Am i the only one who thinks Firaxis has done a fantastic job?

werdhertz · October 25, 2002, 07:17

I have never seen another gaming company support its fan base and modding community as much as Firaxis.

Civilization3 is my first Firaxis game, so i cant mention theyre other products, but what ive seen so far, they support Civ3 to the fullest. I even see some of the Civ3 team in these forums posting. Not just posting every so often either like other companys do, or have board people go around that dont even work with the team responding. I know a lot of people have said some awful stuff about the game, like it wasnt finished when it was released etc, but if it wasnt Firaxis has done one of the most responsible jobs ive seen fixing it and supporting it. Besides, ive had almost a year of fun playing it, finished or not finished. 3/4 of computer games released that are completely bug free and 'finished' dont even hold my attention for 30 minutes.

this is my thank you thread to Firaxis for 70 bucks well spent!

WarpStorm · October 25, 2002, 07:52

Let me say thanks to Firaxis also. I, too, think they did a wonderful job of supporting Civ3.

fittstim · October 25, 2002, 07:58

Yeah, it would be very hard to complain about the support that Firaxis have given. But then again, I don't see many complaints about Firaxis support.

No, the main complaint is problems with the software (bugs, limitations) and the fact that this game, no matter what anyone says, is no Civ2.

"I knew Civ2. I lived with Civ2. Let me tell you...you, Civ3, are no Civ2".

[Feel free to replace Civ2 with Civ1 if you should so desire].

Tiberius · October 25, 2002, 08:14

vondrack · October 25, 2002, 08:21

No, you are not the only one, werdhertz...

aaglo · October 25, 2002, 08:32

Werdhertz -
You are not the only one. It is our duty to complain. To keep Firaxis on their toes - to keep on pushing for better and better games.

We're like the evil drill sergeant. We make Firaxis the bada$$ gaming company it is.

My respect goes to Fireaxis.

HazieDaVampire · October 25, 2002, 08:55

i think they did a good job, they just did a few really stupid things. Like hard coded 8tile range max, why did they do that? Its just so stupid! I just cant get over how stupid that was, and they havn't even given us a reason in the meny threads we've talked about it!

WarpStorm · October 25, 2002, 09:25

Quote:

Originally posted by HazieDaVampire
i think they did a good job, they just did a few really stupid things. Like hard coded 8tile range max, why did they do that? Its just so stupid! I just cant get over how stupid that was, and they havn't even given us a reason in the meny threads we've talked about it!

So, they removed this limitation in PTW, because people didn't like it.

Alex · October 25, 2002, 11:14

Fanboys...

dojoboy · October 25, 2002, 11:52

Dear Firaxis,

,

, and

vmxa1 · October 25, 2002, 12:21

Actually we had a round of thanks about a week ago.

Theseus · October 27, 2002, 15:23

I think werdhertz was right to point out, specifically, the level of support Firaxis has given.

I'll say it again: I think there is a new paradigm for software delivery, that is ongoing and collaborative between developer and audience / community. Firaxis has been committed to this, but has also clearly been figuring it out as they go along... this can;t be easy, especially given the financial constraints / drivers of traditional software development, as well as the nascent development of the community (i.e., how many people on 'poly and CFC compared to the whole customer base?).

A job well done I'd say... but not over.

Ogie Oglethorpe · October 27, 2002, 21:28

Good service and modding is the equivalent to GM being proactive about issuing timely recalls.

Sure they're doing the right thing after the fact. But the problem is you don't plan on buying another GM after the third recall, when you can get a Honda with no recalls.

Cyclotron · October 27, 2002, 21:33

Ogie, the difference is that lots of the stuff in the patches, especially in the later ones, was not fixing but rather adding on based on what people wanted, like editor features and lethal bombardment. That's like GM coming to your door to take your current car and offering to replace it on the spot with one that has a skylight and extra cupholders.

WarpStorm · October 27, 2002, 21:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe
Sure they're doing the right thing after the fact. But the problem is you don't plan on buying another GM after the third recall, when you can get a Honda with no recalls.

You must never have owned a Honda.

