Did CIV4 work for you out of the box
- Thread starter patweb
- Start date
The Condor
On an excellent adventure
I have the special edition and except for a few graphic problems (wonder movies had issues and a few bugs) and a slow down here and there it ran perfectly. However, with the patch everything now has been completely resolved.
Your poll options are too black and white. It's either no problems, resolved problems, or unplayable...
Where's the "nothing is resolved, but I'm still playing it daily" option?
Poor performance, skipping wonder movies, general slow downs over time, crashes on huge maps (or just late game in general) blah blah so many problems.
Hasn't stopped my from playing it, though. I mean, it "works." I wouldn't call it a lemon.
Where's the "nothing is resolved, but I'm still playing it daily" option?
Poor performance, skipping wonder movies, general slow downs over time, crashes on huge maps (or just late game in general) blah blah so many problems.
Hasn't stopped my from playing it, though. I mean, it "works." I wouldn't call it a lemon.
Proteus
King
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Messages
- 714
It worked despite my PC being miles below the minimum requierements out of the box (at least at the time I bought the game, now I have a more modern PC, as I was already planning for some time to buy me an new one 
)
Only problems were occasional CTDs and BSODs which were obviously caused by the wonder movies. After I siwtched them off I could play the game without further problems (aside from the game getting very sloooooow on large/huge maps)
With my new PC it also works with wonder moviesswitched on (but, as I installedthe patch directly after I installed the game I can´t say for sure if it would also have worked without the patch, but I assume so )
)Only problems were occasional CTDs and BSODs which were obviously caused by the wonder movies. After I siwtched them off I could play the game without further problems (aside from the game getting very sloooooow on large/huge maps)
With my new PC it also works with wonder moviesswitched on (but, as I installedthe patch directly after I installed the game I can´t say for sure if it would also have worked without the patch, but I assume so
)
patweb said:
Right, but in your poll you follow that with "NO glitches, crashes, etcetera ..." All of your other options indicate problems that have been fully resolved, or inability to play the game at all. None of that applies to me. The game worked for me out of the box, but not ideally, and it still isn't. Since I have minimum-requirement RAM and graphic card, though, I'm not really complaining. The only game-killer issue I had was the "food-only" bug, and that's been fixed in the patch.
MadMaligor
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2005
- Messages
- 78
Its not an entirely bad poll, and it shows that those interested in the data and participation are split 50/50 problem wise. The poll suffers in three areas that are critical though. It doesnt allow for some middle of the road issues as Renata suggested, and of course the representation of population that doesnt use this website but enjoys the game who may or may not even know they have a problem.
Let me give you an example. I just recently got a good friend and his wife interested in the game. They love it. During a recent phone call I asked them what they thought of the bugs, graphical problems, and how their systems handled the game, especially in the later years. Both have relatively new mid range systems (XPS Dells like mine). They didnt know what I was talking about.
The reason...neither of them liked large maps, all the bells and whistles werent important so they turned some of the stuff off, they watched a wonder movie or two and now click them quickly off to get back to the game, they dont play vs each other, and they werent aware of websites like this one. In addition both rarely finished a game to the end but rather enjoyed the exploration and start up through to the end of the 1900's where the tech tree begins to end and there is nothing left to do but finish (which they said was usually obvious...you were doomed or were going to crush your opposition, and when it was in doubt they played a little further till it wasnt).
When I told them to try large maps, make sure all the bells and whistles were on, watch the movies to the end, play vs 10 computer opponents (usually they limited the number between 4-8 depending on maps), and finish a game to the end no matter what....how things changed.
Now they check regularly for patches.
I probably did them a little disservice in showing them the "Darker" side of Civ IV, but they still love the game and play it nightly. However she now likes big maps (he didnt) and is a bit disappointed with the slowdowns in the endgame. Graphically they dont care so the movie thing didnt bother them (which reared its ugly head when they watched them all). They were however both in agreement that the game seemed "short" for lack of a better term. Both of them had tried the epic speed but it didnt make for much difference in the end result. Since they didnt have any Civ experience to base it on, like many here do, they assumed it was supposed to be that way.
So I was thinking...Im betting there are many many people who dont even know they have a problem, maybe more than not.
Let me give you an example. I just recently got a good friend and his wife interested in the game. They love it. During a recent phone call I asked them what they thought of the bugs, graphical problems, and how their systems handled the game, especially in the later years. Both have relatively new mid range systems (XPS Dells like mine). They didnt know what I was talking about.
