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Chat With C:CTP Programmers; October 3rd, 1998

[DanQ] Next question: Can you give us a rundown on the multiplayer capabilities?
[MrOwl] Let me say initially that the game was designed with multiplayer capabilities from the very 
first day of production.
[MrOwl] The networking code is tightly interwoven with the whole of the game.
[MrOwl] It was very important to us that multiplayer be a fundamental part of the program design.
[DanQ] Excellent! :-)
[MrOwl] Whether your opponent is a local guy, a remote guy, or an AI DLL, the game doesn't care.
[MrOgre] I can't talk about the styles of games yet, but I can say we are supporting IPX, internet,
hotseat and email play, and that, like Steve says, networking was always a top priority.
[MarkG] Can someone cheat?
[Patton] We will get into the differnt types of MP games at a later chat date
[MrOgre] We wanted our designers playing the game against each other long before the AI was
ready to make a show of it.
[MrOwl] I think it'd be very difficult for someone to spoof net game data.
[akula] Just a question regarding network pla, If you want to play it over a network at home do 
you need a copy for every machine.
[Patton] Not everyone
[akula] Or will the game be coming with a multiplayer only cd
[Patton] Internet will require a CD
[Patton] IPX will allow multiple users
[Patton] per CD
[Patton] That way people with LANs at home can play.
[Patton] the number of users per CD has yet to be specified
[akula] Will there be a cmopany hosted multi-player organization, like as Battle.net for Starcraft? 
Or will it be up to player run organizations to organize games and leagues etc?
[Patton] yes
[MrOwl] Absolutely.
[Patton] ActivLink
[Patton] We will leave it up to other to have ladders
[MrOwl] CTP ships with a built-in server-based game hosting/matchmaking/chat system.  It totally 
rules.
[Patton] but we wil have matching boards much like the ones you described
[MrOgre] Activision has an in-house network API that's been used for several games already (like 
Battlezone).  So the servers are pretty stable now.
[Patton] We're really looking forward to league play with all of you
[akula] Are there any major new multiplayer only games such as capture the flag style games
[MrOgre] Can't talk about styles yet, sorry :(
[Patton] Like I said...right now we can't get into the specifics about the different types of game 
styles
[Patton] suffice it to say there will be many satisfying optons
[MrOwl] Can we say that there will be a veritable plethora?
[MrOwl] Would you say it would be a plethora?
[Patton] You could say that
[MrOgre] Is a plethora more than myriad?
[Patton] Let me explain
[MrOwl] I think it's two myriads to a plethora.
[Patton] We are going to do a big story that will give you the info in-depth
[Patton] as opposed to trickling it out
[Patton] There is really a lot to talk about here
[Patton] more than we can do justice for at this time
[MrOwl] Besides, if Patton told you, we'd have to kill him and eat him.
[MarkG] Ok, dont :) Something about the cd. Will there be some sort of protection?
[Patton] ...and that is why I bring them doughnuts
[Patton] yes
[Patton] This is necessary because of all the pirating that goes on
[MrOwl] You'll need the CD in your drive to play.  But you'll also want your CD in the drive so you 
can view the cinematics.
[Patton] We wish we did not have to
[MrOwl] The cinematics are breathtaking.  The animators have done some pretty incredible stuff.
[MarkG] Well, cd's can be copied ;)
[Patton] Cool
[MrOwl] You've seen excerpts from the intro movie, right?
[akula] And will the current situation which sees Microprose in possesion of the rights to the 
"Civilization" game series pose any problems if you wish to produce add-on packs
[DanQ] Yes we have.
[Patton] No...we have the rights to one add on pack
[Patton] After that...
[MarkG] After that?? :)
[Patton] However we own all of our technology
[Patton] and we can still do game with other names
[MrOwl] After that, we're making a Civilization game based on the Quake II engine called Civilization: 
Dissolution of Eternity.
[Patton] :)
[MrOwl] With a sound track by Marilyn Manson.
[MarkG] Or Star Trek?
[Patton] Coud be?
[Patton] Would you all like that?
[MarkG] You now have the rights for the next years, right?
[MarkG] civ:call to stars?
[MrOwl] The engine we've developed is going to reappear in many forms.
[MarkG] Interesting! Seems like you have a lot of plans.
[akula] How easy will it be to modify elements of this game for other games and for 
fans who wish to create mod-packs and scenarios
[Patton] We developed this engine from the ground up. The programmers have done 
an amazing job with it...and expect that you will see it again.
[MrOwl] I think everyone will be surprised how modifiable the game is.
[MarkG] That's something we are worried about :)
[MarkG] Especially on the graphics...
[akula] Do you think it will be as modifiable as Civ II which bar the quake series was 
probably one of the modified games of all times.
[MrOwl] Well, you can write your own AI for CivCTP.  That's pretty modifiable.
[MrOwl] The sprites are handled differently than Civ2.
[MrOwl] Some of our units have more than a hundred frames of animation.
[MarkG] I know some people who will love programming the ai?
[MrOwl] You can't just open up a .gif file and paste in a picture of your pet lemur.
[MrOgre] MrOwl will have to answer about how to go about modifying graphics, but the 
system we have set up for scenarios will let you change a phenomenal amount of stuff.  All the 
unit characteristics, advances, wonder effects, building effects, population types, and more are 
in text files
[MarkG] That's very good
[MrOgre] Plus there is a scripting language for events in scenarios
[MrOwl] We've definitely left the back door open for people to come on in.
[MarkG] The modification of AI will require some c knowledge?
[MrOwl] It'll require some knowledge of C++, some familiarity with COM.
[akula] WIll the game have an independent scenario editor or one built into the game like 
civ II (which though cumboursome was effective)
[MrOwl] We have a built-in "Cheat Mode" that lets you edit maps/units/cities/and so on.
[DanQ] Is this "Cheat Mode" as easily accessable as it was in CivII?
[MrOwl] It'll be right there on the main menu when you load the game.
[DanQ] Are there any provisions for empires to continue expanding through the year 3000?
[MrOwl] Think floating toolbars a la Photoshop.  :-)
[MrOwl] Yes... you'll be allowed to continue playing if you want.
[MarkG] A hot topic from the forums.
[MarkG] which civilization are going to be on the game? 
[MrOwl] Jeez, we have tons.  I can't remember them all.
[Patton] There will be 40
[MrOwl] It's more a question of which ones AREN'T.  :-)
[Patton] You can of course modify them
[DanQ] What is the max civs in a game?
[Patton] 40 Civilizations from past and present. About 12 really ancient and the rest more 
modern.
[MarkG] Do you have a final list or are you still looking at it?
[Patton] Canada will be one  :)
[MarkG] That's a relief for some guys... :)
[MrOwl] Eight civs, potentially more.  We're examing that number, though, and looking at options.
[Patton] The thread has been answered  :)

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