Apolyton CIVILIZATION IV PREVIEW (by MarkG)

[Solver]

I indeed don't like exploiting... I think it takes too much fun away. I try to play games the way they're supposed to be played.

However, I will personally congratulate you if you find a way to effectively spam cities without destroying your civ that way.

[yin26]

Fair enough!

[MarkG]

"Punjab" and "Bengal" and "Indus"?

bengal is not in

[Solver]

You bothered to check ?

[MarkG]

anything for Apolytoners!

[The_Aussie_Lurker]

I do have another border related question.
If you open your borders to facilitate trade with another nation-do they at least have the courtesy not to send settlers and military units through your territory (I am talking the AI here)? If they don't have the courtesy to do so, then that simply proves my point of why we need 3 border states-1 which facilitates low to normal trade AND keeps out standard units. Won't stop me buying the game either way, though, because there is simply WAY, WAY too much good stuff in here to ignore-and hopefully the border thing can be modded eventually anyway!

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

[Solver]

If you have Open Borders, they can send units and will if they want to.

I actually like it - otherwise opening borders would be a no-brainer, but this makes it a real choice.

[Fidel]

Originally posted by MarkG
actually "yithion" (which is used) is correct

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gythium

had no clue that latin transcription of gamma is 'Y'

this game is broken. if they do not change this and the names of indian, chinese and malinese cities, i promise never to buy another firaxis game.

[MarkG]

Originally posted by LaRusso

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gythium

had no clue that latin transcription of gamma is 'Y'

i suppose the creators went for pronunciation

[The_Aussie_Lurker]

Well, I still say 3-border states is the best way to go but-so long as I can mod it in (or they bring it in with an XP) then I will be satisfied. I just don't see why you should have to give up trade with a nation just to stop them spamming you with units-there should be a middle road. Open borders would still be important, because you would get a 'shot in the arm' for all your trade routes with that nation-but have to tolerate them sending units into your territory (a neccessary trade-off).
I do have another couple of questions, though, if you are allowed to answer them:

1) Is there still 'Right of Passage', or is this allowed by Open Borders?

2) Are Open Borders automatically bilateral, or can one side have them open, but the other side be closed?

3) How does assimilation work this time around? I have seen lots of screenies with 100% American or 100% German-but what ultimately determines the % of a given nationality within a city?

Thanks again for your time, guys, I REALLY do appreciate it.

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

[Solver]

The problem with a trade-only open borders state would IMO still be the lack of a downside. That would make it a no-brainer. You sign that, you get better trade and no downsides. Bah!

The way it is now, if you want the attitude and economy boost that comes from opening borders, you have to also accept the AI units, including their Missionaries, roaming your lands.

If that is any comfort, I haven't seen the AI use its Open Borders to send a Settler through all your land to settle on the 2 free tiles on the other end of the continent, like in Civ3.

[The_Aussie_Lurker]

Well, there would be the downside of not being able to prevent spies and missionaries from crossing your borders, coupled with the 'opportunity cost' of less lucrative trade. As I said, though, its not a deal-breaker to me, not by a long shot-just something I would like to see in a mod somewhere down the line!

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

[alva]

Again, isn't the point of having spy that he/she can always cross your border??? Why else have them?

[The_Aussie_Lurker]

You have them to Cross NORMAL borders Alva, and thus to collect info and sabotage nations who are not quite 'friends', but not quite enemies. To me, closed borders represent a complete crack down on ALL comings and goings, such as what we see in North Korea, wheras a normal border represents something like what exists between the US and Canada-where Canada COULD send across spies and missionaries-without America's knowledge, but where any of their settlers or military units would be turned around and sent back home.
An open border would be a 'free-for-all', where anyone can cross at any time, and you get LOTS of extra trade in the bargain !

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

[conmcb25]

Nice preview Mark, short, sweet and to the point