Our friends at GameDaily BIZ have asked us to loop you all in on the latest in their ongoing user-submitted-questions interview series; with the console-oriented Civilization Revolutions ready to strategize on July 8th, their subject is civilized pirate-enthusiast, Sid Meier. Want to know why he's going all-in with the console release of Revolutions, skipping out on his massive PC audience. Maybe you want to know why his Firaxis Studios are located in the sleepy burg of Hunt Valley, MD as opposed to San Francisco or Seattle or Austin. Or maybe you're interested in what he thinks of a potential EA acquisition of Take-Two (who in turn own Firaxis). Whatever it is you want to know, ask it here and BIZ just may use one of your questions. Sound off.
Our friends at GameDaily BIZ have asked us to loop you all in on the latest in their ongoing user-submitted-questions interview series; with the console-oriented Civilization Revolutions ready to strategize on July 8th, their subject is civilized pirate-enthusiast, Sid Meier. Want to know why he's going all-in with the console release of Revolutions, skipping out on his massive PC audience. Maybe you want to know why his Firaxis Studios are located in the sleepy burg of Hunt Valley, MD as opposed to San Francisco or Seattle or Austin. Or maybe you're interested in what he thinks of a potential EA acquisition of Take-Two (who in turn own Firaxis). Whatever it is you want to know, ask it here and BIZ just may use one of your questions. Sound off.
Reader Comments (52)
Posted: May 28th 2008 6:16AM (Unverified) said
Sid Meier: Will you be doing a remake of Alpha Centauri anytime soon? Or a sequel.
If my question gets picked, credit me as Jethro. >_>
If my question gets picked, credit me as Jethro. >_>
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:11AM Swifty said
Mod parent up. Despite playing Civilization IV, I've found myself going back to Alpha Centauri. There's just something about its atmosphere, the exhaustive exploration of human philosophy, and how different social engineering and philosophical choices can produce dramatically different strengths and weaknesses.
Plus, I've always consider the Civilization games to have an annoying cutesy vibe to it, it being a caricature of human civilization. Alpha Centauri tended to lean on the serious side, no doubt borrowing on the concept that future societies could be planned based on the fact that technology would make it easier for centralization and allocation of resources or that information and statistics of economic and social development would be more readily accessible. The progress felt real and not accelerated.
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Plus, I've always consider the Civilization games to have an annoying cutesy vibe to it, it being a caricature of human civilization. Alpha Centauri tended to lean on the serious side, no doubt borrowing on the concept that future societies could be planned based on the fact that technology would make it easier for centralization and allocation of resources or that information and statistics of economic and social development would be more readily accessible. The progress felt real and not accelerated.
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:10AM (Unverified) said
pick this one, its the one i was going to ask also
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Posted: May 28th 2008 10:08AM UNCSamurai said
Let me throw my vote for asking for an Alpha Centauri sequel. I would also love to see Sid collaborate with some of the Strategy First people to create something along the lines of Europa Universalis or Hearts of Iron, but SMAC2 takes priority.
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Posted: May 28th 2008 11:23AM fortunzfavor said
SMAC 2 would be nice. It was an a amazing game that really needs to be revisited and revamped (especially in the AI department).
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Posted: May 29th 2008 4:46PM (Unverified) said
Aww you party pooper :( Good work on Railroads by the way! Love that game
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Posted: May 28th 2008 6:56AM Ozymandias said
Question 1- Sid Meier: Do you have any plans to revisit the Wii and PSP versions?
Question 2- Sid Meier: Can we expect to see a Civ V for the PC at some point?
Question 3- Sid Meier: Do you know of a support group for those of us who are hopelessly addicted to your games?
Question 2- Sid Meier: Can we expect to see a Civ V for the PC at some point?
Question 3- Sid Meier: Do you know of a support group for those of us who are hopelessly addicted to your games?
Posted: May 28th 2008 11:26AM fortunzfavor said
2K has already said taking Wii Development off the shelf will depend on the sales of the other versions. I'd like to ask, how serious is Firaxis about really starting to develop the Wii version again, and what sales numbers would be necessary to get you started on it? I'd really like to see a Wii version.
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Posted: May 28th 2008 6:59AM (Unverified) said
Any chance of another Pirates! game?
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:11AM (Unverified) said
Good Morning:
This question is about the Banks & Credit Unions industry. Does it make sense, for a checking acct, to have a mininum bal requirement-0, monthly maintenance fee-0, & per check fee-0 but other services, over the counter withdrawal ($500 &under) with a stipulation of having $3000 bal in chking acct, and or, a loan with them if you are member of that Bank or Credit Union. My reason for asking this ? is, I am a senior, and I have been with a Credit Union for 5yrs or more, and up until Feb, 2008, I was never charge a dime for going into the branch to withdrawal money from my chking acct over the counter . They are forcing their customers, if they don't have $3000 or a loan, to use the ATM. Now with all of the problems with what's going on with the ATM, and for us seniors, it could be very dangerous, not to mention, somewhat difficult for some seniors to us for various reason. I am furious with this new other services, and I think it is a rip-off for their customers. It keeps bothering me, and I know it is not right. Yes, I could pull up stakes, and go to another Bank or Credit Union, but it would not solve the problem of what I know is not right--that is the easy way, not to make waves. I am poor, and a tax payer too. Thank You!
