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Background
It occurred to me that almost the only people left around here are those that are interested in modding. So even though this is a sort of Beta version I thought I'd put it out so that those interested can have a look at it and maybe give me some feedback.
The original version of the WW2 scenario appeared on the Apolyton site on Dec 23, 00 and it's clear that it was rushed out as a Christmas present for us. There's a couple of unimplemented units (British and German paratroopers) and some very strange settings in Strategies.txt. I haven't tried to implement the paratroopers (the German bomber has the ability to carry them, but paratroopers coming out of a Stuka ???). I did change the British UnitSupportPercent from 0.15 to 0.60. The British were given a substantial number of units (maybe too many from a historical point of view) but with the original setting they spent the better part of the game disbanding them. I also changed the map, adding a few cities so that the Germans and British in particular can better support their large armies.
I also added some of the good modifications to the text files that we've learnt about in the ensuing months. However, the main changes to the Activision mod were brought about by re-SLICing it.
Here's some of the comments on the original scenario:
I've added more German and British cities, and more German units. I assumed they're bound to lose a bunch of units in conquering the Low Countries, so they better have more to start out with.
I've added some code that simulates the capturing of forts.(Late addition, it may not be working yet.)
In a way this is the bottom line. When you think of WW2, the idea that the French might have beaten the Germans in 1940 is not something that comes immediately to mind. But it was there, as someone once said, and it seemed like a good opportunity to try and develop an AI that could conduct a proper Blitzkrieg. IIRC, when Harlan did his WW2 scenario for Civ2, he said that you had to play as the Germans because the useless Civ2 AI (!!!) couldn't do anything interesting. What I was really looking forward to was using the modifications I've made to the CTP2 AI in an Operation Barbarossa scenario, but I guess it might be too late for that.
But as far as this scenario goes, don't expect a great game. There's only one thing you should look forward to: A really aggressive AI that uses it's air units much more effectively than ever before in CTP2. (Except that the French don't have radar so, by and large, you actually won't see them.)
New Historical Events
The original scenario has a 'Wilhemina event': if Rotterdam is captured by the Germans within 6 turns (i.e., they capture Queen Wilhelmina) all of Holland falls. I've added two more of these type of events:
The Verdun Event: If Verdun falls all nearby French troops surrender and the Germans get
the Maginot line. This is meant to simulate the surrender of the French Third, Fifth, and
Eighth armies who were surrounded SW of Verdun.
The Dunkirk Event: If the Germans are threatening Dunkirk, the British Expeditionary force
should pull back to near Dunkirk. (Actually, I'm not sure if this is working the way it
should be.) If Dunkirk falls to the Germans, the British should retreat to their island
and basically thereafter are out of the game. All you'll get is RAF support. Also the
Germans get the three continental British forts and their associated airbases.
Victory Conditions
The Germans can win by capturing Paris. At this point you have the option of continuing the game, in which case the original German victory conditions hold.
I've left the French 'victory' conditions open. I don't really know what should constitute a French victory in this scenario.
Bugs
Occasionally, you will get a crash with an "In object AGKillUnit_F ..." error message. It weren't me, guv. This is a function that Tony Evans imported from his Alexander scenario and I can't figure out why it doesn't work here either. Other bugs were reported in the above thread, but I haven't seen them.
What You Need
If you don't already have it, you need the whole 12meg Activision scenario; it's available from Apolyton. I've tried to minimize the files I've used so that you can download it from here. First, though, copy and paste ...\Scenarios\WW2\scen0001 so that you get a folder called Scenarios\WW2\copy of scen0001. Then rename 'copy of scen0001' to 'scen0002'. Now download the following two zips and extract them into Scenarios\WW2\scen0002. When prompted to overwrite, do it.
Finally, the Scenarios\WW2 folder contains a text file called packlist.txt. Open it and change the number "2" to "3".
It occurred to me that almost the only people left around here are those that are interested in modding. So even though this is a sort of Beta version I thought I'd put it out so that those interested can have a look at it and maybe give me some feedback.
The original version of the WW2 scenario appeared on the Apolyton site on Dec 23, 00 and it's clear that it was rushed out as a Christmas present for us. There's a couple of unimplemented units (British and German paratroopers) and some very strange settings in Strategies.txt. I haven't tried to implement the paratroopers (the German bomber has the ability to carry them, but paratroopers coming out of a Stuka ???). I did change the British UnitSupportPercent from 0.15 to 0.60. The British were given a substantial number of units (maybe too many from a historical point of view) but with the original setting they spent the better part of the game disbanding them. I also changed the map, adding a few cities so that the Germans and British in particular can better support their large armies.
