Created 4-6-99
No-one else seems to have started one yet, so I figure why not me. This is my first FAQ so bear with me. Default values are based off the MaxHigh profile on the CTP CD.
Table of Contents
I. General information
- A. What is userprofile.txt?
- B. Where is userprofile.txt?
- C. How do I edit it?
- D. Why do I even want to edit it?
- E. Userprofile.txt editing basics
II. Line by line explanation of userprofile.txt
- A. NumPlayers=X
- B. AiOn=X
- C. UseNiceStart=X
- D. UseMapPlugin=X
- E. Difficulty=X
- F. RiskLevel=X
- G. Pollution=X
- H. UnitAnim=X
- I. #WalkAnim=X
- J. #AttackAnim=X
- K. GoodAnim=X
- L. TradeAnim=X
- M. WaterAnim=X
- N. LibraryAnim=X
- O. WonderMovies=X
- P. BounceMessage=X
- Q. MessageAdvice=X
- R. TutorialAdvice=X
- S. EnemyMoves=X
- T. RevoltWarning=X
- U. EnemyIntrude=X
- V. UnitLostWarning=X
- W. TradeLostWarning=X
- X. CityLostWarning=X
- Y. Autocenter=X
- Z. FullScreenMovies=X
- AA. AutoSave=X
- AB. PlayerNumber=X
- AC. DefaultCivIndex=X
- AD. CivIndex=X
- AE. GameName=X
- AF. LeaderName=X
- AH. SaveNote=X
- AI. Gender=X
- AJ. NoHumansOnHost=X
- AK. LogPlayerStats=X
- AL. SfxVolume=X
- AM. VoiceVolume=X
- AN. MusicVolumes=X
- AO. XWrap=X
- AP. YWrap=X
- AQ. AutoGroup=X
- AR. AutoDeselect=X
- AS. AutoSelectNext=X
- AU. AutoTurnCycle=X
- AV. CombatLog=X
- AW. UseLeftClick=X
- AX. ShowZoomedCombat=X
- AY. UseFingerPrinting=X
- AZ. UseRedbookAudio=X
- BA. RequireCD=X
- BB. Prophylaxis=X
- BC. TryWindowsResolution=X
- BD. ScreenResWidth=X
- BE. ScreenResHeight=X
- BF. ZoomedCombatAlways=X
- BG. AttackEveryone=X
- BH. NonRandomCivs=X
- BI. GameWatchDirectory=X
- BJ. AutoEndMultiple=X
- BK. WetDry=X
- BL. WarmCold=X
- BM. OceanLand=X
- BN. IslandContinent=X
- BO. HomoDiverse=X
- BP. GoodCount=X
- BQ. ThroneRoom=X
- BR. MaxPlayers=X
- BS. MapSize=X
- BT. AlienEndGame=X
- BU. UnitCompleteMessage=X
- BV. NonContinuousUnitCompleteMessages=X
- BW. DebugSlic=X
- BX. DiplomacyLog=X
- BY. CheatAge=X
- BZ. DontKillMessages=X
- CA. AiPopCheat=X
- CB. MapPlugin0=X
- CC. MapPlugin1=X
- CD. MapPlugin2=X
- CE. MapPlugin3=X
III. Acknowledgements and Other Random Notes
I. General information
A. What is userprofile.txt?
It is a file in the /ctp_program/ctp/ directory of wherever you installed CTP that contains all the options that you can select through the options menu as well as info on your last game and a few other... goodies
B. Where is userprofile.txt?
On my computer: C:\Program Files\Activision\Civilization-Call To Power\ctp_program\ctp\userprofile.txt. On yours it may be somewhere else, depending on where you installed CTP. It will always be in the \ctp_program\ctp\ directory though. On the CTP CD there are 8 different copies of it. Each copy is named profile.txt or tut_profile.txt. They are in the following directories: D:\Setup\Data\MaxHigh; D:\Setup\Data\MaxLow; D:\Setup\Data\MinHigh; D:\Setup\Data\MinLow. The tut_profile.txt files are setup for the tutorial. More on that later.
C. How do I edit it?
Just open it with any text editor and go to town.
D. Why do I even want to edit it?
When CTP was released, several features were missing (most notably an autosave feature) some of these can be activated here. Other things here are just plain neat.
