C-IV BtS BOTM 302 (China, Deity level)

Game started: 15 Jan 2026, finished: 15 Feb 2026

This game has finished and is awaiting publication of the results. You can no longer submit a competition entry, but you can download any starting save below (click on an icon) to play for fun.

Contender: (The standard save)	Starting save for Windows
Adventurer: (The easier save)	Starting save for Windows

Game info

BtS BOTM 302 starting position - Click for a wider view of the start position

Civilization: China - Unique Unit: Cho-Ko-Nu (replaces Crossbowman),
Unique Building: Pavilion (replaces Theatre)
Leader: Mao Zedong
Difficulty: Deity
Map size: Standard
Map Script: Big & Small
Starting Era: Ancient
Speed: Normal
Options: No barbarians, no goody huts, no random events
Rivals: 7
Victory conditions: All enabled
World wrap Cylindrical
Schedule: Submissions closed on February 15, 2026

Last chance to honor and say goodbye to the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese Zodiac. You will play against asian civilizations in a Deity level showdown. If that sounds frustrating, you will be able to play the adventurer save (not-eligible for medals nor fastet victory awards) at Emperor level. It's a lot funner to win on the Adventurer save than get slapped down in the contenter class... but that's just me. You do YOU.

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

New Players

The Newbies' Guide to Getting Started tells you how to get set up to play GOTMs as well as explaining the competition rules. Please note our no-replaying rule. If you want to enter the competition, don't replay any turns. Feel free to discuss your game with other players, but ONLY in the spoiler threads that we'll open in this forum.

Choose your Game

Besides the normal contender, we sometimes provide an easier save (the adventurer save) and an extra-hard save (the challenger).

Below are the details for the saves we are providing for this game. You can choose to play and submit any one of these:

Adventurer (the easy save)

The adventurer starting save has been changed to make your game a bit easier. However, if you submit an adventurer game, you won't eligible to win any of the medals or fastest finish awards when the results are published.

These are your adventurer bonuses:

You will play the same map on Emperor difficulty level. The starting units for all civilizations are the same as those you would normally expect on Emperor level. However, your opponents will start with Deity-level starting technologies, so it may play slightly more difficult than a standard Emperor level game.

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

PC adventurer-Class save file PC File

Contender (the standard save)

This is the save that most people play. If you want to enter the competition with a normal game, then download and play this one.

Contender bonuses:

None.

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

PC contender-Class save file PC File

Other info

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.