Civilization 5 Steamworks questions/concerns for inclusion in the FAQ

[CTH]

I wonder if DLC (that you have to pay for) will be a marketing strategy with CIV 5?

 

[ori]

First, I would like to ask the moderators to make this thread sticky (please!) for at least some time.

In my experience the best way to make sure a thread isn't noticed is to make it sticky

But we can always try - this particular discussion sure needs some fuel removed by adding actual information...

Moderator Action: Stickied - I will unstick it when it seems to no longer be needed/active

 

[isndl]

If I have a game of CiV running on my desktop at home (in online mode) and I log onto Steam on my laptop elsewhere, what happens?

 

[EmpireOfCats]

As Steam works on OS X and Windows now, I'd like to submit this question for the FAQ: Will there be a Mac version out of the box, created by Firaxis, supported by Firaxis? This is in contrast to a later Mac "port" by a third party, which (IMHO) don't turn out too well.

Thanks!

 

[White Elk]

In my experience the best way to make sure a thread isn't noticed is to make it sticky

LoL yep. I nearly scrolled to page 2 looking for this thread.


Greg: Will Firaxis/2k commit to "unlocking" Civ5 if Steam is for whatever reason AWOL from the validation process?

It was reported that Mods could be installed independant of the Mod Hub.
Now that it's confirmed that Steam will host the Hub, is this still true?

.

 

[Sam_Yeager]

In some succession games, particularly SGOTM, it is necessary to play these games for a number of months with the same patch level. Is it possible to block Steam from automatically patching Civ5?

In the past it has been possible to copy (on the same computer!) the current Civ installation to another folder. This then enabled us to use the installation copy to play SGOTM whilst patching the initial installation to play other games. Will this still be possible?

 

[EdCase]

Yes it is possible to switch off auto-patching for games on Steam.
Cannot answer the second question definitely, but theoretically yes. You would have to switch the game folders in and out of the same locations though.

@WhiteElk- Valve has publicly stated in the past that if Steam was closing down, They have the ability to permanently disable the need for validation.

 

[2K Greg]

Thanks for the questions so far guys; I am compiling them and starting to get the definitive answers for you. Keep 'em coming.

 

[GigaNerd]

Thanks for the questions so far guys; I am compiling them and starting to get the definitive answers for you. Keep 'em coming.

And when will you actually post the answers, hmm?

Seriously, I'm glad to see someone who's willing to directly answer our questions. I have a question of my own, though.

Do you have any plans for releasing Babylon as DLC at a later date?



Thanks!

 

[nerd]

I am sure many could answer this, but as someone who has no experience with steam,
How does steam know I bought a boxed/retail copy of the game? Is there a number in the box? or ?
If it is just a number in the box, how is this more secure as a DRM than CD-key and disc-in-the-drive checks, if it is.

 

[2K Greg]

Yes, there will be a key in the box that you register to your Steam account when you install it.

 

[Tylerryan79]

Yes it is possible to switch off auto-patching for games on Steam.
Cannot answer the second question definitely, but theoretically yes. You would have to switch the game folders in and out of the same locations though.

@WhiteElk- Valve has publicly stated in the past that if Steam was closing down, They have the ability to permanently disable the need for validation.

Im not trying to be a db but 2k Greg has posted to not answer questions, or if you do post a link where its stated. I only point this out so more people arent answering questions without the proof to back it up. Im sure your answers may be right, but until it comes out of the horses mouth, its still not answered as far as Im concerned. Could you kindly post links? Thanks, sorry for the space wasted

 

[Chalks]

Im not trying to be a db but 2k Greg has posted to not answer questions, or if you do post a link where its stated. I only point this out so more people arent answering questions without the proof to back it up. Im sure your answers may be right, but until it comes out of the horses mouth, its still not answered as far as Im concerned. Could you kindly post links? Thanks, sorry for the space wasted

We're not meant to answer questions in this thread - but this is the option that you use to stop games from updating:

Many people here use Steam every day, it's likely that the information you receive from Steam users on here will be accurate.

 

[Alki]

I use steam every day. Or I would if I knew my damned password! Oh that's right, I do know it.

 

[CivFanMUC]

How's the possibility that there will be a steam-less version of Civ V in the future (or, not entirely steam-less, but a version that requires Steam only for MP-playing)?

See this polls, why that might be an issue for sale-numbers:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=363733
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=364759

Next to this, I would like to ask 2K/Firaxis, if there are any plans to issue a version of Civ5 for 64bit-systems, by that allowing for the use of more RAM by the program.

I'd like to know that too

 

[PieceOfMind]

Sorry if these were asked already.

1. Will there be a PBEM mode in civ5?
2. Will it be possible to save your game in a portable format (like civ4's savegames) so that you can put it on a USB stick and send it through email on another computer or upload it to the forum? (something I have done many times with civ4 when my games computer has no internet for some reason or other).
3. Will PBEM games require connection to a server in any way whatsoever? Including Steam servers?
4. Does civ5 or Steam record the amount of time spent playing the game? Not on a per game basis but on an overall basis. If so, is there any way to turn that off? If not, is it possible to ask Steam to make it possible?
5. Is there a rough date or timeline for when details that modders need to know about will be released? I am probably going to mod civ5 in some way but to this date we have pretty much zero info about it except the marketing line that the "modding capabilities will be unprecedented". I am still very curious as to what is meant by this and so what to expect for civ5 modding.

Might have some more Qs later.

 

[Celebithil]

I am worried about what I will really be buying, if I buy CiV.

1. Can I still install the game (and patch it) if Valve and/or 2K/Firaxis go broke (and stop maintaining the registration server)? Even if that is, say, 20 years from now?

2. I never used steam, so I might ask a stupid question here, but I heard some weird rumors: What happens if my Steam account is hacked? Would this enable someone to steal the game from me completely electronically? How would I prove it was stolen?

3. Can CiV be bought and sold second hand (thus requiring registration on a different account etc.)? If you just buy a second-hand disc can you be certain it works (i.e. as long as the disc is not corrupted)?

4. Is there a limit on the number of times/computers you install CiV (either at the same time, or at different times when you update your hardware)?

 

[civ_king]

I am worried about what I will really be buying, if I buy CiV.

1. Can I still install the game (and patch it) if Valve and/or 2K/Firaxis go broke (and stop maintaining the registration server)? Even if that is, say, 20 years from now?

2. I never used steam, so I might ask a stupid question here, but I heard some weird rumors: What happens if my Steam account is hacked? Would this enable someone to steal the game from me completely electronically? How would I prove it was stolen?

3. Can CiV be bought and sold second hand (thus requiring registration on a different account etc.)? If you just buy a second-hand disc can you be certain it works (i.e. as long as the disc is not corrupted)?

4. Is there a limit on the number of times/computers you install CiV (either at the same time, or at different times when you update your hardware)?

1) Twenty years is a very long time, someone will probably hacked it and have it in a Compendium loaded with Civ I, II, III, IV too
2) They can't steal your games, if you get your account back all the games will still be there
3) no
4) no

 

[spaztek]

I am very unhappy with compulsory Steam.

I have no issues with Steam itself, and use it frequently; but the host of conflicts, issues, etc that arise when a game is Steam-only is too much for me to handle. Even just reading about it on the forums is irritating.

Finding this out today has now made me reconsider my desire for this game.

Although I know it is already set - 2K PLEASE reconsider this decision. You are really alienating a lot of people with this.

 

[ArcadicGamer]

I am wondering for those who will be purchasing from a store.

Will the CD/DVD that is packaged with CIV5 in retail contain the game information to install, or if the disk will only contain the STEAM installer for them to install and download the files after purchase.