Set Max Frame Rate (Civ 4 VS BTS)

[elyoun]

Greetings, everyone!

I have a problem regarding setting the max frame rate for BTS (Beyond the Sword Expansion). Both games were at the same graphical setting, at Medium settings.

Setting the max frame rate at 40 for Civ 4 worked for me; at Standard or bigger maps, the Wonder cutscenes and overall map experience went smoothly.

However, setting the same max frame rate for BTS did not generate the same positive result. The Wonder (and etc, Space Race) movies are still creaky at best, and the gameplay speed slowed down over time as the map developed out.

What is the actual problem behind this difference, and is there a quick fix to this? Thanks for your response and awaiting your reply soon!

Edmund

 

[Steve2000]

I have no idea what the technical reasons for this might be. BTS is more graphics intensive that Civ4 in my opinion so that could have something to do with it. It does not surprise me that you would experience different performance with the same settings.

One quick thing. You did edit the BTS.ini file to change the max frame rate right? Each expansion has its own configuration file. (Apologies, but it is best to eliminate the simplest thing first).

If you are looking for other ways to improve performance, obviously you can lower your BTS settings to LOW. You can also tweak several things related to in-game movies in the BTS.ini file (such as using low-res movies, or adjusting the bink player settings).

 

[elyoun]

Originally, I replaced the BTS config.ini shortcut(!) with the Civ4 config.ini shortcut, mistaking the icons for actual config files themselves.

After correcting that error and adjusting the actual BTS config.ini file itself, hidden away in a separate folder by Firaxis *rolls eyes*, yeah, sort of, the performance in BTS is about the same now as in Civ IV.

Though, maybe it is better not to have a max frame rate clamp at all, the lower the frame rate the choppier the gameplay, right? (I had assumed in the beginning after some experimentation that too much frames would slow down gameplay too, especially with the Wonder in-game cutscenes)

Originally, with the Max Frame Rate clamp set at 0, the Wonder cutscenes were choppy, pausing at some intervals with the sound still playing. Clamping the max frame rate to 40 solved that in Civ IV, but I will find out if it is the same for BTS. *shrugs*

Anyway, thanks for your response! We will see more about this later.