Idea for making C3C patch framework

[Civinator]

However, can this be done without removing any protection to the game?

Please don´t forget, that Firaxis themselves had to give the No-CD-Patch to the public as they sold C3C to a German Computergaming Magazine (and at least it was also published in another German Journal with a more exotic name) and that game could only be played with the No-CD-Patch. These magazins were sold worldwide. I also bought them and the patch is still available for the public at the internet site of that magazine.

The official No-CD patch also was an official recommendation at the portal news of CFC for many years.

 

[Steph]

Ok, god to know. I just wanted to be sure that this solution was safe and we can invest time discussing it.

 

[Antal1987]

Please don´t forget, that Firaxis themselves had to give the No-CD-Patch to the public as they sold C3C to a German Computergaming Magazine

I've never heard about that magazine. Did they buy only publishing rights? Or maybe some sources?

 

[Civinator]

I've never heard about that magazine. Did they buy only publishing rights? Or maybe some sources?

I haven´t read their contracts. In 2005 they gave the Civ 3 and C3C CDs as add-on to their magazins. After a lot of complaints, the No-CD Patch (36 MB) had to be offered.

 

[nick0515]

I don't understand much at all about what is discussed in the initial post but this sounds very, very exciting!

If even one limit like the buildings limit, cultures limit etc could be removed or expanded then that would be amazing.

I think if this can be done we might see many old faces returning to Civ 3 modding!

Antal1987, thank you so much for your hard work! This definitely has the potential for a total rebirth of Civ 3 modding!

 

[Puppeteer]

Antal1987, thank you so much for your hard work! This definitely has the potential for a total rebirth of Civ 3 modding!

And playing. I think the biggest complaint about Civ3 was the need for micromanagement and perhaps a couple of the bugs.

 

[Antal1987]

Now, it's alive.... *hysterical laughter on the background of thunder*

The patch framework is done (v1). Here it is.

 

[clamel]

And don´t you dare to leave us now, WHEN Fireaxis or whoever owns the copyrights comes calling with a check of some sort.
It has been known in the past that similar brilliant minds like yours have been bought over by companies to stop messing with their code.

I do hope you could solve enough bugs and issues before this happens.

 

[Ares de Borg]

I'm just amazed by your work. Thank you very much to open up new possibilities to our beloved old game.

 

[Steph]

And don´t you dare to leave us now, WHEN Fireaxis or whoever owns the copyrights comes calling with a check of some sort.
It has been known in the past that similar brilliant minds like yours have been bought over by companies to stop messing with their code.

I do hope you could solve enough bugs and issues before this happens.

Damned, they never offered me anything with my expanded editor concept.
I'm afraid I'm not such a brilliant mind

 

[Ares de Borg]

There, there, Steph, you know we love you anyway

Oh, and your editor of course, it's one of the main reasons why I'm still modding despite the lack of free time.

 

[Yoda Power]

What's the status on the 31 civ limit?

 

[Steph]

that one is probably one of the difficult thing to change since IIRC they use the fact 32 civ = 32 bits to store some data information.
So adding more than 32 civ means changing the data structure, and not simply expand it.

 

[Antal1987]

that one is probably one of the difficult thing to change since IIRC they use the fact 32 civ = 32 bits to store some data information.
So adding more than 32 civ means changing the data structure, and not simply expand it.

storing civ bits in a one variable is not such a big problem as storing class_Leader structure for 33-rd civ. Here is how it's located in memory:

.data:00A52E58 Civilizations class_Leader 20h dup(<?>)
.data:00A94AD8 Civilizations_End dd ? ; DATA XREF: class_Leader__m40+295o
.data:00A94ADC align 10h
.data:00A94AE0 Unknown_String_1 struct_String256 <?> ; DATA XREF: f_Load_Saved_Game+C17o
.data:00A94BE0 Game_Spy_Connection_Form class_Game_Spy_Connection_Form <?>

Each class_Leader structure requires 0x20E4 bytes.

There just no free space for storing extra civs. It requires injecting more than 700 functions to make civ limit disappear...

 

[Antal1987]

And don´t you dare to leave us now, WHEN Fireaxis or whoever owns the copyrights comes calling with a check of some sort.
It has been known in the past that similar brilliant minds like yours have been bought over by companies to stop messing with their code.

I doubt they really do care about an old game.

 

[Yoda Power]

s
There just no free space for storing extra civs. It requires injecting more than 700 functions to make civ limit disappear...

But... Can it be done/can you do it?

 

[Antal1987]

But... Can it be done/can you do it?

I don't know. It's too difficult for a one, even for a team.

 

[Yoda Power]

What a shame.

 

[Antal1987]

What a shame.

You think I'm superman?

 

[Virote_Considon]

You think I'm superman?

Well, I've never seen you and he in the same place at the same time...


I have to echo the chorus of "thanks", as well. You're really doing some amazing work!