Future of Civ4 GOTMs

[DynamicSpirit]

> but for BTS on Steam

Does BTS need Steam to work?
I am definitely not going to use Steam in any way. Than BTS will be a nogo for me.

No it doesn't. BtS works fine with the DVD version. If anything, BtS is more problematic on Steam because of the need to get special HOF-compatible Steam updates.

Vanilla and Warlords are a different matter, since recent Windows updates have made it difficult for people to use the DVD versions of those on Windows (although Lymond posted in this thread to say he hasn't had any issues).

 

[Noble Zarkon]

Vanilla and Warlords are a different matter, since recent Windows updates have made it difficult for people to use the DVD versions of those on Windows (although Lymond posted in this thread to say he hasn't had any issues).

Lymond uses a non-Steam digital download.

 

[kcd_swede]

Complicated. I guess that why you guys get the big bucks.

 

[Daijin7]

>> No it doesn't. BtS works fine with the DVD version.

That is great. Thank you for the information.

 

[lymond]

Lymond uses a non-Steam digital download.

Yep, to clarify, I have been using a non-Steam digital download for many years now. HEck, I've been using it since before Steam got their own - jacked up - version. There are plenty of online DD vendors who carry digital versions of IV.

I am far from a Steam hater - i have tons of steam games - but I would never get IV on Steam.

 

[whb]

As a general point to everyone - do remember that you are unable to finish a game in time, you can submit it as a retired game. In the context of this thread, submitting a retired game has the obvious benefit that it means your participation in the game is logged, so we get a better idea of the numbers playing. And it makes the game results look better You're also welcome to submit a retired game if you don't wish to finish (for example because micromanagement in the late game is getting too tedious, or you're facing a conquest defeat that won't be much fun to play through).

Can you log the number of downloads, and then in the results include a line at the bottom "plus ## unsubmitted games"? Though it's certainly possible to submit unfinished games and losses, human nature tends to be that people don't want to advertise their disasters too widely!

 

[Noble Zarkon]

Can you log the number of downloads, and then in the results include a line at the bottom "plus ## unsubmitted games"? Though it's certainly possible to submit unfinished games and losses, human nature tends to be that people don't want to advertise their disasters too widely!

Love this idea

 

[Falabello]

Love this idea

Yep! I also like this. So, my vote is YES ...

 

[lymond]

I think that is a pretty good idea. I believe an unsubmitted game should be one that was actually started, and I'd wager that not all downloaded games are started - I know I've not started some games now and then. However, it still should be a fair representation of unsubmitted games, and at least shows intent.

 

[kcd_swede]

I think that is a pretty good idea. I believe an unsubmitted game should be one that was actually started, and I'd wager that not all downloaded games are started - I know I've not started some games now and then. However, it still should be a fair representation of unsubmitted games, and at least shows intent.

I don't know how easy it is to distinguish "unique" downloads. As a mapmaker, I have occasionally downloaded just to test the downloaded game is the right version. Some players may also double.click and download multiple times. It would be easy to make it look like greater participation by downloading the same game multiple times.

Perhaps a tick box saying "I intend to play this game, and consent to have my forum name included" on download, which registers forum name (and only keep one instance of each user) would be useful if following game interest is the goal. If just following downloads is the goal, we already keep those stats - it would just be a matter of deciding how to present those stats to the community.

 

[craigholl]

I am very much grateful to the staff for creating the GOTM. I play almost every month and enjoy it immensely. It gets me out of my habits of map type, difficulty, and leader.

I only have vanilla, so I hope that the vanilla GOTM continues. If you go to only BOTM, then I will have to consider buying it. In the case of only BOTM, I think two games a month, one low and one high difficulty, will be good for everyone.

I personally don't have a problem with long games as some have mentioned. I like all the decisions and complexities that arise in playing a game for so long.

The difficulty in starting a GOTM is definitely an impediment. Getting the HOF mod set up is not straightforward. And now the Windows 7 patch issue I think really killed vanilla for some people. I have set up a batch file to allow me to start vanilla but that is beyond most people's abilities and/or interest level.

Reducing vanilla GOTM to less than once a month will also reduce participation. As it is now, I only come to Civfanatics for GOTM. If I had to remember when to come to get the game, that would lead to me forgetting.

I am not too interested in partial games (complete by 0 AD, etc).

I did not vote in the poll since it is now closed.

Thanks again for all the hard work!