Designing Eastern Front 1941 -> -scenario

[hannurabi]

Actually I'm first creating this scenario for Civ 1 DOS version but since the scenario building tools for CivII are much better I'm thinking to create or at least design the scenario for civ II too. But I'm not so familiar with civ II environment I have few questions.

First some info about my scenario idea:

Scenario starts at summer 1941 when Germany attacked Soviet Union.

Human player controls the Soviets. Goal is to defend against German offensive and conquer Axis (key) cities as soon as possible.

Theme for scenario is "Every shield matters"... It's supposed to be very difficult scenario to beat but still allow various paths to victory.

Historical accuracy and realism are important but they must not subvert gameplay and the theme.

Only nations in scenario are USSR and Germany (german allies are possible too but I don't want their units to block german units to pass.) Map will contain area from Arctic sea to Alps/North Italy and from Germany to east of Ural mountains.


And the quetions:

I don't have ToT just MGE. Is that very limiting?

Which already existing scenarios I should check out for reference and inspiration?

Is it possible to have unique units for civs in Civ II (mge)?

I guess there is pretty much infinite source for unit art etc ?

How the event system work? Is there technical tutorial/guide/reference for creating scenarios? What is possible and what isn't?

I'm thinking of implementing lend-lease program this way: In the arctic sea there's a island full of caravans. Then there's one boat with limited cargo space (scenario won't have other naval units). Player must ship the caravans to Murmansk railroad or to Arkhangelsk and use the caravans to hurry production in cities.(Build factories for example) The extra production from the caravans should that much important , that without it, winning would be next to impossible.

Has something like that tried in civII before? Are there other (better) ways to implement lend-lease program?


Are there ways to manipulate AI? To control which cities it aims to attack most willingly etc. I would also like to see AI to try to siege Leningrad and starve it. Is there way to make AI fortify units next to it and/or pillage improvements.

Is there anything else I should know?

 

[CurtSibling]

Hi there!
Interesting idea, but one thing to note...There is a famous CIV2 scenario called: "Red Front", which might be the definitive East Front mod.

This mod covers most of what you speak of...Not sure what else can be added to it?

PS
I suggest you pick up ToT, as the scope for scenario-building is vast compared to MGE.

 

[tootall_2012]

Hi hannurabi,

I think our little community is always ready to welcome a member who would like to contribute their own designs.

As Curt indicated, there is an excellent scenario that was created by Captain Nemo and Alex Mor some years ago called Red Front that covers the same topic. It was originally created for MGE but there is also a conversion for ToT. If you want to take a look you can find it on the Scenario League website at the following link: http://sleague.civfanatics.com/index.php?title=Red_Front

You will find a wealth of valuable guides and tips at following links for both MGE and ToT:

Scenario League : http://sleague.civfanatics.com/index.php?title=Category:Tips
CivFanatics: http://civfanatics.com/civ2/reference
Catfish’s Cave: http://users.tpg.com.au/jpwbeest/index.htm
The Cradle of Civilization : http://sleague.civfanatics.com/COC/

As Curt indicated, if you are interested you should get a copy of Test of Time, as it is the most advanced version of the Civilization II series and the one that gives designers the most options, especially thanks to the great work of TheNamelessOne and his The Test Of Time Patch Project which you can find here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=517282

 

[tootall_2012]

I've attached the following file that gives an explanation of how to use the macro language required for creating an events file:

 

[hannurabi]

Thanks a lot for the links. And the macro language for the events sounds like more expressive than I thought it would be.

Yeah, I suspected that there already are scenarios similar to my idea, but I might give it a go anyway.

 

[Tanelorn]

Welcome hannurabi, feel free to ask for anything graphics wise, I'd be glad to give you a hand.

 

[Patine]

Yes, Tanelorn can dig up tonnes of obscure historical infantry units from all over the place (but he still hasn't drawn up those Danish colonial infantry yet, I'll wager - I may have given him a Gordian Knot there).

 

[Tanelorn]

Well, I have found this one for Ghana and Guinea, but I have no indication as to the era or other details. They look like black powder units though. Would they work for you?
I have some Napoleonic West Indies green jacket colonials too.
https://gr.pinterest.com/pin/523895369133513897/
https://gr.pinterest.com/pin/191684527867694616/
And I just found a 1916 Danish Colonial Soldier from the West Indies as well.
https://gr.pinterest.com/pin/523895369133513901/
And these, no year indication:
https://gr.pinterest.com/pin/523895369133513928/

 

[Patine]

I think those African units are a bit too early, as I don't believe the Danish took their "share" of the Gold Coast from the Dutch until sometime in the 18th Century. The Napoleonic ones would cover part of their control of the Danish West indies, but they were there until 1917. And I have no idea what they bundled up in in Greenland in the old days. I'm afraid I'm as stumped as you are. Anyways. it's not a priority - at best for (likely distantly) future projects, so maybe you'll stumble across at some point...

 

[tootall_2012]

Hi hannurabi,

I didn’t mean to imply that you shouldn’t design an Eastern front scenario, I strongly believe that designers should work on any creation they feel inspired about, only that Red Front should serve as a great source of inspiration.

Furthermore, with regards creating events file, you should also review the following links from the Scenario League site, which teach you how to use flags and masks:

An Introduction to Flags

Flags and Masks for ToT

If you go to the following http://panzercentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=41451&hilit=fairline&start=5200, and scroll down to the middle of the webpage of the PanzerGeneral forum site you will find a whole series of Fairline's excellent WWII unit graphics which covers all the major belligerents of the war (British, American, Russian, German, Japanese, French, Chinese, Minor Powers).

EDIT:
You should also review the following link on this CivFanatics website for other World War Two unit graphics: WW2 Unit Graphics

 

[McMonkey]

Hi hannurabi,

Welcome to the Scenario League. You mentioned working on a Civ1 scenario. Are you looking at making a straight forward scenario based on the original game (like an expanded version of the WW2 scenario that came with CIV2) or are you thinking of launching into the full on custom scenario build?

If it is the latter I would echo the comments advising you to acquire Test of Time. As well as being a powerful development platform there is also a wealth of excellent scenarios to enjoy and draw inspiration from. Good luck!