Earlier Versions of Colonization

[Joesocwork]

There have been many responses in many threads that have people state they love SMAC and encourage others to play it. I decided to join the bandwagon by downloading it from a recent PC Gamer disk. I found the mechanics of the game to be great, but the graphics rather disappointing, albeit I appreciate that could have been state of the art for 1994. I see the roots of Civ in the game and I'm imagining what a current Civ engine will do to the graphics. I then recently saw a response in a thread that suggested that maybe it was the PC Gamer version itself that had poorer graphics. I started playing Sid Meier games in 1996 w/ Civ II (which I still love 12 years later). So now I wonder, how many different versions of Colonization were there before the one out now? Was PC Gamer the true version? I presume there were MAC, DOS, or Windows versions? Were there other versions? Just curious..

 

[Lord Shadow]

Just Windows and DOS versions (not sure about Mac). The Windows version came out later and had somewhat better graphics. I bet the one included in the PC Gamer CD is the DOS one, given a custom DOSBox install wouldn't be necessary if it were the Windows version.

Personally, I still like DOS Colonization's graphics, despite their age. Windows' are fine, but for some reason the different icon of the Veteran Soldier annoys me a lot. It crashes less and looks better overall but... I don't know, the original DOS version has a certain charm.

 

[Greybriar]

As Lord Shadow mentioned, there were two official versions of the original Sid Meier's Colonization. The DOS version was released in 1994 followed the following year by the Windows version.

Gamers who prefer the "prettier" graphics like the Windows version best. Gamers who would rather have a more stable game with fewer bugs prefer the DOS version.

Since the Windows version plays on my newest PC under Windows Vista, that's the one I play. But I would rather play the DOS version.

 

[Lord Shadow]

I didn't experience any bugs playing the Windows version, but the DOS version consistently locked up in some games, to the point you couldn't continue them. It always happened when the natives' turn was being processed.

It's not difficult to play the older version on DOSBox under Windows, if you remember the basic DOS commands and do a tiny bit of reading.

 

[Greybriar]

I didn't experience any bugs playing the Windows version....

Interesting. You are the very first person I know of who hasn't.

 

[Lord Shadow]

Interesting. You are the very first person I know of who hasn't.

I didn't play it as extensively as I did the DOS version, to be honest.

 

[rubble]

Dont forget the third version of the game, the Amiga version (this is the one I played and still think was the best as I have now played all 3 versions)

 

[Bad Brett]

I didn't experience any bugs playing the Windows version, but the DOS version consistently locked up in some games, to the point you couldn't continue them. It always happened when the natives' turn was being processed.

I recently discovered that the game doesn't actually lock up when this happens. Just leave your computer alone for ten minutes and you'll get a nice surprise when you get back.

 

[Greybriar]

Dont forget the third version of the game, the Amiga version (this is the one I played and still think was the best as I have now played all 3 versions)

Silly me. I was thinking exclusively of the DOS and Windows operating systems. Indeed there was an Amiga version as well as a Macintosh version.

I stand corrected.