JADED CIVERS THREAD; super kewl/radical newbies keep out.

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 02:45

Perhaps I was expecting a patch on civ2? This is not at all enjoyable, and the complaints far outweigh the compliments.

-No multiplayer
-Lack of Windows format, and alt+tab does not minimize the game
-Majority of development was obviously spent on trite, ridiculous, and useless 3-d animations which most definately do not "enhance my civilization experience"
-ALL basic toolbar options from civ2 dropped, you don't even have a choice to drop the retarded throne room garbage
-Terrain graphics were not in any way focused on realism:
--Those are supposed to be mountains?!
--"Water" looks like some ice-jade glaze, brighter than any tropical beaches in the world
--Ultra close up format, the hexes are WAY too big. The inability to zoom out - again another step towards AOEizing the series. It does not give that zoomed out, hollistic feel of looking at a world map and controlling an empire...

I just can't put in to words or identify what else is wrong with this game, but will add to the list as time goes by. Will you join me?

In the end, this game is simply not part of the civilization series; it is not a grand step up as 2 was from the original. This is an overhall, a complete re-design focused on popular examples. It is closer to CTP or AOE than it is its predecessor. Core themes from the first two should have been kept, expanded and specified, but we recieved more outright changes than improvements. The key of development was to deny the abstract principles that made the first two so functional, so iconographically simple, so enjoyable. It feels like a set path, rather than a core of abstracts on which we choose our own...

Firaxis did pretty well in the PR department publicising "radical new features" that would appeal to the masses. Firaxis did pretty well in the marketing department as well, which probably led them to accept the fact that the market for a real civ3 was not large enough to justify the required development. How dirty and passe I feel in saying that this was about the money - that this was all about capturing a new audience in imitating recent successes, and raping the old with the power a civ3 logo exerts.

With that said, Sid has lost whatever integrity a lot of you argued he had and would display. He did not stick to and expand on the theme he so brilliantly dreamed up years ago, as if to deny the fact that it was ever effective. Ultimately, I question whether or not he actually had anything to do with this game. Forget it... Cheers, and back to playing CTP/AOE 3 in a civ vain.

monkspider · October 31, 2001, 02:50

have you even played the game?
I was a jaded, pessimist type before I played it as well.

ixnay · October 31, 2001, 02:52

Its better than i thought it would be...

and i was quite optimistic.

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 02:53

I have, and become more dissapointed as the hours add up. To each his own?

Imran Siddiqui · October 31, 2001, 02:53

Quote:

and the complaints far outweigh the compliments.

You been reading the same forum I have? Read the 'First Impressions' thread!

And it seems you wanted a Civ2.1. And you are complaining about the graphics which most people loved

.

monkspider · October 31, 2001, 02:53

I agree, you can tell Sid and the gang poured their hearts into the creation of this game. It's just so polished, it boggles my mind!

monkspider · October 31, 2001, 02:56

Hey Zlyka,
I agree that the lack of multiplayer is a legititmate beef, however Alexander and the gang may jimmy-rig up something yet. I think some of your qualms with the some of the graphical nuances may be nitpicking, just a bit, no?
I hope the game grows on you.

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 02:56

I certainly disagree that it's polished, and rather believe it was minimized. There just isn't enough choice in all aspects. My biggest want would be for a map zoom out. The graphics are the worst part, as I want this to be somewhat believable. Perhaps civ2 was believable as one could assign his own interpretations to the minimal iconography. I hope the game grows on me... but it's not the same

The end of an era... waaaaaaa!! waaaaaa!!

Imran Siddiqui · October 31, 2001, 03:12

And actually you CAN zoom our, or else how do you explain:

http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters...61-119,00.html

And I love the graphics... they look yummy!

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 03:14

do you zoom out???

Asher · October 31, 2001, 03:16

Half the things in your post are just silly differences in artistic style (I like Civ3's graphics) while the others are just inaccurate (you can do window mode, you can alt-tab out [hint: to alt-tab out, you need to have at least 1 window of something open. else, just hit the windows button and it'll minimize your game...], you can zoom out, etc.

Why don't you actually play the game some more before making silly comment? Da?

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 03:20

The game itself is not constructed around a windows mode. That was ssshhhharp, this uber sucks.

Asher · October 31, 2001, 03:22

Why does it matter how it was constructed?!
I love the in game GUI.

If you want windows mode...turn it on.
No need to ***** about it...

Imran Siddiqui · October 31, 2001, 03:28

Quote:

do you zoom out???

Ever try reading the manual? Because you are lazy, I'll tell you. Hit 'Z'.

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 03:29

Perhaps we're playing a different game, because mine most definately does not have the above options you've mentioned. And let's not kid ourselves, aside from the horrible display configuration, this game lacks in solid abstracts and realistic mechanics. It does not have the magic one and two did, only the greats of multiplayer (Kaak, Strategicking, Sean, Woke, Markus etc. etc.) who know this game inside out will ever understand that.

