Civ3 Conquests, should this have been the orginal Civ3?

[Yolky]

Just wundering before I buy this game. I will buy this game but would like to know what you guys think.

I keep hearing how great this game is now and wundering should this have been Civ3 the first time around?

Davor

[Inverse Icarus]

thats a stupid question, and it's quite insulting to firaxis. the work that went into the leaderheads alone would have taken a lot more time, and we would have ben civless for 2 more years.

but yes, the tweaks and new options in conquests are awesome.

[Yolky]

stupid question? I don't think so. If it was a stupid question how come there were all the complaint when Civ 3 first came out?
I stopped playing Civ3 since I didn't find it that much fun, wasn't that great it was all hyped to be. I found PtW much better but since I don't play multi I sold it to my friend.

I am looking forward to getting it and since I bought the Special edtion of Civ3 and all the feature that were said to be there wern't there, I and we have a right to ask this question.

I don't want to list all the things that were missing or were wrong with Civ3 since it was said numerous times.


So I believe my question is valid. Is this what Civ3 should have been the first time around?

Davor

ps. if someone can set up a pole please do so. I don't know how to do it.

[Kuciwalker]

stupid question? I don't think so. If it was a stupid question how come there were all the complaint when Civ 3 first came out?

There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of whiny *******s.

[Myrddin]

I don't want to list all the things that were missing or were wrong with Civ3

There wern't that many real bugs; most of the patches were playing around with things like the happiness penalty for pop-rushing and blocking exploits

Whether Civ3 was what you wanted it to be is another question

[vmxa1]

CivIII could not have been what C3C is, even if they had the extra two years. Much of what is part of C3C required people that have CivIII and PTW to determine what was wrong, what was right and what could be done.
So I won't say it was a stupid question, but it is unfair.

[Lewsir]

Here's a somewhat different question - it seems like Firaxis is really getting CIV-III working well now - why not continue to issue add-ons for a couple years, sort the way The Sims does? Do people think an incremental approach, continuously tweaking and adding features to this game would be preferable to starting over again with a CIV-IV, with the possibility of a lot of time and heartache before they get that one "right" ?

PS I have no idea what Firaxis plans are for next steps with CIV, is there a CIV IV in the works?

[Sarxis]

I don't mind the incremental changes, so long as they are hefty, hefty, hefty- not wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.

[Lewsir]

Right, I guess the trick is for them to keep coming up with innovative incremental changes that genuinely improve gameplay. For me the number one thing they could do is keep improving the AI. Number two is improve the diplomacy (also basically AI, plus the complexity of the possible interactions). I would also love to see espionage take on a bigger role.

These are all things they can probably do better by continuing to build on C3C rather than starting over with a new game and havnig to worry about getting all the basic stuff figured out again - like spending a couple of person-years on graphics.

[WarpStorm]

I personally like the incremental approach, but there comes a point in any software project where the original design gets in the way of new ideas. It can get to the point where it is easier to start over than to try to jam something in.

[DrSpike]

Thing is, you can beta test and remove some bugs/exploits, but you never get them all. If Conquests is good, it builds on the experience of fans who helped to fix some of the bigger problems with the earlier patches.

[Kuciwalker]

I think Firaxis is pretty lucky to have Apolyton and CFC. Not many games have a community this involved and connected to the developers.

[vmxa1]

I have idea where they are on the next phase either. I should think they writing down ideas and seeing what develops.
If they have a good run with this one (C3C) and they are not in a position to start a new Civ, they may do another addon. I doubt they will walk away from any money, if it is available.

I kind of prefer one more addon and then it would be about right for a round up approach.

[dexters]

Originally posted by Lewsir
Here's a somewhat different question - it seems like Firaxis is really getting CIV-III working well now - why not continue to issue add-ons for a couple years, sort the way The Sims does? Do people think an incremental approach, continuously tweaking and adding features to this game would be preferable to starting over again with a CIV-IV, with the possibility of a lot of time and heartache before they get that one "right" ?

PS I have no idea what Firaxis plans are for next steps with CIV, is there a CIV IV in the works?

I have suggested that for games like Civ 3, where there is depth and the AI needs to be tweaked for years until exploits are closed and AIs are taught a few human tricks to help it compete better, patches can essentially be issues for 2+ years.

Atari/Firaxis have basically done this, although they have tried to monkey while they are at it by releasing a couple of patches for each release followed by a new XP. If C3C is the end of the line, I really hope we see a first patch in January and another before the summer (June). I think there is still room to improve the AI, and close a few exploits as well as fix a few bugs. As far as the AI is concerned, it's essentially been patched in the patches and with PTW and C3C core release.

I wouldn't mind a 3rd expansion for next fall. And I have a feeling it might just happen if C3C sells well. Since the Civs are maxed out, the next expansion, if it happens, might be adding new units, tweaking the AI some more and perhaps, just perhaps, grant my wish of seeing added diplomacy options and a working UN. Then ATARI can release it as a budget title since I assume whatever they add now will require substantially less work, at least in terms of art.

[Kuciwalker]

Since the Civs are maxed out

Something that can be changed (and I hope it does).