Bad mistakes during scenario creation

[Caspian]

The inspiration behind this thread is a stupid.....dum!!! mistake that I have made during the creation of my very own scenario. Without going into too much detail, I sat for several hours earlier utilising 6 different maps and atlases to add cities to my map so that it is as accurate as I can make it. And guess what?.. I forgot to save the bleedin thing. All I've got now when I load up is a damned settler!! Anyone who notices the time I have posted this thread will realise that I have just been out to drown my sorrows and infact the real inspiration behind this thread is too much "drowning". And I didn't even meet a nice lady..boo hoo.

Anyway, moving on... Can all you experienced designers discuss some of the mistakes that you have made during scenario creation so that newbies such as myself can learn and avoid these things in the future? Perhaps things more technical than forgetting to click the right mouse button so that your work has been saved.

[Caspian]

PS, don't ya think Apolyton has got the greatest collection of thingamies (smilies) on the net?

[DarthVeda]

I did that once in Herbstnebel but it wasn't so major... I had only made like three changes...

[Stefan Härtel]

During Lost Paradise I had a mess with the rules files- I had about four different ones (including those f*cking ones with the .ger destination), and I accidentally used the wrong file overwriting the one I had been editing earlier (and had no backup of course). The changes weren't that big, but you can imagine me cursing out loud at my computer because the few changes I made didn't work because I didn't realize I mixed up those damn things.

Also, I abandoned and deleted about two or three good scenarios because I used the wrong labels and gamt.txt files - not realizing that until about one or two years later.

[Pap1723]

I had a wonder built inside of a city, then I deleted the city without the wonder being removed first and I lost the wonder, unable to be built from now on.

Pap

[Exile]

OMG yes!

When I was working on the tech tree for American Empire , I actually completed it . . . and then shut it down without thinking . . . or saving (I was exhausted at that point).

It took several tries before I was sufficiently satisfied with Modern Age to continue it to completion. I actually started on a different map than the one I eventually used, scrapped almost all of it, and started over on a new map. I did write down the tech tree on a piece of paper though.

[Henrik]

And exile, don't forget about the hills in modern age...

[Caspian]

Well, thx for some pointers there. I'll be sure as not to make these mistakes. I hear you there Exile, that is exactly what I did. Also, I think upon reading Paps post that I deleted a city with something in it. So perhaps my incompetence is really a blessing in disguise. There should be a set of instructions called "Things you absolutely must remember when begining a scenario..cos yer can't go back and fix it later!!"

Well here are some of the things on my to do list

1) Flat World
2) No restarting destroyed nations
3) Blood Lust
4) Global Warming off (not sure how to set this...doesn't give an option..any advice?)
5) Fix rivers on map before next attempt as I don't know if you can add them using the FW scenario/cheat menu's

[ottok]

what?

[Caspian]

That is a pretty open ended question you have there Ottok. On the same level as the eternal puzzle of...Why?

[Stefan Härtel]

'what \hwät
[i]pron[/] 1a - used as an interrogative in asking about an identity, nature, or value of a thing <what is this><what do they earn><whatis wealth without friends> or about the character, occupation, or position of a person<what do you think I am, a fool> b - used as an exclamation expressing surprise or excitement and frequently introducing a question <what, no breakfast>
c - used in expressions directing attention to a statement that the speaker is about to make what> 2: that which: the one or ones that what get from my writings> 3: WHATEVER 1a what you will> [Old English whoet, neuter of wha "who]

This is all I could do for you, ottok, I hope that helps

[Mercator]

About your points 1 - 5:

1, 2 and 3 can be fixed with CivTweak if you made the wrong decision at start-up.
4 can be set under "Edit Special Rules" in the "Scenario Parameters" in the Cheat menu.
5 can either be done through the "Harlan" method (easy, but tedious) as mentioned in Advanced Scenario Design (v1.9), or using MapCopy.

(all guides and utilities available at my civ2 website )

[Caspian]

'what \hwät
pron[/] 1a - used as an interrogative in asking about an identity, nature, or value of a thing <[i]what is this>

Thanks for the link Mercator. I see that I will have to read up on alot of things before I continue. I am hoping that scenario creation is like riding a bike in that, once done you never forget. However, I am begining to worry that perhaps my first attempt is abit ambitious and maybe I should produce a cheap and quick scenario to get some needed experience.

[Heresson]

My big mistake; when I was making my first map, I let myself go out for a while. My sister came and turned the map editor off. My first great project was completely destroyed.

[fairline]

Originally posted by Caspian .... However, I am begining to worry that perhaps my first attempt is abit ambitious and maybe I should produce a cheap and quick scenario to get some needed experience.

I know the feeling Caspian - I've started a scenario with a fairly large map, loads of cities, a completely new tech tree and it's all got a bit much - I doubt it will ever see the light of day. I've come to the conclusion that small and simple is best for a first attempt.