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Decision difficulties in what Engine to mod

Discussion in 'Fallout General Modding' started by Femic, Jul 22, 2020.

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  1. Femic

    Femic First time out of the vault

    69
    Nov 22, 2015
    Hi there,

    I got curios about Fallout & Arcanum modding a long time ago but it never has taken off correctly.
    Back then I helped the guys of the Zero-Project out here and there but I never got really involved in things.

    My question now is that I want to start Fallout modding properly but I can't decide which way to go.
    I read that Fallout in its proprietary engine is good to mod but has its limitations.
    So fans made engine hacks and tweaks to bypass those limitations.
    On the other hand fans built an entire engine from scratch called FOnline Engine.
    And last but not least there's the FIFE-Engine but I think this falls out of line because it is no longer being developed.

    I totaly lack any skills regarding modding. But I'm a willing learner.

    So to make a long story short. I would appreciate if you share your opinions and thoughts with me.

    Kind regards
     
    Femic, Jul 22, 2020
    #1
  2. Zorchar

    Zorchar Look, Ma! Two Heads!

    322
    Jun 18, 2018
    I think that u should decide what you want to mod.

    Do u want to add a quest to Fallout 2? Change looks of Lieutenant from Fallout 1? Make an entire TC mod that uses Fallout tactics engine and looks? These all require different things and strategies.

    Classic Fallout can be modded fairly easy nowadays, using traditional Fallout scripting language, and fan made hacks and tweaks, such as sfall.
    FOnline is (as far as I know) an MMORPG/actionRPG (engine?) based on Fallout tactics engine. So it will look like Tactics, if that's what you want.
    Never heard of FIFE-Engine.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
    Zorchar, Jul 23, 2020
    #2
  3. laclongquan

    laclongquan Boned Hunter of Sister

    692
    Jan 11, 2008
    There is a reason there's more mods in F2 engine than F1 engine. So you can take that into consideration before jump into the F1 hole.

    Fallout Tactics also has a very healthy modding scene compare to F2. Three or more expansions and/or total conversion mods.

    If you are interested in modding dialog, quest, story content, F2 is more suited toward that.
    If you are interested in weapon modding, and/or combat, FT is the way to go.
     
    laclongquan, Jul 24, 2020
    #3
  4. Samira

    Samira Random is god

    57
    Nov 16, 2009
    Yeah. No.
    FOnline supports (sic!) making Tactics-like game/server, but it never focused on that. It's just one of options. Plus, majority of FOnline servers/games always been made around Fallout2 content, so...
    While some servers use some mechanics/graphics from Tactics, it always been just an addition (with single exception, but that project died before birth many years ago).
     
    Samira, Jul 24, 2020
    #4
  5. Lexx

    Lexx Testament to the ghoul lifespan
     Moderator Modder

    10,660
    Apr 24, 2005
    The FOnline engine doesn't support multiple map elevations, as well as different character stances, so even if you wanted to, you can't make a true Tactics-like online game.
     
    Lexx, Jul 24, 2020
    #5
  6. Femic

    Femic First time out of the vault

    69
    Nov 22, 2015
    Thanks for your answers guys and gals.

    I want to be more specific. My goal is to make just an ordinary F2 mod/game with dialog, quests, story content, bit of fighting.
    Just like F1/F2/FNevada (I haven't played else).
    I don't want to make an online game nor a FTactics like game.

    Maybe but just maybe in distant future I want to implement 3D Models/Objects into the game but honestly I like the 2D Sprites more.

    I know I won't be able to make a total conversion by my own, that would take years.
    I just want to manipulate things here and there, make children steps and who knows what will happen.

    Kind regards.
     
    Femic, Jul 24, 2020
    #6
  7. Gizmojunk

    Gizmojunk Antediluvian as Feck

    6,212
    Nov 26, 2007
    I have not tinkered with the Tactics editor; some with the FO2 mapper. Is there a reason not to use the Tactics engine for a Fallout 2 (or 2.5) style total conversion mod? Is it unsuited to making an RPG?

    On the surface (to me), Wasteland 2 is essentially Fallout Tactics using the WL setting. Am I wrong?

    What would be the main hurdle(s) be, to do a Fallout 2 [3/vb] game using FO:Tactics?

    What are the pros & cons of each engine & mapper?
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2020
    Gizmojunk, Jul 30, 2020
    #7
  8. TorontoReign

    TorontoReign ⛧卐⛧ [REDACTED]

    36,278
    Apr 1, 2005
    TorontoReign, Jul 30, 2020
    #8
  9. Femic

    Femic First time out of the vault

    69
    Nov 22, 2015
    I've decided to go with the classical Fallout2 Engine.
    I think it is more elaborated and the people around here are more experienced with it so the exchange of knowledge is alot easier.

    The tools I use so far are:
    Fallout sFall Script Editor v4.1.6
    BIS mapper patched (+complementary ressources)
    Fallout 2 Dat Explorer 1.43 by Dims

    @Gizmojunk
    I think the Fallout Tactics Engine can be used to make a singleplayer mod but I've got no proof for it. I guess if you know how to handle the scripting language you'll be able to make whatever you desire.
     
    Femic, Jul 30, 2020
    #9