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Age of Kings ~ Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions


This section answers questions that are commonly asked by Agers.  If you're not sure on something this is the place to check.

 

Table of Contents

[ 1 ] Game Features

[ 2 ] Technical Issues

[ 3 ] Game Issues

 

 

1.1   How do I take a screenshot?

If playing Age of Empires or Rise of Rome, press the Control and F12 keys simultaneously.  You should see a short pause in gameplay.  If playing Age of Kings simply press the Print Screen key and you will hear a beep.

1.1.1   How do I edit screenshots?

After you exit the game, you can view or edit your screenshots by opening up your Age of Empires or Age of Kings directory and clicking on the shot you want.  The shots' filenames are always "AoE000x.bmp" where "x" is the number of the shot taken.

1.2   How do I install taunts?

If you downloaded taunts they're probably contained in a zip file.  Simply extract the full contents of the zip to your \Sounds folder if playing Age of Empires or \Taunts if playing Age of Kings.

1.2.1   How do I use taunts?

Taunts can be activated in the pre-game chat or during the game by typing in the number of the taunt.  For example if you wanted to use taunt one, type "1" in the chat box.

1.2.2   Does the other person have to have the taunts?

The other people must have the taunts if they are to hear them.  All players have 1-25 but if you use taunts above those, the other player must have them.

1.2.3   How do I mute taunts?

In order to squelch those newbies whom use taunts excessively, type "!mute" in the chat box.  This will block all taunt sounds.  To undo this, type "!nomute".

1.3   How do I record a game?

The host of the game is the only one whom can record a game.  In the pre-game settings the host can put a check in "record game" and the rest is done automatically.

1.3.1   How do I watch a recording?

To watch a recorded game first place the game in your "Age of Kings\Saved games" folder.  Next run the game, click on single-player, saved games, and pick from the list the game you wish to watch.

1.3.2   Is the recording placed on every player's hard drive?

Yes, when the recording option is on, each player in the game will have the recording in his/her saved games folder after the game.  It is not just the host who gets the game.

1.3.3   Does recording slow games down?

No, not noticeably though.  It might make a marginal difference but gameplay should be as smooth and fast as it normally would be without recording.  Don't let people use the excuse "I won't record because it causes lag".

1.3.4   Why do some recordings say "wrong exe version"?

If you come across a game which says "wrong exe or dll version" when you attempt to watch it, the reason for this is that it was recorded by someone whom used the CD crack.  People with the full version cannot watch these games unless they also install the crack.

1.3.5   What if someone drops from the game?

It depends on whether they drop or resign early.  If they are dropped/disconnected their copy of the recording probably won't load.  If the player resigns early the recording will be up to the point at which they resign, therefore they don't get to see what happens after they leave.

1.4   How do I install scenarios or campaigns?

Scenarios and campaigns are usually downloaded in zip form, so extract the contents to your \Scenario or \Campaign folders.  Next run the game and select Scenario or Campaign and select the one you want from the list.

1.4.1   Why does my system run slow when playing scenarios?

Some scenario authors place a lot of units on the map for big battles or other purposes.  If you play a scenario like this your computer has to load each unit.  If gameplay is unbearable at the beginning it won't get much better.

1.4.2   Why do some scenarios boot me back to the desktop?

This usually means the scenario or campaign file is corrupt and won't work properly.  

1.5   How do I use cheat codes?

Press enter to bring up the chat box and enter in the cheat.  In multiplayer games you can only use cheats if the hosts turns them on, which is rare.

1.5.1   Are cheats case sensitive when I enter them in?

Cheats are not case sensitive.  For example, entering "marco" is the same as "MARCO".  Both occurrences would work.

 

 

2.1   What are the basic system requirements for the Age games?

It is recommended that you have at least a 166 MHz processor.  It will run on less but performance will be poor.

2.1.1   How much RAM is recommended?

32MB is recommended and 64 or 128 is even better.  The game will run with 16MB of RAM but performance will be poor.

2.1.2   What processor is recommended?

At least a 166MHz processor is recommended.  Pentiums, AMD, Cyrix, and any others are supported.

2.1.3   How much hard drive space should I have?

Have about 50MB set aside for the game.  Your Age of Empires and Age of Kings folders will grow as you add more scenarios, campaigns, recorded games, etc..  

2.2   How fast should my internet connection be to play on the Zone?

A 14.4 modem is the bare minimum.  A 56k connection is recommended to have decent ping times.  Cable, DSL, and T1 lines will result in very low pings.

2.3   What is lag?

Lag or latency is the discrepancy between your connection and the other players in the game.  Every game played on the internet has lag and every player experiences at least some of it.   

2.3.1   Are the bars beside my Zone name associated with lag?

Yes, the bars are an indicator of how fast your's and every other player's connection is.   

2.3.2   What do the different bar colors mean?

The different colors represent your latency.  A player with green bars has a fast connection and low ping.  One with yellow bars has a decent connection and red bars means a bad ping.  You'll often see games labeled "Green only" and this is to filter out players with slow connections.

