This isn't serious, it's simply a safety feature to insure you don't move or alter this file by accident since the game needs it to function properly. The first thing we do is change this file from a read-only one to one we can either rename or move it. Here's how we do it:
- Left mouse click the file once and in the flyout go down to "properties"
- When the new box opens, look at the section marked "attributes" and un-tick the "read-only" box
- Click apply then ok
There, no affect to that file other than its attribute. The first thing to do now is to make a copy of the original proto.xml and put it in another folder somewhere on your computer for safe keeping. You'll probably never need that back-up, but better to be safe than sorry in case you somehow mess up and loose the original. I usually call the new folder "AOE3_Vanilla_files" so it's easy to find later if needed. You can now either move the original proto.xml somewhere else on your computer - remember AOE 3 can only function with one proto.xml - or you can simply rename the original. I like re-naming the original since it allows me to keep it in place. I usually name the original something like "protoVanilla.xml so I know exactly what it is. Then it's just a matter of copying or dragging the modded proto.xml into the c/Program Files/Microsoft Game/AOE3/data folder. As you can see, all we've done is replace the original with the modded version. This is really the way all mods are installed.
And that's it, our game is now modded with new units! All that remains is to fire up the game and enjoy!
To un-install the modded proto, we would just move the mdded one out of the c/Program Files/Microsoft Game/AOE3/data folder (or rename it to say protoModded.xml) and rename the original proto back to proto.xml. Otherwise if we moved the original proto.xml we would just move it back to the that data folder. It's that simple, all done and ready to play on ESO2 with no OOS problems.
Conclusion
If you've hesitated to try modded projects for fear of messing up your computer or game, I hope after reading this article you feel more comfortable with the process. When I first started playing custom scenarios, maps and campaigns I was also fearful they would damage my system. After trying my first modded game I realized my fears where unfounded, and that I had been missing out on a lot of great projects! Good downloads will always contain clear and concise instructions so installing them is a breeze. And since all we're doing is shuffling or re-naming files, restoring the game to its original content, to prevent OOS errors, is also really easy. If you're considering DLing a particular project, you can always read the reviews or comments, and if there are no complaints of errors, then feel free to DL and enjoy it. So what are you waiting for? DL The Trials today and enjoy the game like you've never seen it before.
