Hurry Production.

[Mercator]

Originally posted by DaveV
In a nutshell, where N is the number of shields left:

Wonders and spaceship parts cost 4N to complete.
Other buildings cost 2N to complete.
Units cost N*N/20 + 2N.

In all cases, it costs twice as much if the box is completely empty.

Edit: added spaceship parts.

I have to make an addition here. It's not really interesting for those playing with the standard rules, but it can be of interest for scenario makers etc.

In the conversion from shields to gold, the N caps at 999.

E.g. if you make a building that costs 1200 shields, buying it will "only" cost 3996 gold (when the box is empty) instead of 4800. That also obviously means that from 1199 shields to 999 shields, the rushbuying cost doesn't change. It will be constant at 1998 gold, in this example.

[Peaster]

Maybe I understand the Kramsib - ST debate a little better after a few readings, but I really sympathize with Bloody Monk's comment that a real game situation would help clear things up. And it might be fun to see some differing theories in action.

I propose to create a 4000BC save on a very simple map (grass + a few forests, no huts, no specials, no barbs, no AI nearby). You each get 2 settlers, monarchy and 100 gold. You have to state your theory of the position as simply as possible, and then act on it.

I will play "Banker" and sell shields and/or food to the highest bidder before play begins. Then everyone plays to 1000BC. We determine a winner based on some previously-agreed criterion, such as Mfg (shields per turn) or population.

I'm interested to see if anyone can find an optimal strategy for this simplified game. To make it simpler, let's remove beakers from the game by requiring that all science bars be kept at zero. Also, let's disallow all civ2 "tricks" except maybe rush-buying. Alternative ideas are welcome, of course.

[SlowThinker]

A nice idea.
Maybe more players could participate, not only me and Kramsib.

[La Fayette]

If it means playing, count me in

[Peaster]

Originally posted by SlowThinker
A nice idea.
Maybe more players could participate, not only me and Kramsib.

Everybody is welcome. I don't know if Kramsib will participate or not, but I hope we can still learn something from the experiment anyway. I will work on the starting position and make a new thread when it is ready.

[Peaster]

Originally posted by La Fayette
If it means playing, count me in

I have posted a thread "A Theory Contest" in this forum, and hope anyone interested in the subject will participate. It does mean playing, BUT

* it also includes having a theory and explaining it.

* the play might be much simpler than normal - at least that is my intention.