alt.games.civ2 Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
-1- Documents
1.1 Where can I find this FAQ?
1.2 Where can I find this charter?
1.3 Which version of Civilization is discussed here? Civ 3 too?
-2- Binaries
2.1 Can somebody post some program/scenario or other binary?
2.2 Can I post saved games, scenarios, etc.?
2.3 Not even small ones?
2.4 But does anyone actually care?
2.5 Where can I post binaries?
2.6 But can I post rules.txt and similar files?
-3- Various Civ 2 FAQ's
3.1 What does this acronym stand for...?
3.2 What's this I hear about updating Fantastic Worlds for free?
3.3 Does the free upgrade include the Fanastic Worlds scenarios?
3.4 What are the rules for the OCC?
3.5 Does Civ 2 run under Windows 2000?
3.6 How can I build the fastest possible spaceship to Alpha Centauri?
-4- Test of Time
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- Multiplayer Civ 2
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- Follow-up Games
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- Civ 3: General & Technical Questions
7.1 Civ 3? Who's making it?
7.2 When is Civ 3 coming out?
7.3 What are the system requirements?
7.4 Where can I download offical patches for Civ 3?
7.5 What's inside the Limited Edition?
7.6 How do I stop Civ 3 from choosing refresh rates my system can't
support and
blanking out my screen?
-8- Civ 3: Gameplay Questions
8.1 How do I create an army? How do I build new armies?
8.2 How do I use the Intelligence Agency?
8.3 How do I upgrade units?
8.4 Why can't I demobilize? Then how do I demobilize?
8.5 Which units can not be airlifted?
8.6 What're those coloured clouds doing on the map, above my cities?
8.7 How do you tell if a square will give you fresh water?
-9- Multiplayer Civ 3
9.1 Does Civ 3 have multiplayer?
9.2 When will Civ 3 have multiplayer?
-10- Related Websites & Contact Information
10.1 What web sites exist for Civilization II/III
10.2 I never got or lost my tech poster. Is there one online?
10.3 Who maintains this FAQ?
-1- Documents
1.1 Where can I find this FAQ?
The FAQ is posted twice a month to the newsgroup and is also available at
http://civ2.watorrey.net/agc2faq.html.
A text version is also available at http://civ2.watorrey.net/agc2faq.txt
and at http://www.civfanatics.com/doc/civ2altfaq.txt,
courtesy of
Thunderfall.
1.2 Where can I find the charter?
The charter is posted to the group occasionally and is also available at
http://civ2.watorrey.net/agc2_charter.html
and a plain text version at
http://civ2.watorrey.net/agc2_charter.txt.
1.3 Which version of Civilization is discussed here? Civ 3 too?
The charter expressly states that Civ 3 is on-topic for this newsgroup. As
Rob Lancaster
notes: "Regular posters mostly agreed to discuss Civ 3 here long before
the
game came out.
Since the group started Civ 1 was also discussed here, and it doesn't seem
unreasonable."
It is important to note, however, that all of Sid Meier's Civilization
games
are considered
on-topic in this newsgroup.
-2- Binaries
2.1 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.
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 Google
Groups, one of the
popular search engines or by visiting the Civilization II web sites.)
2.2 Can I post saved games, scenarios etc.?
No, alt.games.civ2 is a text only group.
2.3 Not even small ones?
No, classifying binaries as small would create grey areas. It is much
fairer
to just disallow
binaries altogether.
2.4 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.
Back to Top
2.5 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 7.1). In either case you may tell the readers of alt.games.civ2
about your file.
2.6 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.
Top
-3- Various Civ 2 FAQ's
3.1 What does this acronym stand for...?
Civ2, of course, is short for Civilization 2. Here is a list of other
common
(and somewhat less
obvious) acronyms:
AFAIK - As Far As I Know
AI - Aritificial Intelligence - the computer player(s)
BTW - By The Way
CP - Computer Player
CTP - Call To Power
E3 - Electronic Entertainment Expo
GL - Great Leader
GOTM - Game of the Month: one website's monthly challenge
IIRC - If I Recall Correctly
IMHO, IMO - In My (Humble) Opinion
LOL - Laughing Out Loud
MGE - Multiplayer Gold Edition
NG - Newsgroup
OCC - One City Challenge
OTOH - On The Other Hand
PBEM - Play By E-Mail (form of multiplayer gaming)
ROTFL(MAO) - Rolling On the Floor Laughing (My Arse Off)
RTFM - Read The [Flamin'] Manual!
