**OLD VERSION 1.1***UPDATED* Now configurable for any mod! ** A small external application that can be used to quickly generate a campaign playlist for skirmishes in the Ultimate Apocalypse mod.
*New Version Information at bottom*
Dawn of War - Campaign Generator
This application is to be used alongside Dawn of War Soulstorm with the Ultimate Apocalypse mod.
It allows you to very quickly randomize and create your very own campaign of skirmishes to play
alone or with friends. You can input some parameters for your personal campaign and then the rest
is all generated for you!
![main]()
How to use it:
Installation:
Simply copy the main folder in the zip file where ever you like and run DoWCG.exe.
![title]()
Starting a New Game:
![setup]()
Start by selecting "New Game" at the menu screen. It will bring up a list of items for you to
choose. These are:
Length of campaign: How many games do you want there to be? (You must input a number in the range [1-50])
Map restrictions: These buttons indicate which size maps will be included when generating your options
Theme: The theme option affects what kind of enemies will be a focus for your campaign. For example "The Tyranid Menace" theme will make tyranids a much more frequent opponent that you will be dealing with. You are not limited to these preset themes however and can create your own be selecting the "CUSTOM THEME" option. This will bring up several cells each labelled by the DoW races. Due to space constraints some are acronyms. I am sure you can figure out what they stand for but juuuusttt incase:
Chaos SM => Chaos Space Marines
Daemons => Chaos Daemons
IG => Imperial Guard
Inquisition => Inquisition Daemonhunters
SoB => Sisters of Battle
SM => Space Marines
These cells will by default be filled with the number '100' as they are distributed evenly. You can modify the values in each of these to essentially ADD weight to that race. So say you make Space Marines have a value of 1100 and leave everything else the same. This will make it so that Space Marines now have a 50% chance of being chosen as an enemy for every battle generated. This is because 1100 weight is Space Marines, and the sum of each of the other races weights is 1100. Other races with this distribution would now individually have a <5% chance of being chosen but there is still a 50% probability in total that Space Marines would not be chosen. Another way to think of it is like a lottery. There is guaranteed to be one lottery winning ticket and whoever has the most tickets is most likely to win.
Difficulty: Here you can set the difficulty of the games
How many players?: With this option you can increase the number of players participating with you up to 4 in total. This option will make it so that the battles generated will add more CPUs to match your players (Note: CPUs will be added by chance anyway but this ensures that the minimum increases)
After you are done choosing all your parameters you are done! Hit Generate! and it will prompt you to name your save file. After thats done you are ready
to start your campaign!
The Main Screen:
Once you've set up your campaign it will display to you a pretty simple interface. You have 3 battles that you can choose to play next. Each battle you choose will take you down a different branch and their options and state are saved. When you lose a game you will be sent back to the previous branch. So say your options are (a,b,c) and you choose 'b' and win. Now your options down the 'b' branch are (ba,bb,bc) and you choose 'ba' and lose. Well now you are sent back to the options (a,b,c) except 'b' will generate into something else because you ended the original threat.
On this screen it says what your win/lose count is and how far into your campaign you have made it.
To choose a battle you simply click on the portrait. Note the difficulty at the top, the CPU enemies you will face in the middle, and the map to be chosen at the bottom. These are the parameters you will choose for your skirmish in-game.
When you select the game, you can either click "Won!" if you won, or "Lost!" if you lost, or you can go back if you changed your mind.
BUT HOW DO I SAVE MY GAME?????
You don't need to! Your game is automatically saved when you close the application by either clicking "Exit" or closing the window. This condition does not
apply to closing via task manager.
Winning the Game:
When you win the game you will be presented with a "About this campaign" text field where you can write about the campaign you just won. This is an opportunity to write some lore about how you "stopped the ork onslaught" and what not. This, along with your win/lose ratio will be saved in the DoWCG\DoWCGSaveGames folder titled as (savename)Legacy.txt. Your original save file will be deleted as you have completed your mission.
Other items to note:
- Always make sure DoWCG folder and all files contained are in same directory as DoWCG.exe
- Do not delete or move any of the files in the folder DoWCG
- If files are changed or lost re-download.
- Games will be saved in DoWCG\DoWCGSaveGames\
- There is not an option to delete them within the app but you can simply delete their file
v1.1 info:
Fixed font and made many general fixes. Expanded app to be more user configurable as per Roderic2014's suggestion.
How to install:
Same method. You can copy and replace the new folder over the old one. This method will not affect any of your save files. :)
HOW TO MAKE DOW:CG WORK FOR ANY MOD:
There are two things you need to sort out if you want DoWCG to work for anything. That is, any map and any combination of factions.
1) First, you will want to use the MapFinder.exe program that is located in the DoWCG folder. There is a README located in this directory that explains how you can use it but the summary is that it allows you to find all the maps in your Soulstorm directory quickly and then choose which ones you want in the rotation for the main app. This is how you can *import* other mods maps.
