Political "flaws"

Dunno if the following is a bug or if i screwed up things so that this happens, but heregoes anyway --

The starting conditions for all Major Races show that they're all a *defaulted* Federal party! On the selection reference screen only though. Once a game starts, they pick (it seems, at random) one from the "temporary" mod dir i've created to develop the CSH (Compendium of SuperHeroes) and the X-Worlds (X-Com/TfTd/Apocalypse, etc) MODS.
Nevermind my memory, if i could recall when this started to happen.

This is on DL. As i will update my setup to DA sometimes today (since i've got the D/L confirmation eMail this morning... Yeah!), it makes me wonder if the Political status flaws will carry on forever.

I've looked in some consecutive debug.err(s) files for hints about the process or strange entries, but i don't have a clue what could cause the above.

Any help or thorough explanation(s) would be greatly appreciated. I just want the MODS to be stable enough and do exactly what they should. Although, this has more to do with me grasping the whole scope of gameplay variables by going through games and inspecting the xml structures, functions and so on.

Thanks.

- Zyxpsilon.
2,864 views 5 replies
Reply #1 Top
The D/L of DA expansion went real smooth and the installation seem to be flawless.
After "playing" a test game with a swift custom race, further below is the debug.err file that got recorded... if anyone from SD-staff notices something odd or obvious, just let me know.

Some preambule-comments;

-A- Felt a little slower (painstakingly weird might be a better word) than DA, and i had to adjust most textures settings (again!). But that's quite alright, i don't mind. Options are there, so i should make good use of the functions to adapt my **very** low-end PC to such modern games.
-B- It looks like a few terrains files (incl. Heightmaps) might be missing or were uninstalled (Actually, they all ARE in the DL directory) . I got the newest version last week for DL (Stated by SD central as being for both versions) , if i must or should re-install those on a fresh DA directory, just tell me.
-C- Can my previous "races-config" be automatically converted to DA or will i have to re-create an all new set of custom races designed within the new loader? Again, don't mind the work (lucky me, i waited a bit to expand from about 5 complete races to MUCH-MUCH more )... but i thought you'd have given people some sort of utilities or tools to ease transfers or coordinated (as in proper synchro) Modding stuffs.
-D- The nVidia driver may be a tiny old... but if i remember well, i've tried before to install some latest version from them and it borked up my system in places. I swore then not to fool around anymore with those. But, i may have to.
-E- Forget the very old C-Media sound driver. A new one has been nowhere to be found. Well maybe i blew it up, sometime in the past. I'll check the settings, just to figure if the in-game tiny delays stop. I'm almost sure that has to do with the CPU though.

That's about it.

