Map.rwm and the importance of a clean v.81 Build

[Kull]

Everything keeps coming back to this map.rwm issue. So for those who are unclear on what it does, let me at least try and explain how it can mess up your games:

1) The first thing RTW does does when starting up is to create the map.rwm file - if it's not already present. (It can be found in this directory: EB\Data\world\maps\base)

2) Map.rwm is basically a summary of data from many, but not all of the various files used in the game.

3) No matter what changes you make to a build, if you delete map.rwm and have RTW generate a new one before starting a new campaign, all your files will be "in synch".

4) BUT......

4a) If you are using an old map.rwm and have changed some files and start a new campaign, there is the possibility of a "disconnect" between the settings in map.rwm and those in your game files.

4b) Or if you are playing a campaign with a synched-up map.rwm and THEN you change some of the game files, there is a chance that now map.rwm and your save game will react badly to the new files, and you'll get problems that way.

4c) Or if you change some files and then delete map.rwm, you can have a situation where map.rwm and the files are in synch, but the settings in your savegame are not.

5) So.....

To prevent any problems, it always best to:

I. Load EB v.81 on top of a clean RTW v1.5 installation.

II. Look to see if there's a map.rwm file, and if there is, delete it.

III. Start a new campaign and do NOT use any save games from previous builds or installations.

IV. If you make any file changes, and SUDDENLY START HAVING NEW PROBLEMS, repeat steps II and III. Sorry, your old campaign is dead.

If you aren't CERTAIN that you performed steps I, II, and III, please refrain from posting bug reports. Likewise, if you change files or add ANY submods - even those created by EB Team Members - do not report any bugs. Because the simple fact is that when EB team members are chasing down non-repeatable bugs (because they are caused by your non-standard installation), we aren't working on new content or real bugs.