MercOpinions

Page Updated 30 January 2016

This page has not yet been fully updated to reflect changes in v1.06 in Arulco Vacations

The changes in MercOpinions.XML coincide with the changes made in MercProfiles.XML, and extend further into the realm of character interactions. Many of the default vanilla entries for every character are zeroed out -- in other words, the opinions of the characters were never set for these entries. While it is normal for some entries in each character to be zero (that is, be neutral), it is not normal for most of the entries to be set to zero. I imagine what happened is that when all the additional characters were added to v1.13 none of their opinions of the other characters were set. Indeed, many of the characters in v1.13 never met -- so would not have had opinions of many characters. However, in Arulco Vacations it is assumed they all know of each other through interactions within A.I.M., M.E.R.C., or the battlefield. As time goes on I will continue to update, tweak and fine-tune this file.

As mentioned elsewhere, my original intention to modify the Hated, Learn To Hate, Buddy, and Learn To Like designations for every character resulted in voice file glitches and abrupt disconnects during recruitment. Therefore, those designations had to be scrapped for v1.04 -- and may not be necessary at all. That is because along with those designations goes a morale penalty or bonus (as the case may be) that is specified within the MercOpinions.XML file. That morale penalty or bonus without the Hated or Buddy designation actually works better in the context of this game, and is how these changes are instituted. Without the official (new) Hated designations there will be no (additional) refusals to hire out, and that fits these money-hungry mercenaries much better. Now, they will hire out, take the money, and unless you work to keep them happy the morale penalty for working with someone they don't like will eventually have them leave your employ in the normal manner -- no glitches. On the flip side, having a 'friend' on the team boosts morale almost as much as having a Buddy -- though there will be no automatic rehiring. You will have to make sure other factors don't negate the morale bonus from having a friend along -- but it will be easier to keep them hired if they have friends on their team.

As of v1.05, Sociable Mercs generally get along well with other Sociable Mercs, Loner Mercs generally get along well with other Loner Mercs, and Sociable Mercs and Loner Mercs generally do not get along with each other. I say "generally" because there are exceptions to every rule. Also, Dauntless Mercs generally get along well with other Dauntless Mercs, and Female Mercs generally get along well with other Female Mercs. As I continue to tweak these relationships there will be other correspondences between types of Mercs, as well as individual likes and dislikes. You can find these listings on the Lists page of this blog. I will add more listings ASAP.

There might still be some minor glitches relating to the wrong voice files being used, but they should not be overly intrusive or annoying. I will appreciate any such glitches being reported to me so I can fix them for future releases.

More coming soon . . .