Civ4 Democracy Game Discussion

[Locutus]

Originally posted by Beta
So - Locutus - what is YOUR view on the matter of team balance?

I'm pretty strongly in favour of an SP game.

[Beta]

Originally posted by Locutus


I'm pretty strongly in favour of an SP game.

Oh - we still do those???

Sorry - I now understand the confusion. I assumed we were taking the roll count for the MP game.

And starting up the SP game first would make good sense. It will allow everyone to get exposure to the game, and ensure the knowledge transfer that I discussed above happens.

However, I suspect we probably have a narrow window of time between the SP and MP demo games. Once one has played a MP demo game, SP seems .. I don't know... lacking in depth. Somewhat sterile. Sorry, can't quite put my finger on it.

[Ninot]

considering only 2 people on this message board know the behaviour of the AI for sure.... an SP demo game will be very deep if we start it early.

also, much deeper group of people if everyone is on the same team.

[Nikolai]

SP would be my preference. A builder strategy civ as Locutus proposed would also be my choice.

[notyoueither]

Re: Civ4 Democracy Game Discussion

Originally posted by Beta
6 . Team balance....and what I really think we need to discuss now as teams start to form...

In addition to to the wide range of experience and talents of the members on this site, there is now a critical factor which delineates some players from the others - and that is whether you have been involved in the development and/or testing of Civ4. This clearly would give those players an edge in game mechanics, as they will be familiar with them, and will have had numerous hours of play/test time.

For the sake of a balanced game, I would like to suggest that the members with such experince consider spearding themselves out amonst the teams, as opposed to concentrating in one or two teams. Not only will this ensure a more balanced - and hopefully therefore more enjoyable game - but it will also allow for the sharing of the knowledge and experinece that has been gained by some members with the wider community, thus strenthening Apolyton's overall ability. Because, as we all know, the next inter-site game will not be far behind.

I would like to know how others feel about this, and I would especially like to hear from some of the testers. Maybe I am over-rating the advantage of having been a tester.

You make a fair point. However, I'm not sure how many of our Poly-posting testers are going to want to be involved in MP demogames. I do know that Gathering Storm has a couple of people who had access to the beta, but some of them were not very active due to RL and whatnot, and they would likely not be so active in a team DG.

As for myself, I was intending to offer to answer any questions the SP DG players put to me about the mechanics that I know. IOWs, I want to help out, but I do not want to lead or play. I've been having fun with it for some time now, so it's time for others to get theirs.

An SP DG, and AU, may be the best place for many to bring themselves up to speed with those who were in the test.

[Nimitz]

Yup for me I would prefer a SPDG as its always been more dynamic,the give and take that goes on in SP game that doesn't in a MP game, oh and as always throw me in for the builders side.

[conmcb25]

Warmonger

We need to start looking at how we can modify choke and dagger strategies into being relevant in CIV IV

[Ninot]

As I said, lets do a balanced civ. Invariably, there will be 2 political parties. Whichever gains power can try to test out its builder or warmonger strategy.

[H Tower]

Originally posted by Ninot
As I said, lets do a balanced civ. Invariably, there will be 2 political parties. Whichever gains power can try to test out its builder or warmonger strategy.

I agree

[Beta]

Re: Re: Civ4 Democracy Game Discussion

Originally posted by notyoueither


You make a fair point. However, I'm not sure how many of our Poly-posting testers are going to want to be involved in MP demogames. I do know that Gathering Storm has a couple of people who had access to the beta, but some of them were not very active due to RL and whatnot, and they would likely not be so active in a team DG.

As for myself, I was intending to offer to answer any questions the SP DG players put to me about the mechanics that I know. IOWs, I want to help out, but I do not want to lead or play. I've been having fun with it for some time now, so it's time for others to get theirs.

An SP DG, and AU, may be the best place for many to bring themselves up to speed with those who were in the test.

nye - thanks and understood. I agree that AU may be pivitol here.

[Beta]

Originally posted by Nimitz
Yup for me I would prefer a SPDG as its always been more dynamic,the give and take that goes on in SP game that doesn't in a MP game,

Sheesh Nimitz... not sure what MP demo games you have been in.

I only say that because IMHO, the interaction of human teams adds an element that a SP demo game can never come close to. I enjoy SP demo games - the cameraderie, the discussion and the polls, and the roleplay that goes with it. But it lacks the depth and dynamics of MP.

[Spiffor]

I also strongly support a SP demogame. I love the roleplaying in it, and I think there's a good reason to do it gameplay wise:

We will all be newbies with Civ4. There won't be any obviously good or obviously bad choice (unlike in Civ3, where SP Demogames are more about skill than about choice).

As a result, as we'll be figuring out the game at the same time, the SP Demogame will actually have debates, actually have contested polls etc, and not simply be in the hands of a few skilled players. I think it'sll allow us to learn much more of the game mechanics, and to play "democracy" once again!

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by Ninot
As I said, lets do a balanced civ. Invariably, there will be 2 political parties. Whichever gains power can try to test out its builder or warmonger strategy.

This is Apoly, so in other words you want to play builder

[OPD]

Re: Civ4 Democracy Game Discussion

Originally posted by Beta
6 . Team balance....and what I really think we need to discuss now as teams start to form...

In addition to to the wide range of experience and talents of the members on this site, there is now a critical factor which delineates some players from the others - and that is whether you have been involved in the development and/or testing of Civ4. This clearly would give those players an edge in game mechanics, as they will be familiar with them, and will have had numerous hours of play/test time.

If the first one taught us anything it was that ability at the game was no where near as important as diplomacy and overall game strategy, even to the point where it's probably better to not be so good at the start so that other teams don't see you as too much of a threat.

SP and team DG, there's no reason why you can't have one of each. The question is should we wait for this pitboss thing to be sorted before starting a team game?

[conmcb25]

Re: Re: Civ4 Democracy Game Discussion

Originally posted by OPD
SP and team DG, there's no reason why you can't have one of each. The question is should we wait for this pitboss thing to be sorted before starting a team game?

My understanding of the pit boss is you can go into a MP game then into a PBEM and then back again, Im not sure if you start a game before the pit boss comes out if you can pit boss it after the fact.

Beta testers out there? What is your opinion?

And is that going to be important for us? Are we REALLY going to MP part of it? Maybe the AI taking over a CIV would be good if a team fell apart.

We can certainly start talking about it though