Expanded Galaxy Mod

[rookieone]

Nice job Kinkojiro!

[admiralmax]

A huge thanks to everyone that worked on EGM and MirandaMOD! Excellent work!!!

[memestealer]

Hi, I've got a few technical questions regarding the Squad-Addon.
First of all, thanks for all the time and effort you put into those projects. I read nearly all the Nexus comments, the thread on the old forum, and followed your mod's development since 0.5 (or something like that, even before you changed the name of the Mod on the Nexus).

I am currently trying to implement Balak, the Batarian Leader, as a Squadmate. No worries, I didn't touch any EGM files yet and If I'm going to, it's for myself only and I'm not going to upload it.
I don't know that much about ME3's file-structure, but here is what I figured out I would have to do:

1. I would essentially copy Zaeed's Combat-AI (If that's possible) and change his special ability to something from the Batarians in MP (Submission-Net for example).
2. Then I would edit the appearance files for said character and (best case scenario) just replace them with Balaks appearance (which is already in ME3).
3. Then I would have to edit the 'recruitment-parameters', so I would have to go into a file and essentially switch the assignment checks from the conversation with Zaeed to the conversation with Balak, and the outcome of that conversation.
4. (probably the hardest part) editing all the Mission files to get the new squaddie into there, and giving him his respectable last place in the dialogue-priority.

Thanks again for all your work and effort!

[sil]

That's... an interesting idea. I would have gone with Bray personally, he's cool, but it would be interesting to see what you achieve with Balak.

[kinkojiro]

memestealer Hate to be a downer but a lot of what you want to do is going to be very difficult if not impossible.

Squadmate AI and powers are coded in Bioware's proprietary version of unrealscript. AFIK there is no easy way to copy this between files. You could replace Zaeeds mesh and textures with Balaks, but it would still be Zaeed as Balak, with the same powers etc.

[sil]

Mar 14, 2017 2:39:36 GMT kinkojiro said:

Squadmate AI and powers are coded in Bioware's proprietary version of unrealscript. AFIK there is no easy way to copy this between files. You could replace Zaeeds mesh and textures with Balaks, but it would still be Zaeed as Balak, with the same powers etc.

I'm highly doubting its possible, but is it possible to have a new squad-mate that shares the same AI and power file as another character? That way it would save on copying in files. It wouldn't exactly be original, but it could go some way to giving memestealer the squad-mate they want.

[memestealer]

Mar 15, 2017 0:26:13 GMT sil said:

Mar 14, 2017 2:39:36 GMT kinkojiro said:

Squadmate AI and powers are coded in Bioware's proprietary version of unrealscript. AFIK there is no easy way to copy this between files. You could replace Zaeeds mesh and textures with Balaks, but it would still be Zaeed as Balak, with the same powers etc.

I'm highly doubting its possible, but is it possible to have a new squad-mate that shares the same AI and power file as another character? That way it would save on copying in files. It wouldn't exactly be original, but it could go some way to giving memestealer the squad-mate they want.

So basically this would create a "fake"-Zaeed with a Balak skin attached. Would there still be a way to change the characters name in the Squad Selection and Skill Menu?
And I guess this would eliminate the possibility of having both of them in the squad, wouldn't it?


Regarding Bray: Balak was only an example; I just picked the first batarian who came to my mind tbh. Bray would make more sense tho, since he is probably available to more players. As I said, this idea is completely theoretical, and based on the belief that I will get this to work somehow. Whatever character's skin will show up is one of the lesser problems.

[sil]

Sorry memestealer if I got your hopes up, I was just asking it as a question, I'm highly doubting it is possible at all but it is always best to confirm these things just in case.

I would say though, if it turns out not to be possible, don't be discouraged with further attempts to mod Mass Effect 3.

[viper]

In nexus page I saw kinko wrote ''UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ASKING QUESTIONS NOT RELATED TO EGM AND/OR IGNORING THESE FAQS WE NO LONGER SUPPORT THIS MOD. USE AT OWN RISK. WE MAY ISSUE OCCASIONAL UPDATES BUT NOTHING MAJOR'' . I mean EGM is in final state now,right ? I remember when it was called Galaxy Map Mod,time flies....Thank you for everything,its been a joy and definitely a pleasure.Everyone who gave their freetime and their heart to this..Thank you I'll never forget everything that has been done.It's been a honor to witness the evolution

[kinkojiro]

Thanks viper and everybody who has supported the mod.

We may add a few minor things - like (partial) translations, TM3 compatibility or minor fixes. We will likely have a final major version at 1.10 which will include a revised war asset system (completely removing the impact of MP readiness, and allowing the player to preset their GAW difficulty level).  It will also include some other goodies that other authors have asked us to include.  But apart from that EGM is pretty much done.

