alt.games.civ2 FAQ
AcK!
-===========================< Table of Contents >==========================-
1.1 Where can I find this FAQ?
1.2 Where can I find this charter?
2.1 Can I post saved games, scenarios, etc.?
2.2 Not even small ones?
2.3 But does anyone actually care?
2.4 Where can I post binaries?
2.5 But can I post rules.txt and similar files?
3.1 Can somebody post some program/scenario or other binary?
3.2 What does this acronym stand for...?
3.3 What's this I hear about updating Fantastic Worlds for free?
3.4 Does the free upgrade include the Fantastic Worlds scenarios?
3.5 What are the rules for the OCC?
4.1 What is TOT?
4.2 How do I get Ultrastring Theory in TOT - Extended Original Game?
4.3 I started a game with TOT 1.0. How can I make sure I get
Ultrastring Theory?
4.4 How do I get units on Alpha Centauri, when I play TOT - Extended
Original Game?
5.1 What is Civ 2:MGE?
5.2 What is the newest version of Civ 2? Civ 2: MGE?
5.3 What's this about simultaneous multiplayer mode?
5.4 Where can I find multiplayer opponents for Civilization II?
6.1 What is SMAC?
6.2 What is CTP?
6.3 Are SMAC and CTP related to Civ and Civ 2? How?
6.4 Why is there so much controversy over the name "Civilization?"
6.5 What is the true sequel to Civ 2?
7.1 Civ 3? Who's making it?
7.2 When is Civ 3 coming out?
7.3 What other news do you have about Civ 3?
7.4 Where can I get more information about Civ 3?
8.1 What web sites exist for Civilization II?
8.2 I never got or lost my tech poster. Is there one online?
8.3 Who maintains this FAQ?
-===============================< The FAQ >===============================-
1.1 Where can I find this FAQ?
The FAQ is posted at least twice a month to the newsgroup.
It is also available at: http://www3.sympatico.ca/krupowicz/faq.html
1.2 Where can I find the charter?
The charter is posted to the group occasionally.
It is also available at: http://www3.sympatico.ca/krupowicz/charter.html
2.1 Can I post saved games, scenarios etc.?
No, alt.games.civ2 is a text only group.
2.2 Not even small ones?
No, classifying binaries as small would create grey areas. It is much fairer
to just disallow binaries altogether.
2.3 But does anyone actually care?
Yes they do. The few times the issue has arisen a number have people have
claimed that binaries cause a problem for them.
2.4 Where can I post binaries?
The predecessor to alt.games.civ2 is alt.binaries.games.civ2 and this is one
place you can post binaries relating to Civilization II. Alternatively
upload to one of the Civilization II scenario sites (see question 8.1). In
either case you may like to post a short, text announcement to alt.games.civ2.
2.5 But can I post rules.txt and similar files?
In general no, since it is a large file. However, posting a single or a few
lines from this file is definitely acceptable and a good way of propagating
new ideas for units.
3.1 Can somebody post some program/scenario or other binary?
This question is unwelcome in alt.games.civ2 and depending on its content
may be unwelcome in alt.binaries.games.civ2 too. In particular asking for
the complete Civilization I/II or any other game is certainly unwelcome and
bordering on illegality.
You can order Civ 1 at http://www.game.uk.com/review.asp?tab=pc&rev_id=113086.
Requesting a particular scenario in alt.binaries.games.civ2 is probably
unwise unless you have made a good attempt at searching for it elsewhere
(either using dejanews, one of the popular search engines or by visiting the
Civilization II web sites.)
3.2 What does this acronym stand for...?
Civ is short for Civilization.
Here is a list of other common (and somewhat less obvious) acronyms:
AFAIK - As Far As I Know
AI - Artificial Intelligence: the computer player(s)
BTW - By The Way
CTP - Call To Power, see 6.2
E3 - Electronic Entertainment Expo
IIRC - If I Recall Correctly
IMHO, IMO - In My (Humble) Opinion
LOL - Laughing Out Loud
MGE - Multiplayer Gold Edition, see 5.1
NG - Newsgroup
OCC - One City Challenge, see 3.5
OTOH - On The Other Hand
PBEM - Play By E-Mail (form of multiplayer gaming)
ROTFL - Rolling On the Floor Laughing
"-MAO - ...My Arse Off
RTFM - Read The [Flamin'] Manual!
