Tech tree in black and white

[Bushface]

I have prepared a version of the tech tree showing all the interconnections which prints on A4 paper in black and white. The file is attached (I hope).
Being b/w, there are no pretty icons, nor are costs shown as these vary with game speed and level. The idea is to have something disposable, to be scribbled on as your game progresses, and also capable of being kept ready to hand.
Any comments would be appreciated.

[Will9]

Thacks for the effort, but a tech tree comes in the box.

[padillah]

Thanks for the effort. Some of us don't carry the tech tree around with us and like to have something at work to reference while chatting.

Tom P.

[Prussia]

It would have been useful had it not come in the box and it wasn't a turn-based game, but it's so easy to simply go to the science advisor page and just look it up there.

[padillah]

I'm at work, I don't have the box here. Since this is where I do most of my discussions, I miss it (or just blather on, uninformed).

And apparently I'm the only person on this board that hasn't memorised the entire tech tree.

Tom P.

[Bushface]

Some points:- firstly, I don't have room to spread out the poster tree and wanted something smaller. Secondly, my aged brain cannot remember all the intricacies of the tree, nor the promotions, and my need to refer to both sides of the poster has reduced it almost to a collection of separate pieces. Thirdly, I also wanted something disposable I could mark up as the fancy took me. And finally I thought that possibly somebody else might find the thing useful.
Clearly, players of superior intellect who complete games at Deity level on Huge maps at Marathon speed in a single sitting without ever having to refer to the tech tree, Civilopedia or any of the Advisors will have no need of my effort, and the best of luck to them.

[anhalibut]

Nice work! what program did you use?
I had to create something similar (using Visio) at work recently and getting everything lined up AND readable was a royal pain.

[Prussia]

Originally posted by Bushface
Some points:- firstly, I don't have room to spread out the poster tree and wanted something smaller. Secondly, my aged brain cannot remember all the intricacies of the tree, nor the promotions, and my need to refer to both sides of the poster has reduced it almost to a collection of separate pieces. Thirdly, I also wanted something disposable I could mark up as the fancy took me. And finally I thought that possibly somebody else might find the thing useful.
Clearly, players of superior intellect who complete games at Deity level on Huge maps at Marathon speed in a single sitting without ever having to refer to the tech tree, Civilopedia or any of the Advisors will have no need of my effort, and the best of luck to them.

I don't think anybody wastes their time memorizing the tech tree, it's just that there is a science advisor page right there anyway. But maybe I'll use yours after all.

[padillah]

Originally posted by Prussia


I don't think anybody wastes their time memorizing the tech tree, it's just that there is a science advisor page right there anyway. But maybe I'll use yours after all.

Then I need to ask some questions, 'cause I'm doing something wrong and apparently this is a big part of it.

How long do you spend in the science advisor page when you start your games? I spend about 20 mins comming up with a plan to get the techs I need for the next few turns and then again after I've made it halfway to my goal I spend another 20 - 30 mins. I continue throught the game like this, plan 100 moves ahead, return after 50 moves, plan 100 moves, return after 50...

I this not enough?

And I'm going to assume you don't discuss tech strategy unless you are at your computer and in the game, since you've admitted to not having the tech tree memorised. So how do you plan your tech?

I need help, I've been loosing since I bought the game. I'm apparently planning too much on these boards and not spending enough time looking at the science advisor.

Thanks for the help.

Tom P.

[Prussia]

Listen, all I'm saying is that not many people bother to memorize every single technology in the correct sequence for every single era, but when it comes down to, "Duh... I wonder which comes first, Alphabet or Ecology?" MOST people have a pretty good idea which to pick.

I rarely make a set plan regarding scientific sequences, I reconfigure my strategy as the game progresses. If I need military, I go military. If I need economical, I go economical.

I don't why you spend all that time at the tech tree, just refer back to it periodically and familiarize yourself with it.

[Badtz Maru]

Originally posted by Prussia
Listen, all I'm saying is that not many people bother to memorize every single technology in the correct sequence for every single era, but when it comes down to, "Duh... I wonder which comes first, Alphabet or Ecology?" MOST people have a pretty good idea which to pick.