So, here's the debug;
**************************************
Debug Message: Version v1.80e Dark Avatar last updated on: Thu Nov 8 10:48:23 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 11/19/2007, 22:16:37
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: ZYXPSILON
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: French (Regional Setting: French)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
System Model: MS-6528
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1500MHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 393MB used, 1366MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4000
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 MX 4000
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0185&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_C1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Samsung SyncMaster 750ST(T)
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7776
Driver Date: 7/16/2005 17:09:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_13F6&DEV_0111&SUBSYS_52801462&REV_10
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: cmaudio.sys
Provider: C-Media
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0643
Driver Date: 11/18/2002 15:51:40
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Failed to find a device that can start with hardware vp mode. Trying sw vp.
Debug Message: Using software vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1280 x 1024, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 1
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4000
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Event Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: Unable to read file.
Debug Message: Unable to read file.
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: No files found matching mask F:\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask F:\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_Avalible_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Message: WARNING: GetShipStylePrefix called for civ and civ has no ship style
Debug Message: LoadHardpointsFromPrefsFile failed to load ship config file: ./Data/ShipCfg/\(null)_ColonyShip.shipcfg
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Star Frequency: 2 Max Num Stars: 26
Debug Message: Planet Frequency: 3 Max Num Planets: 83
Debug Message: Galaxy Size Set: 4 x 4
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Star Density: Loose clusters.
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 0.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Total planets placed: 65
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 35
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Krynn Consulate: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Altarian Resistance: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Korath Clan: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Zyxon: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Creating ships...
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 3
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: EconomicWnd: Cannot find OBJID Template_Button_Back
Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Resistance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Korath Clan Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: WARNING: CloneFrames failed
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Destroying ship Krynn Consulate Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: CampaignVictoryWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_Status_Title
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Slider
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Scale
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Title
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Value
Debug Message: Destroying ship Zyxon Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: WARNING: CloneFrames failed
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: WARNING: CloneFrames failed
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Krynn Consulate Flagship at position 2350.000000,3250.000000 rotation 3.926991
Debug Message: First contact: Krynn Consulate Flagship at position 2350.000000,3250.000000 rotation 3.926991
Debug Message: First contact: Krynn Consulate Flagship at position 2350.000000,3250.000000 rotation 3.926991
Debug Message: First contact: Krynn Consulate Flagship at position 2350.000000,3250.000000 rotation 3.926991
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog 0a
Debug Message: ForeignStats: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Stats_Race_Button_11
Debug Message: ForeignStats: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Stats_Race_Image_11
Debug Message: ForeignStats: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Stats_Race_Button_12
Debug Message: ForeignStats: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Stats_Race_Image_12
Debug Message: ForeignStats: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Stats_Race_Button_13
Debug Message: ForeignStats: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Stats_Race_Image_13
Debug Message: ForeignReportWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Report_Race_Button_11
Debug Message: ForeignReportWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Report_Race_Image_11
Debug Message: ForeignReportWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Report_Race_Button_12
Debug Message: ForeignReportWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Report_Race_Image_12
Debug Message: ForeignReportWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Report_Race_Button_13
Debug Message: ForeignReportWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Report_Race_Image_13
Debug Error: ForeignTreatiesWnd: Unknown edit field Foreign_Treaties_Lines_Window type: DrawingWindow
Debug Message: ForeignUnitedPlanetsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_UP_Race_Button_11
Debug Message: ForeignUnitedPlanetsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_UP_Race_Image_11
Debug Message: ForeignUnitedPlanetsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_UP_Race_Button_12
Debug Message: ForeignUnitedPlanetsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_UP_Race_Image_12
Debug Message: ForeignUnitedPlanetsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_UP_Race_Button_13
Debug Message: ForeignUnitedPlanetsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_UP_Race_Image_13
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Altarian Resistance Flagship at position 2950.000000,3350.000000 rotation 2.356194
Debug Message: First contact: Altarian Resistance Flagship at position 2950.000000,3350.000000 rotation 2.356194
Debug Message: First contact: Altarian Resistance Flagship at position 2950.000000,3350.000000 rotation 2.356194
Debug Message: DomesticEspionageWnd: Cannot find OBJID Espionage_Slider_Title
Debug Message: DomesticTradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID DTrade_TradeMiniMap_Title
Debug Message: DomesticTradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID DTrade_Button_Back
Debug Message: WARNING: CloneFrames failed
Debug Error: CShipGraphic::RenderTandL FAILED: No effect loaded
Debug Message: WARNING: CloneFrames failed
Debug Message: WARNING: CloneFrames failed
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\CustomMaps\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\Client\Mes documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Testing.tmp
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 4
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Number of ships: 12, Number of Fleets: 0
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 18 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
***********************************************

As you could read, there's many 'no files found' references. Could you explain or adress these issues or, even give some instructions on how to figure the possible flaws?
Yup, i guess that sums it up.
Please. And thank you all at SD for a quick service.

- Zyxpsilon.
Reply #2 Top

I just want the MODS to be stable enough and do exactly what they should
End of quote

Well, should be aware that the AI is playing the same game than you. That means if you can choose a political party from the mod you have enabled, it can do the same

Do you know that you can customize your opponents in DA?

Reply #3 Top
The starting conditions for all Major Races show that they're all a *defaulted* Federal party! On the selection reference screen only though.
End of quote


Federal is selected in that screen just because it's the first one in the list--the AI's don't actually have any specific party defined (and you can't define one anyway for them in DL), and they'll pick their own.

In DA, uncustomized races will still pick their own parties, but if you do customize them, whatever party you pick for them should override the AI's option to choose.
Reply #4 Top
As you could read, there's many 'no files found' references.
End of quote


They're normal. The game looks for optional files in various places, and reports if it didn't find any.
Reply #5 Top
Peace Phoenix,

- Yes, i gathered that much about customizable opponents and will actively use the option if & when necessary.

Kryo,

- That explains many things; Parties remain "undefined" via any external **config.xml file for each majors and, DA could stick to an optional/pre-defined one if i choose to. I should explore more to grasp the entire gameplay scope (huge amount of variables, i'd say!) before asking 'silly' questions.

- It's reassuring to know that the debug list above is -somehow- normal. At first, i feared some corrupt install. Messages from setup are to be expected and i shouldn't worry too much about a few lines warning about optional files!

Thanks, to both of you.