Ok, this is my first post on these forums. I've been here on several occasions for the past couple years. I don't usually post on forums, I prefer to just read. I guess you can call me a "lurker." Forgive me if this is long, but I have some things to say.
These last couple days have really tested my patience. I keep reading posts from those who are not having problems with the game basically telling those of us that are that these bugs are to be expected and to stop whining. Now I know not everyone who isn't having bugs is saying that and I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular that is doing it so just don't even bother telling me if it was or was not you. I don't care. (Isn't it sad that I actually have to put this?)
I have been a huge fan of CIV since the early days of CIV I. It is by far my favorite all time video game. CIV IV has let me down. The actual game play is very fun, when I get to play it. I finished an epic speed game in a little over 4 hours. I don't care for the fast game very much. I prefer the slower game, but that's just my opinion. For the next game, I'll just slow it down. There's a lot to this game and it's going to be a lot of fun discovering it all.
That being said, there's also some bugs, whether some of you want to admit it or not. I have read several times that those that aren't having any problems are playing the game and not posting on forums. The funny thing is that these posts are authored by those who are not having problems. How can you say that those who are not having problems are playing the game and not posting when you are here posting? You're contradicting yourself. Also, several are saying that the game is running smoothly for the vast majority of people that bought it. How do you know? What are your sources? Did you find a poll? Several from both sides have posted percentages that are just ridiculous. It reminds me of the fact that 72% of all statistics are made up on the spot...
I noticed the first problem that everyone else noticed. My install disk is actually the play disk. I spent a couple seconds searching the box for another compartment that had the remaining disk. Once I saw that it was actually the install disk that I needed to play, I laughed. No, this isn't a big deal but it's not something that should have happened. It's the small details that will make or kill anything. My tech tree poster is in English. Not that I really care. I don't use the thing, so I could really care less. That doesn't mean that other people don't. That's also something that there's just no excuse for. Again, it's the small details.
I get the game installed, then come the technical problems. I tried to watch the lead-in movie and the stuttering sound just made it unbearable. I've always enjoyed the lead-in movies provided in CIV. It was disappointing, but something I can live with. I choose my starting options and then click launch. During the world generation stage where the history of the world is being told (the same from CIV I if anyone remembers), the game kind of hangs. I'm staring at the screen and it says done, but I have to wait a few minutes before the "Play Game" button appears. This was further than my dad was able to make it. He got the CIV IV title and the globe, but no menu as several others have posted. After updating his drivers, he was able to move on.
When I finally got into the game, I was pretty impressed by what I saw. The game is gorgeous. Everything from the flowing rivers to the sheep bouncing around. It's very nice to see. Too bad it doesn't last. There's been many occasions where my computer has frozen when I receive a new advance. If it doesn't completely freeze up then it takes about five minutes for the window to actually appear. When I try to load a saved game, it takes about 8-9 minutes on average for it to fully load. Sometimes less, sometimes more. The screen gets to the "done" stage pretty quickly, but then I have to sit and stare at it for several minutes before it will actually load the game.
There's been a few other bugs, but they have all been mentioned by other people in other posts. Funny how so many people are having the same problems. As far as my dad goes, he has one major problem when he tries to play. After about 5-10 minutes, his system either crashes to the desktop, or reboots its self. He took his game back to Gamestop today and had to argue with the lady for an hour before she would give him his money back. He's the one that got me started on CIV I, and he has now swore off the CIV series forever. What a shame.
Why am I pissed? Because I paid $50 for a game that has so many bugs, it's frustrating to try to play it. I didn't pay $50 to buy a game and wait for the patch so I can play it. I didn't pay $50 to do the job of the testers and QA. I paid $50 for a finished product. My system meets or exceeds the RECOMMENDED requirements. It should run flawlessly on my system. If more "power" is needed, then it should say so right on the box.
I tried looking in the manual for possible fixes. On page 9 under the "Starting a Game" section, the last sentence says, "If it does not do so, see the Tech Support section of this manual." If someone can find the "Tech Support" section in the manual, please let me know where it is. I found the "Product Support" section on the last page which has the phone number that everyone has called. I'm in that same group and have received the same "please call back in 24hrs" response that everyone else seems to have gotten. Awesome.
I had planned on being more active on this website when CIV IV came out. I wanted to join the forums and participate in the GOTM. After seeing the way some of the people that have had problems have been talked to, I may have to reconsider. I thought this was a friendly place, but I can see that I am mistaken. If you don't have anything better to say than to call the ones with the bugged copies whiners or morons, then shut up and go play your bug-free CIV IV. To those of you who have offered sincere help, thank you very much. Your help, even if it doesn't work, is greatly appreciated.
I mentioned this over at Apolyton, and I'll mention it here. It's funny how Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) stock dropped $0.32 today. 1.59%. This only one day after CIV IV is released.
http://quotes.nasdaq.com/quote.dll?...symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&selected=TTWO Shouldn't that say something?
At first I was a little sad and tempted but now after reading the title of the thread I am happy. Don't worry. The game will be in OK playing condition in about 6 months and by then the price will have gone down so that smart people like me can buy it cheaper
.... (not really, I am not convinced it will be better than civ III... yet. )
). Suprise suprise the game actually ran after the install. Of course I played the game for 5 hours and got bored... 
I don't see any Civ3-like 60 hour games in my future, but I digress.
