Why should I use TA:Mutation?


There are lots of reasons to use this program.

Compatibility with others.

Total Conversions made easy.

Quicker multiplayer game setup.

Stop throwing away saved games.

Watch recordings of others easier.

Try out more than just your favorite Artificial Intelligence.

Organize 3rd party units in packs, or individually.

Backup was never easier.

The new TA phenomenon: The Mutator.
  Mutators are something unique to TA:Mutation.
TA reads data files in a certain order. Higher priority files are read later, and overwrite settings in lower priority files.
The lowest priority is the HPI file. UFO is next, and CCX after that.
REV31.GP3 is the highest priority.
TA already has a file called REV31.GP3, so if you wanted to change a unit in that file well, you couldn't. So when you install TA:Mutation, the program takes your original TA data files and merges them into one file, thereby letting you modify any unit you want by installing higher priority files.
The original TA files are:
  • TOTALA1.HPI
  • CCDATA.CCX
  • BTDATA.CCX (if you have Battle Tactics installed)
  • REV31.GP3

    TA:M repacks these files into a new TOTALA1.HPI for you.
    Now lets say you want to change something.
    Lets say you want to make the metal extractors stealth!
    Easy. Using a HPI unpacking utility, locate and extract the data files for the metal extractors.
    Next, add a line of code - Stealth=1; - to each file.
    Next, using a HPI pack utility, pack these files into a new TA data file.
    Last, create a text file with notepad that contains information TA:M needs in order to use this new mod.
    Rename your text file with the proper extension (tam) and you're set.
    To install, just drop both files in your TA-Mutation folder and its ready to play.
    NOTE: If all this seems confusing to you, that's ok.
    Extensive details on how to create your own Mutators is covered in another section of this manual.
    Alternatively, you can download Mutators that somebody else created and drop them into your TA-Mutation folder and away you go. There will soon be many cool Mutators that you can download from different people.

    More people will use your creations.