Tentative release date, Quarter 4 2001, what do you mean?

bagdar · February 18, 2001, 07:47

quote:

---From the Adrenaline Vault Website--- Saturday, February 17, 2001 - 11:27 am CT
Civilization III Gets Release Date
Infogrames has announced a tentative release date for what promises to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2001: Firaxis Games' Civilization III. According to an updated release list the publisher sent the Adrenaline Vault, the title is slated for Quarter 4 2001, in time for the Christmas shopping season. The promotional machine on this title should be fired up around E3, so watch for the first tangible details and images to start appearing in a few months.

An explanation, please!

February 18, 2001, 08:32

not sure what your question is, but for starts, here's something...

quote:

ten·ta·tive (tnt-tv)
adj.

1. Not fully worked out, concluded, or agreed on; provisional: just a tentative schedule.
2. Uncertain; hesitant.

bagdar · February 18, 2001, 10:10

well, I meant: Is this confirmed? is it going to be the actual release, or some kind of sneak peek, etc? What does firaxis say?

CapTVK · February 18, 2001, 10:26

What this means is that we probably won't see Civ3 this year but somewhere in the spring/summer of 2002.

February 18, 2001, 15:40

Or even in the fourth quarter 2001 (Oct-Dec 2001)

...unless it's the fiscal fourth quarter - then Jul-Aug 2001...but figure the odds on that

Sabre2th · February 18, 2001, 21:56

It probably won't happen, but a quality civ3 released this summer? I would die from the excitement.

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"We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything."
-Thomas A. Edison

yin26 · February 18, 2001, 22:57

My absolute worst fear is that they'll shoot for a Christmas release and patch until summer...so unless the game is throughly pounded on and tested by Christmas time, PLEASE keep this thing in the over for a Summer 2002 release. Thank you.

Theben · February 18, 2001, 23:45

I'm guessing for a christmas release too.

yin26 · February 19, 2001, 00:03

Well, if that's the case, I'll probably wait until the first patch or so and then buy it on discount around June or July. Unless, of course, the loyal Apolyton folks find nothing wrong after a month of real-world play.

Nemo · February 19, 2001, 01:01

damn capitalist companies and their f'in christmas releases. well, if this game gets push like CTP I and II were, i shall declare it the absolute death of the gaming industy as we knew it. i was/am hoping that firaxis will not release the game under christmas presure, but instead will release a sold quality game like its predicesors.

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"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."
-Michael Sinz

The Viceroy · February 19, 2001, 04:17

I agree with Yin .. my worst fears are also the Christmas release .. because its a deadline based on Marketing .. and not quality of code.

All I ask is that Firaxis take their time .. and produce the best game they possibly can.. You have an awsome task when you consider that I bought CIV back in 1992 .. and played it for 5 years before getting a PC, and buying CIV2 .. and played that now for 4 years ..

Will I be playing CIV3 in 2005/6 ??? I hope so.

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"Wherever wood floats, you will find the British" . Napoleon

bagdar · February 19, 2001, 07:02

The strange thing is that Firaxis says nothing, because this news item not only predicts something, but also makes references to the companies. Perhaps the update is so close that they'll say something then. In any case, the date to start playing Civ III for me is when I upgrade my computer, which may well extend into the next decade.

Grumbold · February 19, 2001, 10:37

That the announcement is made by Infogrames, not Firaxis, worries me too. Sounds more like a marketing ambition than a developers best estimate of when the game will be ready. Still, Infogrames have a better rep than companies like Activision when it comes to not pushing for premature release. Hopefully they recognise that Civ (& Civ II) did not become all time best sellers by having two months of good sales figures before slumping into obscurity.

February 19, 2001, 12:51

Well spoken Grumbold!

Sabre2th · February 20, 2001, 01:41

I don't know about you guys, but every Sid game I've owned has been top quality. Are you really that worried?

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"We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything."
-Thomas A. Edison

bagdar · February 20, 2001, 17:14

ok, the matter has been settled. Unnecessary excitement again...

Swissy · February 20, 2001, 18:43

It means if they need a big selling game to make their Christmas 2001 sales numbers, then the game will be released. If they don't need to make their plan, then we'll get it when Firaxis deems it ready.

Of course that means if the game is released this year, it may be a bit buggy. Sorry guys, money talks.

February 20, 2001, 19:03

quote:

A few days ago we ran a news item about a report on The Adrenaline Vault's website that Civilization III is scheduled for a fourth quarter, 2001 release. This statement was in a press conference held by Infrogrames, CivIII's publisher, late last week. We contacted Firaxis Games' Kelley Gilmore, the company's Communications Manager, for confirmation.

We have not yet announced a release date for CivIII, Gilmore told us. You guys [Apolyton] will be among the first to know when we announce the date.

Once a date has been set and released by Firaxis, you'll find it listed here first.

February 20, 2001, 19:16

ARRRRRGH! It'll be CTP2 all over again! And not every Sid game has been great out of the box (SMAC anyone?). Hope infogames is willing to wait past Christmas if necessary. Hey, if they need a game that bad, they should buy the rights to CTP2 and can probably fix all the bugs by Christmas and release it.

yin26 · February 20, 2001, 21:18

SMAC just had Sid's name on it. That was a Brian Reynolds creation. But the point is well taken. I want them to take their time.

February 21, 2001, 03:41

Reynolds game, eh? I though it played like a watered down civ2 and, as someone around here put it, it had a map that looks like it is illuminated by the itty-bitty booklight. Just be sure to give Civ2 the proper play testing.

Ted Striker · February 21, 2001, 14:13

Well I just hope this doesn't cause some kind of battle between the two groups. Hopefully Infrogames hasn't become overzealous by trying to tell Firaxis what to do.

Nothing is worse than when the "new guy" comes in, thinks he knows more than everyone else, and starts stepping on toes, and breaking something that was running great in the first place. And makes everybody that poured their heart and soul and LIFE into something...

Let's hope that isn't the case here.

Hey Mark and Dan, did you know you can go a long way with a smile, but that you can go a longer way with a smile and a gun?

[This message has been edited by derek (edited February 21, 2001).]

bagdar · February 21, 2001, 15:43

Civ II also is a Brian Reynolds creation is it not, in fact, Sid says something like: "He did it all by himself, it was amazing."

Kull · February 21, 2001, 22:21

1) CivIII will be released "pre-Christmas 2001"

2) It will be a marketing decision

3) It will be buggy

4) Everyone will buy it anyway

Bets anyone?

vonManstein · February 21, 2001, 23:03

quote:

Originally posted by Kull on 02-21-2001 09:21 PM
1) CivIII will be released "pre-Christmas 2001"

2) It will be a marketing decision

3) It will be buggy

4) Everyone will buy it anyway

Bets anyone?

20 bucks on 4.

tmarcl · February 21, 2001, 23:22

quote:

Originally posted by Kull on 02-21-2001 09:21 PM
1) CivIII will be released "pre-Christmas 2001"

2) It will be a marketing decision

3) It will be buggy

4) Everyone will buy it anyway

Bets anyone?

As much as I'd like to avoid cynicism, I have to agree, it likely will be a marketing decision. As for buggy, well, I'll stay cautiously optimistic on that one.

Marc

tmarcl · February 21, 2001, 23:23

quote:

Originally posted by Kull on 02-21-2001 09:21 PM
1) CivIII will be released "pre-Christmas 2001"

2) It will be a marketing decision

3) It will be buggy

4) Everyone will buy it anyway

Bets anyone?

As much as I'd like to avoid cynicism, I have to agree, it likely will be a marketing decision. As for buggy, well, I'll stay cautiously optimistic on that one.

Marc