AOESpeed
From GenieWiki
AOESpeed Author: Unknown Released: 24 May, 2002 (See application's properties) Use: Changes game speed Download from: http://aoe.heavengames.com/dl-php/showfile.php?fileid=25 Review score: 5.0 File Size: *Compressed (zipped) 146 KB *Application size: 288 KB
AOESpeed (commonly known as the speed editor) is a utility program for Age of Empires and Rise of Rome which allows the game speed to be edited. The default speed can be set much faster or slower than the normal setting. The author of the program is not known, and the only information available from the original file is its description: Very useful utility that allows you to change the game speed of AoE and RoR beyond normal. Useful for testing scenarios or just for a laugh. N.B. Set the speed before launching the game. (See 'Speed Editor') at the old granary utility section [1]
The file was uploaded by AoEH Seraph Phill Phree when the new HG downloads system was implemented at the site. Since the file has no documentation it is impossible to trace its author. The program changes the game's speed through editing the registry files.
Contents |
Interface
AOESpeed has a very simple and intuitive interface that allows the player to change the game's speed from any value between 0 and 255, the hexadecimal limit. It also includes the settings Very Slow (4), Slow (8), Normal (10), Fast (15), Very Fast (20) and the humorous Java Junkie (255, the maximum speed). It is also possible to set the speed to 0, where the game literally is frozen at the beginning of play. Once the user has set the speed they wish to use they can then select 'Okay' to change the speed and exit the program, or 'Cancel' to exit without changes. To set the speed back to normal the player must open the application and reset it to the desired game speed.
Use
The program can be run as soon as it is extracted from the zip file. It is mainly used for testing purposes, whether playing quicker or simply watching things unfold. This is not limited to scenario design - it can also be used in testing an AI. Besides testing, the speed editor is also useful for increasing or decreasing the difficulty of the game by speeding up or slowing down gameplay. For example a player may wish to test themselves by playing a defending scenario on a higher speed than the game normally allows. If the player finds the game's default speed too slow or fast they can also change it to their preferred setting. The program can also be used simply for the novelty of watching units moving extremely fast.
Because the game runs much faster, this can save designers a great deal of time. It may also allow them to test things that would otherwise take too long, or allow for the running of more tests to get more accurate results.
When the game speed is set very high (around 80-100+ approximately) some designers have commented that strange things begin to happen, and therefore tests may no longer be accurate. However, this is not a bug in the program itself, but is more likely because the game engine was not designed to run on such speeds.
The program cannot change the game speed whilst the game is running - the player must exit and restart AoE for the changes to take place.
Reception
The program was received well, scoring a 5.0 from BBalazs. Phill Phree described the program: If you are a designer you need this. Speed up the game to quickly see if you’re AI and PER files are working as they should. An invaluable time saver when play testing.
The review commented positively on the concept, simple but effective interface and its lack of bugs. The only criticism was the absence of any documentation.
External links
- Speed Editor - Download from Age of Empires Heaven.
