Thread Tools
Old October 6, 2001, 00:57   #1
The Rusty Gamer
Prince
 
The Rusty Gamer's Avatar
 
Local Time: 02:14
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 952
PC PowerPlay - Exclusive preview
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned but I've haven't the patience to wade through umpteen threads.

I've just bought the latest (October) issue of PC PowerPlay which is an Australian magazine so many of you may not have seen it. The cover story is an exclusive preview of CIV III.

Their web-site is www.pcpowerplay.com.au.
__________________
Avoid COLONY RUSH on Galactic Civlizations II (both DL & DA) with my Slow Start Mod.
Finding Civ 4: Colonization too easy? Try my Ten Colonies challenge.
The Rusty Gamer is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 00:58   #2
JellyDonut
Prince
 
JellyDonut's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Köln, Deutschland
Posts: 500
Good find! This will probably be a news item.
__________________
"Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!" -- Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
"If you expect a kick in the balls and get a slap in the face, that's a victory." -- Irish proverb

Proud member of the Pink Knights of the Roundtable!
JellyDonut is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 01:13   #3
Nemo
Prince
 
Nemo's Avatar
 
Local Time: 08:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: numsquam
Posts: 683
i have not seen anything on this yet.
very nice

maybe you could post some of the info from the mag?
pleeeeeease
Nemo is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 01:17   #4
java4me
Warlord
 
java4me's Avatar
 
Local Time: 06:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: May 2001
Location: California
Posts: 205
What about what is new in it?
java4me is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 01:31   #5
JellyDonut
Prince
 
JellyDonut's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Köln, Deutschland
Posts: 500
Anything notewhorthy perchance?
__________________
"Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!" -- Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
"If you expect a kick in the balls and get a slap in the face, that's a victory." -- Irish proverb

Proud member of the Pink Knights of the Roundtable!
JellyDonut is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 01:34   #6
java4me
Warlord
 
java4me's Avatar
 
Local Time: 06:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: May 2001
Location: California
Posts: 205
Quote:
Originally posted by JellyDonut
Anything notewhorthy perchance?
That is what I want to find out!!!

SOME NEW INFO!!!
java4me is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 02:28   #7
monkspider
Civilization IV: MultiplayerCivilization IV CreatorsGalCiv Apolyton Empire
King
 
monkspider's Avatar
 
Local Time: 09:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wichita
Posts: 1,352
This mag must be a treasure house of knowledge...tell all! tell all!
__________________
http://monkspider.blogspot.com/
monkspider is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 02:40   #8
JellyDonut
Prince
 
JellyDonut's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Köln, Deutschland
Posts: 500
Don't forget to scan it for us if you can!

Must.....have.....new.....info.....or.....will.... .die!
Help.....poor.....dying.....info.....deprived..... Jelly.....Donut!

__________________
"Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!" -- Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
"If you expect a kick in the balls and get a slap in the face, that's a victory." -- Irish proverb

Proud member of the Pink Knights of the Roundtable!
JellyDonut is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 03:08   #9
Nemo
Prince
 
Nemo's Avatar
 
Local Time: 08:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: numsquam
Posts: 683
Quote:
Originally posted by JellyDonut
Don't forget to scan it for us if you can!
yes, yes, scanning is GOOD!
i will giveyou all the remaining cookies that dont fit into my civ III cookie box in exchange for some scans and stuff
Nemo is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 03:25   #10
Sarxis
Rise of Nations MultiplayerAlpha Centauri PBEMCivilization III MultiplayerCivilization III PBEMCTP2 Source Code ProjectCall to Power II MultiplayerCall to Power MultiplayerCivilization IV: MultiplayerCivilization IV CreatorsGalCiv Apolyton Empire
Emperor
 
Sarxis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 10:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,361
NO one will share in the glory of my CivIII tin!! NEVER!!

Meaning: no Anuni-cookie for you!
Sarxis is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 03:32   #11
Nemo
Prince
 
Nemo's Avatar
 
Local Time: 08:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: numsquam
Posts: 683
Quote:
Originally posted by Anunikoba
NO one will share in the glory of my CivIII tin!! NEVER!!

Meaning: no Anuni-cookie for you!
what? not even for a scanned screenshot?
man, i heard the anuni-cookies are teh best, too!
hey, Russell, maybe if you give us ALOT of info Anunikoba might break down and share his awsome cookies with you!

