Also on this issue:  CTP For Mac Patch , SMAC: Top TBS of 1999
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THE SEQUEL IS ANNOUNCED!
(15 February 2000, 13:25 EST) "Call to Power II Prepares to Conquer the PC Landscape" is the captivating subtitle to Activision Inc.'s announcement that Call To Power II, the sequel to last year's Civilization: Call To Power, is under development.

Quoting from the full press release:

"Call to Power II offers players several new governing tools, diplomatic options and trade features. The player’s diplomatic strategy will play a large role in the development of their civilization, as enemy states will survey the diplomatic landscape before attacking or forming their own alliances. A robust diplomacy interface will assist players in choosing their political stance, and allow counter proposals when dealing with other civilizations. Players who are inexperienced in managing an entire civilization may consult their ministers and advisors who will offer advice and make recommendations".

Our extended thanks to Ata who notified us about the official press release today; we were waiting for word directly from Activision, but it was first posted on Activision's official German site.

On a final note, the word "Civilization" is not in the title of the sequel. Activision had a licence to use it in only one game: the 'original' CTP.

See, we told you something was brewing at Activision's CTP Labs... :) -DanQ

Apolyton
News

12-19 February
2000


CALL TO POWER 2 IS COMING!!
COMING TO YOU THIS FALL
(16 February 2000, 15:51 EST) Plans are to release Call To Power II this fall reports an article on GameCenter, a division of C|Net, in a discussion with Activision's Senior Producer Parker Davis.

He also said that some of the fundamental elements of the original will be revamped in this sequel, in response to at times detrimental criticism from analysts and gamers alike.

"We've taken a lot of [the criticism, re: the original CTP] to heart. It's definitely shaped our strategy and our goals for this project. The previous product was spread a bit too thin... more isn't always better".

In addition to simplifying the user interface and balancing the game's combat, the design team is improving the game's diplomacy. In CTPII, the player will be able to make diplomatic proposals and counterproposals, as well as threats. More importantly, according to Davis, "diplomacy will be much more directly tied into the game", so AI behavior will be more consistent between enemies and friends.

One of the more prominent items on the chopping block is the Space Era that was very much apart of CTP.

"We actually are removing [the futuristic space era] altogether, because that was an area where we really bit off more than we could chew".

While the time span of the sequel is shedding some decades, the number of turns is being increased to 500, from the 350 in CTP, to improve the overall pacing of the game. -DanQ

CTP2 SECTION!
(15 February 2000, 15:26 EST) Two hours after the official announcement here is our new section for Call to Power II. I think we broke our previous record :)
Details about the game are a bit limited as you can understand, however check out the press release, as well as the information page, with a summary of the main changes and improvements of CTP2.
It goes without saying that we're waiting for your comments on the color scheme of this section! :) -MarkG

CTP2 FORUMS!
(15 February 2000, 17:00 EST) And 3,5 hours after the announcement, here are the CtP2 General Discussion forum and the CtP2 Suggestions forum(the old "ctp-suggestions to the team" forum). Use them! -MarkG

THE FIRST ART
(17 February 2000, 12:18 EST) What you see on the right is the first piece of art from CTP2, as posted today on Gamespot UK. What it represents? Not sure about it yet. Give your guesses on the forum. -MarkG


CTP2 SECTION LIVE
(15 February 2000, 19:52 EST) With all the recent construction and expansion buzzing around on Apolyton, it's a wonder we haven't been ordered to obtain a building permit... :D

The time it takes to watch an average-length movie is the net difference between Activision Inc.'s announcement of Call To Power II, the sequel to Civilization: Call To Power, and the grand opening of our section on the game. We had been working behind the scenes for some time leading up to its unveiling to ensure the site's quality was not sacrified at the expense of speediness.

We at ACS were one of the first gaming sites to bring the news of CTPII's development and, without a doubt, first out of the fan-site starting block to open a section on it.

As more information on the title is made public, we'll be right on top of it, reporting on it in the professional fashion you have grown to know, love, and trust from us. -DanQ



THE COLUMN
COLUMN #102; BY MARKG
(19 February 2000, 19:48 EST) In Part 1 of 2 of his article on the recently announced Call To Power 2 by Activision, entitled "The Essential CTP2: Beyond The PR Stuff", MarkG talks about a pre-release demo equalling a bug-free release, good earth maps and scenarios, and the allurement of full and easy customization.

If you would like to comment on this article, or read about what others are saying on the piece, see our forums. -DanQ

COLUMN #101; BY CYBERSHY
(16 February 2000, 23:16 EST) The 101th column is written by Cybershy, entitled "Internet Communities". He discusses the many times of online communities that are currently available, and all you have to do is stop and look.

To have your thoughts on this article become publicly known, post them in this thread on our forums. -DanQ

COLUMN #100; BY KORN469
(12 February 2000, 19:53 EST) Brian (Reynolds) may be gone, but don't anyone give up on Civ3, korn469 persists in his article entitled "Brian Is Gone, But Civ3 Is Still Going Strong".

It is this week's installment of "The Column" and, notably, the 100th in this continually running series.

Comments on this piece? Post them in our forums. -DanQ


HOSTED SITES
DISBAND ADDENDUM
(GAMELEAGUE February 14, 2000) As an addendum to the previous article about the disband trick, there is now in effect the following rule: players can only disband units during their own turns. This rule is to stop the "disband-bribe" trick and also to prevent players from disbanding a unit as soon as they see a diplomat or spy. This rule will only apply to games started after 02-14 midnight.

NEW POLL
(CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS February 13, 2000) The Research Team wants your opinion on "Future Technologies". Help us out and Take the Poll!
JAN/FEB MEDAL
(SPANISH CIV2 SITE February 18, 2000) Silver Fleece Medal for January/February 2000 announced


Also on this issue:  CTP For Mac Patch , SMAC: Top TBS of 1999

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