You can do this using the debug kit[www.petroglyphgames.com]. Note that running the game in debug mode is very slow. In my experience it cuts down the FPS by more than half. It may not be viable for cinematic capture, but you're welcome to try anyway.

There is a long list of supported commands that it spits out to the logfile when you launch the game, so be on the lookout for that. Use the tilde (~) key to open and close the command console.

The two commands in particular you'd need to use are:

Console Command: 'switch_player' - Switch players in playback mode

Console Command: 'SwitchControl' - Switches a player between AI and human control.
Usage: SwitchControl <faction_name> <AIPlayerTypeName | Human>

Enter this for each AI controlled faction in the game. The vanilla faction names for the commands are: empire, rebellion, and underworld. For example, if it's just a 1v1 (you are Rebs vs AI Imps), then enter:


Next, to switch sides you can use the F key on your keyboard (if I remember correctly). If that doesn't work or you need the command for whatever reason, it is:

Originally posted by Nikomer:

You can do this using the debug kit[www.petroglyphgames.com]. Note that running the game in debug mode is very slow. In my experience it cuts down the FPS by more than half. It may not be viable for cinematic capture, but you're welcome to try anyway.

There is a long list of supported commands that it spits out to the logfile when you launch the game, so be on the lookout for that. Use the tilde (~) key to open and close the command console.

The two commands in particular you'd need to use are:

Console Command: 'switch_player' - Switch players in playback mode

Console Command: 'SwitchControl' - Switches a player between AI and human control.
Usage: SwitchControl <faction_name> <AIPlayerTypeName | Human>

Enter this for each AI controlled faction in the game. The vanilla faction names for the commands are: empire, rebellion, and underworld. For example, if it's just a 1v1 (you are Rebs vs AI Imps), then enter:

switchcontrol empire human

Next, to switch sides you can use the F key on your keyboard (if I remember correctly). If that doesn't work or you need the command for whatever reason, it is:

switch_player

does this work for modded aswell?

Originally posted by Inflated_chair:

does this work for modded aswell?

Yes, but you will need to dig into the XML to find the names of each faction in the mod. Also modded performance (especially the large mods like EaWX, AotR, Remake, etc.) is even worse in debug kit. The debug kit is meant specifically for debugging, not playing the game. It's the only way to control both sides in a battle though, unless you want to set up VMs on your computer and play a LAN match side by side on the same screen. Your mileage will vary.

game does not start ? when installed these debug_files ?

Thrawns Revenge has a Cinematic Mode