Some observations from the new screenshots in IGN's Diaries

[LT John]

The V next to a unit stands for Veteran.

The A next to a unit indicates that it is an army.

There are a lot of new trade goods- you guys have figured out many of them: cotton, tea, lumber, glass, (medicinal) herbs.

Stacks can have up to 12 units now.

Little buildings outside of a city are tile improvements- trading posts- that increase the city's trade income.

Remember that these screens come from the alpha build, so you are seeing some placeholder stuff.

[MarkG]

quote: Originally posted by DiscoveryOne on 09-02-2000 12:25 AM I notice that there's a retreat option....

yes, i think we have heard about this in the past already. but i dont remember if we what heard what the consequences are when you retreat


[This message has been edited by MarkG (edited September 02, 2000).]

[MidKnight Lament]

What about the Espionage Screen?! Nobody noticed the button on top of this screen?

http://www.cdmag.com/articles/029/087/shot12.html

Bring it on! I was so hoping for this...

Activision - what can you tell us about it?

- MKL
[This message has been edited by MidKnight Lament (edited September 02, 2000).]

[Monkey]

Most likely the espionage screen is just an steroid boosted intelligence screen showing you all the information of the other civs.

BTW Did anyone see that screenshot of of the stealth bomber with a red line to a tile in computer gaming online preview? It looked like the stealth bomber was "above" the tile the red line pointed to. Different altitude levels? And what's that two swords crossed thing mean?

Also the modern city style city icon has been modified to look less cartoony. Anyone know if there will be more city styles? I would really like a medieval city style at the very least...

And the best screenshot of all goes to the one with the single city screen!!! Hurrah this is the first look at the single city screen. However it appears there is still a need to flip between tabs to see what I have in the city and what I can build. There is a build queue tab and an inventory tab that alternates the screen. I'm guessing inventory is what the city contains? It's still too early to say if the interface is better Also in the screen we see the new "unassignable" worker model. Although some people will miss the ability to place workers on specific tiles, I'm all for it if it means less micro management and it won't make my cities less efficient.

Activision is definitely stepping away from "classic" civilization rules with each new feature so even if they still had the license to call CTP2 civilization, I don't think they would even use it because it would be totally different to how civilization played.

[MidKnight Lament]

Ahh, which screen would this be on? I hadn't seen that. Link please.

Edit: Found it myself. Here 'tis.

It's certainly something different to look at. I didn't know what to make of it at first. What's the verdict, everyone?

This is the stealth fighter screen that Monkey was talking about.

We also get a look at the City Info Screen (Previously F1) where you manage all your cities at once. Doesn't seem to look that much different.

- MKL
[This message has been edited by MidKnight Lament (edited September 02, 2000).]

[Monkey]

Edit: I see you already found the single city screen yourself..... no need for me to put in the link then

[This message has been edited by Monkey (edited September 02, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Monkey (edited September 02, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Monkey (edited September 02, 2000).]

[Sophanthro]

Thoughts on the single city screen:

I prefer it over the previous method, but It still doesn't show you everything at once, which i'd prefer. You know expand the city screen, put statistics below the people and resources section, place inventory next to or below the queue section.
IMO it's fine to cover almost the full screen with the city view as you don't do anything else when your managing your cities. I like the arrows to switch between cities, and the advice button, and switching between two screens aint to bad.

The Msgs tab:

Im assuming that this is what will be used for chat? If so I don't like it. The chat window should be visible at all times (like in CTP) as chat is often a backround activity in mp. If the Msgs is replacing the slic boxes. I don't like that either.


That said if it comes out finished, I'll definitely buy it.

[MidKnight Lament]

Sorry to hassle you, Monkey. I guess I couldn't wait. Hope you didn't spend too much time trying to do it...

- MKL

[Monkey]

Nah just took three bungled attempts with the ubb script before I realized you already had the link

[MarkG]

quote: Originally posted by Sophanthro on 09-03-2000 12:10 AM The Msgs tab: Im assuming that this is what will be used for chat?

actually, i think that that's the place that the messages that poped up on the left of the screen on ctp1 will appear....

[Atahualpa]

The "tower" near Delhi appears to be a trade good. I think it is pepper.
Just look a bit closer and you notice that "handle" on the top. It is some sort of pepper-mill. Thats the impression I got.

ATa

[Slax]

MarkG - I simply don't like the clutter in the radar map when the different terrain is shown. The first thing I did to customize CTP I was change the radar screen, and I may have to do it again with CTP II. All I need to see besides land and sea, is cities and armies(toggled). I don't know how many colours your eyes can differentiate. I like the options they offer, though.

[Slax]

I few things in the other screenshots (sorry I don't remember which):

- arctic and desert terrain next to grass - its up to your own interpretation, but I don't think that should happen.

- what are the boards in the woods?

- when do the kelp beds appear? Are they not hidden beneath the water at first?

[Atahualpa]

quote: - arctic and desert terrain next to grass - its up to your own interpretation, but I don't think that should happen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++


Besides the map generator in these screenies looks pretty bad to me. I really really hope they havent touched it yet!
Large areas of swamp and desert may be realistic BUT you cant settle them - you cant use them!!!!

Ata

[WesW]

I completely agree with Ata on this one. I want more usuable terrain on random maps. The first priority should be to get the largest number of competitive civs as possible in the game. Earth-like terrain distributions should come second.