09-09-2005 07:17									#1
	Skrobism's overdue AOM trial game Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

This is where I will review the AOM mod as promised. I have been trying to get used to the CTP2 game. It is very different than Civ2 or Civ3. Not better or worse - different.

I just loaded the AOM mod and have noticed that the Polish are missing. Not a good way to start.

I'll keep you posted. With saves, details, and reviews.

	14-09-2005 07:49									#2
	Remove this text

I played several more turns than this but the game laptop crashed hard...

I think the best way to review will be to give a play by play account with [editorials in braces like this].

------------------------------------------------
Setings:
very hard / raiders - default
Small map - default
Doughnut shaped - default
all other rules and settings default

Carthage

3000 BC
Took the options offered: quick start, surrender 5:1

Carthage Founded
Nomads move out

Festivities offered and held
[This was a bit confusing and I almost restarted. I chose to check my score and the game called me a tyrant and said that I'd pay for it through history. I finally gave up on finding the Fest option and it appeared. I took it. PARTY!]

2980 BC
[maybe having the tutorial on was a mistake. It popped up and told me that it's 5000 BC but the menu thingy below says 2980 BC.]

Nomads move out

2960 BC
We meet the Germans

Utica founded
[Hey I can't rename cities!]
Cartenna founded
[Clicking around, I double clicked Utica and now I have spearmen. Did I rush build somehow?]

2940 BC
More unit moves
Mercenaries join us.

2920 BC

2900 BC

Lepti Parva founded

2880 BC
[PC crashed! BSOD!!!! Never happens in XP. - will need to replay several turns. Maybe this explains the odd behavior of my laptop the past week.]

Attachment: skrobi-cart-3000bc.zip
This has been downloaded 0 time(s).

	14-09-2005 07:51									#3
	Remove this text

Game so far.

[ I found the diplo screens. Maybe the crash was a good thing. This will give me a chance to redo those talks that didn't go so well. ]

Attachment: skrobi-cart-2900bc.zip
This has been downloaded 1 time(s).

	16-09-2005 18:20									#4
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I'm not sure why there are crashes...

Are you autosaving?

I did have a crash on a recent game, but I seem to recall that I had reloaded a turn from autosave, played a few turns and then had the crash. I then went back to a regular saved turn, replayed from that turn instead, and had no problems after that.

So I'm now in the habit of saving every 10-20 turns.

Do you have the latest update too? It may be possible that I may have missed a file (but I burned the CD from my own setup - and other than that single crash, I haven't had any problems). I'd recommend getting it though.

If you get the update, you will have to start a new game.

Update is available from Apolyton. Link up at the top right corner of the Forums.

	16-09-2005 19:40									#5
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

I am not reloading from auto-save. Although the auto-save feature might be on.

I did notice that Activision does not support laptops. But I thought that was related to display problems.

I could try the 1.1 updated version.

Man the blue screens are frustrating.

Is there someone else that you'd prefer that I send the game to. Should I return it to you? I was looking forward to reviewing this for you.

	16-09-2005 22:38									#6
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

Just curious...Do you have a desktop computer you could use?

I'm not sure about the laptop issue, as I run all my games off of a desktop PC (and using XP) . But I have heard of issues with laptops (and even with XP) in the past. I'm no expert on what to do.

Double-check the autosave issue. It is a feature in the options menu. Click it off and go back to an earlier save.

I'd also give 1.1 a last-ditch try - I just want to make sure that the CD I sent you wasn't the problem (though this is doubtful, as you were able to start a game). Downloading 1.1 (s/b approx 7-8 MB) would correct any error that would be related to a CD issue, if that was the issue in the first place.

I'll see if I can open your file too - it'll be either later tonight or early tomorrow.

You could just send the game back to me if it does not work out.

	16-09-2005 22:48									#7
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

Another question...

Are you crashing to desktop, or is the game appearing to freeze up?

If it is appearing to freeze up, the game is not crashing, but it is processing a goody hut (either an advance or mercenary unit, and it occurs both for the player and the AI) This is something that will take the computer time to process, depending on how powerful a system you have. Eventually the game will finish processing and move forward.

This cannot be fixed, but as goody huts are cleared off the map, the 'freeze' occurs with less frequency.

	16-09-2005 23:35									#8
	Get a bigger avatar today!

I'm blue screening, a full system crash. I have very rarely seen this on an Win-XP machine.

I will see what I can do this weekend, otherwise I will return it to you.

	17-09-2005 19:19									#9
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

My bad - I thought the game was causing the crashes.

Good luck on resolving the issue though.

	21-09-2005 19:28									#10
	Remove this text

This only occurs when the game is running. I don't know if it's AOM or CTP2. I am really sorry this did not work out. Send me your address and I will send back the CDs; or send me an address to fwd the game on to.

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