Planet names

English.str - limits?

from Sins Forums
The names for randomly generated planet are stored in the English.str file. So technically, modding them would be a possibility.

However, two questions arise.

1) How many entries can the engine handle?

I have a compilation of star names (both real and fictional) from GalCiv2, about 2600 (!) of them. It'd only take an hour to code something that puts that list into the required format, but I'd rather know if it'll work before I start on that.

Same goes for capital ship names. There are great compilations for SpaceEmpire Design names out there.


2) Can this be a mod? The english.str doesn't seem to be part of the 'clean' slate that came with the mod tools. Is that only because they're still not really released, or because that file can't be modded?


I'd ask for planet and ship names be externalised into separate files so we can easily customise them, but it's probably a bit late for that. ;)
modding
3,408 views 1 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
I'm pretty sure the engine can have an infinite number of strings, so long as you adjust the 'Count' number at the top. The question really is, is there only 200 odd string references for planet names, or does the engine randomly pick a name designated by the way the string is written (with a certain prefix or suffix).

The string file is a limiting, but easily countered, problem when it comes to modding. When merging mods, it can get messy, but as long as you put all you new strings at the bottom/end of the file, it should be relatively easy to merge with another mod which uses the .str file.