Patch 1.20

[MyOlde]

Why the H are we talking about a Civ IV when we got Conquests only a little while ago? Is it really THAT old? Have we really played it THAT much? I've felt that I was just scratching the surface and that when 1.20 (should have been 2.0 by now!) came along I'd get into the game for real.

Mind you I've been busy with Railroad Tycoon 3 for a few months.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


Wholeheartly agreed.

I always said you were a reasonable chap.

I do feel quite strongly that releasing a second expansion that changes the game obliges the company to spend some time balancing before moving on. Otherwise it would have been preferable IMO to leave PTW and move on, or perhaps just fix the FP model. Except that wouldn't be as profitable I guess.

The Civ3 model (with many new elements) has come so far, mostly with fans acting as beta testers. Now the expansion has made the model even richer, but many of the AI tweaks from PTW are gone, and new tweaks are of course necessary.

[JimMac]

Let me also agree with you about something Doc:

Originally posted by Doc
Now the expansion has made the model even richer, but many of the AI tweaks from PTW are gone, and new tweaks are of course necessary.

While Jesse has to be thanked unreservedly for his continuing work on C3C, I am thinking of returning to PTW for our MP lan games as C3C 1.20 still seems to miss some of the 'good' tweaks present in PTW; (even ignoring the sub bug.)

Also Jesse, I wouldn't object to more definate confimation that another patch WILL be along to restore the improvements/fixes included with PTW. I'm afraid I'm so insecure that "next steps" doesnt do it for me!

[Theseus]

Thanks for the update, Jesse!

Let's get 1.20f ASAP, and then let the community know if there is anything that can be done to help get further fixes in for a later patch. There are, uh, obviously a number of people who'd like to help!

Once again, thanks for the ongoing support... whatever you can do beyond your work on CIV is much appreciated.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Doc
I always said you were a reasonable chap.

I do feel quite strongly that releasing a second expansion that changes the game obliges the company to spend some time balancing before moving on. Otherwise it would have been preferable IMO to leave PTW and move on, or perhaps just fix the FP model. Except that wouldn't be as profitable I guess.

The Civ3 model (with many new elements) has come so far, mostly with fans acting as beta testers. Now the expansion has made the model even richer, but many of the AI tweaks from PTW are gone, and new tweaks are of course necessary.

I actually appreciate the ongoing support and would show standing ovations, if the patches would just do what good little patches are supposed to, and that is fixing game breaking or at least highly annoying bugs. And not tinker around with corruption, and not experiments with the tech tree, and not eliminating entire techs (which was uncalled for, as far as I know).

[Antrine]

[QUOTE by Sir Ralph ...And not tinker around with corruption, and not experiments with the tech tree, and not eliminating entire techs (which was uncalled for, as far as I know).][/QUOTE]


Which recks havoc on hours and hours of modding.

[Antrine]

I think after this, a lot us here should check ourselves in at the 'positive thinking' clinic for needed therapy.

[Rellin]

Where does one apply to beta test Civ4?

[Jarred]

Jesse, I just don't agree with that priority-milking the cash cow; yes, I know its unlikely C3C will make more money than it has now, but Civ 3 is STILL not finished after a few years; of course, it is an open game, but we still need a lot added to this game, and I'm not so sure I want to buy civ 4 at this point, as C3C is not old yet...it just doesn't seem like it should be a high priority yet...I think that this game should be completed, because there's no reason it shouldn't be-the engine is good enough, and there is no need for a Civ 4 yet-this strains our computers enough as is.

[Fried-Psitalon]

Civ 3 strains your computer?

[vmxa1]

Huge maps with 24 or more civs and lots of water will strain any PC at times.

[asleepathewheel]

yeah, I don't have a top of the line machine like Vmxa1, but max civs on huge is rough.

[ducki]

it just doesn't seem like it should be a high priority yet

Software development cycles are very, very long. 18months is considered rather short for many types of games.

Consider how long the publicly available beta patch process has been going on. Now extrapolate that timeframe to build an entire game (mostly) from scratch - artwork, research, writing/storylines, etc.

For us C3 players, sure, C4 is not a priority, but for a software development company, once you ship, you have to get cranking on the next title. That's why there's 1, maybe two guys working on the actual patch. There's no real revenue potential in a patch. The marketing machine for C3C is dead, so any effort expended here is for the folks that have already paid for the product. This does not take into account customer attitude/goodwill, but the beancounters are not likely to say "let's hold off on C:IV and really get this other 2-year-old game just right" even if the expansion is fairly new.

To the company(and shareholders) revenue is king and there's no revenue in non-subscription-model old releases. Once the box hits the shelf, they have to already be focusing on the next title or start "cost-cutting measures".

[Jaybe]

Originally posted by vmxa1
Huge maps with 24 or more civs and lots of water will strain any PC at times.

For less strain on such settings, check out CFC-Rhye's of Civilization (for 1.15beta).

[Brundlefly]

Unless the main features of Civ4 are a vastly improved AI and a finely balanced game, I'm not buying it. If you want a product that offers you a few new civs or new resources but fails to fix the sub bug and has an AI that continually does stupid things, go right ahead and purchase it. I'm done.