CHAT TOPIC: Play the World Pre-release Chat with Firaxis
DATE: October 4th, 2002 4PM EST
This is part 2 of the edited chat log and covers the second hour of the chat. ------------------------------------------------------
[17:00] <@Chieftess> <MSgt_JD> Is there an option to turn off Great Leader generation anywhere in the game or in the editor?
[17:01] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> MSgt_JD: No
[17:01] <@Chieftess> <pesoloco> Which is your favorite of the new leaderheads?
[17:01] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> cgannon: I think improvements remain
[17:01] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> pseoloco: Genghis - modern
[17:01] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> PEscolo: Hannibal.
[17:01] <@Chieftess> Chieftess: Is Ghengis Khan's leader head still ugly like the preview shot?
[17:01] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> 10 minute warning
[17:01] <@theGreyFox> <arkammler> What are the ADM of all the new UU's?
[17:01] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> pesoloco: Ragnar
[17:01] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Chieftess: yes
[17:01] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> ark: Wait for the civ of the week promotion on Civ3.com
[17:01] <@Chieftess> <cavemanf16> Last question from me: Any chance Civ3 + PTW will get ported to any consoles or Linux?
[17:02] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> cave: No comment.
[17:02] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> what are some of the new worker actions
[17:02] <@Chieftess> [17:02] <ThePenguin> will there be any cheat codes?
[17:02] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Chieftess: Ugly is in the eye of the beholder...i.e. yes ;-)
[17:02] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Penguin: build new terrain imrpvoements comes to mind.
[17:02] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Penguin: A "debug mode" has been added to the editor for scenarios. There are several cheat codes enabled in "debug mode"
[17:02] <@theGreyFox> Pggar> Can I finally turn the Manhattan Project into a minor wonder?
[17:03] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Pggar: Yes!
[17:03] <@Chieftess> ohh, debug mode. :) A programmer's favorite. :D
[17:03] <@Chieftess> <mort72> will there be any anti aircraft capability before you get SAM defence
[17:03] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> PGGar: yes
[17:03] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> mort: No unit.
[17:03] <@Chieftess> <GRAWSS> How many different mods are there?
[17:03] <@theGreyFox> <lincoln> is there going to be a multi player server
[17:03] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> graws: over 40 maps, mods and scenarios
[17:03] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> lincoln: No.
[17:03] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> mort: Just intercept missions
[17:03] <@Chieftess> <RobOz> Will there be an option to try and get people to stop warring with each other (like in Alpha Centauri)?
[17:04] <@Chieftess> <RobOz> Once the expansion pack is released, which CD will the computer look for when loading? The PTW CD or the Civ 3 CD?
[17:04] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Rob: Not in PTW
[17:04] <@theGreyFox> GreyFox: Can we set up own Dedicated servers?
[17:04] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Rob: PTW>
[17:04] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Grey: No.
[17:04] <@Chieftess> <cgannon64> Question: Will you guys, and the rest on your team, play online alot?
[17:04] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Roboz: No and the PTW disk
[17:04] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> cgann: You bet.
[17:04] <@Chieftess> <gunning1> Overall, what is the best new civ.?
[17:04] <@theGreyFox> <hetairoi22> Has the techtree been changed any?
[17:05] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> gunning: I like Celts but others have differing opionion.s
[17:05] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> het: Not substantially.
[17:05] <@Chieftess> <Praetorian> Not all of are talented artist like the Firaxis people , is there a plce to get leader heads to use in our scenarios?
[17:05] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Scandinavia
[17:05] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> prae: Get the free learning addition of 3D Max and get to work!
[17:05] <@theGreyFox> what about Scandinavia? :p
[17:05] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Barry digs the vikings.
[17:05] <@Chieftess> <pesoloco> can you share any funny quotes from the diplomacy dialogs?
[17:05] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> 5 minute warning
[17:06] <@theGreyFox> OF course he does ;)
[17:06] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> sure hang on
[17:06] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Praetorian: There are lots of great resources right here on Civ Fanatics
[17:06] <@theGreyFox> <Hygro> I think I saw this before, but I didn't understand the answer: Will there be a Mac version and if so, how soon after the PC version will it be released?
[17:06] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> o "I will ignore your limp threats, $PLAYER0."
[17:06] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Civ of the week, 8 new Civs = 8 weeks, please say it isn't so
[17:06] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Hygro: Up to the publisher. Not currently
[17:07] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Warp: Was thinking about that too. Strange are the ways of marketing.
[17:07] <@theGreyFox> <cgannon64> Question: Has there been anything done to try to stop Settler Diahhera and Settler Constipation?
[17:07] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Cgan : it's still an effective tactic.
[17:07] <@Chieftess> <MSgt_JD> I'm guessing that there still won't be any 'campaign' scenarios packaged with PTW?