This question is about the Banks & Credit Unions industry. Does it make sense, for a checking acct, to have a mininum bal requirement-0, monthly maintenance fee-0, & per check fee-0 but other services, over the counter withdrawal ($500 &under) with a stipulation of having $3000 bal in chking acct, and or, a loan with them if you are member of that Bank or Credit Union. My reason for asking this ? is, I am a senior, and I have been with a Credit Union for 5yrs or more, and up until Feb, 2008, I was never charge a dime for going into the branch to withdrawal money from my chking acct over the counter . They are forcing their customers, if they don't have $3000 or a loan, to use the ATM. Now with all of the problems with what's going on with the ATM, and for us seniors, it could be very dangerous, not to mention, somewhat difficult for some seniors to us for various reason. I am furious with this new other services, and I think it is a rip-off for their customers. It keeps bothering me, and I know it is not right. Yes, I could pull up stakes, and go to another Bank or Credit Union, but it would not solve the problem of what I know is not right--that is the easy way, not to make waves. I am poor, and a tax payer too. Thank You!
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:14AM Haggard said
Sid: In what direction do you think Civ games will be forced to go in the future - so far it's been about improving graphics and adding more options - where can you go from here?
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:35AM (Unverified) said
Any chance of a -multiplayer- Pirates! game?
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:54AM GenBanks said
Question to Sid Meier-
I would be insanely happy if you did a remake of your games 'Gettysburg!' and 'Antietam!'. Is it something you have considered?
Those games were simultaneously accessible and complex. No other games have done such a good job of simulating 19th century warfare. I doubt even Empire Total War will match it. I love the drag and drop way that you could advance your troops.
Gettysburg was the first game I ever played multiplayer. I was a twelve year old Civil War buff, and was obsessed with the game. I must have played the campaign dozens of times, trying to see the videos for every possible outcome of the battle. I even managed to get into a clan.... I remember how nervous I was when some older guys (with deep voices) spectated as I fought a battle to decide whether I would be admitted to the clan.
I would love see that game re-imagined by Sid! New engine, but same sleek mechanics. I would even be willing to swallow a Napoleonic setting if you wanted to give it more appeal to European markets.
I would be insanely happy if you did a remake of your games 'Gettysburg!' and 'Antietam!'. Is it something you have considered?
Those games were simultaneously accessible and complex. No other games have done such a good job of simulating 19th century warfare. I doubt even Empire Total War will match it. I love the drag and drop way that you could advance your troops.
Gettysburg was the first game I ever played multiplayer. I was a twelve year old Civil War buff, and was obsessed with the game. I must have played the campaign dozens of times, trying to see the videos for every possible outcome of the battle. I even managed to get into a clan.... I remember how nervous I was when some older guys (with deep voices) spectated as I fought a battle to decide whether I would be admitted to the clan.
I would love see that game re-imagined by Sid! New engine, but same sleek mechanics. I would even be willing to swallow a Napoleonic setting if you wanted to give it more appeal to European markets.
Posted: May 28th 2008 12:51PM (Unverified) said
Ask this one and the one about Alpha Centauri 2.
Gettysburg was such a fun game, I played all the battles, and I found a way of playing that was totally against civil war strategy but enabled me to win all the time.
Hint - it's called mobile artillery - you hook up your horses, keep the guns in traces, and then advance with your guns. Fire shot at distance and then switch to cannister as you close - keep the infantry on your flanks as you advance. The defending AI could NEVER handle it.
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Gettysburg was such a fun game, I played all the battles, and I found a way of playing that was totally against civil war strategy but enabled me to win all the time.
Hint - it's called mobile artillery - you hook up your horses, keep the guns in traces, and then advance with your guns. Fire shot at distance and then switch to cannister as you close - keep the infantry on your flanks as you advance. The defending AI could NEVER handle it.
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:58AM (Unverified) said
Dear Mr. Sid Mires
As an avid PC gamer in this ever changing video game market I'm starting to see why you may make a huge game for the 360/PS3/Wii. Do you think this is the end for big budget PC games only? Crysis was a train wreck on the PC and I'm pretty sure the developers said they would never develop for PC only ever again. Your massive PC audience could probably make anything you put out profitable but do you want to take that risk?
