CivIII and the continuance of AC/X

[SITS]

I struggled with SMAC/X. I played it for awhile but put it to one side and went back to CIV2. I read a comment in a magazine about SMAC and why it wasn't as good/successful as CIV2 and they said the problem with SMAC is that you can't really identify with it. Unlike in CIV2 where you know what a pikeman is or a horse etc but who knows what is Polymorphic Software?

So what changed? I wanted to play multiplayer so I had a look around and came across the SMAC threads. I read how enthusiastic people were for the game which made me question my thoughts on it. Signed up for a few games. I thought I should do some reading so I downloaded Vel's guide and well, bugger me! I suddenly realised how complex the game was with so much going on under the surface - unlike CIV2. The game is huge and afaik no one has come up with a killer strategy so it forces you to look for new ideas of how to play it. Going back to CIV2 is impossible now for me - it would be too limiting.

I have high hopes for CIV3. I think we will see lots of SMAC stuff in it but I fully intend to carry on with SMAC. Maybe Firaxis will base SMAC2 on CIV3 as I can't see them ever going back to the simplicity of CIV2. And I think that would turn out fine.

[Ned]

I haven't played CIV II since I started playing SMAC. The reason is obvious. SMAC is a quantum leap over CIV in terms of interface, SE choices, and the design queue. Each game can be dramatically different from any preceding game. I could not say that about CIV.

In checking the CIV III forum here, I seem to see the same improvements and units we saw in CIV II. Just the graphics seem to be upgraded. So, if they stick to the same unit concepts as CIV, we will have lost he design workshop of SMAC. Now that will be a major disappointment if true.

I hope CIV III incorporates all the improvements of SMAC, but fixes some of the bugs. I fear, though, that it really is just an improved CIV II. Which probably means that I will play a few games of CIV III, get bored, and then come back to SMAC.

[D4everman]

I look forward to CIV3. When I first got CIV2 I was completely addicted. A buddy at work would eat lunch with me and we'd discuss how the damned carthaginians were pissing us off. Man, it was loads of fun. But I'll probably still play SMACX.

What I think would be cool is if they make SMACX2 as maybe an expansion pack. It could have a few new factions and improved diplomacy. (maybe even tweak the AI behaviour a little bit). The best thing about SMACX is the personality of the AI factions. If CIV3 has that much depth with the other nations it will be great indeed. Still I'd love to have more SMACX. (the one thing I don't like much is the aliens....I don't hate them, but I have yet to have a game where they didn't have to be wiped out. And its too easy since atrocities don't count against them.)

D4

[Sarxis]

I personally would love to see SMAC/X2! If they would just clean up the game, improve the diplomacy (which is still decent anyhow) and perhaps add the ability to settle on even more planets, then it would be a dream come true.

As far as CivIII and what it will do for the future of the CIV genre- I hope that we aren't getting a candy-coated CivII. But how could Firaxis even do this? I just hope that the mass migration of Firaxis personnel last year didn't kill the CIV dream.