Kudos or Flames to GOTM17

[ControlFreak]

Since the Pregame discussion is closed (come on people, how hard is it to follow no spoiler rules?!?!?!) I wanted to have a place to send thank once again to the GOTM staff. Most of these s were in the game release thread for GOTM16. This thread is only for :worshp: (like this one) or (like Lee's in GOTM16). Please no spoilers!

I think this GOTM is another great one. I love the "new" units and the map is a great challenge.

Keep up the good work.

One : The processing time on my fairly new computer is almost 2 mins between turns in the beginning. I feel sorry for those on slower computers. I am using the time to update my timeline for QSC but still, it seems a bit excessive.

 

[BoBtheBUILDER]

I enjoy the details and different features. Howerver, I think the scope may have been misleading and I think that for criticism to be leveled at Firaxis for having a "broken" product (PTW 1.14f), I don't think this GOTM was implemented flawlessly either. I also have a new computer and was waiting for a LONG time between turns. I also had a draw-buffer crash (which happened last GOTM I played as well 15).

I'll vote liked some, hated some. I appreciate the effort the staff puts in to making this enhanced version of the GOTM available but I think that criticism of others' efforts should be more measured in the future given the slowness of this game.

BoB

 

[bug1]

I appreciate the effort that goes into these maps, but im waiting about 20 seconds between turns at the start of the game.

I honestly thought my computer had locked up.

Ill keep playing GOTM16 i think, 17 its just too slow.

Also, it took me about 20 minutes to find the actual .sav file, skimming through the instructions to set the game up, didnt see the url burried in one of the files, then browsed the web site and couldnt find a link the save game, just the zip files to setup the map.

How about a quick setup guide for people who know how to extract files.

 

[Jurimax]

I voted liked some, hated some. The concept of enhancing the GOTM is really appreciated, but I did have to search a long time till I found the SAV.

Eventhough it was announced that the initial turns would take such a long time, I was still surprised that it actually took THAT long. I recently bought a new computer (pIV 2.53, 512 M RAM) and even with such specs it took too long to be enjoyable.

I may be back to edit this post as I'll have to see what the time intervals will become as the game progresses.

Greetings Jurimax

 

[JJT1603]

I voted 'some good / some bad' too, largely because the game runs far too slow though I don't know if that's down to the map size or the features or what?!

This is my third attempt at a GOTM (though I've yet to submit...largely because I get so carried away that I always forget the 10AD save!!) but I do enjoy playing a game that countless others will play and write about afterwards, I can then compare my own efforts, and for that I think the GOTM's are excellent!!

 

[ControlFreak]

@jjt1603

The 10AD Save is no excuse. It's not required unless the GOTM staff think you're reloading/cheating. Then they'll ask you for some saved games. If you have anything close they'll take that.

Good luck submitting!

 

[JJT1603]

OK, maybe I'll submit my GOTM17 effort after all. Actually, I also played 15 and 16 using PTW so they wouldn't have been allowed anyway if I remember correctly!!

 

[Sancho Panza]

I like it! This is my first GOTM and I found it very fun and exciting. Also, the turns seem to compute a bit faster after a while.

 

[Phantom Lord]

Well, I've already submitted my final save and to be honest, the result was pretty much a desaster even by my own low standards.

More about that once the spoiler threads are open ... the positive aspects certainly override the frustration about my weak performance, it was my first GOTM and I've certainly learned a lot about the weaknesses of my playing style.

IMHO the new features are OK but not essential, the lag issue was a little annoying at first, later on I got used to it and as time proceeded it vanished.

I liked the game itself a lot, because I've never played similar settings before.

All in all: Good work, I had a lot of fun and playing a competitive game with no second chances is a lot more motivating than I've imagined, I really enjoyed it.

 

[Ribannah]

Fortunately my 1-year old (computer) doesn't suffer from the same lags as so many have reported. It's less than 10 seconds with PTW - still noticeable, but hardly a bother.
Controlfreak, does it make a difference if you shut off enemy unit animation?

 

[HookEmHorns]

Cracker and Company,

This game shows a tremendous amount of effort and I certainly appreciate that. Figuring out the design of the game adds another dimension to CIV. I would say "Keep up the good work" but I do not have the right to expect this level of effort (though I definitely enjoy it).

The lag is a bother but otherwise I'd just be wasting time by sleeping.

Hook 'Em
Long-time lurker, first-time poster, near-future first-time QSC/GOTM submitter.

 

[ControlFreak]

@Ribannah

I have ALL animations off. There's still a good lag.
(Now that you mention it, I should turn on battle animations at least once to check out a few things.) In general, I play slowly enough to need the animations off just to speed my game play.

