New Member, please read (some) of this

[NeverSurrender]

Greetings Civ players!

(Feel free to skip the proceeding paragraphs of waffle and skip to my questions at the end)

I have been playing Civ 4 for a few months now, and occasionally read this forum, but this is the first time that I have actually posted here, been too busy playing! I have many things that I would like to ask / comment on and this may be a rather long post (posting on other various forums I hardly ever make long winded posts, I feel this one may be a personal record as I have quite a lot to say).

I’ll start with a brief bit of background about myself and my game history in this genre. This type of game is undoubtedly my favourite game genre, which makes it all the more surprising that this is only the second Sid Meier game that I have ever really played - the first one was Colonization. In fact, it is probably due to Colonization that I haven’t before now played any of the Civ’s, I did try to play Civ3 a few years ago which came free with my computer, but I just couldn’t get into it (I probably never actually gave it a fair chance to get it’s hooks in me). Reason for this is I absolutely loved Colonization, and each time I tried Civ3 I kept comparing it unfavourably to Col. I now think that if I had persevered with Civ3 then I would have soon enough been hooked, as that is exactly what has happened with Civ4. First couple of games of Civ4 I was feeling the same - ’this ain’t no Col’ ’so much more complicated than Col’ ‘Col is so much easier and more fun’. Then a few months ago I got my hands on Civ4. My first couple of games I felt pretty much the same way I did with my previous attempts on Civ3 - unfavourably comparing it to Col still! Then, after about my third game it got me, I started to see the mechanisms of the game and started to really get into it.

I started out on chieftain level I think, and after a my first couple of games learning the game I started to progress through the difficulty settings, playing on standard map size, fractal as a random civilization on normal speed. It didn’t take me long to get to prince level which is where I noticed the difficulty start to bite. After a couple of failed attempts I won prince, using the above settings and by, get this… ONE TURN. Heh yes I won the space race with just one turn to spare as I found out after loading the auto save and turning off the final piece of space ship production, Cyrus I think it was that I just pipped to the post. Although I could have then moved straight up to monarch level I decided to have another go at prince to prove that wasn’t a fluke and that I really was ready to take on the monarchs, I dominated as Isabella, so on to monarch.
I must say, I think that the jump in difficulty from prince to monarch is huge. I have attempted monarch level about three times and just can’t keep up with the front runners, where I was dominant as prince.

So this was where I was at about a fortnight ago, not bad I think, beating prince twice after only about five weeks of play (I started playing early January). Oh I forgot to mention I also installed Warlords and Beyond the Sword after a few weeks of playing the main game, and I think the two expansions are pretty fantastic, though Beyond the sword seems to have so much more to add than Warlords. Anyway this is getting long-winded now, so I shall try to draw this (the longest internet post I have ever made) thread to a close.

Currently I have abandoned the monarch, standard, normal, fractal game in favour of an epic style game on the Earth 18 civs map, prince level, marathon game speed, and I’m loving it. You seem to get so much more bang for your techno buck so to speak, what I mean by that is that if you have a technological warfare edge over your opponents it lasts significantly longer and therefore your research efforts in the first place seem to be more justified, like sometimes on normal game speed, no soon as you have researched rifling for example and are ready to declare war on your backward musket wielding neighbours then they have caught you up, a mere 15 turns later. Plus I just like the ‘epic’ experience of one turn being a year, I don’t feel so rushed.

RIGHT! That’ll do for the waffle, this is the bit I really want you to read (and answer if you would). I’ll just list them by number, my questions for you, the Civ4 playing community. Players of the best strategy computer strategy game ever. Thanks for reading.

1: What’s this I hear about nukes cracking the earth? Is it an addition of one of the expansions? Is there any way to stop it or to turn it off? It hasn’t happened to me yet but I think it could be my one BIG gripe with the game. It could end up ruining a marathon just as things were getting interesting.

2: I don’t fully understand permanent alliances, could you explain to me the difference between them and vassal states? Should I have them both turned on? I have never really experienced a situation of permanent alliance. Basically - if it’s realistic and not a ’broken’ game mechanic, I’ll have them in my games.

3: I’m hooked on marathon games on the earth 18 civs map, I also play the future war mod using these settings as future war looks identical to the main game but with extra content (the late game techs and units) so it seems like a given that I play it. Trouble is, I can’t seem to customise the game fully, that is, I can’t chose the leaders of the 18 civs. Example, I want to have Stalin instead of Catherine for Russia, and Churchill instead of Elizabeth I for England, but I can’t seem to change them in custom game on this map. Is there any way to do this? I.e. Earth 18 civs huge map / marathon speed / prince difficulty / choose leaders?

4: Like I said in the previous question, I play the future war mod (customised earth 18 civs map). Should I be? I mean like I said it seems an obvious choice as it seems to be identical to the main game, but with extra content. What I’m asking is, am I missing something? Any reasons why I shouldn’t be playing this version, or are there better mods?

