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Date: Jul 08 1999 16:49:25 EDT
From: "Apolyton Announcements (Apolyton Civilization Site)"
Subject: Apolyton&Friends News 1-7/July/99


Greetings everyone,
these are the news of the week(1-7/July).

On Apolyton, the big news is SMAC's Patch 4(available on
alphacentauri.com, posted on Apolyton perhaps by the time you read this),
even more info on Civ2:ToT and CivLeague's "Navy Tournament".

Other than that, we are looking for someone to manage a CTP-Linux
subsection, and someone to help in the Civ2-Mac one. If interested, mail
Daniel Quick at dan@apolyton.net

In the "Friends" part of the newsletter, (for the tenth time!)news only
from History of Civilization, Fantastic Worlds: Jorrit's Civilization II
Page, Mike's Civ2 Scenarios and Mr Temba's. If you have a civ2, ctp or
smac site and want your news included here, mail Dustin Dunn at
dustind@home.com(new mail address)

And now, in detail
=========The news from Apolyton=========
----------------------------
**Civilization II Section

MORE ANSWERS FROM MicroProse
(July 6, 1999) If you are looking for information on the upcoming
Civilization II: Test of Time, you've come to the right place baby! Our
ToT forum is rockin' and rollin' with questions on many aspects of the
title, all of which are being answered in nothing short of a detailed
fashion by ToT Team Member John Possidente (yes, you may recognize his
name from a Fantastic Worlds scenario or two). Here are some tidbits to
tanctilize your gaming spirt, just part of those posted today (all posted
by John)!
PEACEFUL ENDS: "... in the Extended Game (the one that includes colonizing
Centaurus), the only peaceful way to win left is via research. Through an
unfortunate coincidence (which is actually pretty predictable, considering
that Brian Reynolds and I seem to read the same sci-fi) the advance that
wins is called "Transcendance".
In the fantasy and sci-fi games, there's also a pure research way to win;
that's one of the new things we've added. Of course, you can still build a
Big Project (the FTL Ship or the Siege Engine) or toast everybody, too".
GOOD TRADING: " Trading between AC and Earth depends on whether (1) you
can convince the aliens that you aren't really invading, and (2) you can
get your trade units up there. Get past those, and the bonuses are sweet".
NEW STUFF: "The answer is yes, but there's only one new function. (There
are lots of "new" improvments and wonders in the SF and Fantasy games, but
they have the same functions as the original set.) The new one is like an
airport, except that it lets you move units between cities on different
maps".
MAPS IN EXTENDED MODE: "Only one map is on-screen at a time. You switch
between the multiple maps using a pair of new buttons on the Map window.
There's a maximum of four maps per game, and you manage all of them
(cities, units, etc.) at the same time. When a unit on a different map
becomes the active unit, the map changes for you automatically".
TOGGLING OFF CITY NAMES: "Hmm. Well, we didn't think to put in the city
name toggle, but you're right that it doesn't seem like it would be too
difficult. (I've learned not to be too confident about what is and isn't
hard to implement; Civ's got some twisted old code in it.)
There's no way to get it into the first release this late, but I'll run it
up the proverbial flagpole and
see how many bullet holes it comes down with..."
Don't know what all the talk about is above? Well then, first get yourself
briefed on the add-on from our files, and than start browsing our ToT
forum today (and if you feel so included to join the discussions,
registration is free).

NATURAL DISASTERLESS IN ToT
(July 1, 1999) Don't expect to see a city burning out of nowhere in the
upcoming Civilization II: Test of Time. Here's what John Possidente,
representative from Hasbro and member of the ToT team, had to say about
random events:
"Well, we haven't put the natural disasters back in ( I wanted to, but I
was outvoted. :( ). On the other hand, we have used the events macro
language to add a number of random events of our own, especially in the
new and improved Midgard scenario.
We've also added a "Randomize" modifier to the events language, for
scenario builders. Many of the actions you can program into a scenario can
now have random aspects--timing, locations, and that sort of thing".
This is just one of the many on-going discussions in our ToT forum... with
answers directly from the source! What ARE you waiting for?

THE COLUMN
#48 CIVILIZATION COMMUNITIES
Derek hopes that gaming companies will soon give back something to the
fans.


----------------------------
**Civilization III Section

BECAUSE PENGUINS PLAY TOO
(July 5, 1999) In our CivIII forums, one of our users has started a
petition to ensure a port of CivIII to the Linux platform. To sign your
name to the cause, click here!


