Reading between the lines, does this mean this game was not properly beta tested before its' commercial release? You can KMA!! CIV III is the buggiest piece of crap I've ever encountered!!! How would I get a refund? How do I get compensated for the beta-testing I've already done?
Firaxis Games Public Beta Team
- Thread starter Jeffrey Morris
- Start date
If some Firaxis employe reads this, please read the following threads, they are full of Ideas... I really like the idea about provinces.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13538
This one started by Jeff, so he should look at that one sometimes, but still...
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11671
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13538
This one started by Jeff, so he should look at that one sometimes, but still...
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11671
IronicWarrior19
Warlord
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2001
- Messages
- 151
First of all, I'd like to say, it's good Firaxis are recruiting some beta testers for the game. Although I think the 21/US limit is quite silly (I'm one of the top 10 experienced civ players, I have experience in computer games programming, yet I'm 19 and from England 
) it's good to see they are taking a step in the right direction. I only hope some of the people you recruit are experienced multiplayers as they are the ones who seem to be most disappointed in my experience with Civ3 and they could offer some valuable suggestions which need to be taken into consideration when desiging a multiplay TBS.
) it's good to see they are taking a step in the right direction. I only hope some of the people you recruit are experienced multiplayers as they are the ones who seem to be most disappointed in my experience with Civ3 and they could offer some valuable suggestions which need to be taken into consideration when desiging a multiplay TBS.
TrailblazingScot
I was kittenOFchaos
Top 10 experienced civ players...by what measure???
WHSTAFF: Electronic Boutique and most retailers including Amazon have a return policy if you don't like the product for whatever reason...it is your funeral.
WHSTAFF: Electronic Boutique and most retailers including Amazon have a return policy if you don't like the product for whatever reason...it is your funeral.
I'm basically repeating Kittenofchaos but ...
Yeah who says you're one of the top 10 - who told you that?? Have you compared the number of hours you've played against every Civ player in the world? Don't forget - even these forums are not representative of the playing population - just perhaps the more vocal ones!
As for whstaff - what the heck do you people want of Firaxis? You complain about bugs in the program - you complain when a patch doesn't address them all (or creates further problems) - then you whine when Firaxis gets proactive and asks for help in Beta testing future mods etc.
No-one was forced to buy Civ 3 - those that did without waiting to see how good or stable it was took a calculated risk (as I did). Would you automatically go and see a movie sequel without checking a review first or asking someone who'd seen it themselves, assuming it would be better than the original? Of course not! At least, if you did you would only have yourself to blame.
We all know the game has some problems - Firaxis is making attempts to do so and is not ignoring the game-players (if you doubt that, check how many times Dan of Firaxis has posted on this forum). There are plenty of other companies who exhibit much less concern about fixing the problems (*cough* Maxis - Sim City 3000 *cough*).
The bottom line is that I don't see many people who have stopped playing the game or would really want to return it for a refund. Hmmm sounds like a topic for a poll to me.
Yeah who says you're one of the top 10 - who told you that?? Have you compared the number of hours you've played against every Civ player in the world? Don't forget - even these forums are not representative of the playing population - just perhaps the more vocal ones!
As for whstaff - what the heck do you people want of Firaxis? You complain about bugs in the program - you complain when a patch doesn't address them all (or creates further problems) - then you whine when Firaxis gets proactive and asks for help in Beta testing future mods etc.
No-one was forced to buy Civ 3 - those that did without waiting to see how good or stable it was took a calculated risk (as I did). Would you automatically go and see a movie sequel without checking a review first or asking someone who'd seen it themselves, assuming it would be better than the original? Of course not! At least, if you did you would only have yourself to blame.
We all know the game has some problems - Firaxis is making attempts to do so and is not ignoring the game-players (if you doubt that, check how many times Dan of Firaxis has posted on this forum). There are plenty of other companies who exhibit much less concern about fixing the problems (*cough* Maxis - Sim City 3000 *cough*).
The bottom line is that I don't see many people who have stopped playing the game or would really want to return it for a refund. Hmmm sounds like a topic for a poll to me.
IronicWarrior19
Warlord
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2001
- Messages
- 151
Maybe I should say in multiplay. I've played literally hundreds of games, and I'm one of the best. I've won my past 25 games or so, I play on all settings with any number of players. I know everything about the game - got a question, just ask me. It's just a reasonable guess, but of all the people I've played only about 3 are a challenge for me, and so I'm guessing there may be a few more out there, including some SP people. That's how I measure it.
ach!! Every review I've read on this game told me how great it was. There is never a mention of how unstable and buggy the game is. Go to EBAY and do a search for CIV III, more are being sold there than any other game, and for cut rate prices too. The proof is in the pudding my friends.
