Civ III in UK

amarden · October 24, 2001, 23:46

Why on EARTH do we have to wait till 28th December for Civ III in the UK? Is this:

a. to encourage piracy of the game, or
b. to make sure that sales are deflated cos it won't be there for xmas?

Surely we can get a concurrent global release. Sure, I can buy it from a US site with exhorbitant postage rates but...

Sabre2th · October 25, 2001, 00:07

Quote:

Originally posted by amarden
Surely we can get a concurrent global release. Sure, I can buy it from a US site with exhorbitant postage rates but...

It's a little late for that. Global releases cost money and Infogrames probably doesn't think civ3 will bring in enough to make it worthwhile.

Döbeln_2001 · October 25, 2001, 02:10

Quote:

Originally posted by amarden
Why on EARTH do we have to wait till 28th December for Civ III in the UK? Is this:

a. to encourage piracy of the game, or
b. to make sure that sales are deflated cos it won't be there for xmas?

Surely we can get a concurrent global release. Sure, I can buy it from a US site with exhorbitant postage rates but...

You don't. CIV III goes onto the shelves on the 16:th of November in the UK, at the same time as the rest of Europe, if I'm not entirely misinformed. (Check the Apolyton Civ III news...)

/ Döbeln 2001

amarden · October 25, 2001, 02:27

Got the date from amazon.co.uk - it says 28th Dec. Great if it is 16th Nov.

Just checked amazon again, and it's been changed to 16th Nov. That's much better. Thanks for the info.

Deathwalker · October 25, 2001, 03:48

They moved the UK release date to the 16th November

But they still could have made it the same as the US

Th0mas · October 25, 2001, 05:21

Quote:

Originally posted by Deathwalker
They moved the UK release date to the 16th November

But they still could have made it the same as the US

I agree - but I do have a theory....

In the UK most gaming magazines write their reviews a good month before the games hit the shelves - it is possible that the 16th November release date has been planned to coincide with the latest publication and hopefully a complimentory CIV III review.

In PCZone the CIV III preview was in the last edition that came out roughly on the 10th October.

So if this were true - Infrogrames would release reviewable code earlier to the US Gaming magazines than to their European collegues.

...anyway this is probably complete b*ll*cks

Provost Harrison · October 25, 2001, 05:44

Well warez it is until the game is released over here as well...

Earthling7 · October 25, 2001, 07:03

Check this thread out. It contains a letter from Amazon.co.uk stating mid-November.

GodSpawn · October 25, 2001, 07:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Th0mas
In the UK most gaming magazines write their reviews a good month before the games hit the shelves - it is possible that the 16th November release date has been planned to coincide with the latest publication and hopefully a complimentory CIV III review.

That actually sounds quite likely to me.

BlueHooHoo · October 25, 2001, 09:02

Well the official Infogrames release date for the UK is November the 16th. I've just received a new Schedule from Infogrames (Hammersmith office) and this is the date that they are working to internally.

BTW also just got a full copy of the game and manual this morning. It's worth the wait ;-)

Patriqvium · October 25, 2001, 11:06

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo
Well the official Infogrames release date for the UK is November the 16th. I've just received a new Schedule from Infogrames (Hammersmith office) and this is the date that they are working to internally.

BTW also just got a full copy of the game and manual this morning. It's worth the wait ;-)

Be sure to blockade your door. Otherwise a horde of empty-eyed fanatics will come through it.

Earthling7 · October 25, 2001, 11:14

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo
BTW also just got a full copy of the game and manual this morning. It's worth the wait ;-)

OK men, CHARGE !!!!!

OneFootInTheGrave · October 25, 2001, 13:32

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo
Well the official Infogrames release date for the UK is November the 16th. I've just received a new Schedule from Infogrames (Hammersmith office) and this is the date that they are working to internally.

BTW also just got a full copy of the game and manual this morning. It's worth the wait ;-)

who are you working for? IFGM or?

whaaa.... another three weeks, argh

Dauphin · October 25, 2001, 13:36

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo

BTW also just got a full copy of the game and manual this morning. It's worth the wait ;-)

I don't believe you.

If you did receive the game and manual you would be reading/playing, and NOT wasting time telling people that you have the game and manual.

Flip side; if you do have it then you are not a true fanatic and only interested in gloating. You didn't deserve that advanced copy.

Faboba · October 25, 2001, 14:09

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo
Well the official Infogrames release date for the UK is November the 16th. I've just received a new Schedule from Infogrames (Hammersmith office) and this is the date that they are working to internally.

BTW also just got a full copy of the game and manual this morning. It's worth the wait ;-)

The put your money where your mouth is and post the pdf manual.....

Deathray · October 25, 2001, 15:19

I'm more worried that I can't find anywhere to preorder the limited edition of Civ 3 in the UK. I'd rather not order overseas because they usually won't give refunds. Does anyone know where I can preorder Civ 3 in the UK? Preferably without paying extorionate prices.

CBH · October 25, 2001, 19:10

amazon.com will refund anything you return to them. I've ordered my civ3 from them (I live in Ireland), and the int'l courier service.

Gonna cost $70 in total, but there's no way I could face reading these boards for nearly three weeks whilst waiting for November 16th

BlueHooHoo · October 26, 2001, 05:20

Quote:

Originally posted by OneFootInTheGrave

who are you working for? IFGM or?

whaaa.... another three weeks, argh

Yep, I got a legitimate copy of the game, I do work for Infogrames (UK). Been playing it pretty solidly for the last day or two. :-)

I think I may need to upgrade/tweak my PC though, as it feels a little "sluggish" on my current system.

