Contradictory info from official sources

[Roman]

As Harlan correctly pointed out there has been some contradictory information from official sources (ie. Firaxis and previews in magazines). It would be helpful if Firaxis could clarify these questions:

1. In what years will the game begin and end?
(One source claims the game span is 4000BC to 2020AD, while the other claims it is 4000BC to 2500AD)

2. How many civs can be in the game at once, and can that number be increased through modification of the text files?
(One source claims there are 7 civilizations per game, the other puts this number at 8)

3. Are minor civs in fact in the game, and could we hear at least a hint of how they different from regular civs?
(One (very old) source claims there will be minor civs, but there has been no mention of them in any of the recent detailed previews [though they did mention barbarians having encampements - is this what minor civs are?])

Thank you for your time and clarification, Firaxis!

[DrFell]

2500AD?

[ancient]

well as he pointed out the game wouldnt make much sence going to 2500.. i think theyll stick with 2020.. because they cant really predict the future now can they?

[DrFell]

The problem is if they try to predict the future... I hate sci-fi techs, they seem to spoil the atmosphere of the game (Civ being a historical game mainly, with a few conservative future techs in it).

[ancient]

in civ 1 they had hovercrafts,,, atleast thats what i heard... ever seen a hovercraft go into battle, i dont think so..

[DrFell]

Nahh, they didn't have hovercrafts in Civ1... although if you mess around with the rules.txt in Civ2 you can create a hovercraft

[Imran Siddiqui]

You do realize how wrong previews have been in the past. Take a look at the first previews of SMAC and compare it to the finished game. So, I don't accept everything from the previewers as fact, until verified by Firaxis.

[Roman]

quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui on 05-01-2001 08:46 PM You do realize how wrong previews have been in the past. Take a look at the first previews of SMAC and compare it to the finished game. So, I don't accept everything from the previewers as fact, until verified by Firaxis.

That's exactly why I started this thread.

[Gramphos]

quote: Originally posted by DrFell on 05-01-2001 08:06 PM The problem is if they try to predict the future... I hate sci-fi techs, they seem to spoil the atmosphere of the game (Civ being a historical game mainly, with a few conservative future techs in it).

If they do so, as I don't think, just edit the rules (as Firaxis said will be possible) and make the game end at 2020 and disable all future technologies.

[Roman]

quote: Originally posted by vgriph on 05-07-2001 04:22 PMIf they do so, as I don't think, just edit the rules (as Firaxis said will be possible) and make the game end at 2020 and disable all future technologies.

Yes, that's exactly what I would do if they stretched the game to 2500AD, but this would probably leave the technology tree thinly spread, as instead of designing "historical techs" they would have spent time on future ones.

[Ralf]

quote: Originally posted by vgriph on 05-07-2001 04:22 PM If they do so, as I don't think, just edit the rules (as Firaxis said will be possible) and make the game end at 2020 and disable all future technologies.

Well, the edit-the-rules solution usually is an effective all-rounder, but not in this case.

Such a supposed 2500 AD game would of course end with some specific future tech victory-conditions, including some huge futuristic build-undertakings. By disabling future techs in such a Civ-game, you also disables these future-era victory conditions, without having any 2020 AD replacements.

Besides, I dont want to play a 2/3-only game just because some fundamental game-design mistake, made by the Firaxis-team. Thankfully, I am about 98% convinced that the 4000 BC - 2020 AD is the correct info.

[To_Serve_Man]

If 500 years out of the 6500 is future, is it that big of a deal? Thats 6000 years of non-historical/concervative future game play. I think it would nice to get some sci-fi techs. I agree that they should be like CTP, and get into space flight and space cities and space bombers...

Personaly I dislike the beging parts of the game from 4000 to around 2000, does that mean the game should bend around what I like? No, i'll play them, because its part of the game. It don't think its fun siting pressing Enter over and over again waiting for my next settler to be created in my only city. Nor do I like combat which consists of 3 unit types, all of which could not fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

So in conclusion, I feel that 4000BC to 2500AD is fine, even if Firaxis does get a litle sci-fi on us. It never hurt nobody to do something different. Plus, look at it this way, by the time these future techs come into play, it will be end game time. Players will be madly rushing to try and achieve victory whichever means possable (bloodlust, 'SpaceShip', all these new ones). Having some sci-fi units and/or techs will be a nice final push to finish off your enemies, or make a new research lab and get that little extra in research... Future Techs are like the bubble gum in the middle of Charms Blow Pops...
[This message has been edited by To_Serve_Man (edited May 07, 2001).]

[DaveV]

Sorry, but there is exactly one "official" source - the Firaxis website. And they seem to be keeping their cards very close to their collective chest .

[Grumbold]

There don't seem to be any shots of units more advanced than a modern day main battle tank so there is some negative evidence. Until Firaxis say definitely which sciences will top the tree we won't know for sure. I'd be happy for each game to go on for as long as it took for those final sciences to be found and used by the strong nations, whether that is 1400 AD or 3400 AD. No point playing 400 turns with no progress or ending earlier than need be.

[tniem]

quote: Originally posted by DaveV on 05-08-2001 08:11 AM Sorry, but there is exactly one "official" source - the Firaxis website. And they seem to be keeping their cards very close to their collective chest .

Second that. And just would like to add they should be keeping their cards close to their chests and only leak things little by little. It certainly is keeping me addicted to the whole Civ III craze.