Design with Consoles in Mind?

[spfun]

Conspiracy theory worry here but here goes.

Yes i know its coming to PC only which is good. But It doesn't stop them for developing with consoles in mind for a later release... From what we've seen of the game it does sorta feel that way and considering Xcom 2... Maybe they're looking at a console release later?

They know the PC community would be up in arms about it, so they design the game with consoles in mind for an easier port later on. They did expect some backlash with the graphics choice. Shorter game length is still my major worry and it does seem like games won't take as long with the dual tech tree and the faster starts(builders instant build and Eureka) graphics( which i like ) Does feel like a good fit for console as well.

I'm still excited as ever for the game mind you, and are counting down the days until release but its a little worrying.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

Some E3 previewers said they were playing on a Playstation. And one interviewer really hassled Ed about porting to consoles. Ed was rather evasive on the subject.

 

[Verified_Confection_Being]

Why is this worrying? The UI has clearly been designed with PC in mind. Design decisions have been made to optimise it for lower end PC's if anything, not consoles. If this game arrives on consoles it will be a port, and good for them

Also, i'm not sure i understand the complaints about shorter game times. On Civ V you could play a 'quick' game that would still last 3-4 hours plus... We actually need shorter game length because that's insane... Civ has always had the epic and marathon length games that are longer for those that want them, but for the vast majority of gamers these days, that amount of time can't be dedicated to a game on a regular basis, especially for us multiplayer gamers.

I'd love it if the quick game mode consistently finished within 3 hours. I try and game with my friends at least once a week on an evening, and that's about all the time i can manage. I'm intrigued by these supposed new game modes that will be shorter, but i imagine they will also fundamentally change how the game is played, with is a nice addition but not a substitute for the riduculous length of the shorter and standard game modes.

Some E3 previewers said they were playing on a Playstation. And one interviewer really hassled Ed about porting to consoles. Ed was rather evasive on the subject.

That was confirmed as a misquote, the game is 100% PC only at launch AFAWK

 

[Haig]

The game sounds rich and promising, 64 bit, multithread a.i. ...

If I get enjoyment out of it who cares if the console players can enjoy it as well.

 

[m15a]

I don't own a console and wouldn't buy one that didn't allow me to also play the new Zelda game, but being able to play from the couch with a controller would be great, and maybe with the Steam controller bundle, they're designing towards that on PC.

I don't know why consoles would suggest a short game length, but being able to do that would definitely mean I'd play longer. But like I said, I don't own a console, so I don't know how a console game would have a different feel except having a little bigger text and UI.

 

[AriochIV]

The UI that we see it fairly dense and quite complex; I don't think it would work on a console.

Some E3 previewers said they were playing on a Playstation.

This has been debunked; it was an error.

 

[Gorbles]

If it's coming to PC only, then any talk of it being designed for consoles is unfounded by definition.

This thread literally contradicts itself.

 

[Acken]

Maybe it will be ported who knows. Diablo 3 was ported and as much problems as that game had it wasnt really because of consolization.

From the ui and features shown the game looks pretty good so far especially for a 1.0 version.

Challenge is the only concern I have that will never be answered before release or before lets plays at least.

 

[Uberfrog]

When it was first announced, you could get a bundle with Civ VI and a reduced-cost Steam Controller on Steam, so they seem have that in mind for controller-based play. Streamlining the UI to a more traditional controller would be a lot more difficult.

I really think if they were going to release on consoles they'd have announced it by now.

 

[Aheadatime]

I gotta hunch Civ6 will be released on consoles later on. I'm totally cool with that tbh. Who really cares so long as the PC version is awesome? 64 bit, multi-threaded AI, an art style that I enjoy, intuitive changes that improve upon Civ5... I'm stoked.

I'd be thrilled if console gamers got to enjoy this game. I started off my civilization love affair with CivRev for the Xbox360. It turned me into a console Civ5 lover. Crossing platforms is a beautiful thing. I don't get the whole "us vs them" mentality.

 

[AriochIV]

When it was first announced, you could get a bundle with Civ VI and a reduced-cost Steam Controller on Steam, so they seem have that in mind for controller-based play.

No, that's just Steam trying to sell its controller. They try to bundle it with everything. It's the same "discounted" price whether you buy it as a bundle or by itself.

People are trying WAY too hard to find something to be upset about.

 

[moysturfurmer]

I'd slap my grandmother for an iPad version.

 

[Mort_Q]

I'd just like a steambox app (or a dedicated Civ app for that matter). The PC can do all the work, and the tablet can just be the interface.

I know there are third party products like splashtop, but I could never get them to work well enough to be worth it.

 

[m15a]

No, that's just Steam trying to sell its controller. They try to bundle it with everything. It's the same "discounted" price whether you buy it as a bundle or by itself.

