Will Firaxis sign an agreement before making Civ 4

[Tiberius]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
was there a problem with RoN?

Yes, it is RTS.

[Alexander's Horse]

well if they did civ 4 i assume it would be tbs

[Tiberius]

I remember Brian Reynolds saying in an intervoiew after leaving Firaxis that they were absolutely in love with RTS games such as AoE. Hence they tried to do a civ-like RTS game (without too much success if you asked me; I played only the demo and it was enough for me).

So I doubt they would like to make a TBS again.

Besides Civ2 isn't a better game than Civ3; nor is RoN. (even if you think the opposite).

[dexters]

It also sold at a premium when it was released. Really expensive game.

[DrSpike]

Hehe I like the agreement idea. Unfortunately it is hopelessly naive.

[The Slayer]

I don't think they will do such a thing. They just must be quiet and later give to us the sorprises in Civ4.

(but, if we're asking and asking about the new realise... how they will be quiet?? )

[Paddy]

I too like the idea... but can not see them coming to the party...

[Inverse Icarus]

it's not like firaxis wanted to disappoint us, they just didn't have the time. they were under pressure from their publisher (evil frenchie infogrames, who has besmirched the name Atari) to get the game out, and they did, at the cost of various other things.

There were remnants of MP in the civ3 installation that several people found, we know they were trying to get MP in, they just ran out of time, and had to take it out. believe me, if they needed the better part of another year to get it working (and even then, it wasn't so hot ) i'm glad they didnt wait.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
was there a problem with RoN?

runs like a wounded animal. poor video card support.

even when I managed to get a good frame rate it was disappointing, probably will just collect dust on my shelf.

[Boris Godunov]

Welcome to the corporate world.

A company is under no obligation to adhere to its original plan for a product. While saying Civ3 would have MP and not including it (and not saying that until the release) was incredibly bad from a PR and maybe ethics standpoint, I don't think there was any malfeasance.

However, so long as the developer is up front with design changes before release, such an agreement would be unneccesary and, in fact, probably detrimental. Being hamstrung by original intents is not a good idea for a software designer. Designing software is built a great deal on flexibility, after all. The simple fact is that initial plans are often based on some pie-in-the-sky visions, but once the actual coding starts, stark realism sets in.

While I think really good initial planning can avoid most problems in this regard (and I honestly think Civ3 suffered from poor initial planning and a scattershot "we'll try to please everyone!" mentality), changes in design and intent of function will be inevitable.

[Arrian]

@ this thread.

-Arrian

[Cort Haus]

I think some people are unaware of the complexities of software development. It only takes a second to have an idea, but it can take weeks to implement and months to test.

A similar misconception is the idea that workers in this industry should be singled out to work for peanuts or as slaves. Not directly expressed, of course, but nevertheless implied by shrill demands and expectations.

[Boris Godunov]

Well, never let it be said there was a shortage of game fans with a misplaced sense of entitlement.

[The Templar]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
I hope firaxis doesn't make civ 4 - give it to BHG!!!

Brian Reynolds is overrated. Just look at the AI in SMAC.

[FrostyBoy]

I blame the publisher