Modding Info >> The Game Prefs
Ok, so we have looked through the .mis file and altered that a bit, now what about changing the preferences for the game and customising any Bot names and so on?
This file is called prefs.cs and is found in the ThinkTanks\Game\Server\ folder.
Again, be sure to back up and make a copy of the original before editing it.
In this file are all the bot names and tanks, and various other server settings. It will contain something similar to the following code snippets:
$Pref::Server::BanTime = 1800;
Ignore this line as banning is not implemented in ThinkTanks.
$pref::Server::Bot0 = "GoldHeavyTank"; $pref::Server::Bot1 = "SilverMediumTank"; $pref::Server::Bot2 = "BronzeLightTank"; $pref::Server::Bot3 = "GoldLightTank"; $pref::Server::Bot4 = "SilverMediumTank"; $pref::Server::Bot5 = "BronzeHeavyTank";
These are the tanks driven by the bots. The first bot is Bot0, the next is Bot1 and so on. 6 Bots means you need to have from Bot0 to Bot5.
Options for the bots are:
- GoldHeavyTank
- SilverHeavyTank
- BronzeHeavyTank
- GoldMediumTank
- SilverMediumTank
- BronzeMediumTank
- GoldLightTank
- SilverLightTank
- BronzeLightTank
- BabyBoss
- BossTank
Gold tanks are the most intelligent, followed by silver, and then the slightly more stupid bronze bots. The BabyBoss is the UFO.
$pref::Server::BotName0 = "Hum [Bot]"; $pref::Server::BotName1 = "Tom [Bot]"; $pref::Server::BotName2 = "Mal [Bot]"; $pref::Server::BotName3 = "Ri [Bot]"; $pref::Server::BotName4 = "Gul [Bot]"; $pref::Server::BotName5 = "Gum [Bot]";
These lines are where the Bot names go. They can be anything you want, but makes sure there are te same number of bots as listed in the above section.
$pref::Server::BotTeam0 = "GreenTeam"; $pref::Server::BotTeam1 = "GreenTeam"; $pref::Server::BotTeam2 = "GreenTeam"; $pref::Server::BotTeam3 = "BlueTeam"; $pref::Server::BotTeam4 = "BlueTeam"; $pref::Server::BotTeam5 = "BlueTeam";
These lines configure what teams the bots will be on (if a team game) even if you are playing regular scrum or battlemode, you will need to set this lines and to make sure that there are the same number of bots as the above two blocks.
Each Bot therefore has a line for the type of tank, its name, and its team.
$Pref::Server::ConnectionError = "You do not have the correct version of the Torque Game Engine or the related art needed to connect to this server, please contact the server operator to obtain the latest version of this game.";
This just gives an error message that some unfortunate souls might see. I've certainly never seen it appear. Just leave it as it is or you might further confuse someone who is desperately trying to get the game working.
$Pref::Server::DisplayOnMaster = "Always";
This controls whether or not to show your game on the main in-game server list. I am guessing that the values are "always" or "never" but I've never bothered changing this line.
$Pref::Server::FloodProtectionEnabled = 1;
This controls whether or not to use Flood Protection. This will stop people from being able to continuously spam the game with repeated conversation. If a player prints too many lines too quickly in-game, he will be prevented from saying anything for a short period of time. Values are 1 (on) and 0 (off)
$Pref::Server::gameTypeIndex = 0;
This is the type of game you are playing, and is fairly redundant especially as you launch either from a dedicated server shortcut (which includes the game type and will override this setting, or from in-game which will use its own setting anyway. This is more used for storing the 'last' game type played so that the in-game 'create server' can remember your previous settings. Therefore there is little point in changing this.
$Pref::Server::KickBanTime = 300;
Irrelevant as banning and kicking are not implemented in ThinkTanks.
$pref::Server::MaxBots = 6;
This indicates the maximum number of bots that are in the game. DO NOT set this higher than the number of bots you have configured. We have Bot0 - Bot5 = 6 Bots with these settings. If we wanted to increase this, we would need to add more Bots in the above configuration sections. Don't forget, the more players you have, the slower the game will get and the more lag you will introduce to the game.
$Pref::Server::MaxChatLen = 120;
This defines the maximum length of any chat message. You might as well leave this at what it is anyway.
$Pref::Server::MaxPlayers = 10;
MaxPlayers. This INCLUDES the number of bots. 10 players means 4 players and 6 bots. (However, if ReplaceBots is turned on, then bots will be kicked when players join)
$Pref::Server::missionIndex = 1;
This tells it which the last mission played was. There is no point in changing this as the Map (MissionIndex) is set by the launching shortcut or from the in-game create game menu.
$pref::Server::missionWorld = 1;
MissionWorld. Again, no point in changing this. This is set from the shortcut that launches the server, and that will override this setting. 1 = Lush, 2 = Spooky, 3 = Frantic.
$Pref::Server::Name = "ThinkTanks Server";
This is the name of your server. Anything longer than 24 characters will get cut off when it is listed in the server list. The developers have also expressed that they would appreciate it if you include the word 'MOD' in the server name or any altered or modified maps.
$Pref::Server::PasswordEnabled = 0;
If you want your server to be password protected, change this to a 1. Otherwise, leave it as a 0.
$Pref::Server::Password = "bogus";
If you have specified that PasswordEnabled = 1; Then you will need this line telling the server what your password is. (this example shows the password 'bogus' is being used)
$pref::Server::SavePassword = "oldpassword";
This is used to store an old password and is used by the in-game 'create server' option. Ignore this.
$Pref::Server::Port = 28000;
Ignore this.
$Pref::Server::RegionMask = 2;
Ignore this
$pref::Server::ReplaceBots = 1;
If you want your bots to disappear when players join, then this is a 1, otherwise, to keep all the bots in game, change this to a 0.
$Pref::Server::TimeLimit = 20;
Ignore this. It has no affect on the duration of the game.