I bet that most computer fans will agree with me that the best wining strategy in strategic games like civilization is to build or capture as much cities as possible. The game algorithm supposes that the number of cities and population you control generates science so that whoever builds more cities consequently generates more science and wins the game. The most annoying thing for me is that the computer followed by the mentioned algorithm builds cities everywhere without stopping. (That’s the only way to survive and win). AI’s strategies become pretty irritating and very often spoils the game play because as countermeasure by the end of the game you usually find yourself managing a huge empire with hundred of cities and units. One of the solutions to this situation may be a new algorithm.
I believe that the current algorithm (cities and population give science) is not logically correct. I suggest using money instead.
If we look into the real world and compare for example Japan or USA with India we can conclude that the number of population does not necessary mean the great scientific output. (The number of population of India is two times more that both in the USA and Japan) A strong economy is what that makes countries to invest in education and science and consequently generates scientific breakthroughs. Christopher Columbus wouldn’t discover American continent without Spanish king’s investment. In the game with such an algorithm we can control a small territory but still rule the world. Like in the real world strong economics will determine the winner and the loser. The new simple science formula could be something like this: Technological breakthrough (game turns left) = tech factor / money invested in current project. Money invested is the amount of money invested in the scientific project. (In the ancient times before the invention of money food can be used instead.) Tech factor is a predefined constant assigned to technologies. Like in the real world huge investments do not necessary mean the immediate success in research. The more difficult the invention the more fundamental research is needed and the more time should pass before your scientists can discover anything. The offered algorithm may give us very interesting strategies to play. Money income should be changed and balanced accordingly to match a new algorithm. The idea is that a small but economically efficient nation should generate the same amount of science as a huge but economically poor empire. The bigger does not have to mean the better (moreover big empires require more bureaucrats increasing the costs and corruption level.) If well balanced this new algorithm can suggest many new strategies and change AI’s behavior as well. That’s the idea, I wonder what do you think?
I believe that the current algorithm (cities and population give science) is not logically correct. I suggest using money instead.
If we look into the real world and compare for example Japan or USA with India we can conclude that the number of population does not necessary mean the great scientific output. (The number of population of India is two times more that both in the USA and Japan) A strong economy is what that makes countries to invest in education and science and consequently generates scientific breakthroughs. Christopher Columbus wouldn’t discover American continent without Spanish king’s investment. In the game with such an algorithm we can control a small territory but still rule the world. Like in the real world strong economics will determine the winner and the loser. The new simple science formula could be something like this: Technological breakthrough (game turns left) = tech factor / money invested in current project. Money invested is the amount of money invested in the scientific project. (In the ancient times before the invention of money food can be used instead.) Tech factor is a predefined constant assigned to technologies. Like in the real world huge investments do not necessary mean the immediate success in research. The more difficult the invention the more fundamental research is needed and the more time should pass before your scientists can discover anything. The offered algorithm may give us very interesting strategies to play. Money income should be changed and balanced accordingly to match a new algorithm. The idea is that a small but economically efficient nation should generate the same amount of science as a huge but economically poor empire. The bigger does not have to mean the better (moreover big empires require more bureaucrats increasing the costs and corruption level.) If well balanced this new algorithm can suggest many new strategies and change AI’s behavior as well. That’s the idea, I wonder what do you think?
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