Patch Information & Plans

[CIVPhilzilla]

Thanks for the info. You guys work so hard to make this game the best it can be. I only wish other programmers were so involved.

 

[kryszcztov]

I have one question about localization : I bought a French version of C3C in my local French store, as usual, but then, because I already had Civ3 + PTW US versions installed (don't ask me why ), I decided to install C3C in English (language menu during the installation process), so as to avoid possible bugs. It runs well (well, the game as a software ! I'm still at 1.00 !), but I wonder if I have to consider my version an English (UK, US ?) or a French one, regarding the (beta ?) patches. I'm quite confused about what kind of patches I'll have to download in the future... ... ...

I consider waiting for the first official patch (the late February one) before jumping back into the game. Which patch will I have to download ? Sorry if it is obvious to some of you, but the nice process that is currently taking place on top of Civ3 + PTW 's localization mess is confusing me a lot.

Also, would it be a good idea to re-install everything in French (Civ3 + PTW + C3C) ? Will the post-patch game be compatible with every language version ? For those who are interested (and the designers too !), I can give you this link for a detailed explanation. Thanks a lot.

 

[Commander Bello]

You may select the language during the beta installation as well. Since Civ3 and PTW are running in English as well, I would suggest that you just stay with it. As your postings reveal, it shouldn't be much an effort for you to understand it
And about waiting for the official patch:
I am pretty satisfied with the current 1.15 patch.

 

[Turner]

kryszcztov - The patches are also numbered "1.15b, 1.29f, 1.27f" (C3C, Vanilla Civ3, PTW, respectively) so when you see a patch out there that ends in 'f' (for final) then download that. Plus, Tavis & Co have been really good about distinguishing between the beta patches (ending in 'B'). So I'm sure when the final patch comes out, they will say it is the final patch.

 

[Frimlin]

Originally posted by Commander Bello
I am pretty satisfied with the current 1.15 patch.

Agreed. Has anyone noticed anything particularly bad with it? I haven't seen any threads mentioning anything too bad with it.

Can someone please give me a URL to a thread about any major 1.15b errors? Thanks!

 

[JimMac99]

Originally posted by Frimlin


Agreed. Has anyone noticed anything particularly bad with it? I haven't seen any threads mentioning anything too bad with it.

Can someone please give me a URL to a thread about any major 1.15b errors? Thanks!

I dont think there are any "major 1.15b errors", and you can definitely enjoy playing C3C with this patch.

BUT there are still some things which were fixed in PTW which are now unfixed again! For example: crashing into submarines starting wars, and the poor AI worker choice in Despotism.

Also, Barbarians have been changed to be too meek, fo example fortifying rather than attack a lone worker. And some would argue that ship bombardment actions now have been considerably weakened, (not targeting resources or improvements in cities).

I hope Tavis and the testers don't overlook these issues in their concern to get corruption (or combat-which I think is fine) right!

 

[Harrier]

Originally posted by aeldrik
@ It is just a pity so much engergy and time from Firaxis has to be concentrated on correction bugs, instead of just improving the game...

I see your point of view, but what you do not probably realise is this: some of these bugs only came to light when Firaxis started to change the game to remove problems reported by MP players. If you are not part of the IT world you may not appreciate it - but sometimes solving one fault uncovers many more - as in real life.

 

[EMan]

........As a business owner I understand that game producers are primarily trying to turn a profit, NOT satisfy a handful of hard-core gamers.......Yes, I'm afraid that's reality kids.

BUT.....we have come to expect more from Firaxis.

Why?

First, Sid Meier created the game Civilization......AND he's probably the TOP strategy game designer of all time!

Secondly, Civilization is considered by many to be the finest computer game of all time!

Thirdly, Sid Meier started Firaxis!

So yes, it doesn't surprise me that Firaxis is going the extra mile.

Do we appreciate it here on this site.......YOU BET YOUR LIFE WE DO!!

Thank you C3C team!!

 

[Ozymandous]

Originally posted by Turner_727


Well, speaking for myself and knowing the standard of 'support' in the bizness, I'm much more inclined to go with a firaxis/breakaway/atari product now than a couple of years ago. Yes, it may be expected, and it was certainly the way I was trained in customer service. . .but considering that I can go somewhere else and have iffy support or go with F/B/A and know they'll seriously listen (and not have my CS call show up on a blog in a couple of days) I'm more inclined to go with their product.

In any event, and compound sentances aside, I can't say enough about how great F/B/A has been. . .

Well Firaxis, yes. Breakaway, maybe, borderline yes (good products from them in the past, but C3C was broken pretty baddly at initial shipment). Atari? Pshaw, only if there is no other brand, and only if the product is from a 5 star producer. I have seen more crap publisher from Atari than anyone else lately, and once it's out you get maybe ONE patch for whatever game it is. The only company that's done worse regarding patching is Bethesda with "Pirates of the Carribean".