----------------------------
**Alpha Centauri Section

Is It All There?
--(July 6 1999) Now that ther README for SMAC Patch 4 has been made
public before the patch it is associated with, fans are comparing the
release and changes' notes to what Firaxis promised a while ago with the
bugs/suggestions list sent to them a few months back. The thread started
by Yin, Jeff Morris continued to make his forum presence known by posting
the following clarifications:
"1. That is the complete readme.txt text of the v4 fixes. I think it
likely that either Brian or Chris made fixes without notifying me, so
there may very well be more that those listed.
2. The v4 fixes were made at the time of Yin's helpful list, which this
entire BBS contributed to. It was the must-fix list of the biggest
problems and we took that to be the case. Some were suggestions, but we
fixed those that were legit bugs. It is critical that code work stop on
one version when it enters test, since a simulatneous release of 5
languages takes a lot of time and resources. As others have alluded to, we
can't resubmit every week when someone posts a new bug. It would result in
a restarting of the entire process, one that can easily take over a month.
We went with the assumption that the list of "must-fix" bugs were in fact
"must-fix".
3. The "easy-to-read" buglist in the troubleshooting forum is up to about
164 now (Darkstar: Where is 300-400 coming from. I not being "smart" here,
just wondering if I'm missing a huge list somewhere). Some of those are
fixed in v4, some are dupes, some are not-bugs (being dispelled by other
forum users), some are suggestions, and some are hardly "show-stoppers".
There are legit ones to be sure, but they were posted well after v4 was
well into test. We'll definately look at them for future versions.".
Thanks yet again to Darkstar for the note (does anyone else wonder if he
lives there ).

Advance README
--(July 3 1999) The buck doesn't stop here on the discussion regarding
Firaxis' upcoming Patch 4 for SMAC. Jeff Morris posted what he dubbed the
"new stuff" section of the Patch 4 README.TXT file today on the official
SMAC forums.
The additions/enhancements include Wheelmouse support for most listboxes
and when picking production choices, and in the list of fixes associated
with the patch, automated formers can no longer build bunkers prior to
having the required technology, and units should no longer switch their
home bases automatically.
For a complete account of all you can expect new and improved in Patch 4,
read the rest of Jeff's informative thread today.
Thanks again for the heads-up Darkstar!

It's A Coming...
--(July 1-3 1999) July 3: Another update regarding Patch 4, this one again
made by Jeffrey Morris, in another thread in Firaxis' forums:
"Various versions of v4 are complete, but won't be released until all
languages are complete. This was a decision that Firaxis and the SMAC
community participated in and decided on. We're following though (Italian
is the only outstanding version, FYI)".
July 1: Yes, the title is a reference to SMAC Patch 4... its release
sounds imminent from the sounds of Jeff Morris' post on Firaxis' forums:
"Various versions of patch 4 are already complete, but we are waiting for
them all to sign-off for a simulatenous worldwide release".
Our thanks to Darkstar for the email regarding this!
On a sidenote, the Spanish version of the Borehole scenario was posted
yesterday on Firaxis' FTP site; expect it available for download from ACS
also in the new few days.


----------------------------
**Civilization: Call to Power Section

GONE AGAIN
(July 7) CTP is once again out of the Top 10 Selling Games, according to
PCData, based on data collected for the period June 20-26. Last time it
made such a disappearance, it reappeared again the following week. All we
have to do is wait to see if this turns into a pattern or not.

EMPIRE BUILDING GALA
(July 5) Computer Games Online has, to date, a three-part series of tips
to help you build the most successful empires of all time -- in CTP, of
course.
All originally posted on CGO on the 25th of June, we must say that the
content of these pages is noteworthy! These tips, likely invaluable to
some and reassuring to others, are available by clicking on the following
three links (numerous screenshots, always a bonus, are included): Part I,
Part II and Part III.

COMPLETE LINUX COVERAGE
(July 4) In a continuing effort to make this site your complete resource
for Civilization-related news and information, we are putting a call out
to all of those Linux CTPer's out there to give us a shout if they would
be interested and capable of running a sub-section on CTP for their
platform here on Apolyton CS. While we would prefer an already-established
website and webmaster to fill this position, anyone familiar with the
game, platform, HTML, and the necessary time and energy to make the
section a success may apply.
Besides this, all that is left to do in order to apply is to read our
Hosting page, review and agree to the terms outlined in GameStats'
Affiliate Laws section, and email us today!

MOD PAGE X6
(July 3) As time passes more and more ctp modification "products" come
out. To help ctp creators we have created for some time now the
Modification subsection. For all sorts of reasons it was a bit left out
for a while, and it's for an update. Today we are posting 5(extra big)
posts Celestial Dawn made on our CTP Creation forum with comments mainly
on AI files. We also have an excellent guide from Harlan Thomson on making
unit graphics. Check it all out here.

