alt.games.civ2 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
-===========================< Table of Contents >==========================-
-1- Documents
1.1 Where can I find this FAQ?
1.2 Where can I find this charter?
1.3 Which version of Civilization is discussed here? Civ 3 too?
-2- Binaries
2.1 Can somebody post some program/scenario or other binary?
2.2 Can I post saved games, scenarios, etc.?
2.3 Not even small ones?
2.4 But does anyone actually care?
2.5 Where can I post binaries?
2.6 But can I post rules.txt and similar files?
-3- Various Civ FAQ’s
3.1 What does this acronym stand for…?
3.2 What’s this I hear about updating Fantastic Worlds for free?
3.3 Does the free upgrade include the Fantastic Worlds scenarios?
3.4 What are the rules for the OCC?
3.5 Does Civ 2 run under Windows 2000?
3.6 How can I build the fastest possible spaceship to Alpha Centauri?
-4- Test of Time
4.1 What is TOT?
4.2 How do I get Ultrastring Theory in TOT – Extended Original Game?
4.3 I started a game with TOT 1.0. How can I make sure I get
Ultrastring Theory?
4.4 How do I get units on Alpha Centauri, when I play TOT – Extended
Original Game?
-5- Multiplayer Civ 2
5.1 What is Civ 2:MGE?
5.2 What is the newest version of Civ 2? Civ 2: MGE?
5.3 What’s this about simultaneous multiplayer mode?
5.4 Where can I find multiplayer opponents for Civilization 2?
-6- Follow-up Games
6.1 What is SMAC?
6.2 What is CTP?
6.3 Are SMAC and CTP related to Civ and Civ 2? How?
6.4 Why is there so much controversy over the name “Civilization?”
6.5 What is the true sequel to Civ 2?
-7- Civ 3: General & Technical Questions
7.1 Civ 3? Who’s making it?
7.2 When is Civ 3 coming out?
7.3 What are the system requirements?
7.4 Where can I download offical patches for Civ 3?
7.5 What’s inside the Limited Edition?
7.6 How do I stop Civ 3 from choosing refresh rates my system can’t
support and blanking out my screen?
-8- Civ 3: Gameplay Questions
8.1 How do I create an army? How do I build new armies?
8.2 How do I use the Intelligence Agency?
8.3 How do I upgrade units?
8.4 Why can’t I demobilize? Then how *do* I demobilize?
8.5 Which units can not be airlifted?
8.6 What’re those coloured clouds doing on the map, above my cities?
8.7 How do you tell if a square will give you fresh water?
8.8 Why are my cities not growing beyond size 12?
-9- Multiplayer Civ 3
9.1 Does Civ 3 have multiplayer?
9.2 What does PTW add?
9.3 Is multiplayer available for free?
-10- Related Websites & Contact Information
10.1 What web sites exist for Civilization II/III?
10.2 I never got or lost my tech poster. Is there one online?
10.3 Who maintains this FAQ?
-===============================< The FAQ >===============================-
-1- Documents
1.1 Where can I find this FAQ?
The FAQ is posted at least twice a month to the newsgroup.
An HTML version is also available at:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/krupowicz/faq.html
A text version is also available here:
http://www.civfanatics.com/doc/civ2altfaq.txt
(courtesy of Thunderfall)
1.2 Where can I find the charter?
The charter is posted to the group occasionally.
It is also available at: http://www3.sympatico.ca/krupowicz/charter.html
1.3 Which version of Civilization is discussed here? Civ 3 too?
The charter expressly states that Civ 3 is on-topic for this newsgroup. As
Rob Lancaster notes: “Regular posters mostly agreed to discuss Civ 3 here
long before the game came out. Since the group started Civ 1 was also
discussed here, and it doesn’t seem unreasonable.”
It is important to note, however, that all of Sid Meier’s Civilization
games are considered on-topic in this newsgroup.
-2- Binaries
2.1 Can somebody post some program/scenario or other binary?
This question is unwelcome in alt.games.civ2 and depending on its content
may be unwelcome in alt.binaries.games.civ2 too. In particular asking for
the complete Civilization I/II/III or any other game is certainly unwelcome and
bordering on illegality.
Requesting a particular scenario in alt.binaries.games.civ2 is probably
unwise unless you have made a good attempt at searching for it elsewhere
(either using dejanews, one of the popular search engines or by visiting the
Civilization II web sites.)
2.2 Can I post saved games, scenarios etc.?
No, alt.games.civ2 is a text only group.
