PATCH TO BE OFFICIALLY RELEASED 14/2/2000

I have been priveledged to be part of the Westlake community of beta testers since the 9th and we have tested two patches so far. Mark Krenek from Weslake Interactive has confirmed this Monday as the official release date of the patch and from what i have seen and tested it will be great all round for all us Macintosh Players.

Here is a version history of the two patches i have been involved in testing:

- Play By E-Mail has been added.

- Double clicking saved game files will now launch Call To Power and load the game. You may need to rebuild your desktop to get this feature to work.

- Keyboard setup now accepts function keys. Other special keys, such as page up, page down, home end, etc. can not be used. This limitations exists in the PC version as well.

- Saved Newtwork Games can now be reloaded sucessfully (The "Scenario not found" bug).

- Fixed problem using pillage command on a plasma cruiser.

- Saving and loading of single player games now uses the standard Mac save dialog. This means you can now save your games anywhere on your disk. This also helps prevent running out of memory while saving games.

- Call to Power now requires a minimum of 75 MB of memory to run. If necessary, use the "Memory" control panel to increase your Mac's Virtual Memory setting.

- Call to Power now alerts you if it is not running with the "Preferred Size" of memory specified in the application's "Get Info" window. The "Preferred Size" of Call to Power has been changed to 105 MB. Please note that Call to Power uses more System resources the longer you play it, so you may need to increase the application's "Preferred Size" to over 150 MB to complete long games.

- Music should play much more reliably on DVD-equipped Macs.

- Music should continue to play when the Great Library window is opened. Music should only stop if you have the "Great Library Animations" option turned on. The Patch will be posted in Macsoft Technical Support page for Call to Power at

Macsoft Technical Support

I have this same, and all the latest, information posted at my new homepage of:

Apolyton Mac CTP Homepage

I can tell you on a personal note that this patch certainly appears to rectify a LOT of the early problems experienced on this newsgroup... So who's up for a PBEM Game then :) ?

Move to Apolyton Finalised

I have agreed with the apolyton site adminsitrators to make my move to their community. I'll keep this site alive so that people returning yo view the page can move on to the new site.

GO TO NEW SITE

Scenario Readme Files

I have just obtained copies of the scenario and editor readme files after i had been trying unsucessfully to save scenarios or modify existing ones. I had some teasing information from a post on the apolyton forums but not the main text files that were included in the PC version but ommitted from the Mac version.

If you need them i strongly advise you getting them both, especially if you plan to do anything at all with scenarios. I am having trouble adding the link to the files. If you want them e-mail me and i will provide you with it within 24 hours easily.

Scenario & Editor Readme Files

Mac-o-Rama and CTP

I have seen Civilisation Call to Power in Mac-o-rama retailing for only $39.00. Admittedly its been there a while but i have only just discovered it. I had found over the last few weeks it was advertised, but not given any special prominence on the Games page. I had to click on "show all games" to find it. Most dissapointing... hence this late posting for their sale of the product. If you buy regular from mac-o-rama i can vouch for their excellent service and delivery costs, even here in good old England :)

I want some now!

Move to Apolyton seems likely

In a suprise e-mail tonight i learned that Mac CTP has been observed by the almighty Apolyton Civilisation Site since I started it! They are offering me the chance to "Move in" and be part of their growing and very well supported community.

Good news is that i have just accepted and look forward to an even better chance to raise awareness of Call to Power for the macintosh which, until recently, there was very little support or coverage.

I'll keep you all updated as the story developes.

Internet Play - Mac's & PC's seem fine.

I have been playing on the internet tonight and recently against PC players. Aside from the long waits between turns i found it to be without flaws and to be quite enjoyable. I had suspected there might be some problems but there weren't! I'll be trying again tomorrow to see if everything still works!

Call to Power Guide - Dissapointed.

Whilst hunting around electronics boutique on Saturday i came across the new guide for CTP and promptly picked it up. The price tag of £17.95 (Probably alot cheaper in the States) seemed excessive but i just had to have it.