E. Userprofile.txt editing basics
For any feature that has legal values of Yes and No, Yes=On, No=Off ALWAYS make a backup of any files you edit.
II. Line by line explanation of userprofile.txt
A. NumPlayers=X
1. Explanation
It is the default number of players in the game. In the game you can select from 3 to 8 (actually 4 to 9 including the barbarians). here you can put in a higher number, up to 32. The number here will always be two higher than the number of civs you wish to play against in order to include the barbarians and yourself. For example, if you want a game against 10 civs, enter 12. Also, if you set the number higher than 9, do not try to change it from the game set-up screen, it will crash. You have to manually change it from userprofile.txt. And remember, more civs means more work for the AI and more wait between turns make the game go noticably slower. High civ games are not recommended on low end machines
2. Default Value
6
3. Legal Values
3 to 32.
B. AiOn=X
1. Explanation
I assume that this turns the computer opponents on and off. Untested
2.Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
C. UseNiceStart=X
1. Explanation
I have no idea, I have played games with this off and with this on and not noticed a difference
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
D. UseMapPlugin=Yes
1. Explanation
Unknown, though I assume it affects the map genorator. Untested
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
E. Difficulty=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Difficulty setting on the game setup screen
2. Default Value
0
3. Legal Values
0=Cheiftan
1=Warlord
2=Prince
3=King
4=Emperor
5=Diety
F. RiskLevel=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Babarian Threat setting on the game setup screen
2. Default Value
1
3. Legal Values
0=Ruins Only
1=Roving Bands
2=Restless Tribes
3=Raging Hordes
G. Pollution=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Pollution setting in the game setup screen
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
H. UnitAnim=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Animated Units setting in the options menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
I. #WalkAnim=X
1. Explanation
I assume when combined with #AttackAnim=X it allows you to choose which unit animations you want to activate. Untested.
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
J. #AttackAnim=X
1. Explanation
See I.
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
K. GoodAnim=X
Same as the Animated Resources setting in the options menu
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
L. TradeAnim=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Animated Trade Route setting in the options menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
M. WaterAnim=X
1. Explanation
Allows you to turn the animation of water tiles on and off
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
N. LibraryAnim=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Library Animation setting in the options menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
O. WonderMovies=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Wonder Movie setting in the options menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
P. BounceMessage=X
1. Explanation
This is a neat little undocumented feature. When activated the messages boxes drop from the top of the screen on the left side and bounce into position. Cute and unobtrusive Everyone should try it at least once
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
Q. MessageAdvice=X
1. Explanation
Activates certain messages. Unsure which ones. Untested
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
R. TutorialAdvice=X
1. Explanation
Allows you to activate certain tutorial messages. Untested
2. Default Value
No for regular game, Yes for tutorial
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
S. EnemyMoves=X
1. Explanation
Same as Enemy Moves setting in Options menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
T. RevoltWarning=X
Activates messages warning you of cities in revolt 2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
U. EnemyIntrude=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
V. UnitLostWarning=X
1. Explanation
Activates warnings for lost units
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
W. TradeLostWarning=X
1. Explanation
Activates warnings for lost trade
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
X. CityLostWarning=X
1. Explanation
Activates warnings for lost city
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
Y. Autocenter=X
1. Explanation
Activates Autocenter
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
Z. FullScreenMovies=X
1. Explanation
Same as Full Screen Movie setting in option menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AA. AutoSave=X
1. Explanation
Enables the missing Autosave feature. Sort of. In order to open the file, you have to move it to your savegame directory manually. It will be waiting to be moved in the same directory as your userprofile.txt 2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AB. PlayerNumber=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested
