Targetware: Mod Creation

Standalone Mods Versus Hybrid Mods

Targetware mods can generally be classified as either Standalone or Hybrid. A standalone mod is self-contained: it contains all the data needed by the Targetware Engine to create a flight simulation. A Hybrid mod only has a partial set of data, and relies on one or more other mods to fill its virtual world.

Examples of Standalone Mods include the official Target Rabaul and Target Korea datapacks. These mods contain a full set of sounds, aircraft, ground targets, terrain, particle effects, and scenarios. Each one can be downloaded and used without the need for any other mods to be installed on a user's machine. Not being reliant on any other mod, you can be sure they will run on any machine capable of running the current version of the Targetware Engine. You also have full control over the content, since you are distributing everything the mod needs. The one drawback of standalone mods is their size: because they must contain everything, they can result in quite a large initial download for players. This situation can be alleviated by careful use of the patching update system, so that players only rarely have to download the entire datapack after changes.

A Hybrid Mod has some original content, and some content it "borrows" from other mods. This type of mod can have a very small download size, and can be put together easily and quickly. The only downside is that players must have already installed all other mods that your Hybrid Mod relies on, before they can play your mod.

As an example of a Hybrid Mod, let's say you want to set up a Cold War confrontation involving a shooting war in Germany in 1951. For your mod, you've decided you'll need F-51s, Yak-9s, F-86s, and Mig-15s. You could make those all yourself, but it would be easier and much quicker to simply use the existing Target Korea 3d models and physics, but add Luftwaffe and USSR "skins" to the F-86s and Mig-15s. In addition, you'll want a European terrain, either one you provide yourself (perhaps generated with the Targetware Terrain Editor), or one you have borrowed from another European mod. Sound effects and particles you will use as is from the Target Korea mod. After you have painted skins for the jets, all you need to do is make your own scenarios, which will point to your European terrain, the Target Korea jets, and your new skins. The only real files you'll need to distribute are the scenarios themselves, and the custom skins you made for the jets. Players, will, however, need to have Target Korea installed on their computers before they can fly your mod.