[17:08] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> msgt: Campaign?
[17:08] <@theGreyFox> <Hygro> Make sure the publisher knows that there is a demand for the Mac version
[17:08] <@Chieftess> <ssmith619> In Civilization II the space ship is much cooler. You can specifiy the amount of parts, etc. In Civilization III, it's standard and there is no variation. Is the space ship going to be edited for PTW?
[17:08] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> hygro: We did well with Civ3. MP presents an issue since we used DirectX.
[17:08] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> ssmith: No change inPTW.
[17:08] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> re- hetroids q: then how has it been changed?
[17:08] <@Chieftess> [17:08] <ThePenguin> are therer any explanations for why sometimes tiles turn to ocean due to global warming?
[17:09] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> ThePenguin: Buggy code?
[17:09] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> :)
[17:09] <@Chieftess> Erosion. :)
[17:09] <@Chieftess> <RobOz> Do you guys have any personal favorite terrain or graphic mods?
[17:09] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> er, yeah. Erosion. That's the ticket
[17:09] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Penguin: that is now fixed
[17:09] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> I dig warpstorms watercolor one quite a bit.
[17:10] <@Chieftess> <GRAWSS> Will unit making be any easier (like putting them into the game)
[17:10] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> roboz: Warpstorm's watercolor terrain and Snoopy's graphics are cool.
[17:10] <+Jeff_Morris_FIRAXIS> Well, guys that's it for me. Thanks a bunch for comingand thanks to CivFanatics for hosting this chat. See ya around!
[17:10] <@Chieftess> Bye Jeff!
[17:10] <@theGreyFox> GreyFox: I'm in a course where we write a Design Document at the moment (and also Develop that game), any Tips (on any part of the Developement, Design -->Programming)? [17:10] <@theGreyFox> oh no!
[17:11] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Greyfox: send Jeff an email
[17:11] <@Chieftess> <GRAWSS> Will unit making be any easier (like putting them into the game)
[17:11] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> or me
[17:11] <@Chieftess> I'm writing one for a game myself. :)
[17:11] <@theGreyFox> ok :p
[17:12] <@Chieftess> <gunning1> Will you have to pay money to play online or over e-mail, or whatever it is?
[17:12] <@theGreyFox> will send you a link to the game if it's ever complete aswell ;)
[17:12] * @theGreyFox needs more questions
[17:12] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Programming is unfortunately "rarely designed", unfortunately
[17:12] <@Chieftess> <ColdFever> the big gamesites (GameSpy, UGO...) did release many PTW previews - any chance that the big fansites (Apolyton,CivFanatics,civ3.de) sometimes also will be allowed to do (authorized) previews, so that they do not have to "borrow" screenshots and info from other sources?
[17:13] <@Chieftess> The Firaxians seem quiet...
[17:13] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Coldfever: That stuff is Marketing driven
[17:13] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> gunning: No, you don't have to pay to play online
[17:13] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Will Sn00py's graphics be included?
[17:13] <@theGreyFox> <MatrixCL> Ok... Who's the best player of Firaxis? Now be honest...
[17:13] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> No I'm not!
[17:13] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> ;-)
[17:14] <@Chieftess> <MSgt_JD> Can the korean UU (the 'hwacha') cause a Golden Age?
[17:14] <@theGreyFox> <RandomPasserby> The new UUs seem to have considerably more variety than the old civs and their simple, pumped-up-power UUs. Will there be any changes to existing UUs to make them as truly unique as some of the new ones that are coming in?
[17:14] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hmmm.... Javier and Pat (programmers on PTW) are both pretty good and Barry is good as well. Jeff's pretty good too
[17:15] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> So would you rather have HUGE PTW sales (huge bonus) OR world peace?
[17:15] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> Whats your favourite drink?
[17:15] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> anarchy: uh, world peace I guess.
[17:15] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Guinness
[17:16] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> yeah, the peace thingie
[17:16] <@Chieftess> <mrcoolbie> can you ask about selecting units by draging a box around them wiht the mouse?
[17:16] <@Chieftess> <Isak> So have you guys started working on PtW yet then ..? ;-)
[17:16] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> mrcoolbie: That didn't really seem to make sense the way the game works.
[17:16] <@theGreyFox> GreyFox: Mike: Any tip on good C++, and Game Programming Books? What's the best book on gameprogramming?
[17:16] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Water
[17:16] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> Aer you bored?
[17:16] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I'm Boring
[17:17] <@Chieftess> <Praetorian> I'm leaving now I would like to thank the Firaxians, and say " keep up the excellent work" CIV III cured me of the AoE disease!!
[17:17] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Isak: I guess we should get on that...
[17:17] <@theGreyFox> <GRAWSS> Will there be any lag in MP? [17:17] <@theGreyFox> of course sometimes :p Will the AI use armies more often?
