Sociopathic Succession Suggestion

[Scouse Gits]

Just an 'off the wall' idea to be kicked around at this point, but how about a Succession Game in which the only restriction was that no 'Social' advance could EVER be researched - stolen, swapped or captured yes, but not researched. If forced to put a Social advance in Science must immediately be turned to 0% and all Eins disbanded until such time as the advance can be acquired 'legitimately'.

My first thought was to make this restriction apply simply to government forms - but felt that the current team would make mincemeat of that!

Problem areas are Darwin's and The Lady that I can think of - any others?? - we can't research philo so that's not a problem.

Comments please...

SG[1]

[-Jrabbit]

Can you be a little more specific on definition of a "social" advance?

I'll try anything, but don't have enough perspective to see this as a huge challenge -- esp since it's OK to beg, borrow, or steal the outlawed techs.

Maybe combine this thought with another major restriction/goal/winning condition?

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

It sounds interesting... although it also sounds like an invitation to ICS! Grab the military techs, steal the vital social ones, build 40-60 cities and conquer everyone. (Not that there's anything wrong with that ).

Some restrictions you should consider... no caravans when science is set at 0, obviously. Perhaps make this an AC game? That would be trickier. Perhaps limit the social wonders? (HG, MC, MPE, CfC)

Writing is a social advance, IIRC.... so, no diplomats possible until that's acquired by trade or conquest. Hmmm.

One suggestion would be to LIST the social advances, because if Jrabbit and I aren't sure of what is and what isn't, then others are probably in the same boat. And I can't find my paper tech tree!

Not to threadjack, but my idea for the next game would be a blanket restriction disallowing improvements. None could be built anywhere - no temples, markets, nothing (Palace is the only exception!!). Sell all captured improvements as soon as possible. Only units, and wonders (mulling the idea of limiting wonders as well) can be built. Goal would be to reach AC. Too hard? [/threadjack]

[Scouse Gits]

The Social Advances are those bearing the icons below for the four ages of man....

However, (2) has an even more extreme idea...

SG[1]

[Scouse Gits]

My idea was going through the entire game with science set @ 0%. Eins are allowed so all advances would come via freights, conquest and theft.

SG(2)

[Straybow]

Early game would be hell…

[Vlad Antlerkov]

Maybe you have to turn off science once you get Trade...? (IIRC, we successfully launched in an SG by turning off science after reaching Fundy. Or if we didn't, we pretty much had the game in the bag. I remember someone suggesting that we try the same thing, only once Trade comes in...)

[DaveV]

Originally posted by Scouse Gits
My idea was going through the entire game with science set @ 0%. Eins are allowed so all advances would come via freights, conquest and theft.

SG(2)

Great minds think alike! I had the same idea, except without the Einsteins. Trade makes things just too easy, which was the appeal of STYOM's game. No huts would be another good addition. Still very winnable IMHO, especially if we shared our starting continent with an AI (which could probably be guessed by checking the starting techs).

[Scouse Gits]

I agree completely with DaveV - the game would be easily winnable - but only as an extreme ICS - Although that would suit me - I doubt it would win a popularity contest ...

SG[1]

[DaveV]

SG1 - it is likely we would spend a long period in despotism, and that one of the AIs would build the gardens before us (unless we started with pottery). I would find these two conditions to be substantial disincentives for an all-out ICS.

[Bloody Monk]

I'm working off the assumption that restrictions on the human are to give the AI a semblance of a chance.

One idea to consider is to limit the functionality of Dips. No city bribing allowed. Bribe units yes; cities, no. It makes the game too easy.

And whether it is "science at zero", or "no social techs", I think Fundy Gov't should be disallowed (if it ever becomes available). Unbalances the odds too much.

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

As you know, I'm open to most succession games

Here are my ideas - any interest?

The no improvements game mentioned above.
The one-govt-change-to-democracy-only game.
A no settlers or engineers game... goal is conquest of course.
Nomad challenge (extension of the previous idea)

[La Fayette]

"No trade" is close to its end.
I vote for "no science" as next.

[Grigor]

Oh Boy!

I am up for anything (2.42, Mac).
I had been thinking about the actual size of Greek city-states (-uh-size 1) and wondering about the Agrarian challenge - no cities larger than size 1 and no overlapping city squares. Without an SSC the humans should be hobbled right down to AI size. The AI could also be given a headstart - like HG in Nineveh - so that the huge number of cities becomes a headache for troop support.

[Scouse Gits]

Grigor - when you have won that game - I shall salute you!

Seriously, i don't think size 1 only is feasible, but i haven't even managed an OCC4 - yet

Are you up for 2.42 OR Mac or 2.42 AND Mac - I was under the impression that only MGE was on the Mac platform?

SG[1]