Will we be able to end a multi-player match, save it, then resume our match later?

[jarswift]

I was wondering if you'll be able to quit a multi-player match with your friends halfway through, save it, then continue your match later on with them? As it is now, I play with a group of friends after work most nights, but we really don't play for more than an hour or so.

I understand that there are some very quick versions of gameplay that are possible, but I'm thinking that the more meticulous gameplay options are going to be the most enjoyable, so I was hoping there would be some kind of multi-player game save feature. thank you.

[Agrolyte]

This is a very good question and definitely something i've been wondering about too.
When it comes to multiplayer in a game like this it's simply a must to have this kind of feature!!
Surely, not all people will be able to use 4-5 hours in a row, which a game of this type easily requires.

So here's hoping that this kind of feature is implemented from the start :)

[Jason2K]

We do not support save/resume. You can however drop out and have the A.I. take over for you, then come back later.

[Agrolyte]

Do you have any idea if a save/resume feature will be implemented in a future patch?

And how come you haven't implemented such a feature in the first place? You must have discussed this at a board meeting or something :p

[2K Elizabeth]

Do you have any idea if a save/resume feature will be implemented in a future patch?

And how come you haven't implemented such a feature in the first place? You must have discussed this at a board meeting or something :p

one of the great things about the Civilization Revolution multiplayer matches is that they are designed to be a one-sitting game. you won't find yourself needing to save!

[Agrolyte]

Sounds great! But it altso sounds like those multiplayer-matches are going to be rather short. I've also read that the maps aren't that large, so you'll bump in to your opponents relatively fast. Not that this is a bad thing - but what drove you to take the multiplayer in that direction?

In a future upgrade I think it would be awesome to introduce larger maps - maybe even world-size maps, cause I kind of get the feeling that the present ones won't be that large?

[oriley]

They said they would be releasing downloadable content for both the PS3 and XB360 so larger maps / different scenarios are definitely possible (and probable honestly). So I'm not worried. This gives room for expansion packs aswell! They would probably cost money but hell.. i'd probably pay.

[GreenBeretDelta]

I think they should enable the save resume feature just for private matches.

[Magwill]

I think they should enable the save resume feature just for private matches.

I don't think there even are any private matches. Can we get a confirmation?

[BioShockWins]

I don't think there even are any private matches. Can we get a confirmation?

Well if there is multiplayer, that IS how most Xbox games work.

[Bulldog_PS3]

I don't think there even are any private matches. Can we get a confirmation?


From what I understand,besides online multiplayer, there is no "hotseat" option :( , but you will be able to play lan games between 2 or more PS3's, Xbox's, DS's. And also the single player campaigns and "GOTW", and probably any configuration of the multiplayer options can be played single player against computer AI. Oh, and I am sure you can password protect your online matches, at least I think I heard them say that or read it somewhere.

[Jason2K]

From what I understand,besides online multiplayer, there is no "hotseat" option :( , but you will be able to play lan games between 2 or more PS3's, Xbox's, DS's. And also the single player campaigns and "GOTW", and probably any configuration of the multiplayer options can be played single player against computer AI. Oh, and I am sure you can password protect your online matches, at least I think I heard them say that or read it somewhere.

That's pretty accurate.

You can create a game and then keep it locked to only people you invite (that's a private game).

We do not support single-console multiplayer. We do support LAN play on PS3/360/DS for local multiplayer.

[Man-Bear-Pig]

I was wondering if you'll be able to quit a multi-player match with your friends halfway through, save it, then continue your match later on with them? As it is now, I play with a group of friends after work most nights, but we really don't play for more than an hour or so.

I understand that there are some very quick versions of gameplay that are possible, but I'm thinking that the more meticulous gameplay options are going to be the most enjoyable, so I was hoping there would be some kind of multi-player game save feature. thank you.

There's a great answer to why there is not a save game option for multiplayer on the official site (http://www.civilizationrevolution.com/). This is a quote taken directly from Podcast 3: Multiplayer in Civilization Revolution...

"We found in Civ 4 when we allowed this, essentially if a game was saved it would rarely be continued. It would basically be the end of the game. So we did feel we were getting a lot of value out of that. Also, the logistical complexity of getting that same group of people together, getting your friends together at the same time and saying “Let’s load up the game and start it all over again…” It didn’t seem to make a lot of sense. It seemed overly complicate. It almost seemed like an option that a lot of people wouldn’t tend to use. Especially considering that the games are drastically shortened."
-- Dan McGary, programmer

Probably isn't the response you wanted to hear, jarswift, but part of me agrees with Dan. Can't tell you how many Civ IV sessions I've abandoned because I couldn't remember what I was doing after leaving a game for a week or two, and just starting a new game from the beginning. The other part of me wants the option to save the multiplayer game, because there will always be a reason to save and resume later.

