How Many Expansions Will We See?

[monkspider]

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]

[BigFree]

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]

I doubt we'll get more expansions than The Sims

[lockstep]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.