Sid Meier: We're not turning our backs on Wii

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 10th 2008 at 1:00PM }

In GameDaily's 10 Questions feature, Sid Meier explains what happened to the delayed Wii version of his upcoming console-based Civilization Revolution. Meier explains that the company is still trying to decide what to do about the Wii version, but says the console is fantastic and they have "no intentions of turning [their] backs on it."

With work now finished on the Xbox 360, PS3 and DS versions of Civ Rev, it appears the title is on track for a July 8 release. The Civ Rev demo is currently available on Xbox 360 and PS3 to try out the streamlined, yet surprisingly Civ-feeling, console game.

Tags: civ-rev, civilization, civilization-revolution, meier, sid-meier

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fernando Rocker @ Jun 10th 2008 1:07PM

The Wii has the advantage of having the IR Pointer. It need to be used a lot more... RTS are a good example.

The main complain about RTS in consoles is the controls. The Wii has a very good input method for that kind of games.

Joeshie @ Jun 10th 2008 1:11PM

To be fair, the Civilization series has never been an RTS because it's not real-time. My only concern about this game is the dumbing down of the Civilization series to appease the casuals.

PojoMofo @ Jun 10th 2008 1:13PM

That was one of the first things I thought of Fernando.
When I saw the wiimote, I thought, hey I can use that like a mouse, making RTS playable on a console! That was in 2006 and programmers have yet to take advantage of that.

So whole heartedly agree

Fernando Rocker @ Jun 10th 2008 1:15PM

Exactly... to me, motion is in second term. The feature I like more about the Wii Remote is the pointer.

The pointer is the best feature.

hydralisk456 @ Jun 10th 2008 1:37PM

I think it's Catch 22 in terms of an RTS on the Wii. Strategy games in general tend to be considered more "hardcore" than most other genres and a lot of third party developers see the Wii as less "hardcore" than the 360 and PS3, thus, many developers don't really see a point in developing an RTS for the Wii. That's not to say I wouldn't love a good Wii RTS, the pointer alone would make it superior to every other console RTS ever made.

Dirty @ Jun 10th 2008 1:40PM

I'm not to convinced the ir pointer will work with RTS. Same basic concept yes, but a totally different "feel". I do wish someone would at least give it a shot.

Korova Pyro aspect @ Jun 10th 2008 1:42PM

Considering that Revo doesnt have a minimap, the advantage of IR vs. analog sticks is pretty much lost, since both are used to scroll only.

The real issue are the menus, which are replaced by keyboard buttons on PC. Revo has many gameplay improvements to ease menu work.

I do not think it will be dumbed down feeling just because it is streamlined. The multiplayer promises to be more exciting than PC, because it would be faster paced and more active. The one time I did MP on pc, it was more like playing SimCity - you build your own thing, then a disaster strikes and you are pretty much dead or in total disarray. In Revo, there's less isolation cause the map is more compact.

Anyway, I could go on for a long time. I'm just so excited for this game, I might have a nerd blowout.

Mr Khan @ Jun 10th 2008 1:11PM

Very heartening to hear. Very heartening

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 10th 2008 1:15PM

The only developers who would turn their back on the Wii are those that dislike high profits. : D

FOXHOUND @ Jun 10th 2008 1:21PM

srsly.
I'm highly considering putting out a dinky adventure game for WiiWare/XBLA/PSN to get some extra gas money here. :d I swear it's like the days of "shareware gaming", with less talent needed.

Skunk Ape @ Jun 10th 2008 1:26PM

A lot of the developers that don't like the Wii, don't like it because they like progression. After all, the Wii is just two Gamecubes duct taped together.

Jakka @ Jun 10th 2008 1:41PM

I see what you did there.

Mr Khan @ Jun 10th 2008 1:47PM

Often those are the developers who sit on the technological side of the fence, that make video games as an expression of technical prowess more than an artistic challenge

Which is fine in and of itself, that's where you get companies like Epic trying to develop an HD-engine for the masses, but progression, even technical progression, doesn't have to be measured in Mhz and MB

Bj Sisco @ Jun 10th 2008 1:18PM

How do you guys like the demo?

I think it's great and a lot of fun but I think it could be a little deeper. Just a tad. Feels like a $30 game or an Xbox Live game and not a $60 game.

riggs @ Jun 10th 2008 1:24PM

i had fun, but youre right it does feel alot like a XBLA game than a fully fledged one

Dirty @ Jun 10th 2008 1:39PM

Are you kidding, the demo lasted like 45 mins. I even played through second time. Thats around 2hours for the demo. THE DEMO. I think the depth will be there, especially with online.

Korova Pyro aspect @ Jun 10th 2008 1:48PM

Its easy to pick up and play, which makes it fun, but that does not mean its shallow. Team Fortress is easy to pick up and play, but I still get my ass handed to me sometimes even after eight months of play.

Imagine getting on XBL with a buddy and coordinating alliances to own noobs. Its possible, just like in Halo, except there is practically no twitch element.

Peter Smith @ Jun 10th 2008 1:59PM

I wasn't even paying attention to this game but tried the demo just for the heck of it, and came away convinced. I can't wait to get the full version!

Shogan @ Jun 10th 2008 7:15PM

I thought the giant Sim-Speaking characters were annoying.

Korova Pyro aspect @ Jun 10th 2008 10:13PM

Oh, I thought the advisers bickering at each other added drama.

My only objection is to the buxom skinny Katherine of Russia. I dont understand why she is so deformed. Katherine the Great was huge - it suited her acquisitive nature. Although the Revo Katy is kinda nice to look at.

Kye - M-Kart Wii 0817-4620-2062 @ Jun 10th 2008 1:22PM

Civ. - Now with duct-tape?

Superstar90 @ Jun 10th 2008 1:25PM

I'd play an RTS about duct-tape.

edgore @ Jun 10th 2008 5:00PM

Do you mine the duct tape as a resource, or is it something that you have to acquire through the tech tree?

Superstar90 @ Jun 10th 2008 10:12PM

You will need sufficient Gamecube stockpiles in order to fully utilize the duct tape.

&rew @ Jun 10th 2008 1:28PM

Good the Wii needs more strategy games. But I just realized they put it on the DS, which will kick all the systems asses in terms of controls.

Also you can name your own rivers, it will not be called the Nile it will now be the Bile river.

Mr Khan @ Jun 10th 2008 2:05PM

If i ever got into civ, i would have a whole play file where i went British, and named absolutely everything after Queen Victoria

"I name this the Kingdom of Victoria, centered around the Victoria river and surrounded by the Victorian Desert, and near to the Victorian Sea"