Wow - it´s pretty and smooth !

[Unimatrix11]

So i just got a new system and of course after installing windows (and the drivers) first thing was Civ4, since it wouldnt run on my old one (used to play it on my girlfriend´s computer).

What can i say ? I used to complain that the graphics in civ4 for unnecceraly demanding hardware-wise and i remember myself asking for an option to switch it to some civ1-style graphic... lol... it´s so pretty and smooth now it takes my breath... even the intro was completely smooth. It only took a 700 Euro machine to achieve that - thats a reasonable amount to invest in a new computer IMHO (it´s not only for civ, so its really nothing to start bragging)... here are the specs:

3700+ Athlon (San Diego)
1 gig of ram
ati (actually asus) 850 pro
... oh well and a raptor harddrive...

cant wait till the weekend (which starts on thursday for me this week - now that´s bragging :-D ) when i will have time to play ! Civ4 has become a whole new experience for me... will i play my first "giant" game ? I wonder... i mean i could... :-D Yippieh !

[Smellycowsquid]

I'm happy for you, as for me, I am stuck with my brother's computer from 2001

[LordShiva]

Do you mean the game on your new computer, or your girlfriend?

[Bkeela]

When I saw the first screen shots for Civ IV, I couldn't believe how crap they looked. Now I can't believe how great the graphics are. 3D has enhanced Civ immeasurably.

[Dis]

I just recently played my first game after my system upgrade (which I did for Oblivion, not for civ4). I have 2 gigs of ram and radeon x1600 (512 mb ram).

[Bkeela]

Originally posted by Dis
I just recently played my first game after my system upgrade (which I did for Oblivion, not for civ4). I have 2 gigs of ram and radeon x1600 (512 mb ram).

...and? Was it worthwhile?

[alva]

Yeah, wuz thinking the same thing, expecting either a viscious rant or a ...but at least...something Dis, c'mon man, suspense is killing us here.

[Steve2000]

I was thinking the exact same thing! I just upgraded to a X1600Pro from a GeForce 4 440MX and WOW!!!! I immediately cranked everything up to high level and I can't get enough. The graphics are simply stunning! I didn't know that the trees swayed in the wind, and that the ocean lapped up on the beach!

I think I figured out what the bottleneck was in my P4 2.8GHz, 1024 MB RAM machine

[Dis]

Originally posted by Bkeela


...and? Was it worthwhile?

actually, I just realized my graphics settings were still set on normal. I turned them to high, and I still have problems with the wonder movies skipping and freezing. Though it should be noted, I'm probably not playing with the latest patch. I haven't updated since probably December or Januarary, so if there's been a patch released since then, I don't have it.

But I'm currently playing a large earth map (the one in play new game-scenarios). It's the one with apparantly only european and asian civs (and the egyptians). barbs seem to have the run of the new world. and they are tough. But I haven't had any serious slowdowns on this map. I just finished the statue of liberty. That's where I am time wise. I started as the germans and took over 4 roman cities knocking them out of the game. I needed room to expand. . I should take over Athens as well...

So I really don't notice much difference in graphics than my old card. It's just better to play large maps. But that's due to the 2 gigs of RAM. And my processor is still an old Athalon 2600 + if anyone is curious.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Steve2000
I was thinking the exact same thing! I just upgraded to a X1600Pro from a GeForce 4 440MX and WOW!!!! I immediately cranked everything up to high level and I can't get enough. The graphics are simply stunning! I didn't know that the trees swayed in the wind, and that the ocean lapped up on the beach!

I think I figured out what the bottleneck was in my P4 2.8GHz, 1024 MB RAM machine

really?

one problem is I don't ever zoom in (and my middle scroll button on my mouse isn't working- I have to use the keyboard). I am missing out on these little graphical delights.

[Unimatrix11]

Hey Dis, say hi to my gf... she must be pretty close to you (and damn far from me) - is the 2nd palms tower ready by now ?

edit: btw yeah she is smooth, too

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Duomatrix11
Hey Dis, say hi to my gf... she must be pretty close to you (and damn far from me) - is the 2nd palms tower ready by now ?

edit: btw yeah she is smooth, too

In that case, can I say hi to your gf too?

(j/k)

[Dauphin]

My computer is over 4 years old. I bought myself a cheap 128Mb graphics card today and now I can appreciate cIV graphics the way nature intended.

[MasterDave]

Now that the game graphics are pretty on your new computer, are you finding that the gameplay has become (officially) dumbed down and "a disappointment"??


I am being ironic here, and responding to the few posters here who decry civ4 as having poor gameplay as a direct result of having attractive graphics.

The overall quality of strategic computer games is not a zero-sum game. I think that most of us posting here agree that in the case of Civ4, that you can have deep strategy and attractive graphics at the same time.

[MasterDave]

By the way, speaking of great graphics, now that you have a modern computer and VGA card, you should try out Battle for Middle Earth II. As an RTS, it is not nearly as deep as Civ4, but its graphics are simply the best I have ever seen in the RTS genre, the music is great, and the cutscenes and strory are first rate. If you are a fan of the Tolkein books, and/or the Lord of the Rings movies, you should definitely check this one out.

The game even has Tom Bombadil in it! The other night I led a goblin army on a rampage through the Shire, with the bonus objectives being to burn down Bag End and the Green Dragon Inn. I love the smell of dead hobbits in the morning....

Big Fun. /end thread hijack