REMINDER: Do not screw up your game by forgetting resources

[Adam0217]

I have downloaded the game but this post contains no spoilers and may be helpful for people who haven't d/led yet.

Around 2000BC I noticed something odd... I noticed that I couldn't see any bonus or strategic resources. The d/l file instructions said that no additional files were necessary if you were not playing conquest class. This apparently only applied to the units mods, I still needed to create the gotm20 folder in my senarios folder for me to see the resources.

A note to GOTM staff, perhaps a clarification in the readme file would be helpful... or maybe I am just

This creates kind of a "moral" dilemma. Do I continue with very less than ideal city positions (possibly a game breaker at diety) or start over? Seeing as that I normally suck on diety it probably doesn't matter.

Adam

 

[cracker]

Adam0217,

Here is a quote from the opening posts to the pregame discussion thread where every player was reminded about the resource graphics mods:

Originally posted by cracker
Just an added note about resource graphics files for this game.

Every player has the option to choose from three versions of resource graphics that are 1) plain and almost standard, 2) increased visibility with Letters and Smilie facesm, or 3) enhnced visibility plus letters plus similies plus bonus food/shield/gold blips.

You may choose which versions you use and you may switch as often as you like.

For the PTW players this process is fairly easy.

For the Civ3v1.29 players the process is still easy but you do have to read the instructions and pay attention when switch between the Gotm20 game and other games of Civ3. Civ3v1.29 does not have the ability to switch graphics back and forth automatically for you, so you have to remember to do this manually when you switch games.

I apologize in advance for any inconvenience that this swapping causes, but it seems to be one of the offshoots of other issues that we are trying our best to mitigate so that all players can continue to play the games.

If you have any questions about the resource graphics or any other aspects of the game you may feel free to email me at gotm@civfanatics.net if I can help you in any way.

I even posted that as a separate reminder to emphasize its importance in the game steup process.

The following instructions are also included at the top of the Game Announcement page in brighte red text:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you successfully played Gotm19-Ottomans in any software format, then you are essentially setup and ready to play this GOTM game with only a small graphics download pack of your choice to support resource graphics for the game. You MUST download and install one of the resource graphics options for the game to function properly.If you missed Gotm19 and/or are new to the GOTM games then proceed to the online game instructions for access to any missing pieces of your game pack.

I do feel that these cautions have been well covered and discussed.

 

[ltccone]

SPECIAL NOTE: If you successfully played Gotm19-Ottomans in any software format, then you are essentially setup and ready to play this GOTM game with only a small graphics download pack of your choice to support resource graphics for the game. You MUST download and install one of the resource graphics options for the game to function properly.If you missed Gotm19 and/or are new to the GOTM games then proceed to the online game instructions for access to any missing pieces of your game pack.

I do feel that these cautions have been well covered and discussed. [/B]

I don't want to confuse anybody, but wasn't GOTM 18 the Celts and GOTM 19 the Ottomans?

{fixed that - just so it doesn't distratc us from the real issue - RESOURCES - INSTALL THEM or die a horrible and painful death -scary noises and ominous soundtrack music in the background}

 

[Locdog]

I am having troible with the resources as well. I followed the instructions, but i still cant see any of the incense the iron, cattle. What did i do wrong?

 

[hotrod0823]

What version of the game are you playing??

 

[Locdog]

PTW 1.21

 

[cracker]

Locdog,

Since you are playing in PTW the solution to the problem will be found in double checking if you positioned the "gotm20" scenario folder properly.

Here is quote from an email I sent to another player earlier today who had the same problem:

This error sounds like it is related to the "gotm20" folder in your
scenarios folder. Open your original game pack zip folder and just look inside of it without extracting the files. There should be a folder named "place the contents in your CIV3PTW-Scenarios folder". Open this folder and look inside and you should find a folder named "gotm20". Select this entire folder so that you get the folder plus its contents. Then go to your

Civilization III/CIV3PTW/Scenarios/ folder

and paste the entire gotm20 scenario folder into the scenarios folder.

Inside you gotm20 folder you should see these four things:

/Art folder (I think this is the source of your problem)
/resources storage folder
/Text folder
Readme - Swapping Resources.txt (instructions file on customization)


I have verified that both of the download packs for PTW include the required files so we need to double check the physical location and full name of where you have installed the gotm20 scenario folder because that could be our problem and it will created other problems that you cannot yet see if we do not get this folder properly installed.

Try these steps and get back with me by eamil to gotm@civfanatics.net to let me know for sure if this fixes the problem.

cracker

 

[hotrod0823]

Okay I may be able to help.

You need to have a gotm20 folder in your PTW Scenarios file

C:\Program Files\Infogrames Interactive\Civilization III\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\gotm20

In the gotm20 folder there are 3 folders but the important 2 are Art and Text. In the Text folder is the PediaIcons.txt file.

In the Art Folder are the resources.pcx and resources_shadows.pcx files.

IIRC there are 2 in there by default. You should be all set to go.

 

[CellarDweller22]

SPECIAL NOTE: If you successfully played Gotm19-Ottomans in any software format, then you are essentially setup and ready to play this GOTM game with only a small graphics download pack of your choice to support resource graphics for the game. You MUST download and install one of the resource graphics options for the game to function properly

Well.... in version 1.29f, the Ottomans worked just fine...... but my resources are messed up here. I suppose it was the "essentially setup" part that was confusing. I thought I would install the folders like every other GOTM (that I had to install before playing GOTM 19). Now I'm at 950 BC, and right-clicking the squares to see what resources are there has just become too much....

Sea resources show up properly, btw....

What the heck is a resource graphics option, anyway? I didn't see that download on the GOTM page, but maybe I just missed it....

