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General discussion (archive)Release: Sid Meier's Covert Action(112 posts)(112 posts)
(112 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted January 16, 2014
Intelligence proper.

Sid Meier's Covert Action, a 1990 classic CIA operative simulator with unlimited number of cases for you to solve, is available on GOG.com for only $5.99.

Let me tell you, if the people knew everything that's happening around the world, they couldn't lead their normal lives. They'd be paralyzed with fear. If they only knew how many times a year the cities they live in become a theater of a silent game between the agencies, terrorists, and crime syndicates they would fear to step out in the street. They couldn't live knowing how many times a steady hand stops the clock on a bomb at exactly 00:01 seconds. How many times a silent bullet shot from a sniper rifle flies just an inch over their head. They can't ever find out. That's why we act silently to stop all threats. All of our actions, are covert actions.

Sid Meier's Covert Action will have you taking on the role of CIA agent Maxine "Max" Remington or her male counterpart, Maximillian, and solving seemingly impossible situations in ver 45 cities on 3 continents. You will tap phone lines, crack complex codes, defeat computerized defense systems, and track suspects around the globe as you put together the pieces to a worldwide criminal plot. The work of a secret agent is never over--you'll be able to stay on duty indefinitely, as the game provides an infinite number of randomly generated missions. Be sure, that each play session will surprise you with something unexpected!

Get undercover and experience all the dangers, excitement, and challenge of a secret agent's life in Sid Meier's Covert Action, for only $5.99 on GOG.com.

NOTICE:
The manual for the game will be added to the bonus section as soon as possible. We have our top field agent working towards acquiring it as we speak!
Posted January 17, 2014
Hey there -- please note I've done a bug fix for one of the crimes which never properly fails. Link to the forum post is here: http://www.gog.com/forum/sid_meiers_covert_action/bug_fix_ultimate_plotcrime
Posted January 17, 2014
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andysheets1975: It seems that Meier regards the game as a failed experiment because he feels the various minigames implemented made the gameplay too unfocused. He said he has a personal rule called "the Covert Action rule" that he now uses to keep his game designs more streamlined.
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Phc7006: To quote him :

*snip*

I think he wasn't enterely wrong. Still Pirates or Sword of the SamuraÏ both had the same features and were above par in their time.
but like he said, Pirates' minigames are shorter. anyway, I don't agree with his perception, especially because you indeed may find clues about the case during the action sequence, so it's not completely detached from the main plot. a bigger issue about that IMO is how there's no variation on the buildings if you're in the middle east or in south america, so that may make you forget about where you are lol but I that's what could be done in 1990 (that's why I believe a proper remake/upgrade would be fantastic).
Posted January 17, 2014
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Arteveld: F#@k yeah! Finally!

Is the manual-based face recognition copy protection in place? From what i've read the 'DRMlessed' version was the cause of the freeze-on-break-in bug.
Whilst the question is still asked, it seems that any answer is deemed to be correct, so the "DRM" has been circumvented.

I can't wait to get the manual. And I'd also be pleased as punch to see F-19 and Magic: The Gathering from Microprose on here. I still have my old computers with RRT, Pirates, Colonisation, Rex Nebular and Civ on them running. Sid Meier's games really used to rock.
Post edited January 17, 2014 by musteriuz
Posted January 17, 2014
Very happy to see this added to the catalogue. Even though I won't be buying it, I am still happy to see classic games making their way here in keeping with what brings me to this website in the first place. Likewise was very pleased to see Bloodnet added last week (wish listed).

Motion for addition of Silent Service series ... seconded.
Posted January 17, 2014
Good job people!

As you seem to be able to get Sid Meier's titles, my hopes for his brillant, but unreachable Civil War duo, especially Antietam, are renewed
Posted January 18, 2014
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mkell_226: Amen to that. I hate being treated like an idiot and having the game hold my hand or funnel me through, pointing out the landmarks and sights as I go. I want to figure things out for myself, thank you very much. There's a guy on YouTube that posts a lot of reviews (I forget his name, but he's got a NZ/Aussie accent and says "fuck" an awful lot. I can't stand him or his "reviews," because he plays the way modern developers (well, more publishers, but I digress) assume that gamers think. He did one of System Shock, and he spent something like 5 minutes running around the first little area, clicking furiously at every surface going "durrr, I don't know what the fuck's going on here, what the fuck?!??" because he couldn't be bothered to stop, look, and go "hmm, I wonder what this little flashing icon on my screen means" or "hmm, there seems to be a keypad by this door, I wonder how I might go about finding the code?"

There was another one even worse, where all he did was cuss at the screen because he couldn't understand what was going on, and a commenter summed it up best: "You should try not sucking before you review a game."
From your description, I just got to see this. If you ever happen to remember this guy's name, or if anyone else here knows it, please share.
Posted January 18, 2014
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musteriuz: it seems that any answer is deemed to be correct
what

WHAT !??
Posted January 18, 2014
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musteriuz: it seems that any answer is deemed to be correct
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Telika: what

WHAT !??
I just picked any face for my answer and progressed.
Posted January 20, 2014
Never even heard of this title before, but it looks and sounds very interesting.
Posted January 23, 2014
I also read about the "Covert Action Rule" and was stumped - not only is the break-in minigame great, it's also integral to moving the plot forward. I don't see it as "two games in there, kind of competing with one another" at all. Look at the film/book genre he's basing this game on: the Super Spy (or let's just say it, James Bond). What happens in a Bond flick? Globe-hopping, womanizing, discovery/solution/foiling of the baddie's nefarious plot, with some car chases, fights, and sneaking around. Covering this entire checklist (you could argue the womanizing occurs in the R&R cutscene after a successful mission) is what makes Covert Action great. I'd also give it points for being one of the first action-oriented games I can remember that allows one to play as a female protagonist.

With this and Silent Service 1&2, I'd call it a pretty good week for GOG!
Posted January 24, 2014
I am seriously disappointed. It's been a week and we still don't have a manual. Boo!
Posted January 26, 2014
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musteriuz: I am seriously disappointed. It's been a week and we still don't have a manual. Boo!
In the meantime, if you want to read/see the quick aid card and the manual, just check out the forum page for the game, someone has posted their old scan of the original manual.
Posted January 29, 2014
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musteriuz: I am seriously disappointed. It's been a week and we still don't have a manual. Boo!
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FlamingFirewire: In the meantime, if you want to read/see the quick aid card and the manual, just check out the forum page for the game, someone has posted their old scan of the original manual.
Ta very thanks, mate.
Posted February 07, 2014
Sorry for the bump, but I noticed the manual still isn't available. Any staff member want to give an ETA?
Posted February 07, 2014
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tfishell: Sorry for the bump, but I noticed the manual still isn't available. Any staff member want to give an ETA?
Yes, it's still in transit :)
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General discussion (archive)Release: Sid Meier's Covert Action(112 posts)(112 posts)
(112 posts)