[17:17] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> bye Praetorian
[17:17] <@Chieftess> Chieftess: FXS - I want to get into programming, but game testing seems a good first start. Any openings? ;)
[17:17] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> GreyFox: I don't have any good books specifically written for "game" programming. Bjarne Stroustroup's (sp?) C++ book is still the best on the language iitself. Books on structured programming and software engineering practices are useful though.
[17:18] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> are you angry at anarchyworksbest for pretending to be one of you and saying that PTW was canceled?
[17:18] <@Chieftess> (that question relates to anarchywrksbest impostering as Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS)
[17:18] <@Chieftess> :-)
[17:18] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Bah! I've been impersonated!
[17:18] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> GRAWSS: depends on your connection.
[17:18] <@Chieftess> <BlueStrider> My question: Some of the Fan Sites (CFC & Poly for example) have Civ3 Democracy Games. Have you heard of them and what are your opinions about them?
[17:18] <@theGreyFox> <VaderFLAG2> Do you find multiplayer games to be similar to or drastically different than a game vs the AI? What are the biggest changes you find you need to make in your gameplay?
[17:19] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> anarchy is no longer on my Christmas Card list
[17:19] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Blue: I think they are cool
[17:19] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Vader: So far I've only played a MP game with 4 humans vs 4 AI on deity. I got owned by the Arabs :(
[17:19] <@Chieftess> <pesoloco> are there any changes to the United Nations Wonder? such as forcing other civs to make peace with you?
[17:19] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> pesoloco: no
[17:19] <@theGreyFox> <Kryten4001> Grawss asked a question about whether unit making and adding them to the game would be easier. Did I miss the answer?
[17:20] <@Chieftess> <MSgt_JD> For my last question, will bombardment be changed to lethal by default?
[17:20] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Kryten4001: You still have to have all the art but the folder names are now in pediaicons.txt and mod mgmt. helps with finding your art
[17:20] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> MSgt_JD: No that's for editor-use only
[17:21] <@theGreyFox> <Hygro> there won't be big loading waits between turns on a A.I.less game, right? (only waits come from players moving I assume)
[17:21] <@theGreyFox> <cgannon64> Question: What is your favorite fan-made scenerio that made it into PTW?
[17:21] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Special Guest appearance by the Sombrero!
[17:21] <@Chieftess> <VaderFLAG2> Can you reveal the ADM on the guerilla unit?
[17:22] <@Chieftess> <VaderFLAG2> Can you reveal the ADM on the guerilla unit?
[17:22] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hygro: If you have AI you will still have some waits
[17:22] <+FXS_Sombrero> I have no +v and I must scream.
[17:22] <@theGreyFox> Guerilla: 6-6-1 right?
[17:22] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hey Sombrero, when are you going to update the faq?
[17:23] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> cgannon: that's a tough call...we are still finalizing assets. There are some really ambitious mods that will probably be included though.
[17:23] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Mike, is it true that you like beer?
[17:23] * @Chieftess Slides an Ice Cold Beer down the bar for Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS
[17:23] <+FXS_Sombrero> There's a home run pitch
[17:23] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Warpstorm: I can neither confirm nor deny that ;)
[17:23] <+FXS_Sombrero> Well Mike, I'm no longer the webmaster, so that's not really my responsibility any more.
[17:23] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Is it true that the Berserk is 6/2/1 amphibious and has no resource requirement?
[17:24] <@theGreyFox> <lincoln> ARE THERE ANY NEW TYPES OF MOVEMENT?
[17:24] <@theGreyFox> sorry about the caps
[17:24] <@Chieftess> <Octavian> Will it be possible to load regular Civ3 games with PTW?
[17:24] <+FXS_Sombrero> NO PROBLEM [17:24] <@theGreyFox> <MatrixCL> If there aren't that many questions anymore, please tell them they did it. I've had days and days that I did not sleep till 3AM... ;-)
[17:24] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Warpstorm: you seem to know quite a bit about these units :)
[17:24] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> warp: it also costs 70 now
[17:24] <+FXS_Sombrero> Let me guess, is that Uber?
[17:24] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> are there any new units coming out that are NOT UUs?
[17:24] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> propaganda, methinks
[17:25] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Matrix: Me too
[17:25] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Penguin: Medieval Infantry and Guerilla
[17:25] <+FXS_Sombrero> Guerilla r0x0rs
[17:25] <@Chieftess> <gunning1> who do you want to win the World Series
[17:25] <@theGreyFox> are all old units upgradeable to Guerilla?
[17:25] <+FXS_Sombrero> The Redskins, since they don't have a shot at winning anything else.
[17:25] <@Chieftess> The Redskins? They aren't a baseball team. :)
[17:25] <@Chieftess> <cgannon64> Question: Is there anywhere where we poor fans can find a list of the maps/scenerios in PTW? At Civ3.com, Gamespot, wherever? Or are you going to make it a surprise...