The reason...neither of them liked large maps, all the bells and whistles werent important so they turned some of the stuff off, they watched a wonder movie or two and now click them quickly off to get back to the game, they dont play vs each other, and they werent aware of websites like this one. In addition both rarely finished a game to the end but rather enjoyed the exploration and start up through to the end of the 1900's where the tech tree begins to end and there is nothing left to do but finish (which they said was usually obvious...you were doomed or were going to crush your opposition, and when it was in doubt they played a little further till it wasnt).
When I told them to try large maps, make sure all the bells and whistles were on, watch the movies to the end, play vs 10 computer opponents (usually they limited the number between 4-8 depending on maps), and finish a game to the end no matter what....how things changed.
Now they check regularly for patches.
I probably did them a little disservice in showing them the "Darker" side of Civ IV, but they still love the game and play it nightly. However she now likes big maps (he didnt) and is a bit disappointed with the slowdowns in the endgame. Graphically they dont care so the movie thing didnt bother them (which reared its ugly head when they watched them all). They were however both in agreement that the game seemed "short" for lack of a better term. Both of them had tried the epic speed but it didnt make for much difference in the end result. Since they didnt have any Civ experience to base it on, like many here do, they assumed it was supposed to be that way.
So I was thinking...Im betting there are many many people who dont even know they have a problem, maybe more than not.
MadMaligor
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2005
- Messages
- 78
henrycccc said:
I thought so too until Civ IV humbled mine. I do ok now since I modded and upgraded to 2Gigs of RAM (day before yesterday), but having to rely on an outside mod and buy that much RAM for a game of this type is simply silly.
Call of Duty 2 plays fantastic on my system WITHOUT the extra RAM (and like a dream with it but it takes some effort to actually notice). I did a test last night too on the effects after you shut down the games. CoD2, after a few hours of play time had no problems after shutdown (few seconds of waiting for game to shutdown and Windows to appear with no noticable slowdowns), surfing, other games, wait times, etc... Civ IV on the other hand is like someone hit me on the head with a hammer. After a few hours play time it stumbles around trying to figure out where the heck it is and what its doing. It took my system over 1 minute and 30 seconds to fully recover with no noticable slowdowns (thats noticable mind you and were talking games like solitare and minesweeper for gosh sakes). I know its not a lifetime, but in this day and age thats just plain rediculous on a system like mine.
The fact that I have to rely on unofficial memory mods is also rediculous, and it baffles me that these issues have so far recieved little to no official recognition.
Btw...I love the gameplay, and am even getting to like the graphics. Its just too bad that a strategy game is capable of this kind of punishment to a system. I really feel for those of you out there with "decent" requirement or less systems. Minimum spec people who stick it out have my utmost respect. I would be on firaxis's doorstep.
/hugs to those people
jimkirk
Prince
worked for me but it was slow and slimey .. after patch works a little better but not much still cant play big maps but i may try harkonens patch later on
MadMaligor
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2005
- Messages
- 78
jimkirk said:
Hark is a hero as far as I'm concerned. It will be a shame if he doesnt get something for his efforts.
For those of you that don't like 'my' poll. Make your own damn better poll..
The reason I posted is I wanted to see how atypical my case was. At the moment, about 50% of us HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES.
With regard to playing the game for a few turns and then it invariably crashes, Ok, so maybe lemon didn't capture the flavor, but that's where I would put it.
Does working around the black lands, garbled text, and missing Icons qualify as running perfectly out of the box? I think not.
But that is why I posted the poll.
I will happily participate in any poll you guys can come up with.
pat
The reason I posted is I wanted to see how atypical my case was. At the moment, about 50% of us HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES.
With regard to playing the game for a few turns and then it invariably crashes, Ok, so maybe lemon didn't capture the flavor, but that's where I would put it.
Does working around the black lands, garbled text, and missing Icons qualify as running perfectly out of the box? I think not.
But that is why I posted the poll.
I will happily participate in any poll you guys can come up with.
pat
>>It doesnt allow for some middle of the road issues as Renata suggested, and of course the representation of population that doesnt use this website but enjoys the game who may or may not even know they have a problem.
<<
There a probably thousands of people that play the game perfectly fine, but don't know about CIVFANATICS.COM. But there is probably an equal number that pushed the game aside and wrote off the money, are trying to work their problem through off line channels, or got a refund.
In any case, help me with a better poll!
Pat
<<
There a probably thousands of people that play the game perfectly fine, but don't know about CIVFANATICS.COM. But there is probably an equal number that pushed the game aside and wrote off the money, are trying to work their problem through off line channels, or got a refund.
In any case, help me with a better poll!