PLEASED AS PENGUIN
(July 2) Rawn Shah has done his homework on CTP -- he is undoubtedly
pleased with the Linux port of CTP, as discussed at length in his 4,000
word review of the game over at LinuxWorld. Shah goes into detail about
the basics of gameplay ("This is a strategy game, intended for those who
like thinking, planning, and organizing resources. If you prefer fast,
manic shoot-'em-up games like Quake or Half-Life, or if you aren't a
patient person, you won't much like this game"); building and maintaining
cities ("Look for areas that are nonuniform, as this will help you to
increase production of different resources when you need to"), and even
right down to a briefing on unconventional units which, yes, includes even
the EcoRanger ("Each is mostly invisible until the enemy tries to move
over it or positions a spy or lawyer beside it").
At the end of his essay-style review, Shah gives CTP four and a half
Penguins out of a possible 5. Now you're thinking: where did the other
half go? Take a look at the full writeup then and find out!


----------------------------
**CivLeague(hosted site)

Map Changes
--(July 06) I have updated the map with starting locations, and made it so
you can no longer reach the poles from an island.

Navy Touranment
--(July 02) Four players on one small map that is all islands. And the
best part is that the top player in each game get to go on. You can
download the map to get an idea of just how strong your navy will have to
be. On a map like this you might even to see some late game units, wow!
The tournament will be on Saturday July 10th the first round will start at
10:00am CDT (16:00 GMT) and the second and final round will start as soon
as all players are done with the first round. All players who want to be
in the tourney need to be in CivLeague irc chat room on EFnet #gameleague
BEFORE the start time. For those of you who do not have mIrc we will have
a version of the chat room that will work in your web browser. More info
(including official rules) will be posted at a later date. Get your
friends to signup for CivLeague and join the fun of this tourney.


----------------------------
**Scenario League(hosted site)

Design Tips Update
--(July 5, 1999) Finally, SLeague has been updated with new material. In
the Design Tips section, there are two revised and updated tips - #20 and
#21, or, Playtesting your scenario and creating technology icons. Both
revised/updated tips are by Cam Hills.

New Editor for the Scenario League
--(July 3, 1999) Yes it's true, we have a new editor to replace Michael
Jeszenka. Nick Clark will do the updating along with Mark L. If Nick will
remain a full time editor, or if Mike will return is as of yet uncertain.
Nevertheless Nick will be a fine adition to the site and hopefully the
League will get bigger and better.


=========Apolyton's Friends News=========
--------------------------
History of Civilization

07/06/99
- New - free of bugs (I hope) - version of "Civilization Forever" program
is available at Download section now.
- Competition #5 does not have winner by now. Try yourself!
07/07/99
- I've joined to "Top Civ2 Sites" Rating. Look at icon at the top of the
first site page and vote for this site! (If you like it :-) )
07/08/99
- the ELEVENTH - pop-up "Quizlet" appears now during entering the site.
Please answer.


--------------------------
Fantastic Worlds: Jorrit's Civilization II Page

07/07/99
- I added a new link (Wow!)


--------------------------
Mike's Civ2 Scenarios

(I realize this info is a week old but I'm putting it here since I didn't
get it in last week)

6/27/99
- Stefan Härtel's preview of his next Persian Empire scenario (surprise
eh?) is up. Apologies from John Petroski on not finishing his D-Day
scenario by June 6... I guess he was busy or something. Oh well, I'm sure
the extra time spent on it will make the scenario better in the long run.
I also added a screenshot to my Second Reich preview, and finished the
icons but I've neglected to add more information on that.

Aside from that, a new scenario was added. Pacific Theater of Operations,
by Don Wolfson. A strange scenario about WW2 in the Pacific with a
Battlemech twist.

Aside from all of this, there is big Shannara news! The preview page for
that has been updated, because I have finished making all the parts for
it. It is getting some final playtesting and I'm adding the last minute
details! This means The Sword of Shannara will be ready for downloading in
a couple of days! Meanwhile, I have all the sound files up for downloading
(very large and numerous files, but makes the scenario all the better) on
the preview page.

Also, I fixed up my links page a bit. And news elsewhere, I am taking a
break from the Scenario League. I found it hard to maintain two websites,
make two scenarios, and have a personal life all at once. So I have taken
a "vacation" from my SLeague responsibilities until get more work done on
my scenarios. Mark Laanen will have full control over that site in the
meantime.


--------------------------
Mr Temba's

07/05/99
- Two new scenarios in the Homeless Scenarios, Magellan by RepoMan, and an
edited edition of Lord of the Rings by Chris Hutch. Surveys updated.
07/02/99
- Added a Review of Winter King by Macbeth. Surveys updated. Two
screenshots have been added to the Sands of Time preview.



That was all for this week ladies and gentlemen,

Until next time
Markos Giannopoulos - markg@apolyton.net
Apolyton Civilization Site - apolyton.net