Preferences files vs .sav files?

Thinking about starting a new PBeM campaign but wanted to check that my preferences won’t affect the .sav files and be a problem for other players in the loop.

I have modded my game to remove:

Green Place Arrows
Large unit Banners

Also I utilise the Minimal: UI (makes for better screeshots).

I just wanted to double check this before doing a proposal to the community for the PBeM as I don’t wish to exclude anyone. I have yet to decide upon a Faction but it will be a Rome based game (again, excludes the least people), so I will post a Poll to see what factions people wish to play once I’ve clarified this Mod compatibility.

These preference settings don't affect the sav files. I received a Seleucid PBM savegame from someone who used green arrows and ran it without, with no problem.

What does carry over are the game options in terms of difficulty settings and whether the battle timer is on. I'm not sure about unit sizes - probably safest to assume they are fixed for the campaign too. Personally, I would recommend VH campaign/M battle difficulty; battle timer on and large (not huge) unit sizes.

It's also important to specify the game version (no reason not to go with 1.5).

Excellent. I'll do some play testing over the next few days but I think I may edge towards doing a Carthage PBeM as the faction has increased in difficulty since 1.5 alot apparently.

But like I said, play test first, then I'll post a poll for the player base to decide. Rules will be pretty standard (Hard/Medium/Large units) but may turn base it around 15 years rather than 10.

I can personally vouch that changing the preferences file makes no difference for saves. The only conflict I can imagine is unit size, but in all previous TW games this was saved in the save file no matter what your preferences were.

I believe that once a campaign is started the unit size is stuck with what your main settings were at the start of the game. So if I start a game, play a few turns on normal size, then go to my main menu and change unit size to large, my original game continues as medium, the change only affects any new game.

Carthage would be interesting ~:) Elephants and the Scipii. With the full RTW campaign, playing a full reign rather than 10 or 15 years might be better. Will you be adding any "house rules" like we have for the WRE game?

In a previous attempt at starting a PBeM I placed some House Rules in it but didn’t get any takers at the time (truth though was that I was launching it from the .com).

I had planned to make the next one “by Reign” but that doesn’t seem a very popular method. I, personally, would prefer it as it allows greater Role Play involvement from each player and I’m not personally bothered how long it takes to finish.

There will be some House Rules still and I’ve put a poll out for everyone’s preferred faction: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62441

I will now put one down for various “by turn” options….

…House Rules: I’d better put what I propose down now.

1) NO re-loading, with the exception of a CTD or other game killing bugs. What ever result occurs you stick with. Bugs etc will be discussed on the Out of Character forum.

2) I will retain a copy of the latest .sav file for back-up purposes (it won’t be used by me for any other purpose, its there as a replacement if needed).

3) Update posts are to be placed by each player after their turn end. The next player does NOT have to wait until this is posted to start playing though. Story telling is encouraged but not essential, you want to just put down the bare-bones and stat detail that’s fine. You want to write a full story, including screen shots etc, that’s also fine.

4) There will be an OOC (out of character) and IC (in character) thread. Bugs and technical, tactical advice etc are to be discussed on the OOC thread. Updates etc are to be on the IC thread.

5) Role Playing is encouraged, but in the end, play with any technique you wish and have fun.

Edit – one more thing. Once a faction is decided upon I will attempt to draw up some Glorious Achievement style goals for the campaign that must ALSO be completed in addition to the normal campaign goals. These will depend on faction chosen though as some are easier to come up with whilst others are not (i.e. Greek City States Goal could be “Unite all Greek culture regions and all islands” for example).

Any GA goals will be detailed before the campaign starts so there is no confusion later.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Braden

Edit – one more thing. Once a faction is decided upon I will attempt to draw up some Glorious Achievement style goals for the campaign that must ALSO be completed in addition to the normal campaign goals. These will depend on faction chosen though as some are easier to come up with whilst others are not (i.e. Greek City States Goal could be “Unite all Greek culture regions and all islands” for example).

Any GA goals will be detailed before the campaign starts so there is no confusion later.