2.3 Not even small ones?
No, classifying binaries as small would create grey areas. It is much fairer
to just disallow binaries altogether.
2.4 But does anyone actually care?
Yes they do. The few times the issue has arisen a number have people have
claimed that binaries cause a problem for them.
2.5 Where can I post binaries?
The predecessor to alt.games.civ2 is alt.binaries.games.civ2 and this is one
place you can post binaries relating to Civilization. Alternatively
upload to one of the Civilization II scenario sites (see question 8.1). In
either case you may like to post a short, text announcement to alt.games.civ2.
2.6 But can I post rules.txt and similar files?
In general no, since it is a large file. However, posting a single or a few
lines from this file is definitely acceptable and a good way of propagating
new ideas for units.
-3- Various Civ FAQ’s
3.1 What does this acronym stand for…?
Civ is short for Civilization.
Here is a list of other common (and somewhat less obvious) acronyms:
AFAIK – As Far As I Know
AI – Artificial Intelligence: the computer player(s)
BTW – By The Way
CP – Computer Player
CTP – Call To Power, see 6.2
E3 – Electronic Entertainment Expo
IIRC – If I Recall Correctly
IMHO, IMO – In My (Humble) Opinion
GL – Great Leader
GOTM – Game of the Month: one website’s monthly challenge
LOL – Laughing Out Loud
MGE – Multiplayer Gold Edition, see 5.1
NG – Newsgroup
OCC – One City Challenge, see 3.4
OTOH – On The Other Hand
PBEM – Play By E-Mail (form of multiplayer gaming)
PTW – Play the World, see 9.1 & 9.2
ROTFL – Rolling On the Floor Laughing
“-MAO – …My Arse Off
RTFM – Read The [Flamin’] Manual!
SMAC – Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, see 6.1
TOT – Test of Time
UCC – Ultimate Classic Collection
WoW – Wonder of the World
YMMV – Your Mileage May Vary
TTFN – Ta ta For Now
TTYL – Talk To You Later
3.2 What’s this I hear about updating Fantastic Worlds for free?
You can use the editors, extra eight unit slots and the events.txt file. If
you want to try this patch, your biggest challenge if finding it (the FAQ’s
previous link to the patch is dead and a replacement has not been found.
Please e-mail the FAQ maintainer if you find update 2.781).
On a similar note, one user has hacked an upgrade for classic Civ 2 to
support multiplayer mode. Find it at http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2cedric.shtml
3.3 Does the free upgrade include the Fantastic Worlds scenarios?
No. If you want the scenarios go out and buy the full upgrade.
3.4 What are the rules for the OCC?
The OCC (one city challenge) is a different approach to playing Civ 2: you
allow yourself only a single city, against the computer’s hordes.
One version of the rules for this type of game can be found at:
http://members.home.nl/paulvdb/occ.htm
3.5 Does Civ 2 run under Windows 2000?
Yes. If you experience difficulty when Civ 2 tries to play the movies, then you
have a problem with the game’s Indeo video drivers. You need to update them.
Go to the following link, highlight the Indeo Video 3.2, 4.5, 5.11 and
Indeo Audio 2.5 Codecs. Go here to download it:
http://www1.us.ligos.com/dld-product/indeo/iv5setup.exe If you’re having
trouble with the download, go to:
http://www.ligos.com/index.phtml?&pi=3D103&n1=3Dproducts&=amp;n2=3Dindeo&n3=3Ddownload
If you can’t be bothered to fix your video drivers, then play the game
without the CD: assuming you didn’t copy the movies to your hard drive, you
should have no problems
3.6 How can I build the fastest possible spaceship to Alpha Centauri?
Build it with 16 components and 33 structurals. It will take 5.7 years. You
must
launch it no later than 2014 to win. After that point, you must send out your
troops to win.
The following is a chart made in 1998 to answer this question (it assumes you
only send 10,000 colonists *and* that the ship is fusion powered):
Components, structurals, Years to AC
6, 15, 15.7
8, 17, 13.2
10, 21, 10.0
12, 25, 8.3
14, 29, 6.7
16, 33, 5.7 <--> This is the fastest ship you can build.
Only 33 structurals are needed for a 16 component 12 modules spaceship
which takes 11.7 years to reach AC. This is the fastest time to AC for a
ship with the most modules. Also note that years are rounded down, so if
you are trying to reach AC before 2020, that takes 11 years, meaning a
launch in 2008 will reach AC before ‘the final buzzer’.
