Scenario: THE WHEEL OF TIME

[Kurt Stoyle]

Hi Team,

I've recently completed the only comprehensive Wheel of Time scenario available for Civilization II.

Unfortunately, I've had great difficulty in lodging this file by email. Therefore, I've decided to announce it on these forums. If one of the site moderators could add it to the downloads section, I'd be very thankful.

This scenario is designed to be played with Fantastic Worlds, but see the file "Wheel of Time.rtf" if you have another version.

It's quite a thorough scenario, and I hope that it's a worthwhile addition to your scenario libraries.

The URL is:

http://student.uq.edu.au/~s352357/WoT.zip

Unzip it to the folder specified in ReadMe.txt.

Obviously I can't upload it to this forum, as the allowable file size is 500,000 bytes.

Regards,
Kurt.

 

[Henrik]

Interesting, I started on a similar project not so long ago, I made a brand new map for it too, would you be interested in seeing that (as well as some units (children of light, Ashamans, etc))? (the units are not new, just edited)

The scenario looks good

 

[kobayashi]

Very beautiful Artwork. Map, terrain and cities look perfect. Screen border is magnificent and there is an good number of events. Definitely the best visual impact I have ever seen.

But .....

The units very complicated. I nuked myself in the first turn. The names of all the heroes are too long and hard to remember for anyone unfamiliar with WOT. Also, the names overlap with the stats in the defense ministers screen so you can't even see what they are. Maybe you can use events to create and introduce them one by one or something and just call each unit by its first or last name.

No sound files is another disappointment. There are calvary bugles and gunfire etc. Maybe you didn't provide a link to the sound folder?

Finally - it would be interesting to have a short paragraph describing the history of each wonder for the uninitiated.

Is this just your beta or final version? Could turn out to be a classic with a little more work.

 

[Kurt Stoyle]

Actually, kobayashi, I deal with some of those shortcomings in the file "Wheel of Time.rtf". I'd like to go through them here, so that you appreciate where I'm coming from.

* The units are all accounted for in the .rtf file, including special abilities. The document actually has separate sections for unique and non-unique units, and so is quite accessible. Myself, I've always found that trial and error very quickly gives you a feel for relative unit strengths in a sophisticated scenario (Harlan Thompson's "Lord of the Rings" masterpiece being one example).

I like your point about introducing units by way of events. In fact, I introduce several units that way; but some are required from the beginning, and the events.txt file is already full!

* The .rtf file also contains unit stats, obviating the need to consult the Defence Minister on this point; it's much easier to keep the .rtf open in another window, and it's more detailed anyway.

* You're right when you say that there's no sound. I almost always play Civ 2 without sound, and the .rtf file indicates that wot.scn should be played muted (as does the less detailed ReadMe.txt).

* Thanks for the advice regarding the paragraphs on the Wonders; I never thought of that. Each unit (unique or not) has a paragraph in the .rtf file, so the Wonders should as well.

Thanks again for your feedback; it's probably a little late in Civ 2's life to be adding to the list of classics, but it's still nice to hear.

*****************

Hi Henrik,

It would be great to be able to see your artwork and map file; in fact, I wish I'd been able to get in touch with someone like you a lot earlier.

The map included with wot.scn is very well put together (not by me; I found it), but required a few alterations (particularly to its river system) before it was in the form I wanted. Send your stuff through; I'd like to take a look!

Kurt.

 

[Serpent]

On the first page of the rtf-file you are referring to a certain utility that needs to be downloaded. Do you have any idea of where to find such a thing?

 

[Serpent]

Nevermind, I just found it right on this site.
The scenario looks great!
------------
Suggestions:

I recommend that you edit the graphics for the Trollock Legion to spare players from making irritating misstakes. Also, I think the Aiel units need to be a bit more powerful to eflect their awesome prowess in battle. I changed the map to make Tar Valon an island and therefore a bit harder to conquer. The Seanchan, when AI conrtolled, waste enormous forces trying to take Falme and seem unable to make much progress but that's a weakness of Civ II.

Anyway, thanks for an interestin scenario.

 

[Kurt Stoyle]

Thanks for some really good suggestions, Serpent.

I think I've come up with a solution to the Seanchan problem, and if I update the scenario it will be high on my list of priorities. I like your idea of changing Tar Valon into an island, however this would make it invulnerable to attack from the Forsaken (who cannot build ships), and I never intended for Tar Valon to be invulnerable.

I agree with you when you say the Aiel could be even stronger, but this would change the balance of power when the Dragonsworn get the ability to produce them later in the scenario (at the start, only a handful exist, and they should be adequate defence for Rhuidean if used creatively). On a conceptual level, they are relatively weak in comparison to some of the higher-level Forsaken units because they are fewer in number.

Thanks again for your input, and I'm glad that you enjoyed the scenario so much.

Kurt.

 

[Henrik]

Did you ever get my pm?...

 

[WarVoid]

Anyone know where I can download this scenario from? It seems the author's server is no longer functional.

(Yeah, yeah, i've been trolling. )

 

[Kurt Stoyle]

Just received notification that you'd dug up this old post.

The server's actually functioning properly and the file's still up there. I've looked into the issue a little more closely, and this is the problem: it's on a university server, and they've tightened up. That means that only people on an account supplied by the uni can access the file. That's not cool.

What we'll do is this. I'll put the file up somewhere else, somewhere more forgiving. And I'll fill everyone in on its new location. In the interim, if you post your email address I can probably send it straight to you.

 

[WarVoid]

My e-mail address is warvoid@aol.com

If you could send it over, i'd much appreciate it. If not, i'm sure I can bide my time until you upload it somewhere else.

 

[SunTzu]

bad poster! bad! trolling baaaaaaaad!

 

[kobayashi]

Kurt, Might I just ask what problem there is in just e-mailing the thing to Thunderfall.