This thread is outdated. You can find up to date information about the mod in THIS THREAD.
Old thread OP preserved for posterity:
Old thread OP preserved for posterity:
Spoiler :
Dawn of Civilization
A modmod for Rhye's and Fall of Civilization
You're here at the thread dedicated to the Dawn of Civ modmod, which you probably already guessed from the big letters above
I've recently reworked the first post here to provide more information about the ambition of the mod, my plans for its future, known bugs and other problems and a list of aspects I especially like to hear criticism of. Of course you will still find the download link to the latest released version here.
What's this modmod about?
As I suppose you all do if you've found your way here, I consider RFC to be the best mod ever made for BtS. It made just the right amount of changes to the original game to improve on both historicity and replayability. Dawn of Civ tries to expand this philosophy on aspects of the game Rhye left unchanged, such as Religions and Civics, to make them fit in even better into the original mod. Additionally, I try to insert small and medium changes to improve on balance or historicity in the few occasions where that's still necessary, which led to minor changes to the map or civilizations. And in the end, I'd also like to provide a little novelty and unknown challenge to all the players who already know the original mod inside out. The inclusion of Phoenicia, Netherland's new spawn, tweaked UPs and UHVs and in the future, also additional civilizations tries to achieve that.
What's this modmod NOT about?
Although I'm very eclectic in my design philosophy, which means I have no qualms in adding a good feature somewhere else (the foundation of this modmod was even laid down by the ideas of others), this modmod is not a kitchen sink modmod. I always carefully consider if a change adds something to the game and doesn't destroy other aspects of it. This is why I won't add anything just for the sake of adding it; it has to fit with the overall ambition and philosophy of RFC.
Also, although I try to improve historicity wherever possible, this is not a "historically accurate" modmod. There are occasions where gameplay and historicity can go hand in hand, and RFC in general is a great example of this, but there are other situation where the opposite's the case. So I won't enforce historicity whenever I find it would hurt the challenge, replayability or overall gameplay of the modmod.
All fine and good, but how do I install this?
Easy. Download the RAR file from the link below, and extract it into your Beyond the Sword\Mods\ folder. You don't need to have RFC installed beforehand, nor do you have to load RFC before you can load Dawn of Civ.
Always loading the modmod is rather tedious. Isn't there a faster way to launch it?
There is. You can also start the modmod by executing the 3000 BC or 600 AD scenario files in RFC Dawn of Civilization\PublicMaps\, you can even make a shortcut to them wherever you like. You'll get to the civ selection screen for a new game, but can easily reach the main menu by clicking "back".
I've found an error, or something happens that doesn't look like it's supposed to. What to do?
Congratulations, you've just been abused as a beta tester
This modmod can only improve when you report me all problems you encounter, because I can't possibly detect them all myself. Simply post in the dedicated "Bug reports and technical issues" thread and describe your problem - a screenshot or if appropriate, savegame further increases my chances in figuring out what's wrong. I'll try to fix it as soon as possible.
There are just two requests of mine:
1. Please look if the error you've found has already been reported. I can't maintain a list of already reported bugs because it is eating too much of my time, but at least check the last one/two pages of the bug reports thread. Of course you can still supply additional information if the previous reporter lacked a savegame / Python exception.
2. Please make sure you've had Python exceptions enabled before posting here. They're set invisible on default, to activate them open _Civ4Config in your Beyond the Sword folder, search for "HidePythonExceptions" and change it to the following:
This will pop up an error message in most cases, which will help me to determine which line of code caused the problem (if you post a screenshot of it of course).
I have an idea to improve this modmod. Can I post it here?
Of course! You're more than welcome to contribute your own ideas and observations here. As already said, I'll gladly add a good idea when I see one.
