At this moment, there is no way to modify any of Definitive Edition's data files, as they are "locked". However, it now seems modding is not yet a lost cause, according to Matt Pritchard, who is one of the original developers for Age of Empires, and Director of Engineering of the DE development team, Forgotten Empires:Reddit
So folks, keep on shouting "We want to Mod!", and your wish may be fulfilled.
Thanks to Trisolo for posting the link.
The Heavenly Escort • Night of the Dragon • Corlis (DE) • Dark Forest 2v2 (DE) • New Random Maps • Night Mode • Lengthen Combat Mode • The Big Hill • 512x512, 768x768, 1024x1024 map sizes • All Map Sizes • All Map Sizes (AoK) • BTI Soundtrack
"Because AoE DE is a UWP application some of the rules have changed. All of the files that ship with the game are locked in a read only bundle behind the "WindowsApps" folder, and there are security protections on the files. That's how all UWP apps work - it's like your phone where you can't go changing a program's files.Source:
That said, if the game is received well we'll likely be able to release some developer tools and open up support for deeper mods beyond additional scenario/campaign content. We will have to enable it via an all new system rather than what you are used to because of the restrictions on modifying the original game's files. Modding UWP games is a relatively new thing, and there are a few extra hoops to jump through. We hope we can eventually make that transparent for you and even provide one-click tools.
The dev team and Microsoft is watching all the feedback and we wish we had infinite time and resources and could have given everyone every option at launch. That said, this is Age of Empires and we're certainly not going to abandon it - especially with what's ahead for more games in the franchise.
I can't make any binding promises here, but I can say that we already have deep mod support on our roadmap/wishlists. What'll help us is to see how many people really want it, and would make use of it. DE is an interesting game - a mix of both old and new and we really don't know which way(s) the community will run with and embrace it.
So bear with us, and know that you have a passionate dev team (I mean, I've been working on this game for what? 22 years now? :P ) along for the ride and that is going to try and do the best for the most players with the resources we have."
So folks, keep on shouting "We want to Mod!", and your wish may be fulfilled.
Thanks to Trisolo for posting the link.
The Heavenly Escort • Night of the Dragon • Corlis (DE) • Dark Forest 2v2 (DE) • New Random Maps • Night Mode • Lengthen Combat Mode • The Big Hill • 512x512, 768x768, 1024x1024 map sizes • All Map Sizes • All Map Sizes (AoK) • BTI Soundtrack
[This message has been edited by PhatFish (edited 02-24-2018 @ 02:29 AM).]