Don't release Civ3 with MP!

[Master Marcus]

Originally posted by tniem


Well if the reviews are bad and players find the AI terrible then it won't be good to not have MP. In fact it will downright kill the series and possibly the TBS genre. Infogrames as well will take a hit not only by sales on this one but also on MOO3. That would mean to me that they would want a hit but I guess not.

I partly disagree. I place great hopes for MoO3, in fact it could be theunexpected - I admit, the unexpected - SAVIOR of the TBS genre. Innovative gameplay AND sequel ( non-linear, non-conservative unlike the Civ series ) developed by a different team , but of course they may have the same deadline cuts since its the same publisher. Please, wait for the release next year before a final judgement. In the meantime this is pure speculation...( though I find pleasant to speculate from time to time!).

As for the AI, it cannot be worst than the SMACx one. It could be a lot better of course, but SMACx is a great game: Civ3 can still be an even greater game with just a more versative AI and the same difficulty levels from Civ2. This is within an existing engine the programmers need only to remodel. They may be actually rushed to finish the game without the options we know, but I'm confident that a full-year development for the AI was sufficient. But not optimal.

All in all, they want a $$$$$$$$$hit for a good game ( face it, Civ3 may not become a perfect masterpiece - but it will at least be good ) instead of losing another (un)profitable year in development for all the extras.

[korn469]

As for the AI, it cannot be worst than the SMACx one. It could be a lot better of course, but SMACx is a great game: Civ3 can still be an even greater game with just a more versative AI and the same difficulty levels from Civ2. This is within an existing engine the programmers need only to remodel. They may be actually rushed to finish the game without the options we know, but I'm confident that a full-year development for the AI was sufficient. But not optimal.

Master Marcus

Brian Reynolds was the lead AI programmer on Civ2 and SMAC, and Tim Train was the primary guy telling Brian how to make the AI better...they both left firaxis

so if you are an optimist you think "ok now that they got rid of those two, time for some good AI!"

or if you are a pesimist you think "oh now! just how bad is the ai going to be?!"

but civ3 introduces a number of new ideas, and AI is usally one of the hardest and most time consuming things to get right...so if you are one to fear that civ3 is being rushed out the door, then you have to wonder how much time is the AI going to get and will it be enough?

[isaac brock]

I'm sorry if it's hard to accept, but Civ 3 WILL be released by its deadline, and since there's no changing that, I would much rather have them refine the AI for their remaining days and patching multiplayer later. Yes, I DO acknowledge that many people play civ multiplayer. But most people, even if they play multiplayer, aren't above playing SP. So, if (and it is still if, even though it's likely) Firaxis can't release it with MP for any reason, they must release SP for the deadline. If they were to delay until multiplayer, that could mean a six month wait. Since die-hard MPers would be waiting whether they waited to release the game or not, why can't they release SP so that MPers have a diversion, modders can get to work, and SPers can play the game they wanted to play for so long? It is extremely disappointing that it can't be all ready right away, but you cannot change it. So get over it.

[Master Marcus]

korn469,

of course it will NOT be enough to meet the expectations we all had for Civ3 ( not optimal, I have already admitted it in my former post). I did not forget the "departures" of our friends from Firaxis, though I'm glad this is reminded again. But since the puppet master is still there, I hardly imagine how he will let the game hit the shelves with a lower AI engine. We'll see in November only.

Otherwise, I'll try your RTS Empire Earth...promising isn't it?

And don't forget MoO3 next year ( too soon to be condemned!).

[korn469]

Master Marcus

i truly hope that civ3 is a great game, and i think it will be a good game...I just wish that firaxis could get a few more months to work on perfecting civ3

i just don't see how the suits at infogrames could say "no Multiplayer? No problem! What other strategy games have multiplayer anyways? Go right ahead and ship it!" unless they think they can end up selling civ3 at 80 dollars

i really think this [lack of MP] is probably a misunderstanding