We need LESS modern units

[Dida]

I can't think of any idea more stupid that this one. The game needs more modern units.

[Tarquelne]

Re: We need LESS modern units

Originally posted by Autolicus
By industrialization, however, in my personal opinion, the game starts to fall apart. Many of the qualities that make the early part of the game so fun and dynamic start to disappear. The aspects of civ that make it a great game in the early periods don't seem to translate well in the modern era.

I think getting Firaxis to eliminate the Modern era is doomed. I pretty sure there are too many players who want the modern units to play with. (And, for them, it'd be nice if the Modern Age had more meat to it... but that's another topic.)

OTOH, adding an Age might just be possible for an expansion. And I believe the editor allows you to add an age, so players should be able to do it themselves, no matter what Firaxis does. I think there's room for 4 pre-modern ages.

I, btw, think of the Modern Age as the "endgame" period, not simply another age like the others. The best part is over - the MA is there just to wrap things up when someone hasn't already won in an earlier age.

[Autolicus]

Oh, I'm not delusional enough to think that such changes would ever be implemented, but it would be the right way to go. I think most people who really appreciate Civ realize that the modern age is the weakest. Of course, I realize that others really like the modern area. But it seems to me that if you really like the modern warfare, then there are a lot of games out there that are better to play.

[notyoueither]

Wait for the XP. I'll bet a buck there is a 5th age between Medieval and Industrial. What the h*ll would they call it though?

Agricultural? No.
Renaissance? No, that implies a decline.
Early Modern? Prolly not.

What the heck do you call that span of 500 or so years prior to 1790 without being too region specific?

How about this: Ancient, Medeival, Discovery, Industrial, Modern.

Discovery starts with Navigation. Industrial starts with Rail. Modern starts with Replaceable Parts. That leaves a lot of space for additional tech and units during the Medieval, Discovery and Industrial. Much of the Industrial is moved into Modern so it just needs rearranging for better late game progression (you really should be driving T80s and M1s for a bit before building an interstellar vehicle).

As for the Minor Techs (or Sub Techs) great idea. For Civ4.

[Willem]

Originally posted by notyoueither

What the heck do you call that span of 500 or so years prior to 1790 without being too region specific?

How about this: Ancient, Medeival, Discovery, Industrial, Modern.

Colonial

[Elucidus]

Yeah I can't wait until they allow us to add Eras...if they do that is. I would really like to expand the whole thing out a bit, change the years per turn ration and the endgame year s as well.

[Tarquelne]

Originally posted by Elucidus
Yeah I can't wait until they allow us to add Eras...

It's an option in the editor. I don't know if it works 100% or not, though.

[Ethelred]

Originally posted by dunk999

Sidebar... I've often wondered how someone can have an alphabet but not be able to write.

Alphabets aparently started as simple marks for goods. A method of marking what was in a jar or keeping tax records. Using the symbols for general communication came later.

Clay stamps for symbols that later became the alphabet in the Middle East have been found.