I also added some of the good modifications to the text files that we've learnt about in the ensuing months. However, the main changes to the Activision mod were brought about by re-SLICing it.
Here's some of the comments on the original scenario:
Umm, I thought France was supposed to FALL in WWII. When I played France's side (on hard of course) not only did I not lose ONE city, but I ended up conquering Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium! The scenerio wasn't even to July yet but it ended it anyway because I think once you take care of Germany it ends it automatically. Did anyone else find France's side real easy to win?
I found it fairly easy to play both Germans and French. When I played France I just decided to defend France and that was it. Germany took the Netherlands and all but one of Belgium's cities by the time I got bored with it (I think mid-June). The English had started taking some of the cities from Germany, including Saarbrucken, by then, so I knew it was over for Germany.
I also thought the simulation was way too easy. I have suggestions to solve the ease of being the French. Just add two or three more German cities, with about 10 German Units. That will make it harder for you to stop the Germans
I found it fairly easy to play both Germans and French. When I played France I just decided to defend France and that was it. Germany took the Netherlands and all but one of Belgium's cities by the time I got bored with it (I think mid-June). The English had started taking some of the cities from Germany, including Saarbrucken, by then, so I knew it was over for Germany.
I also thought the simulation was way too easy. I have suggestions to solve the ease of being the French. Just add two or three more German cities, with about 10 German Units. That will make it harder for you to stop the Germans
ok, i played the germans and the french. Even on the hardest level it was to easy. With the French i even invaded germany. But the new units and the new tile improvments are great. though it is a pitty that there arent any infantry units. on other thing why isnt there a way to capture fortifications? or is there?
This scenario is an utter copout. I remember playing the WWII scenario in Civ2 and it was absolutely and utterly breathtaking (at the time). It was the first time I played a Civ game and I was engrossed for many, many hours on that scenario! Sid and Co. put so much effort into their WWII scenario. Activision's attempt is as weak as p*ss and utterly boring.
I played as the French once and won without too much difficulty. However the real disappointment was the map. I expected as least the war in Europe, and got only the Fall of France. A mediocre scenario.
I played as the French once and won without too much difficulty. However the real disappointment was the map. I expected as least the war in Europe, and got only the Fall of France. A mediocre scenario.
But as far as this scenario goes, don't expect a great game. There's only one thing you should look forward to: A really aggressive AI that uses it's air units much more effectively than ever before in CTP2. (Except that the French don't have radar so, by and large, you actually won't see them.)
New Historical Events
The original scenario has a 'Wilhemina event': if Rotterdam is captured by the Germans within 6 turns (i.e., they capture Queen Wilhelmina) all of Holland falls. I've added two more of these type of events:
The Verdun Event: If Verdun falls all nearby French troops surrender and the Germans get
the Maginot line. This is meant to simulate the surrender of the French Third, Fifth, and
Eighth armies who were surrounded SW of Verdun.
The Dunkirk Event: If the Germans are threatening Dunkirk, the British Expeditionary force
should pull back to near Dunkirk. (Actually, I'm not sure if this is working the way it
should be.) If Dunkirk falls to the Germans, the British should retreat to their island
and basically thereafter are out of the game. All you'll get is RAF support. Also the
Germans get the three continental British forts and their associated airbases.
Victory Conditions
The Germans can win by capturing Paris. At this point you have the option of continuing the game, in which case the original German victory conditions hold.
I've left the French 'victory' conditions open. I don't really know what should constitute a French victory in this scenario.
Bugs
Occasionally, you will get a crash with an "In object AGKillUnit_F ..." error message. It weren't me, guv. This is a function that Tony Evans imported from his Alexander scenario and I can't figure out why it doesn't work here either. Other bugs were reported in the above thread, but I haven't seen them.
What You Need
If you don't already have it, you need the whole 12meg Activision scenario; it's available from Apolyton. I've tried to minimize the files I've used so that you can download it from here. First, though, copy and paste ...\Scenarios\WW2\scen0001 so that you get a folder called Scenarios\WW2\copy of scen0001. Then rename 'copy of scen0001' to 'scen0002'. Now download the following two zips and extract them into Scenarios\WW2\scen0002. When prompted to overwrite, do it.
Finally, the Scenarios\WW2 folder contains a text file called packlist.txt. Open it and change the number "2" to "3".
How did I miss this the first time? 
) and all I can say is: 
I lost Paris within 30 turns in both games I played
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