Civilization V patch adding Pitboss mode

Almost three years after launch, Civilization V's promised Pitboss multiplayer mode is finally arriving today in a new patch. The update also brings an observer mode, support for custom maps in multiplayer, AI tweaks, new terrain art, bug fixes, and more, making everything spick-and-span for the launch of the Brave New World expansion next week.

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Almost three years after launch, Civilization V's promised Pitboss multiplayer mode is finally arriving today in a new patch. The update also brings an observer mode, support for custom maps in multiplayer, AI tweaks, new terrain art, bug fixes, and more, making everything spick-and-span for the launch of the Brave New World expansion next week.

Pitboss is, in the words of the patch notes, a mode "which allows players to connect, take their turn, disconnect, and come back later. Email notifications and steam notifications are built into the system." A more laid-back mode for people who don't want to sit and play a round for several hours straight, see.

At first Pitboss will require someone to act as server, but developer Firaxis plans to release a standalone server that doesn't require a Steam account, "once the system has received a healthy amount of feedback from the community"--ie it's ironed out bugs and niggles.

The patch brings loads of other fine changes, especially to multiplayer, so do check the notes. It's due out later today, and should update automatically through Steam.

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  • reply
    July 2, 2013 6:00 AM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Civilization V patch adding Pitboss mode.

    Almost three years after launch, Civilization V's promised Pitboss multiplayer mode is finally arriving today in a new patch. The update also brings an observer mode, support for custom maps in multiplayer, AI tweaks, new terrain art, bug fixes, and more, making everything spick-and-span for the launch of the Brave New World expansion next week.

    • reply
      July 2, 2013 6:10 AM

      Dahanese finally comes through!

    • reply
      July 2, 2013 7:04 AM

      For those of you that have been playing Civ pitboss in one form or another over the years, what's it like? Do you usually finish games? How long do they take?

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        July 2, 2013 7:10 AM

        If the Civ4 Shackbattles are anything to go by, it takes 2-3 months to get to an unavoidable outcome.

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        July 2, 2013 11:08 AM

        6-9 months, I love them but I loathe people who sign up and only participate some of the time. Nothing kills a multiplayer game quicker than players who aren't participating.

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      July 2, 2013 7:11 AM

      I can't believe they were still working on this

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      July 2, 2013 7:24 AM

      okay OverloadUT you can come back now :(

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      July 2, 2013 9:00 AM

      I wonder if this is the update that adds Pitboss.

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      July 2, 2013 9:00 AM

      wow three years since Civ V?

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      July 2, 2013 11:00 AM

      Playing by email took years.

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      July 2, 2013 12:19 PM

      Nice, only THREE fucking years since they promised.

      Still waiting for official PBEM support. Perhaps after they release Civ VI..

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      July 2, 2013 1:29 PM

      Ha, I saw the Steam update downloading, and go to View Details, and click "Read More" thinking it's the patch notes, and BAM, ShackNews. So I can then read the patch notes.

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