Civ4 and usability

[VetLegion]

In Civ4, when you move your units (quick movement turned on in the options), it takes about 0.5-0.9 seconds (my estimate) from the moment you push the relevant key on the keyboard to the moment the unit begins to move.

This lag is simply unacceptable. I find it extremely annoying that on my 2GHz processor, which I have bougtht this year (2005), I have to wait for my units to respond longer than I had to with Civ1 (1991) and Civ2 (1996). In those two games units responded nearly instantaneously.

If you were to compare the time it takes you to manually move a unit ten squares in Civ4 and Civ2, you'd probaby find that it takes twice as long in Civ4. Since much of game is moving units, I believe significant time is wasted on this lag.

Since I think that this is actually a design decision, I petition that it be changed. Do you agree with me that in 2005 units should respond instantly?

[VetLegion]

By the way, in case it wasn't clear in the first post: the speed at which units move is not the biggest problem, it's the lag between pressing a key and unit starting to move.

[Mujadaddy]

You *do* realize that the game is doing some processing to make sure everything's "Cool" and that the correct animations are played, etc., etc....

BANANA

[VetLegion]

Nonsense.

This is most likely an added delay in the form of "delay(900)" written somewhere in the code. 2 GHz can process the animations in far less time.

[djpsychonaut]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Nonsense.

This is most likely an added delay in the form of "delay(900)" written somewhere in the code. 2 GHz can process the animations in far less time.

I agree... the computations can't be that much more complex with this version of Civ than they were in Civs past. The same basic principles apply. If the animations really require that much more processing time, then you should have the option to move units without animation like you could in Civ 3. You used to be able to do this by playing with Caps Lock on. I did it all the time...

That gives me an idea though, maybe that Caps Lock trick still works.

[Mujadaddy]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Nonsense.

This is most likely an added delay in the form of "delay(900)" written somewhere in the code. 2 GHz can process the animations in far less time.

You *do* realize that there's a "fast movement" option, right?

Honestly, I haven't noticed any "delay" in moving the units... and I chalked up the way the program checks for any remaining move (that little lag before going to the next unit) to code-processing as well...

[robtheailean]

Dear Vetlegion,

Imagine how I feel!

AMD4400 dual core cpu with 2Gb's RAM and 2 x 7800GT in SLI - and it is still chunky.

You are very correct in quetioning this shortcoming - just wish they had done some realistic testing before release.

This a real case of the "Emporer's New Clothes". No one is prepared to criticise anything that has Sid's name on it.

Read the reviews; if they are not verbatim copies of the damn press releases, they are fawning paen's of praise.

Poor treatment of the loyal fans (like me), who have shelled out time and time again for each new version.

[Senethro]

And here was me thinking it was my comp to blame.

[Mujadaddy]

Originally posted by robtheailean
Dear Vetlegion,

Imagine how I feel!

AMD4400 dual core cpu with 2Gb's RAM and 2 x 7800GT in SLI - and it is still chunky.

You are very correct in quetioning this shortcoming - just wish they had done some realistic testing before release.

This a real case of the "Emporer's New Clothes". No one is prepared to criticise anything that has Sid's name on it.

Read the reviews; if they are not verbatim copies of the damn press releases, they are fawning paen's of praise.

Poor treatment of the loyal fans (like me), who have shelled out time and time again for each new version.

Imagine how I feel listening to your ilk's complints---- Athlon 1.5ghz, 512RAM, 128nVidia

For the bolded comment: Some people are prepared to complain about everything.

[SCarton]

Well, aside from the "in 2005" argument being fallacious (as the game's complexity has increased as much as the power of computer hardware), I don't really see what the point of the complaint is, even if you're right that it was a design decision.

So it takes a little longer to move units? What purpose would it serve to save a little time? It's not like you'd stop playing any sooner if the units started moving quicker, right? You'd get a few more turns finished in the time you've allotted to play, maybe, but I don't see it as a big enough deal to complain publically...

[VetLegion]

robtheailean,

Read the reviews; if they are not verbatim copies of the damn press releases, they are fawning paen's of praise.

At one point I was toying with the idea of writing a script that would produce a typical Civ IV review

http://www.apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142569

SCarton,

What purpose would it serve to save a little time?

You ask this in 21st century?

Time saved on unfun elements of the game could then be spent on fun elements. For example, I consider staring at the map for 10 minutes thinking about strategy a fun element, even if I don't actually do anything, but I consider waiting almost a second for a unit to acknowledge my command downright annoying.

By the way, removing unfun elements was one of the cornerstones of Civ4 design, it is really weird how they missed this one. The least we can do is draw attention to it so it can be fixed.

[Blake]

I was playing Rise of Nations earlier, and thought it ironic that it was running completely smoothly with 300 units fighting onscreen in realtime, while Civ4 struggles with... 2 units, turn based.



But after turning alll the speedy options on I find it quite tolerable unless it's lagfesting (you know that thing when it randomly decides to slow down for no reason, becoming really jerky, then some time later returns to normal? or does that only afflict me? prehaps it afflicts some people all the time?)

Anyway, there is quite a lot to think about. I remember earlier today with my settler selected, starting at the screen deciding which spot to send him too... for about 10 minutes! I kept on thinking to myself "Hurry up and decide damnit!", but there were a lot of variables to consider. (it turned out to be a really nice city!)

[Adagio]

I must admit I've never noticed this lag, so I voted banana

And I don't have a top-of-the-line computer... it wasn't even top-of-the-line 3 years ago, but it still runs great

[FinnishGuy]

Yep, the lag is there and it is irritating... and my computer is well above recommended specs (P4 3.2GHz, 6800GT).

[Russian_King]

I agree totally and utterly!!
the lag is VERY irritating, i am forced to use right click every time to move all units because i dont wana bother waiting for it every single move.!
i too have a P4 3.2 (3.36 GHz) and on quick move. ridiculous! this is a design flaw im sure of it! civ3 didnt have that lag!