[freeciv-data] Modpack support...

["Bobby D. Bryant" <bdbryant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here are the major issues for modpack support, if anyone is interested
in working on any of them for the next version of Freeciv:

 o We need a ruleset-specified calendar for the game.  Ideally this
would allow specification of the start date, end date, and the
turn-step-size for several epochs.  The more flexible, the better.

 o Some sort of mechanism for partitioning the tech tree to prevent
various species/nations from researching inappropriate technologies.
For instance, a fantasy modpack should be able to set up a tech tree
that will not let Dwarves research elven technologies (or build elven
units), and vice versa.  OTOH, perhaps certain techs could be flagged as
available for giving away or being stolen, but would not allow
additional research from that point.  A number of ideas were put forth
on this over the last year, but no decision was made about what should
actually be done.

 o Not really a modpack issue, but it looks like flags are going to be
an issue if nations continue to be added.  Either the flag graphics file
needs to be made larger, or else it needs to be split up to use a
separate file for each nation.  (The latter might be more useful for
modpack designers.)


Thanks,

Bobby Bryant
Austin, Texas