I'm rather new to this. Have downloaded a few custom maps, plus the tenders. The ones I've tried are all rather unstable.
Which maps have a reputation for actually working and not crashing?
Stability
So, you're saying an older map will crash because newer maps are more complex (?) and that a more complex map is less likely to crash(??). I'm sorry, but this makes no sense to me whatsoever.Warll wrote:..many older maps will crash due to advances in mapping complexity found in newer maps...
OK, I've asked myself and I've told myself that I have an AMD 2800+ chip and 1GB of RAM. It runs SMR with the newest patch without crashing the built-in maps. It's only the custom maps that I have trouble with.BadKharma wrote:The other problem you need to ask yourself is.........how fast is your computer and how much RAM do you have? SMR is a resource hog and cause any map to eventualy crash depending on your system specs.
So to repeat my original question; which, if any, custom maps have a reputation for being more stable? The answer to that question really doesn't depend on the specs of my system.
The complexity of new maps comes where their more extensive editing on the XMLs. In some cases this editing will create problems for the older simpler XMLed maps.Dino53 wrote: So, you're saying an older map will crash because newer maps are more complex (?) and that a more complex map is less likely to crash(??). I'm sorry, but this makes no sense to me whatsoever.
The only way extensive editing of newer maps can damage older maps is if you change the GLOBALS or mess with the FPK folder data, neither of which is done using the installers. If you want an existing item to be different, you do it in your maps XMLs or you create your own item. 'Taconite' from Chicago to the Rockies will still be 'Taconite' 3 years from now, and will work in every map created that uses it. I too am missing the sense in your statement.....Warll wrote:The complexity of new maps comes where their more extensive editing on the XMLs. In some cases this editing will create problems for the older simpler XMLed maps.Dino53 wrote: So, you're saying an older map will crash because newer maps are more complex (?) and that a more complex map is less likely to crash(??). I'm sorry, but this makes no sense to me whatsoever.
I'm correct 97% of the time..... who cares about the other 4%....
Well, thanks for sorting out the logic on that tangential point.
Now, for the third time, can I get a straight answer to my main question? Can anyone name any custom maps that are generally regarded as being more stable than others? You don't in fact need to know anything about my computer to answer that.
If you simply don't know, or are coy about naming a map for fear of offending other authors, then say so. If there are no stable maps, then that's fine too, I'll stop expecting them to work. Just looking for your recommendation that's all.
- D
oh yeah, if you must know, I have XP (SP2) and would not touch Vista with a barge pole (not yet anyway).
Now, for the third time, can I get a straight answer to my main question? Can anyone name any custom maps that are generally regarded as being more stable than others? You don't in fact need to know anything about my computer to answer that.
If you simply don't know, or are coy about naming a map for fear of offending other authors, then say so. If there are no stable maps, then that's fine too, I'll stop expecting them to work. Just looking for your recommendation that's all.
- D
oh yeah, if you must know, I have XP (SP2) and would not touch Vista with a barge pole (not yet anyway).
OK, let me explain a bit about this game......it's NOT stable. There was, and probally is, still a problem with one of the original maps (Mesa Madness I think). I don't think anyone has ever taken offense to anyones remarks about any maps. And I have to question you on two things, Are you using the Installers and which maps are you having problems with?
As to your system, yes, certain system builds are not liked by this game.
Some people have found that they must turn off Clouds. In Options, Graphics, my settings are:
Anti-Aliasing: 2X
Texture Quality: Low
Tree Density: Low
Shader Quality: Off
Shader Quality: Low
Most people have Auto Save off as it causes a load of problems. Many have some of the Newspaper alerts off as it can cause problems. The whole thing was written on GeForce graphics cards, and so ATI (AMD) was found to have problems. While your 1Gb may be good, I have 3Gb and the game still sucks up 750Mb of memory and 500Mb of virtual memory, even with my virtual shut down to 4Mb or up to 1Gb. Some people have posted oddities while others stare in disbelief as they've never seen such things. My brother was playing it on a Dall 2.4Gb with 256Mb of memory and the originals ran so slow he was reading a magizine while waiting for the graphics to catch up. A computer with spyware anf viruses has a heck of a time with it, and some must even turn off the programs that are running in the background to prevent such things.
If you loaded maps using the original uploads, you may have problems with them. Even some loaded using the Installers may have a bit of a problem, or run fine, but cause a problem with other maps.
I've probally missed a few things, but this game is only about 8 monthes old, and it's mother seems to have deserted it. This forum is about the same age, and has adapted it. The GLOBALS, which seem to have given it a new life, are only about 5 monthes old. The creation of maps by users is all experimentation, trial and error. A couple of large maps were even given siblings so they would work on lesser systems.
