Civilization V mega-patch adds hot seat multiplayer

Hot Seat multiplayer has finally arrived in Civ V, as part of a colossal new patch which also brought heaps of changes, difficulty tweaks, and rudimentary support for play-by-email.

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A huge update for Sid Meier's Civilization V launched on Steam yesterday, bringing the long-awaited Hot Seat multiplayer mode along with heaps of changes and updates.

Hot Seat multiplayer lets several players compete in front of the same computer, taking their turns, well, in turn. The changelog also notes, "While play-by-email is not yet implemented, we did include an in-between turn saving option for those that want to play via email."

Complaints about a lack of difficulty have been addressed with pacing tweaks. "Expect to have more of a challenge managing your empire at higher difficulty levels than you did before," the notes state. "Consider dropping a difficulty level if you have problems."

The patch also brings scores of tweaks, changes and fixes. On the AI front, you can expect computer-controlled nations to create better army compositions, behave more sensibly in diplomatic matters, pursue "back-up" victory paths, and properly execute late-game amphibious invasions if land-bound.

Units, buildings, tech, and nations have been all shook up with dozens of balance tweaks. If you load an old save into the new version, the notes warn, "the balance pass may make your existing happiness lower than expected when loading into your existing save post-patch." Plus your once-brilliant army might be a bit rubbish now, of course.

Do check out the huge full patch notes to see exactly what's new.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 28, 2011 10:45 AM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Civilization V mega-patch adds hot seat multiplayer.

    Hot Seat multiplayer has finally arrived in Civ V, as part of a colossal new patch which also brought heaps of changes, difficulty tweaks, and rudimentary support for play-by-email.

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      June 28, 2011 11:23 AM

      I have to give it to 2k/Fraxis. I really thought this game was going to die, but somehow it actually keeps getting better.

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        June 28, 2011 1:13 PM

        Yeah, I haven't played in a while, but even if the release was somehow... controversial, they've supported it very well.

        Thanks to the guys at 2K!

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          June 28, 2011 1:51 PM

          no doubt. very good support.

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          June 28, 2011 6:10 PM

          \m/

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          June 28, 2011 6:17 PM

          Yeah I haven't played it since the first week, but i'm still mostly fine with my purchase because i know it'll be fixed eventually, if it isn't already.

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      June 28, 2011 11:27 AM

      does ajvitaly / montezuma (ramen's brother) / anyone else still play this? how effective have the balance changes been?

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        June 28, 2011 12:52 PM

        I was waiting for this patch before starting a new game. I've played with each new patch. It is getting better, but I haven't played it since this patch hit.

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          June 28, 2011 1:07 PM

          Dear god the policy 'finisher' and policy changes.

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        June 28, 2011 5:44 PM

        I plan to play a game later this week. With any luck it will still be awesome.

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      June 28, 2011 11:32 AM

      play by email? innnnnteresting.

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      June 28, 2011 1:08 PM

      Somebody post the changelog!

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      June 28, 2011 6:08 PM

      Have they added the option for animations to multiplayer yet? My LAN gaming circle is still holding off on playing this until that's put in.

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