Player stats, sales, and reception discussion

[Verified_Confection_Being]

Any visibility on what the bump from 1.2 looks like? I guess we will see this weekend?

Max player numbers and min player numbers are up about 1,500 on the equivalent times last week

Means the fluctuation is now between about 6,500 and 12,500 players in a day rather than 6,000 and 10,500 players in a day.

More significantly though this appears to be sustained so far, where patch 1.1 was a blip for effectively a day before more precipitous drops. So depending on how next week goes, we may have finally reached a base player load.

 

[stealth_nsk]

I don't know how it affected number of simultaneous players for Civ7 and whether it affected it all (depends on how much audiences intersect), but Oblivion remaster dropped at almost the same time as the patch. It could steal some number of players and flatten the spikes.

 

[Verified_Confection_Being]

I don't know how it affected number of simultaneous players for Civ7 and whether it affected it all (depends on how much audiences intersect), but Oblivion remaster dropped at almost the same time as the patch. It could steal some number of players and flatten the spikes.

That problems only going to get worse with time too. More new games coming out in the next year including some massive ones like GTA which are going to hoover up casual attention

 

[Calcifer]

I still believe we won’t see significant player count increases until the first price discounts or bundles, no matter how many patches are coming.

 

[stealth_nsk]

I still believe we won’t see significant player count increases until the first price discounts or bundles, no matter how many patches are coming.

Yes, patches need to prepare the game for sales to come, both in polishing and improving image. Patches themselves don't bring new players, they could only spark some interest in old ones.

 

[trev1972]

Yes, patches need to prepare the game for sales to come, both in polishing and improving image. Patches themselves don't bring new players, they could only spark some interest in old ones.

If they add enough ancient and exploration civs in the future to allow tsl games I would probably start playing again and buy expansions

Unfortunately I don't think that sort thing is remotely on their list of things to do.

 

[Krikkit1]

If they add enough ancient and exploration civs in the future to allow tsl games I would probably start playing again and buy expansions

Unfortunately I don't think that sort thing is remotely on their list of things to do.

Adding more civs is definitely on their list because that is something that they can charge for.

 

[trev1972]

Adding more civs is definitely on their list because that is something that they can charge for.

True, let's see where the game is in a year or two

What I meant to say is I don't think firaxis care too much about distinct and historical civ evolution tracks

 

[MutilationWave]

True, let's see where the game is in a year or two

What I meant to say is I don't think firaxis care too much about distinct and historical civ evolution tracks

They certainly did for China, which some people say was to attract Chinese gamers. I don't blame them. I want more American civs (North, Central, South). More African as well.

 

[stealth_nsk]

If they add enough ancient and exploration civs in the future to allow tsl games I would probably start playing again and buy expansions

Unfortunately I don't think that sort thing is remotely on their list of things to do.

Next DLC will add 2 antiquity, 1 exploration and 1 modern civ (for a total of 13 per age). I assume first part of it will come together with summer sale.

 

[99-percent-sure]

Means the fluctuation is now between about 6,500 and 12,500 players in a day rather than 6,000 and 10,500 players in a day.

Right now it's at 13,426 concurrent players. One of which was me, as I just logged off. My hand is a bit numb.

 

[Buckets]

Right now it's at 13,426 concurrent players. One of which was me, as I just logged off. My hand is a bit numb.

Take care of yourself. I play on PC with an Xbox controller and it makes a world of difference to my hands. With mouse and keyboard, I get strain within 30 minutes. With a controller I can play for hours. If you have repetitive strain, I can't recommend it enough.

 

[99-percent-sure]

Take care of yourself. I play on PC with an Xbox controller and it makes a world of difference to my hands. With mouse and keyboard, I get strain within 30 minutes. With a controller I can play for hours. If you have repetitive strain, I can't recommend it enough.

I rarely play for more than an hour at a time, partly for that reason. I've had good luck with avoiding RSIs the last few years.

 

[protocol7]

Max player numbers and min player numbers are up about 1,500 on the equivalent times last week

Means the fluctuation is now between about 6,500 and 12,500 players in a day rather than 6,000 and 10,500 players in a day.

More significantly though this appears to be sustained so far, where patch 1.1 was a blip for effectively a day before more precipitous drops. So depending on how next week goes, we may have finally reached a base player load.

Seems to still be holding on Steam, though it’s not reaching anything yet close to civ5 floor which stays about 50% higher than civ7 numbers (civ6 stays about 350% higher). Interestingly, both civ5 and civ6 got a bump of around 1000-2000 at the same time civ7 got the same bump with the patch. Maybe the patch inspired people to go play the old ones too?

 

[Pistol90]

They jumped trend-chasing train

Designed Civ7 to be with multiplayer focused game, and like every other trend-chasing game=failed.

Now they need 2 expanssions to return back to formula as much as possible.

 

[Noble Zarkon]

Designed Civ7 to be with multiplayer focused game

People keep saying this but never seem to back it up with evidence...

 

[stealth_nsk]

People keep saying this but never seem to back it up with evidence...

I didn't do statistical analysis, but in early videos it looks like Firaxis talked about multiplayer several times more than in any previous game. They mentioned that terrain yields were adjusted to make starts more equal, especially in multiplayer, the original "balanced" maps were designed for as focused on multiplyer, etc.

While I can't say MP is primary focus for Civ7, it's clearly much bigger focus than before

 

[GeneralZift]

I didn't do statistical analysis, but in early videos it looks like Firaxis talked about multiplayer several times more than in any previous game. They mentioned that terrain yields were adjusted to make starts more equal, especially in multiplayer, the original "balanced" maps were designed for as focused on multiplyer, etc.

While I can't say MP is primary focus for Civ7, it's clearly much bigger focus than before

ITs unfortunate that they decided to cater to the Competitive MP audience rather than the Casual MP audience. Many people enjoy a good old game of Civ because it's unbalanced. A game where everyone has the same empire and lands is boring. Some players get terrible starts and have to use some unsanitary methods to get ahead, that makes it interesting and forces conflict.

However Competitive Civ fans want this game where they can win no matter the start. I get it from an eSports perspective but frankly, it doesn't make the game very fun or varied for casual players.

 

[stealth_nsk]

ITs unfortunate that they decided to cater to the Competitive MP audience rather than the Casual MP audience. Many people enjoy a good old game of Civ because it's unbalanced. A game where everyone has the same empire and lands is boring. Some players get terrible starts and have to use some unsanitary methods to get ahead, that makes it interesting and forces conflict.

However Competitive Civ fans want this game where they can win no matter the start. I get it from an eSports perspective but frankly, it doesn't make the game very fun or varied for casual players.

It's matter of personal preference. I don't know whether I like it more or less balanced, but at least I could thank this MP focus for, IMHO, the best diplomacy in Civ games. By making diplomacy MP-compatible, Firaxis also made it interesting to play in SP.

 

[Xur]

People keep saying this but never seem to back it up with evidence...

Small maps, fast games, zero focus on AI and they always showcase the game in a multiplayer setting.