Re-thinking Difficulty Level

[Donegeal]

We are going to currently play at Monarch level of difficulty. This level was choosen because we did not want the AI to be a dominate feature of this game.

The situation has changed. There will no longer be any AI opponets.

Pehaps we should reconsider the difficulty level.

With no AI, I would be all in favor of increasing the level all the way to Diety for the increased difficulty of making our cities happy. This will make resourses and Lux more valuable.

But perhaps it is too late to make this type of change.

What do you guys think?

[Spiffor]

If anything, I'd lower the difficulty to regent, where we would have to concentrate only on our human opponents, not on the problems the computer will provide (not chieftain because the tech race would be way too fast)

[Harovan]

What concerns happiness, there's no difference between Deity and Emperor, and only one citizen difference to Monarch. More differences (not mentioned AI bonuses, as there's no AI) are in the combat bonus against Barbarians, and in the encreased corruption due to the lowered "Optimal Number of Cities". The question is, do we want dominating Barbarians and increased corruption?

On the first question I would say, it doesn't really matter. It's only in the beginning of the ancient age anyway, the map will quickly be monitored by roaming units and the Barbarians will be under control.

The increased corruption is a bit of a killjoy, at least for me.

I'd say Emperor. A good compromise.

[Tiberius]

Maybe we should decide this in a poll.
I'd choose Monarch, btw.

[Donegeal]

Yeah, I was thinking about a poll, but thought it should be discussed first. Besides, I don't want to take away from the only thing that seems to make Trip happy... making polls!

[AroSch]

Hmmh, Emperor sonds good to me, but Monarch also will be okay...

[Borc]

Emperor!

[mrmitchell]

Just keep it the same! It's the 29th! We've only got today and tomorrow before December First rolls along! Argh!!!

(But if there were a poll I would say yes, drop down to Regent. We're going to have a hard enough time kicking each other's behinds )

[Eli]

Chieftain!

Corruption is too high.

[Harovan]

Hmm. After reading this discussion... may be the best would be just to leave it at Monarch. It's really late to change things.

[Zero]

Deity? that's crazy talk!

[Shiber]

I second with Sir Ralph. Corruption makes the game less fun, but difficulty makes the game more interesting and challenging (and research slower). IMHO Monarch is a good compromise between the two.

[Beta]

I third Shiber who seconded Sir Ralph.

Monarch.

[Tiberius]

Yes, leave it as it is.

[mrmitchell]

Leave it as it is! I second the dude who second the dude who second leaving it as it is. (It is on Monarch right now, isn't it? )