View Full Version : Civilization 4 demo and patch
Demo here (http://www.3ddownloads.com/Strategy/Civilization%204/Demos/civ4demo.zip#) and here (http://www.gamershell.com/download_11624.shtml).
The demo allows you to play 100 turns, as either: India, Rome, Inca, or Greece. Another limitation is the tech tree ends at Divine Right. From Civilization Fanatics.
The 1.09 patch can be downloaded from FileFront (http://files.filefront.com/v109PATCHRELexe/;4387303;;/fileinfo.html), 3Ddownloads (http://www.3ddownloads.com/Strategy/Civilization%204/Patches/v109PATCHREL.exe), or CivFanatics (http://www.civfanatics.net/downloads/civ4/patch/v109PATCHREL.exe). Or just auto-update in game.
See this (http://www.civfanatics.com/news2/comments.php?id=590) newspost for details on the patch.
Ivan Rapkinov
24 Nov 05, 01:39
bah I hit auto update 2 and bit hours ago and it wasn't there...
now I have to restart :(
gobeavs: any idea whether I'll need do a complete reinstall if I used the ATI graphics fix?
- expensive space ship stuff = yay, sick of games ending in 1901 due to an over amibitious AI on a continent all by their lonesomes...
I do have some engagements this Saturday, but I'll be up for a game if we can get some people together - probably later in the evening (EST that is) for me.
Umm... Heat, you should join us so you can be part of the reason why a certain review is lagging a little (lousy holidays....). :whist:
Ivan Rapkinov
24 Nov 05, 02:04
hmm, a lot of people seem to be having problems getting the patch - I just used the in game updater and it came down in about 2-3mins
No idea on the ATI fix James. I wouldn't reinstall unless you have problems.
I did a manual install and it appeared to do everything fine. Haven't booted Civ up again though.
Ivan Rapkinov
24 Nov 05, 02:28
hmm installed the patch fine - only now it won't load at all.
seems to not like the DVD - though I have a feeling it may be because I have Alcohol120% and Daemon Tools running in the background, and iirc, Safedisc 4.6 has big issues with both of those :)
It appears to be installing, right now it is looking for game assets and updating as necessary. I will try starting up when it is done and post if I have any trouble. I am wondering if they fixed the zoomed out/mini-map graphics funkiness. I didn't see it mentioned in the patch notes.
It still has the problem. :(
I am wondering if they fixed the zoomed out/mini-map graphics funkiness. I didn't see it mentioned in the patch notes.
Are you using an nVIDIA graphics card? The semi-latest driver had some graphical glitches when zooming out, but I think the very latest driver fixed that.
Yeah I have 81.87 I think. I'll go see if I can scrounge up a newer driver.
Yeah I have 81.87 I think. I'll go see if I can scrounge up a newer driver.
I think the latest is 81.95. Looking at the release notes, it doesn't mention it off-hand, but I am pretty sure I saw someone mention it in some forum....wouldn't hurt to try it.
I just installed 81.95 and started it up. It seems to solve it. Thank God! That was extremely annoying.
Ivan Rapkinov
24 Nov 05, 10:10
for those interested...
the ATI fix can be ignored - though some have reported increased page file size due to the unpaked files...haven't notice that myself though
safedsic no likey Daemon Tools and Alcohol120% - as soon as I turned them off, Civ4 had nary a worry.
Rockhopper
24 Nov 05, 10:54
Thanks for the heads-up about the patch!
On Alcohol 120: when I started Civ4 after patching up, my game hung up as well. Rebooted, and it works fine alongside Alcohol now.
Although, my copy may be different from yours... I have the 2-CD version of Civ, not the DVD.
Ivan Rapkinov
24 Nov 05, 10:56
Thanks for the heads-up about the patch!
On Alcohol 120: when I started Civ4 after patching up, my game hung up as well. Rebooted, and it works fine alongside Alcohol now.
Although, my copy may be different from yours... I have the 2-CD version of Civ, not the DVD.
cheers - it's not that big of an issue really, but it's nice to know anyhoo :D
jayedub7423
24 Nov 05, 13:16
a patch, sweeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!
Patched fine for me. Loads faster and stops lock-ups.
Man that demo file sure is a biggie file, even on broadband it's taking a while.
But figured I would dump it on the pile of game downloads I have scrounged up.
I like having these files handy when sending other downloads out to friends.
Found out yesterday though, Steel Panthers (when you combine the set up files for SPWaW +patches and SP Camo's SPWW2 and WinSPMBT+patches) now eats up 708 megs before compression. Had to take the entire folder and compress it just to get it to fit on a cd (which then makes it 640 megs).
