Greetings! What is HOF?

[Defiant47]

Hello, everyone, I am an avid fan of Civilization 4, and I've recently discovered this GOTM phenomenon. I am very interested, and have read numerous of descriptions and FAQs. I am left with only one question:

I know about being at the latest patch and such, but what is this "HOF" thing?

Either I missed it, I haven't read enough FAQs, or I'm just plain tired of not getting to it, but I haven't found an exact description of HOF.

Thanks in advance

ADDED:

Also, is it considered an exploit to use the graphs (button located top-right corner) to find intel on how the other civs are doing and utilize this intel?

 

[Thrallia]

welcome to the GOTM, defiant

first question to answer is the graphs...nope. Any and all information that the game makes accessible to anyone playing the game is fair game.

That answer actually leads into an answer on what the HOF mod is.

It is a modpack that contains numerous user-made mods that do a variety of things:

• It increases security on the GOTM saves, allowing the GOTM staff to be assured that it is a level competition
• It provides an easier to access autolog, allowing you to write down your thoughts on the game as it goes, and providing a detailed account of the various messages Civ4 shows you each turn
• It contains bug fixes that have not been addressed by Firaxis thus far(GP bugs, slavery bug, etc.)
• It also contains a much better foreign advisor and domestic advisor than what ships with the game. They give you no information you couldn't get already, but it is collected, organized, and shown to you in your advisor screens in a way that is much easier to read, understand, and use. Eg. The domestic advisor will tell you what buildings have been built in what city, allowing you to better steer your empire's infrastructure without micromanaging every city. The foreign advisor has an upgrade in just about every screen, the resources, tech, relations, and even adds a current deals and current civics screen for you to check up on every possible aspect of your diplomatic game.

Basically, it makes it much easier to use all the information Civ4 gives us, saving time for those that already use that information, and giving the others access to it. It also gives better security, allowing you the knowledge that the games you are comparing yourself to were played on the same playing field as you had.

here's a link to the support thread for the HOF mod: HOF Mod

 

[Defiant47]

Thank you for the very informative answer. From what you say, I'm going to like this HOF mod... many times I've found that there were aspects of other civs that could have easily been put in the Foreign Advisor, but weren't. I've also never used the Domestic Advisor, maybe it'll change.

 

[da_Vinci]

Thank you for the very informative answer. From what you say, I'm going to like this HOF mod... many times I've found that there were aspects of other civs that could have easily been put in the Foreign Advisor, but weren't. I've also never used the Domestic Advisor, maybe it'll change.

Welcome to GOTM!

I think after you use it, you will wonder how you lived without it. One thing to note, HOF mod is a a work in progress, so there are sequential iterations coming out all of the time. I have a mod .007, .008, .009 and will be downloading a .010 to play GOTM 14 shortly. The Civ system anticipated this, and it stores each mod separately and you can elect to load whatever mod you want or need as an option under "advanced" in the first game menu when you start up.

When you download a GOTM save file and launch it, it will automatically load the mod required for that save, provided you have downloaded and installed it into Civ 4.

Back in early November (first month that HOF mod was required for GOTM) there were several threads that addressed issues about the HOF mod since it was new to a lot of us, so you might look back in those old threads in the GOTM forum. Feel free to send me a PM (private message) if you have particular questions.

dV

BTW: Great summary of what the HOF mod does, Thrallia!

 

[Jenarie]

This is required? I have been poking around all over trying to figure out how all this works but missed a rule thread somewhere I think. I guess I need to spend more time on the website. So far I've only been reading the boards.

I've never used a mod before - it makes me a bit nervous but this sounds really nice from your description.

 

[Khalid]

This is required? I have been poking around all over trying to figure out how all this works but missed a rule thread somewhere I think. I guess I need to spend more time on the website. So far I've only been reading the boards.

I've never used a mod before - it makes me a bit nervous but this sounds really nice from your description.

Yes the HOF mod is mandatory since GOTM 12 I think (or 13 I'm too lazy to check ). You can find more of GOTM on the main page under GOTM section http://gotm.civfanatics.net/

But in a short way it is. Download the starting save, using the rewuired patch and HOF mod version, which is written and linked on the download page. Then play, first spoiler, submit, second spoiler to discuss the game. Play honestly, don't reload. Enjoy.

You don't have to fear the mod. It's self installing and you doesn't alter the game. You don't have to use it for your other games and if you don't like it, you can just turn all the visible features off.