27-06-2004 12:44									#1
	Civ IV = breakthru 64 Bit Game?? Inflate your Upload Space

HI Everyone

I think civ IV could be writen, either in part or whole for the AMD64 CPU (& maybe the new Intel 64 chip). The things that could be programmed could possibly make the game even greater IMHO.

Please let everyone know what you think

	27-06-2004 14:57									#2
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What would writing it for the AMD64 provide?
Justify its cost (less or no resources for developing 32bit version).

	27-06-2004 15:28									#3
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the 64bit chip provides greater calculation power, hence if done right, the AI could be alot better than what we exerience now

	27-06-2004 16:50									#4
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Aren't AI's intelligence level more dependent on good programming than calculation ability?

And I'll be honest here. I don't understand what is meant (in practical terms) by 32bit, 64bit etc..

	27-06-2004 17:37									#5
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MartynC is correct in a way, but there are two issues:

1. AI is still a work-in-progress for all AI programmers, even at 32 bit. So 64bit is not necessary for AI programming at this point; but in the near future, certainly.

2. Most people won't have the 64bit chip, and that's a big most.


On a side note, I have just come up with a great way to name this game: cIV

simple and cool at the same time!

	27-06-2004 18:10									#6
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cIV really is good name

And as Dauphin said, I think calculating power is not the problem, algorithms are.

	28-06-2004 04:54									#7
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maybe i'm missing the irony... but CIV is actually already the name used by firaxis and the beta community

so congrats on the good guess or the good ears

	28-06-2004 05:01									#8
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but on topic: maybe they could compile a version for 64bit chipsets... but i highly doubt so.

1, there's the compatibility issue. a windows version must be a windows version. these users aren't like linux users who compile every package themselves

2, most people have intel anyway. "intel inside" is actually considered the most valuable trademark at the moment... above microsoft windows, coca cola, nescafé etc.

3, currently people are going more direction powersaving than pure speed when buying notebooks (which is slowly taking away the office market from desktops). so if you buy a 1.4 GHz pentium M total, that will be approx. the equivalent to a 2GHz P4 at full calculation power... so game developers (except for FPS) have to go more towards "lean"

	28-06-2004 16:22									#9
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let me say it this way then cIV

	28-06-2004 19:11									#10
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quote: let me say it this way then cIV

I think Sn00py gets copyright on that one

	28-06-2004 19:21									#11
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quote: Originally posted by ZargonX I think Sn00py gets copyright on that one

Do I have to pay royalties?

	29-06-2004 03:22									#12
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i thought the jump to 64 bit right now wasn't too big a deal. maybe in a few years but i thought the biggest thing 64 bit offered right away was the ability to use more than 4gb(is that the right number?) of ram. i don't see how civ 4 could take advantage of that.

	29-06-2004 07:18									#13
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quote: Originally posted by Sn00py let me say it this way then cIV

I've seen it that way before, it's not new. At least 5 or 6 years ago I remember someone saying it'd be cool about the 4th installement came out. It's in the Book of NIM so....

	29-06-2004 09:55									#14
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quote: Originally posted by pg i thought the jump to 64 bit right now wasn't too big a deal. maybe in a few years but i thought the biggest thing 64 bit offered right away was the ability to use more than 4gb(is that the right number?) of ram. i don't see how civ 4 could take advantage of that.

Hey, we've got some nice donors where I work...

	29-06-2004 10:15									#15
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Pffft. Can't think of how to use massive amounts of RAM?!?

MASSIVE WORLD MAP!!!

	29-06-2004 13:32									#16
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or like panag would say:

hi,

2000x2000 world map would be good...

have a nice day

	29-06-2004 13:33									#17
	Re: Civ IV = breakthru 64 Bit Game?? Suffering from ads?

quote: Originally posted by MartynC I think civ IV could be writen, either in part or whole for the AMD64 CPU (& maybe the new Intel 64 chip). The things that could be programmed could possibly make the game even greater IMHO.

It's just the compiler.

The source is pretty much the same.

	29-06-2004 16:46									#18
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I tried to see what sites mention "cIV" but I couldn't find a case sensitive web search. Even those that advertize as such, aren't.

	29-06-2004 16:51									#19
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I want to get the copyright on:
ciV, ciVilzation and ciVIlization

	29-06-2004 16:53									#20
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And ciVI for that matter (which is after all the coolest)

	29-06-2004 16:54									#21
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ciVII
ciVIII

almost forgot about those

	29-06-2004 16:55									#22
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civ3 should have been cIIIv

	30-06-2004 13:42									#23
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4 consecutive posts on nothing, CyberShy?

	30-06-2004 13:47									#24
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quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger 4 consecutive posts on nothing, CyberShy?

Typical.

On another note, that's more Kiwis I've seen in a row in a long time (look at the first few posts).

In any case, 64 bit not necessary, good programming is. As already stated.

	30-06-2004 14:25									#25
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quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger 4 consecutive posts on nothing, CyberShy?

Uh, I do feel a little ackward indeed, reading it back...
Pherhaps I should have edited.........

But it's not nothing
I just claimed copyrights

	03-07-2004 04:46									#26
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It seems that cIV was used previously, at least on civfanatics. But haven't seen cIIIv used anywhere yet. Go at it CyberShy!

	03-07-2004 06:23									#27
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I would think CIV utilizing hyperthreading fully would be more relevant than 64 bit, but I'm no techie.

	03-07-2004 07:22									#28
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I started this thread, so all copyright is MINE MINE & MINE

	09-07-2004 17:27									#29
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Wow guys, you're really missing it!
First, you have to realize most (not to say all, for bias reasons) of the informed gamers should pick an Athlon 64 for their 2004/2005 upgrade. Because in case you haven't heard yet, Intel's new CPU is not trully 64 bits, but it emulates 64 bits, with a hit on performance, of course. Shhhh don't spread out the word, or you'll be on Intel's black list.
The thing is, you can get an upgrade for up to 50% of performance in an optimised application, in an optimised Operating System, for 64 bits, with an AMD64 processor!
AMD are the gamers choice, since most of the games are better performers on AMD platforms, compared to their Intel couterparts. With the new AMD64 processors, the distance has widen, and I'm talking 32 bits only!

So let's sum it up:

• You get a free performance upgrade on Civ
  
• You get faster AI movement
  
• You give Firaxis programmers more headroom to expand neat ideas that they'd like to implement but are afraid to overload the CPU
  

	11-07-2004 04:02									#30
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To develop a game is a costly and long process. This is enough complicated by itself. The last thing people at Firaxis need is to complicate it even more by creating different versions, which means spliting the scarce resources they need to develop the game. Even more: How many people have the "64 bit" processors. Just pick a tech level high enough to improve the tech quality of the game, but low enough to have a big base of potential players. Who wants to update his computer to play a game, even if it is Civ4?