Savegame naming conventions

[krauter]

In addition to the editing capability, it would be nice to add some real time/date information or consecutive numbers: By playing the same levels several times, overview is getting lost.
Best would be the integration of an explorer-like tool to organize the saves in CIV3, so you can sort by date or name or comment and put them into different folders.

[landshark]

I think Sir Shiva's idea is great, the only thing I would add is that this screen would be accessible via some sort of launch program. This program would allow you to bypass the game startup sequences and go directly to the game. If something like were used, the nameing conventions for the save games would be irrelavent.

[Doo1284]

It would be nice if you could choose to type in some short notes about a save game while saving it. When you are in the loading screen, when you have a game selected, any notes are shown on the right screen, like in MS Office with it's preview document.

[Eagle Scream]

Saved game:
Real Life Date-Civ Abbreviated Name-Game Date

example:
2000-04-12-Russians-1800AD

BTW:sorry for 2 posts (I am unable to delete either one of them).
[This message has been edited by Eagle Scream (edited April 12, 2000).]

[Eagle Scream]

Saved game:
Real Life Date-Civ Abbreviated Name-Game Date

example:
2000-04-12-Russians-1800AD

BTW:thank for asking.

[Earthling7]

I have to say, I was a bit shocked that the load system in Civ2 was worse than in Civ. The problem has been partially fixed in SMAC, but...

I agree with Silva, as long as it doesn't make the savegames too big. Not more than half a meg.

Autosave: I think you should be able to select how far back the game keeps the autosaves. Now it is 2 turns, maybe having the option for a few more turns. What is more important there, however, is that the autosaves show you which year they were saved. Rather than Auto1, Auto2 etc, they would be Auto1900AD, Auto 1901AD etc.

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Greetings,
Earthling7
ICQ: 929768

[robsky]

I'd like to see some extension to the windows filemanger file properties. You know: right-click a file and click on properties.

Some software (like photoshop and microsoft office) adds a new tab to their registered files with information like a thumbnail if it's an image and summery informaiton for office doc's.

I'd like to see some kind of tab like this for saved games (and possibly other files like maps and scenario's). This tab should contain information like a thumbnail of the map, a summary of the last couple of actions and a list of opponents. Basicly the information you get in the CTP load saved game dialog.
[This message has been edited by robsky (edited April 13, 2000).]

[Nemo]

1) have a Save folder (e.g. c:\civ3\save)
2) have saved game subfolders (e.g. c:\civ3\save\game1dir, c:\civ3\save\game2dir, etc.)
3) have option at start screen to load last game saved
4) when you highlight the saved game it should bring up some text info in a box to the side. the info should include the following:
real date it was saved, game date, game level.
optional info:
real time it was saved (mostly to prevent over writitng other saved games), number of civs, ranking status during game, anything else.

Probably no pictures or info that'll make the save file too big though.

[geofelt]

The current system has the virtue tha it is simple. Please preserve a simple default mode.
I have a problem with different games with the same starting leader names eg: CA for Caesar and CA for Canute. Three or at most four starting letters should do it. It would be nice to see all the saves for a game in proper chronological order.
After a while, I get savefile pollution, and it is a pain to delete a zillion saves. How about a display that allows you to click on a box in front of each file to delete?

[SnowFire]

I agree with Thunderfall. Let people name their saves whatever they like, but make a real screen for it with lots of information on the game at hand, like the date it was last saved, the scenario if any, the civilization played, maybe even a thumbnail of the worldmap, etc. You would see this information by clicking on the save, like in HOMM3.

new folder for each game. that is all i have to say about that. well, one more thing, give us more info before we open the game, like leader name ect.

[Hasdrubal]

The SMAC system was very good. Possibly with some extensions, like showing the little map from the top right corner of the in-game screen and extra info.

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Ceterum censeo Romanem esse delendam.

[Urban Ranger]

When you load a save game, the program should highlight the name of the game you have currently loaded. None if your current game is started from scratch.

I think MoO does that. Very nice touch.