PolyCast Special on "Civilization IV: War of Two Cities"

[DanQ]

Available on some mobile phone carriers' models already and more of both into the future, Civilization IV: War of Two Cities based on the Civ franchise for the PC has been developed by Floodgate Entertainment and published by Oasys Mobile. As the name implies, it's you as the player versus an opponent -- one city matched against theirs. Defend and nurture your city as your neighbour does the same, each coveting the prize of the other's land. Little has been known about this title to date, and that is now changing.

Last month Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS) Chief Owner/Administrator Daniel "DanQ" Quick and staff member Tony "GarretSidzaka" Kiehl spoke with representatives from both developer and publisher about CivIV: WoTC on topics including its technologies, civilizations and -- of course -- units. Entitled "Focus: Civilization IV: War of Two Cities", it is being released as a special edition of PolyCast (PC), an official podcast of ACS. Quick is one of PC`s regular co-hosts and Kiehl a regular on its sibling show ModCast. The four interviewees are made up of two representatives from both Floodgate and Oasys: Founder and Creative Director Paul Neurath and Lead Designer Scott Kimball, and Vice President of Product Development Rick Raymer and Producer Jason Rice, respectively.

Total runtime is 52m17s. PolyCast is also the collective banner for both series. ACS is the only known community to produce its own Civilization podcasts.

[DanQ]

- 01m01s | Introductions
  Introducing our four interviewees: Rick Reymer, Vice President of Product Development (Oasys Mobile); Paul Neurath, Creative Director (Floodgate Entertainment); Scott Kimball, Lead Designer (Floodgate Entertainment); Jason Rice, Producer (Oasys Mobile).
- 06m10s | General
  The impetus for Civilization IV: War of Two Cities, how it differs from previous mobile-Civ titles, its side-scrolling real-time strategy nature, how civilization borders work and conquest for victory.
- 15m06s | Technology
  Advancing through the three different trees present (Military, Industrial, Agricultural), breadth and depth of progression, comparisons to Rise of Nations, prioritizing particular one branch over another (and the place of difficulty stages and settings).
- 21m48s | Setup
  The make-up of WoTC maps and why games are only Human vs. Artificial Intelligence and not Human vs. Human too.
- 25m04s | Civilizations
  The four civilizations that are in WoTC and the organization of their appearance, civilization-specific advantages, working with 2D graphics and how you could end up playing against yourself.
- 30m22s | Units
  Projectile and army mechanics and the number of power bars on-screen, strategizing a particular type of warfare over another and the possible inclusion of water and air-based units in any WotC sequel.
- 39m48s | Availability
  Hardware and subscription requirements to play WoTC, carrier availability and staggered release schedule including those and that outside of the United States.
- 43m47s | Storage
  Saving, pausing and sharing WoTC games.
- 46m20s | Miscellaneous
  Advice for breaking into the gaming industry, past exposure to PolyCast and interviewees' final thoughts.

[Dale]

Interesting, but I think with hand-held consoles (PSP, DS) becoming more prevalent and more mainstream games coming out for hand-helds that mobile gaming might decline in popularity.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Dale
Interesting, but I think with hand-held consoles (PSP, DS) becoming more prevalent and more mainstream games coming out for hand-helds that mobile gaming might decline in popularity.

I'd be interested to hear Rick, Paul, Scott and Jason's takes on that (as well as Joe Sewell at Oasys who arranged this interview).

[Dale]

Just commenting from my experience with phone games here in Oz. For standard phones (Sony Ericsons, low-end Nokias etc) there's pretty much nothing available now from the WAP sites available to us. But things like the N-Gage (which is really a hand-held) and blackberrys etc have heaps.

[qianqian]

use a mobile phone to play this is good idea!

[Logan1]

I'd be interested to hear Rick, Paul, Scott and Jason's takes on that (as well as Joe Sewell at Oasys who arranged this interview).

[george2222]

hello every one i visit first time this fourm .there is a great discussion are going on so keep it up.
thanks