Support Language pack

[MagicMuscleMan]

Any chance to support the language pack? The German version might be here: http://www.gdp-gameware.de/downloads/uqm-0.7.0-content-de.uqm

[Kruzen]

@MagicMuscleMan Hello! The version you've linked based on UQM v0.7.0, while MegaMod uses v0.8.0 as a base. So it's not that easy as copy and paste, but not too difficult overall. Making a language pack is more time-consuming than hard and we'd like that a native speaker would do it.

[MagicMuscleMan]

Thanks, @Kruzen. Is there a documentation how to use the v0.7.0 language pack and create a v0.8.0 out of that?

[Kruzen]

@MagicMuscleMan Not that I'm aware of but I'll try to outline the idea.

To be clear: I think 0.7.0 pack can work with 0.8.0 core version UQM, but not with MegaMod.

To create a language pack you need to translate text that comes from .txt files, such as alien dialogs, text that embedded onto different graphics like 'Entering Planetary orbit' screen or LOAD GAME screen, and add characters to fonts because default UQM support English-only. You can copy-paste most of this for classic resolution, but graphics and fonts need to be doubled for HD. We can provide HD assets without any text on them so you can easily add what is needed without too much trouble but basic graphics editor like PS is required. I highly suggest to NOT use Pain(t) for that.

Now for the more technical stuff: content.uqm file that is in the game folder is just an archive that can be unpacked with something like WinRAR. It contains all the game files, such as:

• uqm.rmp - basically a reference table with paths to game files, text, fonts, graphics and sounds. When addon is loaded - it adds OR overrides these values to different paths. So language pack should have its own .rmp compatible with current version and override correct values for it to work. Can be opened with Notepad++
• "race".txt - all dialog options for current race. Can be found in /comm/"race" folders
• gamestrings.txt and setupmenu.txt - main offender for language pack because of how many differences MegaMod have compared to Core version. Contains various technical strings like star names or menu options
• fonts - every font has its own folder. Every character is a png named after its ASCII code in hex. There is also a kernel.dat for every font but it is not required and can be ignored. MegaMod have some additional fonts
• .ani - short for animation. While every graphic file is stored as .png, the game loads it in clusters which are described in these .ani files. Because of that - if you want to alter just one image - you HAVE to copy its entire cluster for it to work properly. We are currently trying to minimize this in the new version. "filename".ani can be opened with Notepad++

If you have solid plans to go through - I highly suggest to join our Discord so we can assist you "on the fly" https://discord.gg/tkMHh77A