We need Beta Testers

[stmartin]

We need beta testers to try out new features for next release: random hero and dynamic initial unit. Documentation about these new features are in HoTK concept section of civilopedia.

Here's the link to HoTK release 2.4b4

There are a few things I need to mention:

1. This is an incomplete version. It does not play alone. The only way to play it is copy the downloaded content to your mod folder, overwrite your installed HoTK mod. Please back up first.
2. The only scenario included is a new 194AD scenario. I wish testers to try out Sun Ce using different difficulties above noble. Because now Sun Ce is the only faction in that scenario which is controlled by 'Dynamic Initial Unit' rule.
3. We have added an English changelog in the documentation folder. It contains all the changes we made since last patch release.
4. The DLL included is a Debug DLL, which means it's at least twice as slow as a normal release DLL. So don't try to play long games, just trying out new features to see if they work.
5. Portraits of Random heroes in this beta version all use Guan Yu's. We haven't finished (finding) all those portraits yet. So don't be surprised.
6. A quick note if anyone encounters an error message, take a screenshot. If you happen to have a save just prior to the error, that's even more awesome!

What I really want is some feedbacks about the addition of random heroes, the removal of champions, whether or not dynamic initial unit goes too far. Of course other feedbacks are always welcomed.

 

[AnotherPacifist]

Downloading now, thanks. New scenarios are always welcome.

 

[AnotherPacifist]

So far I've already had 2 "Assert Failed" in file CyGlobalContext.cpp, line 70, expression idx>=0

(Nice touch, BTW, to have Sun Ce conquer rather than inherit his lands)

 

[Kenjister]

I'd gladly test this out, though I'd have to wait another day before I get home to try it out. And from the sound of AP's post, the new scenario looks awesome! (194 is a great start date!)

 

[AnotherPacifist]

When I got a new leader, Shi Sheng, the "pick a hero" screen showed up, but there was nothing to click on except confirm. He appeared in another city far away from the action (I'm currently at war with Yan Baihu). Then when I tried to save it crashed, and gave me a file 1.23GB big (which also crashed when I tried to load it).

 

[AnotherPacifist]

So I went back and reloaded, this time got a different hero. I formed a legion with him, and saved OK.
Subsequently had a freeze with this when I tried to reload:
File: CvGlobals.cpp
Line: 3607
Expression: iExisting==-1 || iExisting==idx || strcmp(szType, "ERROR")==0
Message: xml info type entry HERO_RANDOM_1 already exists

 

[AnotherPacifist]

OK, the save bug (i.e. freezing and generating a 1.4gb file) is getting really annoying. I was going to try domination, but having problems saving makes this rather difficult (since I reload a lot). So I'm just going to go for cultural again.

 

[stmartin]

eh...So stop play this AP until I fixed these nasty bugs and reupload the beta test

 

[stmartin]

I have just uploaded beta release v2.4b2, made the following changes:

0.268:fix: fixed random hero save error
when accumulated enough combat experience, when player cannot recruit any non-random hero, the 'pick a hero' screen will no longer pop up, instead, a random hero is automated created.
rule change: random hero will appear on the very plot where the player's current selected unit is in

A quick note if anyone encounters an error message, take a screenshot. If you happen to have a save just prior to the error, that's even more awesome!

 

[AnotherPacifist]

Thanks for the quick update. Is it going to break save game?
Also, is it intended for diplomacy to be just all around cautious? I have pluses and minuses but they're all cautious. Even Liu Biao isn't declaring war on me at the first instance.

 

[stmartin]

I don't think it will break save game as long as there are no random heroes in the game.

As for attitude, I think you've caught a bug again.

 

[stmartin]

I have just uploaded Beta Release v2.4b3 to the same download address as in the first post, made the following change:

0.269:fix: fixed bug that all AI's attitude is always cautious

It's save game compatible.

 

[Kenjister]

Do I have to turn on "view python exceptions" or whatever that option is? or do I just get the error messages when in normal play since it's a debug DLL? Just wondering... downloading now!


EDIT: Also I've got the same Assert Failed message that AP has... latest version

Didn't take a screenshot but here it is:

File: CyGlobalContext.cpp
Line: 70
Expression: idx>=0
Message:

EDIT2:

Is it a bug that you can't promote your random heroes? My promotions just get chosen for me whenever I get enough experience to level up. On the other hand, it's actually a fun bug, since you never know what exactly you're going to get.

EDIT3: Yikes! I just realized that ALL my heroes were auto-promoting! This is not good... not good at all...

 

[AnotherPacifist]

I thought autopromote was a change made for the minor heroes, and I made sure that autopromote was turned off in the options. But military units didn't autopromote, just the new promotions introduced in this mod. So it must be a bug.

 

[Kenjister]

Whew, glad to see it wasn't a freak bug just affecting my game! As for feedback on the Dynamic Initial Units, it's great! Emperor leaves me with a handful of troops ~2 Danyang Armies, 2 catapults and 1 Swift Rider making it a proper challenge to conquer all of Liu Yao's territory withough losing momentum.

Another thing I really like about this beta is the AI's new hero promotion selection. Now it's actually worrying me when I have to go up against an enemy hero!

 

[AnotherPacifist]

It's interesting, last game (the first beta) gave me just 1 danyang, 2 riders and 3 catapults. So basically about the same (danyang attack much better than riders).

 

[stmartin]

Yeah, I put random promotion choice there to block a cheat invented by some Chinese player They just won't promote their hero until needed to avoid any increase in hero maintenance. I hate to say but we Chinese are master cheaters.

I thought I did it so you have one turn's time to promote your hero. After that the game will promote him. Looks like something is wrong and the game promote your hero right after he can level up?

 

[Kenjister]

Ah, that makes sense... I usually promote my heroes right away though so no need to worry about us amateur cheaters

Yeah, the game promotes the hero instantly, the same turn you acquire the xp.

 

[stmartin]

I have uploaded a new version V2.4b4 to the same downloading address, it won't break savegame, just fixed the hero auto promotion bug. Now you have one turn's time to promote your hero until he auto promotes himself. Tell me what you think about it.

EDIT: Also I've got the same Assert Failed message that AP has... latest version

Didn't take a screenshot but here it is:

File: CyGlobalContext.cpp
Line: 70
Expression: idx>=0
Message:

Just saw this, is there anything strange after this? I haven't seen this on my XP computer. Also when did this occur, map initializing? during game?

 

[Kenjister]

The Assert Failed message appeared after I attacked a city with my Sun Ce legion. It popped up about 4 or 5 times before it went away. I didn't notice any in-game effect though. I have Vista running if that helps.