Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Civilization V To Use Steamworks

Posted by Soulskill on from the hope-it-doesn't-get-you-in-hot-water dept.

sopssa writes "2K Games today announced that Civilization V will be using Steamworks for online matchmaking, automated updates, downloadable content and DRM for the game. Steam's Civ V store page is also available now, revealing some new information about the game. There will be an 'In-Game Community Hub' for online matchmaking, communication, and for sharing scenarios between players. While including Steamworks might put some people off, it might also indicate better online gameplay than in the previous Civilization games, where it was almost impossible to have a good game without playing with just friends."

4 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Civ was my offline game by bmecoli · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've use Steam, and not once have I ever had an issue with it. their download/DRM model works rather well and isn't nearly as bad as say, Ubisoft's. I mean, their whole business model is what has made the platform so successful in the first place, so I wouldn't worry about CIV V being on Steam.

  2. How long will it last by Paul+Carver · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I still play Civilization Call to Power. It is my all time favorite addiction. I don't pull it out often because when I do I can easily play all night and not even realize that dawn has arrived. But I do pull it out occasionally and I'm glad I can play it without worrying about whether the company will still let me.

    I guess I'm bad for the games industry by enjoying a game that's so old, but I won't even contemplate buying a game with DRM because I just don't trust that I'd be able to play it long after it stops being the hit new thing.

  3. Re:Civ was my offline game by HungryHobo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The most annoying thing is that if you raise the issue of these awful design problems steam fanboys leap in with shit like
    "nobody with dialup/tethering plays games"(bonus if they link to a steam poll showing that yes in fact hardly anyone with dialup uses steam),
    "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH STEAM",
    "HURR HURR HURR, GET A BETTER ISP"

    Etc etc

    the fanboys are far far more iritating than the devs.

  4. Re:Civ was my offline game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    From all the DRM systems out there, Steam is the least intrusive one and it actually gives you more value to the game (community, in-game browser, archievements).

    That's pure fanboy nonsense.

    There are many less intrusive DRM systems out there. I've had many games with online activiation DRM systems that ever only showed me a single "activating game once" window that was gone after 5 seconds, never to be seen again.

    You complain about DRM systems that install drivers, yet happily install Steam system-wide.

    Steam is one of the most intrusive systems out there (forced use of a client, adds a second DRM layer on top of whatever the publisher already has, forced management of game installations, integration into OS, offline mode that wants to go online whenever it feels like it, total dependance on Valve to be able to play games, etc.).

    All that community stuff just adds to the burden of the DRM.