Couple of quick observations

Animated units and the landscapes look very good.

Can't irrigate land from sea squares...aaarggh ;-)

The diplomacy interaction with other civs is great fun.

Nice feeling of running an "entire nation" rather than a group of individual cities.

Culture/boundaries system works well (love subverting foreign towns to the cause!)

Civlopaedia is excellent and provides useful information when you need it.

LaRusso · October 26, 2001, 05:24

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo

Yep, I got a legitimate copy of the game, I do work for Infogrames (UK). Been playing it pretty solidly for the last day or two. :-)

I think I may need to upgrade/tweak my PC though, as it feels a little "sluggish" on my current system.

Couple of quick observations

Animated units and the landscapes look very good.

Can't irrigate land from sea squares...aaarggh ;-)

The diplomacy interaction with other civs is great fun.

Nice feeling of running an "entire nation" rather than a group of individual cities.

Culture/boundaries system works well (love subverting foreign towns to the cause!)

Civlopaedia is excellent and provides useful information when you need it.

uh. you lucky bastard.

as for the irrigating from the sea...won't salinity harm the crops?

i must admit i am not an expert on agriculture/biology.....

is AI any good? what level are you playing at? colonies of any use?

jad · October 26, 2001, 06:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Deathray
I'm more worried that I can't find anywhere to preorder the limited edition of Civ 3 in the UK. I'd rather not order overseas because they usually won't give refunds. Does anyone know where I can preorder Civ 3 in the UK? Preferably without paying extorionate prices.

Don't know anywhere that it can be ordered in the UK. More worryingly, I can't find anywhere in the US that it can be ordered for international shipping.

Amazon are now saying that they won't ship the LE internationally, and the UK doesn't seem to appear on ebgames.com new account form (unless I'm being blind and stupid).

Anyone know of any other stores in the US offering the LE and international shipping?

J

Solver · October 26, 2001, 06:46

Yes, warez it is till November. Because I want the game not later than November 3rd, and I mean it!

OneFootInTheGrave · October 26, 2001, 08:50

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueHooHoo

Yep, I got a legitimate copy of the game, I do work for Infogrames (UK). Been playing it pretty solidly for the last day or two. :-)

I think I may need to upgrade/tweak my PC though, as it feels a little "sluggish" on my current system.

Couple of quick observations

Animated units and the landscapes look very good.

Can't irrigate land from sea squares...aaarggh ;-)

The diplomacy interaction with other civs is great fun.

Nice feeling of running an "entire nation" rather than a group of individual cities.

Culture/boundaries system works well (love subverting foreign towns to the cause!)

Civlopaedia is excellent and provides useful information when you need it.

Are you allowed/ willing to preview the game for us...

I am (was *sigh*) IFGM shareholder... I order you

Tell us how fast do cities grow, and how big is the biggest one you got so far... and a screenshot please

Uh they made us wait 16 days even though we are getting the same game as the US.... *testing my patience*

Anyway I am glad that you like it, so will I I'd expect.

LarryLard · October 26, 2001, 08:55

Quote:

Originally posted by jad
Amazon are now saying that they won't ship the LE internationally

Gasp! *checks amazon.com orders page* Well my order placed earlier this month is still there, saying delivery expected November 2-6... but you're quite right, the product page does indeed say Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.. I have not received any email from amazon about this. Now I am anxious!!

Robert Plomp · October 26, 2001, 09:22

yeah, post the pdf manual !
Do it now

jad · October 26, 2001, 09:37

Quote:

Originally posted by jad

Amazon are now saying that they won't ship the LE internationally, and the UK doesn't seem to appear on ebgames.com new account form (unless I'm being blind and stupid).

I asked ebgames.com about ordering from the US, and received the following back from them:

Quote:

Unfortunatly, we no longer take orders from or ship to the U.K./England. Please visit our sister web site at http://www.eb.uk.com .
They may be better able to serve you.

eb.uk.com do not, of course, have the LE listed.
Just managed to order the LE from www.gamestop.com - delivery takes 3-5 business days, for a total of $75.97.

Is is just me, or does anyone else think the launch of Civ 3 is one of the worst new product launches ever?

J

red_jon · October 26, 2001, 14:27

PH, you'll hafta tell me where I can get an illegal copy if they're relseing it more than 2 weeks after the US.

EVEN CTP2 WASN'T THAT FAR BEHIND.

Dauphin · October 26, 2001, 15:17

Quote:

Originally posted by red_jon
PH, you'll hafta tell me where I can get an illegal copy if they're relseing it more than 2 weeks after the US.

EVEN CTP2 WASN'T THAT FAR BEHIND.

If it was it wouldn't have any sales. Not because of warez but because of bad US reviews telling Eurocoms not to buy it..

Darkknight · October 26, 2001, 21:21

Come on BHH post the manual and a preview ( if but a short one).

Rince · October 27, 2001, 03:46

Yes, give us the manual please!

Rince

rince2001(at)gmx(dot)ch

page · October 27, 2001, 09:19

The delay in the UK release - which will surely be identical to the US release - seems pathetic to me, and stopping UK customers importing from the US just seems downright mean.

Artificially dividing up the market in this way always works to the detriment of Europeans (the same with films etc.) and leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. Producers note that UK customers tend to catch on to US responses and hope that a good response over there will lead to good sales over here... But the fact is that its not us following US responses, its just that we respond in the same way (a good game is a good game wherever you are) later because we get the game later.

Sorry to rant, it just annoys me.