Patch v3.13 change list

[Wade.]

I'm not saying that the reason for me not to start a new game is because of the fear of it not being backwards compatible... For me, the game just doesn't feel 'right' when I know it's about to get a massive overhaul. It's the same reason I couldn't play Warlords when I knew BTS would be coming out in a few weeks, or why I couldn't play Vanilla when I knew Warlords was coming out. It just feels too rushed as it is now.

I have a similiar feeling. It's like I would be playing an obsolete game.

 

[DMW]

I dont know about you guys, but since the patch was announced I started two new games and enjoy them both very much. BTS is a real improvement (especially the AI) over Warlords so Im having loads of fun even though BTS gots its flaws right now.

For me BTS is a lot of fun and when the patch will be out it probably will be even more fun. The whole patch thing that have been going on isnt really a neat performance by Firaxis but I'll forgive them whole-heartedly: from Civ 1 to Civ 4 the game got better and better and they deserve credits for that. Look at all the franchises that get messed up by greedy companies. Look at the for example consistently game ruining AI the Creative Assembly is producing product after product patch after patch all they ever focus on is graphics.

No, Im very happy Firaxis is making great games into even better ones and Im thankful for everything they will improve this time. Total War games need mods to stay interesting, Civ games stand their own!

 

[Wodan]

According to the Apolyton thread, it should have been here "early this week". Well, early this week has come and gone. It's almost later this week since Wednesday is just about over.

I believe what was said was "early next week". That was said on last Sunday. Some hypothesized that meant Oct 2-3 or so, because if it was meant to be Sept 24-25, then he would have said "in the next couple of days".

Problem is that this patch is critical to many people, me included. I have been waiting for long days because and yes I'm getting cranky.

Install Solver's patch. It resolves 90% of the issues.

Wodan

 

[HiroHito]

Thank you oh so much Ori for making my day

 

[Todd Hawks]

Install Solver's patch. It resolves 90% of the issues.

Wodan

No, it doesn't. Stop spreading that myth.
Solver's patch is great and I'm thankful that he put it together, but it doesn't "resolve 90% of the issues". Not to mention that anyone posting here with problems most likely already uses Solver's patch.

 

[Wodan]

No, it doesn't. Stop spreading that myth.
Solver's patch is great and I'm thankful that he put it together, but it doesn't "resolve 90% of the issues". Not to mention that anyone posting here with problems most likely already uses Solver's patch.

I think it does, and if if you still disagree then feel free to go ahead and nitpick what "90%" means. You know, whatever. I'm kind of done with this whole controversy.

And, I also disagree that we can assume anyone posting here already uses Solver's patch. I've seen many people who disparage it because it isn't "official" (despite that the "official" 3.03 was disastrous while the "unofficial" was a huge boon). Plus, there are those who simply don't know about it, plus there are the natual victims of human nature who simply haven't bothered. My two cents is go ahead and install it! It's worth the 5 minutes of your time.

Wodan

 

[entwood]

Solver's patch does a lot and waiting semi-patiently for the official patch led me to use it and I am happy and grateful to have it...That having been said, and I did not do a compare of the changed elements between Solver and what has been stated will be included in official patch, for me, at least...

It is very HARD to justify starting a new game or maybe even continuing a current one given just these few and the many many other changes that are being very eagerly anticipated...


Reduced inflation and better normalized it with game speed
Spies downgrade towns, hamlets, and villages instead of completely destroying them
Military Science moved to Renaissance
Fixed bug causing AI units to sit around outside cities.
AI now knows how to use Steal Tech and Incite Revolt
AI uses spies more smartly (camps them in cities to get the discount)
AI values espionage buildings more
Barbarian uprising events spawn more aggressive barbarians
Fixed issue with AI war planning
AI more likely to promote siege units with Accuracy
AI has a better understanding of when to build early Wonders for non-Normal game speeds
AI uses espionage to destroy non-resource terrain improvements - such as Towns.
Increased likelihood of the AI stealing techs
On non-aggressive AI, the AI's are more aggressive early in the game.
AI trains more units early in the game
Revised AI bribe into war cost
AI does better job of bribing other AI's
AI spends less on Espionage.
AI trains spies with lower priority
Exploring units now heal.
Fixed some issues which hampered or stalled AI early game expansion.
Tweaks to Governor, particularly "Emphasize Food"
Governor fills the food bar better
Governor works hamlets over cottages.
Fixed bug where city governor would sometimes work sub-optimal tiles
Fixed some AI war preparation issues
AI postpones sneak attack plans after a forced peace treaty
Fixed AI scouting so that they don't get stuck going back and forth
Fixed a bug where AI proposed resolutions that it should never have been voting for

and for those that are covered topically by Solver, who is to say that they are identical changes...One tweak may vary from another one for the same aspect,
I just don't really know...

plus Solver (with all due and great respect) took a shot at a few
• Increased likelihood of the AI stealing techs - hopefully it will do so now
• AI SHOULD do a better job of bribing other AI's (this may or may not work
• Possibly fixed exploring "YoYo" issue

I don't know if these all work...