5: Finally, if there is anyone at about prince / monarch level out there who would like to teach me the multiplayer ropes and have some online games, that’d be great, I’d love to play you if it is possible. But I have never played this online, so could use a bit of advice and help in setting it up (don’t worry, I’m not a complete dullard when it comes to online games, so I shouldn’t be too much hard work to get up and running).

Phew! I’m done, thanks in advance for your answers and HAPPY GAMES!

 

[Ginger_Ale]

[...]

1: What’s this I hear about nukes cracking the earth? Is it an addition of one of the expansions? Is there any way to stop it or to turn it off? It hasn’t happened to me yet but I think it could be my one BIG gripe with the game. It could end up ruining a marathon just as things were getting interesting.

Well, there are nuclear weapons in the game that become available if you play into the modern age. You can turn them off by editing the XML (the game info files) or if you pass the UN resolution which bans nuclear weapons. So, there's an in-game way (which doesn't always work) and an out-of-game way (which will work all the time, obviously).

2: I don’t fully understand permanent alliances, could you explain to me the difference between them and vassal states? Should I have them both turned on? I have never really experienced a situation of permanent alliance. Basically - if it’s realistic and not a ’broken’ game mechanic, I’ll have them in my games.

I've never played a game with permanent alliances on, but what I think it does is physically join the two civilizations together (like if you set up a team game), and they share research, etc. I think you have to turn them on in the options when you set up a game for it to be a feature.

3: I’m hooked on marathon games on the earth 18 civs map, I also play the future war mod using these settings as future war looks identical to the main game but with extra content (the late game techs and units) so it seems like a given that I play it. Trouble is, I can’t seem to customise the game fully, that is, I can’t chose the leaders of the 18 civs. Example, I want to have Stalin instead of Catherine for Russia, and Churchill instead of Elizabeth I for England, but I can’t seem to change them in custom game on this map. Is there any way to do this? I.e. Earth 18 civs huge map / marathon speed / prince difficulty / choose leaders?

If you navigate to your C:/Program Files/Firaxis Games/Sid Meier's Civilization 4/PublicMaps/ folder (yes, even though you have BtS), open up the Earth18Civs file in Notepad. As you scroll down, you see lines of text like:

BeginPlayer
LeaderType=LEADER_CATHERINE
CivType=CIVILIZATION_RUSSIA
Team=13
PlayableCiv=1
StartingX=73, StartingY=54
Handicap=HANDICAP_NOBLE
EndPlayer

All you should have to do is change "CATHERINE" to "STALIN" for the change to take effect the next time you start a new game. I've never done this before, but I really do think it's that easy. Although, if you are using a mod it might be different. You can try this though. By the way, you can find some world maps on this forum that include the Warlords and BtS civilizations as well, so shop around (you can look here).

4: Like I said in the previous question, I play the future war mod (customised earth 18 civs map). Should I be? I mean like I said it seems an obvious choice as it seems to be identical to the main game, but with extra content. What I’m asking is, am I missing something? Any reasons why I shouldn’t be playing this version, or are there better mods?

If you have fun with it, keep playing! I don't play with any mods, but to each his own. As long as it's fun and you enjoy it, stick with it. There's no harm in trying different mods though if you want.

5: Finally, if there is anyone at about prince / monarch level out there who would like to teach me the multiplayer ropes and have some online games, that’d be great, I’d love to play you if it is possible. But I have never played this online, so could use a bit of advice and help in setting it up (don’t worry, I’m not a complete dullard when it comes to online games, so I shouldn’t be too much hard work to get up and running).

You might try asking in the Multiplayer forum. To play online, all you'll have to do is go from the Main Menu -> Multiplayer -> Internet, create an account if you haven't already (it's free and easy; it just gives you a username), and then login to the lobby. It's pretty easy. You can give the MP forum a look around. Just a heads-up: MP play is usually much more aggressive and war-oriented than single player. Make sure to have the latest patch as well (v3.13 for BtS).

Phew! I’m done, thanks in advance for your answers and HAPPY GAMES!

Welcome to CFC! Don't hesitate to respond if you have more questions...have fun!

 

[Krumly Lu Wopa]

>>>>I’m hooked on marathon games on the earth 18 civs map,

I love that one too. Just played it with my friend last week. I won a cultural victory in the late 1800's. I was pretty pleased. Always on nobel after 2 years of playing. I was playing the Greeks and my friend the Romans. If the Romans and Greeks can work together, it's almost unbeatable.

So the above post told us how to change leaders. Thanks to Ginger Ale. That would of been beyond my ability.

But the reason why they come with just one leader, is because it was made for Civ IV, not Warlords or Beyond the sword. The other leaders came with those expansion packs.

You sound like you are havign fun. So my suggestion, try the Gods of Old mod. It's a blast.

 

[NeverSurrender]

Thanks for the answers Ginger. I am itching to start a new game tonight, but I want to sort the leaders out to the ones I like first before I try another marathon. I tried what you suggested regarding the notepad and it was all going swimmingly until I came to save it, when I got...