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To save you a bit of work here, you might look at the faction specific victory conditions in Europa Barbarorum. They seem appropriate and characterful. (It's a stunning mod, but if you don't want to download it, I can tell you the relevant goals for the faction you pick.)

That works for me Simon. Next week, once the polls close and I know what faction etc I'll get that detail of you please.

The battle of Massila ford, Winter 261

The man and his army:

https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/...ssilia1lp0.jpg

The enemy army:

https://img394.imageshack.us/img394/...ssilia2tz1.jpg

The enemy general:

https://img394.imageshack.us/img394/52/massilia3ao6.jpg

The first wave of Gauls attacks:

https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/...ssilia4at8.jpg

The Gauls make it across the ford before the Romans can deploy:

https://img380.imageshack.us/img380/...ssilia5yc4.jpg

Manius enthusiastically throws himself into the Roman counterattack, slaughtering the isolated Gallic lead elements:

https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/...ssilia6au2.jpg

The battle soon develops into a confused affair, with Manius pushing on deep into the first wave of the Gallic attack. For some reason, half the Gallic army remains on the other bank with their general:

https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/...ssilia7xu6.jpg

Ultimately, the Roman defenders rout the first wave of the Gallic assault, thanks to the Roman infantry acting as an anvil and Manius’s own cavalry being the hammer:

https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/...ssilia8oq1.jpg

https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/...ssilia9fp0.jpg

However, the battle is not over yet: the second wave of the Gallic army advances across the ford:

https://img371.imageshack.us/img371/...silia10kj9.jpg

and throws itself against the hastati:

https://img121.imageshack.us/img121/...silia11td6.jpg

On the Roman right, a lengthy duel begins between the Manius and the Gallic general:

https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/...silia12ia6.jpg

Gallic slingers charge into the rear of Manius’s escort and for a moment, he thinks he is done for. But then he realises - those are his slingers; mercenaries!

https://img428.imageshack.us/img428/...silia13mo9.jpg

Now, it looks like Manius will surely prevail over the Gallic cavalry:

https://img428.imageshack.us/img428/...silia14za5.jpg

However, Manius withdraws from the melee and the Gallic cavalry massacre the mercenary slingers:

https://img355.imageshack.us/img355/...silia15po6.jpg

The Gallic general then pursues Manius and engages him in hand-to-hand combat:

https://img341.imageshack.us/img341/...silia16um6.jpg

Manius is severely wounded and unhorsed, assumed dead by the Gauls and Romans alike:

https://img304.imageshack.us/img304/...silia17jb2.jpg

Flush with their triumph over Manius, the Gallic cavalry charge into the flank of the Roman infantry holding the centre against the Gallic warbands:

https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/...silia18ri0.jpg

The Gallic flank charge, so soon after the news of the loss of their general, causes a chain rout amongst the Roman centre:

https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/...silia19sf4.jpg

Soon, the Roman army is falling back in disarray with only a handful of brave triarii protecting the eagle:

https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/...silia20kp7.jpg

The Gallic general is filled with bloodlust and wades into the triarii, slaying them left and right around him:

https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/...silia21sx4.jpg

Until the triarii too, run, desperately trying to take the eagle back to safety:

https://img191.imageshack.us/img191/...silia22tq4.jpg

In the distance, a strong cohort of principes can be seen. They are the only formed Roman unit left on the battlefield. These are fine troops - among the best heavy infantry in the entire ancient world.

https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/...silia23zz1.jpg

By their delaying action, they buy time for the some of the rest of the army to rally and regroup:

https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/...silia24rp1.jpg

However, the principes themselves are isolated and soon surrounded:

https://img376.imageshack.us/img376/...silia25uo5.jpg

The morale of the rallied Roman units in the centre remains fragile and they slowly dissolve. The triari defending the eagle rally but then are cut down, with the eagle being claimed by the Gallic general:

https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/...silia26vl1.jpg

The principes on the Roman left are surrounded and outnumbered:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/...silia27iq6.jpg

Shamefully, they break:

https://img451.imageshack.us/img451/...silia28ak9.jpg

With the flight of the principes, the heart goes out of the Roman army and it dissolves in a general rout:
https://img451.imageshack.us/img451/...silia29jr1.jpg