There's only the above caveat on things this modmod doesn't try to be. Also, please don't worry if one of your proposals is given a positive response by me and then doesn't turn up in the next version - maybe I was focused on other aspects, maybe it was more difficult to do than I thought, or maybe it even turned out it wasn't that good for the modmod in the end. In the same vein, please don't think I've ignored you if I didn't reply to your suggestion. Several suggestions are repeated rather often and it's time consuming to elaborate every time why I've decided to not include it. I read all suggestions made, and my lack of reply doesn't mean anything for the quality of the suggestion.
I'll try to be always active and talkative in this thread here to directly keep you on track of these things, though.
I like this modmod and would like to contribute. What can I do?
Simple: play it, and report what happens. Your experiences are extremely valuable to me, because I can't possibly play all situations through myself. Of course it'd be good if you paid extra attention to the aspects I've changed (victories, powers, mechanics etc.) and report about the resulting effects on AI behaviour, difficulty and historicity.
Once in a while I might open a thread here and ask for more specific input on the aspect of the game I'm currently working on.
Is there a way I can play with the most recent additions/fixes without waiting for the next release?
There is, and it's called SVN. SVN or Subversion is a software that provides an online repository for data which can be connected to a folder in one's Explorer. From then on, I can commit recent changes to this repository and you can update your version of it (you can't commit without password, though
).
The DoC repository is available HERE. The easiest way to access it under Windows is to download and install Tortoise SVN. After that, you can right-click on your Beyond the Sword\Mods\ folder and the new option "SVN Checkout" will appear. This will open a prompt where you enter DoC's SVN URL ("https://subversion.assembla.com/svn/Dawn_of_Civilization/"). This will create a new folder "Dawn_of_Civilization" in your Mods folder. You will have to rename it to "RFC Dawn of Civilization" for the modmod to work. Afterwards, you only have to right-click on that folder and select "SVN Update" to get my most recent updates.
If you intend to use this feature, please mind that I don't guarantee stability, bug-freeness or balance of the not officially released versions. You should also note that the downloadable version usually loads faster during the game, because its art is packed more efficiently.
MOST RECENT VERSION: 1.12
The mod is available HERE:
Download RFC Dawn of Civilization
A complete list of features (as of version 1.12) can be found in the attached text file due to post length limits.
Blue Marble terrain graphics for DoC
There's now an easy way to play it with the terrain graphic changes of Blue Marble. Simply download this RAR file and unpack it into your Dawn of Civilization\Assets\ folder. It's a little different from the usual Blue Marble terrain because I decided to keep RFC's typical hill texture.
This works now for SVN users as well. As long as you're on a recent revision (240 onward), there will be no differences in Blue Marble compatibility. Simply follow the instructions above.
Varietas Delectat and Ethnic City Styles for DoC
I've compiled a version of the Varietas Delectat (civ specific unit art) and Ethnic City Styles (civ specific city art) for this mod, covering all civilizations are present in v1.10. There are several changes to the art types associated with the civilizations to make it more appropriate within the context of this mod, and it includes an algorithm to assign appropriate city styles to independent cities based on their location.
The download link, a more detailed description, installation instructions and general discussion can be found in the dedicated thread HERE.
Caution: the VD module is only updated with every major version release and is very likely to become incompatible with subsequent SVN changes. Use is therefore only recommended for the packaged release.
Soundtrack Module
I've created a soundtrack module, containing additional songs for the religion dynamic soundtracks. Islam/Zoroastrianism receive many new songs, mainly from the Sword of Islam mod, and a new playlist for Buddhist and Hindu civs has been added.
Installation: unpack the Assets folder into your main mod folder, integrate it into the one already there and overwrite everything. The download is available HERE.
HUD Color Module
This module simply changes the HUD color of the mod to dark gray.
Installation: download the archive and unpack it into your main mod folder. The download is available HERE.
Note on the "expansion packs": all of these additional packages are compatible with each other, no matter in which order they are installed.
Further development
Plans for future features:
Features in italics not part of the official release yet, but available via SVN.
