Looking for a non-serious SMAX/SMAC PBEM game...

[Mart]

Geomodder, start a 4 player game, as scenario in 2100 ! important - 2100. make third faction your atlanteans....
then start playing, setup some random passwords or even no passwords in 2100 and then when prompt for second round for the first faction in 2101 appears, save&exit. When you start the game (i simulate that as real starting the play on other machine) and go to the third faction (atlanteans) they do not have their graphics there, but caretakers or gaians..... Atlanteans have their graphics in turn 2100, but not later...
Firaxis could work harder on those bugs...

[Rubin]

mart7x5, there is a workaround. You just need the custom files present in your main Alpha Centauri directory (SMACX) (.pcx files and the .txt file). You can manually add the custom faction in the alpha centauri.ini file (which the game reads at start-up) or apply the faction in the setup screen. Please note that the alpha centauri.ini file is important for getting the correct graphics.

Maybe you can use the 'reload faction' feature in the scenario editor.

All PBEM players should have the custom files installed in order to get the correct graphics and faction specific rules.

Please upload the custom faction files and I'll have a look at it. You may contact me if you need more help.

[Mart]

Rubin, thank you for the clue
obviously 'reload faction' does not work correctly, i will play with ini file

[GeoModder]

Ah, I thought that despites the factions were correctly named in the .ini file there still was a problem. I found it weird already, since in TP/ICP the graphics show as they should.

Ok, all players will need to copy the Atlants faction files in the root then, and the .MP3 file in the 'voices' folder.

[Mart]

how about ini file? will all players need to manually change the ini too? and how? is the line enough:
....
Faction 3=ATLANTS
....

[Rubin]

Yes mart7x5, all players should ideally have a customized alpha centauri.ini file for this PBEM; otherwise wrong graphics may appear. I have 5-6 different .ini files for all the games I have currently running. I find it most convenient.

Could you upload the files?

[Mart]

Rubin, yes, i will upload in a moment, just about those ini files - can you keep a separate ini file in a scenario folder? or unfortunately you need to manually change the ini before loading every naval clash game?

in other words - does exe refers to only the same ini file in the root folder, or it scans first scenario folder for specific ini file for a scenario

[GeoModder]

As far as I know, ini files in scenario folders are not looked upon, the same thing as with faction files then.

Actually, the only thing that the ini file changes, is the graphic appearance of the factions in ANY existing game you open that has it's roots in a scenario. Thus if a player wants the correct graphics, he simply copies the correct ini file in the root, or he opens the ini in the root and changes the 7 faction names on the correct spot.

[Mart]

so manual manipulation is unfortunately only way to ensure the game working properly....

And here comes question for all players:
Will all players be willing to manually replace ini file each time the turn is going to be played?

[GeoModder]

Well, if not, I suppose I better play another faction then. Spartans?

[Mart]

GeoModder, let's wait for others, Rubin already is practicing that, You and Rubin that is already 50% of players.
Rubin, maybe you would share some of your experience how in practice changing ini file looks like for you. Is it much trouble or not? or after some time it is even convenient?

[GeoModder]

It is, at least, less confusing for players.

Seeing you're enlightned Uni faction appear as a dum drone or believer on the map, is not very enchanting.

[Rubin]

Regarding .ini files: I have renamed copies of the .ini files for each of the PBEMs I participate in, i.e. "alpha centauri ACDG.ini" (for the democracy PBEM here at Apolyton). Before loading the ACDG turn I rename the current "alpha centauri.ini" to something suitable, e.g. "alpha centauri NC.ini" (for the Naval Clash PBEM). I then rename the "alpha centauri ACDG.ini" to "alpha centauri.ini", load the ACDG turn and all graphics are correct.

I am not sure if the .ini file has any impact on the game other than the graphics (and there are alternatives to ensure correct graphics). So far though, I have only noticed graphics changes when applying different .ini files and I believe there is no harm done if only the graphics are incorrect. (mart7x5, you can test this if you wish.)

Graphics troubles like these may occur if there is a change in the default turn order (SMACX only), so the problem has nothing to do with custom factions.

I'm willing, of course, to accept a custom faction in this game--I'll have a separate .ini file anyway.

Finally, the PBEM is loaded like normal PBEMs in that there is no separate scenario folder for this game. All custom files (except sound files) go in the main Alpha Centauri directory.

[Barinthus]

This is giving me a headache .

Can you please explain in simple terms step by step what I would need to do to make this work?

I'm not saying no to custom faction or whatever - I just need some extra help.

[Rubin]

DataAeolus:

1) You need to download the custom faction files and place them in the correct folder(s).
2) You probably need a 'special' alpha centauri.ini file that you use everytime you play this PBEM (I can send this file to you).

That's it! Headache cured?

(Though, it is always a good idea to keep a backup of your original alpha centauri.ini file. Once I have the custom faction files I can make a step-by-step 'installation guide'--if required.)