HOF Mod Support/Suggestions

[Denniz]

Haven't tried Blake's latest, and at work, so a question: If you put Blake's CivCoreGame.dll into CustomAssets will HOF cease to work (or say I have modified some files)?

When you load a mod it should ignore CustomAssets. It uses the mod's files instead. It's modifying the Assets folder in the install directory that would change the CRCs.

What does Blake's CivCoreGame.dll do? Anything we should consider for the HOF Mod?

 

[bostich]

What does Blake's CivCoreGame.dll do? Anything we should consider for the HOF Mod?

A better AI. link

 

[Denniz]

A better AI. link

There has been some discussion amoung the staff about the possible effects of the AI differences between Vanilla and Warlords on the HOF. We are watching to see how things progress. We would expect the possibility of adding the AI improvements to the 1.61 HOF Mod to come up sooner or later, it is probably too early to tell what effect something like that would have. Not to mention, it could become *quite* controversial.

 

[Denniz]

Denniz - did you take a stab at getting the Warlords specialist code into vanilla? I'm looking at the code (python only) changes now and *I* should be able to manage that. I'm just not sure about the call-out / pop up.

Did you have any luck with this?

I took a look at it this morning. They added a new Widget type for this, I think. I have no idea how widgets are implemented. Some, if not all, of those changes would be in the SDK. For now, I am not sure it is worth messing with.

 

[DeafDolphin]

There has been some discussion amoung the staff about the possible effects of the AI differences between Vanilla and Warlords on the HOF. We are watching to see how things progress. We would expect the possibility of adding the AI improvements to the 1.61 HOF Mod to come up sooner or later, it is probably too early to tell what effect something like that would have. Not to mention, it could become *quite* controversial.

It would at that - I think you'd see a dip in scores at the very least.

 

[bostich]

It would at that - I think you'd see a dip in scores at the very least.

Im not sure about this. It could even be the other way:
better AI economy -> overal faster tech pace -> earlier (space,diplo,culture)-wins

 

[DeafDolphin]

As I've not played any of blake's mods or installed the new patch for Warlords (In 2 PBEM's right now with that, since Firaxis doesn't seem to have the habit of making patches backwards compatible ), I'll take your word for it.

 

[bostich]

i havent played a game with it either
i only thought it could be

 

[Gyathaar]

As I've not played any of blake's mods or installed the new patch for Warlords (In 2 PBEM's right now with that, since Firaxis doesn't seem to have the habit of making patches backwards compatible ), I'll take your word for it.

The patch is backwards compatible.. (it is actually forwards compatible too, you can open 2.08 saves in 2.00).
It is just that for PBEM saves that is locked with admin password, you need to unlock the save in 2.00 first before you can load them in 2.08 (or alternatively load the save in 2.08 pitboss and then save it from pitboss, then open the save from pbem section in game.. havent tried this, but it should work I think).

One of the reasons to have an admin password, is that it allows you to lock the save to a specific patch/mod to prevent other players from opening it in a modified game to cheat.

 

[ruff_hi]

I took a look at it this morning. They added a new Widget type for this, I think. I have no idea how widgets are implemented. Some, if not all, of those changes would be in the SDK. For now, I am not sure it is worth messing with.

Somehow I just knew that you would say the word 'widget'. Can you point me in the right direction (ie widget name) so that I can take a quick look too.

Belay that: The_Lopez has posted an updated Specialist Stacker for vanilla 1.61 with the warlords info shown.

 

[DeafDolphin]

The patch is backwards compatible.. (it is actually forwards compatible too, you can open 2.08 saves in 2.00).
It is just that for PBEM saves that is locked with admin password, you need to unlock the save in 2.00 first before you can load them in 2.08 (or alternatively load the save in 2.08 pitboss and then save it from pitboss, then open the save from pbem section in game.. havent tried this, but it should work I think).

One of the reasons to have an admin password, is that it allows you to lock the save to a specific patch/mod to prevent other players from opening it in a modified game to cheat.