SMAC - Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
TOT - Test of Time
UCC - Ultimate Classic Collection
WoW - Wonder of the World
WLTK - We Love the King (Day)
State of your city when no citizens are unhappy, and at least half are
happy. State of bonus
depends on government type. Democracy and Republic give one free 'citizen'
per turn, if there
is a surplus of food. Monarchy\Communism\Fundamentalism gets extra trade
(like in
Democracy). Anarchy\Dictatorship loses food restriction (irrigation
works).
WTF - What The !uck?
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary
TTFN - Ta ta For Now
TTYL - Talk To You Later
3.2 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).
On a similar note, one user has hacked an upgrade for classic Civ2 to
support multiplayer
mode. Find it at http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2cedric.shtml
Top
3.3 Does the free upgrade include the Fanastic Worlds scenarios?
No. If you want the scenarios go out and buy the full upgrade.
3.4 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.
3.5 Does Civ 2 run under Windows 2000?
Yes. If you experience difficulty when Civ 2 tries to play the movies,
then
you have a
problem with the game's Indeo video drivers. You need to update them.
http://www.ligos.com/indeo.htm
If you can't be bothered to fix your video drivers, then play the game
without the CD:
assuming you didn't copy the movies to your hard drive, you should have no
problems
3.6 How can I build the fastest possible spaceship to Alpha Centauri?
Build it with 16 components and 33 structurals. It will take 5.7 years.
You
must launch it no
later than 2014 to win. After that point, you must send out your troops to
win. The
following is a chart made in 1998 to answer this question (it assumes you
only send 10,000
colonists *and* that the ship is fusion powered): Components, structurals,
Years to AC
6, 15, 15.7
8, 17, 13.2
10, 21, 10.0
12, 25, 8.3
14, 29, 6.7
16, 33, 5.7 <--> This is the fastest ship you can build.
For example, a 3 module ship that is fusion powered: 6 components, 15
structurals, 15.7
years to reach AC Only 33 structurals are needed for a 16 component 12
modules spaceship
which takes 11.7 years to reach AC. This is the fastest time to AC for a
ship with the most
modules. Also note that years are rounded down, so if you are trying to
reach AC before
2020, that takes 11 years, meaning a launch in 2008 will reach AC before
'the final buzzer'.
Top
-4- Test of Time
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 from
http://www.civfanatics.com/
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- Multiplayer Civ 2
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." The
US and UK
patches are now available at the Apolyton website. Newsgroup reader
R魩
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 the
Apolyton Civ 2
site, among other places.
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.
All links now dead (3-Dec-2004)
-6- Follow-up Games
6.1 What is SMAC?
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is a new 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 Civ2,
Sid
Meier and Brian
Reynolds are, however, the creators of SMAC. As for CTP, Peter "Enjolras"
Karpas of
Activision 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.) Top
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 is sure to keep the controversy alive.
6.5 What is the true sequel to Civ 2?
Civ 3 ("Civilization 3"), see 7.1.
-7- Civ 3: General & Technical Questions
7.1 Civ 3? Who's making it?
The plans for Civ 3 were announced on May 14, 1999 at E3. Brian Reynolds
announced the
game in alt.games.civ2 on May 15th, 1999. Development got underway in
2000.
Civ 3 is the
official sequel to Civ 2. It is a Sid Meier game, made by Firaxis,
published
by Infogrames.
7.2 When is Civ 3 coming out?
The Windows and Mac versions are now in stores.
7.3 What are the system requirements?
These are the official system requirements for Civilization III:
Pentium II 300 MHz (500 MHz recommended)
32 megs of ram (64 recommended)
500 megs of hard drive space (+50 for swapfile)
4X CD-Rom
DirectX 8.0-compatible video card (must be able to display
1024x768x16bit)
DirectX 8.0-compatible sound card
Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP
7.4 Where can I download offical patches for Civ 3?
You can find all the patches at Firaxis' official Civ 3 website.
Top
7.5 What's inside the Limited Edition?
You can see the contents of the limited edition at
http://apolyton.net/civ3/images/jf-civ3le.jpg
It comes in a tin box and includes a letter from the creators, and a
second
CD with videos.
7.6 How do I stop Civ 3 from choosing refresh rates my system can't
support and blanking out my screen?
