Zero-Player Option

[polypheus]

Many strategy games allow a zero-player option in which only the computer players play each other.

I would like Civ3 to have such a zero-player option.

Sometimes its fun just to sit back and watch the computer players duke it out and see how it all turns out.

This is especially good for situations in which there is no point of playing further but you still want to see how the history of your world will continue to develop even after you've decided to cease actively playing.

It is also good for scenario development.

It should be quite easy to implement and with sufficient options you could view as much or as little detail as you wish so that it doesn't become too tedious to watch.

[Footie Mad]

YES, I think everyone has thought of this and when you're just to damn tired to play just sit back and watch the rise and fall of civilizations

[Ralf]

Re: Zero-Player Option

Originally posted by polypheus
Many strategy games allow a zero-player option in which only the computer players play each other.

I would like Civ3 to have such a zero-player option.

Yes, why not? Im all for it. It would be the lazy players option to scenario-building.

You should be able to determine certain pause/save dates/turns; or stop playing/saving each 20, 50, 100 turn (or whatever). Or manually intervene when ever you like. Or switching side with a chosen AI-civ. It would be fun.

[samurai]

Re: Re: Zero-Player Option

Originally posted by Ralf


You should be able to determine certain pause/save dates/turns; or stop playing/saving each 20, 50, 100 turn (or whatever). Or manually intervene when ever you like. Or switching side with a chosen AI-civ. It would be fun.

In other words, just play God for a little while.
Not an extremely good idea, but why not. Could be fun sometimes

[DarkCloud]

This would be an interesting option; but only if the AI was beefed up a bit.

[DrFell]

I remeber trying this in Civ2, but it was depressing and boring watching the AI make feeble attacks with no chances of taking any cities. The only bit that was interesting to watch was the early game (when barbs could capture cities etc ). If the AI was improved so it could actually make decent attacks, etc. then this is a good option to include.

[Alex 14]

Many strategy games allow a zero-player option in which only the computer players play each other.

Sorry, i don't like it, it's just not the kind of thing you would have in a civ game.

[Jarouik]

Originally posted by DrFell
I remeber trying this in Civ2, but it was depressing and boring watching the AI make feeble attacks with no chances of taking any cities. The only bit that was interesting to watch was the early game (when barbs could capture cities etc ). If the AI was improved so it could actually make decent attacks, etc. then this is a good option to include.

That is true... on a particularly boring day at work (which I am luckily finishing soon and getting back to study), I actually watched the computer play Civ2 for hours on a huge map. It is otherwise interesting, but the AI really won't found enough cities even if it there was lots of area all around its capital to expand to, and the AI attacks looked downright horrible. By the end of the day, the fundamentalist French had literally hundreds of Riflemen and a couple of dozen Cavalry units moving around the map every turn, but they only managed to capture an occasional city every now and then, always attacking with only a couple of units per turn and moving the others aimlessly along their railroads. I hope the AI will be greatly improved, but even if it isn't, the option to let the computer play all of the Civs in a scenario creator or cheat mode is sometimes so fun it should be included.

[KrazyHorse]

I would really like to see this feature implemented too. I would also like the ability to greatly speed up the moves under such an option, in order to be able to run through the same scenario a hundred times in, say, 3-4 hours. I know you could watch computer players play in Civ II by using the cheat menu the right way, but it got to be a pain.

[b&i_c]

I don't really make scenarios, but I think it would be nice just to have that, except have the game go a little slower so you could actually watch what is happening.
This could also be useful in watching what tactics work, and what don't, since you could watch it on Deity level.

[Ilkuul]

I agree, I think this would be an excellent option to have -- not only for enjoyment (IF the AI is significantly improved!), but also to improve one's own tactics by observing what the AI does.

[Sean]

Sitting down in front of the computer to watch the AI play civ isn't exactly my idea of fun...and I doubt that you could learn much either.

However, just because I wouldn't do it, doesn't mean others wouldn't. As such, I have no good reason to argue against this option be included in the game, (unless it takes up too much space etc).

[Ralf]

Originally posted by Sean
Sitting down in front of the computer to watch the AI play civ isn't exactly my idea of fun.

Why should one do that? My idea is to leave the computer alone, while I do other things. This feature should be used more like a advanced screensaver. When you come back from time to time; press the pause/stop command, in order to check up the current status. I agree of course that everything stands-and-falls with the quality of the AI.

[Ilkuul]

Yes, I like that screensaver idea! Especially if they have a political map (with different colours for the territory of the various civs): I'd then do a maximum zoom-out, go off and have a cup of coffee (or work in another program), and come back to see how the borders had expanded or contracted... Nice.

[Henrik]

Congratualtions, you've just invented the game that plays for you
All you need to do is look at the results from time to time

LOL

I realize this wasn't what you intended and I am actually for the idea but still