Request for a windowed interface in Civ IV

[Stephan Hoyer]

Civ 2 was designed so that I could Alt+Tab out of Civ fairly easily and it still used the default windows look for an application. In contrast, Civ 3 setup its own interface that was quite a trick to switch out of. Even more so than most computer games, Civilization is perfect for multitasking. I already do this with Civ 3 -- play a turn, check my email, post on civfanatics, etc. -- but losing the windows taskbar while playing is a pain.

There really is no need for that. Even though I know Civ IV will have 3D graphics that can make switching windows a bit slower, modern graphics cards are increasingly making this a very feasible possibility. It would substantially increase the value of the game to me if I could instant message and play at the same time. And, as Civ 2 showed, it's very doable to design a decent interface within the standard windows user interface.

At the very least, even if not officially supported, adding a toggle in a config file would be priceless.

Thoughts?

 

[Darwin420]

You can ALT-TAB out of Civ3.. I do it all the time to mark down turnlog info for my SGs.

 

[Janos]

Agree 100%. If i'm on the computer and not playing a game, i am on the internet, listening to music, and instant messaging with buddies. I would LOVE for CivIV to have a windowed mode which would allow me to multi-task and do other things as well.

I feel this keeps the longevity of a game going as well, seeing as you are focused on more than one thing in particular and therefore can pause from your gaming a bit, which helps i think. Good thead!

 

[warpstorm]

Gamebryo allows for a windowed mode if Firaxis decides they want to implement it.

BTW, why do you lose your windows task bar in Civ3? The Windows-D option works for me.

 

[Stephan Hoyer]

Right, I can (and do) Alt+Tab and Window+D to get out of Civ3, but I still wish it didn't hide the task bar. Civ3 also has a funny tendency to recommandeer the screen sometimes when minimized. So I guess I'd just like to it to work a bit better.

 

[Pacifist]

@Stephan Hoyer
I support the idea. I've never tried Civ2. Only ever played C2-ToT. That had a Windows-style interface. You could play solitaire while waiting for your next turn (only ever did that once hehe). You could manage it like any other Windows application (i.e. minimize, resize, etc.) There wasn't much point in resizing but it could be done

Some Civ3 custom mods/scenarios have quite long waits in between turns - doing something else between those long waiting periods would be an efficient use of time.


I think what 'Stephan Hoyer' means by "losing the taskbar" is, when going back to the game, you can't see it any longer because the game reverts back to full-screen. Only when you switch back to Windows (i.e. ALT-TAB, Windows-D, etc.) that the taskbar becomes visible once more while displaying Civ3 as being minimized.

-Pacifist-
"I wouldn't mind living forever either. I can only imagine what Civilization will be like in the next 100 years"

 

[mastertyguy]

I think it is OK now. But what does it really change? I have no problems with both.

 

[AlanH]

It would be a huge advantage for me if the Mac version is able to run in a window. I run two screens on my Mac. I'd be able to watch the forums, email, RSS, chat, and use tools like CivAssist on one screen while playing on the other. As it is, my second screen goes black, and becomes a waste of space while I play Civ. No other application I run takes my second screen away from me.

 

[warpstorm]

It would be a huge advantage for me if the Mac version is able to run in a window.

Mac version

 

[Akka]

Mac version

It's mean to mock the computer-challenged persons, you know.

 

[AlanH]

It's mean to mock the computer-challenged persons, you know.

Yes, I do realise that, which is why I try not to do it ... too often

 

[warpstorm]

BTW, I hear the Mac is going with Intel processors and two button mice. Next thing you know they'll use the Windows operating system...(* Warp ducks for cover *)

 

[Mantelinho]

Your request seems to be already heard: Just edit your "_Civ4Config" file (that's by default a link to "CivilizationIV.ini") in the root game directory and set

FullScreen = 1

to

FullScreen = 0

Et voilá!

 

[ToonGeneral]

Whenever I try and run windowed it slows the game down till it's unplayable, is this a normal side-effect and my machine is just to slow to handle it?

Running windowed would be awesome so hope can fix this.

Cheers.