Seems all games these days have massive demo files though.
Well blow me away.
I had no intention of writing this, because I certainly never expected to be able to.
But, due to a creative purchase of some parts from a buddy, I am sitting in front of a substantially improved computer.
A 1.9 gig processor and 512 new type Ram.
Really nice.
So I actually was able to turn on the demo.
Actually playing the game is more fun than watching it for 10 minutes eh :)
I likely won't be able to actually buy the game till later though. Not impossible to ask for it for Christmas now I guess. But I kinda sucked the life out of my spending money over this parts purchase, and my credit card is now on life support :) (yet another reason I am glad I actually lowered the limit to just 800, can't do any serious harm to myself hehe).
But I like the game, yes. I figure by the time I have a copy it will have seen a lot of the initial patching accomplished as well. No regrets there eh.
Way to go, Les. With that chip, ram and new patch, you should have no trouble with the complete version.
Ivan Rapkinov
26 Nov 05, 19:54
the only issue may be graphics card.
the only issue may be graphics card.
Exactly, I would recommend at least the GForce 6600series or equivalents, if you want to enjoy some of the 3D graphics.
Current card is a GeForce4 Ti 4800 SE (which you realise meant absolutely nothing to my eyes).
I know it played the demo fine though.
To date, most of my computer hardware is second hand, I get it off my buddy when he upgrades (amazing how cheap hardware can be when it is pre enjoyed :) ).
I have never worried about buying his stuff though, he usually buys well, and I have yet to regret having done it.
I never bought the card (along with the other parts) for games though. I use the computer more for applications than games. I was merely able to justify it by saying it will let my family play Heroes 5 when it shows up :)
I won't be suffering playing Civ IV though hehe
Haha, let's just hope you weren't lying and that it doesn't play Heroes 5 (it might still be a little close to be honest).
Actually I WANT to play Heroes V myself hehe. But I figured a computer upgrade, regardless of what the game, would never sell if it was just me wanting to play it.
Just handy the wife likes the game as well.
Well I actually sat and fiddled with the game for an hour today.
Serious life loss potential with this game me thinks :)
Not sure the added graphical look is good or bad or neither at this junction. Hasn't hurt yet though.
I like the new features. The interface isn't really all that "hard". Maybe I have just played to much Civ already hehe.
It isn't a wargame, won't compete with something like AGW. But, hmm Civ and Heroes have always been my default preferred games when not wargaming. Civ IV hasn't done anything to change that feeling.
Really like the game's music.
Ivan Rapkinov
27 Nov 05, 19:10
agreed about the music :)
I'm yet to really fight a serious war - my preferred leader (Frederick) is Philosophical/Creative which makes peace a much better option. Which doesn't really track with the real Frederick but anyhoo... :D
another cultural victory here I come! :D
Downloading demo now. So, I assume that everyone thinks this game is worth buying? I was huge fan of Civ 3.
Looks like it might become THE game of the season if you ask me.
Ivan Rapkinov
27 Nov 05, 22:02
btw, the demo is a bit untrustworthy as to how well it will play - the major issues seem to come in the later stages of the game. Mainly very slow performance and screen movement during the AI turns.
to be honest, I haven't had any issues with that, but plenty of people have, so something to be aware of. Then again, a lot of people have had multiple CTDs, and I'm yet to have one, with Civ4 running in the background or active for about 5-6 days non-stop
btw, the demo is a bit untrustworthy as to how well it will play - the major issues seem to come in the later stages of the game. Mainly very slow performance and screen movement during the AI turns.
to be honest, I haven't had any issues with that, but plenty of people have, so something to be aware of. Then again, a lot of people have had multiple CTDs, and I'm yet to have one, with Civ4 running in the background or active for about 5-6 days non-stop
Agreed. There's lots of word of issues, but I haven't had one (well, I had one minor bug that I mentioned in the review, but it was just sort of a weird freak bug that never repeated).
Games that get bloated later on is not a new thing though.
I think there are wargames out there that have had to deal with that issue of large maps, lots of forces and lengthy AI processes.
I am sure if it is a problem, it will be seen too soon enough.
agreed about the music :)
I'm yet to really fight a serious war - my preferred leader (Frederick) is Philosophical/Creative which makes peace a much better option. Which doesn't really track with the real Frederick but anyhoo... :D
another cultural victory here I come! :D
It does track with the one they display. Remember they were all Fredericks or Frederick-William or William :P
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