I rarely make a set plan regarding scientific sequences, I reconfigure my strategy as the game progresses. If I need military, I go military. If I need economical, I go economical.

I don't why you spend all that time at the tech tree, just refer back to it periodically and familiarize yourself with it.

The tech tree in the Civilopedia and the one that came in the box are inferior to this version that Bushface has shared with us. You can't see it all at once in-game and some techs have requirements that aren't on the same screen, and it's frequently unclear when multiple requirements for a later tech are of the "EITHER" or the "AND" variety. It's also nice to have a cleaned-up version you can refer to when you aren't playing, especially a B&W one that can be printed on any printer without loss of detail.

I can't understand why you felt the need to come in this thread and say this is useless. You may not need it, but obviously a lot of people think this is a good idea. Even if nobody else thought this was useful, why crap up the thread with criticisms when someone took time out of their lives to try and help others?

[Prussia]

Originally posted by Badtz Maru


The tech tree in the Civilopedia and the one that came in the box are inferior to this version that Bushface has shared with us. You can't see it all at once in-game and some techs have requirements that aren't on the same screen, and it's frequently unclear when multiple requirements for a later tech are of the "EITHER" or the "AND" variety. It's also nice to have a cleaned-up version you can refer to when you aren't playing, especially a B&W one that can be printed on any printer without loss of detail.

I can't understand why you felt the need to come in this thread and say this is useless. You may not need it, but obviously a lot of people think this is a good idea. Even if nobody else thought this was useful, why crap up the thread with criticisms when someone took time out of their lives to try and help others?

Okay, first of all, the tech tree in game works just fine with the arrows, and I don't know what you have against it, and seeing it all at once doesn't matter. Why would you care that once you research feudalism, 50 turns later it will lead to future tech? I don't know why you want one that you can refer to when you aren't playing, besides the one that came in the box, unless you sit down with your imaginary friends and discuss strategies about your next Multiplayer games. If that's what you do, by all means, print out the version Bushface made.

I have nothing against Bushface, and I think it's a good idea, but I was merely telling him that the idea was already thought up, so he wouldn't waste more effort to improve something that everyone already had. My critisisms were totally matter-of-fact, and whats wrong with that? He didn't seem offended by anything I said, I think it was honourable to spend time doing this for himself and then generously sharing it with other people, so if someone is crapping up this thread, it's definetely you.

[yimboli]

This thread reeks of senseless rants (so now someone will explain in excruciating detail how their post is not a rant)

Bushman, thanks. Ignore the nay-sayers because for every one of them that posts, there's over a hundred of us that just download it because it seems that supportive posts only spawn more silly defensive posts.

Again, thanks!

[Badtz Maru]

Originally posted by Prussia


Okay, first of all, the tech tree in game works just fine with the arrows, and I don't know what you have against it, and seeing it all at once doesn't matter. Why would you care that once you research feudalism, 50 turns later it will lead to future tech? I don't know why you want one that you can refer to when you aren't playing, besides the one that came in the box, unless you sit down with your imaginary friends and discuss strategies about your next Multiplayer games. If that's what you do, by all means, print out the version Bushface made.

I have nothing against Bushface, and I think it's a good idea, but I was merely telling him that the idea was already thought up, so he wouldn't waste more effort to improve something that everyone already had. My critisisms were totally matter-of-fact, and whats wrong with that? He didn't seem offended by anything I said, I think it was honourable to spend time doing this for himself and then generously sharing it with other people, so if someone is crapping up this thread, it's definetely you.

Wow. Why are you such an angry person?

[padillah]

Originally posted by Badtz Maru
...and it's frequently unclear when multiple requirements for a later tech are of the "EITHER" or the "AND" variety.

I think if it points using an arrow it's REQUIRED but if it's listed with an icon in the corner it's OPTIONAL BUT AT LEAST ONE.

I.E. Pottery requires "The Wheel" and ("Hunting" or "Fishing"). But "Horseback Riding" just requires "Animal Husbandry". But Priesthood requires either ("Meditation" or "Polytheism").

See? Easy! Why would you possible need something to study?

Tom P.