A modmod for Rhye's and Fall of Civilization
You're here at the thread dedicated to the Dawn of Civ modmod, which you probably already guessed from the big letters above

I've recently reworked the first post here to provide more information about the ambition of the mod, my plans for its future, known bugs and other problems and a list of aspects I especially like to hear criticism of. Of course you will still find the download link to the latest released version here.
What's this modmod about?
As I suppose you all do if you've found your way here, I consider RFC to be the best mod ever made for BtS. It made just the right amount of changes to the original game to improve on both historicity and replayability. Dawn of Civ tries to expand this philosophy on aspects of the game Rhye left unchanged, such as Religions and Civics, to make them fit in even better into the original mod. Additionally, I try to insert small and medium changes to improve on balance or historicity in the few occasions where that's still necessary, which led to minor changes to the map or civilizations. And in the end, I'd also like to provide a little novelty and unknown challenge to all the players who already know the original mod inside out. The inclusion of Phoenicia, Netherland's new spawn, tweaked UPs and UHVs and in the future, also additional civilizations tries to achieve that.
What's this modmod NOT about?
Although I'm very eclectic in my design philosophy, which means I have no qualms in adding a good feature somewhere else (the foundation of this modmod was even laid down by the ideas of others), this modmod is not a kitchen sink modmod. I always carefully consider if a change adds something to the game and doesn't destroy other aspects of it. This is why I won't add anything just for the sake of adding it; it has to fit with the overall ambition and philosophy of RFC.
Also, although I try to improve historicity wherever possible, this is not a "historically accurate" modmod. There are occasions where gameplay and historicity can go hand in hand, and RFC in general is a great example of this, but there are other situation where the opposite's the case. So I won't enforce historicity whenever I find it would hurt the challenge, replayability or overall gameplay of the modmod.
All fine and good, but how do I install this?
Easy. Download the RAR file from the link below, and extract it into your Beyond the Sword\Mods\ folder. You don't need to have RFC installed beforehand, nor do you have to load RFC before you can load Dawn of Civ.
Always loading the modmod is rather tedious. Isn't there a faster way to launch it?
There is. You can also start the modmod by executing the 3000 BC or 600 AD scenario files in RFC Dawn of Civilization\PublicMaps\, you can even make a shortcut to them wherever you like. You'll get to the civ selection screen for a new game, but can easily reach the main menu by clicking "back".
I've found an error, or something happens that doesn't look like it's supposed to. What to do?
Congratulations, you've just been abused as a beta tester

This modmod can only improve when you report me all problems you encounter, because I can't possibly detect them all myself. Simply post in the dedicated "Bug reports and technical issues" thread and describe your problem - a screenshot or if appropriate, savegame further increases my chances in figuring out what's wrong. I'll try to fix it as soon as possible.
There are just two requests of mine:
1. Please look if the error you've found has already been reported. I can't maintain a list of already reported bugs because it is eating too much of my time, but at least check the last one/two pages of the bug reports thread. Of course you can still supply additional information if the previous reporter lacked a savegame / Python exception.
2. Please make sure you've had Python exceptions enabled before posting here. They're set invisible on default, to activate them open _Civ4Config in your Beyond the Sword folder, search for "HidePythonExceptions" and change it to the following:
Code:
HidePythonExceptions = 0
I have an idea to improve this modmod. Can I post it here?
Of course! You're more than welcome to contribute your own ideas and observations here. As already said, I'll gladly add a good idea when I see one.
There's only the above caveat on things this modmod doesn't try to be. Also, please don't worry if one of your proposals is given a positive response by me and then doesn't turn up in the next version - maybe I was focused on other aspects, maybe it was more difficult to do than I thought, or maybe it even turned out it wasn't that good for the modmod in the end. In the same vein, please don't think I've ignored you if I didn't reply to your suggestion. Several suggestions are repeated rather often and it's time consuming to elaborate every time why I've decided to not include it. I read all suggestions made, and my lack of reply doesn't mean anything for the quality of the suggestion.
I'll try to be always active and talkative in this thread here to directly keep you on track of these things, though.
