Is Civ III good?

TheDarkCavalier · March 28, 2002, 09:40

Seeing all the "Civ 3 sucks" and "Civ 3 rules" I decided to post a poll on that.

Immortal Wombat · March 28, 2002, 09:49

You spelt "rulez" wrong

Thrawn05 · March 28, 2002, 10:12

First off you need a banana.

Civ3 keeps me happy. I go between games of course. I'm right not in my Total Annihilation mode

SpencerH · March 28, 2002, 10:16

NO! CIV3 is evil! I keep trying to play it while hoping it will be better after each mod I add.

ACooper · March 28, 2002, 10:27

The voices in my head tell me it's evil.

Those guys at Firaxis have coded mind control software that makes you want to line dance and sing "Achy Breaky Heart". And then you are made to forget all about.

Those Firaxians are straight from the bowels of hell!!! The world is coming to an end!!!! Billy Ray Cyrus is sing to me again!!!! Help me PLEASE!!!!!

(BTW, I voted for #1 because that demon Dan from Firaxis has possessed me and now I have no free will.)

Thrawn05 · March 28, 2002, 10:31

Quote:

Originally posted by ACooper
The voices in my head tell me it's evil.

Those guys at Firaxis have coded mind control software that makes you want to line dance and sing "Achy Breaky Heart". And then you are made to forget all about.

Those Firaxians are straight from the bowels of hell!!! The world is coming to an end!!!! Billy Ray Cyrus is sing to me again!!!! Help me PLEASE!!!!!

(BTW, I voted for #1 because that demon Dan from Firaxis has possessed me and now I have no free will.)

I thought the Firaxis people were "Ghost Riders In The Sky?"

Besides, if you consider that Firaxis went throught this:

: every day, it would be hard to program too.

dubwai · March 28, 2002, 12:42

It seems to me that all the people complaining about how Civ III doesn't live up to their expectations are going though the pangs of early adoption. Yeah, the game's been out for a few months but the Civ team is still tweaking it.

If you've ever worked on even a medium sized software project (I mean something people actually use, not a school assignment) you'd know that trying to throw in every idea available is not only unworkable but irresponsible. Real development projects require that you make sure the basic functionality is bullet-proof before adding the sprinkles and icing.

I could complain, "why can't my car fly, if I was going to design a car I would make sure it had wings." That's essentially how a lot of the complaints read on this forum.

Sure there are some problems with the game right now but I feel that by the time an expansion pack is released it's going to be really solid. Sid Meier has more experience making unbelieveable, intellegent games than anyone I know of, who are we to question his team?

SpencerH · March 28, 2002, 13:55

Quote:

Originally posted by dubwai
Sid Meier has more experience making unbelieveable, intellegent games than anyone I know of, who are we to question his team?

Just the folks who buy the games!

dubwai · March 28, 2002, 14:41

No one forced you to buy it. You bought it, if you don't like it that's your problem.

SpencerH · March 28, 2002, 15:01

Quote:

Originally posted by dubwai
No one forced you to buy it. You bought it, if you don't like it that's your problem.

Quote:

who are we to question his team?

You asked the question, I just answered it!

It's my problem now, but if other consumers also decide it's their problem its likely to also become a problem for those you obviously idolize!

Raion · March 28, 2002, 15:15

I voted its a extraordinary game.

First of all, I just got done at Microsoft uploading Critical Updates.
Second of all, because I have a half-arse OS - half Windows98SE and some part of Windows2000 -- because of IE5.5+ Critcal Updates.

Third, CivIII included the bink file for Windows2000, the one I have to use to even get the game to start - because of Microsoft Critical Updates.

Fourth, because CivIII even works somewhat, after Microsoft and Critical Updates.

Fifth, because the drivers for my ATI card do not work with the game, I bought a GeForce 2 MX 400 type PCI graphics card, the drivers do not corrupt my gdi32.dll and another file mspn32.dll or something like that.

Sixth, even though I have to restart my computer after playing the game every time its played - there are still less updates from Firaxis than Microsoft.

Seventh, if I ever have an OS from Microsoft that works, I might as well use Windows 95, games seem to work with that OS - Microsoft quit updating that OS.

Eighth, - because its part of the real civilization every one faces in this World.

