DOS Civilization 1 versions overview

[rahorvat]

This thread will discuss different DOS Civilization versions and their differences in code (CIV.EXE, including the data segment).

The greatest difference is between version 1 and version 3 when a few new game play concepts were introduced.
Between version 3 and 5 the main focus was on a Advisor freeze fix and stability improvements.
The main stability concern which was never addressed are a few memory leaks and an array underflow/overflow issues which primarily caused a stack corruption.

Version:

1. 474.01 - The initial release
2. 474.02 - This version is little controversial because no original update package exists (unlike for other versions). Some even say that the version was never publicly released. The unofficial version that I found has a new overlay with a single function that contains no code. There is a call to that function in Seg4. Otherwise, no other differences can be observed
3. 474.03 - To be documented
4. 474.04 - To be documented
5. 474.05:

• In Seg5, Fn1, many changes were added, to be documented...
• In Seg7, Fn6, few overflow checks vere added
• In Ovr22, Fn1, Var_ba3c change from ASCII '4' to '5'
• In Ovr28, Fn6, added a call to Seg0.Fn40
• In Ovr28, Fn8, replaced function Seg13.Fn8 with Ovr28.Fn10, added a overflow check, at the end of function Fn8 removed a call to a Ovr28.Fn12

Later on I will attempt to describe what each function does.

I hope that this functional code analysis will be of help to the people that are wondering the same question: What are concrete differences between the versions?

 

[cuc]

For convenience, an earlier thread on versions, with links to even earlier posts. Some of the info may prove outdated and wrong, some may be useful.

K

Thread 'Version 474.03'

Dec 26, 2013

Good morning

I've been lurking here for quite some time so figure I'd post.

I have version 474.03 that I'm currently playing, but not sure if it's the 'most up to date version'?

If it's not, anyone could help on how/where I could update the file?

I have DarkPanda's JCivED and want to try some of the patches (if applicable).

PS. I did a quick look through of posts, but maybe I'm just missing it...

Thanks all!

Edit: http://www.civfanatics.com/civ1/faq/civfaq2.php the link to the update states 'page not found'.

• Kundi
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Civ1 - General Discussions

 

[rahorvat]

For convenience, an earlier thread on versions, with links to even earlier posts. Some of the info may prove outdated and wrong, some may be useful.

Thanks. This is a complete different post. It will be based on actual C code differences between versions, and not the actual playing differences.
I'm currently working on code comparison and will soon publish the link and actual C code with differences between versions.

 

[GPR]

difference between 01 and 04 is in "civil disorder why?" thread:

Post in thread 'civil disorder why?'

Jul 20, 2022

ok. I have some answers
Save on civilization1 is compatible with versions 474.04 and 475.01
This is the same save on above versions of civilization:

ver 01:

and 04 version:

so if you want harder game you play in 03-05 but if you tired you at any time can turn save on version 01.
Black civil is when i have in city one military unit. Everwhere else is red. 40 cities. In ver04 is 98% unhappy but in 01 is 100% content

EDIT: I checked ad civ version 02 dont have unhappy people

• GPR

• 

the difficulty level has increased for the player who builds too many cities.


also "renaming cities":

Post in thread 'Renaming cities'

Aug 1, 2022

I check it and od DOSbox version:
Civ475.1 dont have rename button.
civ474.3 and civ474.4 have rename button.

Solution?
Copy your game save to catalog lower version but you remember if you play an Emperor difficulty about "unhappy bonus" in lower version:

civil disorder why?

Redshirts have some aberrant behavior that can be advantageous. It should cost 4 diamonds to make it content or 6 to make it happy, but a deduction from the city screen suggests that it only costs 2 diamonds to turn a redshirt into a happy. The city produces 15 diamonds: evidently 12 are used to...

forums.civfanatics.com

Then meybe load save on lower version, change city name, save game and come back to version 475.1

• GPR

 

[Lord_Hill]

I think he's more interested in the actual code changes rather than the feature list. Those red shirts do indeed change the game quite a lot though

 

[rahorvat]

difference between 01 and 04 is in "civil disorder why?" thread:
...
the difficulty level has increased for the player who builds too many cities.


also "renaming cities":
...

I think he's more interested in the actual code changes rather than the feature list. Those red shirts do indeed change the game quite a lot though

Yes, I have primary focus for this thread on changes in the code, rather than relative changes in behavior.
When finalized these behavior changes will be reflected in the differences in the code.

I think that code changes are more definitive and descriptive than simply stating: In v.04 I now have more red shirts...

Cheers