Fantastic Worlds vs. 2.42 patch vs. MGE

[Cedric Greene]

<FONT face="Times New Roman">I have been thinking about this since I dled the 2.42 patch to overwrite my FW game so I could participate in the "classic" succession game. The 2.42 patch is not an exe but just updated files to replace obsolete ones right? If true then couldn't I make a patch zip containing the updated civ2.exe and various .txt files from Fantastic Worlds which is installed on my computer? I am not saying the entire FW cd nor any of the included scenarios nor anything directly from the Fantastic Worlds cd at all, just the files that were created in my civ 2 directory itself. As far as I know all this would do is make everyone v.2.7.8 instead of v. 2.4.2, I believe that if someone tried using the added on FW features you would get a "General Protection Fault" error. It seems silly that someone cannot have the updated files because the cd is no longer being manufactured. Also I would do this w/ MGE but I think it would also cause GPF's from the start. On a copyright sidenote, I feel no wrong is being done in installing MGE on a friend's computer if he/she already owns an earlier edition (Classic, Conflicts in Civ, or Fantastic Worlds) as it still needs a Civ cd to run and accepts those alternatives.(Maybe not CiC, I don't remember that being in the readme.) Anyway I accept your comments and flames.</FONT f>

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"I could give you that advance, but then I'd have to kill you." -CivNet chat macro

[This message has been edited by Cedric Greene (edited March 21, 2001).]

 

[Cedric Greene]

Well I pulled the files from both 2.7.8 and MGE and put them in zips Civ278.zip and CivMGE.zip respectfully. If you have severe doubts about the legitimacy of this just remember the "no limits" patch by Julius Brenzaida released not too long ago, it also contained pretty much the same files that my zips do <u>but</u> he also "hacked" the .exe which I have not. If this is accepted by the powers that be (read: Thunderfall) then I'll send out Alpha(as I haven't tried it yet) tests. If not, oh well just an idea.

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"I could give you that advance, but then I'd have to kill you." -CivNet chat macro

 

[Smash]

It should work.I vaguely recall this being done before with success.

I'd say go for it.Civ2 is now abandoned so,in my mind,that opens the floodgates.

I haven't heard of any effort to squash the no cd crack, for example.

 

[Cedric Greene]

Well the first attempt failed on both fronts <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/frown.gif" border=0> But the second attempts... <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/devil.gif" border=0> I have tested both a 2.7.8 and MGE 1.3 patch for Civ II classic (2.4.2) and well both passed preliminaries, loaded existing saves and creating new games. Now for the bad news the 2.7.8 patch also adds the scenario editor and MGE 1.3 adds multiplayer support (atleast the hotseat games work) Damn the luck <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/wink.gif" border=0> Anyway if people agree this is a patch I will distribute (or more likely get a free site and post them there) 2.7.8 is 2.38mb and MGE is 2.112mb in size zipped. But as I said its up to the powers that be. Let them (him) know how you feel on the matter.

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"I could give you that advance, but then I'd have to kill you." -CivNet chat macro

[This message has been edited by Cedric Greene (edited March 20, 2001).]

 

[Andu Indorin]

Don't know it this is any help, but ...

When I first tried to play Civ2 on my old computer, couldn't do it; received a "fatal exception error" message; therefore, upon the advice of my brother (who introduced me to this addiction) ...

Downloaded 2.42 patch.

The 2.42.zip patch file DOES include an all-important civ2.exe file -- I would not be playing this game if it didn't; it also contains 12 other files that, I'm guessing that, as long they had to create a new .exe file, they decided t include updates of their translations into French and German. (As someone who will always trust the hardware, but not the person writing the software, even with my new computer, I still keep a copy of the 2.42 patch stored in a safe place -- damned, this is good game!)

So ... (not being a computer expert) ... the 2.42 patch does contain an EXE file, one which my last computer required; so it is not just simply an update; it is a necessity for some computers (or versions of Windows). ...

Looking forward to Civ3!

