Announcement

**Alex** · November 10, 2002, 11:03

The problem is not in giving PTW a chance or not. We all want it to work, because, well, we're all gonna buy it in the end, else we wouldn't be here, would we? (There are some haunted souls that will not agree, but...)

The problem is we are getting tired of this lame gaming industry policy: to release a game unfinished and/or buggy as hell and then trying to fix it with some patches. I'd rather believe that Infogrames is the one to blame here; I still think that the Firaxis guys have some love for what they do...

In the past, patches were used to correct flaws in the games, it was almost an embarassment for the people involved in the development of that title -- "look, we're really sorry, I mean, these bugs went unnoticed, but here is a patch that will fix this situation. Now we have to get ready for the whipping, excuse us".

Now, patches are almost part of the development cycle -- "we're happy to announce the release of the patch v1.9.77.25p, that fixes some problems with the original game, in the same spirit of the 15 patches that preceded it. And we have good news for our customers: the next patch will be available in three weeks from now, and with it we'll be closing the development of our game. Thanks to all your invaluable help, our game is now properly finished and functional, two years after it was released. Oh, and we'd like to announce that our newest project is ready for its first patch, which will be released one month before the original game, because our main goal will always be to satisfy our customers!"

**ChrisiusMaximus** · November 10, 2002, 11:20

Its sad but true!!

That said I will be getting PTW as soon as it hits the UK shops. Ok Ill just have to go through the process of downloading the latest patch but what else can a self confessed civ addict do ?

**Fatwreck** · November 10, 2002, 12:27

What´s really sad is that everybody accepts it...

**be0wulfe** · November 10, 2002, 13:27

Accepting What?

I've played the Civ & SMAC series since the early days of Civ 1 and this iteration Civ3 AND it's PTW expansion, has been the single worst gaming experience of my gaming days - perhaps because I expected so much. I have as YET to complete a SINGLE game because they all eventually bug out and crash during a turn run - and none of the patches have helped.

EDIT: screw this, if my only choice is Inforgrames support, whose answer to everything seems to be update your drivers (they are), defrag (I do), then this PoS IS going back. When the freaking game crashes DURING A TURN RUN, it's a problem with YOUR GAME, not my system.
I can run FPS, RTS, TBS, MMPOGS on my rig JUST fine, it's just this piece of tripe that will crash.

Suffice it to say, unless I get some sort of satisfaction, I'm taking PTW back to the store. I only WISH I could send back my original Civ3 for a refund as well.

This has been such a negative experience that I would rather be wasting time with MS Train Simulator than this tripe.

**KoalaBear33** · November 10, 2002, 13:45

Comments from a non-TBS fan...

The real issue here is over the casual game buyer. The hardcore fans, like yourself, will stick by the game no matter what. Even if it requires 10 patches, you'll be ok with that. But most others won't. This is even more true for expansions which are optional. I personally see very little reason to buy the expansion. The features added to single player games aren't important enough and the multiplayer is all messed up

BTW, Civ 1 one of the best games of all time... Civ II was an excellent game... and Civ III is just ok (nothing great

)...

KoalaBear33

**Akka** · November 10, 2002, 13:47

Give PTW a chance!

I thought that the chance was already given last year, with Civ3.

**Minmaster** · November 10, 2002, 14:11

yup i think koala said something very true. the hardcore civvers will probably buy it, but the civ newbies and others wont tolerate such product.

**mathgoulet** · November 10, 2002, 14:35

I got sick of civilisationIII after a week. After a long waiting time for a patch, I gave up. I waited for this expansion to bring the missing part of the gameplay (yet, I think it's a retarded game compared to civ II). Now that I see the low ranking of this game everywhere (like gamespot), my only thought is Firaxis just destroyed the whole civilization serie with their money making policies and customer traps like what they just did.

**Asterothe** · November 10, 2002, 14:35

That's true I even preordered the game

.
But now i get to play a couple of games
so it started to pay back already.

**Kingof the Apes** · November 10, 2002, 14:38

However, gathering from what I have read, the only really lousy feature is multiplayer. Supposedly all of the Single player additions work pefectly.

IMHO, I would rather have a better AI then Multiplayer. TBS just isn't made to have multiplay.

I would be happy to purchase this product even if the only thing it contained is extra civs. If it was just multiplayer, I would'nt care. If I want multiplay, I'll turn on Warcraft.

The features added to single player games arn't impertant enough

6 civs, several terrain improvements, a terrain set, 2 improvements, a wonder, severel new game types?

I rest my case.

**Grungy** · November 10, 2002, 15:47

[SIZE=1]
The problem is we are getting tired of this lame gaming industry policy: to release a game unfinished and/or buggy as hell and then trying to fix it with some patches. I'd rather believe that Infogrames is the one to blame here; I still think that the Firaxis guys have some love for what they do...

I guess you are right alexnm Its a shame nowadays, I remember when game companys used to try and make a game that everyone would enjoy and never want to put down, and try to out do the other guy. Now its all about the money. Well I refuse to take my game back! I just hope that there will be people out there to play PTW when they fix the problem!

**Inverse Icarus** · November 10, 2002, 16:05

i gave it a chance. it sucks. it doesn't work. i'm not going to elaborate and start a flame war. you know my points.

but, i also love civ as a game. of course i want it to be patched, of course i want to be able to play the game long enough to enjoy it without lag or crashes, but this piece of crap they let out is none of that.

people have every right to complain.

also, a terrain set is worthless. theres tons of fan made ones. the city improvements aren't that important. the stock exchange was in civ2, and civil defense is too far down the tech tree to ever see, especially if the game crashes every 2 hours.

the game types, i really don't care for them but i guess they're a welcome addition for some people. i don't see why a mutation of civ is civ at all, but whatever.

firaxis effed up and they know it. the price drops $5 within 2 weeks of release, there are several reviews giving it a failing grade (< 65%), etc.

i'd honestly like a firaxian to come out and admit that they messed up, and i'd honestly (as someone planning to go into the industry) want to know why it happened. if it was infogrammes pushing them (as people speculate) i'd like to know. if it was just shotty code tested on standardized machines in a closed invironment, i'd like to know.

again, civ is one of my favorite games, and i'll continue to support the series. if firaxis went under today and did nothing with PTW, and civ4 came out 2 years from now, i know i'd probably buy it. there'd be some hesitation, but i'd end up doing it.

fix it firaxis. we're here. we're waiting. we're fans.

**vmxa1** · November 10, 2002, 16:08

The thing is I do not see how anyone can overlay their taste on anothers. Most of the complaints are quite valid, but me I have enjoyed the game and PTW has add to it for me. That the problems are real and trend is not good, is true as well.

**Grungy** · November 10, 2002, 16:14

Originally posted by vmxa1
The thing is I do not see how anyone can overlay their taste on anothers. Most of the complaints are quite valid, but me I have enjoyed the game and PTW has add to it for me. That the problems are real and trend is not good, is true as well.

im not trying to overlay my tastes on anyone. This is my first posting. Just wanted to let people know how big a fan i was. Secondly I love the possibility of PTW so much I just want people to be here when it's fix. I agree with everything UberKrux <~~sorry if i spelled it wrong. and I agree with what most everyone said here. Its horrible. Probably the worst MP game to be released. I JUST WANT TO PLAY IT!!!