Cinematics L-a-g-g-i-n-g

[Zoinker]

Just got the game two days ago and was a little worried that it might not work properly since I have an Intel (Laptop) graphics card. To my surprise I could play the game with relative ease even on the highest settings. There is only one problem though. As I progress in the game the wonder cinematics start to lag, to a point that at modern era they become almost unwatchable. This does not apply to the intro cinematic though, but does affect at least the spaceship ending in addition. I have tried setting "HideMovieBackground" in the config ini file from 0 to 1, as is recomended on civIV.com as well as setting graphics to the bare minimum (including resolution) without success.

My specs are:
CPU: PentiumM 2.0GhZ
RAM: 1024 MB
OS: WinXP-Home w. SP2
Video card: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML
CivIV installed w. patch 1.61

Thanks in advance

 

[Zanmato]

It's a memory issue, as the game progresses it needs more. Since your video card also uses the system memory it's going to get eaten up pretty rapidly. Suggest you try and switch the Bink16bit to '1' in the Civ4.ini file along with using the lowest graphic settings. Try playing on smaller maps also until you find the issue is less noticable. If it's not playing ball then just turn the movies off or try the low-res ones from the Civ4 official site.

 

[Zoinker]

Did all this (set Bink16bit to 1, Graphics to the lowest and got the low-res movies) and it STILL lags, so I pumped Gaphics to the max again and turned movies off, since I find that more acceptable than restricting gameplay. Still, if someone comes with some wonder-solution that will be greatly appreciated.

In the meantime, Is there any way to watch the cinematics outside the game itself?

 

[Zanmato]

You can download a stand-alone Bink player. I think this is it, http://www.free-codecs.com/RAD_Video_Tools_download.htm.

 

[Zoinker]

Thanks Zanmato. Now I can focus on enjoying the game itself.