First Civ 4 Screenshots!

[Chieftess]

Not only do I not have a $500 3D program (I don't even know what will save it in the format it uses), I am a terrible 3D artist. But, things like icons (resources, popheads, etc), they're a simple 2D style, so I can easily add something to make it easier for me to see. I can't do that with 3D, unless I spend $500...

Even though I have a full time programming job now, it still seems expensive.

 

[MarineCorps]

Not only do I not have a $500 3D program (I don't even know what will save it in the format it uses), I am a terrible 3D artist. But, things like icons (resources, popheads, etc), they're a simple 2D style, so I can easily add something to make it easier for me to see. I can't do that with 3D, unless I spend $500...

Even though I have a full time programming job now, it still seems expensive.

$500? I got my 3D program for $41 And its a very good one two.

 

[Chieftess]

$500? I got my 3D program for $41 And its a very good one two.

Which one is that? The only major one I've heard of is 3D Studio Max...

And I looked around for the Gamebryo engine, and one of the only ones I found was that there's a plugin for 3D Studio Max for that game engine...


I don't think POV-Ray supports it. (unless I'm not looking hard enough).

(slightly OT - Go to the Gamebryo website, and you'll see a Pirates! screenshot).

 

[warpstorm]

CT, 3DS is a serious professional tool. Hobbyist level is 3D Canvas and Milkshape. These are fairly cheap, but not totally useless.

 

[Chieftess]

But do they support Gamebryo Graphics?

 

[MarineCorps]

Which one is that? The only major one I've heard of is 3D Studio Max...

Bryce 5 from Daz 3D.

http://bryce.daz3d.com/#01

It's now $79 since mine was one sale when I got it.

 

[warpstorm]

Nothing supports Gamebryo directly. You have to have a convertor. NDL, with its Gamebryo package, supplies plugin convertors for Maya and Max to its NIF format. AFAIK, just buying Max won't let you export in such a way that it can be imported into Gamebryo. Firaxis will have to ship a translator from 3DS to NIF.

 

[snipelfritz]

Ahh, Blender, totally free. I'm not good with 3-D at all, and have no time to make units, but I still have it.

Remember, people, we've got a year until Civ4 is released, and alot can happen between then. I do hope they ditch the multi-units, I'm not a big fan of that.

 

[MarineCorps]

Remember, people, we've got a year until Civ4 is released,

Yeah. I know. I even plan to learn Python after Christmas so I can get a jump start on the game.

 

[expeliarmus]

Hello, are we here to talk about Civ4 or about 3D programs???
I haven't been able to see the complete screens of Cvi4 because they have been moved before I visited it...
But i am looking forward to buy the magazine.
A lot of people are complaining about the "bad" graphics, but they should think that's just a preview... we are about 1 year away from the release of the game... and some months away from the release of the true graphics.
I am sure they'll be great, just see the evolution in the graphics from Civ1, Civ2 and now Civ3...
And about the new features, i think they should be quite more realistic than now, with things like elections, rebellions...
Well, this is supposed to talk about the new graphics, so I won't say anything more.

 

[Blackbird_SR-71]

theres tons of free 3d programs out there. most artist will do the same thing as they did in Civ3. i don't think we will see less units but probably more. with 3d artist don't have to go through the 2d stuff which is what really discourages newcomers. most programs i think can export to 3DS. then Firaxis can take care of the rest.

 

[W.i.n.t.e.r]

For anyone who thinks the graphics look bad, compare some of the early shots of Civ 3 with the current game:

Well, then what about the release gfx of Civ3 - weren't really anything good looking afaict

I want the oportunity to import civ3 flic units into civ4

theres tons of free 3d programs out there. most artist will do the same thing as they did in Civ3. i don't think we will see less units but probably more. with 3d artist don't have to go through the 2d stuff which is what really discourages newcomers. most programs i think can export to 3DS. then Firaxis can take care of the rest.

