"Civilization IV: Warlords" Video Preview (Part 1/3)

[DanQ]

On <U>Saturday, July 8th</U>, <B>Firaxis Games</B> Designer/Programmer <A HREF="http://www.firaxis.com/company/bios.php?bioid=85" TARGET="_new">Jon "Trip" Schafer</A> exclusively previewed <I>Civilization IV</I> expansion pack <I>Warlords</I> for <A HREF="http://convention.apolyton.net" TARGET=_new">attendees of</A>&nbsp;<B>ApolyCon '06</B> in Timonium, Maryland. Today, <B>Apolyton Civilization Site</B> begins its preview of this highly anticipated add-on by releasing <A HREF="http://convention.apolyton.net/videos/civ4-warlords_preview(part1of3).wmv" TITLE="Click to Download">the first of three segments</A> of this presentation. Below is a screenshot from this production:

<CENTER><table cellspacing=0 border=0 width=300 style="border: 1px solid gray;margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 60px;"></tr><tr><td colspan=2><a href="http://convention.apolyton.net/videos/civ4-warlords_preview(part1of3).wmv" TITLE="Click to Download (31.0MB)"><img align=center src=http://convention.apolyton.net/photos/civ4-warlords_preview(1of3).jpg width=320 height=240 style="padding: 4px 4px 0px 4px;" BORDER=0></a></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 4px;"><font size=1 color=gray>Screen capture from <I>Civilization IV: Warlords</I></td><td align=right><font size=1></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 4px;"><font size=1 color=gray></td><td align=right><font size=1><A style="border: 0px;" href=http://convention.apolyton.net/photos/civ4-warlords_preview(1of3).jpg><img border=0 src=http://apolyton.net/upload/view/830_full.gif title="click to enlarge"></a></td></tr></table></CENTER><BR>
Published in <A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10" TARGET="_new">Windows Media</A> format, this video runs for 07m37s and is 31.0MB in size. ACS is the only authorized distributor of this media; therefore, it is requested that one use <A HREF="http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?postid=4513079#post4513079">this link</A> to point to this work.

Watch for Part 2 of 3 on <U>July 18th</U> and Part 3/3 on <U>July 21st</U>. <I>Warlords</I> itself is scheduled to be released on <U>July 25th</U>.

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Dan; Apolyton CS

[geneshifter]

I now have a headache - maybe a better camera would be in order. I'll even chip in on one

Seriously, thanks for bringing this to us fans. Can't wait for it to come out.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by geneshifter
I now have a headache - maybe a better camera would be in order. I'll even chip in on one

I take it you're referring more to the video than the audio then? The resolution perhaps or..?

I was able to put the audio through some post-production measures to increase volume and clarity otherwise. That all said, now having "gone through the process" next time I think getting a little closer would be beneficial . I'm certain I could do so reasonably and not be uncomfortably close for audience members and presenters alike.

As for a new digital camcorder.... hmmmm. Willing to pitch in for one that uses mini-DVDs instead of Digital Video Cassettes?  

Seriously, thanks for bringing this to us fans. Can't wait for it to come out.

You're most welcome. Glad you enjoyed it, and hope you'll enjoy parts two and three of this feature equally (if not more).

-------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[Qwertqwert]

Is the Chinese cannon another UU for China? Does it replace Cho-Ko-Nu? Or is it just a unit for everyone?

[geneshifter]

Thanks, Dan, for your response. In all honesty, I can't get enough of this. I could watch these behind the scenes things all day.

Do you ever think that Firaxis would release some footage taken during the development of Civ 4? That would be cool to see.

[Snotty]

You could have watched the behind the scenes things all day if you had come to the convention

[Metaliturtle]

You guys should've seen all the cool stuff that I found on Soren's laptop WOWEEE!!!!

They better send me that NDA quick I'm about to burst!!!

[Solver]

You got Soren's babe collection that all Civ4 testers wanted so much?

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by geneshifter
Thanks, Dan, for your response. In all honesty, I can't get enough of this. I could watch these behind the scenes things all day.

Do you ever think that Firaxis would release some footage taken during the development of Civ 4? That would be cool to see.

Soren and the lead artist did a presentation on the Civ4 development at the conference, I assume Dan got some video of that too. So if you are real nice he may put that online too.

[Soren Johnson]

Originally posted by OzzyKP


Soren and the lead artist did a presentation on the Civ4 development at the conference, I assume Dan got some video of that too. So if you are real nice he may put that online too.

If you're interested, here is a link to the slides...

http://www.designer-notes.com/archives/2006/07/apolycon_06.htm

[Nikolai]

Thanks for the link Soren. DL'ing to check out now.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
[..] I assume Dan got some video of that too. So if you are real nice he may put that online too.

Yes and yes.

Thanks for the link to the slides from your presentation, Soren.

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Dan; Apolyton CS

P.S. For those who attended the convention, you can also find Soren/Dorian's slides on your "UltimatePak" CD.

[MrPsycho]

I agree this was a pretty bad video. I thought the expansion pack looks amazing but that was about as poor presentation as anyone could come up with.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by MrPsycho
I agree this was a pretty bad video. I thought the expansion pack looks amazing but that was about as poor presentation as anyone could come up with.

Constructive criticisms are welcome -- the problem with the criticism above, MrPsycho, is that you're largely lacking the constructive part. For example, you failed to precise. That said, I probably have a reasonable idea what you're getting at given what has already been said (and my own personal assessment for that matter).

With this in mind, I will say that the audio quality is better in the second part (in my opinion anyway) where "less" became "more" in the editing process.

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Dan; Apolyton CS

[MrPsycho]

Well, I'm sorry if you feel my "criticism" was unwarranted, but I think its pretty obvious.

The sound cuts in and out multiple times, and at one point it seems to slow down. The images itself flickers a lot and also rotates in color very quickly (from red to green ie. 3:30), which is not helped by the fact that the camera is always shaking. I mean, to be honest, I wouldn't recommend epileptics watch this clip.

The developer who was describing the scenario he created also didn't seem very excited about his product. The reason I mention all of this is that I own Civ 4 and didn't know any of these things were in the expansion. I was thinking to myself I probably wouldnt buy this until I heard about these cool features, so its really too bad this video is so hard to watch.

And I didn't describe the crappiness of the video in my first post out of politeness.