2) Second, you will need to decide what factions you want. In the DoWCG folder there is a textfile called Factions.txt and a bunch of image files labeled r0.jpg, r1.jpg ... r11.jpg. These images are used for each faction listed in Factions.txt. In Factions.txt each race is listed with the name of these image files placed below. You can remove any race you like but make sure to also remove the image file they are associated with. If you wish to add a race, in a new line write the name of the race and then below the name of the image file to use. This image file must be in the DoWCG directory. If you do not have an image file you can simply write "null" and it will use temp.jpg.
Not too difficult :)
What is MapFinder.exe?
It is a program that can be used to search your Soulstorm directory and returns all map file names found. It touches them up a bit but it is pretty guaranteed that there will be some that you will need to format manually. This program makes it easy for you to do it however.
How to use it?
Start by selecting "Find Maps!". It will prompt you to copy and paste the path to your Soulstorm directory. It will check your input and make sure that your path is valid before scanning any files. To be clear, this is the path that ends with the folder "Dawn of War Soulstorm" (steam) or "Dawn of War - Soulstorm".
If you installed on disk: C:\Program Files (x86)\THQ\Dawn of War - Soulstorm
If you installed on steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Dawn of War Soulstorm
These are most likely your options.
After putting in the directory name it will return a list of all the file names it found in a text field. Go through this text field and format any names that are incorrect and to your liking. Sometimes map files don't have the player size attached to them and so you will need to add these. The format you want is: "#p name_of_map". So number of players (and make sure you leave a 'p' at the end) and then a space and the map name.
*Remember: "#p NAME_OF_MAP"
EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU SHOULD FORMAT EACH MAP NAME: e.g. (aceriaForests => 5p Aceria Forests)
Also feel free to delete any maps that you don't want in the rotation. (This won't affect any of your actual files!)
When you are finished you can hit "Save" and it will write them to the files in the DoWCG folder and become the new reference for DoWCG!
Advanced Details:
Any files that the computer can't figure out after your formatting will be placed in a text file called "UnknownMaps.txt". You can look in at these later and then add them into their correct map files.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE THE MAP COUNT AT THE TOP OF THE FILE IF ADDING MAPS MANUALLY. I suggest using a text editor like Notepad++ because it will show you the number of lines in the file so you don't have to count. Also the end-lines don't register in normal notepad so the list of maps will look hella confusing.
In case it wasn't clear, the number at the top of each maps file indicates how many maps are in the file. If you forget how many maps you added to the file but you know there are 50 lines in the file. Well, in the first line we know thats the map count. So there are 49 maps in the file. Update the map count this way. Don't worry about any of this stuff if you don't plan on adding maps manually.
Also make sure each map is given its own line. The computer reads them line by line since map names are usually composed of multiple words.
Intriguing
Made a video! Check it out.
Awesome!!! :D
For some reason I can turn on the menu but I can't click anything.
Thats really strange! It could be your java is out of date. Try downloading newest version Java.com. Also note this app only works for windows. (I havent tested it on other OS's)
I think it is like a launcher which arranges several skirmishes determined around a theme. In other words, it works at a level of skirmish setting.
Could it be adapted/work just for SS or other multiple-faction mods? There are many other factions if combined which are not necessary in UA by default and I think this procedure works independently of the particular attributes and winconditions.
The optimal solution for me could be some code to detect which factions are present independently of the mod which combines them. They should include themselves some tags to help the arrangements -probably based in the allies matrix of the Tabletop game-, or being covered in the code all possible factions.
Is the roster of maps selected from the detected maps or are they preconfigured? If it's by detection then this same concept could be applied to factions.
Congrats for your good idea to make skirmishes more enticing by planning them
Ok, I had a quick look at it. It is based on reading a list file so it's dependent on what you add in the list for both factions and maps but is very easy to edit for adapting and expanding it.
Nonetheless the images are linked to the factions and this is coded in the exe and thus, it's difficult expanding it to cover any addition. I would recommend as a suggestion to include a generic image as default for other factions.This way other factions could be added without errors (I guess) until you modify your code to link the proper images if available. Not elegant but functional.
Again I think it is a good idea to provide this thematic skirmishes and even better if you make place for extra content.
The new version makes it possible for you to edit factions and update maps :) Take a look at the new description or READMEs for details on how to accomplish what you outlined.
Wow impressed, really cool and very quick update!. Just imagine what have been DOWSS if they had cared to make something like this since the beginning
Better late than never :)
PS: for some reason my Java version 7.something doesn't allow the exe to run. Even more terrible the Java updater refuses to update. I hope to test this soon, just I don't know how and when
for some reason it does not open every time i click on it even though i have windows and the latest version of java. please help
Hi GertThePaladin,
What version of windows do you have? 64 of 32? You may want to make sure you have the correct java installed. Also restart your computer if you haven't done so recently.
it took a while but ive finally got it working. thank you so much for the help and kudos for this mod!
Sweet :) enjoy
COOL!1
Ok I am testing it now. The number of players is the number of allies + you if I'm not wrong but is it supposed that you can choose who you play with and is it never suggested?
Besides, are the list of enemies supposed to team up against your team? Have you considered an option of FFA for some skirmishes?