I like this modmod and would like to contribute. What can I do?
Simple: play it, and report what happens. Your experiences are extremely valuable to me, because I can't possibly play all situations through myself. Of course it'd be good if you paid extra attention to the aspects I've changed (victories, powers, mechanics etc.) and report about the resulting effects on AI behaviour, difficulty and historicity.
Once in a while I might open a thread here and ask for more specific input on the aspect of the game I'm currently working on.
Is there a way I can play with the most recent additions/fixes without waiting for the next release?
There is, and it's called SVN. SVN or Subversion is a software that provides an online repository for data which can be connected to a folder in one's Explorer. From then on, I can commit recent changes to this repository and you can update your version of it (you can't commit without password, though

The DoC repository is available HERE. The easiest way to access it under Windows is to download and install Tortoise SVN. After that, you can right-click on your Beyond the Sword\Mods\ folder and the new option "SVN Checkout" will appear. This will open a prompt where you enter DoC's SVN URL ("https://subversion.assembla.com/svn/Dawn_of_Civilization/"). This will create a new folder "Dawn_of_Civilization" in your Mods folder. You will have to rename it to "RFC Dawn of Civilization" for the modmod to work. Afterwards, you only have to right-click on that folder and select "SVN Update" to get my most recent updates.
If you intend to use this feature, please mind that I don't guarantee stability, bug-freeness or balance of the not officially released versions. You should also note that the downloadable version usually loads faster during the game, because its art is packed more efficiently.
MOST RECENT VERSION: 1.12
The mod is available HERE:
Download RFC Dawn of Civilization
A complete list of features (as of version 1.12) can be found in the attached text file due to post length limits.
Blue Marble terrain graphics for DoC
There's now an easy way to play it with the terrain graphic changes of Blue Marble. Simply download this RAR file and unpack it into your Dawn of Civilization\Assets\ folder. It's a little different from the usual Blue Marble terrain because I decided to keep RFC's typical hill texture.
This works now for SVN users as well. As long as you're on a recent revision (240 onward), there will be no differences in Blue Marble compatibility. Simply follow the instructions above.
Varietas Delectat and Ethnic City Styles for DoC
I've compiled a version of the Varietas Delectat (civ specific unit art) and Ethnic City Styles (civ specific city art) for this mod, covering all civilizations are present in v1.10. There are several changes to the art types associated with the civilizations to make it more appropriate within the context of this mod, and it includes an algorithm to assign appropriate city styles to independent cities based on their location.
The download link, a more detailed description, installation instructions and general discussion can be found in the dedicated thread HERE.
Caution: the VD module is only updated with every major version release and is very likely to become incompatible with subsequent SVN changes. Use is therefore only recommended for the packaged release.
Soundtrack Module
I've created a soundtrack module, containing additional songs for the religion dynamic soundtracks. Islam/Zoroastrianism receive many new songs, mainly from the Sword of Islam mod, and a new playlist for Buddhist and Hindu civs has been added.
Installation: unpack the Assets folder into your main mod folder, integrate it into the one already there and overwrite everything. The download is available HERE.
HUD Color Module
This module simply changes the HUD color of the mod to dark gray.
Installation: download the archive and unpack it into your main mod folder. The download is available HERE.
Note on the "expansion packs": all of these additional packages are compatible with each other, no matter in which order they are installed.
Further development
Plans for future features:
Features in italics not part of the official release yet, but available via SVN.
Spoiler :
v1.13 features:
- Redesign of the unit roster (especially classical, medieval and renaissance eras, also naval units)
- Revisiting the late game (Industrial and Modern) tech tree
- Better trade mechanics, including tourism
- Rewrite the spawn mechanism
- Offer later spawns of unused slots in later scenarios, e.g. Italy
- Redo of tribal villages
- Offer more to do in the modern era, including production sinks
- Expand the space victory into multiple projects
- Add a humanitarian victory
Attachments
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