A lot of work has been done on this game, and alot has yet to be done. If you have a problem with a certain map, post it here and someone will try to work out a solution. Right now you may have a problem getting answers as some members have a case of the summer flu which drives them away from their compters, but we'll see what we can do to help you.
A request like yours was made elsewhere, and I'm working on which maps are needed to run which maps, and what tweeks may need to be made, so I should get a list of which maps use the original XMLs. This is a long and tedius task, so please be patient.
If others can give the names of any simple maps, please do.
As to your system, yes, certain system builds are not liked by this game.
Some people have found that they must turn off Clouds. In Options, Graphics, my settings are:
Anti-Aliasing: 2X
Texture Quality: Low
Tree Density: Low
Shader Quality: Off
Shader Quality: Low
Most people have Auto Save off as it causes a load of problems. Many have some of the Newspaper alerts off as it can cause problems. The whole thing was written on GeForce graphics cards, and so ATI (AMD) was found to have problems. While your 1Gb may be good, I have 3Gb and the game still sucks up 750Mb of memory and 500Mb of virtual memory, even with my virtual shut down to 4Mb or up to 1Gb. Some people have posted oddities while others stare in disbelief as they've never seen such things. My brother was playing it on a Dall 2.4Gb with 256Mb of memory and the originals ran so slow he was reading a magizine while waiting for the graphics to catch up. A computer with spyware anf viruses has a heck of a time with it, and some must even turn off the programs that are running in the background to prevent such things.
If you loaded maps using the original uploads, you may have problems with them. Even some loaded using the Installers may have a bit of a problem, or run fine, but cause a problem with other maps.
I've probally missed a few things, but this game is only about 8 monthes old, and it's mother seems to have deserted it. This forum is about the same age, and has adapted it. The GLOBALS, which seem to have given it a new life, are only about 5 monthes old. The creation of maps by users is all experimentation, trial and error. A couple of large maps were even given siblings so they would work on lesser systems.
A lot of work has been done on this game, and alot has yet to be done. If you have a problem with a certain map, post it here and someone will try to work out a solution. Right now you may have a problem getting answers as some members have a case of the summer flu which drives them away from their compters, but we'll see what we can do to help you.
A request like yours was made elsewhere, and I'm working on which maps are needed to run which maps, and what tweeks may need to be made, so I should get a list of which maps use the original XMLs. This is a long and tedius task, so please be patient.
If others can give the names of any simple maps, please do.
I'm correct 97% of the time..... who cares about the other 4%....
Well, Dino, if you really would like stable play, there is an easy solution that has always worked in the past: Uninstall the SMR game and make a fresh install, making sure that you have first removed all user-supplied content. Then download a single user map, unzip it and copy the map folder into the official Sid Meier's Railroads!/UserMaps directory (for obvious reasons, I personally have tested the current versions of Utah, Arizona, Liverpool, but other older maps such as Italia should also work) and play that map. Occasional crashes may happen, but only when you overload the game engine with too much information at crucial moments, so save every few years. Once you have finished playing this user map, delete it and download another one.
Now, many people like to have many user maps available at the same time and switch and choose between them every day, fine, if that describes you, then the above solution is not for you. But if you really want to concentrate on playing a given map successfully, this is the way to go.
Now, many people like to have many user maps available at the same time and switch and choose between them every day, fine, if that describes you, then the above solution is not for you. But if you really want to concentrate on playing a given map successfully, this is the way to go.
Karsten - this is fine, ONLY if the map has no special content. If it does then it is a matter of installing needed data where it's needed. For this he would need a list of maps that can be played that do not have special content. If you have such a list, post it here as that is just what he is looking for.
I'm correct 97% of the time..... who cares about the other 4%....
Snoopy, I agree, that is why I did not mention Scrooge, which argueably has "special" content - in fact, as soon as I have some time, I will remove that special Firaxis content from Scrooge and repost the map.
Utah, Arizona and Liverpool have very limited own content, which is included in the zip file anyway, no problems there, especially if map folder is deleted later.
Anyway, kudos to you and the others who are trying to achieve a straight install for a harmonious set of playable maps - it is a devilishly difficult task! Cheers
Utah, Arizona and Liverpool have very limited own content, which is included in the zip file anyway, no problems there, especially if map folder is deleted later.
Anyway, kudos to you and the others who are trying to achieve a straight install for a harmonious set of playable maps - it is a devilishly difficult task! Cheers