City Error

[Scream~*]

Hi, I am new to the game and forum.

I played as Aztec in the biggest map with the most enemies in the easiest mode.

I killed 2 other civs and soon after 1640AD, I cannot seem to save the game or load it properly. There is this City Error and all my cities are not shown.

How may I solve this problem?

Thanks,
James

 

[CommandoBob]

First,

Welcome to the Forum!



On your error, if you could post a screenshot of the error message, that would help a lot.

 

[Scream~*]

how do i post a screenshot?

 

[CommandoBob]

To capture the error message as a picture you need to press Alt + Print Screen. This will only capture the error message, not the entire screen. Pressing Control + Print Screen will show the entire screen, which is probably not needed.

Pressing Alt + Print Screen or Control + Print Screen saves that image into a place called the 'Clipboard'.

Once the image is in the Clipboard, open Paint, or some other graphic image software, and paste the image into that program. Then save it with some descriptive name, as a JPEG file (name of file.jpg).

First part is done.

The second part can be done one of two ways.

You can attach the image to the post.

Or, you can open an account at either Photobucket or ImageShack (both are free), upload your image there, and then paste their autogenerated Image tag into your post. I use Photobucket; others use ImageShack; some do attachments to the post; there isn't a best answer on where to put the image. If you already have a place that is hosting images for you (say Webshots) then you could use that account instead of opening a new one.

 

[Scream~*]

lets see if it works

 

[Scream~*]

it works... but it is slightly big.

i play full screen as i do not know how to switch it to a small screen... is it possible?

 

[CommandoBob]

I searched this sub-forum and found the thread DataIO Error System Error: City. It is an old thread, dating back to '04, but seems to match your problem.

While that thread discusses what causes the problem in-game (which as a programmer I thought was an interesting problem), the solution is to get your version of Civ patched to 1.29 (the patch page is here) or spend about $20 (less at Amazon) and purchase Civ III Complete.

If you have the cash, get Civ III Complete. I'm cheap, but it is worth it.

If cash is a problem, and at times it is, download and install the proper patch and that will fix your problem also. Your version is 1.07, which is in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.

Civilization III has three versions; the original release, referred to as Vanilla, which is what you have, Play The World (added more AI and Medival Infantry) and Conquests (added even more AI, more Wonders and other things). All three have patches to fix various problems, such as the one you have. In Civ III Complete, all three versions are fully patched and all three install at one time. The installation will default to Conquests but the other two versions have their own folder and can be played apart from Conquests.

If you are not sure of which version you have, start a new game and see what choices of Civs you have. If you can be the Maya, you have Conqeusts. If you can be the Arabs, you have Play the World. Otherwise, you have Vanilla.

 

[Scream~*]

what is the difference betweent the playing of the versions?

 

[Scream~*]

yup i took america out, took their last city and in the next turn took their last settler in boat. let me try the new patch.

do i need the 1.22 or will 1.29 do?

 

[Scream~*]

after installing 1.29, they asked to install the CD... which i cannot find anymore.

now i cant even play a new game...

 

[Scream~*]

erm i was just reading the comments on the download page for 1.29. seems like im not the only one with problems haha.

 

[CommandoBob]

what is the difference betweent the playing of the versions?

This thread, Civ3 Conquests Additions & Changes List, lists the changes that were added with Conquests.

 

[Scream~*]

oh ok, i still cannot run the game because i cannot find the disk haha. i might have thrown it away years ago.

 

[CommandoBob]

I have seen Civ III vanilla at Target for $9.99, but at Amazon Civ III Complete is about $18 and has all three games. I have seen Civ III Complete at Target for $19.99 but I did not see it on my last trip.

Good luck!