COTA - Game running to fast

[Messervy]

Hi,

After several atempts to download the patch I finaly gave up.

Download starts and then freezes at around 40 percent.

I tried the official site and "Games On Net" but it seems that the last one only links it back to official site.

Any Suggestion?

I'll use this oportunity to ask another question.

I had played HTTR and simply loved it, but this COTA seems to be running at the insanely fast pace, even when gameplay speed is set to normal.

There simply is no option to run the game in real time - 1 minute IS 1 minute, not 10 minutes.
I don't know how you guys were able to adapt to this, because for me it's virtualy unplayable.

Is there a config file to change this?


Thanks.

[06 Maestro]

You have a bad installation-what you are describing is not how CotA plays. I would suggest trying a new install(no background security running during install), and if the speed issue continues, then re-download the game.

You should be ale to play at a snails pace if you so choose.

I can't help you with the downloading problem-no idea what would cause that.

[Messervy]

Thanks for the reply Maestro.

I can't imagine how this can be attributed to bad Install. Has anyone else had this sort of problem?

I purchased the game this morning and I also ordered physical shippment. I'll re-download, re-install as you suggested and if that won't solve the problem I'll try the CD when it arrives.

[Messervy]

Update:

Re-installed the game (without Kaspersky Anti Virus)

Updated to the latest patch

Result:

None, Nada, Niente.....it's still running 10 times faster.[&:]

[Arjuna]

Messervy,
 
So the game actually runs but runs fast. Is that so?
 
I must say we have not heard of that one before.
 
What OS are you running?
 
Send me a DX report. For details on how do here: http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1136227
 
 

[Messervy]

I've sent you an E-mail containing dxdiag report.

Yes, the game runs fine, but one minute of gameplay passes in 6-7 seconds.

I run Windows XP SP-3 and on the side note I have two Ati 2900 XT crossfired and disks in Raid O array, but frankly that can't be a culprit.[:(]

[Arjuna]

What speed setting are you running the game - ie slow, normal or fast?

[Messervy]

As far as I can tell there are four options

From left to right :

1. Pause (ll), play (>), fast (>>), very fast (>>>)

I want the bold one to be real time.

BTW did you get my e-mail?

[Arjuna]

Messervy,
 
OK I think I understand you now. Let me explain somthing about the way we manage time in COTA. The game runs in what we call pausable continuous time ( PCT for short ). It is not "real time". The actual speed will vary from scenario to scenario depending primarily on the size of the map ( the larger the map area the slower the game gets due to the amount of time determining routes ), the number of units ( the more units the slower it gets ) and the proximity of units ( the closer everyone is to other units the slower the game, due to line of sight and reaction code ). There is a swag of other minor factors but I won't complicate matters here. Suffice to say that the speed of the actual game play will vary from one scenario to another and from one replay of the same scenario to another, even if the same speed setting is used. We do not slave the processing to a particular time rate.
 
We did it this way so that when nothing is happening much, the game can run as fast as it can. If you find it going to fast, you can choose a slower speed setting or pause.
 
Can I suggest you try running one of the larger scenarios and and you will get a better idea of the difference in speeds.

[Messervy]

Arghhhhh....that's what I was afraid of.

So this has changed from HTTR.

Anyway, thank you for clarification, but i don't think I'll like this.

In this game time is very important aspect, since you can't be omnipresent everywhere.
If you give certain unit a marching order and expect it would take them an hour to get there, this means you have one hour to focus on other areas of the map.
If perception of time changes constantly it only adds to confusion.

Oh well, every now and then an "improvement" is a dissapointment.

P.S.
There is no way to mod this feature out, right?

[06 Maestro]

Messervy

You should consider using the "pause" button as part of the normal routine. I typically use pause 3 or 4 times per 24 hour period (separate from coffee refills and snack time). While the game is running you can easily make small adjustments to your orders, but there are times when many orders need to be issued at once. The practical way to do this is while paused. When you get used to playing like this you can put the game on high speed "run until" mode.

Even in multi-player games using pause is normal. When you are playing the ai, who is going to complain about too much pausing?[:)]

[Arjuna]

Messervy,
 
I just wish to clarify that COTA uses exactly the same system for handling time as HTTR. I suspect you must have a faster machine or you are playing one of the smaller scenarios like Tanks at Platamon, where the unit count is low and the map small and hence play moves along ata brisk pace. As 06 Maestro suggests, I recommend you use the pause button. After all if it's processing at 10 minutes of game time to 1 minute of real time, then there is no loss in realism if you pause for 6 minutes every hour of game time.
 
We have no plans to modify this at present. But it is on our wish list. Here's the tracker database reference.
 
TT1074 - UI - Game Speed - More options - incl realtime

[Messervy]

Thank you both.

I did play HTTR on slightly slower machine, but at the time HTTR came out, it was just as fast.
My rig has two Ati 2900 XT's crossfired, but since graphics isn't a resource hog in this game, I guess it's up to CPU (quad 6700).

Interesting that I have never felt this feature to be annoying in HTTR.

Anyway, thanks again for your help and for including it on a wish list.
Now I'm off for some mental exercise in order to teach myself not to think about time