Scenarios vs ModPacks?

[Steed]

I'm sorry to ask a naive question, but could someone kindly explain to me what are the differences between Scenarios and ModPacks?

I have successfully downloaded a few scenarios and really enjoyed them. I have not yet tried a modpack and I'm a bit nervous.

As far as I can see, the modpacks involve an installation to the main CIV2 directory, moving or overwriting a number of the main game files -- which presumably can be reversed, and the one I have looked at, a Star Trek pack by Kevin Gilbert, seems to have an uninstall.bat in the Zip file.

Is this right? How is this best done? And why is it necessary -- what does this allow that creating a detailed scenario doesn't?

I'm keen to explore the worlds people like Kevin have so generously created, but I don't want to mess up my system or be unable to play regular CIV2 games and scenarios. I'd be very grateful for any help you can give me.

Thanks,
Steed

 

[H Tower]

Welcome to CivFanatics!

you're right, modpacks replace several files in the main civ2 directory, so you need to back up the files if you don't want to have to reinstall. Modapacks change the way a game looks, its like starting a regular game, only with different units and terrain and some rules being changed. A scenario is the same thing as a modpack, only you have a saved game file(basically) in the folder which you can open and play as any civ.

 

[Steed]

Many thanks, H

It makes me wonder why one would use the ModPack format when the Scenario format seems easier -- can one change things that the scenario format doesn't allow one to change? I guess there must be a reason...

All the best,
Steed

 

[Rhodry]

some people don't like scenarios, which can be restrictive

 

[H Tower]

mod packs let you start on any map you want, or a random map

 

[Steed]

Aaah -- I see! That makes sense.

Many thanks,
Steed