All Quiet on the Civ Front

[Eagle Pursuit]

I'm a bit curious about current content availability across platforms:

1. On Mac - did they finally catch up and are they at the same patch level as PC?
2. Does the iPad version have any DLC or R&F available on it?
3. What about patches, do they have all of the current patched content as of the final 2018 patch on iPad?

The reason I am asking, is mostly to see what content we expect on the Switch. If it is only Vanilla (which I expect), it seems unlikely that even a Patch for PC would come out around that time. They might even hold back on a content update of any kind for the older (PC) Platform more than we think, just so as to not overshadow the Switch Release.

"New on Switch, this game from 2016 - but if you have it on the PC you get this patch update right now - which fixes all these things that are wrong with the product we are trying to sell you!", isn't really the best marketing to sell those Switch copies of the game. Clearly that's their target revenue for the 2018 holiday season.

On the other hand, if the iPad version got released with the very latest patch, or got a patch soon after launch that puts it at the same patch level as the PC, only then would I expect a PC/Mac patch for November.

Now that the 2nd anniversary milestone is in the rear-view mirror, It makes me think an announcement of Schrodinger's 2019 Expansion is likely to come in late November at the earliest with no actual Patch or small DLC on the horizon for 2018 at all.

Mac is on equal footing.

Linux is still missing the spring patch and cross-platform multiplayer. Aspyr says there's a big crash bug on some Linux variants holding up the patch.

I haven't looked at my kid's ipad in a while, but I think all the DLC are available now, but not R&F. It doesn't have cross-platform multiplayer.

 

[Ma2ge]

2kqa_b updated 45 mins ago.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

There's a pretty deep history now of there being base game+2xpac--I'd need some pretty compelling evidence to believe it will be anything other than that again this time.

There's also been a deep history of it being purely a PC game, up until this edition.

The reason I am asking, is mostly to see what content we expect on the Switch. If it is only Vanilla (which I expect), it seems unlikely that even a Patch for PC would come out around that time. They might even hold back on a content update of any kind for the older (PC) Platform more than we think, just so as to not overshadow the Switch Release.

The first four DLC are included with the Switch game from everything I have read.

 

[Disgustipated]

Civ2 had more than 2 expansions right? Though I didn't care for Test of Time.

 

[nzcamel]

Civ2 had more than 2 expansions right? Though I didn't care for Test of Time.

Do we consider any Civ II expansions after the first to be canon?

 

[The Kingmaker]

Do we consider any Civ II expansions after the first to be canon?

Civ2 only had two expansions: Conflicts in Civilization and Fantastic Worlds.

Test of Time was a repackaging of the game with some updated mechanics and a couple extra features.

 

[Mesix]

And if you add 8 more civs in the second expansion, and 8 more in a hypothetical third, then you get the delightfully round number 50 civs.

If there are only two 8 civ expansions, then the total number of civs would only be 42. Civ V had a final total of 43, so it would be the first time in the series that the number of civs regressed.

42 is such an important number. It is the answer to life, the universe, and everything!

 

[Leyrann]

42 is such an important number. It is the answer to life, the universe, and everything!

Clearly, the ultimate question is: "How many civs does Civ VI need to exceed by at least 2?"

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

The media campaign for the Switch version has begun. They rolled out a video with cute animation on how to start a game. It is the beginning of a series of videos.

 

[AspyrRyan]

I'm a bit curious about current content availability across platforms:

1. On Mac - did they finally catch up and are they at the same patch level as PC?
2. Does the iPad version have any DLC or R&F available on it?
3. What about patches, do they have all of the current patched content as of the final 2018 patch on iPad?.

As Eagle Pursuit said, the Steam Mac version is synced up to the PC version. Mac App version is on the Spring 2018 update (functionally equivalent to Steam, but lacking cross platform). Linux is on the R&F release patch due to a crash holding up development.

iPad/iPhone has all 6 DLCs available and is on the Fall 2017 update for now.

 

[Myomoto]

The media campaign for the Switch version has begun. They rolled out a video with cute animation on how to start a game. It is the beginning of a series of videos.

Ok, I'm kind of doubting we get any PC news before the Switch version is released then...

...unless the Switch version launches with a new patch/content update?

 

[RohirrimElf]

Ok, I'm kind of doubting we get any PC news before the Switch version is released then...

...unless the Switch version launches with a new patch/content update?

