Civilzation creator Sid Meier: CivWorld is 'where it needs to be'

So, does that mean the CivWorld "Beta" tag is going away soon? In a lengthy interview with Gamasutra, Civilization creator Sid Meier (pictured in-game) revealed much about the blood, sweat and carpal tunnel that went into creating CivWorld.

The game launched in an open beta recently, and has since enjoyed mixed reviews, some of which deeming the game too complex with a clunky interface. However, Mr. Meier doesn't seem too spooked about it.

"If we're only finding out at this stage, then there's something wrong with our development process," Meier replied when asked about how Firaxis will use metrics to improve its game. "We think we have a game that's pretty close to where it needs to be. I think the analytics are maybe about financing or figuring out kind of additional directions to go." In fact, Meier admitted to not recording much of the analytic data that other social game companies live for such as measuring clicks.

That seems to imply that CivWorld will not enjoy as many tweaks or fixes as most social games experience almost daily. That's because most social games release first and make changes later, thus the absurdly lengthy "Beta" periods. For instance, Zynga just recently removed the "Beta" tag from its most iconic game, FarmVille. The game released two years ago. And if you think that CivWorld is too different from other Facebook games, that was kind of the point.

"It was really not our goal to re-create or copy other Facebook games around there," Meier told Gamasutra. "I think we're very early in the whole cycle of social gaming, and there's a lot of space to be explored, not just the games that are already out there." CivWorld currently has over 15 thousand monthly players, but is actually losing players since launching into open beta, according to AppData. We'll see soon enough how that strategy worked out.

[Image Credit: Firaxis]

What do you think of CivWorld so far? Do you think this game has a chance against the established competition?

Nintendo DS gamers leaving for Facebook? Not a chance, Iwata says

And still the doubting masses refused to shut up. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told investors recently that Facebook and mobile games have not hurt usage of the Nintendo DS handheld console, and he has the data to prove it, Gamasutra reports. The Nintendo chief presented his investors with two internal surveys to support his claim.

The first of which covers Japanese networks Gree and Mobage's effect on the Nintendo DS, and after polling 3,035 Tokyo and Osaka residents found some interesting results. According to the survey, over 75 percent of paying Mobage and Gree players are more likely than any other group questioned to still actively use their DS.

Of course, this is quite contrary to the belief that mobile and social games are gobbling up a market once dominated by traditional handheld games. However, the US is another story entirely.

After polling 4,385 people, Nintendo found that, while Facebook gamers are more likely to be active DS gamers than any type of DS player, the percentage of active DS players is much lower overall in the states than in Japan. And, with gaming already the most popular use of smartphones, that percentage is bound to drop ... eventually. So, are DS gamers leaving for Facebook and the iPhone? No, it's simpler than that: There are over 100 million more Facebook gamers than Nintendo DS systems have been sold since its launch.

Nintendo study

[Image Credit: Gamasutra]

Do you think the Nintendo DS can survive against the growing mobile and social games markets? How will Iwata answer to Facebook and the iPhone as they continue to grow?