HOF Mod?

[DaveShack]

It has been suggested in the patch thread that we could use the HOF mod, accordingly this poll has been opened.

Use the HOF mod?

• A vote of YES means the save will be created with the mod and all who wish to open it must have the mod installed.
• A vote of NO means we won't use the HOF mod

Public poll, 2 days. Simple majority, in the event of a tie we'll use the tradition of "no change" meaning the mod won't be used.
Discussion thread

 

[Joe Harker]

I am caught in two minds here, i would quite like the hof mod, however on my computer, everytime i install it, it won't allow me to play a game that can be submitted to the hall of fame, will this mean i won't be able to play/look at the save?

 

[Methos]

I am caught in two minds here, i would quite like the hof mod, however on my computer, everytime i install it, it won't allow me to play a game that can be submitted to the hall of fame, will this mean i won't be able to play/look at the save?

I suggest discussing this with us [HOF Staff] via email (hof.civfanatics@gmail.com) and we'll gladly work with you on getting it set up correctly. Typically it's certain settings that need to be altered that is causing the problem.

Remember that, if this passed, we would be using the HOF mod to play, so all the settings the HOF and GOTM requires wouldn't matter here. We're just having fun!

 

[Conroe]

A few questions ...

The demogame seems to have a history of problems attracting and retaining players. Would an additional requirement -- having to install a mod in order to view the save -- be a road block for potential new players?

I've noticed that HOF and xOTM games are advertised that they must be completed with the version in which they started. If a new HOF mod is released will the game be upgradeable to the latest mod version? Also what will happen if Firaxis releases a new patch? Will the game be upgradeable or will it have to be completed under the current 3.13 version? I mention it because long running games (such as the MTDG) suffer great participation problems as a result of not upgrading.

My own experience with the HOF mod is not pleasant. Granted it was a long, long time ago and I assume all of those issues have since been addressed. But how stable is the current HOF mod? Has it been out for a while and thus fully tested? Any known issues (other than Vista, which seems to not like civ4 in general)?

My apologies if these are dumb questions. And I certainly don't mean to sound so negative. I know that a lot of hard work has been put into the HOF by a number of talented individuals. But I'm just not sure that this mod was designed for a game that will take place over the course of many months ...

 

[pat123]

Could someone please explain the purpose of a HOF mod? What does it change?

 

[Methos]

I've noticed that HOF and xOTM games are advertised that they must be completed with the version in which they started.

This partially correct. Games that you submit to either xOTM or HOF must be completed in the version they were started in, but that’s because they are competition games. This is not a competition game and can be changed when we release our next version.

Also what will happen if Firaxis releases a new patch? Will the game be upgradeable or will it have to be completed under the current 3.13 version?

When the patch is released we will put out a new version of the HOF mod for it. The DG would then be upgraded to the new version.

But how stable is the current HOF mod? Has it been out for a while and thus fully tested? Any known issues (other than Vista, which seems to not like civ4 in general)?

In my (biased) opinion, the current version is very stable. As to testing, just check out the HOF forums, HOF tables, and gauntlets. Let’s not forget the GOTM, WOTM, BOTM, and SGOTM competitions too. I believe you’ll agree that it has been extensively tested. Vista is typically a problem with security, which won’t be a problem with this game.

But I'm just not sure that this mod was designed for a game that will take place over the course of many months ...

The point regarding requiring new players to download a mod is a valid one and many players may hesitate, if not disagree on downloading a mod just to play. But, many will. Look how many players that are active in both the HOF and all the xOTM variants? Another plus is that we do upgrade the mod, especially when it comes to bugs and/or exploits. Plus we have included a lot of smaller mods within the HOF mod that help detail non-spoiler information.

 

[Diamondeye]

My vote is for a no even though I have the HOF mod installed. I prefer that all players can, theoretically, play the save (if something crazy happens and someone who hadnt counted on it becomes leader sometimes )

 

[fed1943]

I voted no, because all mods I installed gave problems, without a single exception.
If not before,when a new version, patch comes.
Best regards,

 

[joncnunn]

I'm going to vote no because my own experence with it is rather unpleasent.
Now if there was a way that anybody could see see saves from it without interfering with their own preexisting games (that's aren't a XOFM) then I would instead vote yes.

I would sugest though that if "No" wins, then at least the portion of Bhuric's patch that is in the HOF be included if the offical patch isn't out by then.

 

[croxis]

The problem is that Bhuric's patch would still be a mod, still another thing for someone to download. Don't get me wrong, I am for using the HOF mod. Even if I had issues with the mod (or any mod) I wouldn't be opening the save much anyways. I'd much rather have the logginf features so we can make a website to parse some numbers!

 

[joncnunn]

Ah. but Bhruic's patch can be installed in a way that it doesn't impact your other games. It then stays within the folder you tell it and doesn't do a checksum on the 3.13 asset folder.

The problem is that Bhuric's patch would still be a mod, still another thing for someone to download. Don't get me wrong, I am for using the HOF mod. Even if I had issues with the mod (or any mod) I wouldn't be opening the save much anyways. I'd much rather have the logginf features so we can make a website to parse some numbers!

 

[DaveShack]

The HOF mod is also installed so it has no effect on your other games. In fact, no mod affects other games that are not started with it. The Bhruic patch aspect of the HOF mod affects only the mod folder, not the main game folder.

It's important to note that to be valid HOF games the mod must be installed on a standard patch with no assets folder modifications (including Bhruic) but that's a different issue than using it to play this game.