A Beginner here with some basic questions.

[Martynblackburn]

Hi,

I've just joined this site. I've playing CIV3 for some time, and I've had it on my computer for some time. It came with the computer which I bought off a neighbour some years ago.

Before I start messing with the files and stuff and start downloading patches, expansions, and stuff like that, what do I need to know?

How do I know that the version I have is compatible? How can I improve game play - what do you recommend I get?

Thanks.

 

[Cyc]

Do you have the play disk? You'll need that.

 

[Martynblackburn]

Do you have the play disk? You'll need that.

Nope. No disk. It's just on the PC.

 

[Theov]

Civ3 Complete (C3C) is the patched version with all the expansions of the original civ3. I think the majority is playing it here.

I do not know your version. If you start the game it should say "civ3" or "play the world", "complete" or "conquests"... in the corner there's normally a version number.
So if you have civ3 you could get all expansions or patches.

If you're referring to customized mods stuff from the customization board, then ask over there.

And really, if you like the game, you can pick it up for only a few bucks.

 

[Martynblackburn]

Civ3 Complete (C3C) is the patched version with all the expansions of the original civ3. I think the majority is playing it here.

I do not know your version. If you start the game it should say "civ3" or "play the world", "complete" or "conquests"... in the corner there's normally a version number.
So if you have civ3 you could get all expansions or patches.

If you're referring to customized mods stuff from the customization board, then ask over there.

And really, if you like the game, you can pick it up for only a few bucks.

I have version 1. 07f.

What does that mean?

 

[Martynblackburn]

I have windows 7 so any patches here probably won't work, and buying the game is too costly. It's £38 for Civ 3 in the shops.

 

[CommandoBob]

I have windows 7 so any patches here probably won't work, and buying the game is too costly. It's £38 for Civ 3 in the shops.

Have you tried Amazon? It is $5.49 (US). Or eBay?

 

[Theov]

I have version 1. 07f.

What does that mean?

Civ3 without expansions.

Why wouldn't it work on Win7? Dunno where you live, but you can download it for only a few bucks nowadays.

 

[MPK]

I run windows 7 and CIV3 works fine. I did have 1 problem with CIV3 on windows 7. Programme files (x88). I don't play my games through this windows 7 x88, it just wants to control everything, "badly". - My set up is Users\Public\Games\CIVIII\Conquests

I bought a Conquests Disk on line for NZ $10. [approx US $7-8]

 

[Martynblackburn]

I'm still none the wiser! Why would I want to buy the game when I already have it installed? I never thought of trying Amazon though.

 

[MPK]

Which copy of the game do you have installed? Do you have conquests with your version?

 

[Theov]

I'm still none the wiser! Why would I want to buy the game when I already have it installed? I never thought of trying Amazon though.

You have Civ3 without the expansions. (Vanilla) That's a very good game.

All I'm saying is that Civ3 Complete (with the conquest expansion and the latest patch) is out there. I'm not saying you should buy it, I'm just saying you could - if you find it worth it.

 

[Martynblackburn]

Which copy of the game do you have installed? Do you have conquests with your version?

I don't know. I don't have conquests.

 

[Martynblackburn]

You have Civ3 without the expansions. (Vanilla) That's a very good game.

All I'm saying is that Civ3 Complete (with the conquest expansion and the latest patch) is out there. I'm not saying you should buy it, I'm just saying you could - if you find it worth it.

Did you just write 'vanilla'?

 

[vorlon_mi]

First, welcome to CFC !

Next, I'm playing Civ 3 on Win7, so it's certainly possible.

The game has two expansion packs: Play the World (PTW) and Conquests (C3C).
You don't *need* either expansion pack, but they add some more civs to play, and some more units to build. If you have Civ 3 (aka Vanilla), that's a fine game.

Most installations of Civ3 vanilla need the game CDROM in the drive to play; this is part of the motivation for our recommendations to "buy the game" -- to get the CDROM. If you're able to play without the CDROM, then that's less important.
Also, many of the experienced players here are using the C3C expansion pack,
and so their advice will assume that's what you're playing. There are some subtle but important differences between C3C and Vanilla; just bear that in mind.

Last, since the game is pretty old, you should be able to find C3C for less than 10 USD.
The current game in the franchise, Civ 5, would cost you 38 GBP or so... but that's a different game altogether.

 

[Martynblackburn]

First, welcome to CFC !

Next, I'm playing Civ 3 on Win7, so it's certainly possible.

The game has two expansion packs: Play the World (PTW) and Conquests (C3C).
You don't *need* either expansion pack, but they add some more civs to play, and some more units to build. If you have Civ 3 (aka Vanilla), that's a fine game.

Most installations of Civ3 vanilla need the game CDROM in the drive to play; this is part of the motivation for our recommendations to "buy the game" -- to get the CDROM. If you're able to play without the CDROM, then that's less important.
Also, many of the experienced players here are using the C3C expansion pack,
and so their advice will assume that's what you're playing. There are some subtle but important differences between C3C and Vanilla; just bear that in mind.

Last, since the game is pretty old, you should be able to find C3C for less than 10 USD.
The current game in the franchise, Civ 5, would cost you 38 GBP or so... but that's a different game altogether.

I would like to get CIV5 but I would have to upgrade my memory and my graphics card. What graphics card would your recommend? Nothing special.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Did you just write 'vanilla'?

Means original version. No expansions or other modifications except official patches. Confused me too when I first encountered it.

 

[Martynblackburn]

Means original version. No expansions or other modifications except official patches. Confused me too when I first encountered it.

So how can I get some improvements and extra stuff to add to the game? Is there a patch or something?

 

[MPK]

If you purchase a CD of CIV3 you will get all the improvements and patches that you need. I have Conquests but you can also get "CIV3 Complete" which has more on it than Conquests I believe.

I'm sure you could download all this on line, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

 

[gps]

So how can I get some improvements and extra stuff to add to the game? Is there a patch or something?

You can get the patches plus a lot of interesting stuff for download here in the forums:

http://www.civfanatics.com/civ3/downloads/#

http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=64#

However in your case I would be carefull with patching. I mean there are ways to get rid of a CD check which are not really intended by the publisher of the game. Patching it might remove this convenient feature of your installation...