People like Exile_Ian would buy Sid Meiers "Snake Oil" and happily proclaim it changed their lives.
(with apologies to whoever I stole the snake oil thing from--it was elsewhere on this board)
People like Exile_Ian would buy Sid Meiers "Snake Oil" and happily proclaim it changed their lives.
(with apologies to whoever I stole the snake oil thing from--it was elsewhere on this board)
Not at all - I know I haven't bought every Sid game (I hate SimGolf!) and I the fact that he was involved in Civ 3 was of interest only and not an overriding concern.
What I don't understand is why you're still griping about a game that you so obviously dislike - what are you looking for - sympathy?
Personally if I felt that bad about a game, I'd move on to something else and right it off to experience.
What I don't understand is why you're still griping about a game that you so obviously dislike - what are you looking for - sympathy?
Personally if I felt that bad about a game, I'd move on to something else and right it off to experience.
In the united states we have these evil things called lawyers. They write these agreements call non discolusre agreements and cause all sorts of mischief and get people lots of money for spilling coffee in the crotch.
Unfortunatly these evil creatures magical powers really only extend to the borders of the united states. Once they step over that invisible line there powers fade very rapidly. Firaxas probably keeps one teathered in its office as a pet and doesnt want to upset it by crossing the invisible line.
Unfortunatly these evil creatures magical powers really only extend to the borders of the united states. Once they step over that invisible line there powers fade very rapidly. Firaxas probably keeps one teathered in its office as a pet and doesnt want to upset it by crossing the invisible line.
I see alot of people complaining the game is buggy. I dont get it. The AI nots bright but buggy?
Yes it has crashed on me but I was using the hacked civ editor to modify bics. Firaxis disabled the add and delete button because they were not ready for prime time.
I had problems with the movies on my win2K box but the readme told me how to fix that.
The game itself is extremely stable for me. Perhaps its your hardware thats not so stable. Its using the latest directX support. Throw out that voodoo 3 and get something newer. (actually I was having all sorts of problems till I did that but not related to civ).
If your operating system is current, Your patched up to date. have the latest directX, most recent video/sound driver you shouldnt have a problem. The game works fine on all 6 of my machines with no crashes unless I mung up the bic file (Im real good at that).
If you are complaining cause it crashes after you add units to the game thats your own fault. Your not really supposed too (I run with about 30 more units with no problem at all).
If you are adding to the game, set no tech requirement or resource requirement on the unit, no cost either. And start the game. Build the unit and test it. sucks to find out in the modern era that the unit you added crashes the game.
Buggy I dont see. Poor AI I do but thats not bug, thats just the state of computers and AI. Do I think I could do better? Yes, but thats cause im egomeniacial(sp) computer geek who can write anything provide it doesnt need an human interface.
The game itself is fairly solid provided you installed the 1.16f patch. If your having problems the fault lies elsewhere. Remember that computer hardware has never been driven by the applications. You didnt need a 64 meg video card to run windows. Its the games that drive the hardware, Always have, always have been. You need to stay at least semi current. Microsoft did a wonderfull thing with DirectX (its rare for MS to do good things) but with video card companys dying there drivers dont nessecarily get fixed to access the latest version of directX. (re: 3dfx).
Ok. Im done with my rant...... Apologies to those I offended.
PS: If anyone wants the my praise rant on directX and what and why it is feel free to ask.
Yes it has crashed on me but I was using the hacked civ editor to modify bics. Firaxis disabled the add and delete button because they were not ready for prime time.
I had problems with the movies on my win2K box but the readme told me how to fix that.
The game itself is extremely stable for me. Perhaps its your hardware thats not so stable. Its using the latest directX support. Throw out that voodoo 3 and get something newer. (actually I was having all sorts of problems till I did that but not related to civ).
If your operating system is current, Your patched up to date. have the latest directX, most recent video/sound driver you shouldnt have a problem. The game works fine on all 6 of my machines with no crashes unless I mung up the bic file (Im real good at that).
If you are complaining cause it crashes after you add units to the game thats your own fault. Your not really supposed too (I run with about 30 more units with no problem at all).
If you are adding to the game, set no tech requirement or resource requirement on the unit, no cost either. And start the game. Build the unit and test it. sucks to find out in the modern era that the unit you added crashes the game.
Buggy I dont see. Poor AI I do but thats not bug, thats just the state of computers and AI. Do I think I could do better? Yes, but thats cause im egomeniacial(sp) computer geek who can write anything provide it doesnt need an human interface.
