July PC Gamer

[MeteorPunch]

A couple things in the magazine that were new to me (sorry if you've already known these):

- beginning in June 2004, a hand-picked group of around 60 hardcore Civilization fans has been playing it and giving feedback to the developers in a private online forum.

- cities built on the water - rivers or coastlines - are now automatically connected to a trade route, negating the need to build a road.

- But the real prize, which will have all the hardcore modders drooling, is the software developers kit (SDK).

"It's all the code I write. It's all the AI and all the game code. It's the rules of the game," says Johnson. "This has been done a lot with shooters, but it's never really been explored with strategy games."

Using this package, modders will be able to do everything from writing their own game types to pretty much builiding their own game based loosely on Civilization, changing literally anything they want.

[Louis XXIV]

Mostly it isn't new news, but its still nice to hear. The only thing new is the first thing about the testers (something I figured they must be doing, but many people will be glad to hear).

[MeteorPunch]

Originally Posted by Louis XXIV

Mostly it isn't new news, but its still nice to hear. The only thing new is the first thing about the testers (something I figured they must be doing, but many people will be glad to hear).

That's pretty interesting to me. Who's playing it? People on our forum here? And where is this "private" forum located?

[Esckey]

cities built on the water - rivers or coastlines - are now automatically connected to a trade route, negating the need to build a road

I don't think I heard about it working on a coastline before. But it makes me wonder how they're going to do the whole blockade thing

[Louis XXIV]

Originally Posted by MeteorPunch

That's pretty interesting to me. Who's playing it? People on our forum here? And where is this "private" forum located?

I don't know if there is a private forum on CFC (I doubt it), but I wouldn't be suprised if there aren't at least a couple of people from CFC who are a part of it. If I'm not mistaken, the C3C test was much bigger, but I'd imagine some of those who were part of it would be high on the list of likely testers.

[Aussie_Lurker]

I'd just like to know how a bunch of 'hard-core' civ fans let a truly lame concept like Unit-based espionage get back into the game? Can't they see how it will increase Micromanagement??

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

[Tomoyo]

Originally Posted by Aussie_Lurker

I'd just like to know how a bunch of 'hard-core' civ fans let a truly lame concept like Unit-based espionage get back into the game? Can't they see how it will increase Micromanagement??

And, how do they determine who is "hard-core", anyway?

[CivGeneral]

Originally Posted by Tomoyo

And, how do they determine who is "hard-core", anyway?

I think its the amount of determination the player has *shrugs*

[Tomoyo]

Originally Posted by CivGeneral

I think its the amount of determination the player has *shrugs*

What do they use to measure that? How isometrically the fingerprints on your monitor are aligned?

[Louis XXIV]

Originally Posted by Tomoyo

And, how do they determine who is "hard-core", anyway?

They aren't designing the game, they are offering feedback.

[Vael]

Originally Posted by Tomoyo

What do they use to measure that? How isometrically the fingerprints on your monitor are aligned?

Probably past experience with Firaxis. There have been beta-testing sessions for both PTW and Conquests, after all.

[Louis XXIV]

Yeah, I can think of many people who I would nominate (some of whom I'd be suprised if they aren't beta testers)

[mudblood]

Considering the fact they probably signed confidentiality agreements, I'd pay attention to who isn't posting in this thread.

[Aussie_Lurker]

Well, I have noticed that DH_Epic hasn't been posting for the last couple of weeks, so perhaps he has been enlisted into the beta testing effort! One can only hope, 'cause I greatly respect his opinion on what would make a great civ game!!

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

[MeteorPunch]

I'm slightly suspicious of Sir Pleb too. Absent for the last 3 Gotms because of "work." Sure.....he's practicing up on his Civ 4 skills as we speak.

[JG99_Korab]

So even if they do release civ4 unfinished to our standards. We will be able to do anything we want with it.

[troytheface]

if it were me i would not choose any "civ Fanatic" as they are not the average player- albeit they would be "hardcore". I would enlist non fanatical average players from different age groups.
Some of these that post on this are in way over their head to be of any practical use-
example - ...Spies are back in play and that is a good thing- for fun -something that an average player would not mind- but something that might bug a veteran player-

[Sirian]

Originally Posted by Aussie_Lurker

Well, I have noticed that DH_Epic hasn't been posting for the last couple of weeks...

Hmm. Yeah, he's been quieter since posting that document of top ten lists.

Maybe that effort got him in the door?


That would be cool. They need somebody in there to give them the straight medicine when the AI is falling on its face.


- Sirian

[Xen]

Originally Posted by troytheface

if it were me i would not choose any "civ Fanatic" as they are not the average player- albeit they would be "hardcore".

speak for yourself for being hardcore; I'm a rather laid back civ3 player; I;ve never felt the need to psuh myself above monarch

[Aussie_Lurker]

You know, that was EXACTLY what I was thinking ! It would certainly get MY attention if I was running a company like Firaxis. Plus, he does have extensive computer programming skills. In fact, I am suprised that you and Warpstorm are posting at the moment, because I felt certain that the both of you would get the call up ! Of course, you may have gotten the call up, but are just keeping it under your hats !

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.