Ok, this is a public beta release, which means the scenario is fully playable, but some things still need a little work. I would especially appreciate feedback to gameplay issues.
This scenario is of course based on the famous X-COM game series by Microprose. Most elements you see in the scenario are taken from X-COM: UFO Defense (in some countries sold as X-COM: Enemy Unknown), although some things refer also to the sequels X-COM: Terror From The Deep, X-COM: Apocalypse and even X-COM: Interceptor. Many graphics (eg. for buildings or techs) are taken directly from those games, although most of them were heavily modified by me. Since this scenario is a purely non-profit project I hope this is acceptable.
To play this scenario, you need the US or the UK Version of PTW, and the latest Patch for PTW.
"Must-Have" Downloads (needed to play)
1) Scenario files: www.cdgroup.org/upload/tbs/civ3/xcom/XCOM.zip (ca. 65MBzipped/ca. 120MB unzipped)
Installation: Move this zip under Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios, then unzip it - it should create a folder called XCOM, with the civ3 specific subfolder structure. Some zip tools seem to handle that not correctly, however, a correct installation should look like this after unzipping the files:
- Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\XCOM\
- then the subfolders "art", "sounds", "text"
2) Bix Files:
Both bix files belong into the folder
Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\
To play one of the bix files, start Civ3, select "load Scenario" and choose the bix you like from the list. Please see also the readme.rtf textfile for more info about the two versions, it is available at
Basically the two bix offer the same "Aliens invade the Earth" scenario, however, the first bix developes similar to a standard civ game (slow start, much empire building), while the advanced version starts in the second era with more troops and bases which leads to a faster game.
Hints:
The bix files refer to snoopys terrain gfx, so make sure you haven´t deleted the folder Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\Sn00pys Terrain from your PTW installation - in that case you receive an error.
Also, I don´t made special building gfx for the city overview. I never use the cityscape view. Therefore I recommend you to switch the option wonder initiation popups in the Civ3 preferences OFF. You still get the wonder popups, but Civ doesn´t switch to the city overview once the wonder is finished.
I also recommend that you use the auto-save feature of civ3, since some of the testers had problems with the mod (chrashed back to windows), but it worked well for others.
Optional Downloads (not needed to play, but nice additions)
3) New X-COM title screen
The new title screen does only work when you use it instead of the original PTW title art. To do so, backup or rename the original PTW file under \Civ3\CIV3PTW\Art\, then move the new X-COm title into this folder.
4) X-COM Invasion intro movie (ca. 15mb)
The new intro movie does only work when you use it instead of the original PTW intro. To do so, backup or rename the original PTW file under \Civ3\CIV3PTW\Art\Movies , then move the new X-COm title into this folder.
Both intro and title screen will then appear when you start Civ3.
Credits (also in the readme)
Most of the pictures and animations are made (or at least modified) by me. However, several unit animations I use are made by various other creators. Therefore I wish to thank....
- Balou for his Modern Infantry, Spetsnatz amd Parachutiste anims
- Dog for the Desert Paratrooper
- Dragon King for his Assault Ship
- Kinboat for his Humvee
- Piernik for his Shadow Warrior
- Ripptide for the PBV501/BMP1, Bradley and Warrior IFVs
- Sims2789 for the African Marine
- Utahjazz for the Marder, Rooikat and BMP3 IFVs and for the Black Cat unit
As mentioned above, the 140x140 Earth map is made by Kal-El, who also came up with lots of suggestions including concept art for the second generation X-COM troopers (those in blue personal armor). Nder pointed me to some useful 3d models I turned into units.
Finally I wish to thank the testers Bobisback, Yoda Power, NeoOmega, Possum von Richthofen, recon1591, guyincorner, MEdwynn and Mackel-Loos for their help as well as the staff of the CDG for hosting this scenario.
This scenario is of course based on the famous X-COM game series by Microprose. Most elements you see in the scenario are taken from X-COM: UFO Defense (in some countries sold as X-COM: Enemy Unknown), although some things refer also to the sequels X-COM: Terror From The Deep, X-COM: Apocalypse and even X-COM: Interceptor. Many graphics (eg. for buildings or techs) are taken directly from those games, although most of them were heavily modified by me. Since this scenario is a purely non-profit project I hope this is acceptable.
To play this scenario, you need the US or the UK Version of PTW, and the latest Patch for PTW.
"Must-Have" Downloads (needed to play)
1) Scenario files: www.cdgroup.org/upload/tbs/civ3/xcom/XCOM.zip (ca. 65MBzipped/ca. 120MB unzipped)
Installation: Move this zip under Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios, then unzip it - it should create a folder called XCOM, with the civ3 specific subfolder structure. Some zip tools seem to handle that not correctly, however, a correct installation should look like this after unzipping the files:
- Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\XCOM\
- then the subfolders "art", "sounds", "text"
2) Bix Files:
Both bix files belong into the folder
Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\
To play one of the bix files, start Civ3, select "load Scenario" and choose the bix you like from the list. Please see also the readme.rtf textfile for more info about the two versions, it is available at
Basically the two bix offer the same "Aliens invade the Earth" scenario, however, the first bix developes similar to a standard civ game (slow start, much empire building), while the advanced version starts in the second era with more troops and bases which leads to a faster game.
Hints:
The bix files refer to snoopys terrain gfx, so make sure you haven´t deleted the folder Civ3\CIV3PTW\Scenarios\Sn00pys Terrain from your PTW installation - in that case you receive an error.
Also, I don´t made special building gfx for the city overview. I never use the cityscape view. Therefore I recommend you to switch the option wonder initiation popups in the Civ3 preferences OFF. You still get the wonder popups, but Civ doesn´t switch to the city overview once the wonder is finished.
I also recommend that you use the auto-save feature of civ3, since some of the testers had problems with the mod (chrashed back to windows), but it worked well for others.
Optional Downloads (not needed to play, but nice additions)
3) New X-COM title screen
The new title screen does only work when you use it instead of the original PTW title art. To do so, backup or rename the original PTW file under \Civ3\CIV3PTW\Art\, then move the new X-COm title into this folder.
4) X-COM Invasion intro movie (ca. 15mb)
The new intro movie does only work when you use it instead of the original PTW intro. To do so, backup or rename the original PTW file under \Civ3\CIV3PTW\Art\Movies , then move the new X-COm title into this folder.
Both intro and title screen will then appear when you start Civ3.
Credits (also in the readme)
Most of the pictures and animations are made (or at least modified) by me. However, several unit animations I use are made by various other creators. Therefore I wish to thank....
- Balou for his Modern Infantry, Spetsnatz amd Parachutiste anims
- Dog for the Desert Paratrooper
- Dragon King for his Assault Ship
- Kinboat for his Humvee
- Piernik for his Shadow Warrior
- Ripptide for the PBV501/BMP1, Bradley and Warrior IFVs
- Sims2789 for the African Marine
- Utahjazz for the Marder, Rooikat and BMP3 IFVs and for the Black Cat unit
As mentioned above, the 140x140 Earth map is made by Kal-El, who also came up with lots of suggestions including concept art for the second generation X-COM troopers (those in blue personal armor). Nder pointed me to some useful 3d models I turned into units.
Finally I wish to thank the testers Bobisback, Yoda Power, NeoOmega, Possum von Richthofen, recon1591, guyincorner, MEdwynn and Mackel-Loos for their help as well as the staff of the CDG for hosting this scenario.
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