[17:25] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> gunning: the Ravens...Damn, Dan beat me to it
[17:25] <+FXS_Sombrero> They aren't much of a football team this year either.
[17:26] <@Chieftess> <ssmith619> Will there be modern barbarians?
[17:26] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> cgannon: surprise
[17:26] <@Chieftess> Neither are the Ravens. :)
[17:26] <@theGreyFox> <anarchywrksbest> Do the voices in your head ever tell you to kill? Mine do :|
[17:26] <@Chieftess> (except for that one quarter)
[17:26] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> cgannon: The final list of maps/mods/scenarios has not been decided yet
[17:26] <@Chieftess> <K7-8-1> My Question: Will there be any new weapons of mass destruction in PTW?
[17:26] <@theGreyFox> <anarchywrksbest> What was your FIRST ever game?? Mine was KwikSnak for the Amtsrad 464 ;)
[17:26] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> GreyFox: I think they all eventually upgrade to guerilla but I'm not sure
[17:27] <+FXS_Sombrero> first ever game...
[17:27] <@Chieftess> <RobOz> What games are you guys playing (besides your own)?
[17:27] <@theGreyFox> <SaphireHawk> what is up with the dinosaur stuff?
[17:27] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> anarchy: Parsec on the TI something
[17:27] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> anarchy: Pong
[17:27] <@Chieftess> Announcement: If you have a question, please ask one of the chat ops (Grey Fox, or Chieftess) in private chat. We will relay the questions to the Firaxians. To chat with one of the ops, doubleclick their name in the user window, or type 2 /privmsg [chat-op name] [question]3. Please try to refrain from asking questions to the Firaxians privately.
[17:27] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Roboz: NWN
[17:27] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Rob0z: Serious Sam, Robotech:Battlecry and Warcraft 3
[17:27] <+FXS_Sombrero> Probably breakout, on one of those old Atari things (pre-2600)
[17:27] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I played Pong in the arcade...;-)
[17:28] <@Chieftess> Anymore questions? I've got none.
[17:28] <@theGreyFox> <Hygro> yeah, speaking of modern barbarians... why aren't they in existence and will the be in PTW? (Even in Civ2 upgrading barbarians were not taken for granted--i loved them)
[17:28] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> K7: Aren't there enough already?
[17:28] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hygro: no
[17:29] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> Just wanted to let you guys know that i went out and bought a winbox for myself because of the game, though i still use my mac
[17:29] <@theGreyFox> <Wise> Is it possible to change a Hotseat player to an AI?
[17:29] <@Chieftess> <Hygro> once again whats the info about guerrillas? You fraxians won't answer...
[17:29] <+FXS_Sombrero> So you're like a reverse of the Mac switch commercials?
[17:29] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Wise: yes
[17:29] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Penguin: That's the ticket
[17:29] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hygro: What about guerillas?
[17:29] <@Chieftess> <Guest17886> can you ask about selecting units by draging around groups of them? selecting multiple types at once?
[17:29] <+FXS_Sombrero> Hygro: they are great units. All you need to know
[17:29] <@theGreyFox> <m_m_x> u can play pong with civ 3, just block the ai from both sides on narrow pass ,and see him move from side to side...:)
[17:30] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Hygro: somebody else did...6-6-1
[17:30] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> 6.6.1, Replaceable Parts required, cost 90. Most other units upgrade to them
[17:30] <@Chieftess> <RobOz> Will there be anymore game enhancements like Accelerated Production or the selecting or deslecting or certain victories (cultural, spaceship, etc.)?
[17:30] <@theGreyFox> <MatrixCL> Will the Firaxians participate much in various tournaments of fansites (CFC, Apolyton and others)?
[17:30] <+FXS_Sombrero> I made a chess map for Civ III.. but never finished it.. :S
[17:30] <@Chieftess> <Eklektikos-Away> care to give us any hints as to what you'll be working on next? a sequel to colonisation perhaps? (hint) ;-)
[17:30] <@Chieftess> <m_m_x> u can play pong with civ 3, just block the ai from both sides on narrow pass ,and see him move from side to side...:)
[17:30] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> You can make individual units exempt from support costs in the editor
[17:31] <+FXS_Sombrero> Eklektikos, no can do
[17:31] <@Chieftess> <gunning1> do you own any other gaming systems, if so, what are your favorite game/games for them
[17:31] <+FXS_Sombrero> strictly tight-lipped
[17:31] <+FXS_Sombrero> Wings and Defender of the Crown on the Amiga
[17:31] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> cgannon: PS2, Dreamcast, GameCube. Favorites: Tekken 2, 3, 4, Soul Calibur, Rogue Leader, Robotech, Driver...
