Civ-4 GOTM 01: Saves available

[ainwood]

STOP!

Please note:

Before you download this save, you MUST have installed patch version 109. We will not be able to accept any saves submitted in any other version.

Please note the rules of this competition - especially if you have not played a Game Of The Month previously:

We have zero tolerance for cheating. This includes (but is not limited to):

1. Reloading a save file to play parts of the game again. You may only load a save file to start a new play session. We recommend that you aim to play sessions of at least one hour in duration.
2. Playing the game through again with the starting save. You must submit your first attempt at the game, otherwise you are replaying with knowledge of the map.
3. Using exploits. If you have a tactic that you think may be an exploit (ie an unfair advantage gained by taking advantage of flaws in the game mechanics), then we request that you ask one of the GOTM staff before using it. We reserve the right to reject any games that have been played using exploits.
4. Modifying saves, XML etc. The game should be locked to prevent you from using changed XML or python etc, however we are not completely sure of the mechanics of this. If we find you have managed to edit the game in any way, your submission will be rejected.

Remember - its a fun competition - please play within the spirit of community that we have here.


Now: Download the saves from here.

Entries close December 31st 2005

The first spoiler thread will open in a few days, and we will work over the next month to complete the game submission system and get the website up-and-running.

If you have problems loading that save game and get a message that the save cannot be loaded because it is password protected, then please try the save here instead.

 

[clut]

Great work for having the game available so soon after the patch.

I have a question, as a first time GOTM'er would it be possible to include a readme file with the save, to instruct first time players as to where the save should go, and a reminder of the rules etc.

I guess I can figure out where the save should go myself, but not everyone will want/will be able to do this. I know the veterans may find this tedious, but I know there are a lot of first timers about to lose thier GOTM virginity. It'd be a shame if some of them were scared off because they don't know what to do with the file, or how to upload it back up again once they've finished.


That said... I'm about to lose the big GOTM-V myself right now!!


[edit]

The save file comes down as a .txt, which I re-named to the appropriate extension (I don't know if this is standard practice.) but when I try to load it Civ says that the save file is protected to ensure the are no changes in my mods folder... and then goes back to the Main Menu. I have a fresh installation of Civ (i.e. no mods), with the patch.

 

[Tubby Rower]

wooOOOoooot!!!1!! I hope I don't finish last

EDIT:: what about the mods that I have in my signature. One only effects the time at the upper right corner of the screen and the other dumps a turn log into a text file. Seems harmless but I don't want to start off on the wrong foot..

 

[RED1]

Yeah, guess thats my weekend gone

 

[Bolka]

Many thanks to the GOTM staff to provide the first 4otm that fast!

Impressive job!

 

[Redbad]

When I load the game I get the message that it is protected and then when I click ok the game doesn't load but return to the previous screen.

Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong here?

 

[crunch]

What am I doing wrong?

I choose Single player > Load game > civ4gotm01... > OK

The save file you have selected is protected to ensure that the assets in your mod folder have not been changed.

> OK

And I am returned to menu.

HELP!

 

[Tubby Rower]

apparently you have mods loaded. I guess that answers my question.

 

[Redbad]

Nope, no mod

 

[crunch]

I don't have mods. I edited tech tree XML file to avoid black terrain on my Intel graphics notebook though.

 

[clut]

apparently you have mods loaded. I guess that answers my question.

I don't have mods loaded... and I get this message
I know I don't have mods because I had to re-build my PC last weekend and untill yesterday I had a fresh, untouched Civ4, which was patched last night.. that's all that I've done so I know it's clean.

 

[Redbad]

Yes, I did alter the XML file too. Is this regarded as having a mod?

 

[crunch]

anyone loaded the game successfully?

 

[clut]

maybe... and this is just a theory until we get an official response... maybe ainwood, or whoever created the save file has a mod or two installed, and the save is protected to only play on machines with those same mods installed in the same places.

I'm probably wrong... but my pointing finger started to get itchy...

 

[CorSaiR]

anyone loaded the game successfully?

yes , without problems.

 

[clut]

yes , without problems.

did you install the xfire thingy with the patch??? I didn't. wondered if that makes a difference.

 

[crunch]

no xfire here but why should it matter?

 

[ainwood]

Yes, I did alter the XML file too. Is this regarded as having a mod?

Unfortunately, it is. Any changes to the XML, python, etc that are in the standard directories will cause this to happen.

Unfortunately, we have to do this, because otherwise you can change teh entire gameplay with a text editor.

 

[ainwood]

I don't have mods. I edited tech tree XML file to avoid black terrain on my Intel graphics notebook though.

Can you edit it back?

 

[crunch]

I think I already have done that. Perhaps I've overlooked something.
Can someone post the file somewhere?
Or can I find it on the DVD somewhere (without reinstalling)?