Pat
MadMaligor
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2005
- Messages
- 78
patweb said:
Hehehe I think you took the criticism a little bit too much to heart...I didnt exactly mean to say your poll was bad, although I must admit I do deserve the "do it better then!" retort. =)
So, heres the help you asked for.
1. The game worked perfect for me, havent noticed any problems pre or post patch. People and their crazy mods, none for me thanks! I know its you people and your crapy computers anyway!
2. The game worked fine, the patch helped but it wasnt absolutely neccessary. The bugs present are too minor to even mention. Dont want mod, dont need mods. Buy some RAM for goodness sake!
3. The game worked horribly (problems installing, or had occasional CTD's, or graphical errors/lag were horrible, memory problems late game, etc...) , but it works great now, the patch helped and it was noticable improvement. No real noticable bugs to mention anymore. Maybe a mod or two down the road if neccessary but no go yet. Glad Im not some of ya, phew!
4. The game worked horribly (problems installing, or had occasional CTD's, or graphical errors/lag were horrible) , but it works ok now, the patch helped some and we can call it improvement. There are still some issues that need to be fixed. Looking at the mods/fixes as we speak. /sigh
5. The game didnt work (couldnt install, or had CTD's all the time, graphical glitches, or had harsh memory problems that made my computer its punk B you know what), but it works fine now, the patch helped with noticable improvement. There are still some minor bugs (small graphical errors, rare CTD, etc) but I can live with em. Only reason I havent mod'ed is Im scared of the internet!
6. The game didnt work (couldnt install, or had CTD's all the time, or had harsh graphical problems that made my computer its punk B you know what), but it works ok now, the patch helped if you can call it that. There are still some very major bugs (graphical errors, frequent CTD's, harsh memory problems late game etc) but Im willing to stick it out to the next patch kinda thing. The only thing preventing me from moding or fixing it myself is the next patch.
7. The game worked great, the patch helped but wasnt needed, the mods/fixes I got rocked but were in no way neccessary, and I want to have Sid's babies!
8. The game worked fine, the patch helped alot, the mods/fixes were a needed improvement, Civ IV is awesome!
9. The game worked ok, the patch may or may not have helped, the mods/fixes were what made the difference though, I want to have Harkonens babies!
10. The game sucked, the patch made it bearable (barely playable that is), the mods/fixes made it playable (still some problems), but Civ IV is ok fun!
11. The game really sucked, the patch did what?, the mods/fixes at least let me see how the Hanging Gardens were built at 1 fps, and now I only have a 1 and a half minute wait after leaving the game before my computer tells me its ok to surf the web again or finish my game of solitare. Im thinking about making a "Civ IV sucks!" collage on my wall with the cardboard game box and manual.
12. The game problems sucked hard, after finally being able to download the patch I cant see the difference, the mods/fixes did little to nothing, it may be something on my end (machine or otherwise) but Im within specs and Im now pulling my hair out, please help BEFORE I need counseling.
13. The game was intollerable, but the patch OR a mod/fix already listed fixed me up perfect. Now I can play thank you very much! Muahahahaha!
14. The game problems sucked hard AFTER I downloaded the patches or mod/fixed it....WTH??? Reinstalling now! Now I know why people dont trust the internet!
15. Not only does it not work right, but I found the explanation for whats wrong and its Civ's fault. This game makes stale ritz crackers with moldy cheese taste good! Thanks for nothing Sid!
16. Cant generate an opinion because I havent yet determined the problem but Im pretty sure its Civs problem.
17. Cant generate and opinion because I havent yet determined the problem but Im pretty sure its on my end.
18. I have absolutely no clue what the problem is and its amazing my education level got me this far in this poll.
19. Ooooh look, mash button!!
This will give you a nice sample, help to weed out some of the idiots who mess around, and be a little bit more representative of the good things or problem areas.
Its not perfect but IMO its a bit more rounded. Again I stress polls such as these are only representative of web fanatics, troll lurkers, and people who actually are here to solve problems.
*Edit* Thanks to those below for some of the changes and additions to the poll idea. Kudos to yall!
vbraun
Raytracing
I only had the Failed to Initizile Render thing, but when I got the game there was already a solution to it, so I had to problems what so ever.
Tarascan_King
Chieftain
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2005
- Messages
- 96
Great here, now ive got problems with the patch, go figure!
Natronomonas
Warlord
Couldn't play for more than a few turns out of the box, since making INI file changes mostly stable now...
edit: I go for MadMaligor's option 16. What was it we were talking about again?
edit: I go for MadMaligor's option 16. What was it we were talking about again?
Similar threads
