The birth of SOMETHING GOOD... EBCIV

[keravnos]

Aranor, after consulting with us, has JUST started working on a EB on CIV. It will be hard, difficult and sometimes thankless effort. We understand this, because it took us this long to make EB for RTW. It might have also been a good idea to wait on it, before letting you guys know. But since it is out on civfanatics, it is already out.

Besides, Aranor is undertaking a big step in trying to create EB for "Beyond the Sword" expansion of Civ4. So, call my post a blatant "EBCIV WANTS YOU" if you must, but if you love EB as much as we all do, and also civ (which I don't think anyone playing strategy games can not appreciate, if not love), well, EBCIV can't hurt.

If you can help with the EBCIV effort and want to, or just feel like sayin "hello ebciv" click the link!

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showth...53#post5449653

[The Celt]

Looks good, I may have to brush the dust off of my CIV install before I play this though.

[Aranor]

Aranor, after consulting with us, has JUST started working on a EB on CIV. It will be hard, difficult and sometimes thankless effort. We understand this, because it took us this long to make EB for RTW. It might have also been a good idea to wait on it, before letting you guys know. But since it is out on civfanatics, it is already out.

Besides, Aranor is undertaking a big step in trying to create EB for "Beyond the Sword" expansion of Civ4. So, call my post a blatant "EBCIV WANTS YOU" if you must, but if you love EB as much as we all do, and also civ (which I don't think anyone playing strategy games can not appreciate, if not love), well, EBCIV can't hurt.

If you can help with the EBCIV effort and want to, or just feel like sayin "hello ebciv" click the link!

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showth...53#post5449653

LOL Thanks Keravnos! I had been hoping to keep it quiet here at least until I had a few more factions done or a workable beta but any announcement that might bring us more help is definitely welcome! Hopefully within the next 3 weeks 3 more faction will be added to the Completed pile (Well completed for Warlords that is they still will be needed to be converted to Beyond the Sword.) Now here's hoping I can live up to the impressive name EB has already made!

Cheers
Aranor

[Thaatu]

Make us proud! You do realize that you will probably be squished under the pressure. On that note, good luck Aranor!

Btw, I would probably kill to see something like EBCIV flourish, so expect human sacrifices.

[Aranor]

Make us proud! You do realize that you will probably be squished under the pressure. On that note, good luck Aranor!

Btw, I would probably kill to see something like EBCIV flourish, so expect human sacrifices.

I LIVE FOR PRESSURE! I EAT IT FOR BREAKFAST!!

If you want human sacrifices, sure I have one ready for you. And will keep them coming as you request. I think I will create a position called Thaatu's human sacriface and every week Thaatu can do what he wills to them!


I also have extremely high hopes for EBCIV. And grand plans. If anyone wishes for EBCIV to succeed its me, more than anyone here, or on CivFantics. While EB is the EB teams baby, the entire concept of porting to CIV Beyond the Sword is my baby and as such I need it to be perfect. And believe me, it will be perfect or I will sacrifice myself for you Thaatu!
Aranor

[Thaatu]

Don't set your goals too high. The Great God of modding has smited even more confident men. He tends to do that, just for fun. So remember you're going against divine powers.

[Aranor]

Don't set your goals too high. The Great God of modding has smited even more confident men. He tends to do that, just for fun. So remember you're going against divine powers.

LOL small steps first. Factions, then techs and the EDU after that the goals get high. But atleast for the short term the goal will be low enough that they can be achieved by myself and a small team. And I always have the original EB team for support and advice, Keravnos has already been an amazing help.

Speaking of factions, I have just released the Galatians, and I have just taken a look at an early release of the Sweboz, they are looking great! I would never have known that pay-t had only published 2 civs before these. From what I am seeing, EBCIV factions are going too look very pretty indeed

Aranor

[Thaatu]

Btw, I have only played Civ III (Conquests mostly), and I'm just wondering if the modding system of Civ IV is anything like III's. I made a custom version of "The Ancient Mediterranean" mod for my own use, and I learned a lot about that system. I don't have Civ IV, but if there's anything I can do..? I'll have much more time on my hands by the end of the month, so I just might be of some use (like taking out the trash, walking the dog, etc...).

[Arkatreides]

Btw, I have only played Civ III (Conquests mostly), and I'm just wondering if the modding system of Civ IV is anything like III's. I made a custom version of "The Ancient Mediterranean" mod for my own use, and I learned a lot about that system. I don't have Civ IV, but if there's anything I can do..? I'll have much more time on my hands by the end of the month, so I just might be of some use (like taking out the trash, walking the dog, etc...).