Hmm. I'll pass that info on to the admin of one of the pbem games on in. Thanks, dude.

 

[Perugia]

Hi, I'm new to HOF and just generated my first save file. I checked it on the HOF start page and it is valid but in the game there's a red event log message stating it is invalid but on the victory screen there is no red message.

 

[Dianthus]

Hi, I'm new to HOF

Well, I guess a welcome is required then!

and just generated my first save file. I checked it on the HOF start page and it is valid but in the game there's a red event log message stating it is invalid but on the victory screen there is no red message.

Could you send me a save file to hof@civfanatics.net so I can take a look?

 

[Perugia]

Well, I guess a welcome is required then!

Could you send me a save file to hof@civfanatics.net so I can take a look?

The big welcome is much appreciated as is you email response copied below

I've had a look at your save file and there isn't anything wrong with the settings. I can see the warning in the log that the HOF mod added. I'm certain that's nothing to do with your autolog settings though, the startup checks are just checking that the settings match the HOF rules and that there's nothing been changed in your installation.

There are two sets of settings checks, the ones that output the text on the settings screen and the ones that decide whether to show that message on starting a new game. I guess there's a bug with the 2nd set. If there's nothing shown on the settings screen then just assume the game is OK to continue with.

I know what you mean - the Startup HOF Settings and Victory Screen HOF Settings on the HOF3 Option screen. I'll uncheck the Startup HOF settings option and as you suggest rely on the Victory Screen HOF Settings to check the game is OK.

Thanks to all Staff for their efforts.

 

[Dianthus]

I know what you mean - the Startup HOF Settings and Victory Screen HOF Settings on the HOF3 Option screen. I'll uncheck the Startup HOF settings option and as you suggest rely on the Victory Screen HOF Settings to check the game is OK.

Actually, both checks are controlled by that same setting. If you turn off the setting then the victory screen won't peform any checks either. I would suggest leaving it enabled and look at the Victory Screen. If the Victory Screen shows no problems then just ignore the logged error message.

 

[ori]

For Gmin11 I am trying a Lake's map with world wrap flat as required by the rules page - the mod says this is not legal, could we have a new rules file to get rid of this warning?

 

[Denniz]

For Gmin11 I am trying a Lake's map with world wrap flat as required by the rules page - the mod says this is not legal, could we have a new rules file to get rid of this warning?

Sorry about that. Updated HOFSetting.txt File: HOF-2.08.001_HOFSettings.zip

 

[kalder]

Hi!
I have just installed the 2.08 Warlord patch and I am trying to play with the corresponding HOF mod.
Just launched a new custom game and a red message says that "assets are different from a standard install. Contact the HOF staff". What does it mean?

 

[Denniz]

Hi!
I have just installed the 2.08 Warlord patch and I am trying to play with the corresponding HOF mod.
Just launched a new custom game and a red message says that "assets are different from a standard install. Contact the HOF staff". What does it mean?

Hi kalder.

Generally, it means that one or more of the files under Vanilla (plain) Civ4 or Civ4 Warlords Assets (Python or XML) folders have been modified from the original installed version. (Added files, such as a backup copy for a changed file, could also cause the message.)

The message is warning to help to those intending to submit their game to the CFC Hall of Fame. The only approved mod for the Hall of Fame is the HOF mod. If you know what has been changed and can put the original files back, the message will go away.

CivScale is a common cause as it changes XML. The Hotseat fix is another potential cause. If you are not sure or don't have the original files, reinstallng and repatching Civ4 and Warlords may be necessary. The Warlords expansion share some of the Vanilla Civ4's Assets files.

 

[kalder]

Hi Denniz, thank you for the tip, I will give it a try...
Btw, I am SURE that no changes were apllied before adding the last Warlord patch+HOF mod...This is strange, since I have just finished a game (before installing the patch) and it did not say anything about the assets...
May it be that I did not install the mod (and the whole game) in Program files\Firaxis games\etc...?
In the HOF page I read that the mod HAS to be installed there... It's a little bit strict, isn't it?!?