2. Default Value
1
3. Legal Values
Unknown
AC. DefaultCivIndex=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested
2. Default Value
16
3. Legal Values
Unknown
AD. CivIndex=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested
2. Default Value
16
3. Legal Values
Unknown
AE. GameName=X
1. Explanation
Name of the directory where your last saved game is
2. Default Value
None
3. Legal Values
Appears to be any string. Untested
AF. LeaderName=X
1. Explanation
Name of the leader of the last civilization you saved
2. Default Value
None
3. Legal Values
Appears to be any string. Untested
AG. CivName=X
1. Explanation
The name of the last civilization you saved
2. Default Value
None
3. Legal Values
Appears to be any string. Untested
AH. SaveNote=X
1. Explanation
The Note from your last save game
2. Default Value
None
3. Legal Values
Appears to be any string. Untested
AI. Gender=X
1. Explanation
Same as the Gender setting on the game setup screen
2. Default Value
0
3. Legal Values
0=Male
1=Female
AJ. NoHumansOnHost=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AK. LogPlayerStats=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested 2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AL. SfxVolume=X
1. Explanation
Same as Sound Effect volume in options window 2. Default Value
5
3. Legal Values
0 (off) to 10 (loudest)
AM. VoiceVolume=X
1. Explanation
Same as Voice volume in options window
2. Default Value
5
3. Legal Values
0 (off) to 10 (loudest)
AN. MusicVolumes=X
1. Explanation
same as Music volume in options window
2. Default Value
7
3. Legal Values
0 (off) to 10 (loudest)
AO. XWrap=X
1. Explanation
Similar to World Shape option but a little more customizable. This controls whether or not units can travel around the world to the east or west. Put both this and YWrap on No and you have a flat world Or put this on No and YWrap on Yes and you've got a sideways work
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AP. YWrap=X
1. Explanation
Similar to World Shape option but a little more customizable. See AO for more info.
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AQ. AutoGroup=X
1. Explanation
Automatically group units when clicked
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AR. AutoDeselect=X
1. Explanation
Automatically deselect units after moving
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AS. AutoSelectNext=X
1. Explanation
When using AutoDeselect, automatically select the next unit
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AT. AutoSelectFirstUnit=X
1. Explanation
Automatically select a unit at the start of the player's turn
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AU. AutoTurnCycle=X
1. Explanation
Automatically cycle turns after moving last unit
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AV. CombatLog=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. Untested
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AW. UseLeftClick=X
1. Explanation
Switch between using the left and right mouse button to move units
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AX. ShowZoomedCombat=X
1. Explanation
Same as Show Battles setting in options menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AY. UseFingerPrinting=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. If switched to yes game crashes at title screen. Any info on this one would be appreciated
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
AZ. UseRedbookAudio=X
1. Explanation
Seems to enhance the sound, especially the music though it could be my imagination
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BA. RequireCD=X
1. Explanation
Untested
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BB. Prophylaxis=X
1. Explanation
Untested
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BC. TryWindowsResolution=X
1. Explanation
Attempt to run game in your current desktop resolution
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BD. ScreenResWidth=X
1. Explanation
Set horizontal resolution
2. Default Value
1024
3. Legal Values
Unknown
BE. ScreenResHeight=X
1. Explanation
Set vertical resolution
2. Default Value
768
3. Legal Values
Unknown
BF. ZoomedCombatAlways=X
1. Explanation
This is a NICE one. Normally combat only zooms if there is a stacked unit involved, and since the autocenter doesn't work you sometimes don't get to see who just attacked your solo unit. With this activated, it zooms to the battle screen for every battle including single unit battles. Sort of a work around fix for that bug until the patch comes out
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BG. AttackEveryone=X
1. Explanation
Unknown
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BH. NonRandomCivs=X
1. Explanation
Turn this on to force civ db AI personalities indexes to match player indexes (e.g. player 2 will get civilization #2 from the DB)
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BI. GameWatchDirectory=X
1. Explanation
Unknown
2. Default Value
None
3. Legal Values
Unknown
BJ. AutoEndMultiple=X
1. Explanation
Turn this off if you don't like cycling more than one turn automatically