From a huge fan
ApolloIV
As an avid PC gamer in this ever changing video game market I'm starting to see why you may make a huge game for the 360/PS3/Wii. Do you think this is the end for big budget PC games only? Crysis was a train wreck on the PC and I'm pretty sure the developers said they would never develop for PC only ever again. Your massive PC audience could probably make anything you put out profitable but do you want to take that risk?
From a huge fan
ApolloIV
Posted: May 28th 2008 7:59AM Cabcru said
Where's my SimGolf sequel?
Posted: May 28th 2008 8:14AM solomonrex said
Will you GUARANTEE an Alpha Centauri sequel if you're purchased by EA?
Are there any plans to revisit Railroad Tycoon with an expansion or sequel?
btw, REALLY love Civ IV. Much better than 3. You're taking the franchise in the right direction and I can't wait for Civ V.
Are there any plans to revisit Railroad Tycoon with an expansion or sequel?
btw, REALLY love Civ IV. Much better than 3. You're taking the franchise in the right direction and I can't wait for Civ V.
Posted: May 28th 2008 8:26AM falcomadol said
When will we be seeing Sid Meir's American McGee presents Peter Molyneux's Fable 2?
Posted: May 28th 2008 8:27AM John Z said
Mr. Meier:
Do 2K Games currently hold licenses or rights to some of the older, lesser-known games published by Microprose (specifically Master of Magic)? If so, has any consideration been given to the possibility of porting some of these older, late-DOS era games to a portable platform such as the DS? It's my opinion that a strategy game along those lines would be perfect for the handheld market.
Also: Are there any plans to put the Railroad Tycoon board game back in print, or re-license it to another company for an official reprint? (For those who haven't had the chance to enjoy it, it's a strong strategic board game that's a hell of a lot of fun.)
Thanks,
John Z.
Do 2K Games currently hold licenses or rights to some of the older, lesser-known games published by Microprose (specifically Master of Magic)? If so, has any consideration been given to the possibility of porting some of these older, late-DOS era games to a portable platform such as the DS? It's my opinion that a strategy game along those lines would be perfect for the handheld market.
Also: Are there any plans to put the Railroad Tycoon board game back in print, or re-license it to another company for an official reprint? (For those who haven't had the chance to enjoy it, it's a strong strategic board game that's a hell of a lot of fun.)
Thanks,
John Z.
Posted: May 28th 2008 8:36AM (Unverified) said
Will you be doing anything exciting for the iPhone? It could be the most vibrant new gaming platform...
Oh, and a plea: Please don't neglect the PS3, we don't all have Microsoft boxes!
®
Oh, and a plea: Please don't neglect the PS3, we don't all have Microsoft boxes!
®
Posted: May 28th 2008 8:37AM (Unverified) said
Mr Mayor who would win in a fight, you or Uwe Boll?
Posted: May 28th 2008 8:55AM Keithustus said
Ya, I'd like to know when the Wii edition of Civ Revolutions will come out, lol.
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:06AM (Unverified) said
Dear Sid,
I've always been a fan of your work and your one of the main reasons I've gotten into the video game industry as a profession.
One of my favorite games of yours thats always been overlooked was Colonization, for its day it was one of the most in depth turn based titles, and one of your Classic games. Since you have remade Pirates, and Railroad, I've figured ol' Colonization couldn't be far behind, and I do hope that it will get remade one day.
Thanks for years of great gaming memories.
I've always been a fan of your work and your one of the main reasons I've gotten into the video game industry as a profession.
One of my favorite games of yours thats always been overlooked was Colonization, for its day it was one of the most in depth turn based titles, and one of your Classic games. Since you have remade Pirates, and Railroad, I've figured ol' Colonization couldn't be far behind, and I do hope that it will get remade one day.
Thanks for years of great gaming memories.
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:07AM Mr Khan said
Yes. Do the Wii version. Ignoring a console that is ideal for strategy titles made no sense then, and it makes no sense now
Prioritize, man.
Prioritize, man.
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:33AM (Unverified) said
Dear Mr. Meir:
My 47 year-old father has played Civilization III religiously for the past four years. In spite of not playing any videogames ever, hardly a day go by where my dad doesn't enjoys a little world domination with his coffee.
My question: what is the secret to creating a game with this kind of longevity? What makes people come back to your games year after year?
My 47 year-old father has played Civilization III religiously for the past four years. In spite of not playing any videogames ever, hardly a day go by where my dad doesn't enjoys a little world domination with his coffee.
My question: what is the secret to creating a game with this kind of longevity? What makes people come back to your games year after year?
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:25AM jon01 said
sid,
why are the civilization games so addictive!?!?!? i cant wait to play the xbox 360 one till my system gets the RROD.
why are the civilization games so addictive!?!?!? i cant wait to play the xbox 360 one till my system gets the RROD.
