IGN Hands-on Preview

[GeoModder]

That is correct.

[The diplomat]

Originally posted by prscormier
OK let me see if I understand how this works: Is it saying that you can research the tech that gives you the first gunpowder units, but you can't build the gunpowder units themselves until you research an "extra tech"? Maybe those "extra techs" are the techs shown in upper right in the tech tree?

Possibly. But using the example of gunpowder, I think it means that you can research the tech for gunpowder units but you'll need the gunpowder resource in order to actually build gunpowder units. So, to build gunpowder units, it's not enough to have the tech for them, you also need the tech that gives you the special resource gunpowder.

[Nikolai]

No more research speed limits.

[lockstep]

Well, let's hope they also dropped the maximum no. of turns. Can anyone say '1-scientist-exploit'?

[Verenti]

Okay, I accually knew about the Needing multiple technologies from an earlier screen shot:

I don't think we've been clear enough to date with the explanation, but I think IGN did a maaarvelous job.

Stealth Bombers main prereq to build is Composites(I think). But having composites isn't enough, if you don't have flight, you still can't build those bombers.

[sabrewolf]

To begin, the happiness slider from the previous games is now a cultural slider. It still provides happiness for your people, but it also pushes your borders out.

now this is (more) great news! up until now i kept the happiness slider to a minimum and only used it voluntarily higher when i has trying to get that 12th man happy in every big city for the WLT*D.

wow, the more i hear of civ4, the more fascinated i am! and it looks like the focus really is shifting away from nano-management (units, single workers) to micromanagement of things that matter more.

[sabrewolf]

regarding the new screenshots, i've got a few questions:

1) frigate's special abilities: can bombard city defences (-10%/turn). what does that mean?
a) will it lose its punch after several bombardments?
b) 10% loss in absolute values (meaning after 10 turns no more bombard)? or 10% of the last value (100%-->90%-->81%-->72.9% ...)?
c) is regeneration in a harbour possible?

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/656/656807/civilization-iv-20051007091959943.jpg

2) Rock'n'Roll: how can you actually BUILD that? is this a culture improvement?

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/620513/img_3125150.html

3) what are all these icons above the city name:
a) the 3-way-arrow for nearly every city
b) the "tower" thing with the +60% next to it?
c) the chinese character paper art in some hinduistic cities on the left island
d) the fist/statue in the southern cities of the left island with the ( icon : 4) number

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/620513/img_3125153.html

[Ninot]

I'd like to know what Yin26 has to say about these developments?

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by sabrewolf
3) what are all these icons above the city name:
a) the 3-way-arrow for nearly every city
b) the "tower" thing with the +60% next to it?
c) the chinese character paper art in some hinduistic cities on the left island
d) the fist/statue in the southern cities of the left island with the ( icon : 4) number

a) Couldn't figure that one out yet.
b) the added defense strength of the city in question (walls, castle...)
c) It's one of the religions. Taoism if I'm not mistaken.
d) Just a guess, but I think revolt?

[sabrewolf]

oh, even more new screenshots (of which some have not been posted/commented on)!!

- WLT*D still in: http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/62...g_3125180.html

- nice city-burning pic: http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/62...g_3125175.html
i hope my graphics card can handle the smoke details

- does the kremlin actually GIVE 2 great artists?

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/620513/img_3125186.html

- +2 for open borders and -1 for closed borders???

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/620513/img_3125187.html

by the way, watch this guy dying in the city. it looks like an athletics combination of javelin throwing while high jumping/pole vault

[sabrewolf]

Originally posted by GeoModder
c) It's one of the religions. Taoism if I'm not mistaken.

could be, but it's as far as i can see, the only one which "shares" with other cities:

karakorum: hinduism + taoism
macchu piccu: buddism + taoism
washington: christian + taoism

your other interpretations are very well possible, thanks
what about my other questions 1 + 2?

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by sabrewolf
- does the kremlin actually GIVE 2 great artists?

More like +2 'birth' rate I think. IIRC I saw that icon being used to represent that ingame.

Originally posted by sabrewolf
could be, but it's as far as i can see, the only one which "shares" with other cities:

Check in the tech tree 'Code of Laws', it's to be found there.
And I've seen weirder religion combo's in screenshots, on occasion even 3 religions in the same city.

Originally posted by sabrewolf
what about my other questions 1 + 2?

Well, if you insist...
The city building R&R is preparing things for the annual International Rock Festival and for the frigate thing, am I Soren that I know it all?

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by sabrewolf
regarding the new screenshots, i've got a few questions:

1) frigate's special abilities: can bombard city defences (-10%/turn). what does that mean?

I think this might be an indication of the amount of damage that is done?

[Solver]

Originally posted by sabrewolf
- +2 for open borders and -1 for closed borders???

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/620/620513/img_3125187.html

Close borders, not closer borders. Ther civs must have some shared/contested land at the border which, of course, sparks tensions .

[ashbery]

Dang.