Tweet
Here's a pretty fascinating interview between geneticist-blogger Jen McCreight and the co-lead designers of CivBE about science in the game.
Interesting tidbits:
There's a lot in there about the kind of science that influenced their decisions. They like the idea of technology that turns something bad (like viruses) into something good (like viruses that fight cancer). The optimistic tone they're going for is again mentioned, such that certain kinds of technologies (like biological warfare) aren't going to be present in the game because they don't fit the tone Firaxis is going for. That seems like a silly distinction to me, because you can still win the game by annihilating all who stand before you. /me shrugs.
Interesting tidbits:
Q: Alpha Centauri was released in 1999, and the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. While still incredibly useful to scientists, we consider the HGP old news. Are there any technologies in Beyond Earth that are currently science fiction, but you believe may become reality in the next decade?
A: The tech that we most hope gets adopted in the next decade is the thorium reactor, which is a building that you unlock through the Engineering technology. Dave McDonough in particular will talk your ear off about its many upsides and how it has potential to revolutionize our power. So please don’t ask him about thorium reactors in the next decade or we won’t have time to finish this interview.
A: The tech that we most hope gets adopted in the next decade is the thorium reactor, which is a building that you unlock through the Engineering technology. Dave McDonough in particular will talk your ear off about its many upsides and how it has potential to revolutionize our power. So please don’t ask him about thorium reactors in the next decade or we won’t have time to finish this interview.
Q: One of the most memorable characters from Alpha Centauri is the leader of University of Planet. Can we expect to see another scientist leading a Faction in Beyond Earth?
A: Yes! Daoming Sochua is the leader of the Pan-Asian Cooperative. She’s a certifiable genius with a quad Ph.D. in nanoelectronics, nuclear physics, bubble physics, and electrical engineering. That last degree was a lagniappe from working on the other three. In addition to her formidable research skills, she’s also a talented administrator. While defending her theses, her committee became acutely aware of their impending obsolescence.
A: Yes! Daoming Sochua is the leader of the Pan-Asian Cooperative. She’s a certifiable genius with a quad Ph.D. in nanoelectronics, nuclear physics, bubble physics, and electrical engineering. That last degree was a lagniappe from working on the other three. In addition to her formidable research skills, she’s also a talented administrator. While defending her theses, her committee became acutely aware of their impending obsolescence.
Q: Harmony also allows you to get “alien creatures on your team and breed new units based on their genes.” Can you tell me more about how this breeding system will work?
A: Right now these are units that are unlocked by researching Harmony-affiliated techs. The notion of breeding is reflected in the fact that these units are not identical to those you find wandering out in the world.
A: Right now these are units that are unlocked by researching Harmony-affiliated techs. The notion of breeding is reflected in the fact that these units are not identical to those you find wandering out in the world.
There's a lot in there about the kind of science that influenced their decisions. They like the idea of technology that turns something bad (like viruses) into something good (like viruses that fight cancer). The optimistic tone they're going for is again mentioned, such that certain kinds of technologies (like biological warfare) aren't going to be present in the game because they don't fit the tone Firaxis is going for. That seems like a silly distinction to me, because you can still win the game by annihilating all who stand before you. /me shrugs.
Comment