Morris: More Patches, Direct Ip On The Way

[MarkG]

In our Civ3:PTW Release Party(which just ended but actually continues ) Jeff Morris announced that the team is already working on the next patch for PtW. The patch will include a direct IP option which will bypass the Gamespy matchmaking.

We're aware that the gamespy connection stuff is problematic right now and it's the focus of our team. We've got a list of things that will be fixed in this patch and that along with host slowdowns are on the agenda. So far I haven't heard of any single player issues, editor or LAN/PBEM/Hotseat issues so right now we're focused on internet performance....

We're looking into a list of about 5 major issues related to internet play right now. One new feature of the patch will be a direct connect IP option.

There is no estimation on the release date of the patch yet.

[hematoma1]

I have the 1.04 patch and my PTW has crashed for 3 seperate reasons (normal game play and multi-player). Can I un-install the patch so I can try the game normally?

[Don K Hotay]

Finally a response. I'm surprised not too many people are really (I mean really) complaining about PTW's lacklusterness. But, I'm sure this will all get better. I mean, we're not dealing with a fourth rate game maker like Activision. This is Firaxis, and they are just as dedicated to their fans as we are to their games.

It better come out soon though, or I might still consider Fedexing PTW up Sid Meier's behind!

Las Vegas Quixote

[statusperfect]

Keep up the good work firaxis!

[alva]

I liked the ability to get small fixes ASAP, that way you don't to wait 6 months to get a big update to fix a small problem

[kring]

Mark, can someone please post a transcript or a link to the chat transcript.

[Flesh Reaver]

Judging by the way MP performed for me, it will take about 6 months and 50 patches to get the game up to speed.

As a matter of fact, I doubt the MP will ever deliver 100%. It is just too screwed.

Not that it matters to me. I am returning this waste of money, and vow NEVER to buy another game with the words Firaxis, or Infrograms again.


I was really looking forward to MOO3

[Pyrkaige]

Judging by the way MP performed for me, it will take about 6 months and 50 patches to get the game up to speed.

Given that people have been able to run MP fairly reliably over LAN connections and that there will be a direct TCP/IP option in the next patch, it seems likely that most people will be able to run it much sooner than that. It would have been nicer to not have to deal with Gamespy at all from the get-go, but hopefully the next patch will resolve that.

[Pyrkaige]

Originally posted by kring
Mark, can someone please post a transcript or a link to the chat transcript.

Here's an edited copy of the chat log posted earlier. Some of the questions and responses were moved around to keep them together by topic. The chat was for an hour, and addressed the current problems with MP in PTW as well as other issues.

[kring]

Thank you very much.

[canadianbacon]

How does going with direct IP going to solve anything. The game is built on Microsoft DirectPlay, when you launch a game it is direct IP (the launcher just tells the players what ip address, and then the client connects to the host via direct ip).

The only thing the Gamespy host does it host chat, the chat lobby tells DirectPlay to launch the game and connect to a certain IP address.

So how is going direct IP going to solve anything, its same code working behind the scenes to communicate between host and players.

If you did a manual IP connection, you will be in the same place you would be if you used Gamespy, and I bet it will crash and burn.

The issues with is game are much bigger than the gamespy lobby. There is no way it was tested properly, and the reviews and tests written in the last few months must have been under tightly controlled environments. I guess we all had the wool pulled over our eyes.

[notyoueither]

I welcome direct IP if for no other reason that GameSpy is not assured of being there for years to come...

Overall performance is also being addressed. If direct IP is part of the solution, great!

[WarpStorm]

Originally posted by canadianbacon
There is no way it was tested properly, and the reviews and tests written in the last few months must have been under tightly controlled environments

And you were there I take it?

[canadianbacon]

Of course I was not there, i just making a point on the false claims and media manipulation used in marketing this exansion pack.

I am a software developer , (not games for 17 years). All the reviews, all the claims pointed to a working product. It's not working well at all. I'd expect a few bugs, but its basically not workable.

If you and 1000's others bought a 'hot' sports car, and when you got out the lot and onto a freeway it would not go over 30MPH, consumer affiars people would be all over the car maker. Unfortuantly in software it seems to bo OK to make false claims, push it out the door and hope you can fix it later.

How can so many people be having problems if was tested? It probably was tested, and results ignored... "get it out the door, its almost Christmas"

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by canadianbacon How can so many people be having problems if was tested? It probably was tested, and results ignored... "get it out the door, its almost Christmas"

True to a point, but ask yourself who would have been making the decision of "getting it out the door".

The thing has been being tested for some time now. I can vouch for that since I have been testing it. The developers have made massive progress, but are not yet done (according to what they say).

The shame to me, is the reputation of the developer being sullied at this early date by a decision of the publisher. I truely hope that that is corrected by dedication being demonstrated by Firaxis.

The sooner the INet MP scowls are changed to smiles, the better, and then most of this may be forgotten. If only people would remember to read the forums before they make the purchase...