Last edited by Nemo; October 6, 2001 at 03:38.
Nemo is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 03:47   #12
Sarxis
Rise of Nations MultiplayerAlpha Centauri PBEMCivilization III MultiplayerCivilization III PBEMCTP2 Source Code ProjectCall to Power II MultiplayerCall to Power MultiplayerCivilization IV: MultiplayerCivilization IV CreatorsGalCiv Apolyton Empire
Emperor
 
Sarxis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 10:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,361
The only cookies I will be sharing are the ones that come out of my 'Temporary Internet Files' folder.

But seriously, we all would appreciate those scans! I was almost thinking about looking for that magazine, but I know that the odds of finding it here in the States is close to NULL.
Sarxis is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 04:33   #13
Urban Ranger
NationStatesApolyton Storywriters' GuildNever Ending Stories
Deity
 
Urban Ranger's Avatar
 
Local Time: 22:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: May 1999
Location: The City State of Noosphere, CPA special envoy
Posts: 14,606
We shall send our Ozzie brute squad - including such vicious characters as Alexander's Horse, tonic, finbar, Youngsun, and MidKnight Lament - to muscle out Russell if he fails to comply with our demands.

__________________
(\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
(='.'=) "Claims demand evidence; extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence." -- Carl Sagan
(")_(") "Starting the fire from within."
Urban Ranger is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 04:58   #14
MarkG
Apolytoners Hall of FameApolyCon 06 Participants
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
 
MarkG's Avatar
 
Local Time: 16:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Macedonia, Greece
Posts: 24,480
do they say that they actually played the game or is it one of the other kinf of previews(the ones where you are describing what you have been told on how the game works)?
__________________
Co-Founder, Apolyton Civilization Site
Co-Owner/Webmaster, Top40-Charts.com | CTO, Apogee Information Systems
giannopoulos.info: my non-mobile non-photo news & articles blog
MarkG is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 05:40   #15
The Rusty Gamer
Prince
 
The Rusty Gamer's Avatar
 
Local Time: 02:14
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 952
Quote:
Originally posted by MarkG
do they say that they actually played the game or is it one of the other kinf of previews(the ones where you are describing what you have been told on how the game works)?
To quote from the article:

PCPowerPlay has been fortunate enough to play an entirely exclusive pre-release version of Civilization III - the only copy in Australia. While only 70% complete, this playtest proved that the spirit of Civ is recreated in all its glory.

I'm currently in the process of compiling some bits of the article which I'll then post.
__________________
Avoid COLONY RUSH on Galactic Civlizations II (both DL & DA) with my Slow Start Mod.
Finding Civ 4: Colonization too easy? Try my Ten Colonies challenge.

Last edited by The Rusty Gamer; October 6, 2001 at 21:52.
The Rusty Gamer is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 05:55   #16
Black Fluffy Lion
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Good, good.

need more civ3 info....
 
Old October 6, 2001, 05:58   #17
The Rusty Gamer
Prince
 
The Rusty Gamer's Avatar
 
Local Time: 02:14
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 952
OMG!
OMG! What have I started? Hmmm...so, from what I can gather, none of you knew about it then.

Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner. There's one at work but since I only do a small bit of part-time work now and only when I'm called in, that doesn't help much. Plus, it's some fiddling around isn't it?

I suppose the big question is, just what do you want to know about? Since I'm not sure just what's been said here already, I may just double up on information.

Perhaps I could just quote some of the stuff that is in bold in the article to begin with. The quotes are in green below.

Perhaps the most revolutionary change to the world of Civilization is the cultural aspects of controlling an empire. While making armies to squash your trade partners is always a sign of progressive government, military might isn't everything: just think of the Pyramids or Greek theatre. A culture has influence according to all its achievements, so Firaxis have made culture much more integral to Civilization. The traditional benefits of a stronger, happier, more productive population still result from building granaries, temples, and other improvements but national borders are now created as a result of the level of culture in each civilisation. Accordingly, cultural power and military power are connected.

Culture's impact on territory affects not just military might but resource gathering as well. The larger the city radius, the more land and resources are available. These resources fuel civilization growth: trade, research, production. Civilization is one big circle.

Trade is another facet of Civilization III that has changed significantly. Resources within your city radius need only a road to the city to be available for use. Then that resource can be used for unit production and trade. In fact, without certain resources, producing some units is impossible.

BRIGGS SAYS: "You may remember that you had a luxury slider bar that you allocated a certain amount of money to keep people happy. Well that slider bar is gone and has been replaced by the trade system."

