Maximum Number of Cities

[Lis Gibson]

Apologies if you answer this question twice a week, but I'm new to this site and haven't been able to find an answer.

I've now twice hit the maximum number of cities (?250-300 ish - can't be bothered to count them). This second time I'm playing ToT and have JUST got to AC - and can't build any cities!

Does anyone know how to fix it?

Ta

[SandMonkey]

there is no *fix*. The max is 256 cities. You don't need any cities on Centaurus, really. If you're playing with aliens on Centaurus, the only way toget mroe cities is to conquer theirs.

A little more about the 256 cities...

That is the TOTAL number of cities that can be built in the game. Therefore, if the AI has 50 cities, you can only build 206 before it will say you can't build any more. At that point, either take over AI cities, or destroy some.

[Lis Gibson]

Thanks

I'll just have to smash the aliens and get their cities.

Pity you can't have more than 256, though - a large map with large land mass is more than big enough for 256 cities, even without AC - do you know why the limit is 256?

[Mao]

The hex code prevents more cities.

[SandMonkey]

I think it's just one of those "Magic Numbers" they use in programming. I think the max number of Future Techs is also 255 or 256 or something to the effect of that.

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SandMonkey

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[Paul]

Yes, there is a maximum of 255 future techs. And the maximum amount of cities is also 255, not 256.

[Dookie]

I wouldn't have the thought this would be too hard to alter with a patch. Unless the designers want it that way.

And about Future Techs...I think I'm right in thinking after 255/6 Future Techs, it reverts back to 0, and so does your point count from Future Techs. So when nearing this level, cut back drastically on science. This might have, however, been altered in a later patch.

[Paul]

In v2.42 it is as Dookie says: after 255 you revert back to zero. I assume that this is the same in later (CiC, FW, MP) versions.

[Mao]

Yes, it's the same in later versions

[debeest]

I don't know beans about programming, but 256 = 2 to the 8th power. Eight on/off bits. Might not be such an easy thing to edit, might be sort of integral to the game as programmed.

[Scouse Gits]

With my "Maintenance Programmer" hat on I would surmise that although it would be very easy to extend the range of the variable(s) that hold the number of cities the actual problem would come with the storage of all the details that the game needs to have for each city - if this is some kind of static data structure like a table the storage requirements for the game might rocket - and if a dynamic structure the stablility could well suffer.
Basically - No, its not an easy fix even if you have the source code - but it might well be possible.

Welcome Lis, do make yourself at home - there is a wealth of information lurking on these boards and an even greater cornucopaea of experience in the vet posters. Good civin'

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Scouse Git[1]

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