Nothing big. But there could still be an autumn patch.

 

[UWHabs]

Nothing big. But there could still be an autumn patch.

Yeah, it wouldn't shock me especially if they release a new patch on the date of the Switch release. That would make a lot of sense - maybe some things they had to do for the switch they brought along to the main game, even just if they were little balance or UI tweaks. But I definitely would not expect a major announcement until after.

 

[Rup]

Is Aspyr doing the Switch port ?

 

[TahamiTsunami]

I was excited for the possibility of something happening on the 2nd anniversary but I'm glad that we do have confirmation of some development going on at the very least and that Switch players will have another game to look forward to

In the meantime, I certainly wouldn't mind participating in some more elimination games since it's been a while.

@Rup I believe they are unless I missed something.

 

[Rup]

I believe they are unless I missed something.

Thanks.
Just ordered a Switch for it but should have waited for Rise and Fall announcement I think.

 

[TahamiTsunami]

@Rup No problem. Even if you decide to wait for Rise and Fall to be included before buying Civ 6, you could always pass the time with some other great Switch games like Mario Kart 8, Super Mario Odyssey, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, etc. I don't think anyone would blame you!

 

[ggalindo001]

At this point, and contemplating the release for Switch, I would not expect any release or announcement until right on top of November 16th. My best guess is that there will be an announcement of an expansion after release for Switch, but right before or immediately after Thanksgiving (US). I'm highly skeptical that we will see any future patches until the second expansion is released. Personally, I would rather wait for a second expansion and all PC energies are focused there vs. an interim patch.

Switch did get me thinking about the fact that there will continue to be increasing diversion of internal resources away from the "core PC" experience. Even at the moment others are involved (Aspyr), the reality, as we all know, is that key design decisions are going to be focused more and more on a mass market experience and to the least common denominator. And frankly, I think this is also why the late game is so underwhelming -- on the ports (I cannot say for the Mac, but I can on the iPad), the game becomes mostly unplayable in the late game due to not only turn speed but also ability for a user to effectively process all of the information available to them. Since most players on emerging platforms are not going to get to the late game, there isn't a major need to focus on that. I also strongly agree with the forums that this is why the game is tuned for "online" speed vs. any other speed.

Here is a probing question (and maybe some free, informal research for Firaxis marketing) -- if Civ VII gets announced to be only a console game (ie, iPad, Xbox, PS, Switch) and no PC, how many of us would willingly buy it (presuming we have the underlying console architecture). Although I enjoy having Civ 6 on my iPad, if that was my main experience, I would very likely pass. Unless there is a major leap with consoles/iPads in processing architectures, I would expect a continued movement toward a "faster and simpler" experience. In all fairness, this may help with AI and other issues plaguing the game, however, I would not be keen to see an even more simplified game.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Here is a probing question (and maybe some free, informal research for Firaxis marketing) -- if Civ VII gets announced to be only a console game (ie, iPad, Xbox, PS, Switch) and no PC, how many of us would willingly buy it (presuming we have the underlying console architecture). Although I enjoy having Civ 6 on my iPad, if that was my main experience, I would very likely pass. Unless there is a major leap with consoles/iPads in processing architectures, I would expect a continued movement toward a "faster and simpler" experience. In all fairness, this may help with AI and other issues plaguing the game, however, I would not be keen to see an even more simplified game.

I am planning on getting a Switch for Christmas, though Civ going to it wasn't my original intention, and I'm not sure if I want to spend money right now on a game I already have, especially if it won't have all the current content right now. That being said if Civ VII is console only, though I doubt it because it would somewhat alienate their original market, I would definitely want to get it.

 

[Disgustipated]

Here is a probing question (and maybe some free, informal research for Firaxis marketing) -- if Civ VII gets announced to be only a console game (ie, iPad, Xbox, PS, Switch) and no PC, how many of us would willingly buy it (presuming we have the underlying console architecture). Although I enjoy having Civ 6 on my iPad, if that was my main experience, I would very likely pass. Unless there is a major leap with consoles/iPads in processing architectures, I would expect a continued movement toward a "faster and simpler" experience. In all fairness, this may help with AI and other issues plaguing the game, however, I would not be keen to see an even more simplified game.

I don't have a device capable of running the game other than PC. So the answer would be no. And no way would I buy a device to play the game, because any game that is not on PC isn't worth playing in my opinion (I'm a PC elitist, I admit it).