My old Civic was recalled a bunch of times in the 10 years I owned it.

vmxa1 · October 27, 2002, 21:43

I am not sure I like that as an analogy. I would maybe accept it if you refered to the Pinto. There they knew they had an issue and chose to let it go into sales anyway. Here we have some things that were not done they way they should have been or could have been, but deliberate attempt to put out a broken product. Yes, some may claim it was, but they can not know it unless they were in on the design. We know about the Pinto as the dcuments were presented in court. GM presumetly had something that needed correction and they did so. I say presume as sometimes the recall is really just polictical and insubstancial, such as an old Camaro I had need a correction to a bukle in the back seat. The car was on the streets for 10 years before that was decided. Anyway, Honda has not managed to avoid recalls. I had an Acura that was a dream, I got a recall notice for it. The point is people still bought fords after the Pinto. I was one who said I would not, but here I am with a Mustang convertible and I even bough an escort that same day for my ex. People have short memories.

Theseus · October 27, 2002, 21:47

Hey, I admit some of the fixes were "recall" in nature... you expect something different in software? Tell Bill G.

Incremental improvements and enhancements based on community feedback represent a significant change in the development process.

Couple a years back (10?), I was in a position to give MS and Lotus direct input on feature development for Excel and 1-2-3... very cool, except it was a couple years before anything I commented on showed up, by which time of course I had moved on to entirely different issues.

Firaxis is pretty cool in my book.

WarpStorm · October 27, 2002, 21:58

I know that some of the feedback I've given them was listened to. This puts them near the top of the heap in my book.

jdd2007 · October 27, 2002, 22:11

i think they did a good job as well.

i will certainly buy PtW

Theseus · October 27, 2002, 23:23

Quote:

Originally posted by WarpStorm
I know that some of the feedback I've given them was listened to.

A master of understatement.

Referencing a traditional analogy above, that's like the head of design for GM saying, "Hey, did you see the custom paint job that one guy down in San Diego did? We're gonna offer that as a standard option, starting in a couple months."

notyoueither · October 28, 2002, 01:27

I think Firaxis' actions speak louder than words.

Many patches.

georges bonbon · October 28, 2002, 06:11

About a month ago I made a thread about it.

Is it allowed to praise Firaxis?

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...threadid=63044

And sure it is the best.

aahz_capone · October 28, 2002, 07:11

WarpStorm · October 28, 2002, 07:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Theseus
A master of understatement.

Actually, I was thinking of some of the editor and gameplay suggestions I've given them over the past few months and not my graphics.

Although, I guess I could show my appreciation by sending them a case-o-brew like some other posters have. Actions speak louder than words.

alva · October 28, 2002, 08:09

Quote:

Originally posted by jdd2007
i think they did a good job as well.

i will certainly buy PtW

indeed they have

Well done

The Pioneer · October 28, 2002, 08:42

I've said it countless times and I will say it again I do like the work that has been put up behind the civ series. Sid and now Firaxis are doing a great job and I will buy PTW as soon as I can get my hands on it!

So long...

Alex · October 28, 2002, 08:50

Ditto.

I'm a fanboy too.

Pyrodrew · October 28, 2002, 10:38

I have also been impressed with Firaxis & seen some requests made here impact their changes.
Not only is the quantity of patches good, but the quality is good as well. I recall a RTS game in which the designers released many patches, but the patches often brought more bugs & problems then the patches were worth.
I am considering buying PtW partly to show my support for their good work.

ruby_maser · October 28, 2002, 12:22

cheers to firaxis...
if only for realizing that sticking with a fanbase like us is a goldmine

...

Yeah, yeah. I'm gonna buy PTW and blah blah blah. I love Civ3 for all it is and could be. I just hope that the improvements, expansions, and fixes don't stop when PTW is unleashed on the world.

Solver · October 28, 2002, 13:22

Thanks to Firaxis for providing me with all the fun I have had with Civ 3

arty:

! They have really done an excellent job with this game, and my thanks to Sid especially for inventing such a thing that Civ is, and to Soren for writing an excellent AI.

I hope the guys over there at Firaxis are actually reading this thread

.