Plus various PERFORMANCE improvements that will benefit a lot of players

 

[JFLNYC]

entwood: Suggest you not muddy the issue with the facts.

 

[dutchking]

The only thing that I wonder now: WHAT ARE THEY DOING? I thought they said they were done and it is ready. What could hold them back from releasing it besides a terrible bug?! This is irritating now...

 

[Bhruic]

The only thing that I wonder now: WHAT ARE THEY DOING? I thought they said they were done and it is ready. What could hold them back from releasing it besides a terrible bug?! This is irritating now...

I think multiple people have pointed out that every patch needs to go through QA. And every time the patch goes through QA, there's a chance they'll find bugs in it, and send it back to be fixed (which means another round of QA).

"Done" means they made all the changes they planned to make. It doesn't mean that the patch is ready to be released. At least, in this case, that's what they appear to have meant.

It'll be out when it's out.

Bh

 

[xavion]

Silly alexman, he broke one of the cardinal rules of developers: Don't give a firm date for patches...

 

[eric_]

every time the patch goes through QA, there's a chance they'll find bugs in it, and send it back to be fixed (which means another round of QA).

That's my assumption: they finished the patch, let us know what changes to expect, QA'd it, and something(s) didn't pass. Honestly, I'd be much more annoyed by a buggy patch than I am by a delayed release.

 

[entwood]

I wonder what is wrong with giving out a "firm date". That demonstrates good management and things going well at the business, instead of "done when its done".

I realize that release dates usually are not given past the original release of a game but where I work, yes, in software, as a programmer, we do have release dates, and not just oh well, when it is ready.

Dates can be missed but it is frowned upon and the reasons why generally need to be explained...internally...that is generally true...but surely to clients by a more official spokesperson. Missed target dates and QA bugs mean rework in DEV and QA and you are not spending time on your NEXT project which affects your business plan.

Alternatively, secondary resources, if available, are assigned to this 'thorn-in-the-side" while the "A" team is busy with a new product and so things here can 'slide' as they have.

QA is not the only department that finds bugs. Developers often find their own; as a footnote. They hit a 'regression' variance; broke something while fixing something. Not unheard of either.

I am a customer. I am not that happy with the current state of affairs, have every right to be that way and I know that I have no rights to expect anything by any date, so I may assuage my disappointment with the purchase of some other game this weekend and not give a favorable recommend to another person if asked about customer support and the fixing of problems with this new "flagship" product.

Alternatively here, what one should do is not be on the 'bleeding edge". Do not purchase a new game for 6 months or so until the bugs are worked out via a few good patches. This is the "cardinal" rule for game customers but where, I suspect, the zealous multitude and many an innocent consumer would outweigh this perhaps somber strategy to avoid disapointment.

 

[Wodan]

The only thing that I wonder now: WHAT ARE THEY DOING? I thought they said they were done and it is ready. What could hold them back from releasing it besides a terrible bug?! This is irritating now...

It's called "bureaucracy".

Wodan

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Yeah those high maintenance costs will kill you (unfortunately take 2 isn't Organized) but their commerce appears to be fine

 

[HiroHito]

I think it does, and if if you still disagree then feel free to go ahead and nitpick what "90%" means. You know, whatever. I'm kind of done with this whole controversy.

And, I also disagree that we can assume anyone posting here already uses Solver's patch. I've seen many people who disparage it because it isn't "official" (despite that the "official" 3.03 was disastrous while the "unofficial" was a huge boon). Plus, there are those who simply don't know about it, plus there are the natual victims of human nature who simply haven't bothered. My two cents is go ahead and install it! It's worth the 5 minutes of your time.

Wodan

I didnt use Solver's patch for the simple reason that I have no idea if its gonna be save compatible with 3.13, I play Marathon only and games take weeks to complete so I cant just start from scratch without some frustration.

If anyone knows about the compatibility please tell us.

 

[Wodan]

I didnt use Solver's patch for the simple reason that I have no idea if its gonna be save compatible with 3.13, I play Marathon only and games take weeks to complete so I cant just start from scratch without some frustration.

If anyone knows about the compatibility please tell us.

They've said it will be upward compatible.

Wodan

ps you are an example of my point to Todd Hawks' assertion that people like you don't exist.

 

[Solver]

My patch makes no changes to the savegame format; I've intentionally kept it that way, so it's fully capable with 3.00 or 3.02/3.03 saves. And those will be compatible with 3.13, though there will be no backward compatibility.

 

[EDOM]

I am obred and tired of checking here every day and reading unnecessary discussions instead of an info that the patch is finally out.

so would someone please be so nice and kind to send me a message at ICQ (UIN 155259) when the patch really is out?!?

TIA
=0}

 

[Solver]

Just check the front page, when the patch is out, it'll be there.