Atari isn't a bad publisher, but they need to learn to goad the crap out of some of the developing houses they contract with because said development houses, along with some poor decisions from Atari itself are making a once proud name in game history look "craptastic."

 

[EMan]

Isn't Atari controlled by the French?........Enough said!

(Gosh, I hope the CFC French members have a sense of humor!)

 

[anarres]

Only as much as the CFC rednecks

 

[warpstorm]

deleted

 

[kryszcztov]

Thanks for some answers.

But I still have to know : if I install the out-of-box software or a patch (afterwards) in English, using my French version, do I REALLY have an English version ? And if I now install everything in French (3 CDs), will my version be 100% compatible with the US version at last ? (see the link in my last post for further explanations)

About the June last patch : will the 31-civ limit be broken, so as to include more civs in the game and on the same map at the same time ?
About the February patch : what will change from the 1.15 beta patch ?

 

[Commander Bello]

Originally posted by kryszcztov
Thanks for some answers.

But I still have to know : if I install the out-of-box software or a patch (afterwards) in English, using my French version, do I REALLY have an English version ? And if I now install everything in French (3 CDs), will my version be 100% compatible with the US version at last ? (see the link in my last post for further explanations)

About the June last patch : will the 31-civ limit be broken, so as to include more civs in the game and on the same map at the same time ?
About the February patch : what will change from the 1.15 beta patch ?

To your first, no - second question: Since all files, names etc are matter to localization, there still could be errors. That's the reason why I for my side play in English.

First question: As far as I understood it, C3C has no difference between US(english) and UK(english) and Australia(english) or whatever version. All languages are contained on the one and same disk, so they are all the same for a given language.

About the 31 limit: this is still in place. Obviously, on the C3C-CD there are all files to include Austria, but you would have to get rid of another civ to be able to do so.

About what will change... as far as *I* understood Tavis, in principle the current 1.15 patch is the version of the (localized) patch to be released end of February. But, who knows?

 

[Gojira54]

Originally posted by Tavis

Sadly there is no substitute for the kind of stress a games code gets once its on the market. In a very short time the amount of hours logged playing exceeds the combination of all hours in the test cycle combined!

Thanks for the support!!

Jesse Smith
Producer, Civilization III: Conquests
Firaxis Games

Jesse Thank YOU!

This is true of all types of software releases. One of the things I am in charge of at my company is releasing updates to the Fulfillment software we develop in-house. Bugs can and do slip by even the most rigorous QC/QA testing. Luckily these are usually limited to minor bugs (although we have had to roll back a few system breakers - I don't think you guys have had THAT big of a bug released before).

The release of BETA patches may be confusing to some, but is IMHO an excellent idea. It is the closest thing to a full-blown live stress-test you can get. I hope you do not discontinue the program - just organize it better. Get a list of say, 100 or 200 BETA testers, and distribute the patch to them only. Or if you want to do a full BETA release just make sure it comes with full warnings that it is indeed BETA.

 

[Nisku]

I think the attention given to the players is fantastic. The only other game I own that reaches this level of customer support is Europa Universalis 2.

Providing chances for feedback and announcements on where the game is going will make repeat customers. I can tell you that one company that I used to buy from I never will again because of the poor customer support.

The only thing I'm angry about with C3C is the broken zips on the www.civ3.com website. The ones to download for the extra units if you don't own PTW.

 

[Maxfin]

Thx for great work Tavis. It's nice to see this patches out. But as MP player I would like to ask couple things.

When is the max player amount in different size maps addressed? (atm max. 4 in tiny, 6 in small)

I heard rumors that there would have been lot of MP fixes in possible 1.16 but if it won't come out and 1.15 is the next official one. What happens to this MP fixes?

 

[Justinian III]

JET FIGHTER's Require a Defence of 8!!!!!!!!!!!

Fighter's Require a defence of 4!!!!!!!!
Otherwise, the Changes were KILLER!!

 

[Brewster]

I am very happy with the changes and updates to C3C and find the attention to detail outstanding. It is nice to see a company totally dedicated to the people buying their product and willing to fix things if they are broken. I am currently enjoying the latest beta patch (1.15b) and am looking forward to the final patch. Keep up the great work!

 

[DAM]

One question,

I downloaded the multilingual patch, and install it on an english version of conquest. The installer doesnt ask me anything and install it in French (I'm French, but my PC is configured in English)

By the way after this my CIV doesnt work anymore, so I disintalled the patch and conquest, and reinstalled conquest.

How can i install the patch in english version ?