New Civilopedia

[Adolf2000]

We need new reworked civilopedia in any format but html preferred. Something that have tree look because current civilopedia is just complete MESS of unsorted icons.

If only someone had time to create html version of civilopedia with same view as research advistor, but with all the info as civilopedia has.

[jdchambe]

I have to agree. Civ4 is an awesome game---a huge step forward for the series---but the civilopedia and some of the advisor windows are seriously lacking in polish (the domestic advisor is particularly annoyingly lacking in features). when compared to the domestic advisor window and civilopedia from civ3 the civ4 civilopedia and domestic advisor window are a sad step backwards (civ2 had a better advisor interface than civ4 does in some instances).

if there is a way to enhance the domestic advisor and civilopedia from the xml files, that would be great.

[kimmygibler]

Agreed. A bunch of random icons is pretty much useless. The civ3 system was a lot better in this regard. I think the developers will have to help us out with this one because I doubt anyone is going to take the time to put the civilopedia into a different format. Imagine if it were all on a web site. That would be great, and would generate a lot of interest in the game.

[vmxa1]

Not sure why we need it, I have not even use the Pedia.

[DeepO]

Originally posted by kimmygibler
Agreed. A bunch of random icons is pretty much useless. The civ3 system was a lot better in this regard. I think the developers will have to help us out with this one because I doubt anyone is going to take the time to put the civilopedia into a different format. Imagine if it were all on a web site. That would be great, and would generate a lot of interest in the game.

It would also means alt+tabbing out of the game each time you want to look something up. Plus, you may not realize it, but the civilopedia is dynamic: change a value in XML (e.g. increase the strength of an archer to 10), and it chances in the civilopedia too.

That said, I don't particularly like it either.

Oh and vmxa: there are some advanced sections in the civilopedia which are quite interesting (although I thought they made it into the manual as well), stuff you won't pick up yourself easily. I'm not saying you need to read it, absolutely not, but there is more in the pedia than just the raw numbers of units.

DeepO

[stormwriter]

I created a dual-monitor setup, thinking the Civilopedia could open up alongside the game, and i could move that window to the other monitor, but nope.
So, i would definitely use it if it was in a different format. I'm in the hording information phase, so i would be looking up info on that thing all during the game.
As it stands, i have the strategy guide on my lap, the fold out chart on a table next to me, the manual in front of me, and various pieces of paper with my notes strewn all over my desk. Oh, and a pen and paper to take notes while i play.

[DeepO]

I most of the times make sure I'm stocked with a bottle of coke, some chips, and some cookies before starting CIV... and taking notes is near impossible. I love the screenshots, though, I'm even increasing in how many I take (last game, I took about 700. These are my 'notes')

DeepO

[vmxa1]

Originally posted by DeepO

Oh and vmxa: there are some advanced sections in the civilopedia which are quite interesting (although I thought they made it into the manual as well), stuff you won't pick up yourself easily. I'm not saying you need to read it, absolutely not, but there is more in the pedia than just the raw numbers of units.

DeepO

Well my friend thanks for the tip. I will take a look as soon as I catch my breath (been playing a bit too much lately).

I read the manual and the guide, nothing exciting, though I did like Sorens report.

[DeepO]

Originally posted by vmxa1
though I did like Sorens report.

Yeah, me too. Sadly it was translated to Dutch

DeepO

[Bhruic]

I must say, that's the biggest disappointment I've had with Civ IV - the Civilopedia. I remember the one in Civ III having full hotlinking and such. Now, trying to get information on techs, units, etc is much more difficult. I'm not sure why they didn't keep the hotlinking system in place.

Bh

[byrath]

As it stands, i have the strategy guide on my lap, the fold out chart on a table next to me, the manual in front of me, and various pieces of paper with my notes strewn all over my desk. Oh, and a pen and paper to take notes while i play.

Now thats dedication!
But yeah, the civilopedia is not good. I hope they fix it, shouldn't be all that hard, it mostly just needs to link around better the way Civ3's did.

[Adm.Naismith]

Originally posted by byrath
But yeah, the civilopedia is not good. I hope they fix it, shouldn't be all that hard, it mostly just needs to link around better the way Civ3's did.

Yes, I'm disappointed by Civ IV civilopedia lack of internal link. I really hope that Firaxis will change it and will offer a better one version (maybe with last development/modding tools announced for early 2006).
I'm afraid part of the problem is to keep alive the dynamic part...

Originally posted by DeepO
... you may not realize it, but the civilopedia is dynamic: change a value in XML (e.g. increase the strength of an archer to 10), and it chances in the civilopedia too.

... with the live links between proper pages. Kind of a smaller Wikipedia!

BTW, an optional external link to the real Wikipedia would be a great bonus for marketing hype of both (Civ and Wiki)! Does anyone agree?

[Adolf2000]

Dont think civ4 supports opening live links, but it would be good so u can upload html civilopedia to server and edit game so u dont have to alt-tab, tho dont think its possible.

[TheArsenal]

The lack of linking is definitely disappointing, but as I learn to work my way around the Civlopedia and become more familiar with the icons, I don’t find it as burdensome as I originally did. Not a great design, and not at all intuitive, but it is somewhat better than my original assessment which was “extremely poor”.

[The Meal]

I'd imagine that "fixing" the Civilopedia would be a relatively simple thing to accomplish. My first thought was, "This won't last long like this," and then to wait for the first patch. But then I started thinking about it, and I realized that documentation folks are typically some of the first people let go from a project. I'm not sure about the Firaxis specifics, but I'd imagine that their manual/descriptive text/dialog person(s) are *not* actively working on cIV improvements, but instead are doing other things.

So its possible that the line of thought was -- put out a skeleton Civilopedia and let the community make it right.

Hopefully *someone* steps up to the plate. Quality in-game documentation is a huge boon for a game's longevity (not that cIV appears to need any help!). I know that I'm eager to find out more specifics on how the game calculates certain things (see this thread), and I know that in some games (or even previous version of Civ) that this question of mine is exactly the type of thing the developers wanted to make available without making the gamers guess at how it was done. Most of cIV seems to be further steps in this direction (diplomacy standings, etc.), and the Civilopedia seems a logical extension of this line of thought.

~Neal