Anyway i have now had a good read of the 350 or so page book and have found it to be little more than a paper version of the library feature within the game! Even the sections in the beginning and the end (detailing game tactics and what-not) seemed to have no flesh to them that could help. I was totally dissapointed.

Now matter what platform you have, whether it be windows, Linux or Mac, i would not advise buying the guide at all. Certainly not for the price I bought it at. It might be useful but i wouldn't consider it indispensible... which is what it should be really. Shame that...

Call to Power Patch Details

On comp.sys.mac.games.strategic nate from macsoft hinted that the progress of the patch was well underway with many issues already addressed. Here is a summary of what was said.

Only what was clarified as being fixed is true. Because i have scavenged this information use it only as a guide please.

Confirmed Problems Fixed:

* Saved games working in multiplay ("Scenario not found")

* Trade statistics become corrupted in a multiplay game.

* Trade problems per se. i.e when pirated by the AI.

* Chat window becoming corrupted with lines appearing over each other.

* The game crashes with the error "GameObj.cpp - object not found" when using ships to either unload or (in my case) pillage.

Problems Being Looked At:

* Saving in different folders

* Opening a save game to the save game as opposed to just starting the game executable.

Problems being queried:

* More than one mac player can't join a multiplay game hosted by a PC player.

* After about 200 turns of a multiplay game, it resynchronizes every turn or every other turn. This is an extremely painful process because the save games are often quite large. (Supposedly fixed before release).

Call to Power on an iBook

In case you were wandering i have received word from David about his installation:

"Being the proud owner of an iBook, I installed the game on it as well as my desktop G3. The game plays nicely on both and while I decided to play the game in 800x600 on the ibook, the interpolated 640x480 was impressively sharp."

So if you are the owner of an iBook it looks like you've got it as good as anyone else.

Carch's views on Mac to PC Compatibility Issues

Carch wrote on the Mac CTP is here! apolyton forum:

"I confirmed this weekend that the Mac version of CTP 1.2 seems completely compatible with the PC version... including in the area of bugs. AI and Great Library files aren't read from the scenarios directory, so in order to play things like Awesome AIPs and CD's mod, we have to swap files in and out of the ctp_data folders. I'm considering working on a tool that'll make this easier, but for now I don't really have the time to do a great job. There are some mods that need to be made for CD's (and I think Awesome AIPs, too) because of some minor differences between the default Mac and PC files. Details when I get a chance to detail 'em.... Come to think of it... it may not be all that hard to just write an Apple Script that swaps default files and mod files in and out, for simple installation of mods that we know do not conflict... hmmmm At any rate, be prepared for some headaches if you try to play any mod packs."

Mac CTP Reviews Call to Power

It is my own account of my own experiences so far and does not take into account the problems that seem to be plaguing others. True i have had problems but not as severe as some people. If you you'd like to read my review click here.

Sound problems plaguing the game as well?

It has come to my attention, like other errors, that some sound problems are being reported too. Dominic silla wrote to me on the 28th mentioning;

"The music in the game seems to cut out whenever the Library is accessed. I wasn't sure if this was just my computer but I noticed someone else had the same problem and posted it on the newsgroup. I also wrote to Macsoft and they said they would look into it if a patch were to be issued."

**Personally i have yet to experience any errors with sound but i have seen alot of other remarks on this issue, i thought i would hunt around and compile whats going on out there..

This seem to have first really being report by Jay Swartfeger in comp.sys.mac.games.strategic when he wrote his own bug report. In it he remarked;

"When my CTP screen size is set to 1024x768 or above, the game soundtrack doesn't play. When the CTP screen size is set to 800x600 or lower, the soundtrack does play. I assumed it was a memory issue, so I cranked the memory up but still had the same results: no music. This is starting to irritate me, because a) I hate playing in a res lower than 1024, and b) the CTP soundtrack is pretty good."

Mentioned by Carch an answer was possibly;

"I've noticed that the soundtrack cuts out occasionally on me, too, but it seems to be related to CD access... when the game has to hit the CD to get at some graphics or something, it stops playing the soundtrack. Sometimes it starts up again, sometimes not."