 

[Cedric Greene]

I see what you're saying, if these files are necessary for newer systems then shouldn't it make sense to distribute them. Also wouldn't it be great if we all could play the same version of the game and not have to have seperate "teams" for say sucession games? Now if only we could have the updated civ.exe from MGE (w/ multiplayer support and such) but the scenario building abilities of FW... Hmmm maybe we can I'm going to try something. Anyway if someone knows a(some) reason(s) why the scenario editor is better in MGE, let me know please.

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"I could give you that advance, but then I'd have to kill you." -CivNet chat macro

 

[Cedric Greene]

Well the trying to put them together thing didn't work. It would involve ALOT of trial and error Hex editing and I don't have the patience, skill, time, nor do I care enough to try. On the good side it looks like aol will give 12mb of space to setup a site so I should hopefully have the patches up on a site late today (it already after 11:30) or early tomorrow.

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"I could give you that advance, but then I'd have to kill you." -CivNet chat macro

 

[Cedric Greene]

ALRIGHT! The files are up and ready for download. I have tested the site with Opera (my favorite browser www.opera.com), AOL's version of IE and Netscape 4.7 and they all connect and all download and it seemed pretty fast too, though it is kinda late. Point your browsers here http://hometown.aol.com/CedricGreene/index.html

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"I could give you that advance, but then I'd have to kill you." -CivNet chat macro

 

[Cedric Greene]

Well during my site wanderings I found EB is carrying MGE for those who want it it's $14.99
Civ2MGE @ EBGames

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"Masquerading as a man with a reason, my charade is the event of the season. And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." -Kansas
Cedric's Civilization II Page-Home of the "Multiplayer Gold Edition" patch.

[This message has been edited by Cedric Greene (edited April 02, 2001).]

 

[Cedric Greene]

Well Andu let me know that my MGE patch does not work, and after retesting thoroughly he is right. I went in and got all the necessary files but now the zip is 13 FRICKEN megabytes. <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/mad.gif" border=0> So it looks like from now on I'll only be able to provide the v2.7.8 patch (FW) until I get a bigger web space or a willing host. GRRRR!!!

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<IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/cedricgreene/wavem.jpg" border=0>
Cedric's Civilization II Page-Home of the "Fantastic Worlds" patch.

[This message has been edited by Cedric Greene (edited April 03, 2001).]

 

[t92300]

Cool Pactch Man
Downloaded it a few days ago (downloaded them both)I did find that the MGE one didn't work but then I rembered the MGE converter which you can download some where from this site under downloads
I can now just about play any civ2 scenerio now

Once a gain cool patch

 

[Cedric Greene]

Hopefully my last post on the matter: I broke up the working MGE patch into four seperate zips and posted them on my site. If you have any troubles make sure the files are installed at the default mps\civ2 and everything should be ok. If not swing me an e-mail and I will try to remedy it or take it down.

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"In your life you seem to have it all, you seem to have control, but deep within your soul you're losing it. You never took the time, assume that you're to blame, you think that you're insane..." -Tantric
Cedric's Civilization II Page-Home of the *NEW* "Multiplayer Gold Edition" patch.

[This message has been edited by Cedric Greene (edited April 07, 2001).]

 

[Cedric Greene]

Well I got my copy of ToT a little over a week ago and it just occured to me today to try something. I installed the MGE patch onto ToT and sure enough it worked! AND the ToT cd can be left in the drive just like any of the other Civ 2 cd's! Anyway this may not be a big deal as most of the people with ToT prolly don't want to "downgrade" to MGE but if they do now they can. I did notice a font problem w/ the Instant Advice/Tutorial help but as most of us have them turned off I don't think it matters. If someone finds any problem w/ MGE conversion please let me know. Also I noticed that ToT seemed to have the exact same files as MGE patch so I *may* be able to make a smaller version of the patch for ToT.

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Well I was able to create a smaller version sort of so you ToTers who want to give the MGE version a chance go right ahead.

"In your life you seem to have it all, you seem to have control, but deep within your soul you're losing it. You never took the time, assume that you're to blame, you think that you're insane..." -Tantric
Cedric's Civilization II Page-Home of the *NEW* "Multiplayer Gold Edition" patch.

[This message has been edited by Cedric Greene (edited April 28, 2001).]