'Cannot create the C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\Public Maps\Earth18Civs.Civ4World BuilderSavefile.'

...pop up

Any help out there? Why wouldn't it allow me to save, anything I can do?

 

[King Flevance]

You may try saving it under this directory:

My Computer/My Documents/My games/Sid Meier's Civilization 4/Beyond the Sword/Public Maps/Earth18Civs.Civ4World BuilderSavefile.

EDIT: That first directory may be inaccurate based on the failed directory you state. You may try this one also.
My Computer/My Documents/My games/Sid Meier's Civilization 4/Public Maps/Earth18Civs.Civ4World BuilderSavefile.


I havent done any map changes but this is the directory you should use when modding the game as nt to overwrite your original game files. The only thing I could guess is maybe Firaxis went in on BTS and maybe put a default lock on overwriting game files to save early modders from risking a reinstall. I doubt it but its worth a shot if you have a few minutes and no one else has replied.

 

[NeverSurrender]

I did it! Gave a little cheer when I saw Gandhi's face pop up. Right, am off to start another marathon. Awesome, thanks guys!

 

[King Flevance]

Congrats! Enjoy the game.

 

[Ginger_Ale]

I did it! Gave a little cheer when I saw Gandhi's face pop up. Right, am off to start another marathon. Awesome, thanks guys!

Wasn't that easy? Have fun!

 

[NeverSurrender]

Erm.. it appears that my celebrations were somewhat... precipitous.

Ok, here is the situation I have right now, and I think it's a bit weird, see what you lot think... Following Ginger Ale's advice in above post (after some initial confusion) I did indeed open the public maps file using notepad and proceeded to change the leaders of the civs I wished to change and copy the new file over the old one. So now I had Gandhi replacing Asoka, Napoleon replacing Louis XIV, Bismarck replacing Frederick, Churchill replaced Elizabeth and Stalin replaced Catherine. All good, and to my amazement (i'm not that confident with messing around with these type of game files) it worked! Great stuff... but there's a snag, and a pretty annoying / baffling one it is too.

I can't replace Chinese leader Quin for Mao Zedong and I don't know why! It's seriously doing my head in because I have tried seemingly everything.
Leaders on the file I opened using notepad are written as Ginger Ale stated as e.g. LeaderType=LEADER_CATHERINE, all you have to do is replace the name as he said. Leaders with 'double-barreled' names such as Genghis Khan appear as LeaderType=LEADER_GENGHIS_KHAN. So I fail to see how my replacing this Quin fella with LeaderType=LEADER_MAO_ZEDONG could be a problem, but it is. When I load up the game, all the other new additions are there but there is no China, I only see 17 civs. It would help if Mao was one of the selectable ones in any of the other scenario maps - then I could simply copy and paste WHATEVER is there for his name into the slot for the Chinese leader - but he is not, it's just wall to wall Quin.

I'm finding this very odd. Help?

p.s. Yes I know this matters not one jot to my gameplay, and I do have most of the changes I wanted, but I am being stubborn now, it's bugging me.

 

[Ginger_Ale]

Hi again,

In the XML, Mao Zedong seems to be referred to as "LEADER_CHINESE_LEADER", so try using that tag to replace Qin (who properly is called "LEADER_QIN_SHI_HUANG" as he should be). I'm not exactly sure why this is, because no other leaders are set up like this.

 

[NeverSurrender]

Ginger Ale you are a total star! Thanks a load man, game is set up just perfect now. Not only do I have all the leaders I wanted but also with the knowledge gleaned from your posts have learned how to modify the map files to allow me to play the next war mod - customise all the settings AND play it on prince level. Without your help it would have been one or the other, which would have really sucked as I couldn't have got through to the endgame and the techs the 'next war' mod offers due to victory conditions killing the game in 2050. AND I now got Chairman Mao in.

Thanks man, made my day you have

Tomorrow... world domination

 

[ZPV]

1: What’s this I hear about nukes cracking the earth? Is it an addition of one of the expansions? Is there any way to stop it or to turn it off? It hasn’t happened to me yet but I think it could be my one BIG gripe with the game. It could end up ruining a marathon just as things were getting interesting.

This is an event in the NextWar mod. Basically, once 20 nukes have been fired, there is an event which is triggered, which displays a message saying the world cracks like an egg, and ends the game there and then (it gives victory to the barbarians). So nuclear wars are a big nono in NextWar. If only the AI knew this.

To turn this event off, you need to modify one of the python files, means it won't be the same NextWar mod other people are playing.

You can find the file at C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\Beyond the Sword\Mods\Next War\Assets\Python\CvEventManager.py (or similar) and open it using a text editor (e.g. notepad). Find the line which says g_iNumNukesGameOver = 20 (it's about 30 lines from the top), and just change this number to something very big (and save the file). Game over after 2000000000 nukes isn't such a big problem.
You shouldn't so this without first backing up the file.