ODA Requested, so I'm posting this here:
After seeing a nice amount of topics on "How do I modify the Population Limit?" I decided it's finally time to make simple and easy instructions for modifying the population limit. So here it goes:
First off, MAKE A COPY OF THE FOLLOWING:
"rules.xml"
If you don't make a copy, you'll be unable to play Multiplayer Games, and then you'll be out of luck, especially if you're playing Vanilla RON (If you lose the original Patch 3 "rules.xml" you'll have to reinstall and repatch *bummer*)
The "rules.xml" for Thrones and Patriots (which is what I'm currently running) is located at, if you just installed without changing the default place of installation:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Rise of Nations\Thrones and Patriots\data\rules.xml
OR FOR VANILLA RON
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Rise of Nations\data\rules.xml
Okay so you've found the .xml file (if you haven't found it... you've got a serious problem and should seek help). Now, open your "rules.xml" file with Word 2000. That is the only program you can edit the "rules.xml" file with. Internet Explorer only allows you to view the file, and notepad and wordpad will save the .xml as a text file. So right click on the "rules.xml" select Open With and choose Word 2000 or Microsoft Word for Windows (they're the same thing, it just appears different to which version of Windows you're running).
Once you've done that, search for: POP_CAP. (without the period of course) You should now see:
<POP_CAP entry0="25" entry1="50" entry2="75" entry3="100" entry4="125" entry5="150" entry6="175" entry7="200 pop cap"/>You can now edit the numbers in the quotation marks to whatever you choose. This entry is used in-game to tell the RON system the amount of units each nation can create. NOTE: entry0 is your base population limit. This is the limit you always start with. ALWAYS make it the lowest, since entry1 requires Military1 research.
Now go down to MAX_POP_LIMIT (this is four down from the POP_CAP). You should now see this:
<MAX_POP_LIMIT value="300 pop cap"/>This value MUST be changed, not just because it's the Max Population Limit, but because of the Bantu and Colossus. So, the value must be at least +100 your entry7 limit.
So if my entry7="450 pop cap"/
My max pop limit should be value="550 pop cap"/
Okay, now that you're done with that, you have one more section to change: Go to your find and search for poplimits
Once you search for that you should see:
<CATEGORIES id="poplimits" title="Population:">
<CATEGORY name="50 ">
<DATA>50 </DATA>
</CATEGORY>
<CATEGORY name="75 ">
<DATA>75 </DATA>
</CATEGORY>
<CATEGORY name="100">
<DATA>100</DATA>
</CATEGORY>
<CATEGORY name="125">
<DATA>125</DATA>
</CATEGORY>
<CATEGORY name="150">
<DATA>150</DATA>
</CATEGORY>
<CATEGORY name="200">
<DATA>200</DATA>
</CATEGORY>Now, this section is as important or maybe more so than the previous section. This section details to RON the choices of population limit. I.E. when you research Military 1 you'll see the 50 that is labeled here. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, is that, YOU MUST CHANGE BOTH AND THEY MUST BE THE SAME. When you're in the Quick Battle area, selecting population size, this is the number that will show up. It is the same thing when you're in battle. This is the maximum number that is shown in the upper right hand corner. So these MUST BE CHANGED.
When you've changed what you want, you can save it and go play. Enjoy you're new population limit. If you have any questions please ask, I'm almost always roaming these forums. And please remember: SAVE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL RULES.XML.
-SeraphLeviathan
I be walking God like a dog...
And it won't take long to burn, "All Eyes On Me".
Through the nothing that you've learned, "All Eyes On Me".
And the things you choose to be, "All Eyes On Me".