New scenario idea

[AGRICOLA]

The original game ended in 1775 with the American declaration of independence. I think I will do the same. Every turn will be one month. Enough time to build up a powerfull Empire.

Are you serious about starting in 1492, finishing in 1775 and using one month turns? That would mean [1775 - 1492] = 283 x 12 = 3,396 turns. If nothing else, I suspect that you are going to exceed the units limit by 1600 at the latest.

[civ2units]

That´s a point I never thought about. Indeed these are many turns, maybe too many turns.
I can slow down the tech science. I will think about it, maybe the scenario will end in 1700. Or I will begin later.

I´m not sure about this.
Also I will have a look of what units can be research.

[Boco]

How many turns is right for this kind of scenario?

[Gagliaudo]

well, maybe it could be set seasonal (or other frequence) turns...
283 x 6 = 1698
283 x 4 = 1132
283 x 3 = 849
283 x 2 = 566 turns

dunno exactly... how and if it's possible ...

[AGRICOLA]

To be quite honest about it, I've played a couple of 300 +/- turn scens and regretted the waste of time. The reason is very simple. In order to create a scen that is a scen rather than a game of vanilla CIV 2 that doesn't start in 4000 BC, designers have to put in constraints on unit types, improvements, wonders etc.

Some of the constraints are necessary to create the correct technological and physical environment for the scen. Unfortunately, others can choke off all potential excitement in a scen. The worst combination is a mega map with slow-moving units. It may be historically accurate but very boring to play. I think of it as slowly squeezing toothpaste out of the tube.

Also, the length of a scen is no indicator of its quality. The 3 best ones that I have played have all been 50 turns or less. That includes one 37 turn historical gem that was hell on wheels. The reason for this is that, without resorting to multiple events files, there is space for enough events to keep things really lively for only a limited number of turns.

I would try to keep any scen under 200 turns. In vanilla CIV 2, that gets one from 4000BC to somewhere around 1800.

[Gagliaudo]

so, 283 turns would be not so bad...

[McMonkey]

I am probably guilty of creating a very long scenario (WWII) mainly due to an excess of ambition at the cost good gameplay charecteristics. I would have to agree with Gagliaudo that 283 turns would be more than adequate. As Agricola said 4000 b.c -1800 a.d in the vanilla game takes some time to play, considering that you start with 1-2 settlers and the first few millenia are over very quickly. If you start with hundreds of units on the map this will slow down the progress even more making a 283 turn game into a lengthy epic.

One thing I never liked in the original game was the fact that you did not get to spend much time campaigning in the Bronze and Iron ages before the development of gunpowder, by which time the game slowed right down!

[civ2units]

I agree with you all, a too long game could be very boring.
I will go with "one turn = one year", so I have 283 turns for the scenario (beginning 1492 and ending 1775). That should be enough for the Age of Discovery.

[Von Bert]

But.. how many of us did play a scenario til the end ?

So.. maybe only me im the one abandoning after some time.. so.. well.. maybe you can set it also with 6 month turn..will be 500 turns..

then.. depends also on how many units the player have to move.. cause if u have few.. (and AI also) each turn will be very fast..

.. i think short scenario are more good for summer.. while long one for winter time.. when you are closed home.. out cold.. and a long civ night to go..

[curtsibling]

I always play scenarios to the bitter end.

Or at least until my triumph is not longer in doubt.

[civ2units]

After long considerations I think I will now go with the 283 turns. With lower research you won´t get all techs until 1600 so the additional units will come later in game (I hope so).

I will following the work on this project after finishing the final version of AWI.

[GhostOfDisco]

Originally posted by civ2units
I´m looking now for a good world map. The original one from Microprose looks for me like a good one.

Which one are you referring to? The default Civ 2 world map, or the larger one, as featured in scenarios such as the La Belle Epoque series, Blitzkrieg etc.?

The second one seems a better option, given its larger size (and colonize all those little South Pacific Islands! )

I rmemeber some of my games with the old Age of Discovery scenario - playing as Spain, I'd make an alliance with the Indians, give them guns, Christianity and all sorts of techs, found a "Panama" and a few other cities in the Western Hemisphere, then turn my guns loose on the "Neutrals," conquering Florence, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and even managing to found cities in Central Asia, working my way from the Black Sea all the way to China. Good times, good times.

Good luck with the scenario!