[koos167]

Dear Jason2K (or Elizabeth or somebody who actually knows),

In referenced to Bulldog_PS3's statement regarding the lack of "hotseat" Jason stated:
That's pretty accurate. . . We do not support single-console multiplayer.
But in a different thread you stated:
1) Yep, we should support hot seat.

It's possible, even likely, that these statements aren't as conflicting as they seem, as single-console multiplayer might only refer to the odd "everyone-goes-at-once" thing you guys have going on for this version of Civ that I'm not really concerned about. It would make sense that you couldn't do that for multiple civs on the same console. However, as Bulldog_PS3 specifically mentions the lack of "hotseat" in a post you claim is "pretty accurate", I just wanted to follow up and get a clear and succinct confirmation: local, single-console hotseat, yes or no? If yes, will hotseat entail only versus, only cooperative or both?

I'm very curious about this, because if my wife and I can't play hotseat, either in co-op or versus, I can't imagine we'll end up getting the game, despite having recently purchased an XBox360 entirely for this game and Rock Band (based on the fact that you scrapped the Wii version of this game and the Wii version of Rock Band does not have DLC).

Thanks for the heads up,
Marcus

[Jason2K]

It's possible, even likely, that these statements aren't as conflicting as they seem

No, they're completely conflicting. :)

Check the dates - one was made last October, one was made last week.

We were going to support it, but it was dropped during development. It happens.

Sorry!

[koos167]

We were going to support it, but it was dropped during development. It happens.

Sorry!

I was going to buy your game, but now I'm not. It happens.

Sorry!

Please let me know if a version of Civ comes out that real people can actually play together, okay? Because not everyone only has online friends.

[Masterofkills09]

[QUOTE=koos167;272837]I was going to buy your game, but now I'm not. It happens.

Sorry!










OH! That was a burn!!

[2K Elizabeth]

I was going to buy your game, but now I'm not. It happens.

Sorry!

Please let me know if a version of Civ comes out that real people can actually play together, okay? Because not everyone only has online friends.

you can play on a DS with multiple DSes in the same room, or if you want, multiple consoles in the same room. just not same-screen.

[BoxOfMonkeys]

This is really interesting - from what I have read in this thread you could play a LAN game between a player using an X360 and a player using a DS - is that right? Are the DS / PS3 / X360 versions of the game all compatible across LAN regardless of the hardware?

I was disappointed by the lack of hotseat option - it's hard to justify two consoles, two TV's etc - but I do have a DS on the wireless network so could play X360 vs DS.

Can someone confirm this or tell me I'm barking up the wrong tree?

[Mike Swiznofski]

You misinterpreted, they wont go cross platform so you can only link up with the platform you have the game for.

[frank_littleff]

I was going to buy your game, but now I'm not. It happens.

Sorry!

Please let me know if a version of Civ comes out that real people can actually play together, okay? Because not everyone only has online friends.

lol. Wow, petty sour grapes or what... you and your qife could just sit and talk. Or go for a walk. Or go to the theatre or read books or many other things. Not sure why so much bitterness because one game won't let you play together.

Weird post. Weird issue.




And with regards to the saving MP games. So if we're playing MP and you decvide you've had a good hour now fancy saving the game and doing something else, what do the other 3 players who are playing that MP game do?

[WebDaemon]

I was going to buy your game, but now I'm not. It happens.

Sorry!

Please let me know if a version of Civ comes out that real people can actually play together, okay? Because not everyone only has online friends.

I agree with you. I live in a Studio Apartment and own a PS3 and 52" HDTV, I would LOVE to have split screen multiplayer because it is just not feasible for me to go out and buy a Second HDTV, a Second PS3, and find a place in my apartment to put it.

I believe I will still get the game, but this SERIOUSLY detracts from the game because I cannot play with my friends and family.

I would like the option to play with or against your in-house companion. But I would settle for simply co-op play.

I planned to go and get the game as soon as doors opened tomorrow, but now I am hesitant.

I am a die-hard Civ fan and I overlooked the obvious differences between normal Civ games and this one. I agree that some sacrifices needed to be made to have this game succeed in the ways you wanted but one thing I, and many others, would like for you to reconsider is the in-house multiplayer option.

I believe your game will succeed much more if you were to add this option.

[Santoron]

I agree with you. I live in a Studio Apartment and own a PS3 and 52" HDTV, I would LOVE to have split screen multiplayer because it is just not feasible for me to go out and buy a Second HDTV, a Second PS3, and find a place in my apartment to put it.

I believe I will still get the game, but this SERIOUSLY detracts from the game because I cannot play with my friends and family.

