Steps:

1- Based on something topical or something that interests you, think of a policy idea that a government can implement. Think of a short description to help others. Include in the description, who within the context of the game will be impacted. This will help when you enter details in 'Create your Mod' section.

2. Great, now scribble your idea down.

3. Use a name for your policy, ideally with self-explanatory key words. I use lower case only. Usually when icons don't show up, there is a spelling mistake or discrepancy.

4. Now use a site where you can get free icons. I use 'flaticons' but there are many. Once you have searched the data base and feel happy with the icon, save a jpg file under 'mod' folder.

5. Now you have an idea, a name and a jpg icon. Let's head to 'Create your Mod'!

6. Use the exact same name - no spacings, no capital letters, exact same name - to create the policy. So, if the jpg file name is the same as the new policy name, an icon should automatically appear in the bottom left hand corner.

7. Enter the brief description (1 of 2). Now take a quick photo of that page.

8. Now check this initial page and click 'Submit to Workshop'.

9. The Steam page opens (I use Steam ... unsure about others) ... here click on your 'username' and click 'Activity' ... your initial policy should show up with the correct icon.

10. Minimise this page.

11. Return to the 'Create the Mod' page... click close.

12. Click 'Mod' and select 'Update Mode'... select your Mod from the top of the list.

13. Now you will see the initial page you had created with the option to 'Add content'

14. Click 'Add Content'

15. Select the 'Policy' tab

16. Using the photograph clicked, re enter the same policy description (2/2).

17. Enter costs, income, political capital required, implementation delay (you'll be able to amend these if the numbers seem abnormal in game play); click NEW and add the impact of your policy.

18. Using site like ‘FreeConvert’ (consent – REJECT ALL), upload your jpg used above and convert to svg. Once done, save the svg file in the format ‘icons_filename’. Ensure the name is exact as you used before.

19. Save this file under ‘mods’ … you should see other icons with numbers here.

20. You will notice that under ‘mods’ folder, there is a file with your policy name. Click this and you should see ‘data’ & ‘translation’ folders and a config file.

21. Click ‘data’ to discover ‘simulation’ and ‘svg’ folders. The svg file you just converted should be moved to this ‘svg’ folder. If the svg file is not moved here, the icon will be missing in the game!

22. Now, returning to the Steam page, click your ‘username’ and ‘activity’ as before. Alternatively, click ‘Workshop’ and find your mod under ‘Democracy 4’.

23. You should be able to click the + sign to subscribe; now you should see your mod featured on the list every time you start your game. The mod should have a ‘Green’ rather than ‘Pink’ background. You’ll see two tabs – UNINSTALL MOD or ENABLE/ DISABLE MOD.

24. Next to the page where you subscribed, you can add your mod to your collection and also favourite this mod (I usually ‘FAVOURITE’ my mod once I have checked whether or how it plays out in the game)

25. Check how your policy operates within the context of the game. Change it if required, check all details again… no short cuts… if something bugs you, then just correct it.

26. Share your policy in the comments

27. Good Luck!

Gaurang38