SMAC - Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, see 6.1
TOT - Test of Time
UCC - Ultimate Classic Collection
WoW - Wonder of the World
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary
TTFN - Ta ta For Now
TTYL - Talk To You Later
3.3 What's this I hear about updating Fantastic Worlds for free?
You can use the editors, extra eight unit slots and the events.txt file. If you
want to try this patch, your biggest challenge if finding it (the FAQ's previous
link to the patch is dead and a replacement has not been found. Please e-mail
the FAQ maintainer if you find update 2.781).
3.4 Does the free upgrade include the Fanastic Worlds scenarios?
No. If you want the scenarios go out and buy the full upgrade.
3.5 What are the rules for the OCC?
The OCC (one city challenge) is a different approach to playing civ 2: you allow
yourself only a single city, against the computer's hordes.
One version of the rules for this type of game can be found at:
http://members.home.nl/paulvdb/occ.htm
4.1 What is TOT?
Test of Time is the latest release of Civ 2. Sadly, it lacks in-game movies.
Gameplay has the new twist of 3 simultaneous maps. This is a re-hashed version
of Civ 2. It is NOT Civ 3, see 7.1.
4.2 How do I get Ultrastring Theory in TOT - Extended Original Game?
First thing: if you don't have the 1.1 patch for Test of Time, get it.
Go to http://support.microprose.com/civii.htm
There is a bug in 1.0 which can make it impossible to get Ultrastring Theory.
Also, the patch will not fix saved games started under 1.0. 1.1 fixes a lot of
other things, so run right out and get it now!
With the patch, when any civilization gets its spaceship to arrive, all
civilizations have the Ultrastring Theory tech changed from unresearchable to
available for research. The usual rules for research apply, including the
random selection of techs which aren't on the list each time you advance.
Despite what the Civilopedia suggests, you still must research it normally.
Ultrastring Theory has one additional benefit. Once you get it, you can
negotiate with aliens.
4.3 I started a game with TOT 1.0. How can I make sure I get Ultrastring Theory?
The bug kicks in if you quit the game in between the time of spaceship arrival
and successfully researching Ultrastring Theory. It will be switched back to
unresearchable, and there is no way to get it back. If you have already passed
the time of spaceship arrival, you may try reloading a save from before that
time, and playing straight through until you get the tech.
4.4 How do I get units on Alpha Centauri, when playing TOT - Extended Original
Game?
The first spaceship to arrive will generate units on Alpha Centauri, based on
the spaceship size (habitat/life support pairs). A minimum size gets one
colonist, two marines. You can find the details in events.txt.
Colonists can build portals, which let you move other units to/from the new
world. Since you must research Ultrastring Theory and Quantum Transport in
order to build more of them, it is wise to use your first ones to build portals,
not new cities on the new world.
If you happen to play the aliens, and successfully land a ship, you will get
colonists on Alpha Centauri, not on Earth.
5.1 What is Civ 2:MGE?
This is the Multiplayer Gold Edition of Civilization 2. For under $30
you get the add-on scenario packs and, most importantly, the original
Civ 2, with multiplayer support!
In the UK, Civ 2:MGE is called "Civilization II: Ultimate Classic Collection."
Rémi Denis-Courmont commented on the presence of both the MGE and UCC in France:
"the Civ2 Multiplayer Edition [cost] 150FF with scenarios... That's strange,
here, both versions were sold at the same time.
Civ2 MGE was sold in a "thin" package whose front picture was the same as
the main manual one, whereas "Ultimate Civ2 Classic Collection" was sold for
a twice more expensive price, in a large green box.
If they offer exactly the same content (ie, the game, the multiplayer modes,
FW, Conflicts in Civ. and the "scenario" menu), I've spoilt 150FF :-("
5.2 What is the newest version of Civ 2? Civ 2: MGE?
Patches have been released to update both copies of Civ 2. The patches fix
some bugs - details are available in the readme.txt files included with
the patches.
For Civ 2, the latest version is 2.42. For Civ 2:MGE, it's 1.3.
Both patches can be downloaded from http://support.microprose.com/civii.htm
5.3 What's this about simultaneous multiplayer mode?
If you have Test of Time, go to CIV.INI and add the following (without quotation
marks): "Simultaneous=1"
Be advised that MicroProse left that option hidden because it is flawed and open
to cheating. Still, if you want to play simultaneous multiplayer, you can.
5.4 Where can I find multiplayer opponents for Civilization II?
You can find opponents at the following sites.
* http://civ.strategy-gaming.com/civ2multiplayer.shtml
* http://gameleague.megaultra.com/newUser/
* http://www.zone.com/asp/script/default.asp?Game=CIV2
6.1 What is SMAC?
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is a game designed by Brian Reynolds which picks up
where Civilization left off: on a new planet.