I would like the option to play with or against your in-house companion. But I would settle for simply co-op play.

I planned to go and get the game as soon as doors opened tomorrow, but now I am hesitant.

I am a die-hard Civ fan and I overlooked the obvious differences between normal Civ games and this one. I agree that some sacrifices needed to be made to have this game succeed in the ways you wanted but one thing I, and many others, would like for you to reconsider is the in-house multiplayer option.

I believe your game will succeed much more if you were to add this option.

I couldn't agree more that the option is sorely missed in the game, but to remove any false hope, they have made it abundantly clear that they won't be adding any sort of additional features to the game. When/if you decide to go ahead and get the game, get it knowing that you won't be recieveing any sort of user demanded features at a later date.

[WebDaemon]

I couldn't agree more that the option is sorely missed in the game, but to remove any false hope, they have made it abundantly clear that they won't be adding any sort of additional features to the game. When/if you decide to go ahead and get the game, get it knowing that you won't be recieveing any sort of user demanded features at a later date.

That is utterly depressing. I don't quite understand why they don't hire a few more programmers or outsource the work to an external contractor. This is one of the few features which WILL bring sales, many sales.

I would love to be able to show my friends this game, and to do a few co-op missions with my brother or best friend.

I believe I will get this game, but I am deeply upset because of this missing feature.

[2b2gbi]

Sadly the nature of Strategy Games often restricts split screen play for several reasons:

1. Small things on squashed screens= Visual Issues (Can get around this on civ rev because it is turn-based though)

2. Strategy often fails when someone else knows what your doing. Kidn of like knowing the other team's play in a football game.

3. It becomes Veeeeeeeeeeery time consuming if you have to take turns.

EDIT: Oops sorry I was reading another page!:eek:
EDIT: O and the post 2 up from mine is about splitscreen!

[OpenAgony]

Since the last couple posts have been about Co-Op on the same consol. If you are thinking what I am thinking that both players will control the same civ then.... BOTH OF YOU SHARE THE ONE CONTROLLER RARARARARR!

[Santoron]

Sadly the nature of Strategy Games often restricts split screen play for several reasons:

1. Small things on squashed screens= Visual Issues (Can get around this on civ rev because it is turn-based though)

2. Strategy often fails when someone else knows what your doing. Kidn of like knowing the other team's play in a football game.

3. It becomes Veeeeeeeeeeery time consuming if you have to take turns.

Bah I play madden football mulitpolayer at home, with my plays open for the guy next to me to see for years now, and we have a blast... can it be used as an advantage? Sure! But if that's the way the guy next to you plays you give him a charlie horse in his arm and show him the door.. :p

As far as turns (or "hot-seat") multiplayer, the option has been available for previous Civs, on a PC where few people hang out with their friends. I cannot fathom how the decision was arrived at to remove it from a console game, where people are far more likely to be hanging out with their friends. The most disappointing part is that no matter how many ask, or for how long, this isn't a mistake they are willing to correct.

[2K Elizabeth]

That is utterly depressing. I don't quite understand why they don't hire a few more programmers or outsource the work to an external contractor. This is one of the few features which WILL bring sales, many sales.

I would love to be able to show my friends this game, and to do a few co-op missions with my brother or best friend.

I believe I will get this game, but I am deeply upset because of this missing feature.

we discussed and fleshed out this feature, but given our testing and assessment, it didn't work well for the game in practice.

we're adding in a bunch of stuff, in testing and from fans, that is cool and works really well with the game. we won't ignore you. but realistically, if we did everything everyone wanted, the game would be quite the mismash.

as for playing with people in the same room, you CAN have a lan party with multiple consoles. this is, of course, easiest with the DS, and lots of fun.

[WebDaemon]

we discussed and fleshed out this feature, but given our testing and assessment, it didn't work well for the game in practice.

we're adding in a bunch of stuff, in testing and from fans, that is cool and works really well with the game. we won't ignore you. but realistically, if we did everything everyone wanted, the game would be quite the mismash.

as for playing with people in the same room, you CAN have a lan party with multiple consoles. this is, of course, easiest with the DS, and lots of fun.

Perhaps you missed my other post. I, like many, live in a Studio Apartment (700'sq in manhattan). I currently own a PS3, and a 52" HDTV. It is neither economical nor is it practical to go out an purchase a second PS3 and a second HDTV, AND a second copy of Civilization Revolution.

Even if all those things were free or low cost, I, like many, do not have space to put it all.

Perhaps you have not realized, but a PS3 isn't the cheapest item on the market, and neither is a HDTV and by forcing the players to go out and purchase theses EXTRA items because it is the only way to play this game in the same house/room is an egregious error on your part.

