Possible Diplogame Mod

[The Capo]

Some good news, and a few bits of bad news. I guess I'll go with the good news first; although it isn't that great really.

Firstly, there was a small bug where the AI didn't build Inquisitors because they weren't told to do so. I fixed that.

Ozzy asked that I add a third leader to Japan, and one that is a bit less warlike. So Emperor Meiji will be added to Japan as a new leader.

The disappearing interface problem seemed to be attatched to Spain rather than to the SuperSpies, so that is fixed as well. How this will effect my quest to find the elusive answer to the superspy bug is unknown at this point though.

I added the Sevopedia, which is a new design for the civlopedia which makes it easier to see certain things like spy pomotions (and how they work), it also gives game hints (Ras), as well as shows not only the traits of leaders but their personalities as well, so in SP games you will know your enemies better (plus it gives you a chance to tell me whose personalities need to change).

Now for the bad news...

First; the awesome new Hitler leaderhead that is in the works is apparently not as "in the works" as I thought, so that has been put on hold. However don't fret Hitler fans (I know there's gotta be one of you out there), der Fuhrer (sp?) has been added and the leaderhead is pretty good actually (preferred over the other one by MMC actually) so you now have Hitler AND Pol Pot to beat up on, fun fun fun.

Next; I tried to add the unit stats until I realized it was for an older version of BtS, so while I thought it would be a great feature we are unfortunately not going to have it in the mod.

Another suggestion by MMC was to add Wolfshanze's attitude icons, which is only really useful for SP games, but it was still a fun feature and as I've said I am making this mod to be used for SP games too. Well for whatever reason I can't seem to get this to work, however I have not given up yet and will try and put it in. Although if I can't get it to work by the time everything else is ready to go this one will get the axe too.

So that's what's going on with the mod, I know I keep saying it will by out "by the end of next week," but I am going to have to say it again. Hopefully this mod will be finished by the end of next week.

Then I'll have my Civ time back for making too many posts again.

Later.

[Heraclitus]

How's the mod doing Capo?

[The Capo]

Originally posted by Heraclitus
How's the mod doing Capo?

It's going well, but not as well as I'd like. But you can read the last few posts I've made for an update. I am hoping to release it sometime in the coming week, but that damn spymod is not cooperating and I've had a lot of people look at it (at CivFanatics as well as our own MMC) and its very confusing. I seem to have stumbled upon a mystery error.

That is everything supposedly "looks right," and yet the error persists.

I THINK we can still play it though, as long as you don't have python error pop-ups in your settings. But I'd rather get it to work properly. But yeah, its going well, just a few loose strings and we should be ready to go.

What I do want to do though is get a few volunteers for playtesting. And what I wanted to do was this; have maybe three playtesters try out a full SP game. Now I spoke with someone who will remain nameless and they expressed concern about testing because they don't do certain things in the game normally. So if you want to test the mod out there are a few things I am going to need you to do:

The first is to check everything, and that includes civilopedia (text entries as well), test how the AI acts for the new leaders (so I'd suggest a custom game where you select new leaders), test the new UUs (you'll find out who they are for and what they are when you get the mod), test the Inquisitors, test the new religions, test the spy promotions, make sure the new leaders diplomacy texts don't say stupid things/have typos, and anything else you can think of.

After we get these initial playtests finished I would like a little report to sum up how the experience went, here in this forum. Then we will attempt a QUICK small map pitboss game with around five players (including myself) and we'll run that as a test as well.

Hopefully after that we should be ready to plan the first Diplogame-mod Diplogame!

But, in the meantime I am going to try and fix the Spymod issue; which is the Assassination mission, which is not important actually (because we only really need/want the promotions), but it creates a python error pop-up when you have python error pop-ups on.

I am going to use the wait-period to add a few flavor units that I am not going to talk about because I want some surprises, and there will be a few surprises.

But I have posted a lot of the progress so far, so if you just checked the last few posts I've made you'll be up to speed on what is going on.

