How Many Expansions Will We See?

monkspider · April 29, 2006, 23:47

I briefly mentioned this on Alexander's post Warlords-XP thread, but I am curious to hear the sentiments of the forum. Basically, how many expansion packs do you think we will see before the end of Civ IV's lifespan?

I think that a second XP is a given. However, I wouldn't rule out a third expansion for Civ IV given it's tremendous success. The PC gaming industry has moved towards a business model of having more expansions since the days of Civ III and Civ IV has far exceeded Civ III in terms of sales. Also, Warlords seems to have come out more quickly than PTW did, which is another factor that may lead to us receiving a third XP.

LordShiva · April 30, 2006, 00:26

BigFree · April 30, 2006, 01:44

I'm going to say 3 total; that'll just be about how much they can milk this cow....a nice cow it is though.

Adagio · April 30, 2006, 05:47

I doubt we'll get more expansions than The Sims

lockstep · April 30, 2006, 08:48

At least another expansion after Warlords. There's no way Firaxis would have omitted the Babylonians in Warlords if not to save them for expansion no. 2.

Alexander I · April 30, 2006, 12:18

There has to be another expansion. Whether they'll go beyond two exps. is anybody's guess. The precedent left by Civ3 was two expansions.

I guess whether they'll go beyond a second expansion depends on whether or not they have anything more to contribute to the game, or whether it'd be easier just to make a sequel. I think that's what happened after Civ3 Conquests.

Zoid · April 30, 2006, 13:05

I don´t think we´ll see more than two expansions. If they come up with some new revolutionary gameplay features or a smarter AI they´ll probably save that for Civ V...

OTOH the smarter AI and the revolutionary new gameplay is probably pretty far behind and quite stale in 2010...

Alexander I · April 30, 2006, 19:10

Originally posted by Zoid
I don´t think we´ll see more than two expansions. If they come up with some new revolutionary gameplay features or a smarter AI they´ll probably save that for Civ V...

OTOH the smarter AI and the revolutionary new gameplay is probably pretty far behind and quite stale in 2010...

Well a second expansion almost always sells less copies than the actual game or the first expansion because so many people move on to newer games.

Gen. Atkinson · April 30, 2006, 20:46

Well Civ II had two expansions, plus millions of mods.
Civ III had two expansions and a few more mods.
Civ IV may follow suit.

LordShiva · April 30, 2006, 22:54

Originally posted by Alexander01

Well a second expansion almost always sells less copies than the actual game or the first expansion because so many people move on to newer games.

If an expansion requires an installation of the game, then there's no way it can sell more copies than the actual game

Alexander I · April 30, 2006, 23:19

Originally posted by LordShiva

If an expansion requires an installation of the game, then there's no way it can sell more copies than the actual game

Exactly my point. At some point they'll stop making expansions because it is always more lucrative to make new games, especially sequels in popular franchises.

armchairknight · May 1, 2006, 00:35

Originally posted by Alexander01

Exactly my point. At some point they'll stop making expansions because it is always more lucrative to make new games, especially sequels in popular franchises.

Well, I hope it's three xps because I'd rather upgrade later rather than sooner. I just got this machine in time for Civ (it must've been fate).

Nugog · May 10, 2006, 06:43

I think they will be flogging a dead horse after two.

I guess it all depends on the value of the content and the value on the price tag, as to how many or how successful they are.

But methinks two.........

Harrier UK · May 10, 2006, 20:51

If in each expansion, they do two things:

1. Add new content to the main game - new features, AI improvements, units/Buildings etc.

2. Provide say six+ scenarios in a particular time frame.

They could produce at least 6 expansion packs. But unlikely.

medieval era.
Age of discovery
Napoleonic age.
WW1.
WW2.
Modern Conflicts.

Just like all the Sims expansions.

In the meantime they could be developing Civ5, ready for the next generation of computers.

LordShiva · May 10, 2006, 20:59

Six is really pushing it. I'm really hoping for a one or two more scenario/mod packs, if nothing else. Preferably ancient world, medieval world, and the imperial age.

It's unlikely that the expansions will be "era-themed." They generally aren't.

Smellycowsquid · May 10, 2006, 21:05

2 is a good estimate, I think 3 is over the edge...

scottingim · May 11, 2006, 13:55

I REALLY hope that there is at lest one more. With the addition of 3 new traits and only 10 new leaders, that leaves 19 trait combinations with will not be used.

Now Firaxis has said that there will not be an (official) Ind/Phil leader. After seeing the new traits, I find it difficult to believe that there will be a Agg/Prot combo. Way to powerful. And there could be one more comb that Firaxis deems to powerful, so it will get left out.

That still leave 16 combos that will not have been filled. I would love to see these got used for more playability.