NOTE: This is The Column, a regular feature on Apolyton where anyone can write about anything to do with Civilization or the gaming industry as a whole. If you feel like writing, please visit the article submission page.

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188# A CIV3 PREVIEW Solver summarizes our knowledge of civ3 187# THE ESOTERIC ALLURE OF CIVILIZATION Will civ3 be as flexible as civ2? 186# LAMENT OF AN OBSESSIVE GAME MODIFIER A hymn to modification 185# MOO3 AND CIV3, SUPPLIES AND TACTICS Two articles: a comparison of moo3 and civ3, and an idea on unit supplies 184# GAMES I'VE GOT BUT HAVE YET TO "GET" Sometimes things dont turn out good when you buy a game... COLUMN ARCHIVE

What kind of 'screen shot of the week' is that, Firaxis? No Multiplayer?! What the hell? Why isn't my civilization in the game? Mounted Rider, that's not a historically accurate Unique Unit Firaxis!

THIS GAME IS GOING TO SUCK...
...or at least you'd think so based on what most of the Apolyton posters have to say, yet what authority do they have to speak out against a game they have yet to play or experience?

Some of the most recent thread titles, now that it's T minus 3 weeks until the debut of Civilization III, have been shocking and unbelievably rude. How easily we forget the genuine people at Firaxis who have been so good to us in the past, and continue to be good to us even now when we've turned our backs and thumbed our noses.

Threads like "No FREE MP = CANCEL your orders/ DON'T buy Civ3", "Screen shot of the week: a ******* histograph!!!" appear on the Civ III General forums, accompanied of course by the all encompassing thumbs down icon, and countless other threads exist for the sole purpose of equating Civ III's lack of multiplayer as a corporate conspiracy aimed at snatching 'hard earned money' from the hands of 'humble civers'. Well I don't buy it.

Going back a few months, it was assumed for one reason or another that the game would only consist of 8 civs per game, which brought uproar to the forums. Admittedly, I too was disappointed and skeptical. What happened next? Firaxis gave civers everywhere a sigh of relief, announcing '16 civs per game as easy as a click of the mouse'. Shocking as this may come: it seems Firaxis does have some idea of what civers want. After all, they're all civers themselves.

If you've got a problem with the screen shots of the week, don't bother going to check them out. Firaxis has no obligation whatsoever to give you ANY information at all. They could very easily produce this game, put it on the shelves, and say like it or leave it. Don't like the UU for the Chinese? RENAME IT! Firaxis didn't have to include Unique Units in the game. They give you the tools to edit every basic element of this game, yet the complaints flow like water.

The truth is, instead, of 'conspiring' to rip you off as the popular assumption goes, they're working day in and day out, taking YOUR suggestions, listening to what YOU the gamers have to say. None of this is required. You should be happy that Firaxis cares what you think. I for one am faithful that Firaxis and Sid Meier will do what is right for the less-than-loyal civers, because it's what they have always done in the past. And if they don't include Multiplayer in the game, and don't make it available for free download - tough luck. It's not a requirement. No one is forcing you to buy this game.

Plain and simple - if you don't like what you hear, cancel your order...but how dare any of you 'righteously' make rude and unproven statements that defame a man, a company, a myth, and a legend.