 

[cgannon64]

I like the idea, the new units, and the new rule changes (well, they make the game harder, but I like them ). However, the lag IS pretty bad. I just hope they can work this lag problem out if we do a similar format for GOTM 18.

 

[JonathanValjean]

I give kudos to the GOTM staff! They are doing a great job, and the easter eggs are welcome injections of freshness. Add to this the fact that they are doing these things for free, and my appreciation swells.

 

[civ_steve]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one experiencing 2-3 minute lag times! (and my computer is a 4 year old 350MHz model.) I use the time to update the QSC log, and then sort through my stacks of financial records to organize them, read my old magazines and newspapers, etc.... I hope the time comes down soon!!

I still voted for "Love It!!" I think the work that's gone into the GOTM process is phenomenal I'm enjoying the special features of GOTM17 so far ... and more in the first spoiler when it opens.

 

[Shillen]

I loved it. I didn't even mind the long lag at the beginning of the game. It gave me time to think more carefully about my moves and document for QSC. The lag got less and less as time went on until about 1300 AD or so then it got a little worse for me. I think that was because I was at war with every other civ though. <g> Also I started getting framerate problems late in the game, but I think that's because I had so many automated slaves from razing a lot of cities. I wish I could have disbanded them, but I was playing in v1.29.

I marvel at the job the GOTM staff does. I lost quite a bit of sleep the last couple days because I couldn't stop playing.

 

[ltcoljt]

Very nice departure from the games I am used to. Four out of five stars.

 

[BillChin]

I thought for sure the game had locked up. Early turns were about 10 minutes, and are now about six minutes between the time I end my turn and the game comes back. The waits are so long that I can not play the game without doing something else. I have turned off all animations, and all show moves and these are the waiting times. Typical wait times are about 15 seconds for previous GOTMs.

I have a 433 Mhz Celeron with 128 mb ram and am running Civ III version 1.29. I doubt I will finish the game. The fun part is over and the grinding part of the game begins. It looks like I am in the minority as far as these awful waiting times, so I guess the staff has done a good job for their target audience.
+ Bill

 

[DaveMcW]

Please make an "opt-out" version next month. I am losing patience with the tedious setup procedures.

 

[Foklens]

As a semi-professional lurker, I'd once made a vow never to join a forum group - no way, shape, or how was I going to do it.
So it was inevitable eventually I would. I'd long been reading, and playing along with the various GOTM and other games posted just for my own personal satisfaction to see where I'd hit. But, having acclimated myself to PTW, I'd never be able to enter. I was fine with this, really. Since naturally, joining the game would result in me having to break my long-standing vow of silence. But then I saw the announcements that 17'd be PTW compatible. And 'lo, it'd use my beloved Carthaginians. I knew then that I'd have to break down. Oh well. 8 years was a good enough run. (Counting BBS's)
Fact is, the work that the folks that both run this site and provide for our little drug-like habits is top rate. Ab-fab, and I don't think any of you could expect more (Guess that includes myself now, alas.) And the scale and scope of these are truly pheonimal and by no way/shape or form should the makers (cracker et al) be dissuaded.
When the point was made that there would be longer-than-normal turn-lengths. I was prepared for it, and figured my rig'd more than mitigate any unwieldly pauses. I stuck it out at the beginning, with a morose sensation of bemusement as I timed the turn-lengths with my stopwatch. (8:14 on the first turn). I stuck it out g'darn it for about 40ish turns. Hell, I even got a few smug senses of satisfaction for catching things in spite of my 'post count'. (This being the first. Happy Birthday.) But, unfortunately, I had to tap out. The turn length did eventually shorten, granted down to a 4:30 minute average, but 'eh. Though, with the amount of work and polish that's been given to this, if even one person can enjoy it, then it's more than worth it. And let's be honest, it looked fantab.
I'm just rather disappointed at the oppressive lag. And being someone who routinely sets up max sized pangeas with max civs, I thought I knew the ballpark of what to expect. Unfortunately... Alas, alack.
I voted some good, some bad. Because the extras and whole atmosphere, and general concept was absolutely fabulous. I just wish I could stomach it enough to play it. So it's excellent, and we should all worship those who dedicate their time and creativity to make something like this... just with a caveat or two.

Sorry if this seemed overly wordy for a 'baby'. But it may be another 8 years of internet development before I post another message on a BBS of any sort. So I wanted to make sure it was noteworthy. I'll leave you all for the shadows now.
G'day.