Have They (Firaxis) acknowledged anything to anyone?

[-EFD-Hitless]

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything about a single issue. Have they (Firaxis) acknowledged that they even think there is a problem. Or do they say the game is fine. I would just like any answer. I've sent numerous emails and only recieve the standard automated mass email back each time. I refuse to acknowledge the thought that it is my system. I hand built it with the latest tech and it runs everything else fine. I do admit from alot of the threads here that the older-slower systems seem to run the game better then the new high-speed systems. Does anyone even have a direct phone number to Firaxis? I would like to call and ask them some questions directly. And I still haven't recieved my English tech tree from day 1. What is their answer for that one.

 

[Kolyana]

Firaxis Games
11350 McCormick Road
Executive Plaza III; Suite 1100
Hunt Valley, MD 21031

Phone:
410-891-3001

 

[Psyringe]

Soren has addressed the instability and memory usage issues in an interview in Paris. They are working hard to improve it.

The tech tree thing is a publisher issue. Firaxis has nothing to do with this, complaints about that one should go to Take2.

Phone calls to Firaxis (if you can get their number) are unlikely to be answered at this stage. If they did, they'd hang on the phones the whole day and wouldn't be able to work on patches.

 

[kattana]

yeah..sid himself called me the other day and said sorry for the issues....

but seriously....i wonder the same thing. its halfway through december and there hasnt even been a peep out of them about the pit boss module that is supposed to be out in december..and while the 31st is still technically december, there hasnt been anything about it. not even as much as all of what it can do..you know to really wet my appetite..

 

[Kolyana]

It would be nice if they were a little more fan-centric ... you know, popped in from time to time and told us what they were working on or :gulp: actually had their own freaking forums.

 

[kattana]

yeah i have seen the one guy who made up the maps for the game post here and there..but thats about it.

i mean..i dont need sid himself to post or anything..even some PR flunky poping in here or apolyton, since these 2 forums are the linked to ones on the official civ4 website, once in a while letting us know whats going on..

heck even if it is to say "hey..were bushed and taking a breather for a few" or something.

 

[Kolyana]

I've been around a few gaming forums in which the developers make posts and it can be incredibly surprising how far this goes ... it doesn't really matter *what* they're working on, but a few words can go a long way.

"Well, the pitboss has been put back a little until we stabilize the game"

"We've got a few teams working on different things, but we hope to have the SDK out in the first quarter of next year"

I couldn't imag8ine anyone complaining ... it would just be a rapturous "THANKS FOR TELLING US!!!" and we'd carry on our merry way.

 

[Psyringe]

Well, to be honest, during the last weeks the atmosphere in these forums was pretty heated, and the only Firaxian who did show up wasn't treated very fair. I understand that during such a phase, the "concentrate on working and don't participate in the flame wars" is not the worst of ideas.

However, I do think that people have cooled down enough now. Input from Firaxians would be appreciated.

 

[warpus]

I've been around a few gaming forums in which the developers make posts and it can be incredibly surprising how far this goes ... it doesn't really matter *what* they're working on, but a few words can go a long way.

"Well, the pitboss has been put back a little until we stabilize the game"

"We've got a few teams working on different things, but we hope to have the SDK out in the first quarter of next year"

I couldn't imag8ine anyone complaining ... it would just be a rapturous "THANKS FOR TELLING US!!!" and we'd carry on our merry way.

it'd be nice, i agree, but we (people who read/post on this site) make up a tiny %age of all the people who are going to buy/have bought the game. so what incentive do they have to inform us specifically of any progress?

i agree that it'd be nice to have forums on their site, where we can discuss issues with some developers directly.. but that would force firaxis to hire an entirely new team of people to support the forum, take care of the backend, etc.. it looks like it's money they don't have to spend; considering how little they spent on testing.

 

[White Elk]

it'd be nice, i agree, but we (people who read/post on this site) make up a tiny %age of all the people who are going to buy/have bought the game. so what incentive do they have to inform us specifically of any progress?

Actually warpus, Firaxis has invested alot of time here in the forums. They clearly understand the importance of interacting with their fan base. CFC has even hosted chats in which Firaxians and Fanatics have discussed Civ3. And Soren and others have posted here on numerous occasions. I agree with Psyringe that the negative enviroment that the flamers have created here, has most likely limited Firaxian involvement in the forums. I can also imagine that Take2 might have some say about just what can and cannot be discussed regarding difficulties with the game.

...considering how little they spent on testing.

Did you locate some data which allows you to make that statement?

 

[Natronomonas]

However, I do think that people have cooled down enough now. Input from Firaxians would be appreciated.

I think that's in no small part due to the fact the forum-goers have figured out a few fixes to get the game working... the INI file changes and Harkonnen patch particularly.

Between them, I think they've got a whole lot of people playing now rather than posting

It would also suggest that Firaxis can actually fix these problems, as the changes/patch idea can be incorporated or studied to fix the problem in the game proper with a new patch, hopefully soon. I think this is why people here would like some feedback now - Firaxis can see that there are some fixes, and we'd like to know that they know about them!

