View Full Version : The 56-year bug
Teutonic Knight
07-06-2003, 18:26
I have been hearing the massive outcry of Totalwar players lately about the "56-year bug" and I was wonering a few things.
First, does CA have any intention whatsoever of fixing this bug?
If they do, then how long must we wait?
Also, (as I do not have VI yet, and do not have any intention of buying it until this is fixed) is this bug a definite for every copy? or is only with some copies that this bug exists?
I certainly do not want to play a campaign knowing that all of my kings are going to die at age 56.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
thanks in advance, TK
Leet Eriksson
07-06-2003, 18:27
All copies have this bug,even mine.as far as i know,the 56 age bug ain't fixed yet http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
bighairyman
07-06-2003, 18:27
.unfreeze. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
rasoforos
07-06-2003, 18:31
An expansion that has a bug so serious .... i wonder if they EVEN played 1 campaign during beta . Even 1 campaign would be enough to identify the bug.
And as teutonic knight said i as well am not buying the expansion unless this bug is corrected. What a nice advertisment for MTW and future games guys MTW:VI Brand new and exciting bugs added to the old ones :P
Urban Legend
07-06-2003, 20:03
Erm how long does the average monarch live before the expansion?
solypsist
07-06-2003, 21:25
The average king could last anywhere up to 84 years; most died between the ages of 56 and 65.
To bypass the current bug, use a cheatcode: at or before age 40, type this in exactly as it appears
.unfreeze.
You won't be able to see what you're typing but if you did it correctly you should get a "birth" po-up message. Then, when your King predictably expires at age 56, your Heir will just have reached proper age and will assume the throne.
Remember, over use of this constitutes cheating, so to remain sporting it should be accessed only in emergency situations.
I never thought I'd see the day when I advocated codes, but it's better than losing a game with no change of salvage.
http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Sunnyvale/8639/img/sugar_ekaki8173.png
DOOM
ToranagaSama
07-07-2003, 12:24
Quote[/b] (Teutonic Knight @ July 06 2003,13:26)]I have been hearing the massive outcry of Totalwar players lately about the "56-year bug" and I was wonering a few things.
First, does CA have any intention whatsoever of fixing this bug?
If they do, then how long must we wait?
Also, (as I do not have VI yet, and do not have any intention of buying it until this is fixed) is this bug a definite for every copy? or is only with some copies that this bug exists?
I certainly do not want to play a campaign knowing that all of my kings are going to die at age 56.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
thanks in advance, TK
I'm certainly not advocating rewarding CA or any game developer for such an obviously gross error, but I say don't wait.
The bug can be annoying at first, but then you just learn to plan your campaigns around it. Afterall, realistically, how many medieval monarchs actually lived much beyond age 56 anyway? Few, indeed So one way to view it, is that it makes the game a bit more realistic even if it does, arguably, take a bit away from gameplay.
That being said, CA/Activision, you are snubbing your customer base with such inattention to obvious bugs and glitches which belie the lack of an adequate testing method.
Beta testing, beta testing, beta testing....by the COMMUNITY...please
Teutonic Knight
07-07-2003, 12:49
I don't know, I might buy it, but I'm just afraid that I'm going to be left out to dry and they'll never come out with a patch for this. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
I know they're busy with R:TW, but I don't think this would really take that much effort to fix, do you?
ToranagaSama
07-07-2003, 13:04
Quote[/b] (Teutonic Knight @ July 07 2003,07:49)]I don't know, I might buy it, but I'm just afraid that I'm going to be left out to dry and they'll never come out with a patch for this. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
I know they're busy with R:TW, but I don't think this would really take that much effort to fix, do you?
Quote[/b] ]I don't know, I might buy it, but I'm just afraid that I'm going to be left out to dry and they'll never come out with a patch for this. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
Wouldn't be the first time CA had done this. Many of us are still waiting for the Campaign MP patch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
Quote[/b] ]I know they're busy with R:TW, but I don't think this would really take that much effort to fix, do you?
