If you're a frequent visitor to this Mod's Forum you might've picked up on some of the limitations of a Mod this large.
What am I talking about?
Huge and larger maps with more than 9-10 AI create so much data in the Industrial age and onward that "some" Computer systems experience crashes. The Core BtS engine can't handle the data load very well once it reaches a certain "size". The amount of data produced in RoM far exceeds the Core BtS game. And the game itself has coding limits.
Optimazation *fixes* are hard to come by because it needs someone with extensive XML and Python skills to spot the problems in the coding. Musicfreaks' cPickle fix has helped in speeding up the *loop* processing. Other coding fixes like it need to be found. It really doesn't matter how *Super* your computing system is if the "program" it's running needs refinement. Which also brings up knowing your Computer's *abilities*. For example the AGP Settings under Chipset Settings for many motherboards BIOS. If you've not checked your Comp's BIOS settings to see IF you have that feature then your Video card may not be utilized to it's full capacity. IF your BIOS under Chipset Settings DOES have an AGP Aperture setting make sure that the setting matches your V-cards ram (ie if your v-card has 256mb of ram, the AGP Aperture setting should also be set to 256mb). This aleviates some CTD's in the Industrial Era and beyond for Some computer systems.
So here's a gentle friendly suggestion: scale back on your Mod settings. Try only an 8 AI game on a large/huge map with out all the add-ons. If your game then finishes w/o a CTD then you will know that the core MOD works on your computer. Then start with another game with only 1 or 2 add-ons and a few more AI. If it works you will begin to get a feel for what your system can handle. But going "whole hog" at the start is generally a sure fire way to get a CTD.
On top of all that zappara has stated that there are some limitations. Playing with 32 AI and the Barb Civ add-on is a sure way to get a CTD. As soon as the 1st Barb civ tries to establish itself the max number of AI for the .dll gets exceeded and you Will CTD.
There are other cases similar to this. Please, read what zappara, kalimachus, and strategyonly post about the mod.
And remember they are only 1 person each, not a team, so *fixes* and checking your savegame(s) may take some time. Patience is a virtue, and when a MOD as popular and Large as RoM is not everyone's problem will get addressed. They do try though. I personally have been very impressed with their efforts and diligence in making RoM playable.
Gather as much info as you can and maybe you will solve a CTD yourself. But by all means don't stop posting if you are experiencing a reoccurring problem.
This IS a Great Mod. I've been playing it since RoM 0.8 and I rarely CTD anymore. BUT I don't try to Max out the MOD or my old PIV 2.4 ghz single core computer and winxp pro system either. Learn your limitations.
JosEPh
A pitty, as the MOD is really fantastic.
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