Ninth, I'll think of something, like killing the computer players - afterall its only a game.

Tenth, because CIV III is only a game, but reflects about the real world (Gee - do some of your game work with Windows XP, whatever it is - oh, yes, do not forget the Critical Updates needed for Windows XP - you may just get an OS from Microsoft - one of these days - in the future - about as long as it takes to get through a game of CIVIII - not really - the game is still better than all of that up above.

Now excuse me, I think it must be time for another Critical Update from Microsoft - I may even get time to play CivIII someday.

Good Day to ya, all!

SpencerH · March 28, 2002, 15:21

Did you ever think of not installing their "critical updates"

My win98se and IE6.0 with no "critical updates" work just fine. I did have a "touch" of problems with the IE5.5 critical updates that only caused me to format my hard drives and start from scratch

.

ACooper · March 28, 2002, 15:21

Raion -

but sadly true

Subway's Jared · March 28, 2002, 15:24

Well, I think it's a great game. Let me tell you why.

It crashes for nothing, corrupts my saves, wait time between turns on huge maps are just unbeleivable and the AI self destructs it's self, is annoyed with you for nothing, never has money to trade with you.......But still, I keep playin cuz I like it. So you can guess that I chose option #2.
Even with it's flaws, civ3 is a great game.

Mr. Nice Guy · March 28, 2002, 15:35

IT'S A DISGRACE!!!

I hardly ever play it anymore.

The first 15 minutes of playing the game did NOT capture my attention.

I have never completed a single game of Civ3. I always lose interest halfway through.

Civ3 is more like a patch upgrade for Civ2 that just gives some better graphics and not that much new in the way of gameplay. It does not seem like a full upgrade to me.

Right now I'm not all that interested in playing Civ3. I'm more interested in taking a closer look at the game and finding ways that it could be improved.

civman2000 · March 28, 2002, 15:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Cloud9
Civ3 is more like a patch upgrade for Civ2 that just gives some better graphics and not that much new in the way of gameplay. It does not seem like a full upgrade to me.

What about culture, golden ages, resources (trade is much much better), etc?? Plus, as many many people have said, there are just about as many changes as there were from civ1 to civ2, so why are people only complaining now? It was definitely rushed to the shelves too quickly, but, despite that, it is still an extraordinary game.

dubwai · March 28, 2002, 15:48

Quote:

You asked the question, I just answered it!

Quote:

It's my problem now, but if other consumers also decide it's their problem its likely to also become a problem for those you obviously idolize!

You totally missed the point. It's really easy to sit back and criticize others, but if you've never been involved with designing, implementing, and delivering commercial software, your opinion of this game's quality means very little to me. The 'bugs' most people are reporting on this site have more to do with their personal preferences than actual errors.

Civ III almost never crashes, it hasn't crashed once since I installed 1.17, and I suspect Windows ME in most of the provious cases. Worthless OS can't even keep the explorer up.

The Civ III team picked the scope for this game and went with it. If you don't like their choice, make your own game. I'm just sick of seeing posts about how Civ III sucks because it doesn't make breakfast in the morning or walk the dog in the evening.

I don't think the game is perfect by any means. I have my own desires for changes and enhancements. As a software engineer, I realize that you can't include every user's wishlist in your design. It's impossible, the product would never be finished. This is true for a small user group. I can't even imagine how many great ideas have to be queued or tossed when you have a user group the size of Civ III's.

Mr. Nice Guy · March 28, 2002, 15:58

Quote:

Originally posted by civman2000

What about culture, golden ages, resources (trade is much much better), etc?? Plus, as many many people have said, there are just about as many changes as there were from civ1 to civ2, so why are people only complaining now?

Maybe so, but these days higher standards are expected than were yesterday.

civman2000 · March 28, 2002, 16:09

Higher standards, yes. That's why we expct there to be changes. BUt that doesn't mean we should expect a larger quantity of changes.

AJ Corp. The FAIR · March 28, 2002, 16:12

Quote:

Originally posted by dubwai
No one forced you to buy it. You bought it, if you don't like it that's your problem.

In my country there's a saying: 'the customer is king', meaning that the opinions and feedback of costumers are ALWAYS important.