The last area of significant change in the mechanics of Civilization is in the diplomatic arena. For the first time, a robust diplomatic system has been introduced to Civilization. Briggs reveals the interest in this facet of the game: "I can't tell you how many letters we've got from people saying how they wished diplomacy was more flexible, open-ended, more agressive (If the player wants to be agressive through the displomacy system). And we've worked on all of those things."

Firaxis has updated the visuals in Civilization III while maintaining the familiar look and feel that is so central to the Civilization experience. The world screen is extremely detailed with some 1200 different tiles being produced for the game. Individual units are now rendered in 3D and feature unique animations for movement and battle. The result is a livelier, visually exciting screen. The image of turn-based games being static has been subverted.

Wonders have been revisited with the result being some have had their effect lessened, some have been split into lesser Wonders that effect only one empire.

STOP THE POP: Pop-up screens were one of the best arguments that Civlization II was imperfect. Briggs explains how Firaxis imporved this element with Civ III: "We broke all popups into three categories. Those localized to an area, but require no user input, now appear on the map itself, near the area of focus. Those that were not localized to an area, but still didn't require user interaction became advisor messages. The last kind, those that require some user interaction (such as picking a new advance to research), still stop the game. The boon of this system is that approximately 2/3rds of the game stopping information windows no longer stop the game."

SID SAYS: "Our historical research for Civ III received revolved around the new features we've put into the game like new technologies, culture, expanded diplomacy, more intricate trade system, more powerful combat options, and how the interaction of all of these elements has impacted civlizations throughout history."

SID SAYS: "Our primary focus is always on making the gameplay fun. We use the latest bells and whistles only if they enhance gameplay. We built an entirely new graphics engine for Civ III through which we've created the best visual experience ever."

DEATH OF WONDERS MOVIE: Nick Rusko-Berger, Lead Artist, Firaxis Games: "We decided not to have wonder movies in Civ III mainly because we've spent a lot of time creating this beautiful immersive world and the wonder movies take you out of the world and interrupt gameplay. The decision was influenced by feedback from Civ players. There will be some very cool in-game visual rewards when you build a wonder. The rest of the game is chock-full of beautiful character animation."

THE SOUND OF PROGRESS: Mark Cromer, Sound Designer, Firaxis Games: "Audio for Civ III has been much improved from audio for Civ II. Units will have sfx that are mixed on the fly with pitch and volume randomization so they sound different and time perfectly. There is much more music than in Civ II and the music starts interactive with a new game. For example, each time the player builds a city or a unit, the music changes to reflect this."


Feel free to ask any questions and I'll see if the specifics are in the article.
__________________
Avoid COLONY RUSH on Galactic Civlizations II (both DL & DA) with my Slow Start Mod.
Finding Civ 4: Colonization too easy? Try my Ten Colonies challenge.

Last edited by The Rusty Gamer; October 6, 2001 at 21:54.
The Rusty Gamer is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 06:25   #18
Black Fluffy Lion
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I think we already know most of that. The new things to me were about the pop-up windows and about the sound. Thanks for the info
 
Old October 6, 2001, 06:29   #19
Ralf
King
 
Ralf's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,728
STOP THE POP: "We broke all popups into three categories. Those localized to an area, but require no user input, now appear on the map itself, near the area of focus. Those that were not localized to an area, but still didn't require user interaction became advisor messages. The last kind, those that require some user interaction (such as picking a new advance to research), still stop the game.

My italics. The game stops automatically for anything that actually requires player interaction. Good! Above includes new unit/city-orders requirements as well, I presume. No manually clicking forward, as in CTP/CTP-2.

Last edited by Ralf; October 6, 2001 at 06:37.
Ralf is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 06:37   #20
Crouchback
Warlord
 
Crouchback's Avatar
 
Local Time: 09:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: May 2001
Location: U.K.
Posts: 237
Re: OMG!
Quote:
Originally posted by Russell

Trade is another facet of Civilization III that has changed significantly. Resources within your city radius need only a road to the city to be available for use. Then that resource can be used for unit production and trade. In fact, without certain resources, producing some units is impossible.

BRIGGS SAYS: "You may remember that you had a luxury slider bar that you allocated a certain amount of money to keep people happy. Well that slider bar is gone and has been replaced by the trade system."
So no more simply paying your trouble makers off, now we're going to have to think about making people actually happy. I thought culture was going to be the only big innovation, but it looks like the overhaul of the trade system could be bigger.

Can't wait to play the game. Well done Russell, go soak those tired fingers.

