Civ4 Multiplayer Hands On Preview

[ComradeDavo]

Yes,you can, this would be a major gameplay problem if you couldn't save and continue later.

CS

Just wondering, cuz I didn't think you could with Civ3 (for direct multiplayer games)

 

[Colonel Kraken]

Thanks for the article, Chieftess.

I do have a couple of questions for you.

My wife and I like to play hotseat. Will we be able to play cooperative mode in hotseat play? Also, in Civ3, only player 1 was able to see what happened during the AI's turns to his/her own cities and units. In Civ4, do both players get to see what took place on their turn?


Also, you mentioned maintenance costs for units. One thing that always bothered those of us in the modding community was the inablility to assign varying maintenance costs for different types of units. Does Civ4 have different maintenance costs for different units, or does it follow the Civ3 model and have everything cost 1 gold point from Warrior all the way to Modern Armor?

Thanks!

 

[ComradeDavo]

Now I'll see about inciting an OT Civ4 multiplayer game...

Excellent

 

[Methos]

I noticed Sullla in the MP game. Isn't he primarily a SG player? Can't remember where I've seen him before. This site has so many members, both new and old.

 

[Sullla]

That could be any Sullla!

But that person in question certainly does seem to be leading in score by a pretty large margin...

(No comment for another six days. )

 

[Jamesds]

Can someone reassure me (or be honest) with regards as to Civ 4 operating on Windows ME??

 

[kryszcztov]

That could be any Sullla!

But that person in question certainly does seem to be leading in score by a pretty large margin...

(No comment for another six days. )

I'll do like Michael Moore, and take that for a YES. Otherwise you would just try to play the smart guy, and I wouldn't see the point.

 

[ipris]

i'm wondering how best to protect those catapults given that unit stacking is becoming a dangerous thing.

 

[Slax]

Nice CT, but you forgot to mention two of the most important changes!!! (hint: 6)

Hmmm. MP surprise change with a hint of "6"?

I am going to guess that you can re-watch up to 6 of the previous turns of the game!

(very important for PBEM (play by email))

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Chieftess, you mentioned lag (lack of - comparatively I assume), you still using that 56k modem of hell?

Hint: 6?

Hmm, 'The Prisoner' Easter Egg

 

[Unregister]

I'm so happy all more then 8 civs will be able to play in MP...I hate in Civ3 where you'd play a large map with hardly any civs because of the restrictions of Civ3....anyway, time to dissapear for another year

good article btw

 

[KingSponge]

Nice impressions, thanks! Did you try PBEM? Please tell me Civ4 has PBEM management features like player email address tracking and emailing capability... please?

 

[robcheng]

What? That you can successfully play over hotel wireless networks Rob?

CS

Actually, I'm still not sure that's true...will have to go check when I get the release version.

 

[robcheng]

Yes,you can, this would be a major gameplay problem if you couldn't save and continue later.

CS

Unless one of your opponents is CS, and he's ducking you because he's afraid of losing...

 

[Shigga]

YESSSSSSS!!!! Thank you chieftess! I think I just wet my..erm...never mind. Sounds like the MP could be finally living up to my expectations... I mean a STABLE 18 Player game??

Plus Civ going gold... and here I thought I would get nothing out of this so far stressful and annoying day... now I'm as happy as a kitten in a milkcup

Bring it on!

 

[Chieftess]

Thanks, Chieftess!!

Now I'll see about inciting an OT Civ4 multiplayer game...

You might have to mod in more civs for that...

Chieftess, you mentioned lag (lack of - comparatively I assume), you still using that 56k modem of hell?

Hint: 6?

Hmm, 'The Prisoner' Easter Egg

Nope, I'm using a Cable Modem now (Comcast Cable). The one "6 clue" is very subtle, but noticable if you try it in a MP game next week...

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Nope, I'm using a Cable Modem now (Comcast Cable).

And that lag just disappeared as if by magic

 

[CanuckSoldier]

Unless one of your opponents is CS, and he's ducking you because he's afraid of losing...

Did I mention that the Civ4players Ladder is holding a CIV tournament on the 28-30 weekend? And there will be a testers division? YOU are cordially invited to attend.....BOY!!

CS

 

[Louis XXIV]

That could be any Sullla!

But that person in question certainly does seem to be leading in score by a pretty large margin...

(No comment for another six days. )

Interesting.

The plot thickens

If you are a tester, I'm glad to here that, since I know you give very good insight into the game.

 

[humean]

I read that to improve the flow of multiplayer, everyone takes their turn in parallel, that is, simultaneously. When a player runs out of moves he waits until all other players have finished for the turn to end.

Does this not remove some of the turn-based aspect and require speed/reflexes, like an RTS? I mean if my unit is next to your unit and I want to attack you and you want to run away, then if I move first I get to attack whereas if you happen to click over to that unit and move it first then I don't get to attack. Multiply that times 10 units on each side in different tactical positions relative to each other and now you have to quickly prioritize which units to move first? Sounds like a very different game from single player...

Unless I'm confused, which is likely. I'm having a hard time envisioning how this works out otherwise. And how does the trade screen interact with the flow of the round in the multiplayer screen?

Thanks for the great review!
humean