NO I DO NOT
Probably all of a half-hours worth of time. I understand about the...smirk..smirk...patch testing process by Activision, but have these people NEVER heard of an UNOFFICIAL patch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
If ever there was a circumstance for an "unofficial" patch the 56 year Bug is it. Don't you all think so?
All I got to say is that ROME better be the be all and end all. Afterwhich, CA and Activision need to sit down and rethink, rework and address some of their "Policy" issues regarding the community...errr...CUSTOMERS
Teutonic Knight
07-07-2003, 13:29
Quote[/b] (ToranagaSama @ July 07 2003,07:04)]
Quote[/b] ]I know they're busy with R:TW, but I don't think this would really take that much effort to fix, do you?
NO I DO NOT
Probably all of a half-hours worth of time. I understand about the...smirk..smirk...patch testing process by Activision, but have these people NEVER heard of an UNOFFICIAL patch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
If ever there was a circumstance for an "unofficial" patch the 56 year Bug is it. Don't you all think so?
I agree 100% this is definitly something that needs to be fixed.
I was thinking, is there anyone in the community here that has the skills required to make an "unofficial patch" of our own?
I didn't think that this would really be that hard of a thing to do...... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
solypsist
07-13-2003, 04:49
a litte late for this to be reopened, but it was requested
Demon of Light
07-13-2003, 08:15
The unanimous answer from all the people who make mods was that the 56 year bug can't be fixed by them.
MiniKiller
07-13-2003, 18:20
A kid is always born without unfreeze cheat, somehow the game knows the king will die at 56. its no bigge buy it anyway, ai kings die at 56.
Could it be that the 56 year bug is intentionally programmed by CA to hide another bug ? THE MOTHER OF ALL BUGS ???
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
Quote[/b] ]The bug can be annoying at first, but then you just learn to plan your campaigns around it. Afterall, realistically, how many medieval monarchs actually lived much beyond age 56 anyway?
That was just ignorant...
Many kings lived beyond 56, and it is much more unrealistic with a decided death date, and that every king will die at 56 (except those who die in battle).
Mount Suribachi
07-13-2003, 20:23
Quote[/b] (SeljukSinan @ July 13 2003,18:34)]Could it be that the 56 year bug is intentionally programmed by CA to hide another bug ? THE MOTHER OF ALL BUGS ???
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
Its a nice conspiracy theory but...
I believe the origin of the bug is the generals dying feature which was added. GJS posted about it saying that after 55 there is a % chance each year that generals & royalty will start dying.
However, that % chance is 100%, hence everyone dies at 56 http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
Maybe if one moded the game and took away the "general die" feature... Anyone know how?
Quite an amusing consequence of 56 year bug happened to me today. The Spanish reemerge in 5-6 provinces after who knows how long, and guess what - the king was 56 He dies next turn, all those rebels go back to being rebels, all those nice stacks turn into rebels, and now I have some serious bribing to do... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
the Black Prince
07-14-2003, 08:25
my monarch dies, his heirs not old enougth,so his brother gets the throne,reigns for three years, dies, beofre his son is old enough, sohis nephew, original heir of original monarch gets the throne. result, king and cousin CIVIL WAR
never have i had such a mess in the throne room before. i hate this goddam bug
its a bugger of a bug to be sure. Fortunatly you can use the cheat code to delay the pain, but sadly i can't say the same for AI factions. The AI factions frequently develop into civil wars all the time now, with me sending assassins or spys or anything. Does make the game a tad easy though.
I know about the unfreeze thing, but all the kings still die at 56 and that is so unrealistic and boring knowing exactly when your king is gonna die, especially when it is the same age over and over again.
MiniKiller
07-14-2003, 18:17
i dont see the prob, its no big deal, just quit complaining imo and deal. at least its not just our king its everyones including the ai so o well i say
good day...I SAID GOOD DAY http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Rocket_Boy
07-15-2003, 01:18
Quote[/b] ] i dont see the prob, its no big deal, just quit complaining imo and deal. at least its not just our king its everyones including the ai so o well i say
good day...I SAID GOOD DAY
The problem is of course that he's right, it is the ai's problem too. While the player can get around the 56yo bug with the unfreeze cheat, the ai cannot and as such opposing factions tend to die due to lack of heirs. If you play GA mode, its a huge pisser to see the faction that has been running you close for points drop to 0 cos their king has died with no heirs.
the ai factions keeps dying, is that fun?