-4- Test of Time
4.1 What is TOT?
Test of Time is the latest release of Civ 2. Sadly, it lacks in-game movies
(like Civ 3…).
Gameplay has the new twist of 3 simultaneous maps. This is a re-hashed
version of Civ 2. It is NOT Civ 3, see 7.1.
4.2 How do I get Ultrastring Theory in TOT – Extended Original Game?
First thing: if you don’t have the 1.1 patch for Test of Time, get it.
Go to http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2downloads.shtml
There is a bug in 1.0 which can make it impossible to get Ultrastring
Theory. Also, the patch will not fix saved games started under 1.0. 1.1
fixes a lot of other things, so run right out and get it now!
With the patch, when any civilization gets its spaceship to arrive, all
civilizations have the Ultrastring Theory tech changed from unresearchable
to available for research. The usual rules for research apply, including
the random selection of techs which aren’t on the list each time you
advance. Despite what the Civilopedia suggests, you still must research it
normally.
Ultrastring Theory has one additional benefit. Once you get it, you can
negotiate with aliens.
4.3 I started a game with TOT 1.0. How can I make sure I get Ultrastring
Theory?
The bug kicks in if you quit the game in between the time of spaceship
arrival and successfully researching Ultrastring Theory. It will be
switched back to unresearchable, and there is no way to get it back. If
you have already passed the time of spaceship arrival, you may try
reloading a save from before that time, and playing straight through until
you get the tech.
4.4 How do I get units on Alpha Centauri, when playing TOT – Extended
Original Game?
The first spaceship to arrive will generate units on Alpha Centauri, based
on the spaceship size (habitat/life support pairs). A minimum size gets
one colonist, two marines. You can find the details in events.txt.
Colonists can build portals, which let you move other units to/from the new
world. Since you must research Ultrastring Theory and Quantum Transport in
order to build more of them, it is wise to use your first ones to build
portals, not new cities on the new world.
If you happen to play the aliens, and successfully land a ship, you will
get colonists on Alpha Centauri, not on Earth.
-5- Multiplayer Civ 2
5.1 What is Civ 2:MGE?
This is the Multiplayer Gold Edition of Civilization 2. For under $30
you get the add-on scenario packs and, most importantly, the original
Civ 2, with multiplayer support!
In the UK, Civ 2:MGE is called “Civilization II: Ultimate Classic Collection.”
Rémi Denis-Courmont commented on the presence of both the MGE and UCC in
France:
“the Civ2 Multiplayer Edition [cost] 150FF with scenarios… That’s
strange, here, both versions were sold at the same time.
Civ2 MGE was sold in a “thin” package whose front picture was the same as
the main manual one, whereas “Ultimate Civ2 Classic Collection” was sold for
a twice more expensive price, in a large green box.
If they offer exactly the same content (ie, the game, the multiplayer modes,
FW, Conflicts in Civ. and the “scenario” menu), I’ve spoilt 150FF :-(”
5.2 What is the newest version of Civ 2? Civ 2: MGE?
Patches have been released to update both copies of Civ 2. The patches fix
some bugs – details are available in the readme.txt files included with
the patches.
All patches are available at http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2downloads.shtml
(as of May 2000).
Other sites also have patches. For the PC version of Civ 2, the latest
version is 2.42. For Civ 2:MGE, it’s 1.3. The 2.42 patch is available at:
http://www.gamespot.com/promos/demoad/index.html?ftp://ftp.zdnet.com/gs/strategy/civiliz2/civ242.zip
The Macintosh version has a patch for version 1.1.1 available at:
http://www.ina-support.com/faq/civ2golddownloads_mac.asp
5.3 What’s this about simultaneous multiplayer mode?
If you have Test of Time, go to CIV.INI and add the following (without
quotation marks): “Simultaneous=1”
Be advised that MicroProse left that option hidden because it is flawed and
open to cheating. Still, if you want to play simultaneous multiplayer, you can.
5.4 Where can I find multiplayer opponents for Civilization 2?
You can find opponents at the following sites.
* http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2multiplayer.shtml
* http://gameleague.megaultra.com/newUser/
* http://zone.msn.com/civ2multiplayer/default.asp?blnHBRedirect=True
-6- Follow-up Games
6.1 What is SMAC?
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri is a game designed by Brian Reynolds which picks up
where Civilization left off: on a new planet.
SMAC discussions take place in alt.games.firaxis.alpha-centauri. Ask your
ISP to add the newsgroup if you don’t have it!
