bigger visible starting areas

[Guspasho]

This would be a precurser to my first attempt to dabble in modmaking for Civ3.

I was wondering if it had been done, or was possible to make a mod of some sort such that I can start a game with a larger visible area, of say a 10 square radius. I don't want to see the whole map right off but I would like to make some good decisions about how I start the game off. I wouldn't mind if the AI was given the same advantage.

Can it be done? Has it been done? How should I go about doing it? Thanks.

[Sheik]

I do not think that it can be done well. The way I used to go about it I let every civ start with an explorer. This worked fine but the map was dsicovered to fast.

[miccofl]

Give the Settler more movement points (like 4-6 and all terrain as roads) and some defense points. The AI won't move it's units without cover, but you can. Although the AI is allowed the same abilities as you are, this should be considered an exploit or cheat except under circumstances where an early overall clear map would be expected or desired. (or as a very easy tutorial)

Edit: spelling

[Gramphos]

Can't be done without manipulating the memory or the save file.

[sabrewolf]

Guspasho, you can't do it for random games

however, you could give the settler "treat terrain as roads" for faster movement and "radar" for broader vision... but that's just putting you further in an advantage towards the AI (--> you don't really need that, don't you )

[Guspasho]

I guess I will have to stick to the "test run" method of saving at the start of the game and clearing an area. Thanks for the input though!