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Difference between revisions of "Sid Meier's Civilization III"

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{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|October 30, 2001}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|October 30, 2001}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|January 12, 2006}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|January 12, 2006}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | Expansion pack }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Turn-based }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view, Isometric }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | 4X, TBS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Historical }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Civilization }}
 
|reception    =  
 
|reception    =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|sid-meiers-civilization-iii|90}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|sid-meiers-civilization-iii|90}}
Line 29: Line 42:
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|Civilization}}
 
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
Line 61: Line 73:
 
{{ii}} Conquests adds additional civilizations and scenarios to the game, as well as new government types and other features.
 
{{ii}} Conquests adds additional civilizations and scenarios to the game, as well as new government types and other features.
 
{{ii}} The Game of the Year Edition contains the original game with a bonus CD containing additional maps and behind-the-scenes videos.
 
{{ii}} The Game of the Year Edition contains the original game with a bonus CD containing additional maps and behind-the-scenes videos.
 +
{{--}} Digital releases omit the executables for the base game and Play the World, however, leaving only the Conquests executable with a Complete-themed menu and icon.
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
 +
{{ii}} v1.29f (base game), v1.27f (Play the World), v1.22 (Conquests) are available [https://forums.civfanatics.com/resources/categories/civ3-official-patches-updates.64/ here].
 
{{ii}} [http://web.archive.org/web/20140916110716/http://files.aspyr.com/support/Civilization3MacRevA.dmg Patch v1.22 Rev A] is the latest patch for the OS X version.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100512192640/http://support.aspyr.com/index.php/kb/article/000573|title=Aspyr Support Center|date=2011-05-12}}</ref>
 
{{ii}} [http://web.archive.org/web/20140916110716/http://files.aspyr.com/support/Civilization3MacRevA.dmg Patch v1.22 Rev A] is the latest patch for the OS X version.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100512192640/http://support.aspyr.com/index.php/kb/article/000573|title=Aspyr Support Center|date=2011-05-12}}</ref>
 
====Unofficial====
 
====Unofficial====
Line 73: Line 87:
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit conquests.ini in game-folder|ref={{cn|date=August 2020}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit conquests.ini in game-folder|ref={{cn|date=August 2020}}|fix=
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\Conquests\conquests.ini</code> and open with a text-editor.
+
# Open the [[#Configuration file(s) location|configuration file]].
# Add the following Line at the end of the file: <code>PlayIntro=0</code>.
+
# Add the following line at the end of the file: <code>PlayIntro=0</code>.
 
+
# Save your changes.
'''Notes'''
 
{{ii}} Works for alle Release-Versions of the Game (Steam, GoG and Retail).
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\Conquests}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\Civilization3.ini<br>{{p|game}}\Civ3PTW\Civilization3X.ini<br>{{p|game}}\Conquests\Conquests.ini}}
 
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
 
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
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===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\Conquests\Saves}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\Saves<br>{{p|game}}\Civ3PTW\Saves<br>{{p|game}}\Conquests\Saves}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|OS X|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|OS X|}}
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===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
|discord               =  
+
|discord                   =  
|discord notes         =  
+
|discord notes             =  
|epic games store       =  
+
|epic games launcher       =  
|epic games store notes =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =  
|gog galaxy             = false
+
|gog galaxy               = false
|gog galaxy notes       =  
+
|gog galaxy notes         =  
|origin                 =  
+
|origin                   =  
|origin notes           =  
+
|origin notes             =  
|steam cloud           = false
+
|steam cloud               = false
|steam cloud notes     =  
+
|steam cloud notes         =  
|uplay                  =  
+
|ubisoft connect          =  
|uplay notes           =  
+
|ubisoft connect notes     =  
|xbox cloud             =  
+
|xbox cloud               =  
|xbox cloud notes       =  
+
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
{{Fixbox|description=Set KeepRes mode|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Set KeepRes mode|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-09-15|comment=Works on retail, GOG.com and Steam releases.}}</ref>|fix=
# Open the configuration file (<code>Civilization3.ini</code> or <code>Conquests\conquests.ini</code>).
+
# Open the [[#Configuration file(s) location|configuration file]].
 
# Add the line <code>KeepRes=1</code>
 
# Add the line <code>KeepRes=1</code>
 
# Save your changes. The game will now run at the desktop resolution as borderless fullscreen.  
 
# Save your changes. The game will now run at the desktop resolution as borderless fullscreen.  
Line 160: Line 172:
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Set windowed mode|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Set windowed mode|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
# Open the configuration file (<code>Civilization3.ini</code> or <code>Conquests\conquests.ini</code>).
+
# Open the [[#Configuration file(s) location|configuration file]].
 