CIV IV is way more moddable (is that a word?) than CIV III was, as you pretty much can rewrite anything in the game once you get under the hood and get access to the XML and Python scripts. It is one of the things that really makes CIV IV stand out.

[Aranor]

CIV IV is way more moddable (is that a word?) than CIV III was, as you pretty much can rewrite anything in the game once you get under the hood and get access to the XML and Python scripts. It is one of the things that really makes CIV IV stand out.

Very true Civ IV is way more moddable ( yes it is a word kindda lol ) the only problem is that there is no built in editor like there was with Civ III. you actually need to go out and learn .xml, python and C++ to mod much of Civ IV. It isnt as bad as it sounds though. To simply add a civ or a unit all you really need to do is learn the .xml basics then all thats left is to learn how to create the 3d artwork, and thats not as hard as it sounds, just time consuming, as it is I have spent the past 3 hours skinning Arsaces I leaderhead for the upcoming release of the Pahlava civ. At the rate I'm going I should have it done by Tuesday. Just in time for my birthday

But back to the topic, yes Civ IV is amot more moddable, and some say easier to mod (including me, I hated the Civ III builder I never could understand how it worked.) Yes it can be a steep learning curve to do the more difficult scripts, and to add new features. But on the whole I think it is worth it as the Civ IV engine allows much more freedom to do what you wish to the system. I have seen mods out there that turn the turn based strategy game that civ IV is to a turn based RPG. So if you can imagine it, it can be done.

Aranor

[Aranor]

I don't have Civ IV, but if there's anything I can do..? I'll have much more time on my hands by the end of the month, so I just might be of some use (like taking out the trash, walking the dog, etc...).

I sure could use someone to come up with a tech tree for that time period. at this point I haven't even considered that far ahead, but if we have a working model to go from it will take alot of the leg work out of the final builds.

So if you are willing drop me a pm and I will go more in depth to what I would like to see happen.

[CountArach]

I saw the post on the Civ forums before I saw it here!

Go Aranor! I will be watching with interest!

[Aranor]

I saw the post on the Civ forums before I saw it here!

Go Aranor! I will be watching with interest!

Thanks. It looks like the EBCIV train is picking up steam. Several offers of help have come from members both here and on CivFanatics. I'm just waiting to see what pans out. On the faction front I released Galatia yesterday, check the announcement thread for the link to the post. And if I keep to current form Pahlava will be finished in a day or two! Already the artwork is 100% done, and that is by far the most time consuming part.

This truly is an exciting time!

[QwertyMIDX]

Do you have any plans to do a more celtic avatar for Leonnorius?

[Aranor]

Do you have any plans to do a more celtic avatar for Leonnorius?

The Avatars for the leaders are only placeholders until the Family Dynasties mod can be added, meaning they would have a similar family tree system to the one in R:TW. Untill then I might look into changing up that leaderhead. I will see what I can do, I don't want to use any one leaderhead too much.

[QwertyMIDX]

Sounds awesome.

[Aranor]

Yup Thats something I am really excited about trying to put into civIV when and or if we get it in, it will set this mod apart from everything else, and hopefully a bar above the rest!

As for Leonnorius I have been thinking of possible ideas to replace him and have come up with a great one. I will start work on it, well as soon as I finish this post Check in on that thread tomorrow and it should be updated. And as for the current one (I'm kindda attached to him ) he most probably will be recycled for a Greek leader maybe for Pontos.

[EasternScourge]

This something I'm going to need to keep an eye on.I looked at that link,and took a look at the factions already done.Looks like it is doing pretty well so far.Makes me wish I knew how to use mods for CIV 4.That,and something to be able to use rar files. But hopefully I can change that around so as to be able to enjoy it all (especially the Sab'yn faction,whenever its released).Good luck k.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

i love EB, but i didnt play CIV. (i should) good luck nonetheless!

[Aranor]

This something I'm going to need to keep an eye on.I looked at that link,and took a look at the factions already done.Looks like it is doing pretty well so far.Makes me wish I knew how to use mods for CIV 4.That,and something to be able to use rar files. But hopefully I can change that around so as to be able to enjoy it all (especially the Sab'yn faction,whenever its released).Good luck k.

To install any mod into the Civ IV format. simply extract your desired mod into the mods folder. In this case with any of the current Warlords civs for EBCIV you would need to extract your file to c:/program files/ Fraxis Games/SidMier's Civilization IV/Warlords/Mods. Once in that folder simply start up the game and go to advanced options, load a mod and select you mod.

As to .rar files. WinRAR is a compression program that I use on all my civs as it compresses them to a smaller size than WinZip, therefore quicker upload and download times.