EDIT: OK.... after reading the thread more carefully, I see the options, but I don't know exactly where those mods are.... they aren't linked to the GOTM pages, as far as I can tell, so it's really not very self-expanatory for those of us who don't mess with scenarios too much. HELP!! Can I still download it NOW, and will it still apply for this game (change the pictures midstream), or am I now doomed?

EDIT #2: Apparently, I'm just too stupid to be able to read.... Yes, I simply copied the resource folder and pasted it into the Art folder without reading the embedded "readme" file within the folder.... I will say that, for some of us, there might be a better streamlined way to change the resources in the future. Perhaps a warning. HEY, STUPID! Read ALL the readme files, not just the first one!

-- From The Cellar

P.S. At least I researched "Resource Management" before hitting 10 AD....

 

[Locdog]

Thanks everyone for the help. I got it to work, i did not have the GOTM file in the scenerios file. Thanks again....

 

[Offa]

Originally posted by cracker
Adam0217,

Here is a quote from the opening posts to the pregame discussion thread where every player was reminded about the resource graphics mods:



I even posted that as a separate reminder to emphasize its importance in the game steup process.


I do feel that these cautions have been well covered and discussed.

I managed to load the graphics mod OK and I agree that the instructions are accurate, but I did find it a bit confusing, and I had to read the instructions several times before I understood what to do. Not everyone is a computer expert and GOTM installation is becoming a bit tricky.

You are doing a superb job on GOTM, but please have a thought for the rare civ addict who is not a computer wizard.
I am sure it must be a bit frustrating to create another masterpiece only to find that people can't understand it.

GOTM is the best thing about Civ and your work is hugely appreciated.

 

[ipris]

Originally posted by Offa

I managed to load the graphics mod OK and I agree that the instructions are accurate, but I did find it a bit confusing, and I had to read the instructions several times before I understood what to do.
.......
GOTM is the best thing about Civ and your work is hugely appreciated.

Yes i think i tried about 3 times before i had all the pieces in place to play. with hindsight it seems like i should have had it all right away but i didnt. Seemed to me that some things that were assumed shouldnt have been. unfortunately i dont recall specifics... more a general remembrance.
Still after about 5minutes and 3 attempts i was able to sort it all out. thanks for the game it's always great!

 

[Adam0217]

It's good to know I'm not the only dummy out there. Ironic that part of my own job duties is tech support and a pet peeve of mine is when users don't read directions. I know this was just my stupid mistake however while the forums and gotm page were extremely clear I felt the readme file wasn't worded quite clearly. I had to read it a few times to figure out what I did wrong. So I thought I would post a suggestion to possibly improve the readme since there might be some people out there who don't pay attention much to the forums.

Yes I second the huge appreciation from all of us players of the efforts it must take to organize the gotm.

-Adam

 

[alamo]

I stumbled onto the graphics myself, but I did do the PTW GOTM20 scenario so did not have a problem. The extra graphics caused me a bit of concern at first, but those are just gravy. However, I did not even realize there was a choice.

I attribute this entirely to my lack of patience to read through all the instructions.

I suppose all of this is to avoid the 'edge peek' that some mods give for bonus resouces. It's too bad that the fix is such a pain.

 

[tigerpoo]

A question along these lines: What are the squares labelled "Andalusia" and "Catalonia" etc? I have one of the resource mods in place (I can't remember which) and I can see Luxeries, Bonuses and Resources. The squares with Spanish names on them don't seem to be of any importance at all. Anyone?

 

[kiregh]

As before Cracker's instructions followed literally worked exactly. Trouble was I remembered the lessons of loading the previous few games and jumped to conclusions. Gotm 21 I'll get it first time. I would like to know more about how the Scenarios and the Games relate to each other.

 

[Garvarg]

I must confess..
I screwed this up. When I saw a pop-up telling how great was to have horses, I figured I had done something wrong.

Now that I have finished the game and gone to play a new "regular" game I see that I have to reset all my resourses or settle for clicking on them to know what they are.

I truly enjoy the GOTM, but I wish it was more compatible with the "regular" games. I am not a fan of changing the files every time I swithch back and forth.

 

[Phaedria]

I know Im late starting here - Im haveing real problems with this set up. I was trying to load the conquest division It wont load because it tell me i dont have treasure INI. And I cant fins it. Its so late inb the month I think I will just have to give up - but wuld apprechiate any enlightenment as to where I have gone wrong

Phaedria

 

[cracker]

Garvag,

Unfortunately switching the resource files is one of those things that you have to do in order to be compatible with the PTW version of the game that you get to play for free without purchasing the $30 software package.

You will have to follow the set up instructions, which are tested to not be to hard on the average to moderate player.

Swapping the resource file back and forth takes about 30 seconds or less if you follow the procedure that is outlined for the games.

This skill will be even more critically important in games for the future because the Conquest expansion pack has already been announced to include extra resources that will make it incompatible with all the players who have Civ3v1.29 or PTW if those players do not or cannot purchase the Conquests pack for 6 to 8 months.

Hopefully these things will not hurt you in your games, but you will have to follow the setup instructions to get the most enjoyment out of the games.

 

[cracker]

Phaedria,

You are probably starting to late in the month because the game files were released 30 days ago and will close in just 5 days.

Whenever you have a potential problem that may require help, you have to make sure you declare what version of the game you are trying to play (such as Civ3v1.29 or PTWv1.21).

We need to try and get you set up correctly here because the Gotm21 game uses basically the same game files.

You difficulty sounds like you may be trying to play PTW and may have inserted the unit graphics folders in the wrong place. They go in the /Civ3/Art/units folder and not in the /Civ3/Civ3PTW/Art/units folder.

If you do have all the units in place then in could be the very rare instance of a corrupt file that we can replace for you by email.