# Add the line <code>KeepRes=1</code>
 
# Add the line <code>KeepRes=1</code>
 
# Add the line <code>Video Mode=1152</code>
 
# Add the line <code>Video Mode=1152</code>
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|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
|surround sound          = n/a
+
|surround sound          = false
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|subtitles                = n/a
 
|subtitles                = n/a
 
|subtitles notes          = No spoken text.
 
|subtitles notes          = No spoken text.
|closed captions          = false
+
|closed captions          = n/a
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|mute on focus lost      = true
 
|mute on focus lost      = true
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  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    = Retail only; [https://www.compiware-forum.de/downloads/file/251-sid-meier-s-civilization-iii-complete-german-patch/ download for digital versions]
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 265: Line 293:
 
  |notes    = Fan translation, [https://magyaritasok.hu/magyaritasok/civilization-3/civilization-3/12 link #1], [https://magyaritasok.hu/magyaritasok/civilization-3-conquest/civilization-3-conquest/387 link #2].
 
  |notes    = Fan translation, [https://magyaritasok.hu/magyaritasok/civilization-3/civilization-3/12 link #1], [https://magyaritasok.hu/magyaritasok/civilization-3-conquest/civilization-3-conquest/387 link #2].
 
  |fan      = true
 
  |fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 285: Line 321:
  
 
==Network==
 
==Network==
{{ii}} Civilization III: Play the World is required for multiplayer support
+
{{ii}} Either expansion pack is required, as the base game does not have multiplayer support.
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
|local play          = true
 
|local play          = true
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|lan play players    = 8
 
|lan play players    = 8
 
|lan play modes      = Versus
 
|lan play modes      = Versus
|lan play notes      =  
+
|lan play notes      = Removed from Steam version after the Steamworks update.
 
|online play          = true
 
|online play          = true
 
|online play players  = 8
 
|online play players  = 8
Line 324: Line 360:
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Compatibility settings===
 
===Compatibility settings===
Issues with the game may be corrected with compatibility settings. For the Steam version go to <code>{{p|game}}\Conquests\</code> and right click on <code>Civ3Conquests.exe</code>. Select properties and set the compatibility settings. This can cause serious performance issues on windows 10.
+
Issues with the game may be corrected with compatibility settings. For the Steam version go to <code>{{p|game}}\Conquests\</code> and right click on <code>Civ3Conquests.exe</code>. Select properties and set the compatibility settings.
  
 
===No music or sound effects during diplomacy===
 
===No music or sound effects during diplomacy===
Line 338: Line 374:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      =  
+
|direct3d versions      = 8.0a, 9.0b
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 359: Line 395:
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
+
|mac os x powerpc app  = true
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = hackable
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = hackable
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
Line 391: Line 427:
 
|minOS    = 98
 
|minOS    = 98
 
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium II 400 MHz
 
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium II 400 MHz
|minRAM  = 128 MB
+
|minRAM  = 32 MB (base game), 128 MB (Conquests)
 
|minHD    = 1.8 GB
 
|minHD    = 1.8 GB
 
|minGPU  =  
 
|minGPU  =  
|minDX    = 9.0b
+
|minDX    = 8.0a (base game), 9.0b (Conquests)
  
 
|recOS    = ME, 2000, XP
 
|recOS    = ME, 2000, XP

Revision as of 09:58, 15 September 2021

Sid Meier's Civilization III
Sid Meier's Civilization III cover
Developers
Firaxis Games
Mac OS (Classic) Westlake Interactive
macOS (OS X) Westlake Interactive
Publishers
2001-2005 Infogrames
2005-present 2K Games
Mac OS Aspyr Media
macOS (OS X) Aspyr Media
Release dates
Windows October 30, 2001
Mac OS (Classic) October 30, 2001
macOS (OS X) January 12, 2006
Reception
Metacritic 90
Taxonomy
Monetization Expansion pack
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Turn-based
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Point and select
Genres 4X, TBS
Themes Historical
Series Civilization
Sid Meier's Civilization III on HowLongToBeat
Sid Meier's Civilization III on IGDB
Sid Meier's Civilization III guide on StrategyWiki
Sid Meier's Civilization III on MobyGames
Sid Meier's Civilization III on Wikipedia
Sid Meier's Civilization 1991
Freeciv (unofficial) 1996
Sid Meier's Civilization II 1996
Civilization II: Test of Time 1999
Sid Meier's Civilization III 2001
Sid Meier's Civilization IV 2005
CivCity: Rome 2006
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization 2008
Sid Meier's Civilization V 2010
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth 2014
Sid Meier's Civilization VI 2016

