San Franciscans: a custom civilization

The environment recorded upstream

Game

Age of Empires II DE · September 2026 Steam build

Platform

Windows

Tools

Python 3.11+, genieutils-py, Blender 5

Route

Data mod plus SLD graphics

These are the source’s versions, not a promise for your current build.

How the pieces fit together

1. Render unit frames for the game camera and convert them to SLD sprites, including player-colour masks.
2. Edit the game-data copy, strings and civilization definitions. This example replaces an existing civilization slot.
3. Install the local data mod and select it in the skirmish lobby before running a small test scenario.

What the source reports testing

• The author reports a sprite-format round-trip check before producing new graphics.
• A single unit was compared with stock units for scale, facing and player colour; the note reports in-game testing and recording.

What remains unproven here

This example replaces a slot rather than adding an extra civilization to the picker. Its findings apply to the recorded build; ModLab has not reproduced them.

Lessons from the source

Try a smaller first project

Change one unit data value in a disposable offline scenario before building a whole civilization. Separate data, art and acceptance checks in your brief.