Phil Sulak from Westlake made a timely appearance on the newsgroup in response to the sound issues:

"Hmmm, this is definitely weird. During development, I ran the game in 1024 mode or above all the time, and music was fine. Music playback definitely isn't related to how much RAM you have. It's Redbook audio, and the game barely allocates any RAM to play it. Although your post doesn't mention it, I assume that you've tried to go into the options screens to manually turn the music back on. The music dialog is kinda funky -- if you do anything besides toggle the music to "on" and close the dialog, it won't actually start playing (ie, don't try to turn the music on AND specify a track number to play). This is a leftover "feature" from the PC version. Anyway, we've started preliminary work on the patch, and we'll definitely check this out."

Jay in response posted:

"FWIW, I noticed that I'll have music during my game session if I hear the CD spin up when CTP is loading (during the first load screen after the intro movie, I think). If I don't hear the spin up, that means no music. Don't know if that helps you or not."

**It's most likely a CD Drive related problem, although some of the enquirer's have some pretty impressive systems. What's interesting is that i have a rev. b iMac and i have yet (touch wood) to experience these problems. The only problems i have had yet are memory allocation (there wasnt any initially). I look forward a more definitive answer perhaps within the patch.

At present there appears to be no real solution, although the CD drive seems to be somehow involved in the problem.

Mac Gaming reviews Call to Power

Jay Swartfeger has reviewed call to power. Its the first Mac only review and i'd suggest any Mac owners go take a peek.

Install problems seem relatively common from all accounts

It has come to my attention to there seems to be a common problem with the installation process. Apparently it refuses to outrightly finish the installation process. I have discovered this myself too. You get all the way to the end of the install and then it just does nothing. The computer isn't frozen, but it never finishes the install process.

Apparently the error is that the installer (MindVision) isn't Apple's preferred installer when it comes to QuickTime. So instead of rebooting the machine after it updates, it simply sits there, the wristwatch icon with its turning hand. If that's what's happening, Civilisation Call To Power and QuickTime 4.1 are successfully installed on your computer. You simply have to manually reboot the machine.

** When i restarted my iMac i found it keep asking me to update my "broken" installtion of Quicktime. After connecting to the internet this was done and now i don't see there error any more.

Reported Resolution errors
I have seen two instances of monitor resolution errors today (one on comp.sys.mac.games.strategic and the other by persoanl e-mail). Both on these were on tower G3 units with admirable spec's. Whats the problem? I intend to do some personal investigation... in one case the monitor was an old 15" multiscan but i dont know about the other. I'll keep you all posted as i hunt for the info!

MGL & Interact CTP deal
The Mac Gamers Ledge site is presently offering a promotion with Interact! Call To Power for the Macintosh is selling for $35 with free priority mail... although CA residents have to pay sales tax. Follow the link to take advantage of this offer.

Gimme Gimme!

MGL mention my fledgling site!
"We are not worthy!" cry the screaming masses. When i saw this i was gob smacked. Hopefully i will live up to expectations and continue to develope the site. Thanks guys!

My copy of Call to Power arrives on the doorstep
The copy i ordered from electronics boutique arrived earlier today and after the boys had gone to bed i gave the wife a peck on the cheek before retreating to the den that is my computer desk. I must admit my first impressions of the game where what i expected. I was astounded by the sheer quality of the game. Playing it for the few hours that i have i found it to be intuitive and more flexible than civ2 by miles. Little things like warnings of lowering your reputation if you sail to close to an enemy coastline (after i hade pirated their trade routes admittedly). I think it is an excellent piece of software and i cant wait to carry on playing tomorrow!

First buyers impressions of the game look good
The first of many future impressions of the Mac porting of call to power can be found in the new reviews page i have set up. If you would like to see your views published please post your views to me and i will post them directly.

Call To Power giveaway deal on Mac Gamers Ledge
Last Friday, Mac Gamers Ledge started taking entries for their latest weekly giveaway, Civilization: Call to Power from MacSoft. To enter, just visit the MGL giveaway page. Enter only once, as multiple entries are deleted.

