Civilization Revolution and the Ongoing Mediocrity of Games With Gold

Games With Gold still isn't getting any better and there's little reason to believe it will soon.

[Illionaire]

Even when not compared to PS+, it's still embarrassing. What can expect from a company the put everything (even things you own) behind a paywall.
http://www.extremetech.com/...

[fonger08]

How can something be embarrassing when not compared to anything? Yes Xbox Live has been surpassed in terms of overall value for price when compared to PS +... I don't know people are bashing Civ Revolution though, I know its old but still fun... I sure as hell wasn't complaining when PS + was giving away PS1 games... I wish they would do that again actually.

[Illionaire]

Easy. Let's say there is no PS+ and Microsoft says they're giving a way a free game next week and that game ends up being Feeding Frenzy. That's embarrassing.

[fonger08]

You are making the assumption that people expect things for free without the knowledge of the PS + existing which doesn’t work as an argument. If someone gives me a free taco, I’m feeling pretty good. Now if I someone has been giving me free steaks, then someone comes along and gives me a taco… different conversation. There was once a world before PS + and all that really existed was Xbox Live (for consoles). Xbox Live was (is by some people) the gold standard for console internet services. If there was no Live to compete against, I highly doubt PS + would exist in nearly the form it does today.

[darthv72]

Take away the comparatives and a free game is still a free game. Whats not to like?

But that would be too easy. People want that comparative to create confrontation because its more fun to fight than just play games these days.

[ThePope]

Sony is following suit with the pay wall (not with all things, YET). Games with Gold does need some overhaul, and will get it.

But the chances of someone who has PS+ that has NOT played a game like Bioshock Infinite is going to be quite small. So yes you can play it again, but what is truly being offered?

Its like me offering you a free hamburger after you just got done eating at McDonalds. Sure you can save it for later but how much value is there in what I've offered you?

On top of that what Gold offers is the worlds best servers and online experience. Sony has gotten better but will never be able to match the Azure servers. Imagine the difference Azure will make for a game like Destiny, or ESO.

[amiga-man]

ThePope, Just for the record I have not played Bioshock infinite and despite downloading it I still haven't found the time to play it yet, simply because of all the other great games Sony have been giving away on PS+.

XBL giving away old games is M$ being cheap, those games are available to buy dirt cheap to anyone remotely interested in them and offer no real value and certainly nothing close to the value PS+ offers, my hardrive is bulging with great titles and lack of hard drive space now means I have to be very selective in my choices, which is not easy.

M$ have a long way to go before even coming close to the value Sony offers with PS+ across not just the PS4 but the PS3 and Vita, the value is nothing short of incredible.

[rdgneoz3]

Only thing Sony has locked behind a wall is MP for games that are not F2P or MMOs.

As for free games, enjoy your Civ Rev while people with PS+ get games that are less than a year or 2 old. For March, you're getting 1 PS4 game, 3 PS3 games, and 2 vita games. Has any games with gold been for the xbone yet?

With your food analogy, it's more like Sony is asking you if you want something they just cooked after you ate, while MS asks if you want leftovers from last week.

As for best servers / online experience, "the power of the cloud" and Titanfall is only 792p while being 6 vs 6? How's it going to handle MMOS (you know "massive multiplayer online" games)?

[ThePope]

@Amiga

Its sold 6 million copies since launch and just because you haven't played it doesn't make my statement any less true. I'm not saying MS doesn't need to change Gold. I should have said the people that WANT to play it. My mistake

@rdgneoz

HAHA is all I can say to you. Its clear you have no idea what your talking about when it comes to servers. A dedicated server offers far less latency, more concurrent players, less crashes, and faster loading times. But your right 792p, yet another fanboy caring about the wrong things. If I get all that I mentioned above (among other advantages) I'll take 792p and smile the whole time I play.

And in regards to Titanfall, It sounds like you're sad you can't play it and I don't blame you. Because the only people that are hating on it are the ones who cant play it. I even read a comment from a guy who said that he got bored after an hour, and then commented that he's buying it digitally! Its so good that people that don't like it are buying it!

@below

I do own a PS3. I'm not saying there's no value I just think many people go crazy for PS+ and have already played most of the games. I guess I just look at it differently. For those who haven't played these games, amazing value, for those who have its ho hum. Again just my opinion, doesn't make either of us wrong.

[amiga-man]

@ThePope

you missed my point, of course there will be games people have already played but the sheer amount of games on offer means even if you have been lucky enough to have played some of them already there are so many on offer that there will always be something to play.

Like I said I haven't played Bioshock yet, but only because of all the other stuff I'm playing thanks to PS+, the value it offers is undeniable, I have no idea if you own a PS3 but if you don't for whats on offer I would seriously urge you buy one.

Hell I bought my Vita because of the free stuff available on PS+ all the games I have on it I haven't payed a penny for outside of my PS+ subscription

edit:The Pope I just think many people go crazy for PS+ and have already played most of the games.

All I can say to that Is you must have a lot of money to burn on games if you have played most of them. I have spare cash to spend but I havn't come close to playing the games available on PS+

[BitbyDeath]

'but what is truly being offered?'

Bioshock was just one of five games given away in January.
On top of that you also get massive discounts.