[The Capo]

Alright, well the spymod issue has been addressed. Basically its present in the mod and is unfixable, but a remedy is in the works that should come out sometime this coming week. So we'll have to wait for that, it is beyond my control, but once that is ready we'll be all set.

Any playtest volunteers? (this is for SP)

[The Capo]

Hey everyone, while we're waiting on all of the boring code to be finished I've got something fun for us to decide upon. I came accross a new Nuclear Blast graphic and I wanted to see what you guys thought. Here is the ORIGINAL nuclear blast from the normal game...

[The Capo]

And here is the new version, if you guys want it. Its a little more drawn out and dramatic. I will also note that Japan was not chosen in these samples for any historical purpose, they just happened to be the closest country to me in both my tests. Pretty coincidental huh?

Anyway, here it is...

[Pitboss Vikings]

thast is so bad....

No preference i would never use one.

[The Capo]

Ras I'd figure you'd probably be the most likely to see this happen in a game.

All jokes aside though; its only a video-game, its not like someone is REALLY getting nuked.

[Pitboss Vikings]

yes cpao lots of godo reasons for people to hate my civ...


Hmmmm

[The Capo]

Ras, I was only joking.

The screens don't really do it justice, but I didn't want to waste up all of my imageshack space. But its a really stunning visual, and if anything adds to the sense of destruction being caused.

[The Capo]

The mod is nearly finished, and I just wanted to make sure that I can release it with no more issues. In order to do that I am going to re-open the issue of the new leaders' traits. I want this to be perfect so I don't have to go back and release a new XML for it. This is going to be quite a daunting issue, but what I am going to try and do is put down the leaders, their country and their traits (as well as their favorite civic) and a little blurb with some information I have on them so you can make decisions or give me criticisms. It would also help if you visited Wikipedia or something and researched it a bit on your own, just for clarity. Anyway, here goes;

18 Rabbit, Maya, Aggressive/Organized, Bureaucracy - Not much is actually known about 18 Rabbit, which is partially why I chose him. This way we can choose whatever traits we want. This one we could literally change to anything, including his favorite civic.

Abu Bakr, Arabia, Spiritual/Organized, Theocracy - he was basically the successor to to Mohammed, and was the first of the "righteously guided caliphs," if memory serves me that is. He was also the leader of Arabia in Civ III.

Akbar the Great, India, Creative/Imperialistic, Bureaucracy - Akbar was possibly the greatest of the Mughal Emperors of India. He conquered the, at the time seemingly invicible, Rajput Kingdom and established a powerful Empire over much of modern India and Pakistan. Under his reign there was much cultural development and construction. He is also famously known for holding compendiums of religious personalities, including Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and of course Muslims.

Amenhotep III, Egypt, Industrious/Charismatic, Hereditary Rule - Amenhotep is known as a very good Pharoah, yet there is not that much historic evidence of his achievements. We know he was popular based on all of the artwork surrounding him, and positive messages written about him by his subjects. To this day he has the most standing statues of any Egyptian pharaoh.

Basil II, Byzantium, Aggressive/Imperialistic, Police State - Basil was known as the "bulgar-slayer" in his day, and attempted to regain the lands that Justinian had gained for Byzantium. He was known for his military achievements.

Charles V, HRE, Spiritual/Organized, Hereditary Rule - Charles V was quite possibly the most powerful of all of the HRE's leaders. He controlled vast European holdings and was known as one of the greatest Hapbsurg rulers in Europe. I'm sure you already know a good deal about him yourselves.

Constantine, Rome, Spiritual/Organized, Organized Religion - he was the last to rule over the unified Roman Empire (both Eastern and Western lands) before it split (at his behest, in a way). He is also credited in bringing Christianity to the fore and making it the official religion of Rome, which isn't really true, but in many ways he allowed for Christianity to be practiced, and is often credited with converting on his death bed, although this is also probably not true.

Dido, Carthage, Creative/Financial, Hereditary Rule - Dido is a quasi-mythological figure whose real name was probably Elissa. She was a Phoenician princess whose family was ousted in Phoenicia and sought refuge in modern Tunisia where she famously founded Carthage by offering to purchase all the land she could fit in an ox-hide. So basically she is credited with founding Carthage.

