Mod Toolset release and more modding features: skins, translations, scenery

Hey hey!

It's been quite a while since I posted a devlog, but it was a busy time!

The good thing is that the work has its results, and I managed to prepare UCDC Mod Toolset to a state ready to be public! Yeah, even before there is a game to be modded, you have access to mod it :D

UCDC Mod Toolset

I prepared several public repositories to organize the Toolset:

1. Releases - a place with unity package ready for download, and documentation focused on general info about modding. This is the most important place to visit if you're interested in modding the game

   GitHub - UCDC Mod Toolset

2. Mod API - a repository containing code for a library that is used to communicate mods with the game. The library is included inside Mod Toolset, but this repository is good if you are interested in creating your own scripts in mods GitHub - UCDC Mod API

3. Mod Templates - a set of mod templates. I decided to create quite a few of them to showcase mod interface functionalities. It may be a good starting point, you could even just copy the whole repository and build your mod from that GitHub - Mod Templates

4. VRM Skin Mod Templates - I noticed how popular this format is in terms of creating anime characters, so I decided to create a separate repository dedicated just to it. It also showcases more advanced skin mods that integrate even more with in-game systems GitHub - VRM Mod Templates

I also decided to create a separate section of channels dedicated to modding on our Discord Server, with a place to showcase your mod, Mod Toolset updates notices or reporting issues. Or just sharing ideas or asking for help.

The bestest Discord Server ❤

You can also find tutorial videos for setting up the environment and creating a basic skin mod. I plan to create more videos about the topic in the future! [dynamiclink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwCpt8O0jtQ"]

Skins

The moment I started working on overriding character skins I saw that I need to rework how the character structure works. I remade how even the built-in skins are loaded, and now both modded and built-in skins are treated almost the same. Which means that whatever in-game skin will be able to do, the modded skins will have potential to do too!

In terms of modding it, I think I made it rather simple to override the model. After you prepare UCDC Toolkit, all you have to do is:

1. Import humanoid model to your Unity project

2. Make sure that unity imports animation rig as humanoid

3. Create objects for the skin and additional data

4. Create a script (or just copy-paste it from template) that adds your model to game skin database

5. Build mod, paste it to Mod folder and run the game!

The process is showcased in another tutorial video, you can check it out here! [dynamiclink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a7rSqsvasE"]

Translations

As for now I managed to make 2 types of translations:

• UI / dialogues translations

• AI prompt overrides

UI translations are the usual type often found in other games. Basically all you need to do is to load the translations template, modify the translations english column of texts into any language you want and built the mod!

But there are some limitations:

• Loaded only at the start of the game, it means that you won't be able to switch between different mods, nothing too limiting (why would you want to have 2 language mods at once and switch?), but something to keep in mind

• As for now: no asset translations, that means no special font and image overriding. I'll try to look into it in the future though

AI prompt overrides are a separate type of translations (maybe not literally translation, but the method is the same - replacing existing text data), it allows modders to override the AI prompt that internally describes Unity-chan behaviour, her lore info and reactions to some object interactions. With this kind of translation you could turn her into a grumpy teen that never agrees with user, or completely different character altogether. I believe it will work great combined with skin mods to create completely new companions!

Modded Scenery

And now the subject that is the most recent feature, and the one I plan to develop further.

Have you ever thought "Hey, having my virtual companion is cool, but I'd love to hang out with her in other places than my desktop and her room."? No? Well, I have, and so I made it possible to load any 3d scenery to the game!

As for now you can load the scene and sit along with Unity-chan. Of course if you know programming then you can add various effects and things in the scene, but right now Unity-chan will be rather static.

I would really like to improve this system, it has so much potential! Imagine having a walk, visiting a mall, or maybe even having your own adventure alongside your own companion!

Once the location is added, you'll be able to access it by clicking on the door in Unity-chan's room Steam post image

Then a panel with possible locations shows up. I currently made very basic plain scene for testingSteam post image

Once you click it the game will load the scenery. Modders can write description and AI context to the scene, so Unity-chan is able to comment it properly of what she sees.

That's it for now, thank you for reading!

JacopoDev