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E3: More on Civ IV
Here's another screenshot of Civilization IV, and some more dope about the game that Firaxis games promises will be even more addicting than the original. faster pace: remember how the early years of a Civilization map tend to blow by, but the years approaching 2050 can take what seems like hours? Firaxis promises "streamlined" gameplay for a "faster" experience. easier interface: Firaxis promises an interface that will be familiar and easy for veterans and newbies alike. The screenshots we've seen look a little chaotic, but they're not showing the city interface yet. more flexible tech tree: Flexibility and "open-ended gameplay" are the buzzwords of the moment, so there's no surprise that every game is touting this. new multiplayer options: There will be a persistent, turn-based server option, and it could be huge. It'd be great to be able to line up a game with someone over the net and have some trusted server somewhere store the information. Saving game information client-side (with the players' machines) exposes it to shenanigans. team-play: "team play offers a new way of setting locked alliances that result in shared wonder effects, visibility, unit trading and shared territory that delivers a plethora of new strategic and tactical options" The game's marketing team has also produced a funny little guide to help players of the game overcome their debilitating addictions to it. The brochure they're handing out on the show floor shows gamers in AA-like settings saying things like, "By the time I got to the Industrial Age, I was a full-blown junkie," and "The addiction just takes over. One more turn, one more turn, one more turn..."
Interview with Civ IV Producer
IGN has posted an interview with Civilization IV's producer Barry Caudill, who provides more detail on the what's changed since the last Civilization title 3D engine still covers the 4000 BC to 2050 AD timeframe revamped movement and combat mechanics animated, dynamic landscapes (moving cows, flowing rivers) 18 civilizations better AI additional resources for trade new "religion" system for theocratic governments addition of the touchy (but historically accurate) topics of slavery and emancipation elimination of terrorism options (poisoning a city's water supply has become a taboo topic since the last Civ game) the most moddable version of Civilization ever Visit the folks over at CivFanatics.com for great commentary and analysis on the IGN interview linked below.
Sid Meier sits down with the Europeans
Sid Meier, the ultimate in Game Gods, the peak of game design gurus, the upper crust of digital cake, etc. sits down with Eurogamer to give his two Euros on Pirates! The newly released game is getting the kudos it deserves. Anytime you follow up on one of the most beloved titles of all time, you have to be a little nervous. But now is his time to relax, and work on the Xbox version of the game, and, of course, Civilization IV. The interview is short, but we should be grateful for every word we get from this man of mans, this gamer of legends, etc.
Infogrames sells Civilization franchise
In the "Hmm..." department, Infogrames has sold it's rights to the Civilization franchise. The video game behemoth seems to have a few financial problems at the moment and sold off the rights. See? This is what happens when you anger the ghost of Atari. The news is early in the article. The rest is all tedious financial stuff. Well worth reading if you can't sleep. You'll be out like a light. So, with the Civilization franchise having split in recent years, and now this, I guess we'll be seeing yet another company put out a Civilization game. If this goes on much longer, every company in the business will have put one out by the year 2020.
Civilization IV updates an old favorite
It's the gift that keeps on giving. The next Civilization game is now official. The new screenies already prove that it will be a generational leap in the eye candy department. Spong says the game may be developed for consoles, as well as the PC. This is a good idea for a number of reasons. One, bigger audience. Duh. Two, there's nothing else even close to it in the console area. Three, a lot of the original fans who aren't playing games anymore may see it's available on their kid's Xbox and jump back in. Any chance to bond with the kid is a good idea, right?