2.3.3   If I lag, do the other players get ahead of me?

No, the other players experience the lag as well.  If your units can't move that means they probably can't move their's either.

2.4   What is ping?

Many players will ask for their pings in games.  The "ping" is the time it takes your computer to communicate with the host computer or server.  It is measured in milliseconds and anything under 400 is considered to play smoothly.

2.5   When I load the game, why does it boot me back to the desktop?

This could be a variety of things.  It usually is connected with your video drivers or Direct-X drivers.  Check out the readme file included on the CD and see if your particular card has errors playing the game.   

2.5.1   Where can I get video card and Direct-X drivers?

Check your video card manufacturer's site and you can find the latest version of Direct-X on Fileplanet, www.fileplanet.com .

2.6   Is the trial version compatible with the full in multiplayer?

No, someone with the trial version cannot play someone with the full version.  There is a room on the Zone where people with the trial version can meet and play.

2.7   I'm afraid of copying my Age of Kings CD, can I copy it?

Microsoft really cracked down on CD copying with Age of Kings.  They have branded the CD with anti-pirating precautions.  A copied CD of Age of Kings will give you a "wrong language .dll" error and will not install the game.

2.8   Do I need a 3D card to play the Age games?

The games are not 3D and don't require a 3D card.  It is recommended you have one to improve game performance.

2.9   Are there multi-lingual versions of the game available?

The game is shipped around the world and language specific games are made in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and many more versions.

 

 

3.1   What is the best civ?

Once again, there is NO best civ.  If there was a best civ there wouldn't be a point for the others because everyone would play that one best civ.  Each civ is designed with unique bonuses.

3.1.1   Are there raider civs in Age of Kings?

Raider civs were only an idea proposed for Age of Kings in its beta form.  In the full version, there are no raider civs.

3.1.2   Are the rumors about a cheat civ true?

There is no secret civ.

3.2   Why does the computer resign so early?

The early resign issue with Age of Kings AI was a bug and has been fixed by a patch.  You can find the patch in our patches section.

3.3   How can I beat the computer?

The computer is quite easy to beat after you watch and play against it a few times.  You will find that it follows the same steps each game.  It usually sends a pack of militia or man-at-arms to attack you very early.  Fend this off, get to castle or imperial, and you should win.

3.4   How many villagers should I make in the dark age?

It really depends on what you are going to do.  If rushing you should make less villagers, 20-25 depending on the rush.  Most players make around 30.

3.5   What is a good castle time?

Again, this varies.  It depends if you are making an early castle attack or preparing to boom to imperial.  Most players get in the 18-20 minute range.

3.5.1   Should I get any upgrades before castle?

There's one upgrade you should always get before castle and that's the loom.  In fact, get it early in dark before you send your villagers too far out.  Some players will wheelbarrow in feudal and then castle, others do not.  A majority of players will get the economy upgrades while castling, such as gold mining, wood cutting, and the farm upgrade.

3.6   Should I build outposts?

No, they are a waste of stone and can't fire at the enemy.  

3.7   What are counter units?

Counter units are spearmen/pikemen, which take out mounted units, and skirmishers/elite skirmishers, which take out archers.  They are very cheap and are usually produced in large groups.  Know when to use them or you will lose.

3.8   Why does spies cost 50,000 gold?

The cost of the spies technology is dependant upon how many enemy units exist.  This prevents you from getting spies too early in the game.  Spies is usually used to find the enemy's remaining villagers or buildings.

3.8.1   Do my opponents know I got spies?

Yes, they will be given the message "Your empire has been intruded by spies". 

3.8.2   Is there a spy unit I can make?

There is not a spy unit you can make.  Spies is only a technology gotten at the castle.  Once you click on it you can see everything your enemy can.  There is not research time.

3.9   Does a castle count for two castle age buildings?

Yes, if you build a castle and have enough resources, you can imperial.  For example, building a castle is the same as building a monastery and siege workshop to meet the requirement of two castle age buildings to imperial.

3.9.1   How much does a castle add to my population count?

The castle adds twenty to your population count, giving you room to build twenty more villagers or units.

4.0   Why do castles and towncenters not fire sometimes?

Many players forget to get the murder holes technology in the university.  Without this, any type of unit could hack away as long as it wanted to at the base of the castle and not be touched.

4.1   Why are the Teutons considered banned on the Zone?

The Teutons are banned for one reason, that being their faster firing and longer ranged TCs.  The smart player will build these TCs in unison with each other so their fire can take down any units challenging them.  The Teuton TC prevents early rushes and the longer the game goes the more of the map they control.  I suggest labeling your games "no teutons".

4.2   Should I use trade carts or cogs?

Don't use trade cogs because they're easily dismissed by enemy ships.  Carts however, are useful much later in the game when all of the gold is mined.

4.3   Why do the market prices change over the course of the game?

The more the market is used the more expensive it is to use it.  If one player sells wood heavily it will drive the amount of gold you get in return down.

 

 



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