Layoffs :(

[Kwami]

Firaxis isn't Microprose...

They modernized the old school hard-core game and this game will probably have more players than C7 not very long after launch...
It doesn't say Denuvo and it can run on Potato pc's... it's gonna hit massive...

Sorry for the Devs layoffs... beautiful Graphics! But Gameplay > Graphics...

But that's a totally different kind of game.

 

[Aquila SPQR]

I'll cite the classic:

"there's no reason to worry, everything is going according to plan"

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

I'll cite the classic:

"there's no reason to worry, everything is going according to plan"

A perfectly valid statement, as long as you realize that it may not be Your plan that everything is following . . .

 

[Patine]

My thoughts to fellow game devs who have been let go over at Firaxis. I hope this is just a small bump on the road in your game dev journey.

Don't such laid off employees often form their own studios? Isn't that where a lot of indy game companies get their starting staff?

 

[Krikkit1]

In creative actiivies like game design all rules are simply guidelines, to be ignored when necessary.

A good thing to keep in mind, though, is that successful designs need fewer changes than unsuccessful designs. As in, Civs IV - V - VI were all increasingly successful, so radical change was not necessary except to salve a designer's ego.

Whereas I would suspect that Humankind II will be radically different from Humankind if anybody expects to sell it.

Further, the parts of a design that get the most negative comment are the ones to look at changing, one would think.

From that standpoint, while there was much discussion of the Eras/Ages, nobody (as I remember) ever said they were game-breaking, merely that there might be a better way to organize the gameplay. Also, while there has been much discussion of Civ transitions in the game since at least Civ IV, after Humankind I don't really remember anybody arguing that Civ Switching was the only way to play.

On the other hand, 1UPT got a mass of negative commentary (and some positive, to be fair), but is still with us.
Religious Missionary Swarm was widely negatively viewed, but is still with us.

Makes you wonder about the decision processes involved in Civ VII's design . . .

Except Civ IV-V-VI represented some Massive change.. 1upt, Districts,... both still with us.
so that radical change was there even if it was not necessary.

I would expect Civ8 will have both some civ change mechanism and some Age transitions... however, they will not be the same as Civ7. some of the biggest objections will be looked at and just like 1upt seems to be in its best place with Civ7 and commanders, by Civ 9 only those who object in deep principle to civs changing or transitions will still think it is terrible. (because it will be relatively painless... and any pain it has will be expected)

 

[Aquila SPQR]

A perfectly valid statement, as long as you realize that it may not be Your plan that everything is following . . .

Yes, of course. As long as laying off employees and a shockingly low (and slowly but constantly dropping) number of players was their plan all along, but I have my doubts about that.

It's like that other situation where we heard that phrase where initial plans were grand, but execution failed completely (as usual there), so now they're lying to save the face and maintain the illusion for a bit longer, hoping for a miracle that won't happen.

 

[Dale]

Don't such laid off employees often form their own studios? Isn't that where a lot of indy game companies get their starting staff?

Rarely yes, mostly no. It takes a lot of money to support yourselves for those first few years getting a product to launch, and at high risk too. It's similar to every industry. Most fired people don't go and start their own small businesses, they try to get another job.

 

[Xur]

Don't such laid off employees often form their own studios? Isn't that where a lot of indy game companies get their starting staff?

I dont think I've ever heard of writers or artists starting their own game studios. That would be like a painter starting a carpentry business.

 

[Gorbles]

I dont think I've ever heard of writers or artists starting their own game studios. That would be like a painter starting a carpentry business.

Business management is a skill. Skills can be learned. People aren't just born into Boss Baby-style competency. They develop it.

(they could also, y'know, found the studio with someone with those skills - it's not a closed loop)

But other than that, what Dale said. In the current economic climate, the risk is higher than it's been in a while.

 

[Tuvok694]

Do you guys think we will get anything from Firaxis in September? Maybe at least some small bug fixes?

 

[TheMarshmallowBear]

Do you guys think we will get anything from Firaxis in September? Maybe at least some small bug fixes?

Is this like a sarcastic post?

 

[Core Imposter]

I didn't detect any sarcasm.

 

[aieeegrunt]

I didn't detect any sarcasm.

It can be tough to tell online, that is why emojis got invented so early on

 

[Tuvok694]

Is this like a sarcastic post?

No sarcasm intended, honestly. I'm still a civ addict despite of all the flaws of Civ7. On the other hand, playing the game recently gets a little too "repetitive", so I would appreciate some "fresh material". Don't know if these "layoffs" being discussed here have consequences for the development of the game. That's why I asked the question.

 

[Leucarum]

No sarcasm intended, honestly. I'm still a civ addict despite of all the flaws of Civ7. On the other hand, playing the game recently gets a little too "repetitive", so I would appreciate some "fresh material". Don't know if these "layoffs" being discussed here have consequences for the development of the game. That's why I asked the question.

Updates have been very regular. Even if FXS aren't ready to put out something big, I imagine they'll put out something...

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Do you guys think we will get anything from Firaxis in September? Maybe at least some small bug fixes?

As far as we know the second half of Right to Rule DLC is still supposed to come out.

 

[Core Imposter]

I am no fan for sure. But I am certain that Firaxis will do some further support for the game. It's not like they have a lot on their plate. As far as I am aware they have announced no other games or expansion of other products. We know they are or were advertising for a lead. First thought is for an XCOM sequel. They almost certainly have plans to continue to support Civ7, albeit on a reduced level. Can't image that they won't add to the modern age. But they can't devote the level of resources they could if the game was doing well.

I predict a dinosaur game in late '27.

 

[TheMarshmallowBear]

As far as we know the second half of Right to Rule DLC is still supposed to come out.

I also believe it's suggested to be quite a thicc patch too.

 

[King Flevance]

No sarcasm intended, honestly. I'm still a civ addict despite of all the flaws of Civ7. On the other hand, playing the game recently gets a little too "repetitive", so I would appreciate some "fresh material". Don't know if these "layoffs" being discussed here have consequences for the development of the game. That's why I asked the question.

I do know that they have said that a map generation patch is coming soon. (Quite possibly September's patch.) There is a good chance the next patch will be around Sept 20. Give or take a couple days. They have been releasing patches around the 20th of every month for the last few months. And this one is a safe bet because they still have DLC to fulfill.

I personally suspect a couple big gameplay revamp patches over the next year. Plus some minor tweak patches. Hopefully, remaining once a month.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

I also believe it's suggested to be quite a thicc patch too.

Yeah, I figured a patch was a given with DLC too.
I didn't remember how big it would be.