[NFP] Was Frontier Pack a success for you?

[Disgustipated]

In your opinion was Frontier pass worth it? Would you like to see content like that in the future for Civ6 or Civ7? What are you thoughts on this type of content?

I'm divided over it. I'm happy for any new content. But I still feel a proper expansion pack would be more balanced, and the AI would better be able to use the features of the new content. Not that R&F and GS were optimized for the AI to use that content, but it's significantly better than the Frontier pass content. That said, if the choice was between Frontier pass and nothing at all, I would chose Frontier pass of course. But I would have been okay for waiting for a proper expansion pack to be ready as well. The other upside of this type of content, is the developers seem a little more in contact with the community and responsive to what the community wants (like the barbarian game mode). With the expansion packs we had long periods of time with no word from Firaxis.

I know we still have one more release, so you may argue it's a little early for this poll, but I think we get the gist of what kind of content we'll be getting at this point. I don't expect any big surprises. It's an open poll and you can change your votes if you like.

 

[Villager720]

I liked a lot of the content and how they approached the implementation, namely the optional game modes.
(I wish some of the features in past expansions could be toggled on and off in a similar fashion.)
The new Civs generally were interesting and had more innovative designs in their play styles.

But.
There was a distinct lack of polish felt in nearly every patch. Leader models with reused animations, bad clipping, ...shiny, disconcerting lips... and game modes accompanied with a plethora of bugs and exploits.

I will always want more content but at this point it’s beginning to feel like it’s coming at the cost of cohesion and quality.
Hopefully they rectify these issues before they move on to further additional content or a new game, because in my honest opinion, CIV 6 now feels like the least polished game of the main franchise.

Which leaves me not sure if I would opt to pay the same quantity of money again for substandard quality.


TLDR:
Ideas/concepts 9/10
Implementation/quality 4/10

 

[Zaarin]

I agree with the above post. The lack of polish, overly ambitious designs that fell short, and substandard assets have kept me from really enjoying NFP and have actually lowered my enjoyment of the overall game. I would not buy an additional pass without assurances it would be of considerably higher quality.

 

[AntSou]

I voted above average but very enthusiastically would love more content like this in the future

 

[Isengardtom]

I mostly agree. I think the devs gave themselves a deadline that was maybe a bit too tight so the polish suffered.

I still enjoyed the content though. It was a welcome thing these last 12 months. It’s good to have (small) things to look forward to

 

[Duke William of Normandy]

Above average for me.

 

[Elhoim]

If this is their business plan for Civ VII instead of expansions, would definitely not buy it at full price like I did with both expansions.

 

[Tigranes]

Yes. It was a good strategy to keep me waiting for new updates and fixes, some of which never came or were underwhelming. But here I am, playing Civ6 again...

 

[canadamufc]

Oh boy. I really was disappointed by NFP. I agree with what others have said, there is a plethora of bugs in the game. I don't play with leader animations, but even I can see how dreadful they are.

Every patch has new bugs, and it's starting to take a toll on stuff that is enjoyable. It's like they don't playtest it, they spend too much time focusing on new concepts and leaders and ignore the bugs that have been left behind. I truly believe that this pass is NOT worth 40$ at it's current state, and that it would have been better to wait.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

I'd definitely pay for more content, no matter the implementation. That being said I voted above average because not everything was perfect but overall it was a positive experience.

 

[Wizard-Bob]

Above average for me. Plenty of new things to tinker with. I'm not a deity player, so balance issues have not been a detractor for me.

 

[bite]

Look, most of the game modes fell a bit flat for me, but everything else landed so I am happy

 

[InsidiousMage]

The new civs, leaders, wonders, city-states, Great People, and balance updates are overall pretty good to great but the game modes are generally mediocre and underwhelming. So, basically, all of the pre-existing stuff that has been in the game so far is good and the new add-ons not so much. The release schedule did not do anyone any favors so if Firaxis does do another Pass they either need to get a massive lead so they can properly polish and test or make the time span between releases longer for the same reason. Covid is obliviously a major factor with these issues but some of the new games concepts definitely needed some refining (how the Monopolies and Corporations mode became a giant tourism modifier will baffle me till the end of my days).