[17:32] <@Chieftess> Chieftess: DoC was a favorite of mine too
[17:32] <@Chieftess> <Octavian> Will workers be absorbed into the consturction of airbases and radars?
[17:32] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> gunning: I just started playing Animal Crossing but I LOVE football games likeMadden and NCAA Football on the PS2
[17:32] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> I also have a C-64 but it's currently sitting in my closet
[17:32] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> no, im in an all mac lab where win is overpowered 4:1
[17:32] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Octavian: yes
[17:32] <@theGreyFox> Mike: Virtua Fighter 4 + Dead or Alive are much better then Tekken :)
[17:32] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> I have owned Civ2 for 6 years and looked for to Civ3 A LOT. But when i bought I felt 'slightly dissapointed' It is a great game but not a masterpiece. Do you feel that you have done a good job to live up to the Civ legacy??
[17:32] <+FXS_Sombrero> For the DC: I'm playing Virtual Tennis 2K2 right now.
[17:32] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> On C-64 I played Conan, Defender of the Crown , Wizard and Pirates
[17:32] <+FXS_Sombrero> Viva la Dreamcast!
[17:32] <@Chieftess> <BlueStrider> Will you finish your chess game and release it for the Civ3 players?
[17:32] <+FXS_Sombrero> C64 --- BRUCE LEE
[17:33] <@theGreyFox> <RandomPasserby> Is individual unit support just an on-off thing, or can you actually give them some sort of modifier that could either cancel out support cost or raise it on a unit-by-unit basis, perhaps even making units with negative support that generate money? (I dunno, could concievably be useful)
[17:33] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> GreyFox: I don't like VF and I didn't like the control DoA -- just the graphics
[17:33] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Random: on/off
[17:33] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> anarchy: I was a tester for multplayer gold and Test of Time and I believe Civ III is a worthy successor
[17:33] <+FXS_Sombrero> Strider, I'll try, I'm not a fantastic scenario maker.. but I am working on other projects in the studio and don't have a lot of time to devote to it :(
[17:33] <@Chieftess> <RobOz> Thanks a lot to both the Firaxians and the ops here at Civ Fanatics for their time. Civilization 3 is truly one of the best entertainment experiences of my life.
[17:34] <@theGreyFox> <SaphireHawk> Which is your favorite of the new Civs to play? [17:34] <@theGreyFox> Any plans to make another version of the extended game from Test of time?
[17:34] <+FXS_Sombrero> Personally I like Civ III a lot better than Civ II. [17:34] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Sapphire: Scandinavia or the Ottomans
[17:34] <@Chieftess> <AnarchyRulz> i heard that they were adding little guys next to bombard units like the cannon. is this true?
[17:34] <@theGreyFox> <Kryten4001> One last question: Will naval warfare have any improvements in PTW? [17:34] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Greyfox: not at present
[17:34] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> anarchy: yes
[17:35] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Anarchy: yes
[17:35] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> Whats your fave 'Point and Click' adventure? Mines Monkey Island 1!!
[17:35] <+FXS_Sombrero> Soren is legit
[17:35] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Day of the Tentacle!
[17:35] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> Maniac Mansion!
[17:35] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Mokey Island 1 and 2 are great too (I havent' played 3 yet)
[17:35] <+FXS_Sombrero> I am torn, the original Maniac Mansion was prolly my fave
[17:36] <@theGreyFox> Grim Fandango :) [17:36] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Yeah Maniac Mansion
[17:36] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Haven't played Grim Fandango yet either
[17:36] <@theGreyFox> <cgannon64> Firaxians: What is your favorite current console (XBox, GCN, PS2)?
[17:36] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I actually like the Monkey Island series the best
4[left] #civfanatics.
[17:36] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> GCN!!
[17:36] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Full Throttle was another good one
[17:36] <+FXS_Sombrero> cgannon: does the C64 count as a current console?
[17:36] <@theGreyFox> haha, sorry NGC
[17:37] <+FXS_Sombrero> That's uber for ya. [17:37] * @theGreyFox 's favourite: GameCube
[17:37] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> <Thinking Sombrero needs to get out more>
[17:37] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> Whats your fave 'Point and Click' adventure? Mines Monkey Island 1!!
[17:37] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> GameCube is my fav. but I only have 3 games for it (and only played one of them so far)
[17:37] <@Chieftess> 1Moderator Warning: Please do not constantly change your name in the chat room! [17:37] <@Chieftess> <AnarchyRulz> how big r the guys gonna be?
[17:37] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> gee, mike, what game would that be?
[17:37] <@Chieftess> (ignore the double question) :)
[17:38] <+FXS_Sombrero> If I had to pick one I'd go with the Gamecube just because the Xbox and PS2 are bloatware consoles IMHO.
[17:38] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> :)
[17:38] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> Day of the Tentacle!! Manic Mansion!! Yeah!!
