Civ3 PTW= teh s(_)x

[WarpStorm]

Originally posted by Amesjustin
As a software developer myself, I know the frustration a programmer feels when he/she is forced to release software that he/she knows is sub-par because the people who pay your bills are demanding it be released on a certain date.

Been there, done that. It sucks to be blamed for stuff that isn't really your fault.

The only gaming exception is Blizzard. Yes their games have very few bugs, but they also take SEVERAL years to develop and are expensive as hell. And in my opinion not as fun to play as any of Firaxis' games.

And every one of their games in recent memory has missed their target date, often by years. But I do have to admit they come out polished.

[Jens_S]

I agree by and large with [FX] Roman. This game is a *MAJOR* dissapointment. I'm sure the vast majority of people bought this game (at the very least, a very significant percentage of people did) mostly for the multiplay, and now it doesn't even work properly. I'm not saying that Firaxis won't improve the game, but *AS IT STANDS NOW* it is completely unacceptable. I paid a fair deal of money for it, and it can't even promise what it delivered. Yes, some people have gotten in a turn-based game on multiplay on a tiny map, but Civ: PtW promised so much more than that. Firaxis better fix most of these problems fairly soon, or I will be angry enough not to buy any of their products again.

[Jens_S]

Er, delievered what it promised, I meant. Heh, silly mistake, but that doesn't change my sentiments.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Jens_S
I agree by and large with [FX] Roman. This game is a *MAJOR* dissapointment. I'm sure the vast majority of people bought this game (at the very least, a very significant percentage of people did) mostly for the multiplay, and now it doesn't even work properly. I'm not saying that Firaxis won't improve the game, but *AS IT STANDS NOW* it is completely unacceptable. I paid a fair deal of money for it, and it can't even promise what it delivered. Yes, some people have gotten in a turn-based game on multiplay on a tiny map, but Civ: PtW promised so much more than that. Firaxis better fix most of these problems fairly soon, or I will be angry enough not to buy any of their products again.

Is this your first civ game?

They have always been primariliy a SP game. MP has always been secondary.

Which doesn't excuse the problems, I just wanted to point that out.

They will fix it, hopefully very soon.

[Obese Monkfish]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel


Is this your first civ game?

They have always been primariliy a SP game. MP has always been secondary.

Which doesn't excuse the problems, I just wanted to point that out.

They will fix it, hopefully very soon.

Why did you even bother to point it out? One of the main touted features of PTW was MP. At first we were led to believe a patch for Civ III would have MP. Then it was an expansion. Now the expansion, for all intents and purposes, does not have MP.

Did anyone really buy the expansion for 6 new civs and some new units??? LOL if they did.

[NeOmega]

I just hope you guys got hte patch, and read the readme, before you started complaining.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Obese Monkfish

Why did you even bother to point it out? One of the main touted features of PTW was MP. At first we were led to believe a patch for Civ III would have MP. Then it was an expansion. Now the expansion, for all intents and purposes, does not have MP.

Did anyone really buy the expansion for 6 new civs and some new units??? LOL if they did.

The patch will come, have some patience.

Oh, and I bought it mainly for the SP enhancements, as have others. I will (and have) play some MP, but I don't have time for that on a regular basis. The SP enhancements are pretty significant, far beyond what a good graphic artist or modder could do.

When they promise MP in a patch? could you point out the thread? I have heard this before, but never from a primary source.

[Jens_S]

Asleepatthewheel, in answer to your following post...

"Is this your first civ game?

They have always been primariliy a SP game. MP has always been secondary.

Which doesn't excuse the problems, I just wanted to point that out.

They will fix it, hopefully very soon."


No, this is not my first Civ game. I've played the Civ series for years. Though I'm left a little puzzled as to exactly what relevance that has to do with the Civ 3: Play the World expansion pack not working properly.

The only reason I can think of why you would ask that question - other than as a [failed] put-down - would be based on the nature of your second paragraph; that the Civ series have always been primiarily a SP game. Well, the main purpose of Civ 3: Play the World was the addition of multiplay (hence the title "Play the World". Also, directly on the front of the box it says "Multiplay", thus giving the consumer an additional indication as to what is the main purpose of the expansion pack. Furthermore, if you read my original post, you'll see that I clearly point out that I recognise that multiplay isn't the only reason why some people bought Civ3: PtW (and indeed might not even factor into the equation).

And yes, I do hope they fix it soon, too.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Jens_S
No, this is not my first Civ game. I've played the Civ series for years. Though I'm left a little puzzled as to exactly what relevance that has to do with the Civ 3: Play the World expansion pack not working properly.