Unfortunately the level of help requests from people who weren't reading the FAQs and would blame any problem with their modded game on EGM is just too high for us to continue to support. With MEA out shortly it seemed as good a time for any to withdraw support.

Finally here is an easter egg that AFIK nobody ever found. Enjoy.

[rookieone]

It sucks, but it's understandable, Thanks for everything

[realsurvivor686]

I would like to formally extend my gratitude to kinkojiro and patadepocho of the ME3 EGM for getting the Alliance Warpack (http://www.nexusmods.com/masseffect3/mods/528/?), intended as a companion-piece to the EGM, off the ground.

Without the both of them, the mod would not have even left the ground. I am very grateful for all their hard work.

[crazyrabbits]

I'll definitely be doing a second playthrough with the finished product in the near future - just trying to finish off TES Oblivion first.

What you've done is nothing short of masterful - I thought the Galaxy Map Mod was amazing, and put 40 hours just into that. Knowing that there's even more content that's come along since then (to say nothing of the Miranda Mod or other tie-in mods like the Alliance Warpack) is incredible. So excited to try this out.

You deserve a break. A fantastic job!

[crazyrabbits]

I'm about two-thirds of the way through a second playthrough. Definitely digging the new stuff so far.

The customizable shuttle bay and visitors are my favorite parts - seeing Jack and the students hanging out in the lounge and the Prime units situated in the bay were really cool. I thought the Cooking with Zaeed easter egg was a bit jarring, but I still enjoyed it all the same. Love the fact that you can pick up shuttles/mechs around the galaxy and put them in the bay.

I also liked the fact that there's now an armory you can view to see which guns you have. As someone who endorsed the Lucky 38 Presidential Suite Reloaded mod for Fallout: New Vegas (which also added an armory where you can view unique weapons), it's something I greatly appreciate. Likewise, I'm digging the new armors, especially the MOHLE Backpack and the Spectre set (and chuckled at the line Shepard gives when picking it up).

The cabin invites (and the option to lay on the bed with Liara in her office - she's my romance) reminded me a lot of Dragon Age: Origins, where you had the (completely non-essential) option to kiss Morrigan every time you talked with her if you were in a relationship. Details like that evoke memories of the older Bioware games, and it's something I now do as a force of habit.

I tried to get the Prime Easter Egg, but I haven't had any luck. It's probably something to do with the sound system, but I haven't cycled through all the tracks yet.


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I'm also enjoying the Alliance Warpack. The new armors are amazing. I've had James and EDI (and now Tali, via the Squadmate Pack) rocking their new armors every time I go out on a mission. Light-years better than most of the other armors. All I'd need is a Javik alt-armor and I'd be set.

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The Miranda Mod has been very interesting so far. Aside from a couple of syntax/spelling errors in the e-mails, it's damn near seamless. Almost didn't realize that the initial conversation was pieced together. I also like the LotSB-style mission system that can either pay off or have costs in terms of manpower. Definitely going to bring Miranda on the Cerberus HQ mission to see what's new.

[crazyrabbits]

I'm pretty well done with the game leading up to Cerberus HQ. I'm glad I did another walkthrough of the ship - finally unlocked the shooting range intel bonus and Tali's suggestions for bonus engineers (she didn't even show up at the drive core until I whittled away some time fighting in Armax). Wasn't expecting the NPC from the ME2 pilgrimage side mission to come back into play as a staffer - that was an unexpected surprise. Haven't figured out what having a platoon does yet besides them saluting you in the shuttle bay - does this factor into some aspect of the endgame?

The e-mail from Allers if you forced a treaty with Bekenstein was hilarious. You should have gone further and made it so that she refuses to speak with you for the rest of the game. I was cackling like a villain, and I typically play goody-two-shoes Paragon.

Taking Miranda to Cronos has definitely been interesting, and I enjoyed hearing the custom lines, even though it was a little more noticeable that it was jury-rigged. I kind of wish she'd have more responses (it seemed a little weird running up to TIM's office and not having her say anything), but I'll take what I can get. The bookend feeling of bringing her along to take down her former employer was well worth it.

This truly is a full-scale reinvention of the game. In my mind, this mod makes the PC version of the game the king of the hill, not to mention that it makes 3 my favorite of the series for all the additional possibilities. I'd go so far as to say this is now up there with my favorite mods of all time like Ascension for Baldur's Gate II, GMDX for Deus Ex and the New Vegas Uncut/Lucky 38 Suite mods for Fallout: New Vegas.

By the way, I've created a page for the mod on TVTropes. Feel free to add to it or correct me if I've misstated anything.