[17:38] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I just bought a Gamecube, but I prefer my PS2
[17:38] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Purple Tentacle Rulez!!!
[17:38] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hoagy rules
[17:38] <@Chieftess> <ThePenguin> true or false- all the coding you guys do is on linux?
[17:38] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Sombrero please
[17:38] * @theGreyFox will get Mario Sunshine soon, it was released today in Sweden
[17:38] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> definietly false
[17:38] <+FXS_Sombrero> I already have a cd player and DVD player. And tivo. I don't want a "home entertainment device"
[17:38] <@Chieftess> <cgannon64> Now that Soren is here, can he answer AI questions? (If games are coming out for consoles, they are 'current').
[17:38] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> definitely
[17:38] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> what si lunix?
[17:38] <+FXS_Sombrero> Soren programs entirely in Visual Basic.
[17:39] <@Chieftess> VB!? :)
[17:39] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> sure
[17:39] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Penguin: Commodore Basic
[17:39] <+FXS_Sombrero> I'm the resident LOGO expert.
[17:39] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> yeah, Dan is our VB guru...
[17:39] <@Chieftess> <SaphireHawk> any new normal improvements?
[17:39] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> what's a "normal improvement"?
[17:39] <@Chieftess> <AnarchyRulz> did Sid do anything on this game?
[17:39] <@theGreyFox> <Hygro> VB? No wonder the AI has flaws! (j/k--A.I. is too smart for me--I play of Warlord)
[17:39] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Anarchy: he played it and offered suggestions
[17:39] <+FXS_Sombrero> There isn't a product that's made here that Sid doesn't contribute to.
[17:40] <@Chieftess> <Damnit_this_is_PROPAGANDA> Soren, care to answer my previous question of whether those government modifiers for attitude will be implemented? Have you thought it over?
[17:40] <@Chieftess> <SaphireHawk> let me clarify: any new city improvements that aren't wonders?
[17:40] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Hawk: Stock Exchange, Civil Defense, Commercial Dock
[17:40] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> the AI''s attitude towards government has not been significantly tweaked...
[17:41] <@Chieftess> <Damnit_this_is_PROPAGANDA> We talked about it in the previous Apolyton chat.
[17:41] <@theGreyFox> What do you guys think of Communism (in game)
[17:41] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> as to general AI changes... hmmm, they are more reluctant to trade away workers... will charge more for resources... that type of thing.
[17:41] <@Chieftess> <K7-8-1> Does Civ3/PTW support Dual CPU's? (SMP)
[17:41] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> K7: no
[17:41] <@theGreyFox> <anarchywrksbest> Why aren't you guys at work! Move!
[17:41] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> yeah, I remember... it's a good idea, but we were just too far in the dev cycle.
[17:41] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Greyfox: It's great when you're in a late game war.
[17:41] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Soren, why does the AI governor still emphasize food production even when pop growth is stalled due to lack of aquaduct/hospital (and will this change in PTW)?
[17:42] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> anarchy: we ARE at work. The lag between answers is because I'm fixing bugs :)
[17:42] <@theGreyFox> Monarchy is better for me ;)
[17:42] <@Chieftess> <SaphireHawk> do you guys ever play on a world map?
[17:42] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> comm is good for late war and for a civ with cities all over the map (although not necessarily a lot of cities...)
[17:42] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> afk
[17:42] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> a comm with a bunch of cities all with courthouses/police stations is actually quite strong.
[17:42] <@theGreyFox> Communism just destroys for me :)
[17:42] <@Chieftess> <Damnit_this_is_PROPAGANDA> A possible entry for the wishlist, maybe?
[17:42] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> the challenge is getting it to that point.
[17:42] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> SaphireHawk: yes
[17:43] <@theGreyFox> <ThePenguin> Whats your favortie mods to play civ with?
[17:43] <@Chieftess> <AnarchyRulz> is there gonna be another expansion?
[17:43] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> SaphireHawk: But I prefer random maps
[17:43] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> prop: yep
[17:43] <@Chieftess> <anarchywrksbest> I haven't played Civ3 for......four months! What does PTW offer that will change my mind??
[17:44] <+FXS_Sombrero> Let's finish this one first before we think about others Anarchy :)
[17:44] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Penguin: Ilike DYP, the Balancer, and TETurkhan's new mod
[17:44] <@Chieftess> <RandomPasserby> As far as the AI goes, any changes to the AI's handling of artillery vs. land units (it seems to completely ignore the possibility that it can, in fact, actually direct bombardment at them at all) and the AI's complete refusal to trade cities regardless of how much you offer?
[17:44] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> penguin: i like Trip's Civil War Scenario, the Warlord (forget who made it), and Warpstorm's terrain.
[17:44] <@theGreyFox> <Kryten4001> Will the 'infinite' railway movement be changed one day into something a bit more...realistic?
