Ancients Ruleset

[pcelella]

Hi:

Just started playing freeciv (although I was once quite addicted to civ 2), and I've been wanting to try out the ancients ruleset. Problem is, I don't seem to be able to get it to run. I'm using freeciv 1.14 that I installed using the Redhat 8 rpm (actually I'm using Redhat 9). Anyway, freeciv seems to run fine, and I have no problem using the various tilesets.

I tried initially running the ancients ruleset by typing in the commands in the README, but that didn't work. Then I tried typing in 'rulesetdir ancients' when using the server, and that seemed to get me going. Then when I tried to start the client by typing in 'civclient --tiles ancients', and that started up the client with the ancients tileset. Then finally, when I typed 'start' with the server, I got that there is pop_cost entry missing for the units. I actually then tried manually entering the pop_cost entries into units.ruleset, but that just resulted in a whole new string of errors.

I'm lost!

Is it that the ancients ruleset can only be played using freeciv 1.12 and is not upwards compatiable, or am I doing something obviously wrong? If the ruleset won't work with 1.14, is there someway of getting a copy of it that will? Or will my problems be solved if I use the latest freeciv cvs files that I compile myself? (I assume I can still use these files even though I installed freeciv using the rpm's right?)

Thanks for any help.

Pete

[geeslaka]

Use the install/usage instructions that come with the fantasy modpack. Also make sure you have the engels tileset installed.

[geeslaka]

Also add the following line to ancients/units.ruleset for each of the unit specs:
pop_cost = n
Replace n with 1 for settler units and 0 for all other units.

Edited to make updating directions less line-specific.

[Per]

If someone makes an updated version, please send it to the freeciv-dev mailing list, so that it can be added to the download page.

[geeslaka]

Sorry if you tried my earlier suggestion and it didn't work. I just finished updating the modpack and it seems to work fine, but I'm having trouble making a patch and the updated version is too big to attach (to this post I mean, I have sent it to freeciv-dev so they can put it on the site). If anybody has any instructions on how to make a patch I would be grateful.

[pcelella]

Thanks

I did get the ancients modset to work. I changed all the pop_cost, but then I still needed to change a bad flag in the section for the caravan unit. Once that was done, everything seems to be working fine. Thanks again for the help.

Now that I got it running, is there anyway to use a different tile set for the terrain? The units look fine, but I don't like the engels set - I have a tough time distinguishing the terrain. I'd love to use something like isophex. I tried changing the files specs in the tilespec file, but that blew up on me. Do I have any other alternatives?

I love to get a copy of that revised version for the modset. If you can't post it here, would it be possible to email it to me? Or is it even necessary if I have the mod running anyway?

Finally, I'd love to set up a scenario with the various nations starting at something approaching historical locations (that way the Helenes won't be hurt if there researching sailing when located on astep) Are there any scenarios available anywhere that would allow this - maybe a map of the mediterraean with the nations set up where they belong?

Thanks again,

Pete

[geeslaka]

I can't get the civclient to run with the isophex tileset at all. Any suggestions?

[geeslaka]

Here's the updated version. It's 417690 bytes. I had to use bz2 to get it that low and I still think I'm uncomfortably close to the limit.

[pcelella]

Duh?

How exactly do you install this revision? When I unzip the bz2 file, all I get is a single file called 'ancients-1.14.0-1.5.0'. What do I need to do with this in order to install it?

Thanks

[geeslaka]

All you get is a single file? It should be a folder to replace your old ancients folder with. If you don't like the long name, rename it.

P.S. The isophex tileset won't work for me(I'm not trying to use any special modpack and am using version 1.14). How did you get it to work for you?

[pcelella]

I haven't actually gotten the isphex tileset to work. I was viewing the images and thought it was a good looking set. I have gotten other sets to work with basic freeciv though - nothing but engels with the ancients mod.

As far as the update goes - no, when I unzip it there is no new directory, just the single file. The long name doesn't bother me, but there is definitely no folder in the archive.

BTW - did you receive my reply to your email to me? If so, you could email me the update file in gz format if that solves the problem.

Thanks

[geeslaka]

If you tinker with the file "ancients.tilespec" and change the lines that say "engels/" to some other tileset (such as "r-hires/") you can get some interesting effects but I wouldn't recommend it. If you can find a tileset that was drawn on the same scale as engels or rescale an existing tileset you can use it without the "interesting effects".

[Mithrandir]

Try saving what you extract, and add .tar on to that file's name. Then, you should be able to open that file, and it should have more files inside.

[LarryN]

Originally posted by geeslaka
Here's the updated version.

I've changed struture of directories and next added this modpack to our website

[geeslaka]

It should say Maintainer next to my name since I am not the actual author, I only took over maintaining it because Bobby Bryant didn't have the time anymore.