It's always a different civ team. I don't think they've kept the same lead designer for two civ games in a row. It's clear in this game they've failed to learn the lessons they should have done from the previous game, though.
Even when vanilla Civ 5 was dire on release it still managed to keep more interest. It was beautiful and appealed to the historical aspect that gave people chills since the first Civ. BE is an assault to the eyes and just tedious clicking so many times to change production queues and so on. And there aren't any flavours of different civs. No Montezuma or Ghandi or Elizabeth.
I'm done. I put 323 hours into BE before the patch. I admit the game had problems, but I was still having fun. But if with a single patch Firaxis can so dramatically affect my game experience, damned if I've got any more time or money for them as a company. From now on I'm sticking to companies like Blizzard who polish their games to perfection, or companies willing to experiment like Amplitude Studios. By now Firaxis should have polished the Civ franchise to radiance, but they've caught the disease of Maxis it seems.
There is no peak after the patch. that is strange.
Seems like hardly anybody returned. hm....
The casual crowd moved on to the next game without looking back.
Yes, this is a fundamental problem with BE. I am also old enough to remember the AC release and it was a problem there too. There is very little in the futuristic setting to really hook you in like there is in a historical one. Discovering The Wheel, Iron Working or Democracy or being able to build a University or a Tank actually feels significant because of the historical context. Discovering Supernanostealthrobomechanics or being able to build a futuristic-looking vehicle with a bigger gun than the last futuristic-looking vehicle just isn't so interesting.
I wouldn't call myself part of the casual crowd, but I've felt no desire to play BE again now the patch is out...maybe one day.
Disagree about SMAC, it had tons of atmosphere and each faction was unique and had character. And whilst there was little difference between a 4 laser and a 6 laser, there were technological leaps that gave you huge advantages - needlejets, choppers, drop pods
I'm done. I put 323 hours into BE before the patch. I admit the game had problems, but I was still having fun. But if with a single patch Firaxis can so dramatically affect my game experience, damned if I've got any more time or money for them as a company. From now on I'm sticking to companies like Blizzard who polish their games to perfection, or companies willing to experiment like Amplitude Studios. By now Firaxis should have polished the Civ franchise to radiance, but they've caught the disease of Maxis it seems.
I spent 190 hours on it in 5 weeks. I feel a bit ripped.
Now adays you are vary lucky if you can get 15+ hours out of a new game. I know that isn't what you meant really just saying I would say you got your money worth.