[17:44] <+FXS_Sombrero> I like Trip's civil war mod and Snoopy's terrain, looking forward to BeBro's X-Com mod
[17:45] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> trading cities is not changing as that was too much of an exploit...
[17:45] <@Chieftess> <RandomPasserby> As far as the AI goes, any changes to the AI's handling of artillery vs. land units (it seems to completely ignore the possibility that it can, in fact, actually direct bombardment at them at all) and the AI's complete refusal to trade cities regardless of how much you offer?
[17:45] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Kryten: That's a civ staple
[17:45] <@Chieftess> ignore that one. :)
[17:45] <@Chieftess> Announcement: If you have a question, please ask one of the chat ops (Grey Fox, or Chieftess) in private chat. We will relay the questions to the Firaxians. To chat with one of the ops, doubleclick their name in the user window, or type 12 /privmsg [chat-op name] [question]3. Please try to refrain from asking questions to the Firaxians privately.
[17:45] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> as for artillery... not sure. haven't fiddled with that stuff in a while
[17:45] <@theGreyFox> <Hygro> how come cruise missiles are so weak? I mean in terms of cost/usage/range/firepower?
[17:45] <@Chieftess> double question.
[17:45] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> back
[17:46] <@Chieftess> <Wise> What all is new in the editor? Diplomacy? Events?
[17:46] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I have seen the AI use artillery more effectively, but that may be just my impression
[17:46] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> hygro: cruise missiles are the only artillery units which can kill other units (well, besides nukes), so they are not as weak as normally thought.
[17:46] <@Chieftess> <Damnit_this_is_PROPAGANDA> Communism is actually underrated. If you're the builder-type, you can work on improvements and once Communism comes, you'll have maybe 15 uber-productive cities, if you looked after them well enough.
[17:46] <@theGreyFox> <MatrixCL> Will the Firaxians participate much in various tournaments of fansites (CFC, Apolyton and others)? [17:47] <@Chieftess> Nice plug Matrix. ;)
[17:47] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Matrix: If I can use a debug build ;-)
[17:47] <+FXS_Sombrero> Matrix I'm sure we will all try to fit those into our schedules if we're given advance notice.
[17:47] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Soren, why does the AI governor still emphasize food production even when pop growth is stalled due to lack of aquaduct/hospital (and will this change in PTW)?
[17:47] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Wise there are a lot of new things in the editor: time line control, x/y map wrapping, operation range increase, debug mode, combining of wonder/small wonder abils, impassable terrain, support exemption for units, increased map size (but no diplomacy or events)
[17:48] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> warp: actually, once the food box is full the AI govs stop emphasizing food if there is no acquduct/hospital.
[17:48] <@Chieftess> <doenerman> will there be a multiplayer demo before the addon is out ?
[17:48] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> doenerman: don't know
[17:48] <@Chieftess> <VaderFLAG2> What is your favorite PTW multiplayer mode (each of you) - capture the flag, elimination, etc - and why?
[17:48] <@theGreyFox> <Kryten4001> To FXS_Speed_Bump: just because 'infinite' railroad movement has always been in the civ series doesn't mean it's right (or desired). ;)
[17:49] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Vader: Turnless because it's speedy
[17:49] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Kryten: some concessions have to be made to the legacy ;-)
[17:49] <@Chieftess> <AnarchyRulz> When can we expect the unit packs?
[17:49] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Anarchy: You can expect the unit packs to be on the PTW disk
[17:49] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Vader: Regicide so I can hunt down Gandhi
[17:49] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> recently, we've been playing simulatneous games against deity AI...
[17:50] <@Chieftess> <Hygro> regarding infinite railways--it is realistic--In 1 year, you could get anywhere by rail
[17:50] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> That's fun
[17:50] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Yeah, playing against four deity players can be tough though.... :(
[17:50] <@Chieftess> <cgannon64> Don't mean to annoy you, Firaxians, but why won't diplomacy options be in the editor? They are very important to historical scenerios. Was it too hard to program, or just overlooked?
[17:50] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> Mike's civ has "issues"
[17:50] <@theGreyFox> <Kryten4001> To FXS_Speed_Bump: does that mean we can have civil wars back?. Ha Ha Ha!
[17:50] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> cgannon: it all comes down to time
[17:50] <@Chieftess> <Wise> Theoretically can you play a game in hotseat set up the diplomacy turn everyone to AI and have a >SAV Scenario?
[17:51] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Good idea Wise
[17:51] <@Chieftess> <Damnit_this_is_PROPAGANDA> Soren or Mike, what do you think of "Public Works" ala CTP2? DO you think it's better in some ways than the current worker-system? If so, any possibility of maybe implementing this somehow later in production(i.e. 2nd XP)?
