1. Make a backup of C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires\data\empires.dat
2. Extract data\empires.dat within the zip file into C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires\
3. Run Age of Empires
4. Go into the Scenario Editor
-Buildings can be overlapped and placed at every kind of terrain.
-All Hidden Objects unlocked for every players.
-Boats can be placed on every terrain.
-Rubbles can be placed on every terrain.
-All Fishes can be placed on every terrain.
-All Trees can be placed on every terrain.
-Gold Mines, stone mines and berry bushes can be placed on every terrain.
-All Terrain objects, including Discovery, can be placed on every terrain.
-Horses, War Chests, Artifacts, Ballistas, Chariots, Catapults, Trained Lion and the "future" cheat units can be placed on every terrain.
-Objects can be placed on cliffs ,though they will lose the blocking function.
Rating: 5
Anyone who is unable to see what this modified .dat file allows you to do is, in my opinion, a fool.
Not only all hordes of secret units unlocked, terrain no longer prohibits unit placement, buildings can be overlapped and map design will never be the same.
No fancy triggers, yet you can create effects previously only seen in the newest RTS scenario editors, and this game is 8 years old.
What's more, replace your old dat file and nothing will have changed. Everything is as it was before so your game is unchanged.
The greatest improvement to the scenario editor since the game's first release in 1997. BAR NONE.
RiderOfEternity
Posted on 02/04/06 @ 04:54 PM
Do other people have to have this mod installed for the scenario to work for them?
Richard Ames
Posted on 02/04/06 @ 09:45 PM
Nope, that's the beauty of it. Remember to restore the normal .dat file when testing/playing the scenario though, otherwise you can walk through things, walk on water etc.
GiorgosRox
Posted on 02/22/06 @ 01:54 AM
Rating
5.0
Whn i first heard of this Mod and its features, I must say, I was sceptical.
I was sure you wouldnt be able to play on the original .dat without the scenario crashing. Needless to say, Nothing like that has happened to me.
This has to be the greatest thing to hit AoE since its 1997 release.
It is the only things released that can truely reveloutionise the game that is AoE, beating even certain unofficial expansions...(giggles).
This is a must download for all Scenario Designers. Your scenario will look dated when we see the new batch of Campaigns made with this baby installed. Bring it on!
Giorgos,
Tarkan Atilla22 (id: HeroPatrick)
Posted on 03/17/06 @ 10:37 AM
Uh, my AoE can't handle the DATA.
Is it safe to playtest with it?
neilsimeh2
Posted on 03/23/06 @ 01:05 PM
Really nice idea BUT few issues
-Can you disable boats from being able to go on any land type?
-Can the fact units can walk through buildings be turned off?
Richard Ames
Posted on 06/30/06 @ 03:11 AM
It's a patch only for designing - you can't play on it because the mechanics that allow you to do these things in the editor also apply for the game. To play or play test you need to restore the original files.