BOOOO-URNS on Sid!!!

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 03:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Ever try reading the manual? Because you are lazy, I'll tell you. Hit 'Z'.

Thanks, and I agree, I am lazy. My opinnion of this game has now gone from 80% sucky to 75%; let's not forget all of the other travesties that can not be changed.

Asher · October 31, 2001, 03:31

Zylka...hit Z...does it not zoom out?

And inside Civilization3.ini, add these lines:

KeepRes=1
Video Mode=800

You can change the 800 to 1024, 1152, 1200, etc. Something smaller than your screen res.

Then it'll Window...

Hit the windows key or alt-tab while in the game: What happens? It minimizes, that's good!

FrostyBoy · October 31, 2001, 03:31

Zylka, from what I know, you seem to be a graphic artist, and as a graphic artist myself, I can certainly understand your gripes against Civ3. I've learnt that Civ3 is not about it's graphics. Yes, you and I and others would love beautiful and well designed interface graphics (coz that's what you and I specialize in), but it's just not what the general amount of civers care for, they care about trade, diplomacy and war.

With our artistic skills, you and I can make it look good the way we'd want it, and others will like it too. But it's just not on their priority.

Imran Siddiqui · October 31, 2001, 03:35

Quote:

The game itself is not constructed around a windows mode.

Why would you want it to? So you can't get the amazing graphics that Civ3 has?

Sarxis · October 31, 2001, 03:46

Super kewl! Radical!!

Faboba · October 31, 2001, 04:18

Quote:

Originally posted by monkspider
have you even played the game?
I was a jaded, pessimist type before I played it as well.

I thoght love was only true in fairy tales,
And then for someone else but not for me,
Oh love was out to get me,
Yeah, thats the way it seemed,
Disappointment hunny, in all my dreeeeams.

Then I saw her FACE!
Now I'm a BELIEVER!
Not a TRACE,
of DOUBT in my mind.

I'm in love.
Ooooooooh
I'm a believer I couldn't leave her if I try.

( you know this could by constrewed as a 'club thread' from the title..... )

Faboba · October 31, 2001, 04:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Quote:

The game itself is not constructed around a windows mode.

Why would you want it to? So you can't get the amazing graphics that Civ3 has?

Leave the poor boy to his misery, he likes it.......

BeBro · October 31, 2001, 04:53

Hey isn´t this a club thread

LaRusso · October 31, 2001, 04:57

zylka, you better change the title of the thread or your radical whining will get closed. no club threads!

cassembler · October 31, 2001, 05:11

Zylka- and before I ask this I'd like you to know I got nothin' but love- do you work for Activision?

Ozymandous · October 31, 2001, 10:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Zylka
Perhaps we're playing a different game, because mine most definately does not have the above options you've mentioned. And let's not kid ourselves, aside from the horrible display configuration, this game lacks in solid abstracts and realistic mechanics. It does not have the magic one and two did, only the greats of multiplayer (Kaak, Strategicking, Sean, Woke, Markus etc. etc.) who know this game inside out will ever understand that.

BOOOO-URNS on Sid!!!

So... What "solid abstracts and realistic machanics" does the game lack?

Provide examples other than general whines and complaints.

What SPECIFIC things, other than the pastel graphics do you have a problem with?

It's amusing that people who like the game seem to be able to point out specifric good things, but the people who complain can only post broad generalizations.

THis is Civ3, not Civ 2.1, and thank god for that! If Firaxis had tried to foist off another clone (ala Civ2 vs. Civ1) with simply better graphics there would have been riots in the streets!

donarumo · October 31, 2001, 10:21

Zylka, the overwhelmingly positive response to your idiotic musings has put my faith back into the Civ community, thank you.

Lee Johnson · October 31, 2001, 10:46

What's wrong with the graphics? I think the appearance of Civ III is a *vast* improvement over its predecessors.

Of course, it carries the same distracting word wrap bug that SMAC had, but now I'm nitpicking...

Zylka · October 31, 2001, 16:51

Like I said, I don't expect any of you morons to understand. The only ones who will agree with me and know what I'm talking about are the legends who know number 2 inside out.

This is not civilization. It embodies the success of terrible mass games in its feeble imitations.
They negated the successfull themes of the first two.
The graphics look just fine in a really polished 3-d sense, I would be happier with simpler, darker, less specific, REALISTIC graphics.
This was about the money, that is something you will never understand.

I await the true civ3, perhaps it will one day come from the ashes of the underground. Have fun with your easily amused ignorance, you all suck and feed the sellout Sid.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO-URRRRNNNNS

HalfLotus · October 31, 2001, 17:15

Don't let this guy discourage you. I got Civ3 yesterday and played from 5pm-3am. It is awesome. The AI kicked my ass on prince. It is everything Civ2 was and more. This guy wants Civ2.1. The interface takes some getting used to, but it very efficient once you get used to it.