By Brad Santos
June 23, 1999

Note: This is the Developer's Corner, a part of the C:CTP section of Apolyton, where members of the C:CTP development team discuss ctp-related topics.

For many first time players of Civilization: Call to Power, the sound of sinister cackling as an unseen Slaver kidnaps another citizen from an unsuspecting city is enough to cause an anxiety attack. The reason for this strong emotional reaction is simple… Along with the addition of a 1000 year Science Fiction game era and a completely new stacked combat system, the introduction of Special Units is one of the most fundamental differences between CTP and its mighty predecessor, Civ2. Players who stayed up playing Civ2 for hundreds of hours in the dead of night are now forced to learn the basics of unconventional warfare under a new game system. Players may feel like Arnold Schwarzeneggar in Predator, facing an invisible enemy of unknown capabilities. That can be intimidating.

Don't worry. Change is good. As Arny pointed out in the same movie, "if it bleeds (you) can kill it". Once you get familiar with the Special Units you will learn to love them all like little computer sprite brothers….or you will never conquer the world again!

By Brad Santos
June 10, 1999

Note: This is the Developer's Corner, a part of the C:CTP section of Apolyton, where members of the C:CTP development team discuss ctp-related topics.

In the stillness of an ancient morning, the oar driven ships of a mighty war-fleet drive across heaving channel seas to scrape against the sands of a foreign shore. Wooden ramps crash down into foaming surf. The clatter of hooves and the ringing of iron fills the air as your invasion force thunders ashore.

Your army looks magnificent: Cavalry and Archers arrayed in stacks of nine. Samurai and Pikeman eager to storm the enemy's walled cities. You can already taste victory… picture the face of your mysterious internet opponent as your sandaled foot crashes down on his hopes of world conquest….

By Winnie Lee
June 4, 1999

Note: This is the Developer's Corner, a part of the C:CTP section of Apolyton, where members of the C:CTP development team express their views on ctp-related topics.

It's a wee bit lonely out here, since more than half the team's away on holidays, so I thought I'd sneak in a little bit more information on SLIC. Mind you, this is not aimed at programmers and programmer-type people - this is just a little bit of random easy stuff. It's for those who may not necessarily want to go through the whole rigmarole of writing a scenario, but would like a couple of little cool SLIC things in their games. So advanced users, don't flame me for the simplicity - this isn't for you!

By Brad Santos (a.k.a Dr. No)
May 27, 1999

Note: This is the Developer's Corner, a part of the C:CTP section of Apolyton, where members of the C:CTP development team express their views on ctp-related topics.

Turn 472. The World teeters on the brink of another catastrophic war.…

Turkish Fusion Tanks are massing along your Southern Border. The ominous sound of descending Space fighters fills the air as the powerful Egyptian technocrat makes yet another outrageous demand. Your depleted treasury can't afford to foot the bill for an Alien Life Project, let alone a two-front war. Then, just as things are starting to look really bad, the Ozone layer gives way and you are forced to watch in stunned horror as the gleaming towers of your capitol city disappear beneath the waves of a titanic flood.

By William Westwater
May 20, 1999

Note: A discussion on the recent column by William Westwater begun on our forums. WW in response posted an example with numbers. We post it here, along with Celestial Dawn's reply.

Main Article
Follow up by CD

Let’s consider a concrete examples:
Civilization:
Rations 7.5 per pop
Happiness: 75
Crime: 10%
Science contribution: 50%

City 1:
Pop 5. Pop are currently on:
Forest 20 P, 5 F
Forest 20 P, 5 F
Shallow with Net 10 P 20 F, 5 G
Shallow with Net 10 P 20 F, 5 G
Shallow with Net 10 P 20 F, 5 G
Total: 70 P, 70 F, 15 G
Total after crime: 63.5 P, 63.5, F, 13.5 G
Food Eaten: 22.5 F

Should I build a marketplace, marketplace with merchant, an academy, or an academy with scientist if I want science?

By Celestial_Dawn
May 20, 1999

Note: A discussion on the recent column by William Westwater begun on our forums. WW in response posted an example with numbers. We post it here, along with Celestial Dawn's reply.

Main Article
Follow up by WW

Mr Westwater

I'm afraid that your concrete example isn't quite concrete.