 

[Natronomonas]

considering how little they spent on testing.

Did you locate some data which allows you to make that statement?

I'm inclined to agree with warpus. I've never bought a new release with as many problems (for me, but many others too) as CivIV. If the time wasn't the problem, then the beta-tester spread may have been; either way, the testing process doesn't _seem_ to have been as rigorous as many other game titles I've played.

I expect patches to tweak or enhance gameplay, not enable you to play the game.

 

[oldStatesman]

Soren made this comment on another forum refering to the patch by Harkonnen:

http://www.quartertothree.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22904&start=30

SorenJohnson
Magister mundi sum!
Joined: 26 Feb 2005
Posts: 63
Location: Hunt Valley, MD
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:24 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have been working on similar memory savings internally for our next patch, but I'm glad to hear this has helped some people as a stop-gap.

 

[gilfan]

I can't help laughing out loud when I see someone complain about the QA testing on some game. I work in the video game industry, and I can tell you these complaints are bull****.


1. EVERY hit video game gets more man-hours of play time in the first week after release than in the entire development cycle. 50,000 people buying the game and playing it for a week is greater than 50 testers working on a game for months. Not to mention that the game was only close to it's final release form for probably a month or so before going gold. It is absolutely impossible to find every bug in today's PC games. "Pong" can ship without bugs. Today's new releases for PCs can't.

2. The testers cannot possibly replicate the millions of combinations of hardware, software, and system settings that are possible. They can check a couple hundred if they are lucky, and cannot spend hours on each one.

3. Some bugs are found, but aren't important enough to stop shipment of game. If the game crashes on .01% of systems, it doesn't necessarily mean you stop shipment for another month and piss off the other 99.99% of the people who are eagerly awaiting the game's release.


I've personally seen qa testers put in 105 hour work-weeks. Not 105 hours in a two week pay period... in ONE WEEK, for weeks or months at a time. Lay off game developers and qa testers, I guarantee they work harder than 99% of the people you'll ever meet.

 

[White Elk]

I'm inclined to agree with warpus. I've never bought a new release with as many problems (for me, but many others too) as CivIV. If the time wasn't the problem, then the beta-tester spread may have been; either way, the testing process doesn't _seem_ to have been as rigorous as many other game titles I've played.

The bolded text makes all the differance. warpus's post made it a statement of fact, whereas your post was clearly opinion. An opinion of which I might also be inclined to agree with if I had a better understanding of the whole game developement process. I might even guess that Take2 is responsible for a hurried developement that could have resulted in this game not being all that it could have been. But then I understand that I have zero behind the sceens knowledge of what has actually transpired here and so my guesses hold no value. And I don't wish to take anything away from those who worked so hard to make this game what it IS.

 

[Kolyana]

Soren made this comment on another forum refering to the patch by Harkonnen:

http://www.quartertothree.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22904&start=30

Quartertothree what now???

What the frick does Firaxis choose to post over there and not here?

 

[Major Tom]

I just wonder what machine-spec the developers and testers had. Might consider buying same machine.

 

[Chieftess]

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything about a single issue. Have they (Firaxis) acknowledged that they even think there is a problem. Or do they say the game is fine. I would just like any answer. I've sent numerous emails and only recieve the standard automated mass email back each time. I refuse to acknowledge the thought that it is my system. I hand built it with the latest tech and it runs everything else fine. I do admit from alot of the threads here that the older-slower systems seem to run the game better then the new high-speed systems. Does anyone even have a direct phone number to Firaxis? I would like to call and ask them some questions directly. And I still haven't recieved my English tech tree from day 1. What is their answer for that one.

No, Firaxis doesn't acknowledge anything. The bugs just magically fix themselves.

(-2 points if you didn't catch the sarcasm)

Of course they acknowledge things. If they spent a few minutes replying to everyone who sends them mail, or to every post, then they wouldn't get any programming done. Posting bug reports and such is the best way to fix things. BTW, Take2 handles the tech tree issue, not Firaxis. Firaxis just develops games, not print posters and such. That's probably the #1 misconception (next to programmers being artists. You REALLY wanna see the artwork some programmers make? )

 

[gilfan]

One of the other things to understand is that the idea of a tester sitting down and playing a game from start to end is incorrect. Testers have a list of things they have to check. They start at the top of the list and work their way through... actually "playing" the game the way a customer would is at the bottom of anyone's priority. That's a luxury, and in most cases VERY little time is spent this way.

 

[oldStatesman]

Quartertothree what now???

What the frick does Firaxis choose to post over there and not here?

I don't know. I was just responding to the OP's question has anyone heard anything from Firaxis about a single issue. I have this forum in my fav list - along with several others I found a while ago doing google searches for Civ forums. Maybe they want to 'spread the wealth' among the many online forums...