The only reason I can think of why you would ask that question - other than as a [failed] put-down - would be based on the nature of your second paragraph; that the Civ series have always been primiarily a SP game. Well, the main purpose of Civ 3: Play the World was the addition of multiplay (hence the title "Play the World". Also, directly on the front of the box it says "Multiplay", thus giving the consumer an additional indication as to what is the main purpose of the expansion pack. Furthermore, if you read my original post, you'll see that I clearly point out that I recognise that multiplay isn't the only reason why some people bought Civ3: PtW (and indeed might not even factor into the equation).

And yes, I do hope they fix it soon, too.

You're right, I was a little harsh. my apologies

You have a right to your opinion. I too am disappointed by the quality of the MP.

a patch will come.

Infogrames is the main source of the problem, not Firaxis.

I think I am just tired of hearing this repeated ad naseum when I know firaxis has gotten the message (if they didn't already know post-gold, pre-release, which I suspect they did) (also my football team is losing, so I'm a bit testy )

again, a patch will come, patience is required now. Personally, I would rather them put out the game when they did and patch it as problems arise than to go without the SP improvements, but that's just me, you obviously feel otherwise, I'm sorry that you're disappointed. honestly, I am probably too loyal to Firaxis and the Civ series.

[vmxa1]

I have seen a number of people including me that bought it for SP only. I have not played MP since the original Red Alert.

[Dominae]

I don't really want to jump in to more debates about PTW (I did my fair share of flaming a couple of days ago!), but I just want to set the record straight:

On the front of my copy of PTW, right under the title, it reads: "Multiplayer, Expansion Pack, Requires Civ3 to Play".

One could put forth the argument that marketing is not always a good sign of what you get "on the inside" (just look at bad movies with great previews), but I don't think it applies too well in this case. The proof is that Infogrames/Firaxis (I don't know exactly who, probably both) is/are working around the clock right now to make the MP playable.


Dominae

[notyoueither]

And if you spent more time listening to people who know how to make it go, and less time ranting, you would probably have some fun and find that yes, Virginia, it does work.

Found a guy last night who is about 300 miles from me. Played for several hours Simultaneous. It was like SP with a time clock.

[Flesh Reaver]

Ok, Ok....

So all you diehard Firaxis lovers are yelling about how all we have to do is wait for a patch. This is a bunch of bull, but i would be satisfied with that.

Except for the fact that MP is SO screwed up that I doubt any patch in the future is going to bring it fully up to standards. If it was minor bugs, no problem, patchs would fix it to %100.

My concern is that the patches are going to get it up to the point where you can maybe play 4 ppl with some lag involved. Then we will stop seeing patches because the core of the program is so screwed that no amount of patching will bring us up to %100 percent.

My guess is we will see a final patch, which will fulfill only about %50 of MP promases. Infrograms offical word on it will be "well, if you don't like it than play by E-mail, hotseat, or LAN".

For most gammers those options are not favorable.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by notyoueither
And if you spent more time listening to people who know how to make it go, and less time ranting, you would probably have some fun and find that yes, Virginia, it does work.

Found a guy last night who is about 300 miles from me. Played for several hours Simultaneous. It was like SP with a time clock.

I just finished 1.5 hrs of simultaneous game. was pretty enjoyable, of course, moreso since I won

but I guess I'm just lucky.

Oh, played a guy from NY, I'm in MO, not sure how far away that is, 800 miles? was ok speed wise, combat was a little dicey, but that was becasue I was atttacking on one continent and loading more troops in my home continent.

Please read the readme. And there are people here that can help you. While I haven't messed with my system for this game, I have had problems with games in the past. A screw up with red alert forced me to format my harddrive. So I feel for those who can't get it to work right away.

And a patch is on the way. Patience.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Flesh Reaver
Ok, Ok....

So all you diehard Firaxis lovers are yelling about how all we have to do is wait for a patch. This is a bunch of bull, but i would be satisfied with that.

Except for the fact that MP is SO screwed up that I doubt any patch in the future is going to bring it fully up to standards. If it was minor bugs, no problem, patchs would fix it to %100.

My concern is that the patches are going to get it up to the point where you can maybe play 4 ppl with some lag involved. Then we will stop seeing patches because the core of the program is so screwed that no amount of patching will bring us up to %100 percent.

My guess is we will see a final patch, which will fulfill only about %50 of MP promases. Infrograms offical word on it will be "well, if you don't like it than play by E-mail, hotseat, or LAN".

I understand your concerns

did you get civ3 on release?
that wasnt' a pretty sight either, but it was patched to the state it is in now, which is an improvement

Also, I think the simul and turnless modes are glitchy because they were trying to squeeze a square tbs into a round rts. So a few problems were to be expected (at least by me)

I think there were 3 or 4 patches released before PTW, so I would expect they would do what it takes. Hopefully to the point where it is as advertised.

(wonder what it would have been like to play before the patch released 3 days ago )