Hostile Takeover Author Kit Overview

The Hostile Takeover Author Kit contains the tools needed to create content like new levels and graphics for Hostile Takeover.

Game Databases

Hostile Takeover makes use of "Game Database" (.pdb) files to store its content. There is a custom game database for each major graphics format Hostile Takeover supports. For example htdata816.pdb contains graphics tuned for 8-bit, lores (16-pixel tile) devices whereas htdata424.pdb contains graphics tuned for 4-bit hires (24-pixel tile) devices. There is a separate database (htsfx.pdb) which stores sound effects. The tool packpdb2.exe is able to create Game Databases and extract or view their contents.

Levels

Single and multiplayer levels are created with the Map Editor (M.exe) then added to a Game Database with the utility mkpdb.bat. Level files, also known as Level Description files, have the extension .ld. See how to create a Level for details.

Templates, Template Collections

Maps are created in the Map Editor by assembling puzzle piece-like Templates which have been designed to fit together to form roads, cliff ranges, rivers, etc. The TemplateExtractor utility is used to extract Template art, terrain information and name from artist-friendly source files and convert them into Map Editor and game-friendly Template Collection (.tc) files.

A single Template Collection contains all the Templates for maps of a region, e.g., grassy or sandy. Template art is authored as 24-bit color images that break down into 24x24 tiles. Automated tools perform the job of reducing the Template art to Hostile Takeover-compatible 8-bit color art including scaling down the art to accommodate lores devices. A Template Terrain info image is scanned to determine which areas of the templates block the movement and placement of units/structures in the game. For details on all of this see how to create a Template Collection.

Testing new Levels and Templates

Once a Template Collection has been assembled and a Level(s) created add them to a Game Database (see adding Template Collections to a Game Database and adding Levels to a Game Database) and launch Hostile Takeover to give them a play test.

Helper utilities

Several shortcut utilities have been included in this kit to reduce the number of steps needed for common authoring operations. They are:

Use these batch files as a starting point to create your own helpers. It may be as simple as searching for each "grassy" and replacing with the name of your environment, e.g., "sandy".