[17:51] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Prop: never playerd CTP2
[17:52] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Soren, I can show you many saves that would invalidate that hypothesis (AI switches form food production) ;)
[17:52] <@Chieftess> <VaderFLAG2> re: the games vs diety - Do you all team up vs the AI's? How have you guys been faring?
[17:52] <@theGreyFox> <Isak> To MikeB: How much time (rough estimate) would you need to implement your wishlist?
[17:52] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Isak: To give a fair estimate, I'd have to stop adding things to it. ;)
[17:52] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> well, it is definitely different... i can see the advantages (of PW), but in my mind, workers are one of the few core civ concepts, so we kept them
[17:53] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Vader: us against them...it's very tough but a good challenge
[17:53] <@theGreyFox> <Kryten4001> To Hydro: in 1 year you get anywhere in the world by sea, let alone by rail. ;)
[17:53] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> vader: we team up... we've been winning (it's 4 on 4
[17:53] <@Chieftess> <RandomPasserby> Am I correct in assuming that when you say great/small wonder abilities are combined that improvements still can't be given any wonder effects?
[17:53] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Vader: The four humans as a group are doing pretty well, but I'm getting owned. My territory is like a small part of the Arabs' territory :(
[17:54] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Random: that's right
[17:54] <@Chieftess> <cgannon64> Follow-up: When you say it all comes down to time, are you hinting at a patch, or another expansion with diplo options?
[17:54] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> warp: well, it's a tricky issue. If you could show me that the ai would choose a flood plain over a square with a shield when it hits its pop limit and it's food box is full, i'd take a look at that.
[17:54] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> cgannon: that's a possibility but I can't say for sure
[17:54] <@Chieftess> <Wise> I have posted it twice but itr has been overlooked ;)
[17:54] <@Chieftess> <AnarchyRulz> what were some other names you thought of for the expansion?
[17:55] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Civ III: Barry is the GREATEST!!!
[17:55] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> managing squares is a unique challenge, and so we often choose a conservative route (to avoid any possibility of the AI starving itself...)
[17:55] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> Civ III: Build More Cities!
[17:55] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Civ III: I R l33t
[17:55] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> ;-)
[17:55] <+FXS_Sombrero> As a general thing, can I just say that we really have thought of a LOT of the features that you guys are asking for, at one time or another. I've personally bugged Mike and added more stuff to his wishlist than I'm sure either of us care to admit.
[17:56] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> Civ III: Soren's Culture Flipping!
[17:56] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I like that one
[17:56] <+FXS_Sombrero> But like Mike said, it always comes down to time, and what provides the greatest benefit to the most number of customers.
[17:56] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Get marketing on the phone
[17:57] <@theGreyFox> <Some_God> to Anyone, In the middle-late part of the game everything becomes so easy. Once you start a war A HUGE pack of enemy units comes at you from one square. That makes everything boring and takes away strategy ( movement of units everywhere ) Thats the main reason y I stopped playing Civ3 for a while. Will you have a limit on how much units can be in one square (stack) ?
[17:57] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> Civ III: Give Spearmen A Chance!
[17:57] <+FXS_Sombrero> I wanted to call the game Civ III: m@x1mum 0wn@g3!!11
[17:58] <@Chieftess> <Damnit_this_is_PROPAGANDA> Well, to explain it, in CTP2, you set a certain ammount of money into Public Works, which is basically like the worker-system, except there are no workers on screen. Depending on much you spend, it'll take either faster or slower to produce that improvement(i.e. farms, roads, mines).
[17:58] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> some_god: i have worked on that to encourage the ai to spread out it's attack force... sometimes it happens naturally though if there is a terrain bottleneck
[17:58] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> I can attest to the fact that the AI does split it's stacks and attack from different sides now
[17:59] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> So do the barbarians :(
[17:59] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Yeah
[17:59] <@Chieftess> Chieftess: I've had 2 barb stacks attack from both sides of my civ once. :)
[17:59] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> prop: our general design philosophy is to try not to abstract too much information to not scare away new users. we prefer to have units DO things. make the game more concrete
[17:59] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> but i do understand the management benefits
[17:59] <+FXS_Sombrero> Civ III: the Spreadsheet Edition (now with Clippy!)
[18:00] <+Mike_Breitkreutz_FIRAXIS> But then there are the players who like to micromanage every little aspect of the game...
[18:00] <@Chieftess> <Warpstorm> Is there a joint victory condition or is it always every man (woman) for himself (herself)?
[18:00] <@theGreyFox> <Some_God> Well last time I checked I was playing with version 1.21 or something like that. Is it fixed with the newer patch?
[18:00] <+Soren_Johnson_Firaxis> barbs are much more a pain in the A@@ in PtW
[18:00] <+FXS_Speed_Bump> Maybe we could also have a war department and then we wouldn't have to move all those darn units...