6.2 What is CTP?
Civilization: Call To Power is another different game from Activision which
is essentially a very new version of Civilization.
CTP discussions take place in alt.games.civ-call-to-power.
6.3 Are SMAC and CTP related to Civ and Civ 2? How?
This is a topic of much controversy in the newsgroup, so here are the facts.
SMAC is being made by Firaxis, not Microprose. The original creators of Civ
and Civ 2, Sid Meier and Brian Reynolds are, however, the creators of SMAC.
As for CTP, Peter “Enjolras” Karpas
in the NG’s that, “Civilization: Call to Power is absolutely officially
related to Civ 1 and Civ 2…. It is officially licensed…” Activision’s
license allows it to legally call CTP, “Civilization: CTP.” Nothing, however,
besides the name was provided to Activision. The designers of Civ and Civ 2,
like Sid Meier, along with other things, such as source code, were *not* part
of the deal. (Note: The port of Civilization 2 to Playstation, however, did
involve the original source code, but that is not connected to CTP.)
6.4 Why is there so much controversy over the name “Civilization?”
Microprose didn’t protect its rights to the word Civilization very well;
Avalon Hill (AH) had a board game by the same name. Activision acquired Avalon Hill’s
rights to the name and began development of CTP. A lawsuit ensued; the
eventual settlement granted Microprose exclusive rights to the name in exchange for
Activision getting to use “Civilization” in the name of its game.
The story is even more complicated than that, though, as Rick Pikul notes,
“Microprose didn’t really have the rights in the first place. Sid Meier
asked AH if he could use the name they had the US trademark for, they said yes. AH
got the rights from Harland-Trefoil with the rights to produce Civ for the North
American market. Microprose got the rights by buying Harland-Trefoil and revoked
AH’s licence. The settlement was likely due to inside information, as shortly thereafter
both AH and Microprose were bought by Hasbro.”
It’s important to note that “related” and “sequel” do not mean the same thing,
a point which kept the controversy alive… 🙂 It has died down with the
announcement of the true sequel to Civ 2.
6.5 What is the true sequel to Civ 2?
Civ 3 (“Civilization 3”), see 7.1.
-7- Civ 3: General & Technical Questions
7.1 Civ 3? Who’s making it?
The plans for Civ 3 were announced on May 14, 1999 at E3. Brian Reynolds
announced the game in alt.games.civ2 on May 15th, 1999. Development got
underway in 2000. Civ 3 is the official sequel to Civ 2. It is a Sid Meier
game, made by Firaxis, published by Infogrames.
7.2 When is Civ 3 coming out?
The Windows and Mac versions are now in stores.
7.3 What are the system requirements?
These are the official system requirements for Civilization III:
– Pentium II 300 MHz (500 MHz recommended)
– 32 megs of ram (64 recommended)
– 500 megs of hard drive space (+50 for swapfile)
– 4X CD-Rom
– DirectX 8.0-compatible video card (must be able to display 1024x768x16bit)
– DirectX 8.0-compatible sound card
– Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP
7.4 Where can I download offical patches for Civ 3?
You can find all the patches at Firaxis’ official Civ 3 website:
http://www.civ3.com
7.5 What’s inside the Limited Edition?
You can see the contents of the limited edition here:
http://apolyton.net/civ3/images/jf-civ3le.jpg
It comes in a tin box and includes a letter from the creators, and a second
CD with videos.
7.6 How do I stop Civ 3 from choosing refresh rates my system can’t support
and blanking out my screen?
Here’s a quick and dirty solution from the newsgroup:
Ok, I also had (make that have) the problem that I get a blank screen due to
civ3 using refreshrates my monitor doesn’t support.
Though I *can* choose 120hz with 1024×768, my Monitor doesn’t support it, so I
don’t choose it. That sadly doesn’t stop civ3 from using it.
But if you switch to a higher resolution where there are no illegal choices
(’cause your graphic adapter can’t support them) Civ 3 can’t screw up, either.
So, even if you normally would NOT choose a resolution like 1200 or 1600,
try it and then add the following line to your Civilization3.ini file:
KeepRes=1 (not sure if necessary, but it worked for me)
Not optimal, but lets you get your hands on this game till the first real
fixes.
-8- Civ 3: Gameplay Questions
8.1 How do I create an army? How do I build new armies?
If an elite unit wins a battle (but not against a barbarian), there’s a
chance you will get a leader. If your civ is militant, this will happen
more often. This leader can be used to create an army.
If you have an army that wins a battle, you can build the Military
Academy. The city that builds that can then build armies just like
anything else.
