Take2Games says patch is coming!

[Generaldoktor]

Games of this sophistication belong on PC or if at all, on the very state-of art laps. You don't put a 120mm gun on your Stuart tank . I've got an ATI card and I've had problems, primarily with loading and reloading. Over on the "negative" thread, I suggested turning off firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware. This improved, but didn't solve things for me, but I initially read the suggestion myself either on the readme or some post coincident with the release of the game. Cleaning cache and old files and defragmenting helps too. This has added to maintenance, I run scans more, besides the cleanup and defrag, but I'm playing and not complaining ! I, too, am impressed with amount of effective, dedicated patchwork Firaxis did with Civ3 and I am not afraid to venture again into the fog of war

[George Geczy]

Games of this sophistication belong on PC or if at all, on the very state-of art laps.

Not meaning to duplicate discussion from the "graphics versus gameplay" thread, but I don't think it is fair to count this game in the same "PC sophistication" category as, say, Quake4 or Battlefield2, etc, and I mean this as a compliment. A game like Quake4 lives and breathes on its eye candy, "ooh ahh" and "whizzbang" factors. The majority of players of games like these will move on when the next bigger, ooh-ahh-ier game comes along.

Civ players do not follow this pattern. I certainly don't have to point out on this site that many, many people play Civ2 and Civ3 to this day, long after the original releases. The Civ games live and die based on their content and gameplay and Sid-"fun" factor, and there is no direct correlation between that and "state of the art" hardware.

Yes, the upgraded graphics have raised the hardware requirements bar, but people will be playing Civ4 on laptops and systems of every flavour as long as they can get it to run in the minimum spec. And I'm sure that after a patch or two many of the speed and compatibility issues will be fully resolved.

-- George.

[JonnyShogun]

I have a laptop, an Intel graphics card (915), and have had zero problems with it. I actually enjoy playing it on the laptop better than on my much better desktop...

I've actually thrown quite a few of the newer games at it, and while it won't play at the high graphics settings, it's still playable. And I'm not worried about high graphics settings, it still looks better than any other mobile gaming. I'm also playing AoE III right now and it's great.

Not sure what problems anyone else is having with these Intel cards, but I've had none.

[sophist]

Originally posted by Brutus66
I guess it takes all kinds to make a world, but I honestly never understood the obsession with mobile computing. Laptops don't make a practical gaming platform, and if you try to make one into a hotrod it gets expensive. They are also known for limited upgradability, so chances are that in five years from manufacture that hotrod isn't going to handle new gaming software requirements very well.

Well, take my example. I spend a fair amount of time at my parents' house so they can play with my baby. I also often find myself waiting at mechanics, doctors' offices, and the like. A few years ago, before I got married, I was spending a lot of my time at my then girlfriend's house. In none of those places was a decent game-playing computer, but I had a lot of down time that could have been well filled by Civilization. And, in fact, I did do that with my laptop and Civ3. It worked out well. It's not for everyone, or even most people, but realize there are numerous people who have enough available time while not actually being able to spend that time at home.

[Willem]

Originally posted by JonnyShogun
I have a laptop, an Intel graphics card (915), and have had zero problems with it. I actually enjoy playing it on the laptop better than on my much better desktop...

I've actually thrown quite a few of the newer games at it, and while it won't play at the high graphics settings, it's still playable. And I'm not worried about high graphics settings, it still looks better than any other mobile gaming. I'm also playing AoE III right now and it's great.

Not sure what problems anyone else is having with these Intel cards, but I've had none.

The Intel 9xx series does have Hardware T&L, the 8xx does not. Consider yourself fortunate for choosing the right laptop.

[gregules]

looking for a patch

[gregules]

come on patch

[Odin]

F*ck, I just realized my card is an ATI (Radeon X800XL). Should I wait for the patch?

[JonnyShogun]

I'm glad I chose this laptop, I've run most new games on it and I think that it's actually been a good "bargain" choice for gaming. I'm not looking for the best graphics on a laptop, and I know I'm not gonna get them. But I have thrown Civ IV, AoE III, City of Villains, and Pirates all at it and it has passed with flying colors. The next best thing to an ATI or Nvidia in my opinion.

[ElConejo]

Originally posted by JonnyShogun
I'm glad I chose this laptop, I've run most new games on it and I think that it's actually been a good "bargain" choice for gaming. I'm not looking for the best graphics on a laptop, and I know I'm not gonna get them. But I have thrown Civ IV, AoE III, City of Villains, and Pirates all at it and it has passed with flying colors. The next best thing to an ATI or Nvidia in my opinion.

Same here except one: Civ4. My laptop runs everything except the one thing I have longed for since C3C... but the reason mine doesnt work is because I am running a 320M Radeon which is not compatible.. but I have enjoyed my laptop to its fullest and will continue to run those other games on it further

[Brutus66]

Originally posted by sophist


Well, take my example. I spend a fair amount of time at my parents' house so they can play with my baby. I also often find myself waiting at mechanics, doctors' offices, and the like. A few years ago, before I got married, I was spending a lot of my time at my then girlfriend's house. In none of those places was a decent game-playing computer, but I had a lot of down time that could have been well filled by Civilization. And, in fact, I did do that with my laptop and Civ3. It worked out well. It's not for everyone, or even most people, but realize there are numerous people who have enough available time while not actually being able to spend that time at home.

You play civ at those places? I think you need an intervention

[gregules]

someone call child services

[tulkas12]

Originally posted by Mayfield
If they fix the occasional graphics glitches, the memory leak (game slows down after a few hours of play , and the ATI bug I think most of us will be happy until the expansion!

Yep I agree with this statement wholeheartedly...

I'm wondering if the ppl playing this with no problems are experiencing the slow down over time effect.

[Nikolai]

I hope the patch will improve memory usage. Not that I'm sure whether or not it's so bad, Civ3 indeed was much worse, but I've understood it's improvement potential, and I have only 512 MB RAM and won't be able to upgrade before Christmas...

[sophist]

Originally posted by Brutus66

You play civ at those places? I think you need an intervention

It's better than staring at the wall...

I don't, but I could if I had a laptop with T&L.