SMAC discussions take place in alt.games.firaxis.alpha-centauri. Ask your
ISP to add the newsgroup if you don't have it!
6.2 What is CTP?
Civilization: Call To Power is another different game from Activision which
is essentially a very new version of Civilization.
CTP discussions take place in alt.games.civ-call-to-power.
6.3 Are SMAC and CTP related to Civ and Civ 2? How?
This is a topic of much controversy in the newsgroup, so here are the facts.
SMAC is being made by Firaxis, not Microprose. The original creators of Civ
and Civ 2, Sid Meier and Brian Reynolds are, however, the creators of SMAC.
As for CTP, Peter "Enjolras" Karpas <civili...@activision.com> has stated
in the NG's that, "Civilization: Call to Power is absolutely officially
related to Civ 1 and Civ 2.... It is officially licensed..." Activision's
license allows it to legally call CTP, "Civilization: CTP." Nothing, however,
besides the name was provided to Activision. The designers of Civ and Civ 2,
like Sid Meier, along with other things, such as source code, were *not* part
of the deal. (Note: The port of Civilization 2 to Playstation, however, did
involve the original source code, but that is not connected to CTP.)
6.4 Why is there so much controversy over the name "Civilization?"
Microprose didn't protect its rights to the word Civilization very well; Avalon
Hill had a board game by the same name. Activision acquired Avalon Hill's
rights to the name and began development of CTP. A lawsuit ensued; the eventual
settlement granted Microprose exclusive rights to the name in exchange for
Activision getting to use "Civilization" in the name of its game.
It's important to note that "related" and "sequel" do not mean the same thing,
a point which kept the controversy alive... :) It has died down with the
announcement of the true sequel to Civ 2.
6.5 What is the true sequel to Civ 2?
Civ 3 ("Civilization 3"), see 7.1.
7.1 Civ 3? Who's making it?
The plans for Civ 3 were announced on May 14, 1999 at E3. Civ 3 will be the
official sequel to Civ 2. It will be a Sid Meier game, made by Firaxis.
7.2 When is Civ 3 coming out?
The game was announced in alt.games.civ2 on May 15th, 1999. Development got
underway
in 2000. A tentative release date has been set for late 2001.
7.3 What other news do you have about Civ 3?
Five FAQ's are at: http://www.firaxis.com/civ3/asktheteam_030101.cfm
Briefly, they explain that: 1. units will be able to retreat from combat,
2. the terrain will *not* be flat,
3. there's a mailing list at: http://www.firaxis.com/civ3/mailinglist.cfm
4. the replay feature will be included, and
5. a custom civilization editor will be included.
News has also been released about Civ 3's revised diplomatic system. Go to
http://www.firaxis.com/civ3/gameupdate.cfm for more information about it.
On December 20th, the artwork for the phalanx, panzer tank, and rifleman was
released. You can find one of Civ 3's unofficial pages, Apolyton:
http://apolyton.net/civ3/info/
Earlier in the year, Sid Meier posted a letter to his fans which gives more
details about what to expect in Civ 3, which can be found at:
http://apolyton.net/news/000323sid.shtml
7.4 Where can I get more information about Civ 3?
Firaxis' official Civ 3 website is at: http://www.firaxis.com/civ3/
You may also want to go to: http://www.firaxis.com/civ3/mailinglist.cfm to join
their mailing list.
8.1 What web sites exist for Civilization II?
Many web sites exist, this is only a short list based on a few postings to
the group. Feel free to contact the FAQ maintainer to have your site added.
* http://www.civgaming.net
* http://www.civfanatics.com
* http://www.sidgames.com/
* http://apolyton.net/civ2/
* http://www.multimania.com/eyn/CIV2.htm
* http://www.aha.ru/~mor/Elinks.htm
* http://members.tripod.com/~dledgard/scenario
Note: Several of these sites have link sections to even more sites: Apolyton's
links section has dozens of other Civ related sites, for example.
* http://apolyton.net/links/Civilization_II/
8.2 I never got or lost my tech poster. Is there one online?
Yes. Thunderfall's site has one at: http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2poster.shtml
8.3 Who maintains this FAQ?
Currently by Andrew Krupowicz <kruposki(at)yahoo.com>
Originally by Mike Crowe.
Various posters contributed to the FAQ, including Jeffery S. Jones (4.2 to 4.4),
Steve Frazer, Rémi Denis-Courmont (5.1), Craig Tanswell (5.1), and Lee
Griffiths, among others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last modified: March First 11:25:58 EST 2001
--
AcK!
TTYL
... All those in favour of telekinesis, raise my hand.
krup...@yahoospa.com
remove "spa" to email