Custom Map - stop the animation?

[LivingDog]

When I start a new map I usually go do something else, like build a house, rocket around the galaxy, or shave... b/c it takes so long and there is no way to stop its playing... I have tried the ESC key, the SPACE bar, and the ENTER key. (The SPACE bar works on the initial screen. This let's the pop-up window appear quickly which gives you the initial options: LOAD/CUSTOM MAP/etc. whatever.)

Nonetheless, the problem is once you select "Custom Map". Is there a way to stop it so I don't have to wait until the end of the universe to start the game?

 

[Valen]

The animation plays to pass the time while the map is being generated.
Space bar or Enter key sets you up to interrupt the animation once the map is ready.
Using DosBox, I only get a couple lines into the "history of the world" before the game comes up.
What setup are you using to run the game?

 

[Dimosha]

Does anyone know why if I choose "IBM Music", the game runs faster?
As an example: if I choose "no music please" the game runs very slowly - all the animation, turns etc.

 

[Whelkman]

If you're using DOSBox, increase the number of CPU cycles generated with Ctrl+F12 and/or modify the defaults in dosbox.conf. DOSBox's default of 3,000 cycles equates roughly to a 12 MHz 286. To get performance on par with a low-end 486 you'll need to set cycles to at least 20,000. Upping cycles increases DOSBox's resource requirements. You should have a multi-core system or at least a HyperThreading-enabled Pentium 4 to avoid noticeable degradation in system responsiveness as DOSBox can readily consume an entire core on its own.

If you're using Windows' built-in DOS support, strongly consider using DOSBox. Otherwise, you'll need to use "IBM Sounds" as the other poster suggested. As for why this works, Civilization exposes some sort of flaw in Windows' DOS emulation. This has remained a problem since at least 3.10 and almost certainly earlier.

 

[LivingDog]

If you're using DOSBox, increase the number of CPU cycles generated with Ctrl+F12 and/or modify the defaults in dosbox.conf. DOSBox's default of 3,000 cycles equates roughly to a 12 MHz 286. To get performance on par with a low-end 486 you'll need to set cycles to at least 20,000. Upping cycles increases DOSBox's resource requirements. You should have a multi-core system or at least a HyperThreading-enabled Pentium 4 to avoid noticeable degradation in system responsiveness as DOSBox can readily consume an entire core on its own.

If you're using Windows' built-in DOS support, strongly consider using DOSBox. Otherwise, you'll need to use "IBM Sounds" as the other poster suggested. As for why this works, Civilization exposes some sort of flaw in Windows' DOS emulation. This has remained a problem since at least 3.10 and almost certainly earlier.

I'm using DOSBox 0.74, but that answers my question, namely:

DOSBox's default of 3,000 cycles equates roughly to a 12 MHz 286.
​

Oh man, I thought "3000 cycles" meant 3 GHz! Boy, egg on my face.

I'm using a hyperthreading P4 3GHz, so I'll up it to the max ... man I was so tired of those slow animations.

thanks guys! once again CivFans proves to be the most awesomenessest forums on the planet!

 

[Dimosha]

If you're using Windows' built-in DOS support, strongly consider using DOSBox. Otherwise, you'll need to use "IBM Sounds" as the other poster suggested. As for why this works, Civilization exposes some sort of flaw in Windows' DOS emulation. This has remained a problem since at least 3.10 and almost certainly earlier.

Many thanks for the help.