How, if I may ask, did this feature "not go well" during the testing phase? What were the issues the team faced?

Perhaps by opening up to us completely on this issue one of two things might happen:
1. We come to realize that your decision was for the best and all the complaints end.

OR

2. You and your team come to realize that this is a very important feature for the game, and the exclusion of this feature is causing more detriment than benefit, and subsequently decide to dedicate some resources to this issue to make it a future feature to be implemented via DLC.

You already stated that this feature has been coded for, so it should be easier for your team to get moving on the issue at hand if you so choose.

[Santoron]

Perhaps you missed my other post. I, like many, live in a Studio Apartment (700'sq in manhattan). I currently own a PS3, and a 52" HDTV. It is neither economical nor is it practical to go out an purchase a second PS3 and a second HDTV, AND a second copy of Civilization Revolution.

Even if all those things were free or low cost, I, like many, do not have space to put it all.

Perhaps you have not realized, but a PS3 isn't the cheapest item on the market, and neither is a HDTV and by forcing the players to go out and purchase theses EXTRA items because it is the only way to play this game in the same house/room is an egregious error on your part.

How, if I may ask, did this feature "not go well" during the testing phase? What were the issues the team faced?

Perhaps by opening up to us completely on this issue one of two things might happen:
1. We come to realize that your decision was for the best and all the complaints end.

OR

2. You and your team come to realize that this is a very important feature for the game, and the exclusion of this feature is causing more detriment than benefit, and subsequently decide to dedicate some resources to this issue to make it a future feature to be implemented via DLC.

You already stated that this feature has been coded for, so it should be easier for your team to get moving on the issue at hand if you so choose.

Just to add my voice to the call, I have the same basic setup (though In a larger home) and could never imagine convincing my friends to bring a PS3 and a HDTV with them so that we could setup, and then connect everything, to play a civ rev match. I have almost as much trouble understanding why you would support LAN games... even though I'm sure the extra coding was minimal, as I do understanding why you would remove the option to play multiplayer offline in the first place. Surely, you knew that it was far more likely that your fans would be able to play more often with a "hot seat" option than a LAN option...

Who carts over an entertainment center to their friends' house???:eek:

[katt]

The only reason I registered to post is; because I also would like a multiplayer option that allows people to play together on the same console. Personally I think it's a little much to expect my friends to bring their own console over to simply play a game together, though that seems to have become the defacto standard with newer consoles. Sure makes a person start to miss the 80's and 90's eras of gaming, oddly enough, they had superior multiplayer options most times.

:eek:

sad really.

[2K Elizabeth]

Who carts over an entertainment center to their friends' house???:eek:

i'm a big dork, but i go to lan parties all the time. pair of PC speakers, my dell monitor, and my 360 in tow. actually i'm having friends over this weekend for civ to do this! :o

[Mysterio]

i'm a big dork, but i go to lan parties all the time. pair of PC speakers, my dell monitor, and my 360 in tow. actually i'm having friends over this weekend for civ to do this! :o

How come I don't have cool friends like you? :)

[digitalKiva]

(To bring this thread back to its original intention...)

I am a long-time Civilization player. All the way the back to the days of the original Civilization. I have always wanted to play Civilization online with my friends and this is why I am so excited about this new iteration of the series. However, I am disappointed that the ability to save an online multiplayer session to be resumed later is not available.

The main reason that this feature is not available seems to be that the developers believe it to not be necessary. I disagree. A large majority of target audience for this game is long-time Civilization fans (i.e. young to older adults). Most long-time fans, like myself, don't have the time to sit down and play for 2-4 hours straight because of work, family, etc. On a regular basis my friends and I log on and play games together for about 1 - 2 hours at a time. Which isn't enough time to play an entire Civilization game online.

The ability to save online games seems to be only beneficial. If my friends and I are able to start a game on Monday and finish it on Tuesday it would encourage us to play more Civ games together. However, if we can't resume a Civ game the next day then why start one in the first place. The lack of a save / resume feature for online play is going to discourage people from playing Civ together online and instead play an alternative game.

I love this game and want to be able to share it with my friends and the lack of this features is deterring me from that goal. The pros of having a save / resume features greatly outway the negatives... in fact I don't see "the hurt" in having it at all.

Please consider this enhancement to an already great game!

[Santoron]

i'm a big dork, but i go to lan parties all the time. pair of PC speakers, my dell monitor, and my 360 in tow. actually i'm having friends over this weekend for civ to do this! :o

2k Elizabeth, you are too cool for school :) I haven't had a LAN party since college in the nineties (great times), and my wife wouldn't be interested in any sort of revival. In any case, I'd bet you'd concede this isn't a practical option for many of us... especially those of us with wives :p