Civ III player moves up to Civ IV.

[random255]

I used to use the Civ III editor all the time, and one thing I'd love to do was tweak the resource values, and the starting techs for a given Civilization. One thing I would not do would be to edit the map itself. In that way, I could tweak the way the starting game would work, but still not know "what was over the next hill" on the map.

Is there any way to use the world builder in CIV IV to alter the starting values of things, without having a particular map? I really don't want to know what the globe looks like without exploring it on my own within the game.

Thanks!

 

[Teg_Navanis]

What you have in mind can be best achieved by editing the XML files. I'm afraid it's a bit less intuitive than editing Civ3.

 

[Déja]

ARGH... I was working on a very lengthy response, but I accidentally hit ctrl-w instead of ctrl-v, and I closed the window.

Anyway, to make a long story short: try copying over the Assets\XML folder to the _Civ4CustomAssets folder (so you can make changes without overwriting the default files, but still have the changes used in your game).

Then look at XML\Civilizations\CIV4CivilizationInfos.xml and look at the <freetechs> tags (the technologies are listed on XML\Technologies\CIV4TechInfos.xml) and look at XML\Terrain\CIV4TerrainInfos.xml at the <iYield> tags to change the yields of the terrain types.

If you need help finding things (and you can't find them by searching the XML files) just throw another post up and I'm sure there'll be tons of people willing to help out.

Good luck!

 

[random255]

Thank you all for your replies so far. I'm finding Civ IV very challenging so far, it's above my general ability to play a game. But that's okay; everyone needs a challenge. I was never a great Civ III player either; I just did my best.

I have -no- idea what XML is, but if I can open it with notepad, maybe I can make it work. Thanks for the tip on saving the files to the other directory so I don't mess anything up: I'm not trying to end up doing a reinstall here!

I think one thing I need to do is SLOW DOWN my game. I move all the units, then see the "end turn" option and hit it. I need to take time to examine cities, look at diplomacy, etc... Plus I've -never- set a specialist up in a city, and I'd prolly do better figuring out how to do that properly.

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

First-and best-peace of advice I can give you is to download Altova XMLSpy Home Edition. It is the editing program used by firaxis to create all their XML files, and is dead easy to use!
The file it sounds like you want the most is BonusInfos.xml, to tweak resources.
Just so you know, you have 3 levels of modification. XML is by far the easiest, and lie in the XML folder of Assets. Though simple it only allows you to tweak the values of existing functions and to add new techs, resources, civs etc etc.
Python allows you to achieve more difficult feats (but is also more difficult to modify). It can allow you to do scripting and other cool stuff.
The most powerful element, however, is the SDK. This is essentially the bulk of the source code, for Civ4, which you can alter and add to to your hearts content.
As an example, I am using the SDK to add new tags to certain XML files.
Oh, and I'm afraid that I cannot think of a way to access worldbuilder without exposing the entire map-but perhaps I am mistaken?

Aussie_Lurker.

 

[random255]

I've found one way to use world builder without expsure to the world map...albiet a less techincal, "Stone Age" approach.

I hit escape and place my cursor over "Enter Worldbuilder"

I place my left hand over the lower left corner of my screen.

I left click on "Enter Worldbuilder."

I do my thing, with my hand covering the map overview.

I exit the worldbuilder.

It's not perfect, but it works. I'll have to see the XML editors, but I do wish something like the CIV III editor was in place... oh well, change requires change. Civ IV is a great game so far!

 

[Déja]

I've found one way to use world builder without expsure to the world map...albiet a less techincal, "Stone Age" approach.
...
I place my left hand over the lower left corner of my screen.
...

You could always use Post-It! notes