window?

dirt · October 1, 2001, 16:15

Hi! This is probably a stupid question, but one of my favorite things about civII, is that it runs in a window, so i can play it while multitasking other things, like chat, email, browsing, and work

I was wondering if civIII is supposed to work the same way, or if it's going to take over the whole screen. i'm sure that alt+tab probably wouldn't be too detrimental, but it's so great to have it running in a window.
thanks!

Adagio · October 1, 2001, 16:45

Quote:

Originally posted by dirt
Hi! This is probably a stupid question, but one of my favorite things about civII, is that it runs in a window, so i can play it while multitasking other things, like chat, email, browsing, and work

I was wondering if civIII is supposed to work the same way, or if it's going to take over the whole screen. i'm sure that alt+tab probably wouldn't be too detrimental, but it's so great to have it running in a window.
thanks!

I'm happy to say, it looks like it uses fullscreen...the window mode was the worst part of Civ2

Roland Ehnström · October 1, 2001, 17:05

I believe I have read somewhere that Civ3 will not run in a window. However, it will be possible to run other things in the background when playing.

Peace!

-- Roland

Inverse Icarus · October 1, 2001, 17:16

civ3 by default is run full screen, but Dan Magaha says it's ALT+TAB and ALT+ENTER friendly

squid · October 1, 2001, 19:01

before people ask, the reason it has to be full screen is that then it can take advantage of exclusive mode on the graphics card, thereby rendering a lot faster. I know it's just 2D, but every bit helps...

tniem · October 1, 2001, 21:06

I guess it makes sense. Windowed mode is best for MP TBS games. Without MP, no reason to keep windowed mode.

FrostyBoy · October 1, 2001, 21:17

Why is windowed bad adg?

Sabre2th · October 1, 2001, 21:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Sn00py
Why is windowed bad adg?

I think ADG just has something against windowed mode.

alva · October 1, 2001, 22:12

aaaah windows

never thought this would come out my mouth

where's that soapbar

Adagio · October 2, 2001, 09:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Sn00py
Why is windowed bad adg?

Why it is bad is because in my opinion windowed games looks pretty cheap and I don't like when games (or anything) looks cheap. That is why I also use the skin mode in WinXP and ICQ, old windows and icq defently looks cheap...That is why

Roman · October 2, 2001, 10:42

Unfortunately it will be full-screen.

Gramphos · October 2, 2001, 10:56

Quote:

Originally posted by ADG
Why it is bad is because in my opinion windowed games looks pretty cheap and I don't like when games (or anything) looks cheap. That is why I also use the skin mode in WinXP and ICQ, old windows and icq defently looks cheap...That is why

It is harder to handle windows then to handle fullscreen apps, as fullscreen always is the same size. That would make fullscreen cheaper.

Adagio · October 2, 2001, 11:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Gramphos
It is harder to handle windows then to handle fullscreen apps, as fullscreen always is the same size. That would make fullscreen cheaper.

Maybe it is cheaper to have full screen, but what I was saying is that fullscreen doesn't look cheaper than windowed mode

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 11:04

Quote:

Originally posted by ADG

Maybe it is cheaper to have full screen, but what I was saying is that fullscreen doesn't look cheaper than windowed mode

I don't think either looks cheap. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. In this case, full screen just happens to be better.

Roman · October 2, 2001, 11:23

Since I don't care much about graphics, I would far prefer windowed civ 3.

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 11:24

Sorry to hear that Roman. Go play civ2.

Roman · October 2, 2001, 11:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Sabre2th
Sorry to hear that Roman. Go play civ2.

Unfortunately there are many features other than graphics that I do like in Civ 3, so I will be stuck with full-screen mode.

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 11:44

If it helps, civ3 is supposed to be VERY alt-tab friendly, so you can still have winamp/email/whatever open at the same time.

Gramphos · October 2, 2001, 11:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Sabre2th
If it helps, civ3 is supposed to be VERY alt-tab friendly, so you can still have winamp/email/whatever open at the same time.

The feature I'll miss most is the ability to move around the interface windows as I like them, and not as they are placed from the beginning.

Roman · October 2, 2001, 11:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Sabre2th
If it helps, civ3 is supposed to be VERY alt-tab friendly, so you can still have winamp/email/whatever open at the same time.

That does indeed help,

though, windowed would still be preferable.

Boris Godunov · October 2, 2001, 12:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Roman

That does indeed help,

though, windowed would still be preferable.

Why? If you can Alt+Tab out and multitask anyway, what's the difference?

October 2, 2001, 12:51

Need windowed mode to switch between work, game, and browser.

Quote:

If it helps, civ3 is supposed to be VERY alt-tab friendly, so you can still have winamp/email/whatever open at the same time.

The ninth wonder of the world! An alt-tab friendly program!

dirt · October 2, 2001, 12:57

yay! you guys replied! but, the difference is, say, you're chatting and the little thing flashes on the taskbar, and you know someone is talking to you, and other stuff like that. it's also easier to look like you're doing something else. i suppose in reality it doesn't make any difference, but it seems like it does...
i think that the awful truth is that CivIII is not going to be civII. i never played the original civilization, so i haven't had this happen before! civ II is my very favorite game... and maybe i will have a new favorite game, and maybe i wont. (i know that most of you are probably better than i am, but i'm super excited because i finally beat civII on emperor!)
party on

HalfLotus · October 2, 2001, 13:12

I like full-screen.
Seeing the taskbar and whatnot kinda takes me out of my Civ utopia.

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 13:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Mister Pleasant

The ninth wonder of the world! An alt-tab friendly program!

What's so funny about that? I've never had trouble with alt-tab.

ColdWizard · October 2, 2001, 13:25

i prefer windowed mode as its easier to multitask while playing MP

Pembleton · October 2, 2001, 13:30

My god, does the whining never stop?

Let's not discuss important thing such as gameplay or game balance, but complain about whether you can play the game in a window or not.

Adagio · October 2, 2001, 13:31

Quote:

Originally posted by HalfLotus
I like full-screen.
Seeing the taskbar and whatnot kinda takes me out of my Civ utopia.

Exactly...games is another world...a world that can't be described with windows

ajbera · October 2, 2001, 13:46

One of the great things about playing a turn-based windowed game is the ability to alternate doing work (or schoolwork, for those still in school) with taking a few turns. Y'know, play a few turns, write a page, repeat.

However, if the game is as Alt-tab friendly as is claimed, this won't be a big deal. Hopefully the game really is stable enough to constantly Alt-tab (if necessary).

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 14:13

I don't know how CtP2 compares to civ3 in terms of alt-tabiness, but it never so much as blinked back when I used to play it *shudder*