An idea I had for a different game ending

[Grenouille]

Does anyone here know what the proposed technological singularity is?

If not, check this link:
http://hem.passagen.se/replikant/vernor_vinge_singularity.htm

In short: there is the hypothesis, that in the coming years, advancements in computer technology will lead to the technological singularity, the creation of an superhuman artificial intelligence. It will be the final invention man ever has to make, because a superior thinking machine will be able to built even better computers than we could. The technological singularity will therefore cause an exponential growth of the technological advance.

The human era will basically end with man´s final invention, as the human brain becomes outdated and quasi obsolete, and the machine being will be able to understand things that are far beyond our imaginations.

So, why not put The Singularity as the final discovery in the tech tree, and make the game end when you have researched it?

Or just use it as an explanation of the end of the game in 2050. Hehe.

[Provost Harrison]

What a cheery ending...

[Xuenay]

A specific "Singularity Mod" might be an interesting one - the singularity's predicted to happen because accelerating technological development provides better and better advantages to those who have the new technologies, encouraging further research and development. It might be interesting to fill the endgame with more and more unbalancing techs, culminating in a final Singularity tech that ends the human era. That'd make for an insane beeline and scrambling for the last techs in the end... might be interesting, at least for a few times.

[Diadem]

Originally posted by Xuenay
A specific "Singularity Mod" might be an interesting one - the singularity's predicted to happen because accelerating technological development provides better and better advantages to those who have the new technologies, encouraging further research and development. It might be interesting to fill the endgame with more and more unbalancing techs, culminating in a final Singularity tech that ends the human era. That'd make for an insane beeline and scrambling for the last techs in the end... might be interesting, at least for a few times.

That's actually a pretty cool idea. Instead of future techs you get more and more unbalancing techs. Carbon Nano Fibers for armor plating on modern armors, giving them *3 strength. Or technologies that increase your hammer output in all cities by 400%. Things like that.

[Dis]

we already have a great game for these technologies. SMAC

[Jaybe]

Great! Come up with the Tech Singularity and everyone LOSES! Wouldn't that be wonderfully tragic?

[Grenouille]

Originally posted by Jaybe
Great! Come up with the Tech Singularity and everyone LOSES! Wouldn't that be wonderfully tragic?

Or the civ that developes it wins: the singularity can also happen in context of a human-machine fusion. Think of brain implants to boost intelligence.

[xxFlukexx]

Galactic Civlization has this, was even more boring than the space race victory as that you research some meaningless filler techs then a big expensive tech, then you win.

It's a good idea, but doesn't sound like much fun, hitting end turn a lot

[Grenouille]

Perhabs you could face religious protests against the research of this technology. A little "butlerian jihad"? Hehe.
Maybe even being attacked by the other civs to stop you from researching it.

[Enigma_Nova]

I approve of this idea, and of unbalancing techs.
However, this will mean I'd play Financial and Philosophical civs more often.

[Diadem]

They shouldn't be meaningless filler techs. They should give real benefits. Escalating ones, becomming more and more overpowered. The Singularity tech would not even have to end the game at once. It could just give you some ludricrous bonusses.

[star mouse]

Originally posted by Dis
we already have a great game for these technologies. SMAC

or Spell of Mastery in Master of Magic

[Axxaer]

Originally posted by Dis
we already have a great game for these technologies. SMAC

Discovery Tech 12: Singularity Mechanics


Although the whole theory of humanity becoming obselete at this point is clearly disregarded since the final tech is 'Transcendent Thought'.

[Bill3000]

Uh, that's not what Singularity Mechanics means in this case; Singularity Mechanics in SMAC is the use of black hole singularities for warfare and the like. Technological Singularity is a term meaning the time in which all futurist models break down and it is impossible to predict the future because there would be higher intelligence than humanity.

Humanity is disgarded though, at least in terms of fleshy bodies. Ascent to Transcendence would be an awesome addition to Civ 4.

[Axxaer]

Originally posted by Bill3000
Uh, that's not what Singularity Mechanics means in this case; Singularity Mechanics in SMAC is the use of black hole singularities for warfare and the like. Technological Singularity is a term meaning the time in which all futurist models break down and it is impossible to predict the future because there would be higher intelligence than humanity.

Ok, I didn't really know there were differences... So how can Black Hole Singularities be used for warfare?