Can I edit difficulty level in mid-game?

[tatiana30241]

Hi,

I started a game as a talent because I haven't played in a while, but now I have everything developed and it is just ridiculously easy. I would like to make it harder without having to start over.

I assumed this could be done by editing the .sav file, but none of the Civ sav file editors I found will work.

Can anyone provide me with more information on this?

Thank you!

 

[Pfeffersack]

Hi,

I started a game as a talent because I haven't played in a while, but now I have everything developed and it is just ridiculously easy. I would like to make it harder without having to start over.

I assumed this could be done by editing the .sav file, but none of the Civ sav file editors I found will work.

Can anyone provide me with more information on this?

Thank you!

I don't know a way to directly change the difficulty of an ongoing game, but modifying the text files of the AI opponents you have in that game might work (by giving them additional boni). I haven't tried this, but I know that changes made to the alpha.txt will have an effect when reloading the save. Just be sure to back up everything before changing something and good luck!

 

[tatiana30241]

Yes, I'm sure that will make it better at least. I just wish I knew exactly what to change and how much to change it. I don't actually know what changing the difficulty level with the game settings actually does, programming wise. Also, the factions' text files don't really seem to have that many options for change. This segment for the Gaians, for instance, seems to be all that would really make a difference:

#DATALINKS2
^+1 PLANET: {Environmental safeguards; can capture mindworms}
^+2 EFFICIENCY: {Experience with life systems & recycling}
^-1 MORALE: {Pacifist tendencies}
^-1 POLICE: {Freedom loving}
^+1 Nutrients in fungus squares
^{May not use Free Market economics.}

So I can go in and give them more nutrients, efficiency and planet, and remove the police and morale penalties, but is there anything else I can do?

Sorry to be dense, but it's been a while since I have done this.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Petek]

Hi Tatiana30241,

You can directly change the game's difficulty level, but to do so you have to use the scenario editor. If you use the scenario editor, you won't get a score at the end of the game, however.

To change the difficulty level, press Ctrl+K to open the scenario editor. Then go Menu --> Scenario --> Set Difficulty Level and confirm your choice. That should do it.

I see that you have posted while I was composing my reply. I'll take a look and post again, if I have anything more to add.

Petek

 

[tatiana30241]

You can directly change the game's difficulty level, but to do so you have to use the scenario editor.
Petek

Oh, that's great, thanks! I will definitely do that.

I just went in and gave everyone more nutrients, industry, and growth, however, so I think I'll play for a few years and see how they are affected. It could be scary.

Thanks again.

 

[vyeh]

If you will post your save here, Petek or another CMN can change the difficulty level. (It involves going into the scenario editor and setting the difficulty levels.)

I can do it, but I use a Mac and you would have to run my save through a program, which I can point you to, so you could save my game (I'm assuming you use Windows).

(Petek, if you want to know how to do it while keeping the "CHEATED" flag off, I'll share the details in the CMN private forum.)

Lots of cross-posts:

Petek, I'll tell you how to preserve the score at the end of the game in the CMN private forum.

 

[Petek]

Oh, that's great, thanks! I will definitely do that.

I just went in and gave everyone more nutrients, industry, and growth, however, so I think I'll play for a few years and see how they are affected. It could be scary.

Thanks again.

If you made the changes to the #DATALINKS2 portion of the txt file, they won't actually affect the game play. All that section does (I think) is to change the display of the faction's attributes in the help (Datalinks) files. I can tell you how to change the factions' txt files, if you wish. However, (unlike changes to alpha(x).txt), they don't seem to take affect in an ongoing game.

If you wish, I would be glad to change the difficulty level for you so that you'll still get a score for the game. Just post a save file.

@vyeh -- Yes, please post the instructions on the CMN forum. Thanks!

Petek

 

[vyeh]

However, (unlike changes to alpha(x).txt), they don't seem to take affect in an ongoing game....

@vyeh -- Yes, please post the instructions on the CMN forum. Thanks!

Petek

I recall reading posts (maybe it was Darsnan) saying that certain alphax.txt info is preserved in the save file.

I posted the instructions in the CMN forum.

 

[Petek]

I recall reading posts (maybe it was Darsnan) saying that certain alphax.txt info is preserved in the save file.

I posted the instructions in the CMN forum.

I think you're right. I just checked what happens when you change the Movement rate along roads option and it did take effect in games in progress.

Petek