David
__________________
"War: A by-product of the arts of peace." Bierce
Crouchback is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 07:23   #21
FrostyBoy
Emperor
 
FrostyBoy's Avatar
 
Local Time: 22:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Singapore (From New Zealand)
Posts: 4,948
hey! I grabbed that mag just today! (I am from chch too, got it from the palms mall while getting my groceries)

I only had a chance to flick through it, it has a nice large picture of Shaka Zulu, do you have a scanner Russel?
__________________
be free
FrostyBoy is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 08:36   #22
The Rusty Gamer
Prince
 
The Rusty Gamer's Avatar
 
Local Time: 02:14
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 952
Quote:
Originally posted by Sn00py
hey! I grabbed that mag just today! (I am from chch too, got it from the palms mall while getting my groceries)

I only had a chance to flick through it, it has a nice large picture of Shaka Zulu, do you have a scanner Russel?
Only at work which I go to very seldom now.
__________________
Avoid COLONY RUSH on Galactic Civlizations II (both DL & DA) with my Slow Start Mod.
Finding Civ 4: Colonization too easy? Try my Ten Colonies challenge.
The Rusty Gamer is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 08:49   #23
GodSpawn
Prince
 
GodSpawn's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally posted by Russell


To quote from the article:

PCPowerPlay has been fortunate enough to play an entirely exclusive pre-release version of Civilization III - the only copy in Australia. While only 70% complete, this playtest proved that the spirit of Civ is recreated in all its glory.

I'm currently in the process of compiling some bits of the article which I'll then post.
Interesting about the 70% complete. I wonder how old the copy was that they got to play with? If it was, say, end of August, and it was 70% complete then, could they really have completed 30% of the game in just over a month (assuming the rumours about it going gold soon are true...)
GodSpawn is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 09:04   #24
Father Beast
King
 
Father Beast's Avatar
 
Local Time: 07:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: My head stuck permanently in my civ
Posts: 1,703
Good gosh, Sometimes I don't know what to believe. We garnered from some old screenshots that there is no luxury slider.

Then they release a domestic advisor screenshot 28 Sep that has a luxury slider.

Then this preview says there is no luxury slider.

so which one is old news? the screenshot released just last week, or the hands on preview from when it's 70% done?
__________________
Any man can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a BEAST

I was just about to point out that Horsie is simply making excuses in advance for why he will suck at Civ III...
...but Father Beast beat me to it! - Randomturn
Father Beast is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 09:23   #25
Provost Harrison
Apolytoners Hall of FameCivilization IV PBEMPolyCast Team
Deity
 
Provost Harrison's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Germans own my soul.
Posts: 14,861
Yeah, I was thinking that I noticed a luxury slider bar somewhere, yet heard that there was no luxury slider. I wonder what is going on
__________________
Speaking of Erith:

"It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith
Provost Harrison is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 11:19   #26
Viking Ship
Settler
 
Viking Ship's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Newport, RI USA
Posts: 1
Russell: Many thanks for taking the time to provide us with a good scoop! Much of what you wrote here was just the usual game overview material, though. What does the magazine say about the actual gameplay experience the previewers had? Kudos!
Viking Ship is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 11:29   #27
Inverse Icarus
Emperor
 
Inverse Icarus's Avatar
 
Local Time: 09:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: May 2001
Location: flying too low to the ground
Posts: 4,625
__________________
"I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it. We have to leave this place, I am almost happy here."
- Ender, from Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Inverse Icarus is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 13:25   #28
JellyDonut
Prince
 
JellyDonut's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Köln, Deutschland
Posts: 500
Does anybody in Australia/NZ have a scanner? Is there a Kinko's anywhere down there? I want to see the big Shaka!
__________________
"Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!" -- Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
"If you expect a kick in the balls and get a slap in the face, that's a victory." -- Irish proverb

Proud member of the Pink Knights of the Roundtable!
JellyDonut is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 13:53   #29
java4me
Warlord
 
java4me's Avatar
 
Local Time: 06:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: May 2001
Location: California
Posts: 205
Makes me want the game even more!!! But Father Beast did bring up a topic, there was a luxury slider in that screenshot. Maybe they are planning on deciding how many luxury resources go to each city or people.
java4me is offline  
Old October 6, 2001, 15:34   #30
Nemo
Prince
 
Nemo's Avatar
 
Local Time: 08:14
Local Date: October 31, 2010
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: numsquam
Posts: 683
Thanks for the update Russell!

Nemo hand Russell a few cookies


Enjoy!

you'll get more cookies with future updates
Nemo is offline  
 

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:14.


Design by Vjacheslav Trushkin, color scheme by ColorizeIt!.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Apolyton Civilization Site | Copyright © The Apolyton Team