Another suggestion is that the choices for your enemies could be conditioned not only for the weights and the preferences between factions to ally but also to your own faction choice because afaik you can be choosing whatever and if you want to have something thematic instead of a mere match-up generator this could be relevant.
So to sum up, I'd like to see a suggested ally(ies) for >1 players and possibly condition the chosen enemies to the faction of your choice (which is the element around the campaign is based); even you would have the possibility to switch in case you have allies and want to play another army.
The project is a good one so take your time to consider the idea
Number of players is just to indicate if you are playing with friends and I may or may not implement the ally generation simply because time vs reward on this one. But I get bored so dont count it out yet :). I never really specified the rules but how you play each game is totally up to you. I actually kind of intended for games to be played FFA when there is multiple opponents. Unless the opponents are both of the same team (lorewise). So like if the battle says 2 tyranids, imperial guard, and space marines, I would assume the tyranids would be on a team and space marines/imperial guard would also be on a team. However its up to you how you want to set teams as its specific to the kind of campaign your trying to build. As for condition the battles according to your faction, I am not totally sure if its necessary. The weights for custom themes actually provide a lot of specification on the type of games generated and I feel like factoring in what faction you chose would only just add more weight to certain enemies. Something you could just specify in the custom theme. I could make it so you can edit your theme during the campaign however.
Ok, so more flexibility on the side of the player I guess
In case of thematic settings if you add more factions the weights I guess there are 100 by default so I don't know if there are the same as the rest but for the relevant ones which should have more. In case of customized theme the weights for new additions or different factions in case you replace them cannot be edited.
In a new iteration you could add a external file for weights or add this information in the factions.txt as a number and also possible to edit. By now the information is internal.
New races should be editable. Make your you update the number at the top of the Factions.txt file with the new count when you change the list. Same as you would for maps. The number tells the computer how many factions to expect.
Oh yes, I didn't realized that the weights are also editable in the cells after one update the number of total factions in the list.
Nothing else to add really. Highly recommended.
Cool :) I appreciate your support
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Cool idea !
A nice addition would be to be able to restrict maps size too, to avoid too big/small maps for example.
Even further to set ranges to restrict numbers of points/relics/slag deposits/criticals.
I don't even know if is possible :) I'm dreaming already.
The tool is very cool already ^^ thanks
The readme is saying that the tool to scan maps will touch them a bit, what will it do exactly ? formatting the name or something else ?
Map restriction is already in. Do you mean to be able to restrict it mid-game like the themes? I can definitely work that in :). The map finder does nothing to your files it just reads their names don't worry. It does try to format the names that it prints for you a little bit in order to save you time. Also, an unfortunate problem with the map finder right now is that the base game maps for Dawn of War are not included in save files and are actually internal. So the map-finder won't pick them up. Its not a big deal for Ultimate Apocalypse users because pretty much all the original maps have "Apocalysed" versions which do get picked up. But its something I should mention.
Thanks for your answer :)
I meant restriction of the size like 127, 256, 512, 1024. For example if I play big armies/titans war with UA 2 vs 2, I'd like to be able to get rid of the list maps smaller than 512.
Or to reach final tier in UA to get rid of maps without any critical points. Same idea about relics, slag deposits, number of SP. You could define a range, for example :
for my game 2v2 in UA with big armies, I want to have some power boost but not too much, I want opponents to fight over the relics and the critical points to have a challenge, I want a lot of SP to have a lot of turret outposts to defend and to spice it a bit, I want maps to be more ore less symetrical for a bit of balance... I will have theses restrictions for the map list:
- number of players : 4, 6, 8
- map size : 512, 1024
- Relics : min value 2, max value 3 (I want to filter to get only maps with 2 or 3 relics)
- Criticals : min 0, max 2 (sometimes no critical point, no final tier, to have varied challenge)
- Strategic Points : min 32, max infinite (I want maps with minimum 8 points per player)
- Slag Deposits : min 4, max 4 (one for each players)
Of course it implies reading info inside the map files, I have no idea if it is easy or not to do... but it would be cool and super customisable, especially enjoyable when having hundred of maps and having to choose before each play ^^
Also, about the original maps not being scanned by the mapfinder, since the list is known, you could add an option for non-UA players to add the names in the list after the scan. The names could pre-stored in a textfile or something ? No worries about me, I'm already an UA user ^^ but it could be useful to someone else.
@skellskull..thanks for a very innovative mod....now playing DOW for another 8 years..
;)
The pic says outdated, is there a new page with a new version, or what?
Moddb.com
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Will this work with dark crusade? i havent had a chance to get soulstorm yet and i dont think im gonna get it any time soon. (P.S. ignore the guest comment above, i forgot to login before i commented)
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hello I would like to know if you will continue with the mod?
Hi there. I am not currently working on this project although it would be interesting to make a better version at some point.
This was sort of a quick hack-together and I cringe a little thinking about it 😬
when facing multiple factions, are they supposed to all be on the same team or free for all? i feel like adding this as a clarification would be a nice addition to it. have the different teams clarified.
Is anyone still playing this in 2020?
First episode of a Campaign Series on YouTube using this mod has aired...see here: Youtu.be
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