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198# THE NATURE OF SEQUELS A really extensive review of some of the biggest games series 197# THE FIRST ONLINE RELEASE It's a new internet age and Civ3 is the first civ game of it, says Rasbelin 196# WHAT MAKES A GOOD CAR Not exactly a "if civ3 was a car" comparison 195# CIV III AND MOO3, PART II: TBS HAS A FUTURE We're here to stay! 194# CIVILIZATION III, A SHOE TOO BIG? The realistic faction speaks 193# THE ULTIMATE GAME? Is there such thing? COLUMN ARCHIVE

It's a good thing to be passionate about stuff you're interested in. Half the "modern" world has a hard time getting up in the morning because there's nothing they're really excited about. Too cool to care. Well, cynicism may be cool, but finally it's a losing attitude.

So it's great that people get excited about great games. People sharing intelligent comments about a common interest is a great way to make friends and to pass an evening. It's not that different from getting excited when talking about great music, or a great restaurant, or a great movie (and btw, have you seen Moulin Rogue yet!?) The fact that worldwide communities can form around these kind of things is probably the best part of the internet.

But I wonder about people who get so involved in a game that it radically upsets them when everything isn't just the way they want it to be. I wonder about how healthy it is when we get the net equivalent of road rage (Net rage?) when there's disagreement about some aspect of the game. What are people looking for in a game that would prompt this kind of action? I think they're looking for something that isn't there.

Games are fun, but they aren't life. Civ2, or 3, will never give you an "meaningful experience." It will never replace the fulfilment that comes with a satisfying friendship, or rewarding career, or a spiritual discipline. If you're looking for a "holy grail" in a perfect game, you're looking in the wrong place.

It's just a game. No game will ever be perfect, but even if one was, no one's really going to be any 'happier'. Firaxis isn't out to sabotage Civ, or "betray" the civ community. They're just going to work like everybody else, trying to make games that people like so that somebody will buy them. Given the state of the industry, that's a pretty tough assignment. I think they do a good job, but that's just my opinion and you may feel differently. Cool. Talk about it in the forums, that's why they're there. But keep it in perspective. don't expect it, or any game, to finally make your life complete. It doesn't work that way.
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Just another old guy

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The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of Apolyton CS or GameStats. They are just the personal opinions of the writer.