About your (il)logical reasoning:

No one forces me to buy a chicken, but I do buy one.
After eating it I get as sick as hell because of the inferior quality of the meat. So that would be my problem I suppose?

Glad you're not running my country!

AJ

AJ Corp. The FAIR · March 28, 2002, 16:17

By the way, I would have voted
'It could become extraordinary if Firaxis would focus on improving it'.

Although it needs to be patched asap, I'm having fun playing.
As a matter of fact, since I've bought it (first day when available on Belgian market) I haven't played other games yet, so yes

,

it's rather very good!

(but patch it!)

AJ

ACooper · March 28, 2002, 16:23

AJ - you sould know that they are working on it and you sould be FAIR about it.

Immortal Wombat · March 28, 2002, 16:27

test link

AJ Corp. The FAIR · March 28, 2002, 16:34

I do know ACooper, and I'm very pleased with that.

After I've read about the next patch being prepared, I've stopped criticizing. However, that doesn't mean that Firaxis/Infogrames still have a job to do.

For example: every week new posters ask about a world map with correct starting locations. (yes I know, there are some around)

Mike is working on it, I've read +/- 6 weeks (or has it been longer) ago.

Does this easy feature
-that really should have been there from the release !!! --> imagine including a world map without correct starting locations, which they actually DID !!

-
really take that long to release?????

I've just expected them to try just a litlle bit harder (faster!).

Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the game quite greatly!

Fair enough?

AJ

dunk · March 28, 2002, 16:57

Dunk like Civ III.

The game is fun and captivating.

Sure, there are some things I would like to see different, but the game is more fun than 5 barrels of monkeys on a hot afternoon.

I hope the expansion pack has three things...

1) The ability to add tons of civs without replacing current ones.

2) The ability to add new buildings and units through the editor.

3) A scenario builder... with the capabilities of the cheat menu in Civ II.

player1 · March 28, 2002, 17:29

I would vote for it's great, but if not rushed is would be extraodinary.

So, if I have to chose I would get 1 option.

civman2000 · March 28, 2002, 18:15

IGNORE IMMORTAL WOMBAT'S LINK DO NOT CLICK ON IT!!!!!!

Ethelred · March 28, 2002, 18:19

Why is it that every poll needs a patch?

I want polls with GOOD choices. Instead of

YES THE BEST THING ON EARTH EVEN BETTER THAN WHATEVER.

note the lack of anything like really good, good, in need of much improvement, not worth improving anyway or even fails to entertain at all.

IT SUCKS BUT COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT IF THEY DIDN'T TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

somehow average snuck in though.

even mediocre is missing.

IT JUST PLAINS SUCKS MONKEY *CENSORED BY BOTS*

ITS WORSE THAN THE ANY OF THE ABOVE.

IT MAKES BATTLE CRUISER MILLENIUM 2000 LOOK LIKE A FINISHED GAME

almost all the polls insist on sabagotaging themselves with questionable choices.

And some have banannas and some don't. What is the world coming to. I don't care about bananas myself but its seems a popular choice on the polls that have it.

Pollsters should think of the Bananna as undecided due to brain damage if they can't otherwise justify putting it amongst the choices.

I voted for the first option but thats too high and the next one down is way too low.

Its realy good but not extraordinary except as a creator of sleep deprivation at which it excels. Could use some more refinement but I like it allready.

Ethelred · March 28, 2002, 18:25

Immortal Horses Posterior botched his treachery. It dosn't work.

At least if you have voted allready anyway.

You really should have said what his nefarious plan was.

ImMORAL WompRAT is trying to fix the poll.

loinburger · March 28, 2002, 19:12

Quote:

Originally posted by dubwai
No one forced you to buy it. You bought it, if you don't like it that's your problem.

The people I've talked to who bought Civ III were expecting a great game, a real improvement over Civ II. Their expectations were not met. Yes, it is now their problem that they have a game that they are happy with, for they could have better spent their money on pizza and beer but must somehow glean calories from alternate sources until their cash flow is back up. It is not, however, their fault that they now have a game that they are not happy with, which I hope you were not trying to imply. Furthermore, their problem is now also Firaxis's problem, for by releasing a substandard game Firaxis has lost many future customers.