Welcome to the Beyond the Sword Game of the Month for October.

Scope of the Game:

• Civilization: Inca - Unique Unit: Quechua (replaces Warrior),
• Unique Building: Terrace (replaces Granary)
• Leader: Huayna Capac
• Difficulty: Emperor
• Map size: Standard
• Map Script: Continents
• Starting Era: Ancient
• Speed: Epic
• Options: No goody huts, No random events
• Rivals: 6
• Victory conditions: All enabled
• World wrap Cylindrical
• Schedule: Submissions due by December 15, 2025
  PLEASE NOTE THE DATE

Please note that the HOF mod is compulsory. See Software Versions for details.

Windows Players: If you have NOT installed Beyond the Sword version 3.13 or 3.17 then you either need to do so, or you need to replace the CvGameCoreDLL.dll files in your Civ4 and Warlords \Assets\ folders to emulate this installation. Download the replacement files here.

C-IV Botm CCXCVIII: Inca

Welcome to the 20th anniversary game! Yes, Civ4 was first released exactly 20 years ago today! For this anniversary game, you're getting taken back down memory lane to one of our very early games. Yes, you're playing on the same map that people played for what was actually one of my favourite games from a long time ago - with a couple of tweaks). ADDITIONAL RULES: If you can remember that far back and you recognise the game, then good for you! See if you can get a better result this time ;) But we are trusting that you will not seek out any additional information about the map. The relevant forum threads are hidden for the duration of this competition.

New Players

If you have not played a Civ4 GOTM before then please visit the Introduction Page to ensure you are familiar with the rules and requirements of the competition.

Software Versions

Windows players require version 3.19 of Civilization IV BtS, as well as Hof Mod version BUFFY-3.19.005, available here.

Mac players will require version 3.19 of Civilization IV BtS, plus HoF Mod version MacBUFFY-3.19.003, available here.

Entries played under any other patch, or not using the Hof Mod will not be accepted!

There is a post here detailing the game-play differences between vanilla, Warlords and BtS. Thanks go to psparky for compiling it.

All Spoilers Prohibited

Do not post any messages or questions about this game in any forum until after about November 5, 2025 when we open the first spoiler thread. Please do not discuss any aspect of this game prior to that date, and then only post in the official spoiler threads. Once you have opened the start file, you MAY NOT post in the pre-game discussion or game release threads!

As always, have fun playing the GOTM and we hope you join us in the postgame discussions!

Downloads

You will have your choice of Playing this Gotm in one of three skill levels that most closely matches your current abilities - Adventurer Class, Contender Class, or Challenger Class.

If you have never played a GOTM before, you may be confused as to what these classes are. To ensure that you select the correct class, please read THIS thread before you download the start file.

Adventurer Class Game Details for BtS BOTM 298

Players who choose to play in the Adventurer class game will receive a set of bonuses designed to help them focus on key early strategic decisions that may help them to get more enjoyment out of the specific conditions of this game. The bonuses ARE NOT designed to guarantee you a win without requiring some good early decisions to be made and without asking you to manage your Civilization properly.

Players who might be interested in playing the Adventurer class game could be those players who might only feel comfortable playing at Warlord or Noble difficulty.

For the purposes of global ranking and comparison to all other GOTM scores, the Adventurer class games scores in the GOTM results will be weighted downward with an 85% multiplier to factor out the value of the additional starting bonuses.

Also, adventurers are not eligible for Gold/Silver, Bronze Medals or Fastest Finish Awards.

Adventurer Class Starting Bonuses:

Adventurer class players will begin the game with following unit and game feature bonuses:

Click on the image below to download the Adventurer class start save file.

PC File

Contender Class Game Details for BtS BOTM 298

Players who choose to play in the Contender Class game receive no bonuses compared to a game that would be normally be played on this level.

For the purposes of global ranking and comparison to all other GOTM scores, Contender class game scores will be unmodified.

Contender Class Starting Bonuses:

• None.

Click on the image below to download the Contender class start save file.

PC File

Challenger Class Game Details for BtS BOTM 298

Players who choose to play in the Challenger class game must overcome an extra set of obstacles built into their game to provide an extra level of challenge.

Players who might be interested in playing the Challenger class game could be those players who find the difficulty level in the given month a bit low for their tastes, or players who just want an extra level of excitement or challenge.

For the purposes of global ranking and comparison to all other GOTM scores, the Challenger class game scores in the GOTM results do not receive any compensating scoring bonus for the added elements of challenge - its purely for fun (or for bragging rights!)

Challenger Class Equalizing Obstacles:

Click on the image below to download the Challenger class start save file.

PC File