I'm trying to make something by toying with xml files, but it's really just trial and error.

Hopefully you get a real response that gives us the answer, but I'm trying what I can.

Okay I've actually found something, it seems like there is a music def file that plays music when conditions are met.

All the mp3's are in the game files, and not only do they seem unprotected but the def's XML has unused music slots and also has species conditions music in editable text form.

Music can be put in the game.

However I don't know a way to link these to custom races. Thing like 'peace_event' must be part of the game itself because I can't find it referred to in any of the usual XMLs, and I've not heard of any musical breakthroughs in custom race/shipset/star system mods.

So basically, good news is you can put music in, bad news is that I think custom races will always have default/Terran sounds. Unless Stardock do a 'Custom race music DLC' or something.

Sure thing! ^-^

Now, I don't really know what you mean with the rest of that... You mean if it's possible to assign music to maps? Because if so, not that I know of. Plus I don't think you can ADD tracks unless there is a place holder marked with "."

Buuuut, I've found something new. I don't understand how it's implemented, but there is a file called 'FactionMusicDefs.xml' which appears to simply be a list of music profiles, where each important action/state is allocated a track. The major races are covered, plus 'Generic Faction' using all Iridium music.

I'm really starting to wonder if there's a script or maybe just a line to existing custom faction files we could do to link it to whatever music profile. Best case scenario, we could use folders of mp3 files and create our own music to go with factions!

If the game is literally just reading all these xml's in the same way that makes shipset and faction mods work, we could be looking at music mods, even more customisation to factions and more.

I'll update you if I find anything new, or maybe even have a successful music profile test.

Edit: Yep! Adding <FactionMusicDef>[[CHOSEN PROFILE HERE]]Music</FactionMusicDef> within the faction's factiondefs.xml seems to give the custom faction that music profile! Awesome!

I'm not done yet though. My favourite hobbies are music and game modding, so this is to be expected. Next target is custom soundtrack addons!

Ah I see. Well I can't find anything that enables it, which is a shame. It doesn't appear to be a set list of tracks for the map screen, more a combination of a very long exploration theme with a few race-specific tracks. I can only associate the Iconian music with event screens or something around that area though, so I think there might be some exceptions.

If you can't understand what I'm saying, then honestly neither can I. Sometimes things show in game that I can't even find in the game files. Yet.

And agreed! Weird that a thread with literally 2 active posters might have stumbled on a type of addon I've not seen packaged for GC3 before. It can be our secret until, what is 'suddenly' to everyone else, some mods arrive

Anyway, if it goes to plan I'll make a template mod if someone doesn't beat me to it.

On top of that I'll make soundtracks for my own custom races. Along with a custom tech tree, shipset, UI colour scheme,-- and OH, I accidentally found out how to make animated leaders and backgrounds while I was figuring how the vanilla major races have their own music!   ...Anyway as I was saying, all those things packaged together will make for a very immersive major race mod.

I can make the music myself I think, and/or give it to other people to use in their mods. I usually put off music after a while of failing to instil emotion, but I could make a very long soundscape sci-fi sounding thing easy! (And give it a quick license )

Yep! It seems exactly like that, because my Quarians use the Iconian music. I think Sorentoft's finished ME race pack had Iridium for Quarians too.

I've been changing that for a while, and I'm not sure if position is important when adding that line. Of course the game is very good at being minimised, so I usually have the music off and put something on from my PC.

I have to go to college very, very soon so I don't have time to check names and such right now, but yes, if you were playing Drengin your soundtrack would be Exploration+Drenging_War+Drengin_Peace and so on.

If you wanted to replace the Drengin music you could swap their name for another race's to get their tracks, or you could replace the actual audio files.

If you simply want to add Drengin music to a mod-based custom faction, then one line into the xml and it's done!

You're welcome. I too want a bit more variety, and I'm just enjoying exploring what we can do with mods.

Hello All,

   I have been looking at this.  I obtained the DLC with additional music and was able to trace down the following files.

Location:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\data\AudioAssets.xml

These seem to be the music for the standard map.  Different tags for planets and etc.

<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_1</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_01a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_2</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_02a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_3</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_06a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_4</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_Early_Promise.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_5</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_EarlyGameTheme_5.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_6</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient13_01a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>

<Asset>
<Tag>EARLY_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_7</Tag>
<Filename>Space01_New01.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>

<Asset>
<Tag>MID_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_1</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_ALongTwilight.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>MID_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_2</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_MidGame_Ambient_07a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>MID_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_3</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_MidGameTheme2.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>MID_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_4</Tag>
<Filename>GaCiv3_Ambient_Epic_Version_01b.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>

<Asset>
<Tag>LATE_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_1</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_LateGame_09a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>LATE_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_2</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_LateGame_10a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>LATE_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_3</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_LateGame_11a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>LATE_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_4</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_Ambient_LateGame_12a.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>
<Asset>
<Tag>LATE_GAME_AMBIENT_MUSIC_5</Tag>
<Filename>GalCiv3_EarlyGameTheme3_Epic.mp3</Filename>
</Asset>

The filenames in the tags are located in ...

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\music

I assume you could substitute the files in this location or rename the file in the xml.  However I would prefer the ability to playlist the ambient music.  Any ideas?

Thank you,