http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-17-civilization-3-multiplayer-transfers-to-steam

Since Civ III used GameSpy for MP, and it no longer works, Fireaxis have implemented Steamworks as the MP framework. If you have a physical copy, you can contact support (http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/requests/new), and they will 'sort you out'.

Good to see Fireaxis are still offering support for a 13 year old game, wish all devs did.

mac version included ?

no idea.... no versions mentioned at all. Is there a Mac version on Steam?

doesnt appear to be

doubt i can add my physical retail copy of the game to steam

But moving the multiplayer to steamworks means that there no gog release of Civ III any time soon, right?

The superfast expansion and city spam gameplay of Civ 3 fits well on steam.

you could always use the support link and ask...

i suppose

Why? Steam and GOG multiplayer seems to be gaining ground, and if they are going to mess with the code at this point, they may make two branches. Still, that would require 2K to reach an agreement with GOG

All I remember of Civ 3 is how it took forever to complete a turn when your workers were on automate, and how riots would happen too easily. Also you couldn't seem to combine military units, you needed to attack with each one manually by moving them, which was very boring. Civ 2 was more advanced which is weird.

My CIV III won't be updating, that is for sure. I will never agree to Steam's DRM TOS. I purchase games, I don't rent them

For those interested in this, I contacted their support and got a HUMAN reply within about an hour.
They requested the following:

A photo of the physical disc and box accompanied by your email address as well as the number of this ticket written on a piece of paper in the photo. It is very important that we are able to see all three elements on the same picture.
Any proof of purchase
A picture of the activation key (if you had one), we will review your request and establish eligibility based on your submission. We truly appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

...and have approved a steam key within another hour of me sending the above. They hope to send me it before the end of the day (US time).

Edit: Blimey! Actually sent me the key within five minutes of the email telling me this.

It feels the same way with Civ 4 and Civ 5. Strangely both of them that I liked less, 3 and 5 are the most popular ones.

Still playing my CD copy of Civ 2 with that goofy council.

...so I guess this is further proof we won't be seeing Civ 3 on GOG?

This was my favorite Civ game in the series... :(