People are trying WAY too hard to find something to be upset about.

I don't think anyone has expressed being upset about Steam controller compatibility. Personally, I was optimistic about that bundle indicating being able to use that controller. I know it has been used for Civ V as well. (Though I'm not sure how well it worked - opinions?)

Although, you're right that there's a good chance Steam just wants to piggyback on a product they know will be popular, and one that is at least somewhat appropriate for the Steam controller since it probably won't work with an XBox controller and the Steam controller has mouse-cursor-like controls.

 

[Thormodr]

I gotta hunch Civ6 will be released on consoles later on. I'm totally cool with that tbh. Who really cares so long as the PC version is awesome? 64 bit, multi-threaded AI, an art style that I enjoy, intuitive changes that improve upon Civ5... I'm stoked.

I'd be thrilled if console gamers got to enjoy this game. I started off my civilization love affair with CivRev for the Xbox360. It turned me into a console Civ5 lover. Crossing platforms is a beautiful thing. I don't get the whole "us vs them" mentality.

I have no problem with consoles. The problem is that game development companies will try to save money where they can. If that means streamlining a PC game in order to make a port to consoles easier and cheaper, they will certainly be strongly encouraged to do so by the bean counters.

 

[Lord Tirian]

The UI that we see it fairly dense and quite complex; I don't think it would work on a console.

Pure speculation on my part, but perhaps the reason why Ed was so evasive is that the engine was built with a console version in mind, meaning it could run on consoles but not well. Hence, they might have laid the foundation for a port (with streamlined rule set and adjusted UI) but won't work on that until after release of the PC version.

While speculative, we saw the same for the mobile ports of XCOM and, in some fashion, with the console ports of XCOM2. Built for PC, then tuned for the new platform afterwards. Perhaps XCOM was even used as "trial balloon" to prove to the management that PC-to-console works, not just console-to-PC.

 

[spfun]

Pure speculation on my part, but perhaps the reason why Ed was so evasive is that the engine was built with a console version in mind, meaning it could run on consoles but not well. Hence, they might have laid the foundation for a port (with streamlined rule set and adjusted UI) but won't work on that until after release of the PC version.

While speculative, we saw the same for the mobile ports of XCOM and, in some fashion, with the console ports of XCOM2. Built for PC, then tuned for the new platform afterwards. Perhaps XCOM was even used as "trial balloon" to prove to the management that PC-to-console works, not just console-to-PC.

Yes this is what I tried to explain. If its PC to console, they would have taken console into account when designing the game. Which means if true a more streamlined game with mechanics with console in mind. Perhaps even smaller maps... This is also where my worry about shorter game length comes from, a more condensed accessible game would work for both PC/Console while a deeper/complex game won't work for console.

Things like less than 50 techs with Eureka bonuses, the stylized graphics, builder charges would speed up early city development considering workers take 5-20+ turns to place something. Traders building your road networks and more. X-com 2, 2Ks last game going this route and Civ Rev 1/2 all these could be seen as hints at development with consoles in mind this time around.

I'm not criticizing these changes, i like quicker early city development. I just thought I'd share what I've noticed in a thread.

 

[Thormodr]

Smaller maps and more streamlined gameplay just to accommodate cruddy consoles would be extremely disappointing to hear. Hope not to see that.

 

[Gorbles]

Yes this is what I tried to explain. If its PC to console, they would have taken console into account when designing the game. Which means if true a more streamlined game with mechanics with console in mind. Perhaps even smaller maps... This is also where my worry about shorter game length comes from, a more condensed accessible game would work for both PC/Console while a deeper/complex game won't work for console.

Things like less than 50 techs with Eureka bonuses, the stylized graphics, builder charges would speed up early city development considering workers take 5-20+ turns to place something. Traders building your road networks and more. X-com 2, 2Ks last game going this route and Civ Rev 1/2 all these could be seen as hints at development with consoles in mind this time around.

I'm not criticizing these changes, i like quicker early city development. I just thought I'd share what I've noticed in a thread.

How do the stylised graphics have anything to do with console performance? Where is the empirical data to show that just because people think stylised graphics are less demanding, that they actually are?

Where was the tech count actually confirmed? I remember a long topic doomsaying on it, but there wasn't really anything notable other than people taking a translation and running with it?

It seems to me, like Arioch suggested in part, that people are trying really hard to make this something it might not be (and all the developer pieces so far point just towards a PC game). I'm not saying you are, but the talking points you're repeating are born of threads that had very little substance to them. It's like all you have to do to start a rumour around here is repeat something enough, and get reasonable people to pick up the repetition

 

[Plus Ultra]

People are trying WAY too hard to find something to be upset about.

Agreed.