Here's a quick and dirty solution from the newsgroup: Ok, I also had (make
that have) the
problem that I get a blank screen due to civ3 using refreshrates my
monitor
doesn't support.
Though I *can* choose 120hz with 1024x768, my Monitor doesn't support it,
so
I don't
choose it. That sadly doesn't stop civ3 from using it. But if you switch
to
a higher resolution
where there are no illegal choices ('cause your graphic adapter can't
support them) Civ 3 can't
screw up, either. So, even if you normally would NOT choose a resolution
like 1200 or 1600,
try it and then add the following line to your Civilization3.ini file:
KeepRes=1 (not sure if
necessary, but it worked for me) Not optimal, but lets you get your hands
on
this game till
the first real fixes.
-8- Civ 3: Gameplay Questions
8.1 How do I create an army? How do I build new armies?
If an elite unit wins a battle (but not against a barbarian), there's a
chance you will get a leader.
If your civ is militant, this will happen more often. This leader can be
used to create an army.
If you have an army that wins a battle, you can build the Military
Academy.
The city that
builds that can then build armies just like anything else. Note that units
have to be added to
the army (tell unit to Load as if the army was a naval transport) for it
to
be any use.
8.2 How do I use the Intelligence Agency?
The city that built the Intelligence Agency has a little icon next to its
name. Click on that, and
you'll get the option to send spies to the other civilizations. You might
not succeed. If you
have a spy, you will be asked whether you want to use a diplomat or a spy
when clicking the
E in the lower right corner. The spy can do more than the diplomat, but
the
price is higher to
cover the cost of James Bond leaving all his fancy equipment behind. When
you are at war
with another civilization, embassy options are suspended, but espionage
options are still
available.
8.3 How do I upgrade units?
You need a barracks in the city the unit is (or airport for air units, or
harbour for sea units),
plus the resources you need to build the newer unit available in the city.
Finally, you must
have the minimum necessary amount of gold in your treasury to carry out
the
upgrade.
8.4 Why can't I demobilize? Then how
do I demobilize? The game is designed to restrict you from quickly
switching between
'normal' and wartime mobilization.
The question of how to demobilize was best answered by the Civ 3
development
team itself:
"Whenever you sign a peace treaty, your mobilization will automatically
return to normalcy.
If you're still at war with another Civ (and want to remain mobilized for
war), you'll need to
go to the domestic advisor and reselect wartime mobilization. Needless to
say, if you switch
to a wartime mobilization when you're not at war with anyone, you will
actually need to
declare war on another Civ and then sign a peace treaty to restore
normalcy
to your empire."
8.5 Which units can not be airlifted?
You cannot airlift ground units that have 0 attack/0 defense ratings,
armies, any ships or any
air units Also, only attack units with one movement point can be
airdropped
by helicopters.
If you are not happy with this answer (or several others in the FAQ), you
can edit this
setting with Civ3Edit.
8.6 What're those coloured clouds doing on the map, above my
cities?
Those are fireworks. It is a sign that the city in question is celebrating
a
"We Love the King
Day."
8.7 How do you tell if a square will give you fresh water?
Right click the water. If it is a fresh water lake, it will have 2 food.
The
squares that won't
require an aquaduct next to rivers already generate 1 gold with no road.
Sometimes it is hard to
judge which ones work.
-9- Multiplayer Civ 3
9.1 Does Civ 3 have multiplayer?
No.
9.2 When will Civ 3 have multiplayer?
Multiplayer will be added in 2002, in either the form of a patch or an
add-on disk. Expect
similar multiplayer gameplay to that found in SMAC, plus special modes to
help Civ'ers play
relatively short games with others.
-10- Related Websites & Contact Information
10.1 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.
The Official Civ 3 website
Civilization Fanatics' Center
Apolyton Civilization Site
Civgaming.net
More Civ 2 pages
Top
10.2 I never got or lost my tech poster. Is there one online?
Yes. Thunderfall's site has one.
10.3 Who maintains this FAQ?
Currently William Torrey.
Previously Andrew Krupowicz (to 11/2004).
Originally maintained by Mike Crowe (to 07/1998).
Various posters contributed to the FAQ, including Steve Frazer, Craig
Tanswell, and Lee
Griffiths, among others. Go Back to Top
Webmaster
Last updated: 05 Dec 2004
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