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SCREENSHOTS

1998 E3 SCREENSHOTS

GIFT FOR THE PATIENT
(July 21, 1999) John Possidente has awarded ACS another exclusive! To your right, you're probably wondering who that macho man is -- why, it's your Warrior unit in the upcoming Civilization II: Test of Time!
"The format is a bit different from the old one, in that the units are taller and the shield has been replaced with an overhead key", Possidente noted.
So if you scenario builders out there want to get a head start, you needn't wait any longer! Click here to download away (only 18k) and let the creative juices flow!

FIRST TOT MODPACK??
(July 21, 1999) John says that he's been in contact with Kestrel, and that the mod work fine. Kestrel is continuing to work on his mod.
(July 15, 1999) Some games allow game files modification. Mod files for these games appear after their release. Except from Civ2:ToT :) Yesterday we posted the Rules.txt of ToT. Today, I(MarkG) got a strange mail. It was from David Hudson, a.k.a. Kestrel, and he says he has created the first ToT modpack! Of course we can't test it, but we post it anyway along with it's readme. Perhaps John Possidente can check it out and lets us know...

TOT RULES(.TXT)!
(July 14, 1999) Civ2 creators, in the future, remember that you saw it here first. What? The Rules.txt of Civ2:ToT. You asked, and John Possidente promised to publicised a sample rules.txt file of he upcoming Civilization 2:Test of Time. Well, here it is, just for your hungry eyes :)

GAMESPOT REVIEWS TOT
(July 14, 1999) Gamespot has a full review of Civ2:ToT. A summary of the three pages? "Civilisation II: Test of Time falls into the add-ons category, but offers enough tweaks, bells and whistles to satisfy the hordes waiting ravenously for next year's Civ III". The final score is 7.5/10(in older reviews, CivII had 9.2, Civ2:FW 8.2, SMAC 9.6(!) and C:CTP 8). Thanks to Carolus Rex for the note. By the way, we doubt that we will see CivIII next year...

ToT BOX COVER REVEALED
(July 9, 1999) Well well, what DO we have here? Just to your right is the Civilization II: Test of Time box cover, as displayed in Hasbro Interactive's E3 1999 Press Kit (we got it just today). Click on the image for a larger version!

According to the information provided in the Press Kit, ToT, being published under the MicroProse label, will support only the Window 95 & 98 platforms and not 3.1. As for language support, this will constitute the English (US & UK), French, and German dialects. This was the case with Civilization II: Multiplayer Gold Edition in both respects.

Some of you might now be saying, "but come on... we know that MPS [then still a division of Spectrum-Holobyte] advertised in magazines very different box art than what actually made it into the final version". True, true. Let's analyze this further for a moment then: the layout you see above is consistent with those of previous Civilization II titles (the alternate FW design as aforementioned was quite different; see our News Archive if you would like to refresh your memory), and take into consideration that this cover image appeared in an official press kit, rather than simply an ad in a computing magazine.

But, to put the question to rest once and for all on all fronts, DanQ has raised the question in our ToT forums, directing it to John Possidente, resident ToT team member who has unquestionably become a "regular" on our discussion boards. Let's wait and see what he has to say...

MORE ANSWERS FROM MicroProse
(July 6, 1999) If you are looking for information on the upcoming Civilization II: Test of Time, you've come to the right place baby! Our ToT forum is rockin' and rollin' with questions on many aspects of the title, all of which are being answered in nothing short of a detailed fashion by ToT Team Member John Possidente (yes, you may recognize his name from a Fantastic Worlds scenario or two).

Here are some tidbits to tanctilize your gaming spirt, just part of those posted today (all posted by John)!

PEACEFUL ENDS: "... in the Extended Game (the one that includes colonizing Centaurus), the only peaceful way to win left is via research. Through an unfortunate coincidence (which is actually pretty predictable, considering that Brian Reynolds and I seem to read the same sci-fi) the advance that wins is called "Transcendance".

In the fantasy and sci-fi games, there's also a pure research way to win; that's one of the new things we've added. Of course, you can still build a Big Project (the FTL Ship or the Siege Engine) or toast everybody, too".

GOOD TRADING: " Trading between AC and Earth depends on whether (1) you can convince the aliens that you aren't really invading, and (2) you can get your trade units up there. Get past those, and the bonuses are sweet".

NEW STUFF: "The answer is yes, but there's only one new function. (There are lots of "new" improvments and wonders in the SF and Fantasy games, but they have the same functions as the original set.) The new one is like an airport, except that it lets you move units between cities on different maps".

MAPS IN EXTENDED MODE: "Only one map is on-screen at a time. You switch between the multiple maps using a pair of new buttons on the Map window. There's a maximum of four maps per game, and you manage all of them (cities, units, etc.) at the same time. When a unit on a different map becomes the active unit, the map changes for you automatically".

