@Nikae
RE : Seed
As far as a set seed goes. I was talking about fixing it between disparate games, rather then just using the advanced tab, although I certainly did not explain myself very well.
The advanced tab only means the seed will be fixed at game start and NOT changed throughout, so results that require a random result will always be the same, given the same in game parameters, thus preventing the reload and re-ruin tactic.
SEED EXPLAINED
In case you do not know what a SEED is : A seed is just a number (Integer generally) that is used as a basis for random number generation within a program. So for example during combat when Civ is calculating if one Unit injures another it adds a small random component. With a set seed this random component, uses the SEED as the random part of the calculation. With a random seed, it will generally use the current time (in milliseconds).
So say that Civ adds a 10% random component to combat (I have no idea how much it really adds). With a set seed it could just take the seed and Mod it by 10 to get a "random" percentage between 1 and 10. MOD just means divide by, and keep the remainder.
So 5 MOD 10 = 5, 15 MOD 10 = 5, 17 MOD 10 = 7, 117 MOD 100 = 17 etc.
As the seed does not change, neither will the random amount that is added to combat this time. To make sure it changes each combat, you could just add the TURN number and combat engagement number, to the calculation thus ensuring the result is always the same - for the same set of circumstance. So turn 115, second combat, means add 117 to the seed, then MOD by 10.
Alternatively a random seed (not a set one) would always be different, even in the same set of circumstances.
These were just simple examples for determining a random component, the exact formulae will be more complex, but similar in principle. I hope that is not too bad an explanation. I would have explained further but I am fighting against the WALL OF TEXT
What I actually meant (RE: Seeds), was taking the seed from one game (making sure the non random seed checkbox was set), and then using it in another. Thus making the difference between the games totally dependent on your choice as a player.
This allows you to use, for example, a different civ. You can do the same thing by just saving your game and then reloading (so long as non random seed is checked) but this wont allow you to try a different Civ, or starting position. I am not sure if the seed is used for the map too, so you may need to save the map seperately.
THE CONFIG FILE
There are two such seed variables in the config file :
; Random seed for game sync, or '0' for default
SyncRandSeed = 0
; Random seed for map generation, or '0' for default
MapRandSeed = 0
In my computer the path to the file is C:\Users\Harvey\Documents\My Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 5
The name of the file is
Config.ini (May appear as just config depending on your OS settings).
Just change
"Harvey" to your windows username in the path to locate it. NOTE : If you are using a MAC I do not know what the path is, sorry.
FYI : There is another Config.ini in the steam Civ V directory but (IIRC) this one is just a link to the one above, and is thus a copy, so just ignore it.
It would seem from the above that there are two different seeds, one for the map and the other for in game stuff.
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I should stress. I have not altered these two variables before and so if you choose to do so, it is without any guarantee as to the effects. I am very cavalier about messing with the system, so saying I would just go ahead and have at it, may not be the best advice If you are truly interested in this, then I can try it out for you if you like. If you are not that fussed about messing with it, then just have a go. Set the seed to the same number, spawn two different games and see what happens, ie same map, same ruins, same locations etc. Perhaps just try the map by its self first.
PLEASE : (@All) Any that want to mess around with this, use at your own risk. Don't try anything without backing up your saves and achieves to steam. Also make a backup of the config file first so you can reload it later if you want/need. You can also get Steam to validate your files when you have finsihed, if you really want to be sure the system gets set back to the way it was.
That said I run with an altered config everytime and have no problems with Steam, Civ, Achieves etc.
If you are not willing to reinstall if things go wrong, or believe it will never happen, then STOP NOW. You can blame me all you like, if it all goes pair shaped, but neither Steam nor I will care.
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There are actually some cool things you can change in the Civ V config files (4 files IIRC) to improve your gameplay experience.
For example you can enable reflections which look pretty cool but are disabled be deault. Change the maximum Zoom level, etc. Again all this comes without a warranty
There are also some variables you can set that stop you having to set the advanced tab options each game.
I am actually working on cracking the code for some of these as people seem to want to know how to save their advanced options very badly, and I would like to help if I can find the time to figure it out. I am kinda baffled at the moment.
RE : Ruins
In regards to how ruins work, I am quite interested in your observations as I have not explicitely tested these myself in Civ V and was going to look into the mechanics for a couple of other Fanatics who were interested.
I believe Ruins are not just affected by the random seed, but also by past ruin results.
I think (and I stress this is still not much better than conjecture ATM) that each ruin of a given type actually reduces the odds of getting that same type again.
This could then make ruins appear to be changing (via the seed) when they are actually changing via earlier results.
For example take one more ruin and you alter the odds, take them in a different order and you alter the odds, etc.
So as it stands now, do you know what happens in the following situation : You have a non-random seed, select the same three ruins in a row, then reload, change a few of your choices but still take the same 3 ruins in the same order, will you get the same results ?
I am very interested in this answer, if you know off hand, and mind replying.
Thanks