[BattleN]

I collect these so at a latter date I can sell my 360 with a shitload of games for a decent price

[GearSkiN]

im actually just gonna fill my 360 with games until my hardrive is full, then make it into an arcade machine.

[maniacmayhem]

I think the term Mediocrity is to good of a word to use. It's down right f^%$ing licks frog's a%$.

How much did MS drop to get this game free? I'm sure this is bargain basement, 3 dollar reduced, bought NEW at Gamestop.

I would rather MS not offer any free games if this is the kind of crap they want to pass off.

[Mikefizzled]

These games they are offering good games but are cheap.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

I had this game during the Ps3 drought days,. I got it a heavy discount back then., Gave it to a friend later(for free, just so he had something else to play, this was 4 years ago), when he got his Ps3.

The point is, that this game is 6 years old, and an insult to give to current gamers.

[SteamPowered]

Swing and a Miss Microsoft. Are they completely oblivious to what PS+ offers?
It really does not pay to be a loyal Microsoft supporter anymore.

[corvusmd]

I'll take an upgraded network that actually does what it's supposed to do, and doesn't get hacked every month over "free" games that cost $50 a year and are old... If you're worried about playing old games that you've probably already beaten or don't care about....there aren't enough good new games for you.

[aquamala]

I don't even want "free" games, since these games cost them money to acquire I rather have a lower priced subscription tier so I don't pay for the "free" games.

[MasterCornholio]

"But you get to keep them forever"

Still no excuse for providing old games with the service. And its not like your ever going to stop paying for gold or anything.

[RiPPn]

This "get to keep forever" argument always makes me laugh. So in order to get the free game you have to subscribe. But if your argument is you get to keep it after not being a subscriber, you are essentially arguing for a service you don't plan to subscribe to.

Another thing people forget about with Microsoft is you only get 2 weeks to grab the game then that opportunity is gone forever, with PS+ games are on there anywhere from a month to a year, so subscribing to plus could instantly get you access to several games.

There really is no comparison at this point and it's silly for Xbox fans to even try. Just like with the Xbox One vs PS4 you are paying more for less since Gold is $10 more per year and offers far less.

[from the beach]

I haven't played either title - as is normally the case - and look forward to enjoying them - as is normally the case!

[SpiralTear]

As much as I'd like to play Civilization Revolution, I still think that Microsoft needs to amp up their offerings for Games With Gold, either with something newer or with more options each month. A single game from years ago isn't gonna get many people excited.

[XxExacutionerxX]

Playstation Plus is awesome but those games are not yours, sony is letting you use the license to those until your PS plus runs out. Xbox 360 games for gold, you keep them forever. So for people who get a free 7 or 14 day xbox gold trial can get that game free forever. Plus is going to be better because your always paying for the service. (Those games aren't free) No one is talking about those Xbox 360 Games on demand deals that go on like Mortal Kombat $5.00, Portal 2 was $10, Red Dead was $7.49 and you didn't need gold for the discount. Xbox Live still has better online multiplayer connection with games than PSN. I know this for sure, I own both Xbox 360 and PS3.

[KonsoruMasuta]

"So for people who get a free 7 or 14 day xbox gold trial can get that game free forever."

False! You need to buy a subscription for at least a month in order to be eligible to receive your free game.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/l...

From the Xbox website:

"Games with Gold” free games offer available for paid Xbox Live Gold members only."

[XxExacutionerxX]

Oh I'm sorry, thats paying $7.99 for two free games forever, not until the month runs up. Still a good deal, or check this out!, Microsoft gives you a free month of live when you sign up for xbox live.

[KonsoruMasuta]

I'm not going to be as hard on Microsoft about this issue. They have thrown is some nice games, Assassin's Creed 2, Dead Rising 2, Sleeping Dogs, and Civilization are really good games. However, the rest of the program has been kind of lacking. Compared the PS+, Xbox games with gold isn't that good. I get more value out of my PS+ subscription than I do with my live subscription.

Also, this whole "but we get to keep the games" argument that Xbox fans keep spouting needs to stop. Keeping the games isn't useful when the game is crappy. I would rather rent a diamond than own a turd.

[BattleN]

Has Sony ever offer Final Fantasy in any form?

[XxExacutionerxX]

No, you just don't have anything to top "Keeping the games forever" The games being crappy are just a matter of your opinion.
I can't stand the "PS plus service just kills Xbox live" Microsoft has in the past and will in the future carry a better online multiplayer than PSN. Wait, rent a diamond? That you pay forever, thats not yours?

[SpiralTear]

"The games being crappy are just a matter of your opinion."

I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that getting a varied selection of games remedies that problem very quickly. Instant Game Collection has a very large variety of games to choose from each month, so there's much less of a chance that you'll be out of luck and stuck with games you think are "crappy" each month.

Games for Gold rarely offers enough selection to not make each month a matter of luck for a game you like.

[BattleN]

I try to dl this shit and it says $29.99 why's it not free :(

[Eldyraen]

Its not March (here in US anyways) ;) Plus its MS and they don't always do things right on time.

I thought the game itself was a blast though back when it was released. Its not as complicated/strategic as the PC games but I played it more than most games on either console at the time.

[TheSaint]

From the company that gives you constant adverts on Youtube, a service that you have to pay for.

No surprises here.