While I understand the desire to make the game modes optional, it felt like that decision weakened the NFP overall even though everything else was good and worth the price of admission alone. By making them optional they were not properly integrated into the game, with Secret Societies being a good example with first too many governor titles and then not enough plus the third and fourth promotions not being that great, especially the fourth for most of the Societies. And, of course, the game modes are basically for the players only and the AI can't handle them properly so it starts to feel like cheating. I gave up on Dramatic Ages within a week of release because the AI could not handle it and in one game on a large map both Germany and Mali were basically gone by the beginning of the Medieval Age. One fifth of the civs gone before halfway into game is ridiculous. The problem with Cultists is well known. NFP suffers from Jack of All Trades, Master of None. The stuff Firaxis has experience designing turned out good and the stuff they didn't not so much, which make sense. Hopefully the NFP was a good learning experience for Firaxis and any future attempts will be done better.

 

[tedhebert]

I don't dislike the format. But a monthly release is clearly something they can't sustain and correctly deliver on.

If they went on a release every two month I'd be willing to go for it again

 

[AntSou]

Look, most of the game modes fell a bit flat for me, but everything else landed so I am happy

I just noticed you've evolved to yellow colour.

Congrats, your power to have Firaxis make big announcements while you're asleep has now doubled!

 

[blackcatatonic]

The new Civs were fun, and the game modes added a bit of flavour for a game or two, but in the end I think what I really wanted was more in-depth changes and improvements to the game beyond what these superficial add-on patches were ever going to provide.

 

[Leucarum]

The scenarios and Babylon were the low points for me. Zero interest in any of the scenarios and Babylon was a gimmick instead of a civ I was looking forward to. But the highs were very high. I love the different games you can create by mixing and matching modes, all the NFP civs except Babylon (and the bland Gran Colombia) are among my favourites...

It would have been nice if they erred a little more on the conservative side for balance since presumably testing was shorter... but hopefully they will get there... And I really liked this method of content delivery. Would for sure buy more

 

[Noble Zarkon]

There was a distinct lack of polish felt in nearly every patch. Leader models with reused animations, bad clipping, ...shiny, disconcerting lips... and game modes accompanied with a plethora of bugs and exploits.

In any evaluation like this you have to remember most of the NFP content came out during a global pandemic which has undoubtedly affected some things!

I voted outstanding, I think the regular releases have been good for the game and for the discussions here at civ fanatics!!

 

[The googles do nothing]

The highlights for me are Industries & Corporations even without the balance patch, Pirates and Barbarian Mode if that can be included as they are free, and Disasters with the main issue being my laptop really slows down once the map starts filling it up so i don't play it that often. I like the Preserve district when i'm patient enough to remember to use it.

Babylon was a gimmick instead of a civ I was looking forward to.

I realized when reading one of the balance threads that the 100% Eureka ability should have been a mode which gave it to all the civs. That would keep those who enjoy it happy and we could get a more thematic Babylon, or one that at least doesn't break the game.

 

[Zaarin]

Looking at the results, I'm not surprised that "Above Average" is leading; I would expect most people to be mildly satisfied even if I am not. That being said, two things do surprise me: I am surprised there are any votes for Outstanding, NFP's flaws being considerable even if you do enjoy the content, and I'm also very surprised there are no votes for Horrible, this being the internet and all.

Babylon was a gimmick instead of a civ I was looking forward to.

That would keep those who enjoy it happy and we could get a more thematic Babylon, or one that at least doesn't break the game.

I will take this opportunity to once again plug Port Limes Babylon Overhaul. It does a wonderful job of taking a gimmick civ and making something flavorful out of it.