TOGGLING OFF CITY NAMES: "Hmm. Well, we didn't think to put in the city name toggle, but you're right that it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult. (I've learned not to be too confident about what is and isn't hard to implement; Civ's got some twisted old code in it.)

There's no way to get it into the first release this late, but I'll run it up the proverbial flagpole and see how many bullet holes it comes down with..."

Don't know what all the talk about is above? Well then, first get yourself briefed on the add-on from our files, and than start browsing our ToT forum today (and if you feel so included to join the discussions, registration is free).

NATURAL DISASTERLESS IN ToT
(July 1, 1999) Don't expect to see a city burning out of nowhere in the upcoming Civilization II: Test of Time. Here's what John Possidente, representative from Hasbro and member of the ToT team, had to say about random events:

"Well, we haven't put the natural disasters back in ( I wanted to, but I was outvoted. :( ). On the other hand, we have used the events macro language to add a number of random events of our own, especially in the new and improved Midgard scenario.

We've also added a "Randomize" modifier to the events language, for scenario builders. Many of the actions you can program into a scenario can now have random aspects--timing, locations, and that sort of thing".

This is just one of the many on-going discussions in our ToT forum... with answers directly from the source! What ARE you waiting for?

ToT QUESTIONS? GET THE ANSWERS
(June 25, 1999) Since it's "yes-it's-still-alive" announcement at this year's E3 in Los Angeles last month, we have learned more about what is in and what is out in Civilization II: Test of Time, which is being regarded as the last add-on to the immensely popular Sid Meier's Civilization II title.

John Possidente, a member of the ToT team, has been very active in our forums answering all questions regarding the product from numerous Civ fans. Here are just six responses from the ever-growing number of discussions John has had on various issues regarding ToT in the little over a week our ToT forum has been in existence!

Some of the responses may even surprise you! Read on...

BETTER AI IN TOT?
(June 21, 1999) in case you didn't notice, we have a new forum for Civ2: Test of Time. And the best thing is members of the development team are posting (you can tell from their status which is "Civilization II: Test Of Time Team" not "Civer"). To the point of this new item, there was a good question of whether this new add-on brings something more in the AI of civ2, beyond the new graphics and the new features we've heard about so far. John P replied:
"Well, we certainly didn't rework the AI from the ground up, but in the process of upgrading it to teach it how to deal with multiple maps, the Midgard and Lalande games, and the other new bits, we couldn't resist the urge to fix (and add) a few things. I'm sure we didn't catch everything (no AI is perfect), but I hope you'll notice some change for the better."
ToT is coming in the first half of August...

NOT TO GO OUT QUIETLY
(June 4, 1999) Are you sure this is the Kansas you thought you knew?

While we all await Sid Meier's Civilization III, on a preliminary timeline for release next year, MicroProse "is putting the final chapter into place for the legendary Civilization II line". This from GameCenter, which today release its impressive preview of Civilization II: Test of Time. After numerous add-ons that have been met with little more then a get-on- with-it-or-come-off-of-it attitude from critics and fans abroad, all are looking to gobble up some new goodies to add to CivII's gameplay. It looks like they're getting it in spades.
"[The multiple worlds] add a great deal to the strategic considerations players must make," said Alex De Lucia, lead designer of ToT. "Look out, because the oceans, the sky, and the earth below are all in play, and danger is no longer just on four sides."

The 5-page preview is well-rounded, in that it covers all aspects of this summer-slatted title. To start with, the fantasy game included in Test of Time will certainly keep you on your toes. There are four worlds you play on--the air world, the sea world, the ground world, and the underground world--and attacks may come from any of them. You can choose to play as one of seven fantasy races as you juggle spell research along with the creation of fantastic armies, while attempting to colonize and dominate all four worlds.
Next, take a look at the built-in science fiction game set in the system of Lalande 21185. This variant starts you out on a planet upon which you've crash-landed. Once you civilize the planet, you'll move on to a "world" made up of abandoned space stations. From there you'll colonize a dead planet. Finally, you'll move on to a gas giant and attempt to colonize it, with the ultimate goal of returning home by developing Earthgate technology. Meanwhile, you also have to be careful with the aliens and other humans. Any Diety superstars in the house? =-)
Moving right along in the line-up, the Midgard scenario is another fantasy game, but instead of expanding your civilization and conquering your rivals, you have to meet certain conditions to win. Volsang (evil dude) is awakening after being frozen for thousands of years, and you have to win the game before he awakens.