@QwertyMIDX:
The Leonnorius leaderhead for the Galatian faction has been updated to use a more Celtic looking leaderhead (Infact I used Brennus, cant get much more Celtic than that!) I think he came out pretty good.

@God's Grace
Yup you really should play CIV, especially once EBCIV is out!

Cheers all
Aranor

[Cadwalader]

Cool! I have civ! Woho!

[Aranor]

Cool! I have civ! Woho!

Any good at modding civ? I sure can use some help if I can get it

[I Am Herenow]

This sounds interesting, but do you guys want a carbon copy of this EB or to go your separate way, as it were? Because, surely, if you want to copy this EB, you should wait until 1.0 - in case they completely overhaul something or other, meaning you'll have to do so too in CIV4.

Also, I've never bought a Civilizations game, but from what I remember from a demo I once downloaded, you have only "auto-resolved" battles and can build your own, new cities anywhere, is that correct? Are those basically the main differences between RTW and CIV: more focus on the grand strategy, turns only, build stuff anywhere?

[Aranor]

This sounds interesting, but do you guys want a carbon copy of this EB or to go your separate way, as it were? Because, surely, if you want to copy this EB, you should wait until 1.0 - in case they completely overhaul something or other, meaning you'll have to do so too in CIV4.

I never intended this to be a carbon copy of EB. It will be based 100% on the current EB and future evolutions until 1.0 However once we have gotten to the "complete" stage in the game we will begin to add new factions, as the CIV engine will allow us to add an unlimited amount of factions that are playable and can play against you on the campaign map. Ideas for future factions include, Illyria, Nubia, Samnites, and possibly another Thracian faction. However when the time comes we will see. I'm sure we will also be able to put features into this version of EBCIV that the team wanted to put into EB but couldn't because of limitations to the engine. But to begin with, we will strive to make EBCIV as faithful port to the CIV platform as possible, once at a certain stage we will go our own "way" if you will with the guidance of the original EB team to steer the primary directive of the mod and make sure that is never compromised, we are after all using their name!

Also, I've never bought a Civilizations game, but from what I remember from a demo I once downloaded, you have only "auto-resolved" battles and can build your own, new cities anywhere, is that correct? Are those basically the main differences between RTW and CIV: more focus on the grand strategy, turns only, build stuff anywhere?

Yes you are correct in that there is no real tactical command skills needed in civ. Originally I had planned to try to implement a tactical command interface with the strategic campaign map, however I have learned that the limitations of the Graphics engine will not allow this. It might possibly allow it in Beyond the Sword, as more of the source code and xml are opened up to modders to play with, but no one, besides Fraxis, knows what that will mean. Yes also you can build new cities. However in a scenario, as we would have it cities will already be placed on the map in their historically accurate positions, so all that would be needed is to command your armies and manage your empire, much like in TW. The beauty of the CIV engine is that it is so easily moddable that you can do whatever you like to it, so long as it is within the limitations of the Gamebryo engine.

I hope all that atleast made some sense

Aranor

[Cadwalader]

Any good at modding civ? I sure can use some help if I can get it

Sorry, my computer can barely run it as it is.
I guess I could try, though. Will report back.

[Pay-t]

Since Aranor asked me to introduce myself... I will. I'm Pay-t the brave young modder from the Netherlands who has taken uppon him the task of helping Aranor out with the Civs and in the futur maybe other stuff too. Although I will not post reguraly on this forum I will come and look atleast once a day. Just to know what's up with the news and such. Well I would say; Wish me luck

Before I go mad (I like that emoticon )

- Pay-t

[Aranor]

Since Aranor asked me to introduce myself... I will. I'm Pay-t the brave young modder from the Netherlands who has taken uppon him the task of helping Aranor out with the Civs and in the futur maybe other stuff too. Although I will not post reguraly on this forum I will come and look atleast once a day. Just to know what's up with the news and such. Well I would say; Wish me luck

Before I go mad (I like that emoticon )

- Pay-t

nice to see you here pay-t! And don't worry I'll look after you

[Aranor]

For all those following the EBCIV project. The latest faction has just been released. The Pahlavi Empire led by Arsaces I. Follow the link in the first post to the Announcement thread, then the links there.

Cheers
Aranor

[PSYCHO V]

Great work Aranor.
Galatian descripts could do with some more work but otherwise fantastic.

my2bob

[Thaatu]

Welcome Pay-t, it's awesome here (they give out free pot!).

EDIT: Psycho, maybe you could lend your hand in the description process? I'm sure it would free some time for Aranor, and judging from some of your posts (the longer ones I mean), you could write those in no time. Plus, you know a lot about the timeframe. I'm not trying to pressure you or anything, but I'm sure any help would be appreciated.