[CodeCat]

Sides are pretty weird actually, the way they work at least. The Side setting does very little I think, it's just hardcoded but the true "Side" a player is, is chosen through the start building. PlayableSide also seems to do very little, maybe it messes up some routines (read about that somewhere...) but in general it doesn't do what you expect.

[Sleipnir]

In ZH, Challengemode.ini overrides some of the stuff in playertemplate.ini.

Just set StartsEnabled = no, and that should do it. (this is how the boss general is disabled)

[CodeCat]

Interesting! I should have a look at that, never knew ChallengeMode.ini had any influence as well.

[EvilViking]

I found another way. I just commented out the side:

PlayerTemplate FactionIraq
; BaseSide = Iraq
; PlayableSide = No
; StartMoney = 0
; PreferredColor = R:255 G:0 B:0
; IntrinsicSciences = SCIENCE_IRAQ
; PurchaseScienceCommandSetRank1 = SCIENCE_Iraqi_CommandSetRank1
; PurchaseScienceCommandSetRank3 = SCIENCE_Iraqi_CommandSetRank3
; PurchaseScienceCommandSetRank8 = SCIENCE_Iraqi_CommandSetRank8
; SpecialPowerShortcutCommandSet = SpecialPowerShortcutIraq
; SpecialPowerShortcutWinName = GenPowersShortcutBarGLA.wnd
; SpecialPowerShortcutButtonCount = 10
; DisplayName = INI:FactionIraq
; StartingBuilding = IraqiCommandCenter
; StartingUnit0 = IraqiDozer
; ScoreScreenImage = GLA_ScoreScreen
; LoadScreenImage = SUFactionLogoPage_GLA
; LoadScreenMusic = Load_GLA
; ScoreScreenMusic = Score_GLA
; ;HeadWaterMark = SCTempSelectPortrait ; don't use unless we add a "generalshead for non selected generals
; FlagWaterMark = WatermarkGLA
; EnabledImage = SSObserverGLA
; BeaconName = MultiplayerBeacon
; SideIconImage = GameinfoGLA
; GeneralImage = GLA_Logo
; OldFaction = Yes ; This faction was available in the original Generals and should be available even if the oldFactionsOnly flag is set
; ArmyTooltip = TOOLTIP:BioStrategyLong_Iraq
; Features = GUI:BioFeatures_Iraq
; MedallionRegular = GLAGeneral_slvr
; MedallionHilite = GLAGeneral_blue
; MedallionSelect = GLAGeneral_orng
End

Then, I copied the Observer's code, removing the " IsObserver = Yes" line:

PlayerTemplate FactionIraq
Side = Iraq
PlayableSide = No
StartMoney = 0
PreferredColor = R:255 G:0 B:0
IntrinsicSciences = None
DisplayName = INI:FactionObserver
ScoreScreenImage = MutiPlayer_ScoreScreen
LoadScreenImage = Mp_Load
LoadScreenMusic = Load_USA
ScoreScreenMusic = Score_USA
BeaconName = MultiplayerBeacon
SideIconImage = GameinfoOBSRVR
OldFaction = Yes
; BaseSide = Iraq
; PlayableSide = No
; StartMoney = 0
; PreferredColor = R:255 G:0 B:0
; IntrinsicSciences = SCIENCE_IRAQ
; PurchaseScienceCommandSetRank1 = SCIENCE_Iraqi_CommandSetRank1
; PurchaseScienceCommandSetRank3 = SCIENCE_Iraqi_CommandSetRank3
; PurchaseScienceCommandSetRank8 = SCIENCE_Iraqi_CommandSetRank8
; SpecialPowerShortcutCommandSet = SpecialPowerShortcutIraq
; SpecialPowerShortcutWinName = GenPowersShortcutBarGLA.wnd
; SpecialPowerShortcutButtonCount = 10
; DisplayName = INI:FactionIraq
; StartingBuilding = IraqiCommandCenter
; StartingUnit0 = IraqiDozer
; ScoreScreenImage = GLA_ScoreScreen
; LoadScreenImage = SUFactionLogoPage_GLA
; LoadScreenMusic = Load_GLA
; ScoreScreenMusic = Score_GLA
; ;HeadWaterMark = SCTempSelectPortrait ; don't use unless we add a "generalshead for non selected generals
; FlagWaterMark = WatermarkGLA
; EnabledImage = SSObserverGLA
; BeaconName = MultiplayerBeacon
; SideIconImage = GameinfoGLA
; GeneralImage = GLA_Logo
; OldFaction = Yes ; This faction was available in the original Generals and should be available even if the oldFactionsOnly flag is set
; ArmyTooltip = TOOLTIP:BioStrategyLong_Iraq
; Features = GUI:BioFeatures_Iraq
; MedallionRegular = GLAGeneral_slvr
; MedallionHilite = GLAGeneral_blue
; MedallionSelect = GLAGeneral_orng
End

Now, I have a side like the Civilians, which I can use for cinimatic purposes.

[CodeCat]

Ok then, here's your next "mission":

Remove the comment of each of those lines, until the side appears in the list. I'd like to know which line actually puts it in the list...

[EvilViking]

Like I have the time. :lol:

[Soviet_Deso]

oh but can we take out a side from the game?:evil:

[EvilViking]

Yes?? lol