So, who here plays FreeCiv?

[Jools]

and what do you think of it?
I think it is hard...

[Jools]

Maybe Markos should make (oh yeah, and Dan) a freeciv section. Are there any add ons to the game?

[KhanMan]

Jools-Glad you asked. I've tried playing it, but for some reason my computer won't allow me to get past the (adding players stage). What's the command for this? Also, do you know any way/set-up to make free civ run in Windows 95/98? I couldn't get the unix (?) shells to work...

I'd love to delve more deeply into freeciv...specially since it says up to 14 civs can play...just that the FAQ for users basically had the tone of "we don't care about you windows idiots. Stop whinying...this isn't meant for you."

Any help from anyone would be wildly welcomed...

-KhanMan
"Pax et decorum"

[Mark von Wagner]

Freeciv consists of two programs: the server, which coordinates everything between players and handles the AI, and the client, which human players use to direct the civilization they are playing. To start a single-player Freeciv game under Windows:

1) Start the civserver program -- there should be a start menu entry for this.
2) Select the game options you want in the server.

The next step depends on which version of Freeciv for Windows you are using.
If you are using the Windows-native version:
3) Start the civclient program.
If you are using the X-win version (most people are, since it is better supported):
3) Start your X server (XWin32 is a good X server for Windows), and then start civclient.

4) In the dialog box that comes up for connecting to a server, make sure that the "Host" box contains "localhost". Press the "Connect" button.

5) In the civserver, type the word "start". This will start the game.


To start a multiplayer game (the easy way):
1) Connect to the Internet.
2) Start your X server (if you are using one) and civclient.
3) In the dialog box that comes up, click on the "Metaserver" tab and click the "update" button.
4) To start a new game, select one of the servers that does not have any players on it.
5) Click the "Connect" button.
6) Wait until enough other players have joined the game, then type "/start" in the chat text box to start the game.

To join a game someone else is running, do steps 1-3 above.
4) Select a game from the list that has the status "pregame".
5) Click the "Connect" button.
6) Chat with the other players until the game starts.

Mark

[KhanMan]

Mark-A Thousand thanks! I'm off to the freeciv site to download the native version, and play loads of freecivin'!

Thanks!

"Damn the phalanxs, full speed ahead!"
-KhanMan the paranoid expansionist

[MasterBob]

What the hell is freeciv. Is it Civ I? I already have that.

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Webmaster---Come to the Civworld Forums

"If you cannot beat them, don't join them, instead corrupt them, make them join you, then throw them off a cliff."
"Those who achieve greatness have backstab to achieve it."

[Mark von Wagner]

Freeciv is a freeware game that is similar to Civ II. It is designed to fix many of the problems with Civ II. At its current state, it is good for multiplayer games and scenario design.
See http://www.freeciv.org for more information.

Mark

[catullus]

I play it occasionally, have one game running on my Linux box right now. It's pretty good, and continues to improve for each version. My main problem: I've grown used to CivII deity play (and OCC). That strategy won't work on FreeCiv. Expansion is way more important, while riot control is easier (I spend too many shields on warriors and temples early on).
AI is good, but doesn't handle diplomacy (yet). While it's designed for MP (last CVS version allows up to 126 players, IIRC), I think it still lacks the macro-management and UI to allow fast game play.
I would recommend setting up a Linux box (or an Amiga) for playing FreeCiv. All development is done on Unix, and I haven't heard much good about the Windows versions. A java version is in the works, that might be more promising than a native windows compile.

C.

[Olof Palme]

I have a problem with it, Mark, i betcha you could answer it.
I use GNOME, and I can't save any of my games. A simple "couldn't save bla bla" message comes up in the server shell. Any tips?

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my ass suffers from...amnesia

[Mark von Wagner]

The only thing I can think of is to make sure that you have permission to save files in the directory you are trying to save to.

Mark

[WhiteKnight]

I took a look at it on my Linux machine once, but didn't play around with it too much. Guess I am just too used to the other interface.

[Scouse Gits]

bump - just discovered these were here (but had timed out of my display so I've fixed it by bumping!

[Thue]

quote: Originally posted by catullus on 03-20-2000 03:48 AM I play it occasionally, have one game running on my Linux box right now. It's pretty good, and continues to improve for each version. My main problem: I've grown used to CivII deity play (and OCC). That strategy won't work on FreeCiv. Expansion is way more important, while riot control is easier (I spend too many shields on warriors and temples early on). AI is good, but doesn't handle diplomacy (yet). While it's designed for MP (last CVS version allows up to 126 players, IIRC), I think it still lacks the macro-management and UI to allow fast game play. I would recommend setting up a Linux box (or an Amiga) for playing FreeCiv. All development is done on Unix, and I haven't heard much good about the Windows versions. A java version is in the works, that might be more promising than a native windows compile. C.

Actually the patch to allow up to 126 players never got into CVS, because it didn't work properly I think
But just 2 days ago I checked in the patch to raise the number from 14 to 30. (that number is limited by the lenght of a player bitvector, ie 32. The last 2 players are reserved for barbarians)

[CapTVK]

I've played it on Linux but I'm playtesting the windows version now.(CVS ver 1.10.1) Yes Thue, Fog of War IS installed and activated!
At the moment I recommend the use of the demoversion of X-win32 for the X-server. It's a snap to install and you can use it for 2 hours without any hassle.

[Thue]

And I recomment linux mandrake; it's a snap to install and it works for many more hours than windows