Rocket_Boy
07-15-2003, 01:27
Not if you like your games to have any sense of challenge.
exactly... and i hate to know when my king dies too... so the patch for the bugfix should be made
MiniKiller
07-15-2003, 17:10
I only really play domination and cival wars due break out alot more than they used to but rarely have I seen a faction actually die out, they do sometimes but only when they are at war and only have 1 or 2 provinces left anyway.
What I meant was that at least its not just us who has the bug, at least its the ai to. And this bug does not ruin the game.
yes it does... when every king die at the same age it gets boring.
Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ July 13 2003,14:23)]I believe the origin of the bug is the generals dying feature which was added. GJS posted about it saying that after 55 there is a % chance each year that generals & royalty will start dying.
However, that % chance is 100%, hence everyone dies at 56 http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
Well that sounds logical. Actually the best explanation Ive heard yet. Would it just be a matter of changing a value that represents this percentage? Surely CA could leak out its location within and we'll have a temporary fix. Lets do it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
MiniKiller
07-15-2003, 18:19
Quote[/b] ]yes it does... when every king die at the same age it gets boring.
It gets boring? The age is not whats making it boring, try attacking more and starting more wars. Idont really know what to say. A king days at age 56, wow and I'm going to let that ruin my game? Not a chance. Just get over it, it doesnt appear that a patch is coming so tuffen up, thats all I can offer.
If the bug gets to u that bad, well take out viking invasion reinstall MTW, thats all I can say.
Quote[/b] ]Well that sounds logical. Actually the best explanation Ive heard yet. Would it just be a matter of changing a value that represents this percentage? Surely CA could leak out its location within and we'll have a temporary fix. Lets do it
Good idea It's probably possible to mod http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
MiniKiller
07-15-2003, 18:42
if its hardcored, which I think someone said it was we have a problem. I would love CA to give us the info on it but I dont think they can/will.
Yeah, wishful thinking perhaps. If it was something that simple, I think we would have seen it fixed by now. I still remain optimistic though.
Ser Clegane
07-15-2003, 19:59
Quote[/b] (MiniKiller @ July 15 2003,12:42)]if its hardcored, which I think someone said it was we have a problem. I would love CA to give us the info on it but I dont think they can/will.
IIRC one of the CA guys dropping by confirmed that it is hardcoded and directly linked to the aging generals feature (the generals die after 40 years causing the royals to die at 56, as they become generals at age 16)
I know this is a slightly simplistic view, but does it really matter if ai factions turn to rebels. To win, you need to conquer territory, and does it really matter who holds that territory? The units you will face will be exactly the same as when they belonged to a faction, the only difference is that they are slightly more bribable.
To be honest, i didn't really notice the bug while playing the game, and i didn't think it affected it that adversely.
A more annyoing thing i noticed is that when organising your reinforcments before a battle the drag and drop feature that was introduced doesn't really work (you have to drop almost one square across from where you want to place a unit). I don't know if this has been raised in a different topic, i haven't looked yet. A more serious issue is Activisions complete lack of interest in the community and their customers. I think it is quite ironic that they tried to make VI more moddable than previous versions of TW but they don't seem to care about the community.
LordHugh...
Rebels won't fight back in the sense the factions will. Every province will do their own little war with you. Rebels hardly ever attack anybody so you won't experience the rebels attacking a weak border.
In essense you won't be challenged at all.
And seeing 6-8 kings die the same year is absolutely horrible.
When the whole game centers around chance, the life of the kings are chancebased to almost insane levels. For them not to actually live up to this chance and simply die at the same time every time makes the feel of the game drop by a whole lot.
A massive part of STW was the feel. That game simply felt great and had good battles. MTW 1.1 felt good and had great battles, but now it feels bad and has great battles.
I have tried to ignore the bug but I have faced three extinctions in 10 campaigns. Before VI I only died in my very first campaign (numbering some 30-40, naturally not all of them played to the end).
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