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Below is a link to my Apolyton webpage, where I have posted the beta.
Simply unzip it into your Civilization III folder. I hope you have already backed up your civiliopedia and pediaicon texts, along with the bic and units_32 pcx file. Only the bic should cause any problems if you go back to the original game.
It is a beta because we are still trying to figure out how things work in the Civ III system, or at least *I* am trying to figure them out. Oh, and there are no new graphics to accompany all the new items in the game, so don't be surprised if you get the Art of War wonder splash when you build Stonehenge. (Is beta another word for "Work in progress."?)
Also, some of the new units don't show up in the "current item" picture. I do not know why both types of Bowmen show up, but not the Phalanx. The improvements and wonders don't show up because I have not included graphics for them, yet. Also, the civilopedia has generally not be updated. I could probably use an accomplice on this part of the mod.
General question- Where are all the graphic artists? I expected to see new units and other graphics all over the place by now. Is there a problem with the flc file type?
There should not be any crashes in the game, except that I get a message after exiting the game that the program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. Getting this message after playing a mod designed to correct flaws and enhance the game just gives me all sorts of smart comebacks, but alas the computer has no sense of humor.
The zip is too big to attach in the thread here, mainly due to the civstats spreadsheet that I included in it. Players need to study it and read the misc text file, too. There are simply too many changes to unit stats to list individually. I tried to mark in color all of the other changes to the game, though.
In the units page, there are a number of columns that appear to be blank, except perhaps for a comment. Well, there is writing there, it is just in white. This was done purposely because those units are not in the mod currently. You will also see references to new civs, but those are not included either.
As far as units, here is a run-down of the changes to their functionality:
The F-15 has been re-named Strike Fighter, and made a common sucessor to the Bomber. The American UU is now the Ranger, a souped-up version of the Paratrooper. This new arrangement serves three purposes:
1) I am a big Babylon 5 fan, and there is a new movie called Legend of the Rangers airing on SciFi January 19th. You saw the trailor in the US if you have seen Lord of the Rings (totally awesome movie, btw). I named the Medpack II versions after previous Babylon 5 shows, and this continues that tradition.
2)I think it is a general consenous that the F-15 was about the least useful of the UUs. Hopefully this improves that situation.
3)There are some real-life Rangers working to make the world a safer place right now, so maybe this will honor them in some very small way.
The Bowman is now a standard unit, while the Babylonian UU is now called the Babylonian Bowman. Both use the same sprite. Thus, you just have to remember that the blue Bowman has a better defense than everyone else's.
I needed another ranged unit because the Longbowman is now the English UU. The Archer has been moved the Medieval age, with appropriate stats. The Man-o-War is now the Ship-of-the-Line, and available to everyone.
In my games, naval power is usually not much of a factor, so hopefully this will make the English more competitive.
The Spearman is now the Civilian Levy, and is the Medieval age defensive unit. The Phalanx, using the Hoplite sprite, replaces it.
Pikemen are now the Renaissance age offensive foot unit.
A new unit, the Man-at-Arms, is the Medieval age offensive ground unit.
A new unit, the Grenadier, is an offensively-enhanced version of the Rifleman, and is the German UU. The Panzer is now called Armor, and is available to everyone.
A new unit from the Balancer mod- the Colonist. This is a cheaper version of the Settler, and is only available to Expansionist civs. It makes them a good bit more competitive. Note that the cost of the Settler and Colonist have been raised.
I know all of this can be confusing just reading it. Once you see it laid out in the spreadsheet, however, it will make sense. Also, please read the comments attached to most all of the above units.
Note: Thanks to Monkspider and Elucidus, whose Balancer mod formed the basis open which I added my own changes. Also thanks to E_T, whose upgrade technique was used in the mod, and to the guys who made the spreadsheets I used.
I am sure there will be several mistakes, omissions and/or logic failures in the beta, so please point them out as you discover them.
Simply unzip it into your Civilization III folder. I hope you have already backed up your civiliopedia and pediaicon texts, along with the bic and units_32 pcx file. Only the bic should cause any problems if you go back to the original game.
It is a beta because we are still trying to figure out how things work in the Civ III system, or at least *I* am trying to figure them out. Oh, and there are no new graphics to accompany all the new items in the game, so don't be surprised if you get the Art of War wonder splash when you build Stonehenge. (Is beta another word for "Work in progress."?)
Also, some of the new units don't show up in the "current item" picture. I do not know why both types of Bowmen show up, but not the Phalanx. The improvements and wonders don't show up because I have not included graphics for them, yet. Also, the civilopedia has generally not be updated. I could probably use an accomplice on this part of the mod.
General question- Where are all the graphic artists? I expected to see new units and other graphics all over the place by now. Is there a problem with the flc file type?
There should not be any crashes in the game, except that I get a message after exiting the game that the program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. Getting this message after playing a mod designed to correct flaws and enhance the game just gives me all sorts of smart comebacks, but alas the computer has no sense of humor.
The zip is too big to attach in the thread here, mainly due to the civstats spreadsheet that I included in it. Players need to study it and read the misc text file, too. There are simply too many changes to unit stats to list individually. I tried to mark in color all of the other changes to the game, though.
In the units page, there are a number of columns that appear to be blank, except perhaps for a comment. Well, there is writing there, it is just in white. This was done purposely because those units are not in the mod currently. You will also see references to new civs, but those are not included either.
As far as units, here is a run-down of the changes to their functionality:
The F-15 has been re-named Strike Fighter, and made a common sucessor to the Bomber. The American UU is now the Ranger, a souped-up version of the Paratrooper. This new arrangement serves three purposes:
1) I am a big Babylon 5 fan, and there is a new movie called Legend of the Rangers airing on SciFi January 19th. You saw the trailor in the US if you have seen Lord of the Rings (totally awesome movie, btw). I named the Medpack II versions after previous Babylon 5 shows, and this continues that tradition.
2)I think it is a general consenous that the F-15 was about the least useful of the UUs. Hopefully this improves that situation.
3)There are some real-life Rangers working to make the world a safer place right now, so maybe this will honor them in some very small way.
The Bowman is now a standard unit, while the Babylonian UU is now called the Babylonian Bowman. Both use the same sprite. Thus, you just have to remember that the blue Bowman has a better defense than everyone else's.
I needed another ranged unit because the Longbowman is now the English UU. The Archer has been moved the Medieval age, with appropriate stats. The Man-o-War is now the Ship-of-the-Line, and available to everyone.
In my games, naval power is usually not much of a factor, so hopefully this will make the English more competitive.
The Spearman is now the Civilian Levy, and is the Medieval age defensive unit. The Phalanx, using the Hoplite sprite, replaces it.
Pikemen are now the Renaissance age offensive foot unit.
A new unit, the Man-at-Arms, is the Medieval age offensive ground unit.
A new unit, the Grenadier, is an offensively-enhanced version of the Rifleman, and is the German UU. The Panzer is now called Armor, and is available to everyone.
A new unit from the Balancer mod- the Colonist. This is a cheaper version of the Settler, and is only available to Expansionist civs. It makes them a good bit more competitive. Note that the cost of the Settler and Colonist have been raised.
I know all of this can be confusing just reading it. Once you see it laid out in the spreadsheet, however, it will make sense. Also, please read the comments attached to most all of the above units.
Note: Thanks to Monkspider and Elucidus, whose Balancer mod formed the basis open which I added my own changes. Also thanks to E_T, whose upgrade technique was used in the mod, and to the guys who made the spreadsheets I used.
I am sure there will be several mistakes, omissions and/or logic failures in the beta, so please point them out as you discover them.
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