Where is Civ 4 developmentwise anyway?

[riadsala]

Have they started work? Or planning to start work? Is it 1 year, 2 years, 5 years down the line. Or is it yet unplanned and we're all making suggestings for osmething that might not happen?

Just curious.

 

[warpstorm]

Well, at Soren's GDC presentation back in March he said they were already playing MP games in the office.

 

[sealman]

i heard a release timeframe of fall/winter 2005. Of course, I have no clue where I heard that so I can not comment on its value.

 

[Jake5555555]

You'd think that if they were already playing it we would see screen shots.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Think Winter 05 as a release date. So a bit over a year.

Games usually don't have anything near final graphics that far from release, which is why there's no screenshots. Screenshots now wouldn't show how the game would eventually look anyways. Placeholder graphics, changed graphics, etc. would all give people a bad impression of the game.

 

[Sirian]

You'd think that if they were already playing it we would see screen shots.

Why would you think that?

I would not expect to see screen shots until the graphics are mature. How will they know which graphics to spend time on unless they decide what features, units, etc are in or out? Be awfully wasteful to do all the art up front then not use half of it. Right?

Fall 2005? Enh, maybe. Firaxis has never been one to overdo the hype, so if they come out with something official... Well, even then, it still won't matter, right? It's done when it's done. Play something else in the mean time.

(Shameless Plug)You could always come over to Realms Beyond and play a Civ3 Epic tournament game. No greater variety of Civ3 fare available elsewhere!(/Shameless Plug)


When is Pirates coming out? There was buzz about it at E3, but I haven't heard much lately. Gosh, I haven't played Pirates in fifteen years. Should be good fun to play the updated version.


- Sirian

 

[dh_epic]

If they're already allegedly playing quick MP games, then it could be sooner than we think. A lot of games, particularly franchise players, will take about 2 years. If they're already at that stage, I think late 2005 seems fair, if not early 2006. But I'm only speculating based on what I've seen of other companies.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Soren said they were playing 4 hour MP games. I don't know about you, but in 4 hours in MP isn't quick in my book.

Fall 2005? Enh, maybe. Firaxis has never been one to overdo the hype, so if they come out with something official... Well, even then, it still won't matter, right? It's done when it's done. Play something else in the mean time.

But I want to play it now!

 

[Sirian]

Why would you want to play it now? If it's not finished, it would probably crash a lot, right? And there would be features missing. Imagine playing with half the units, half the art, and half the AI. Probably cool just to see those bits, but hardly a playable game yet.

I know, I know. You don't want to play it now the way it probably is now, but the way it will be when it's been released and patched a couple of times. Well, sure, but that version doesn't exist yet.

You can come to Realms Beyond and play Master of Orion while you wait.


- Sirian

 

[Jon Shafer]

Yeah, I guess it wouldn't play too well, especially on my old machine. And imagine the bugs.

 

[riadsala]

Fall 2005? Enh, maybe. Firaxis has never been one to overdo the hype, so if they come out with something official... Well, even then, it still won't matter, right? It's done when it's done. Play something else in the mean time.

Well, I'm in no rush for civ4. Still got to master civ3. I was just curious after finding this forum. I've been playing civ since the first game (a friend had it on his amega, and I loved it so went and got a copy for my dad's pc, back in the day you know).

Once I re-remember some tactics, I'll join in some multiplayer games. promose

 

[Stid]

is there any link to sorens presentation availiable? it sounds like it might be iteresting

 

[teccuk]

Grrrr, I want screenshots! Just one!

 

[BigBirdZ28]

omg i hate these threads, just reading our thoughts on what we want from Civ4 (read: thinking about Civ) & I desperately want to preorder one from somewhere !!!