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BK. WetDry=X
1. Explanation
Sets default for wet/dry slider on customize planet screen
2. Default Value
5
3. Legal Values
1 (wetest) to 10 (driest)
BL. WarmCold=X
1. Explanation
Sets default for warm/cold slider on customize planet screen
2. Default Value
5
3. Legal Values
1 (warmest) to 10 (coldest)
BM. OceanLand=X
1. Explanation
Sets default for ocean/land slider on customize planet screen
2. Default Value
3
3. Legal Values
1 (most ocean) to 10 (most land)
BN. IslandContinent=X
1. Explanation
Sets default for island/continent slider on customize planet screen
2. Default Value
5
3. Legal Values
1 (most islands) to 10 (least islands)
BO. HomoDiverse=X
1. Explanation
Sets default for diversity slider on customize planet screen
2. Default Value
8
3. Legal Values
1 (most homogenous) to 10 (most diverse)
BP. GoodCount=X
1. Explanation
Sets default for resource slider on customize planet screen
2. Default Value
5
3. Legal Values
1 (least resources) to 10 (most resources)
BQ. ThroneRoom=X
1. Explanation
Same as Monument setting in option menu
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BR. MaxPlayers=X
1. Explanation
If Max Players > 0, revolts will add new civilizations up to MaxPlayers, otherwise they will only add civilizations when there are fewer than you started with
2. Default Value
0
3. Legal Values
0 to 32
BS. MapSize=X
1. Explanation
Same as Map Size setting on startup screen
2. Default Value
1
3. Legal Values
0=Small (24X28)
1=Regular (48x96)
2=Huge (64x128)
3=Gigantic (70x140)
BT. AlienEndGame=X
1. Explanation
Opposite of Bloodlust rule on startup screen
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BU. UnitCompleteMessage=X
1. Explanation
Activates messages when you build a unit
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BV. NonContinuousUnitCompleteMessages=X
1. Explanation
Unknown
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BW. DebugSlic=X
1. Explanation
Turn this on to store names with every slic symbol, uses more memory, but needed for debugging scripts.
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BX. DiplomacyLog=X
1. Explanation
Turns on diplomacy logging - debug exe only
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
BY. CheatAge=X
1. Explanation
Use to skip past an age
2. Default Value
0
3. Legal Values
0=skip nothing
1=skip Ancient
2=skip Renaissance
3=skip Modern
4=skip Genetic
5=skip Diamond
BZ. DontKillMessages=X
1. Explanation
Unknown
2. Default Value
No
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
CA. AiPopCheat=X
1. Explanation
Unknown. But definitly seems to imply that the computer cheats, what a shock
2. Default Value
Yes
3. Legal Values
Yes or No
CB. MapPlugin0=X
CC. MapPlugin1=X
CD. MapPlugin2=X
CE. MapPlugin3=X
1. Explanation
These all reference .DLL files that I assume are used for map generation. I know nothing about that or about .DLL files so I chose not to mess with this. I advise you do the same unless you know what you're doing.
2. Default Value
MapPlugin0=dll\\map\\geometric.dll
MapPlugin1=dll\\map\\crater.dll
MapPlugin2=dll\\map\\plasma2.dll
MapPlugin3=dll\\map\\plasma2.dll
3. Legal Values
Unknown
III. Acknowledgements and Other Random Notes
First of all let me apologize. I wrote this after getting no sleep for over 24 hours, so there are bound to be some typos and perhaps even errors. Some items have not been researched yet due to both a lack of time and a lack of knowledge of the basic game engine. Aditionally, this FAQ is not complete by any means. If you know something that isn't on here, or see something on here that is wrong, or have an idea about what some of the mystery flags are e-mail me at dr[dot]funk[at]pdq[dot]net and let me know. Any help from the games producers is both welcome and requested I hope to get a chance to do some more research into the unknown and untested flags to get a good look at how they affect the game next week, and get a new update out as soon as possible.
Thanks go out to Sid Meier for creating the Civilization series, Brian Reynolds for the wonderful game that is Civilization 2, Microprose for publishing them, the team at Activision for what has the potential under its buggy exterior to be a good game, Civilization: Call to Power, special thanks to Lt John and Peter "Enjolras" Karpas for their attention to customers in the Apolyton forums and usenet newsgroups, thanks to Mark G and DanQ for the Apolyton forums and all their work gathering info on this game since it was announced, thanks to the people on the forums who clued me in to the existence of the userprofile.txt file before I had even thought about customization, and thanks to everyone I'm forgetting for everything I'm not remembering.
(c) 1999 David Williams, dr[dot]funk[at]pdq[dot]net All rights reserved, if you use my info in your faq or webpage, let me know and thank me somewhere Do not use my info for anything commercial unless you are going to give me 50% of the profits Otherwise feel free to distribute this FAQ in its entirety anyway you so desire as long as it is free. I don't charge you, you shouldn't charge others. Out.