Civ3: Conquests has Gone Gold!

[WarpStorm]

Should have sent them a copy with your leaderheads. That'd given it at least one more star.

[Louis XXIV]

Originally posted by JimMac


Actually,- I think I would prefer a 'Breakaway' (or even an Atari) chat, considering their involvement.

Merepatra of Breakaway and Jeff from Atari were at the chat along with Firaxis.

I think a few other people showed up too.

[vovan]

Originally posted by Louis XXIV
Merepatra of Breakaway and Jeff from Atari were at the chat along with Firaxis.

* Vovan looks around for an announcement of this past chat, puzzled *

[Louis XXIV]

This one

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64635

[vovan]

Originally posted by Louis XXIV
This one

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showth...threadid=64635

Ah, gotcha. Thanks.

[sabrewolf]

can someone explain me what "gone gold" actually means?

i know that the civ3 gold version includes PTW and all the newest pathces, but what's the big deal?

[MarkG]

"gone gold" refers to the point that a game(any game) is finalized and ready to be sent for "print"

[sabrewolf]

ah... so it has nothing to do with the "gold" version which some games sometimes have

thanks

[WarpStorm]

I think the term started because the master CDs which are sent off to duplication used to be gold in color.

[alva]

They really should do them in watercolour, shouldn't they.

-
Aren't there silver and platinums too?

[Jeff_ATARI]

40%

Originally posted by Louis XXIV
What 40% mark?

Yeah, "40%" sounds scary, doesn't it? In actuality, it was "2 out of 5 stars," and the magazine "reviewed" 201 games, many of which haven't come out yet. But, it's no secret that every reviewer is entitled to his or her own opinion. Also keep in mind that the lead time for most U.S.-based print publications is at least 2 months. For instance, PC Gamer's very positive preview of Civ Conquests just appeared, but we visited with them over the summer.

We are just sending out copies of the final game to editors, so you'll be seeing a few online reviews shortly, and print reviews to follow perhaps in some January and February issues.

Best,
Jeff Foley
Atari

[vmxa1]

Game reviews are like movie reviews. you need to know they reviewer. If they have similar likes as you, then you may take heed. Even that does not work 100%. I have a friend for more than 35 years and we have very similar taste, but he hated CivII, so what can you say?
Any game that I really have an interest in such as C3C, Mooanything or Warlords or Homm, I am going to get it reguardless of anyones comments. Ok, I got burnt on Moo3 and midly singed on Homm4. I still have to do it.

[Jeff_ATARI]

industry terminology

Originally posted by WarpStorm
I think the term started because the master CDs which are sent off to duplication used to be gold in color.

Ding ding ding! Give that purple tentacle a cee-gar. They were in fact on special gold CDs before "our scientists discovered CD Burning future tech #1"...

Gone Gold = released to manufacturing. Also called "RTM"
Launch = shipped from Atari's central distribution to stores. Some software companies call this "FCS" (First Customer Ship). Some stores receive the game directly. Others go through distribution centers that may delay the game's appearance for a week.

I fully expect some North American stores to have Civ Conquests in stock on November 4th. Call ahead, though... would you believe that many stores don't carry more than 5-10 copies of any given computer game (and sometimes only 1 or 2).

Best,
Jeff Foley
Atari

P.S. There's no naming consistency after "gone gold" and launch, but you'll sometimes see:
Game of the Year Edition = base game plus goodies
Special Edition = base game plus more goodies in a premium package
Gold Edition = base game plus first expansion pack
Deluxe Edition = base game plus several expansion packs (sometimes called Platinum Edition, not to be confused with an Xbox Platinum title, which is the equivalent of a PlayStation "Greatest Hits" title -- a best selling title at a reduced price.... confused yet?)

[player1]

Well, we can expect Deluxe Edition next year.

Can we?

[SirOsis]

How about a deluxe edition with a certain number of copies containing a coupon for a free worldwide ticket to anywhere so we can encounter other "civilizations" first hand.