Francisco Franco, Spain, Charismatic/Protective, Nationhood - he was the conservative/fascist leader of Spain and of the Falange party. I don't think I need to go into detail about him.

Harald Hardrada, Vikings, Expansive/Charismatic, Hereditary Rule - this one is a tough one to figure out, and actually I am really unsure about these traits. Harald was the King of Norway, but did not actually rule it for most of this time because he had a rival who was the de facto King. He also claimed to be King of Denmark and I believe sacked Sicily a few times and actually ruled it for a while, he eventually returned to Scandinavia and established his own short-lived reign. He was a good Viking, in other words. We may need to change his traits.

Harun al-Rashid, Arabia, Organized/Imperialistic, Organized Religion - he was the ruler of a vast Arabian Empire stretching accross what would be considered the modern Arab world today (From western Africa to Pakistan), while not much of a military ruler (as far as conquests at least) Harun was effective in establishing and organizing his vast Empire, and while he was strict with his officials he was very tolerant religiously and liked music, art and poetry.

Henry VIII, England, Creative/Organized, Hereditary Rule - this is another guy that doesn't need much description, but I am still unclear about whether these are good traits. He reformed England in many ways (depending on who you talk to in a good way or a bad way) and established the Tudor line. He created the Anglican church, and while his conversion to "Anglicanism" is dubious, it is said that he was a staunch Catholic and may have never actually converted from this faith (although he was excommunicated) in an official capacity. Despite this he is a protestant hero to many people. MMC will probably have more to say about this than I could though.

Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal, Financial/Organized, Hereditary Rule - while he didn't rule Portugal, per se, he was very influential in establishing its maritime history. Anyway, you know the drill, what do you think of the traits?

Hirohito, Japan, Industrious/Imperialistic, Vassalage - while he didn't really control what happened in Japan I thought he would be a good representative of that era in Japan, namely WWII.

Hitler, Germany, Organized/Charismatic, Police State - it's Hitler.

Itzcoatl, Aztecs, Industrious/Imperialistic, Hereditary Rule - he was the leader of the Aztecs when they overthrew their masters the Tepenecs. He basically "founded" the Aztec empire in the process.

Ivan Grozny, Russia, Aggressive/Expansive, Vassalage - while Ivan has the monicker "the Terrible," this is probably closer to "the Fearsome." He expanded Russia into a powerful state and may have set the groundwork for it to become a European power. He was also said to be slightly insane, if one can be "slightly insane" that is.

Johan de Witt, Netherlands, Financial/Charismatic, Free Market - this is another one that I might need to change the traits/civic for. He was basically a man of the enlightenment, and was very much a renaissance man. He was a key figure in Dutch politics in his era, which was the height of their commercial power. He was well liked and detested in court, many conservatives considered him far too "French" in nature, due to his lifestyle and education.

Kim Jong-il, Korea, Aggressive/Organized, Police State - it's Kim Jong-il.

Nelson Mandela, Zulu, Philosophical/Organized, Universal Sufferage - it's Nelson Mandela.

Marcus Aurelius, Rome, Philosophical/Imperialistic, Hereditary Rule - expanded Rome to its fullest extent (territorially), was known as one of the greatest Emperors and was also known as a main-figure in Stoic philosophy.

Masinissa of Zama, Carthage, Industrious/Organized, Hereditary Rule - was a Carthagine cavalry commander who defeated Rome multiple times and was known as the greatest military leader of his day. He did, eventually, fight for Rome though.

Maurits van Nassau, Netherlands, Aggressive/Organized, Nationhood - he was one of the Netherlands top military leaders, fighting victioriously in its war of independence from Spain. He was a hero at the battle of Breda and eventually became stadtholder of Holland.

Emperor Meiji, Japan, Creative/Organized, Bureaucracy - I should probably change one of these traits to Industrious. He was the Emperor during the "Meiji Restoration," where Japan came into prominence as an industrialized nation. Under his reign Japan fought two wars against Russia, and put down the Samurai uprising. While he was not necessarily in true command of these situations, he represents a very important period in Japanese history.