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:28AM Supino said
Sid Meier: If you made a non-strategic game, or a completely different genre. What would you most likely develop? (FPS, RPG, Action, sport.. and so on)
Posted: May 28th 2008 10:45AM (Unverified) said
Any chance of a sequel to SimGolf? It was one of the most amazingly built Sim Games I've ever played.
Posted: May 28th 2008 12:46PM (Unverified) said
YES simgolf kept me on my PC for years, I still play it occasionally and I feel that a sequel would be amazing!
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Posted: May 28th 2008 9:49AM rewclaus said
Mr. Meier -
I am a huge fan of your work. I have played all the Civilization games, Pirates, Railroads, Gettysburg, Alpha Centauri, and am looking forward to Civ: Revolutions. My question is: "With all the success of the Civilization franchise, when will we be seeing Civilization 5, and what new additions may you be planning in said game? I know from talking with many of my friends that have payed Civ games that there are some aspects we would like to see. The events created for Civ IV: BTS were an excellent addition, and I think they should be emphasized more. Also I would like to see some sort of political aspect come to light in the series. Maybe something that depending on the type of governmental civic you are in, players would have options for elections or whatnot; just some sort of political structuring. Do you think this is possible?
-Andrew C.
Las Cruces, NM
I am a huge fan of your work. I have played all the Civilization games, Pirates, Railroads, Gettysburg, Alpha Centauri, and am looking forward to Civ: Revolutions. My question is: "With all the success of the Civilization franchise, when will we be seeing Civilization 5, and what new additions may you be planning in said game? I know from talking with many of my friends that have payed Civ games that there are some aspects we would like to see. The events created for Civ IV: BTS were an excellent addition, and I think they should be emphasized more. Also I would like to see some sort of political aspect come to light in the series. Maybe something that depending on the type of governmental civic you are in, players would have options for elections or whatnot; just some sort of political structuring. Do you think this is possible?
-Andrew C.
Las Cruces, NM
Posted: May 28th 2008 9:59AM Dummy00001 said
Allow me, if not off-topic.
Is there are any plans for a new version of Alpha Centauri? e.g. one build on CivIV engine?
Main problem I have right now with Alpha Centauri - and Alien Crossfire too - is that they are not sold anymore.
Is there are any plans for a new version of Alpha Centauri? e.g. one build on CivIV engine?
Main problem I have right now with Alpha Centauri - and Alien Crossfire too - is that they are not sold anymore.
Posted: May 28th 2008 10:27AM ZombiTom said
Dear Sid
I love Civ IV, and play it alot!:
1. Do you plan on another exp. pack?
2. Why did you remove culture from almost all buildings in the latest patch in "beyond the sword"? How are you supposed to get a cultural victory now?
I love Civ IV, and play it alot!:
1. Do you plan on another exp. pack?
2. Why did you remove culture from almost all buildings in the latest patch in "beyond the sword"? How are you supposed to get a cultural victory now?
Posted: May 28th 2008 12:38PM (Unverified) said
Mr. Cid,
Are there any plans to produce a traditional Civilization game in which the difficulty of the computers is based upon their intelligence and planning, rather than by having "unfair" advantages over the player such as increased odds of winning or obtaining technologies at a rate impossible for players?
Thanks,
-David
Are there any plans to produce a traditional Civilization game in which the difficulty of the computers is based upon their intelligence and planning, rather than by having "unfair" advantages over the player such as increased odds of winning or obtaining technologies at a rate impossible for players?
Thanks,
-David
Posted: May 28th 2008 1:11PM thund3rstruck said
Civilization 2-4 is bar none, the greatest PC games of all time and if Sid can pull off the same level of intelligence, detail, and intuitive interface on consoles, my PC may never be used to play games again. Civilization is the ONLY reason that I still have a Windows PC (vice Linux which runs on all my other machines).
W00t! Civ on consoles...
W00t! Civ on consoles...
Posted: May 28th 2008 2:11PM (Unverified) said
Sid Meier, do you ever get tired of people misspelling your name?
Posted: May 28th 2008 2:31PM Neebs said
Mr. Meier, are you going to incorporate the dumbed down Revolutions mechanics into Civilization V? I hope you don't.
Posted: May 28th 2008 11:53PM Wubby said
With first person shooter games making the move to consoles, do you think that strategy and flight simulator games can become the kings of PC gaming once again as they were in the 80's to 90's? How do you feel about the current state of flight simulator games?
Posted: May 29th 2008 11:42AM (Unverified) said
Mr. Meier, I played so many of your games growing up and I am truly a fan. Pirates was great, and the re-do was excellent. My question is: Will you ever do another flight simulator? I loved F-19 and F-117 for their realism, but also their simplicity. I will never forget the feeling of flying over Central Europe, trying to keep my radar signature low, while running from several MiGs chasing me. Thanks for the great work! - Dennis Meier
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