Warnings

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Key points

Disc/retail versions can be migrated to Steam by contacting 2K Support.[1]

General information

Civilization Wiki - A detailed wiki for all Civilization games and their spin offs
Apolyton Civilization Site's Civ III section - A huge forum dedicated to all Civilization games and their spin offs. Modifications for the game can be found here
Civilization Fanatics Center's Civilization III Page
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
SafeDisc DRM[Note 1] or SecuROM DRM disc check (varies by release).
Windows
Mac OS
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Civilization III Complete
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Civilization III Complete
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Civilization III: Play the World Required for multiplayer support.
Windows
Civilization III: Conquests Contains all content from Play the World.
Windows

Version differences

Civilization III Complete is a complete version with both expansion packs.
Gold Edition contains Civilization III and Play The World.
Play the World adds additional civilizations, game modes, and multiplayer support.
Conquests adds additional civilizations and scenarios to the game, as well as new government types and other features.
The Game of the Year Edition contains the original game with a bonus CD containing additional maps and behind-the-scenes videos.
Digital releases omit the executables for the base game and Play the World, however, leaving only the Conquests executable with a Complete-themed menu and icon.

Essential improvements

Patches

v1.29f (base game), v1.27f (Play the World), v1.22 (Conquests) are available here.
Patch v1.22 Rev A is the latest patch for the OS X version.[4]

Unofficial

fan patch v8 - Multiple fixes to v1.22 Conquests.
Fitted Irrigation with Farm Houses - Makes irrigation look more natural and not jut out into the water.
River Deltas - Covers up the problem where some deltas are too far out to sea and others are too recessed
Fixed Transport Window Leftovers - Fixes left over artifacts from the transport window

Skip intro videos

Edit conquests.ini in game-folder[citation needed]
  1. Open the configuration file.
  2. Add the following line at the end of the file: PlayIntro=0.
  3. Save your changes.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Civilization3.ini
<path-to-game>\Civ3PTW\Civilization3X.ini
<path-to-game>\Conquests\Conquests.ini
[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/3910/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Saves
<path-to-game>\Civ3PTW\Saves
<path-to-game>\Conquests\Saves
[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/3910/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game options menu.
In-game options menu.

Widescreen resolution

Set KeepRes mode[5]
  1. Open the configuration file.
  2. Add the line KeepRes=1
  3. Save your changes. The game will now run at the desktop resolution as borderless fullscreen.

Windowed

Set windowed mode[citation needed]
  1. Open the configuration file.
  2. Add the line KeepRes=1
  3. Add the line Video Mode=1152
  4. Save your changes.
Video Mode is the horizontal window size, with the vertical height calculated based on the 4:3 aspect ratio.
The game window will have no border.
The game area can't be resized after the game is launched - doing so causes graphic corruption and may crash the game.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Uses OS cursor.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
No spoken text.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
Retail only.
German
Retail only; download for digital versions
Hungarian
Fan translation, link #1, link #2.
Italian
Retail only.
Japanese
Retail only
Spanish
Retail only, download.

Network

Either expansion pack is required, as the base game does not have multiplayer support.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
8 Hot seat
LAN play
8 Versus
Removed from Steam version after the Steamworks update.
Online play
8 Versus
Online server browser no longer works in non-Steam versions. Steam version has been updated to fix this.[1][6]
Asynchronous multiplayer
Possible option. Used by default.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Removed from the Steam version.[1]

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 3783, 6500, 6667, 28900, 29900, 29901
UDP 2302-2400, 6500, 6515, 13139, 27900
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Compatibility settings

Issues with the game may be corrected with compatibility settings. For the Steam version go to <path-to-game>\Conquests\ and right click on Civ3Conquests.exe. Select properties and set the compatibility settings.

No music or sound effects during diplomacy

This is an error caused by a Windows 10 update limiting sound to two channels.

Install IndirectSound[7][8]
  1. Download and extract IndirectSound.
  2. Copy the two files, dsound.dll and dsound.ini.
  3. Paste into <path-to-game>\Conquests\.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 8.0a, 9.0b
OpenGL 1
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Install the version 1.22 Rev A patch for Intel support.
Mac OS (Classic)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Miles Sound System
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer GameSpy Removed in Steam update.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium II 400 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB (base game), 128 MB (Conquests)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.8 GB
Video card (GPU) DirectX 8.0a (base game), 9.0b (Conquests) compatible


Notes

  1. SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]
  2. 2.0 2.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
  3. 3.0 3.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/3910/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (3910) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References