On the horizon: Pitboss and DLL Source

[2K Greg]

Yesterday I mentioned in another thread that a patch is coming soon. Head on over there if you haven't seen it yet.

Well today, I want to let you know about a couple more things that are on the horizon: Pitboss and the DLL source code. These things will not be in the aforementioned patch, and are still many months from being ready for prime time, but I wanted you guys to know that we have a team actively working on these two things. I don’t normally like to tease these things so far in advance, but I know how much some of you have been craving both of these (I have been too)! As stated in the past, these will be free updates for everyone. As always, as soon as I have more detailed information about either of these I’ll bring it to you.

[avalon7030]

Thanks for the heads up!

[jpbar81]

Thanks again for the news!

[Putmalk]

I think I can speak for the entire community here when I say I appreciate all of these updates, Greg. Thank you very much. Hoping for more information soon.

[Pouakai]

RELEASE THE TOTAL CONVERSION MODIFICATIONS!


In all seriousness, thanks for these updates Greg. Are these the 'much bigger plans' you speak of, or are they still different again?

[Jazzterisk]

RELEASE THE TOTAL CONVERSION MODIFICATIONS!


In all seriousness, thanks for these updates Greg. Are these the 'much bigger plans' you speak of, or are they still different again?

Yes, the release of DLL scares me a little. Usually, they are released when they're done adding to the game and want to let the modders have their way with the game. Does this mean there will be no expansions and that's it for Civ V in a few months when those DLL's are released?

That would be truely be a disappointment and the first Civ since I that had no expansion.

[Pouakai]

I think that they are far from done with the game, there's always been a 5 year inteval between big titles, and despite the small but vocal minority that despise the game, there have generally been very positive reviews. I think, as 2K Greg says, they are far from done with Civ 5

[Machturbo]

Sweet. Can't wait for some epic mods. (As long as they don't require the DLC. )

[dukeisaac]

2K Greg;

Are the Pitboss and DLL sourcing the ''much bigger plans''? I dont want to sound like an a**, but I sure hope not!

[MadDjinn]

Yes, the release of DLL scares me a little. Usually, they are released when they're done adding to the game and want to let the modders have their way with the game. Does this mean there will be no expansions and that's it for Civ V in a few months when those DLL's are released?

That would be truely be a disappointment and the first Civ since I that had no expansion.

The SDK for Civ 4 came out around the time of the first expansion (give or take). So I doubt releasing the .dll can be considered the end of content for Civ 5.

[Jazzterisk]

The SDK for Civ 4 came out around the time of the first expansion (give or take). So I doubt releasing the .dll can be considered the end of content for Civ 5.

I didn't know that. That's good to hear. Thanks for the information!

Keep putting out those vids by the way. I'm not a deity player by any means but they've help me go from King to Emperor.

[Syobon]

very good news, Im finally happy for purchasing civ 5

[stethnorun]

Yesterday I mentioned in another thread that a patch is coming soon. Head on over there if you haven't seen it yet.

Well today, I want to let you know about a couple more things that are on the horizon: Pitboss and the DLL source code. These things will not be in the aforementioned patch, and are still many months from being ready for prime time, but I wanted you guys to know that we have a team actively working on these two things. I don’t normally like to tease these things so far in advance, but I know how much some of you have been craving both of these (I have been too)! As stated in the past, these will be free updates for everyone. As always, as soon as I have more detailed information about either of these I’ll bring it to you.

Greg, is the Pitboss/DLL news the "big plans" you referred to? In other words, other than the patch and Pitboss/DLL, is there more news we can look forward to in the future?

[lietkynes]

I hoped Pitboss or PBEM would be in the patch but I knew it was not going to happen.

Greg, would you say that many months from now (let's say summer 2012) after the release of Pitboss, Civ5 will have the "awesome multiplayer" that you mentioned in July 2010 ?

[QuantumTarantino]

I hoped Pitboss or PBEM would be in the patch but I knew it was not going to happen.

Greg, would you say that many months from now (let's say summer 2012) after the release of Pitboss, Civ5 will have the "awesome multiplayer" that you mentioned in July 2010 ?

Not by certain players standards...

[frktest]

what is pitboss? my babylon translator does not return anything.

[Yaca]

what is pitboss? my babylon translator does not return anything.

"The PitBoss is a unique application allowing the epic nature of Civilization to finally be easily integrated into the multiplayer realm. It is a lightweight application with a simple interface. While running, players will be able to log in and continue their progress in a game at any time. Once satisfied, players are welcome to log out and continue later."

[anandus]

Greg, is the Pitboss/DLL news the "big plans" you referred to? In other words, other than the patch and Pitboss/DLL, is there more news we can look forward to in the future?

I'm wondering this too!

Although it's ALL good news, not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth, I was also hoping for more content, actually

[tviceman]

And what of the option for multiplayer animations?

[oddtail]

This is really good news!

I have a question, though - in fact, I specifically registered to ask it. From what I understand, it is still impossible to make mods in multiplayer. When will it be possible, and will it be around the time the DLL is released? Earlier? Are there any definite plans to make modding for multiplayer possible?

I don't know how many multiplayer-only players are out there, but I'm sure they would appreciate the ability to tweak with the gameplay even a bit, the way it is currently possible in single player.

[Uncle Anton]

Thanks very much for addressing this with the community 2k Greg! Very much appreciated!

[Ragna]

Thank you 2K for the really good news! I was already thinking that you have abandoned us but fortunately I was truly wrong. Civilization V is an awesome game which only needs a fewer more hours in the oven.