The game itself is fairly solid provided you installed the 1.16f patch. If your having problems the fault lies elsewhere. Remember that computer hardware has never been driven by the applications. You didnt need a 64 meg video card to run windows. Its the games that drive the hardware, Always have, always have been. You need to stay at least semi current. Microsoft did a wonderfull thing with DirectX (its rare for MS to do good things) but with video card companys dying there drivers dont nessecarily get fixed to access the latest version of directX. (re: 3dfx).
Ok. Im done with my rant...... Apologies to those I offended.
PS: If anyone wants the my praise rant on directX and what and why it is feel free to ask.
Sarcastro
Warlord
Since I enjoy pudding, let's see. After searching for the following on Ebay:
"Civ 3,"
"Civilization 3,"
"Civ III,"
"Civilization III,"
"Civilisation 3," and
"Civilisation III,"
I found a total of 29 items for sale just now. Is that more than any other game? Let's just try a few popular ones out to see, shall we?
Half-life: 178 matches (already, this is enough to discredit your argument, but just to add to the pile, I'll try a few others.)
Max Payne: 388 matches
Deus Ex: 28 matches (Ah! a point for you! Although a margin of 1 is not really enough to be conclusive)
Unreal Tournament: 161 matches
Quake 3: 103 matches
Starcraft: 170, although this included quite a few action figures, and a Chevy StarCraft van in good condition, so we'll give it the benefit of the doubt and cast out half of the entries. Call it 85 instead.
Europa Universalis: 22 matches (pretty close to Civ 3, for similar games)
Still want to claim that Civ 3 is being returned more than "any other game?"
Desert Fox
Fleet Admiral
I think it has to do with how you play the game. It is far from rock solid you must be smoking something good if you think that. I build computers for a living. I have a fast system with win2k pro. I have not been able to complete one game yet. I refuse to play without running a mod because the military is so messed up like tank being destroyed by a pikemen. Turns will take 5-15 minutes once you reach the Industrial or for sure in the modern ages. Problem is if I try to use one of the great mods I get a crash at industrial or modern ages. If I play on a map 180x180 or less the game will not crash. I keep trying 230x230 map with 8 civs. I like to build up my empire pursuing peaceful means over war mongering. Diplomacy has some major flaws, AI does dumb things that need to be fixed. I have a long list that I have not bothered to post. I have not even heard of another patch coming out no mention of it I know of. I figure they will make an expansion pack charge 40-50.00 bucks for it and include the fixes maybe in that. Rock solid game
Just as funny as all the highh marks everyone is giving the game. Either Firaxis paid off every single game site, or they never really played the game! 
It sure is not a game of the year it needed at least 3-4 more months of REAL beta testing before releasing.Mod makers are not using the patched civ3 for mods that is making my games crash too. Peace!
Desert Fox
Sarcastro
Warlord
Just so you know, I've had the game crash once since I bought it. Once. That was pre-patch, too.
Jeffy Barbarian
Chieftain
While I have been a poster of other thread's concerning the -errr- problems with this game, surfing over to this general thread, I found this topic. What? Didn't they have beta testers prior to release?? Isn't this like shutting the barn door after the calvary horse leaves the premises? What a load of horse hockey! I am incensed!
I believe all of their beta testing was done in house, and much of it done by setting up an all AI game and letting them duke it out. Some bugs slipped though or couldn't be fixed by release time. C'est la vie.
Hrm. . . Incensed? I'll offer you my territory map and 5 gold per turn for it if you've got more than you need.
Hrm. . . Incensed? I'll offer you my territory map and 5 gold per turn for it if you've got more than you need.
Sarcastro
Warlord
I do definitely think the lack of a public beta, or at least a limited, closed beta, was a pretty poor decision. I have no doubt that the "hurry-and-get-it-on-the-shelves" standard by Infogrames was the cause of this, though - I don't think Firaxis is to blame. It is odd that a few glaring bugs were spotted by people here on the day the game came out, so it really appears as though there wasn't any actual playtesting done by humans before release. That's a mistake, no question about it. This is a good way to try to make up lost ground, though. With any luck, Infogrames may learn something from this.
Would be a good idea if webmaster of this site got a beta disk, because we can expect lots and lots of info.
Some companies automatically give out beta to dedicated fansites which is a good idea, since its good info for public and rewards the webmaster for dedicating a site to the game.
Some companies automatically give out beta to dedicated fansites which is a good idea, since its good info for public and rewards the webmaster for dedicating a site to the game.
Similar threads
