Well according to the manager of the main outlet in Helsinki city. CIV3 is doing better than its main competitor which he thought was Empire Earth amongst what he calls his serious gamesters.
The parents of youngsters have boosted sales of HarryP and to a lesser degree SIMs as Christmas persents, but he expects those sales to dive after Christmas.
He has played CIV3 and it is set up as demo in his shop as is Emp Earth.
CIV 3 big advantage here is that the local importer was wise enough to add a small quick start brochure in Finnish and Swedish so a lot of the young teens have bought it rather than Empire Earth. Our local PC games magazine helped by giving a good review for CIV3 and saying that Emp Earth was "a bit too complicated" I have overheard several prospective customers ask "is there a Finnish language book?" and on being told "no" put it back on the shelf. Even fluent English speaking parents dont want to spend there Christmas days answering questions from kids. So they opt for the safe present which is going give them a quiet Christmas..the one with the Finnish language book in the box.
The fact that some of them are young enough to know CIV1 and 2 and have an intent to play the game themselves. .. even before they give it the kids as a present..daaahhh..Guilty as charged your honour
