Game Release Page Content

[nurla]

Moderator Action: Posts moved out of GOTM 35 Saves Available Thread

Hmm. Sorry.
Why information about modified "CvGameCoreDLL.dll" file required is absent?
It helps for newcomers.

PS. Found it at download page. But here information is not full, but named Software versions. May be better was not publish here at all?

 

[AlanH]

That information is published on the Game Release page, where you go to download the start file:

Windows Players: If you have NOT installed Beyond the Sword version 3.13 or 3.17 then you either need to do so, or you need to replace the CvGameCoreDLL.dll file in your Civ4 \Assets\ folder to emulate this installation. Download the replacement file here.

 

[nurla]

What about PS?

 

[nurla]

May be better tradition will be publish all info - including download page for core patch(1.74), HOF mode (1.74.003), DirectX and DLL file in one and only place?

 

[AlanH]

The information about versions, patches, mods etc has changed every few games, and is different for vanilla, Warlords and BtS. A page such as you suggest would be way too complicated. Publishing the information for each game seems to be the simplest way to do it. Perhaps we put too much data in the Saves Available post, so that you think that is *all* you have to read?

I suspect we'll get complaints however we do it

 

[AlanH]

What is wrong with calling that section "Software Versions"?

 

[nurla]

I see. Then publish it on Release page for each game, why not?
Look.
Installed Civ4. Where 1.74 patch-no info?
Downloaded 1.74.
Installed 1.74.003 Not runnig - ****_32.dll problem.
Found ***_32.dll. Not running - assets problem.
Found http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=173629
Uninstalled all, Deleted all folders.Installed all. Not running. x2
Read this page-nothing, checked on Game Realese page in programm requirements- nothing new. Found it finally.Installed assets.dll.
Extreme pleasure.

 

[nurla]

What is wrong with calling that section "Software Versions"?

Then publish it all in Software Versions - or modified dll - not software?

 

[nurla]

Look I not complain for complain only. Please, not be angry, just think how many newcomers can and would go through what I wrote higher.
Place all this softwre issues in one place in release page, just it.

 

[AlanH]

I'm not angry, I'm trying to understand the problem.

Apparently, everyone chooses the pieces of text s/he will read. RED text, which was added separately, specifically because it was critical, doesn't seem to be considered worth reading by everyone.

You are specifically concerned about newcomers. There is a specific link for newcomers on the GOTM web site at the top left and top right of every page. It is called Introduction.

If you go to the Home Page for the GOTM web site you also find:

It's easy for any CFC member to join this friendly competition:

Click an image link in the left or right side bar of any page to go to a current game page for your Civ version.
Download a Start File from that page, and play the game once without replaying any turns.
Upload your final save before the deadline for that game, using the Submit page.
Discuss your game with other players in the Forum Spoiler threads.
We will post results and statistics to rank your attempt against those of other players.
Check the introduction page for more details.

Those links both point to the Introduction page. If you go to that page you find:

To play the GOTM games with Civilization IV, Warlords or Beyond the Sword you must install:

• The latest patches for your software.
  These are currently Civ4 version 1.74, Warlords version 2.13, or Beyond the Sword (BtS) version 3,17.
  If you do not have BtS then you need to replace the CvGameCoreDLL.dll files in your Civ4 and/or Warlords Assets folders to emulate the effect of a BtS installation. Download these files here.
• The latest version of the Hall of Fame Mod for your Civ4 software.
  This includes a set of very useful playing aids, such as autologging, improved Domestic and Foreign advisers, auto-save on exit etc. It also provides enhanced security features, helping to ensure that the game is played fairly by all players.

There are three links in this quote which summarise all the places you need to go to in order to get the current versions of the three items of software you need to play any xOTM for Civ4.

Would it be a good idea to include a link to the Introduction page in the Game Release pages, as well as having two links to it in the left and right margins?

 

[nurla]

OK. You didnt see my point. Do your job your way. No problem.

 

[nurla]

I didnt see DirectX link here.
And while red ink great thing, but it still software issue.

There are three links in this quote which summarise all the places you need to go to in order to get the current versions of the three items of software you need to play any xOTM for Civ4.

OK. But partial info is on the saves available page. Then little more information on game release page. Then part info on introduction page.