Mark Asher, who prepared this first-look for GC and all Civ enthusiasts out there, is impressed with what he's seen in the product, currently in a playable beta stage.
"The beta we played with was mostly complete and very stable; all that was missing were some multimedia files and the manual".
Yes, CivII: ToT has the multi-player capabilities that first appeared in Multiplayer Gold Edition last Christmas. Drawbacks? One word: micromanagement.
"There are no building queues in Test of Time, but we do have a city preferences text file that will automate the build sequence. This is probably going to be an unsupported feature, though," De Lucia admitted.

Asher concludes that ToT "looks to be a very solid and engaging game". To make any would-be long conclusions short, it's suffice to say that all your personal relationships are likely to take a beating and morf into long- distance ones all over again: CivII: Tot is set to be released this August.
Now, be sure to check out our massive collection of ToT screenshots. All of those dated today are courtesy GameCenter with the notable exception of from_e3.jpg, which made its first apperance earlier on Strategy Gaming Online.

FRONT AND CENTER @ E3
(May 14, 1999) If you're an avid Civer, you're probably feeling the bite of the lack of profile for Civilization titles at this year's E3 Entertainment Expo being held in Los Angeles, CA. In fact, you may be wondering if there is even any reason for to pay any never mind to this year's Expo. Well, fret no longer! Hasbro Interactive's new lineup of MicroProse strategy titles for 1999 were unveiled yesterday at E3. Leading the pack is, surprise surprise, Civilization II: Test of Time! Here's what Computer Games Online had to say about it.
"Civilization II: Test of Time, which is expected to debut this summer, is a return to familiar ground for MicroProse. Test of Time features new graphics and brand new worlds to explore and conquer. Three worlds are featured in Test of Time. The original Civilization II, the magical world of Midgard, and the solar system of Lalande 21185. Players interact in multiple dimensions through linked, layered worlds, and battle it out in the tradition of the game series. The game features different modes of play including Fantasy, Science Fiction and the refined Civilization II. As in previous games, players can build societies based on the principles of democracy or rule with an iron fist. Players compete against the game's AI or up to seven other players".
More to come as more develops!

ANOTHER LOOK AT ToT
(May 12, 1999) Dave Fisher of Gone Gold had the recent opportunity to test drive Civilization: Test Of Time, by publisher Hasbro Interactive. Apprently up until a few weeks ago, this product was a sleeping lion in the gaming industry, announced almost one year ago at last year's E3. It has awakened.
"... we received this build labeled "0.12.0," and dated March 30. This appears to be close to the final release and, except for the absence of a manual and main readme, was quite playable and enjoyable".
The design team is being spearheaded by Mick Uhl, whom you may recall was also in charge of Conflicts In Civilization, the first add-on for CivII produced by MicroProse, then apart of Spectrum-Holobyte, which was released in December of '96.
Multiplayer options are, as of this build, as follows: Hot Seat; Network (TCP/IP or IPX/SPX); Internet (TCP/IP), and Two Player DUN (Dial-Up Networking). For those of you looking for PBEM, you're out of luck. As for Single Play, these items are available: Original Civilization 2 (v. 1.11); Science Fiction Game Fantasy Game; Alpha Centauri Extended Game; Begin the Midguard Scenario, and Begin a Scenario.

Now, in brief, a quick run down on some the game's main elements, as reported by previwer Fisher. Since we have not included all of them in this writeup (would be too long), we invite you to read the full preview by clicking the link above.

INTERFACE. "From game set-up to pull-down menus, the Interface look and efficiency reflects a noticeable improvement over Civ II. Controls, hot keys, orders and movement are essentially the same.
However, graphics and animation show a considerable leap from Civ II, and remind me of Call to Power, or even SMAC. Sixteen-bit color brings a clarity and depth to the worlds, along with individual unit animation. This includes troops marching, trees blowing, fish jumping, sheat lizards grazing, fiery lava pits, chariots, and dozens of others helping to bring vitality to the maps. The graphical precision does suffer though, at least at this point, in extreme close-up".
GAMEPLAY. "Of note here in 25 hours of actual play, is that there were no crashes, glitches or bugs in evidence. Further, I found the A.I. to be increasingly aggressive and effective on higher difficulty settings, more so than I remembered with Civ II".
THE FANTASY GAME. "Yes, there are levels of sea floor and clouds, as well as earth, with movement between via portals, and responsibilities for all with each turn. The complexity is increased, but also the impressiveness factor is enhanced with this variation".
SCIENCE-FICTION GAME. "There is a quite different twist here, in addition to SMAC-type units and the multi-layered maps, and that is the game goal. You win this game by developing "Earthgate Technology." To do so, you need to engage in pure research, only fully available by way of trade with other human and/or alien tribes".

