Changes to the startpos.esf are oftentimes NOT save game compatible.ĮSF editing deals with basic campaign states such as starting dates, turns per year, regional holders, starting generals, starting armies, starting admirals, starting fleets, starting garrisons, starting agents, but also with many associated entities such as unit types, building types, experience levels, traits, public order, casualty level of units, research progression, diplomacy status and much more. Within each campaign state there is a natural delta to the next previous campaign state. From that viewpoint save games are nothing else than gradual snapshots of "new" starting conditions.
Save File ESF: The save files use the same format as starting positions and define the starting conditions of all save games.īoth ESF forms can be modified, since both do define starting conditions.Start Pos ESF: The starting position (startpos.esf) is a template which defines the starting conditions of all new campaigns.When we speak about ESF editing we have to differentiate between the following two forms: Compilations and Overview for Novices: Essential DB TablesĮSF (" External Save File" or " Empire Serialization Format") defines the starting environment of campaigns and provides snapshots of ongoing campaign states in a retrievable data format.What about 3D Animation, Modeling and Graphics?.Original Thread Modding Guide for Novices