I play couple of xOTM iwithin year, not newcomer, but should each time read introduction page.

 

[AlanH]

[X-Posted]
Well, you haven't answered my question, either. We seem to be on different wave lengths

I'll add the Introduction page link into the Game Release page template anyway. Thanks for raising the issue, and I'm sorry you had a bad time getting your software running.

The complete software links information is on the Introduction page. We try to alert you to changes in the requirements in each game release page. The Saves Available post is only a notification to go to the GOTM site, which is where we try to provide all you need.

PS

I don't think it's our responsibility to ensure that you have the right version of DirectX to run Civ4. That should be dealt with (and normally is) when you install the Firaxis software.

 

[nurla]

Introduction not best place.
More useable to place toghether software issues in one place, game issues in other, rules reminder in third. Why not change Software Versions in Game Release page this way -

Software Versions

Windows Players: If you have NOT installed Beyond the Sword version 3.13 or 3.17 then you either need to do so, or you need to replace the CvGameCoreDLL.dll file in your Civ4 \Assets\ folder to emulate this installation. Download the replacement file here.

Windows players require version 1.74(LINK) of Civilization IV, as well as Hof Mod version 1.74.003, available here.

Mac players will require version 1.74(LINK) of Civilization IV, plus HoF Mod version HOF-Mac-1.74.002, available here.

DirectX to run Civ4(LINK)

Entries played under any other patch, or not using the Hof Mod will not be accepted!
========================

[I don't think it's our responsibility to ensure that you have the right version of DirectX to run Civ4. That should be dealt with (and normally is) when you install the Firaxis software.]

But all this software required to run xOTM. It will not run without it. While Vanilla running without it well for not xOTM games.

Also Introduction is not great part for all this software links since, as you noted, it changes from game to game. In may case reading introduction not usable, reading it each time like reading Civilopedia for each new unit produced. I belive you not play this way.

It will be easier to return to past games, also.

 

[AlanH]

Are you sure that a different version of DirectX is required to run GOTMs? I find that *very* hard to believe!

 

[nurla]

Only final patch 1.7 required DirectX SDK(or smth) which is accesible from Microsoft page. Regular player, not fanatics, can play Vanilla without patches at all, still with regular DirectX. Also 1.63 patch run without this special DirectX.

 

[GreatDeceiver]

I'm a PC user (XP Home) and have been playing GOTMs for years and have never encountered any issues with DirectX. As AlanH has said, DirectX is something that is taken care of when you install the game. It's independent of GOTM and the HOF mod, and not something the GOTM staff should have to deal with (imho).

 

[nurla]

Couple days before Ive played 1.63 patch with 1.63.xxx HOF on this machine test games -not DirectX STK required. You probably fogot when you installed it.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-291217.html
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=6143193
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7246953

Also I've seen long discuss but can't find.

 

[AlanH]

Couple days before Ive played 1.63 patch with 1.63.xxx HOF on this machine test games -not DirectX STK required. You probably fogot when you installed it.

Well, that could mean a new version for DirectX was needed for version 1.74. I have never independently installed any DirectX version or patch. Only those installed by Firaxis Civ4 installers or Windows automatic updates.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-291217.html
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=6143193
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7246953

Also I've seen long discuss but can't find.

None of those links are talking about GOTMs or HoF Mod, they are general Civ4 issues. My guess is that they relate to the in-game patch update option, which is known to be unreliable. You are far better advised to download the Civ4 updaters that are provided on this site, and linked from the GOTM Introduction page.

The GOTMs use the standard features built into Civ4. They certainly do not make any different demands on the graphics and sound that are driven by DirectX. So I do not believe we have to tell you how to set up all aspects of your Windows system in order to run Civ4. That is Firaxis' job.

You had an unhappy experience with your first attempt to play a v1.74 GOTM. I am sorry that happened to you, but I really think you are in a small minority, and I don't think we can completely eliminate this sort of low-probability occurrence by trying to anticipate every conceivable system bug in our instructions. DLL-Hell is one of the occasional consequences of living with Windows.

 

[nurla]

OK. But is it so hard add couple of links and organize page little differently?

If you will not do so I will think about move to rename this forum from Civilization Fanatics to Bureaucracy Fanatics.