Finally, the burning question on all our minds: should be buy this in August (or, if delayed, whenever it comes out)? Fisher comments:
"YES, if it ships with a good manual, chart, the 10 to 15% game proper completed, *and* is reasonably priced ($29.99, or under). This appears to be much more than a simple add-on pack, although some will see it that way. Earlier I spoke of "tried and true." Activision's Call to Power disappointed in part because it strayed too far from the Meier's/Reynolds formula for gameplay balance and ultimate impressiveness. Microprose appears to have maintained all of that, while adding graphical enhancements, animation, and two fabulous "new" world games - Fantasy and Science-Fiction. I, for one, am looking forward to the final version".

Our thanks to SYLBON@aol.com for contacting us with this news item.

SUMMER MAY SIZZLE WITH ToT
(April 26, 1999) We discovered a PC-IGN preview of MicroProse's Civilization II: Test of Time. We were pleasantly surprised with all the detail it has to date! To start off with, the most burning question on all our minds is whether or not it is a new game. Previewer Trend Ward had the following to say on that issue:
"At its core, Test of Time is basically Civilization 2 with upgraded graphics, sound and controls. All of the art in the game has been upgraded from 8-bit to 16-bit, each unit has had animation added to make its movements smooth and convincing and nearly everything, from city boxes to pull down menus have been redesigned to make things as easy on the player as humanly possible. In short, Civilization has been brought into the nineties".

We have heard a lot about the "Fantasy" style world which is reportedly available in ToT; Ward confirms it from playing his beta copy. "First the fantasy world. In this mode you become the commander of one of seven (at least right now it's seven) different Tolkeinesque tribes... you can choose from four different city styles". However, he points out that "this isn't just Civ 2 with pointy ears -- this mode has its own research tree in addition to other major game changes".

Next comes some discussion on the "Sci-Fi" mode. "... operates exactly like Civilization 2, with the basic twist being that this time you're trying to evolve your culture enough so that you can return to your home planet.
... the sci-fi battle takes place on several different planes, each of which has its own particular strengths. Once you have access to spaceship technology, you'll be able to carry on your fight in space while in orbit...

Now, here's something definitely new: ultra-dimensional attacks! "Like Masters of Magic before it, Test of Time will force you not only to command the land, but other layers as well. In fact, the game will ask you to keep up with what's going on four different layers at once - On a standard land map, underground, under the oceans and in the air".

Finally before we get to the abundance of new screens, we feel it worthwhile to mention yet another mode of gameplay: Ultimate Civ (name is likely to be changed before release, according to sources). "... plays just like a game of Civ 2 but opens up an entirely new game (based on the sci-fi tile set) if and when you win the Race for Space. One nice little twist here is that, if you play with seven civilizations, one race will begin the game on the far away planet and will begin colonizing that world as a native from the get go". *Whew*! And you thought 'ordinary' CivII games were long...

The following screens accompanied that review: Description of "Genetically Engineered Integrated Environment" advance (137k); building a new improvement (186k); building options (197k); description of the Psi-brator (54k); city view (183k); a close up (164k); another close up (165k); fantasy map (181k); the first flying machine (178k); moving units (330k); pursuing science research (124k); pre-game race selection (117k); city shields (166k); trade advisor (134k; courtesy CGO); underground view (207k) and last but not least, viewing a unit (108k). We highly recommend these as the article (and subsequently the screens) are dated this month.

TEST OF TIME FEATURES
(April 7, 1999) MicroProse's upcoming and already anticipated CivII: ToT will feature 3 complete "worlds": not scenarios, but worlds.
They include the 'original' Civ2 world (but enhanced), fantasy and an analien solar system. Each world will have multiple linked maps, and the game overall is expected to have an enlarged viewing area.
Our thanks, again, to Tom of Strategy Gaming for this info... we appreciate it man!

CivII: ToT IS A GO
(April 3, 1999) Two more ToT screenshots have arrived, thanks again to the gang over at Strategy Gaming Online. Both are "sci-fi" in nature: here's the first, and here's the other.
(March 30, 1999) Confirmation from Hasbro/MicroProse has arrived in a timely fashion! As first reported by SG Online (thanks for the mail Tom), Civilization II: Test Of Time has a set release date for August 1 of this year.
Also courtesy of SG Online are six new, never-before-seen screenshots from the game. It is clear from these that the interface has been considerably upgraded since we last looked in on it almost 11 months ago. Here they are, in no particular order: what loooks to be An allien attack (167k); your foreign minister's report (140k); flying around in the sky (151k); your Civ "in space" (114k); gaining tribute from a village hut (128k) and, last but not least, your Civ on Earth (135k).
Tom also informs us that they will be having a full preview of ToT in the coming weeks!

CAN IT BE?
(March 29, 1999) According to Strategy Gaming Online, Civilization II: Test Of Time is set to be released by MicroProse this May. Since it's been a while, we have in our archives the only four known screenshots from the product for viewing.