sense for what it's defined as (unless you don't have a ship that fits in, just add anything.)
[page=Hints and Tips]
Okay, that's all I know of AI scripting, I am trying to get the research enabled for the AI, but I've still to learn and debug the files. Instead, here are some things you should keep in mind.

Look for existing patterns
When adding in a new ship, try to add it in a way similar to that of what is already their. It will help ensure that it works.

Check for typos
This is the most important thing to remember, a single extra or missing letter, comma, or bracket can make the whole file useless. It has caused me so much trouble at times. It can save you allot of trouble to do it right the first time, even if it takes a little extra time or work.

If you?re stuck, ask for help
It's as simple as that, their are plenty of forums out their who can help. A great place to ask is at Relicnews Forums, a great community of Relic games and their mods.

Other Homeworld tutorials by me
Make sure to check out my Setting up a New Race tutorial. Their are more to come. :)