Note that units have to be added to the army (tell unit to Load as if the
army was a naval
transport) for it to be any use.
8.2 How do I use the Intelligence Agency?
The city that built the Intelligence Agency has a little icon next to
its name. Click on that, and you’ll get the option to send spies to the
other civilizations. You might not succeed.
If you have a spy, you will be asked whether you want to use a diplomat
or a spy when clicking the E in the lower right corner. The spy can do
more than the diplomat, but the price is higher to cover the cost of
James Bond leaving all his fancy equipment behind.
When you are at war with another civilization, embassy options are suspended,
but espionage options are still available.
8.3 How do I upgrade units?
You need a barracks in the city the unit is (or airport for air units,
or harbour for sea units), plus the resources you need to build the
newer unit available in the city. Finally, you must have the minimum
necessary amount of gold in your treasury to carry out the upgrade.
8.4 Why can’t I demobilize? Then how *do* I demobilize?
The game is designed to restrict you from quickly switching between
‘normal’ and wartime mobilization.
The question of how to demobilize was best answered by the Civ 3
development team itself:
“Whenever you sign a peace treaty, your mobilization will automatically
return to normalcy. If you’re still at war with another Civ (and want to
remain mobilized for war), you’ll need to go to the domestic advisor and
reselect wartime mobilization. Needless to say, if you switch to a wartime
mobilization when you’re not at war with anyone, you will actually need to
declare war on another Civ and then sign a peace treaty to restore normalcy
to your empire.”
8.5 Which units can not be airlifted?
You cannot airlift ground units that have 0 attack/0 defense ratings,
armies, any ships or any air units
Also, only attack units with one movement point can be airdropped by
helicopters.
If you are not happy with this answer (or several others in the FAQ), you
can edit this setting with Civ3Edit.
8.6 What’re those coloured clouds doing on the map, above my cities?
Those are fireworks. It is a sign that the city in question is celebrating
a “We Love the King Day.”
8.7 How do you tell if a square will give you fresh water?
Right click the water. If it is a fresh water lake, it will have 2 food. The
squares that won’t require an aquaduct next to rivers already generate 1
gold with no road. Sometimes it is hard to judge which ones work.
8.8 Why are my cities not growing beyond size 12?
You need to build a hospital to let your cities grow to a larger size. You need
the Sanitation tech to build hospitals.
-9- Multiplayer Civ 3
9.1 Does Civ 3 have multiplayer?
With the new “Play the World” expansion pack, yes.
9.2 What does PTW add?
PTW adds eight new civilizations and leaders, along with a number of new
single- and multiplayer scenarios and features. Check out the Civ 3 websites in 10.1 for complete
details.
9.3 Is multiplayer available for free?
Unfortunately no. PTW is not a free patch, but an expansion pack you have
to go out and buy.
-10- Related Websites & Contact Information
10.1 What web sites exist for Civilization II/III?
Many web sites exist, this is only a short list based on a few postings to
the group. Feel free to contact the FAQ maintainer to have your site added.
* http://www.civ3.com
* http://www.civgaming.net
* http://www.civfanatics.com
* http://apolyton.net/
* http://gene.wins.uva.nl/~jvermeir/civ2
* http://www.multimania.com/eyn/index.htm
* http://www.aha.ru/~mor/Elinks.htm
10.2 I never got or lost my tech poster. Is there one online?
Yes. Thunderfall’s site has one at: http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2poster.shtml
10.3 Who maintains this FAQ?
Currently by Andrew Krupowicz
Originally by Mike Crowe.
Various posters contributed to the FAQ, including Steve Frazer, Jacek
Piskozub (3.5), Rob Lancaster (1.3 & 8.4), Mike Hein (3.6), Harold Bakker
(3.6), John Heidle (3.6), Jeffery S. Jones (3.1 & 4.2 to 4.4, 8.5, 8.8),
Janet Quick (7.2 & 7.6), Stewart Gordon (7.3 & 8.6), Rémi Denis-Courmont
(5.1), Craig Tanswell (5.1), Matt Sharp (3.2 & 5.2), David L. Burkhead
(3.5), Jan Willem van Dormolen (4.2), Rick Pikul (6.4), Jorrit Vermeiren
(4.2 & 9.1), Kjetil Aavik (8.1 to 8.3), and Lee Griffiths, among others.
Please contact the FAQ maintainer if he forgot to give you credit!
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Last modified: November 16 17:59:00 EST 2002