Civ4 expansion pack

[MAS]

Hmm, If they set it up in a similar fashion as BioWare did with NeverWinter Nights, then this expansion might be platform independent.

Here's one for hope!

 

[conquer_dude]

I dont have mac but shouldnt this be in the civ4 section??

 

[AlanH]

The reason it's here is that MAS is hoping we won't have to wait as long for expansions for the Mac version of Civ4 as we did for Civ3. If you don't have a Mac you may not be aware of the fact that we only got access to PTW and Conquests in the last three months.

 

[conquer_dude]

I stand corrected. Carry on.

 

[Beamup]

From the available information, there isn't anything that immediately demonstrates that code changes will be needed. So we can certainly hope!

 

[AlanH]

On the other hand this is a pre-announcement of something they are probably still working on, so it's all a bit speculative. I wonder if the new "Warlord" might need code changes? Anyway, with Aspyr on the case, I'm sure we are in good hands.

 

[Beamup]

It's definitely speculative, yes. I'm just saying that we cannot yet conclusively state that there are code changes. Likely we will be able to in the future as more details become clear.

 

[Brad Oliver]

It's definitely speculative, yes. I'm just saying that we cannot yet conclusively state that there are code changes. Likely we will be able to in the future as more details become clear.

I can conclusively state there are code changes.

 

[Beamup]

Ah well. (10 char)

 

[MAS]

I can conclusively state there are code changes.

Ah, same for the expansions for NWN, but BioWare kept the code base of all versions the same by releasing free patches for the original, the only two things you need to be using the changes from the expansions are #1 an expansion CD-key, and 2# data files. By far the most changes where described in data files.

If Fireaxes does the same thing, or something that looks a bit like it...
And form my understanding FireAxis DID make Civ4 very modable, and extendeble, writing almost every characteristic in a data file as XML. Not only for the mod communety, but for their own sake too!

At the very least it could make porting this and future expansions to the mac a near non issue.

I mean, I'm still hoping!

 

[AlanH]

Wow! I've found a greater optimist than me!

Civ4 is very extendable, but in three stages of increasing complexity:

1. XML data files. Add and modify civs, units, maps, buildings ... *within the rules* defined in the game code.

2. Python source code. Mainly controls the user interface.

3. The SDK (not yet delivered). Essentially you are reprogramming and recompiling the game in Visual Studio. If we get one for the Mac it will be an XCode project full of C++ and compiled Python. This is the level where rule changes are made in the game engine, allowing new or different interactions between game components or different AI behaviours. Build your own game!

I speculate that aspects of the Warlord expansion, including the 'Warlord' unit itself, operate outside of the vanilla rule set currently shipping and therefore require modifications at level 3, with all that implies in terms of programming knowledge, understanding of the game engine, and testing the resulting mod. No doubt possible from outside, given a Mac OS SDK, but much safer if Brad ports it for us.

 

[Gatekeeper]

Go, Brad, go! You're da man! (No pressure! No pressure!)

Gatekeeper

 

[Brad Oliver]

I speculate that aspects of the Warlord expansion, including the 'Warlord' unit itself, operate outside of the vanilla rule set currently shipping and therefore require modifications at level 3, with all that implies in terms of programming knowledge, understanding of the game engine, and testing the resulting mod. No doubt possible from outside, given a Mac OS SDK, but much safer if Brad ports it for us.

The SDK will essentially be the DLL code. There's a 4th level, going by your hierarchy - the actual game engine code. I know there are code changes at this level, outside of the DLL, so Warlords won't be just an SDK-level update, although I imagine the bulk of the code will be along those lines.

 

[iamliberal]

All these years of waiting for Civ ports, I just can't help but wish Firaxis would operate more like Blizzard does. My Diablo2, World of Warcraft, Warcraft3, etc games all work on PC and Mac, the same CD, it's so great!

 

[AlexandrNyetski]

It would be REALLY great if the makers of Civ would in general plan on earlier Mac support. Waiting for years for expansion packs is ridiculous and there are plenty of people who use Macs.

 

[cactuspenguin]

It amazes me that the developers didn't use OpenGL for the Windows version. This would certainly help with porting. Also, although they use XML(which is platform-neutral) they used a proprietary MSXML dll to read it. This made it hard to get the game to run in Wine on Linux.

Sheesh....if they would design for portability upfront it would make for a more stable and easily ported game.

id does it....so do many other developers.

Oh well. I am just glad they made it.

 

[AlexandrNyetski]

Why in the name of Montezuma did they use the Microsoft XML? Isn't the everyone-else XML good enough?

 

[floppymoose]

Why in the name of Montezuma did they use the Microsoft XML? Isn't the everyone-else XML good enough?

Just the idea of a Microsoft-XML is pretty whacked to begin with, let alone actually using it.