You won't need more than two hands to count them all in since early 2002.
And about the programs *sigh* you think wrong... and firaxis hasn't made a single unit for the community that wasn't in their expansions. So much to that, sorry.

 

[warpstorm]

W.i.n.t.e.r, that probably won't be possible (well, there is a way, but I rather the unit makers embrace 3D).

 

[W.i.n.t.e.r]

W.i.n.t.e.r, that probably won't be possible (well, there is a way, but I rather the unit makers embrace 3D).

Hm, I know, Warpstorm, I am part of a species in extinction . I'd love to see a module-based editor for the game, though (if 3d then we need a good program from start up). If i.e. Infantry could be assembled around a squeleton and different equipment, headgear, backpacks, heads, guns, textures, etc could be swapped in a firaxian editor that would be a cool way to make things better... though I'll be missing lots of units by wyrmshadow and Ripptide- they made so many

 

[W.i.n.t.e.r]

Oh, one thing I also think that could (FINALY) be implemented by Firaxis (after three versions of civ1, two of civ2, three of civ3) are particular gfx for the capital city, instead of little stars and the like. :| There should be a historical Capital gfx for every civ: Paris with evolving appearance (Alesia with historic bridge, medieval Paris with Versailles or the Arc de Triomphe, then with the Eiffel Tower, finally the new Arc by the Fields of Mars).

Certainly this is more work for the team- yet the little stars are outdated by far, giving a certain feel of cheapness about them. I want a capital city that looks like one (Washington and its capitol, Berlin with the Reichstag and Gate, Moskva and the Kremlin). I have requested this in several forums eversince the announcement of civ2 in the 1990s... also a nice feature (and one up to the present technology) would be changing city gfx on the overall map view, once a wonder is built within them.

 

[Hipshot]

Why are you people complaining so much? Its Civ4 damnit. Be Happy!

(I will probably never see those scans anyway )

 

[W.i.n.t.e.r]

Cuz I was there before they made civ2 and before they made civ3- and I have seen the many ways of making steps around creating a top quality game. So I complain in advance so I won't have to complain so much once the game is out and it should not be what was expected

 

[kryszcztov]

medieval Paris with Versailles or the Arc de Triomphe

LOL. Learn about France's history and get back with your ideas.

finally the new Arc by the Fields of Mars

Which one is that ? The monument by the "Champs de Mars" is the Eiffel Tower, whereas the "new arc" is called the "Grande Arche" and is located in the Défense district outside the city of Paris.

Apart from that, your idea is nice but should be secondary.

 

[W.i.n.t.e.r]

Perfect- we already have a victim to give us input for France

(Knowing, of course that the edification of Versailles dates of a later period, I said medieval thinking of civ3s 4 ages- them having missed out reinaissance and industrialisation ) its the details that make a game playworthy and fun

 

[Novaya Havoc]

I have the PC Gamer mag -- I'm home for a few weeks, and my father has a subscription. Wasn't too impressed with the article, but, some other points:

1. World Religions will play an important game role, as well. Maybe it will have more to do with cultural conversions and the like, although the article said it will "affect the entire empire." I.e., a Christian French Empire in control of a Buddhist Khmer (please?) city would have more problems. This would mean less ethno-centric civil conflict (high Russian populations in an Arab-controlled city, as in Civ3).

2. Micro-management will be going down. Thank the Lord.

3. Combat has been revamped to strong-arm players into combining unit types for battles. You can also "upgrade" individual units and teach them new abilities, like specific defenses against other unit types, or abilities like using enemy roads.

Those are really the big ones for me as a gameplayer. What would I like to see? The ability to "claim" territory without actually having to build a dozen cities. Nothing is more irritating than building 70 cities in Siberia just to make a genuine Russian Empire on an Earth map. This would also cut down and the drastic need to REX so early. Blugh. Anything that cuts down on having to manufacture non-stop settles for the first 100 game turns would be greatly appreciated.

-Ben