Hi everyone, I'm just going to create a Modding tutorial for anyone who wishes to know how to edit the game files to change things. If any admins are reading, would you please consider creating a new sub forum for Modding so that its easier to navigate to on the forums?

This is part 1 of the tutorial. 

DISCLAIMER: Before the tutorial starts, I recommend that you backup any files you are about to edit, your changing parts of the game, and you should be aware that this is not the intended use of the xml files in the game folders, I take no responsibility, and (although I can't speak for them) Stardock can not be blamed for damage you do to, including but not limited to, your save files, your program files and any other aspect of your computer.

Please be aware that customising characters can be considered cheating, and It really takes a lot of the fun of the game in my opinion.

PART 1: Character Customisation

Installing a new character

After download a new character you should have 2 files, one called: CANDIDATENAME.Candidatexml and CANDIDATENAME.candidateccfgxml.

simply place the candidatexml file in the folder [\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2012\Candidates]

Then you need to place the candidatecfgxml file in the folder [\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2012\Candidates\Configs]

NOTE: if you have a .candidate file, instead of or aswell as the other files, please place it in [\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2012\Candidates\Packages]

I've personally not installed any 3rd party candidates, so can't say for sure that this will work, but this is where the custom characters are located, so I dont see why it wouldn't work. I will try and test this when I have a bit of extra time, if anyone tests this and it works, please post and i will remove this disclaimer.

Customising a Character stats

Customising a custom characters stats is really easy, but ruins some of the aspects of the game, so be aware of this, as it really does affect the fun-ness in the game.

Navigate to: [\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2012\Candidates]

Locate the characters name in that folder. The file will be called something like: name.candidatexml

Right click on the file and select [...open with] and then select Notepad.exe.

In this file you can't do a lot of damage, but can change a lot.

Here is a list of the things you can edit:

NOTE: To edit this, just change the number in the middle of the <> # </> for each of the topics. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE.

You can change any of these considerably. FundRaisingAbility can be set to anything, setting it to 1000 would get you about $450mil from fund raising in California for example.

I recommend you don't add too many zeros to the Money section, as it causes the money to glitch out and go into - figures. and makes the game unplayable.

setting stamina to 1000 gives you practically unlimited moves. setting it to 100 will give you 104 moves per turn. you get the idea.

You can also edit any of the issues in that file. But I haven't tried it yet.

End of part 1