difference in Civ3 editions?

[cerpika]

I'm an ol' Civ3 addict that hasn't played for a couple of years. When I opened my Civ3 Complete box, I realized I am missing the CDs.

Oh well, looks like I am going to have to buy another copy. No biggie.

I remember that there was functionality (like new units) added throughout the Civ3 lifecycle. Does Civ3 Gold have all the updated functionality? or do I have to go with Civ3 complete?

I dont care about the mods that come with the complete edition, I just want to make sure it has all the latest units and stuff. I can buy/download Civ3 gold from directdrive, but would have to wait for Civ3 Complete to ship to me, and I dont want to wait!!

So would I be missing functionality by going with Civ3 'gold'? Or is 'Game of the Year' or 'Complete' better?

Thanks!!!

 

[timerover51]

You will need to get the Civilization 3 Complete version, as the Gold version does not include the Conquest expansion.

 

[Fiddlin Nero]

I play the Gold version, usually referred to as PTW (play the world.) Its hard to tell but most folks play the Complete(C3C) version, which can lead to some confusion in the threads.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=7359 This thread discribes the differences between the three versions. Post #112 has a 4 page pdf attachment that tries to show the units/buildings/wonders/misc added with each version.

 

[Alastriona]

I would suggest using steam. Its cheap and gives you the ability to download the game anytime you want, no CD's to lose. It does require you to install steam software though.


http://store.steampowered.com/search/?term=Sid+Meier's+Civilization®+III+Complete

 

[CommandoBob]

Saves
A game saved in vanilla can be opened by PTW and C3C. The reverse is not true. C3C/Conquest saves cannot be opened by PTW or vanilla. And some patched version's saves cannot be opened by an earlier version (which affected vanilla most, IIRC).

C3C
Most of us here have bought Civ Three Complete, which includes vanilla, PTW and Conquests, fully patched and in one install. All three versions are installed, but the game defaults to Conquests. C3C can still be found in retail outlets/Amazon/eBay for around $20, which is cheaper and easier than installing and patching each version.

How you get to Conquests, whether by seperate purchases or one purchase, is up to you. Just be sure that your version is patched up.

C3C is already patched, and so is the Gold edition. Applying patches to them is a bad idea.

 

[Turner]

Saves
A game saved in vanilla can be opened by PTW and C3C. The reverse is not true. C3C/Conquest saves cannot be opened by PTW or vanilla. And some patched version's saves cannot be opened by an earlier version (which affected vanilla most, IIRC).

And Conquests. When they removed Radio in 1.15 I think it was, it broke loading any earlier saves.

From what I understand, Civ4 has the same problem with almost every patch.