XSDs for Mod Files for Each Release

[irotsoma]

I'd like to make a suggestion, that full xsds for the mod xml files be released with every new version of Rimworld going forward.  With these I might be able to put together a simple dynamic editor that will allow for editing and creating simple mods and work across versions as well as a compare tool that compares the xsds to help with upgrading mods.  This might be a start on a real mod kit, and I'd do it fully open source (even allowing for Ludeon to eventually include it in the product if it turns out any good).  I wouldn't have a ton of time to devote to it, but it would definitely speed things up if we had xsds with the full list of element details and maybe even some annotations so that this could all be non-version specific since doing something version specific during alpha would be a waste. 

We could probably already generate some xsds off of the core mod, but that would be unreliable since the core mods may not use everything in every format and it would be making some guesses on data types and allowed code lists.  Also, that would mean not being able to add annotations to help the user.  Something official would be awesome, even if the first version isn't documented, but we had a commitment for future updates to add details, I'd be ok with that as well, and I could at least put together a POC.

Anyway, just a thought based on a discussion on Reddit.  I know you guys are busy, but even if it came out a little after the release, it would be useful.

As always, thanks for the great game!

[NemesisN]

I like this idea

any tools that make modding easy for those who are not experienced at it (like me) would be a nice thing....with that we would have more mods from more people created

I gave up creating a mod because it was too complicated for me....if there was a tool to make it a little bit easier I would get back on it again