Nebuchadrezzar, Babylon, Philosophical/Aggressive, Vassalage - expanded the Babylonian empire to its height. He was also very religiously curious, inviting religious philosophers and thinkers to his court to discuss divine matters, he famously did so in the Bible. He also built the city of Babylon into a veritable wonderland of the ancient world.

Pachacuti, Inca, Expansive/Creative, Bureaucracy - he established the city of Cuzco as the imperial capital of all the Incan tribes and created what we know today as the Incan Empire. He established the system of roads, a professional army, and was also the grandfather of Hyuana Capac.

Philip II, Spain, Creative/Imperialistic, vassalage - Philip was probably the most powerful King Spain ever had. He ruled over it during its height, and maintained an Empire on which "the sun never set." As the son of Charles V he ruled over much of his father's lands, including the Rhine valley, the Netherlands, southern Italy, Sicily, northern Africa, most of the Americas, and of course Spain itself. Quite possibly the greatest King of Spain.

Pol Pot, Khmer, Aggressive/Charismatic, State Property - I don't know about the civic on this one. This guy is a total douche, but the leaderhead looks good and the Khmer needs a second leader (that doesn't look just like Sury')

Ronald Reagan, America, Financial/Charismatic, Free Market - I think this one is all good, and many of us grew up (or were born) during his administration. In Deity's case it was during his administration that he started whithering away...

Sargon of Akkad, Sumeria, Spiritual/Expansive, Hereditary Rule - not a whole lot is known about this guy, but what is known is that his name means "the one true King" and is probably a title rather than an actual name. He conquered all of mesopotamia and established a Sumerian Kingdom that he ruled for 56 years and his line ruled for another two hundred.

Haile Selassie, Ethiopia, Philosophical/Spiritual, Pacifism - was the leader of Ethiopia during the Italian invasion and famously warned the UN of what was eventually to become WWII. He is known for his writings on religion and philosophy, and is venerated by Rastafarians as being of the bloodline of Solomon of Israel. I also have a Bob Marley poster with his image on it.... not that it matters.

Sundiata Keita, Mali, Financial/Organized, Free Market - he was the first ruler of the Malinese Empire. In fact he established it by leading an uprising against one of his own family members who was considered a tyrant. He personally lead the military into battle, which was surprising considering he was disabled (he had a limp, although this disability may be part of a prophecy and mythology rather than actual history) and once in power was known as a benevolent ruler who established the Malinese as an economic power. It would be interesting to note that the Romans got much of their gold through trade with Sundiata Keita.

Tang Taizong, China, Financial/Imperialistic, Vassalage - was considered the first great Emperor of China, although he was not Emperor of all of China. He lead the Tang to a very powerful position and established his family's dynasty under his reign. He was only outdone by our own Qin Shi Huang in power in the area.

So anyway those are the new leaders. Now a lot of this information is off the top of my head, so if you have disagreements with what I wrote you're more than welcome to prove me wrong. The main thing is getting the traits and civics right before this gets released so I don't have to release a fix. I hope you guys give me suggestions, even if you read this and see nothing wrong with it (which even I don't think should be the case) please at least post and say that you are okay with this stuff. I want to get this right.

Thank you.

[Pinchak]

My 2

Too many organized leaders.

[Pitboss Japan]

I like them the way they are especially Japan's leaders

[Toni]

Basil was known as the "bulgar-slayer

[The Capo]

So far the only suggestion I have is too many organized leaders, and of course Toni's lamentations over Basil and his affinity for bulgarians. (used small "b" because it wasn't a country in those days)

Anyway, I agree that there are way too many organized leaders, so perhaps I should tamp that down a bit, but I would like some specific suggestions for doing that, so which leaders do you think I should change? Obviously 18 Rabbit can be changed because he is pretty much a blank slate.

But it would be more helpful if you gave me ideas as to what to change. I know Ozzy had a problem with a few of these last time out, and this is the original (I think) because I am pretty sure I haven't changed anything yet (too busy with code) so again, please give me specific suggestions. Thanks.