Long live to Civilization V!

[MegaBearsFan]

2KGreg, any chance we'll be seeing mod support in multiplayer? I can understand not wanting to allow mods to be played online (even though Civ IV allowed it). In all honesty, we should at least be able to play mods in hotseat mp games.

Thanks for the update.

[2K Greg]

2KGreg, any chance we'll be seeing mod support in multiplayer? I can understand not wanting to allow mods to be played online (even though Civ IV allowed it). In all honesty, we should at least be able to play mods in hotseat mp games.

Thanks for the update.

I'll see about getting a definitive answer for that. I know that it's something we'd like to do but I haven't yet heard if it's something we will be able to do.

[MegaBearsFan]

I'll see about getting a definitive answer for that. I know that it's something we'd like to do but I haven't yet heard if it's something we will be able to do.

Cool thanks! Mod support for MP is probably the #2 item on my wishlist after DLL modding. Even if it only supports local MP.

[Nefliqus]

what is ETA for this patch, taking into account the +/- 2 weeks error

[anandus]

what is ETA for this patch, taking into account the +/- 2 weeks error

The Pitboss & DLL are long term projects.

As said in the first post:

and are still many months from being ready for prime time

So in the summer or something like that?

But maybe you wanted to ask this question in the topic about the coming patch?

[Megashadow41]

I can't wait for this, I just hope it doesn't take to long....

[Khaztr]

Lol, yeah right. We've heard that one before.

It's sad that the devs would continue to try to get our hopes up just to get some more sales before they move to a new product.

I know everyone's going to be bad at me for saying this, but you will see I am right in time...

[stethnorun]

Lol, yeah right. We've heard that one before.

It's sad that the devs would continue to try to get our hopes up just to get some more sales before they move to a new product.

I know everyone's going to be bad at me for saying this, but you will see I am right in time...

Um...wow do you look silly Try reading the top couple of threads before claiming to have clairvoyant knowledge.

[Karule]

I want more, more and more civilizations in DLCs, not this...

[Bantams]

Will this arrive before or after Gods and Kings?

[zephyrtr]

They want to roll out the announced fixes to Multiplayer for the expansion. I get the feeling if that patch wasn't ready, they'd hold off on releasing G+K. I don't know about pitboss and DLL. This thread was more of a "it's definitely coming. we're working on it now. no ETA" kinda post, so very possibly it wont be out for the release of G+K in 2 months.

[Khaztr]

Um...wow do you look silly Try reading the top couple of threads before claiming to have clairvoyant knowledge.

No idea what you're talking about.

Sorry, I'd love to see PitBoss come out but at this point I think it's obvious that the devs have never and never will make it a priority before releasing another product for us to spend $$$ on (regardless of what they say).

[SamBC]

If G+K uses the DLC mechanic, rather than a separate 'game' in Steam, they will have to have a DLL-swapping mechanism in the base game for it. That sort of mechanism will also be necessary for DLL mods. Thus, some development would be shared between the two.

I've had a little communication with one dev on here (in the Modding forum), and I think they really do want to get out a product that modders will love. Obviously there are commercial constraints, but the devs, as people, want to do their best by us, I believe.

[_Pax_]

It's entirely possible that the DLL and PitBoss will be released as part of the Expansion. Not guaranteed, no. But very distinctly possible.

[stethnorun]

No idea what you're talking about.

It's sad that the devs would continue to try to get our hopes up just to get some more sales before they move to a new product.

I'm talking about your snide jab at the devs, who so clearly are not working on a new product (unless you are talking about the expansion). And even if that is what you meant, why so surly? Most people are extatic about the expansion, especially because it puts to rest the notion that 2K and Firaxis are "done with Civ". Your whole demeanor looks silly.

[civdiss]

It's entirely possible that the DLL and PitBoss will be released as part of the Expansion. Not guaranteed, no. But very distinctly possible.

This might be true but they will be available in vanilla CIV V as well. So possibly they are going to be included in a future patch hopefully together with the announced MP animations.

[Khaztr]

I'm talking about your snide jab at the devs, who so clearly are not working on a new product (unless you are talking about the expansion). And even if that is what you meant, why so surly? Most people are extatic about the expansion, especially because it puts to rest the notion that 2K and Firaxis are "done with Civ". Your whole demeanor looks silly.

Maybe if you read what was written you would understand my point: the devs have said this same thing before in the past, and it still isn't here. Heck, even since pre-release they've been saying that Pitboss was officially in the works.

I'm simply pointing out that you shouldn't get your hopes up, but feel free (especially if it makes you feel cool calling the unbeliever "silly").

[Zyxpsilon]

That sort of mechanism will also be necessary for DLL mods.

Right on. This is *THE* asset necessary to a great many Mods percolating in the minds since initial release. I've been locking LeoPaRd and EraCenter in "waiting mode" for months just for that (indirect or otherwise, btw) DLL infra-structure.
All we (mostly) want is the hook calls and adressable yet still minimal functionality.

Devs run the risk of handing over DLC grasping features if they slip through some key DLL components *without* 2K approval. There's a lot of creativity potential pending outside Firaxis while such a cooperation goes beyond Online accessibility (free) to players. Expansion-like value falls into product capacity (business life-span) to reach a market, as well. The newest G&K announcement is another indication towards much further Moddability principles shared by Devs & staff.
It may seem that, we modders, compete with them but in fact we are collaborating towards enhancing a gameplay we both like! Between amateurs & hired pros - there's only two things... Civ5 potential and our (mutually rewarding) imaginations.

Patience pays!