AOE:Language.dll
From GenieWiki
The language.dll is the dynamic-link library that controls most of the text in Age of Empires. Using a Unicode Editor designers and modders can easily edit it to include new unit names (e.g. heroes, tribute demand messages, and much more. It should be noted that not all players will have the English language file, as the game is sold in many languages around the world.
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Single player
The use of edited lanuage.dlls in single player is mainly in single player scenarios and campaigns where designers have wanted renamed hero's (e.g. Julius Caesar in The Senate And People Of Rome) or new Artifact messages ( Champa: The days of the Khmer Empire are numbered. We will burn Angkor to ashes! from Angkor Wat And The Khmer Legacy) although The Dark Archer has released a language.dll bundle for general play.
History
Although the idea of edited language.dlls had been discussed as early as 1999 it wasn't edited for a campaign until Phill Phree made Conan of Cimmeria which was released in 2001. Language.dlls never were a common addition to campaigns and scenarios because of the hassle to edit them and the way it was easy to cause problems with the game if you accidentally deleted something with the hex editor. Only recently in late 2005 it was stated that hex editors shouldn't be used for editing the language.dll because Unicode editors where a much better alternative which has now become the norm.
Editing programs
When editing the language.dll there are a number of different programs you can use. Each program has its advantages and disadvantages and I'll go though some of them here.
Hex editor
This is the oldest and now least used program for editing the langauge.dll. This program isn't used much for editing the lanuage.dll these days because of its complex system.
Advantages:
- Can also be used for editing uncompressed dat files.
Disadvantages:
- If a mistake is made the unit names look funny at best and the game will not run at worst.
- Editing is time consuming much harder.
- No articles on editing with this program.
- Large download from Age of Empires Heaven.
Unicode editor
This is the most used program to edit the language.dll now. It was mentioned at Age of Empires Heaven by scenario_T_C during the creation of The Dark Archer's second article on the language.dll.
Advantages:
- Editing is easier as every thing is changed into the words that they form.
- Editing is much faster.
- Articles have been written for editing with this program.
Disadvantages:
- Cannot add new strings to the language.dll.
- Only used for editing the language.dll and no other files.
Resource Hacker
This is a program used by modders who want to create new units in the game while allowing there names to be changed. It is the easiest program to use which allows us to add strings to the language.dll.
Advantages:
- Able to add new strings to language.dll.
- Strings are more organized and can easily be navigated.
Disadvantages:
- Can't be found in Age of Empires Heaven so you'll have to search for it.
- The organization may confuse some people.
Multiplayer
No research has gone into the effect of language.dlls on multiplayer games but it mustn’t effect the games too much because of the fact that people can play online without any trouble from the language.dll.