I have been to several sites and gathered together as much info as i can, one things for sure it seems nice and easy for our american friends :) Anyway here is a brief summary...

"I got my copy at CompUSA in San Francisco last night..." wrote one guy. "...Of course it was $49.99."

I noticed in my searches that at CompUSA's online store they were offering it at a better price of $46.95, however there is always the shipping costs, but if you don't live near one...

For us over here in the UK (and this presumably applies to the rest of europe) the best place i could order mine from was electronics boutique oddly enough in the States. It is one of the few sites that appeared to even deliver to the UK/Europe region (which suprised me greatly).

I must admit in my desire to just get the game i didnt concentrate on finding a supplier here in the UK (although i did try). Macsoft's UK Distributor was just plain awful both in website layout and the poor technical and sales help i queried was just dire, i wont even bother to put the link up... it's that bad trust me. Anyway if you can handle the shipping costs it will average out to about $84.95. ALot, but i REALLY want the game!

As i await my copy of the game to be delivered i have been scouring the internet for first accounts of the game and anything problems. This information was reported on the current (and only) Mac CTP is here thread on the excellent apolyton forum by Carch:

1) Can't load multiplayer saved games (ouch)

2) Keyboard configuration doesn't work properly (function keys don't work at all).

3) This may be a cross-platform bug, but sometimes buying trade goods will cause your caravan count to go NEGATIVE. Thereafter, trade is impossible (double ouch). And the disappointment:

4) Where is the PBEM option?!?!?!

If you have any similar or different problems be sure to get in touch with Macsoft Tech Support asap.

I have also observed the conclusion of a problem realting to VRAM on a Powercenter Mac resolved on the newsgroup:

comp.sys.mac.games.strategic

"Here's the problem..." Wrote Phil. "Your PowerCenter's built-in video doesn't have enough VRAM to handle the Intro Movie. I believe the CTP box specifies that you need a video card with at least 2 MB of VRAM, and those old PowerCenter machines (I think) only have 1 MB."

>> I saw a reply on that same newsgroup indicating that VRAM requirements were not specified on the box itself... guess i will find out soon enough :)

If Call to Power presents a DrawSprocket error when switching resolutions to play the Intro movie, here's something that may help. If the game has created a document called "userprofile.txt" (in the "Civilization-Call to Power:ctp_program:ctp" folder), try modifying the file with a program capable of editing DOS text files (such as Bare Bones' BBEdit). Find the following line HiResMovies=Yes and change it to HiResMovies=No Save the file, quit your text editor, and re-launch Call to Power. If Call to Power presents a DrawSprocket error after a Wonder has been built but before the Wonder movie is played, open the "Graphics" window in the "Options" screen, and make sure that "Full Screen Movies" are set to "16-bit".

Reported CTP Game problems... Conflict Catcher?

There was an unconfirmed report that Conflict Catcher was causing problems for CTP. However it appears that it is not the case as other people have indicated that they're systems have been running without fault.. I'll keep you posted if i hear anything.

Patch to bring Mac in line with PC promised

Phil Sulak, of Westlake Interactive, posted about the non-existing PBEM feature:

"We had to drop Play By E-Mail in the first version mainly because of the way it was implemented on the PC. The Activision guys make heavy use of the fact that Windows can have filenames as long as 255 characters; when you use PBEM it saves a file with a name length of 200 characters or more. As everyone knows the Mac is limited to 31 character filenames. This isn't the only problem with PBEM, but it's one of the big ones. We're hoping to have PBEM back in the game for the first patch, although we may have to limit this feature to being Mac to Mac only".

The only place to monitor the release of the patch is at Macsoft and in the tech support page there was this release of information:

"Civilization II Call to Power can be played in multiplayer mode against PC players of Civilization II - as long as the PC version is the original and has not been modified or patched. When there is a patch available so that the Mac version is the same as the patched PC version, it will be posted here".