C-IV BtS BOTM 304 (Portugal, Emperor level)

Game started: 20 Feb 2026, finished: 31 Mar 2026

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

Contender:
(The standard save)

Starting save for Windows

Game info

BtS BOTM 304 starting position - Click for a wider view of the start position

Civilization: Portugal - Unique Unit: Carrack (replaces Caravel),
Unique Building: Feitoria (replaces Customs House)
Leader: Joao II
Difficulty: Emperor
Map size: Standard
Map Script: Lakes
Starting Era: Ancient
Speed: Normal
Options: No goody huts, no random events
Rivals: 6
Victory conditions: All enabled
World wrap None
Schedule: Submissions closed on March 31, 2026

OK... let's go! In this game you will play as Joao II of Portugal at Emperor difficulty level. The map started out as lakes, but some modifications you should know about. First: you start with 100 gold because it's a big map script and maintenence costs can be brutal. Second: For the same reason - and also because I personally hate the confusion a world wrap in a land-based map can lead to. Third: I hate a UU that is U-Useless, so have made it theoretically possible to sail to almost any sizable lake or sea, assuming the pre-built forts are inside your cultural boundaries so they could be used as canals. Finally: I put windmills near the canals to power them. ;) My only remaining advice: watch out for Vikings, and Barbarians start with Archery.

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).

For this game, we are offering only the contender save - so everyone plays exactly the same start.

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.