We received the following message this morning. I thought others might be interested in case they want to respond to Mick's latest (brilliant, IMO) idea. Even though he sent it by private email I thought it was important enough to break the usual rules about not reposting private mail. Hope Mick won't mind.
>From: Mick Uhl <m.uhl@microprose.com>
>To: sleague@apolyton.net
>Subject: Civ 2omb Raider
>
>Gentlemen:
>
> I wanted you to be the first to know that John Possidente and I are starting to work
>on the design document for a great new game - one that I feel will pave the way for
>future generations of Civilization titles. We've licensed the 3D engine from Eidos'
>tomb raider series and will be incorporating the technology into our newest
>Civ title, which for the moment we are calling in a tongue-in-cheek fashion
>"Civ 2omb Raider". It will feature full-arcade 3D action using any of your combat
>units against your opponents' combat units. In addition, you will be able to
>send individual units on "missions" at hut sites that will be Quake-like combat missions
>where the more natives you kill the more research points you'll get for new tech
>advances.
>
> Although the system now includes arcade components, it doesn't eliminate the
>traditional strategy game flavor that made Civilization great -- indeed, it only
>enhances your options by letting you customize individual units and leading them
>into battle yourself. We have cut out most of the annoying micromanagement involved in
>building cities and improvements; the computer now handles such strategic elements
>automatically. The AI is good enough that I doubt anyone would want to turn this
>feature off. We toyed with the idea of letting players toggle it off from the
>options menu, but are currently thinking we'll remove this option.
>
> All the playtesters LOVE the new arcade sequences and think that they're a much
>better way to resolve combat than the old system. One playtester said that it makes
>things more interesting when you don't know for sure that your opponent's battleship
>will defeat your phalanx; you get to play out the battle and with cunning you might
>just be able to sink that battleship!
>
> Well, just wanted to keep you posted. Stay tuned for more info in the future.
>
>--Mick Uhl
>
>From: Mick Uhl <m.uhl@microprose.com>
>To: sleague@apolyton.net
>Subject: Civ 2omb Raider
>
>Gentlemen:
>
> I wanted you to be the first to know that John Possidente and I are starting to work
>on the design document for a great new game - one that I feel will pave the way for
>future generations of Civilization titles. We've licensed the 3D engine from Eidos'
>tomb raider series and will be incorporating the technology into our newest
>Civ title, which for the moment we are calling in a tongue-in-cheek fashion
>"Civ 2omb Raider". It will feature full-arcade 3D action using any of your combat
>units against your opponents' combat units. In addition, you will be able to
>send individual units on "missions" at hut sites that will be Quake-like combat missions
>where the more natives you kill the more research points you'll get for new tech
>advances.
>
> Although the system now includes arcade components, it doesn't eliminate the
>traditional strategy game flavor that made Civilization great -- indeed, it only
>enhances your options by letting you customize individual units and leading them
>into battle yourself. We have cut out most of the annoying micromanagement involved in
>building cities and improvements; the computer now handles such strategic elements
>automatically. The AI is good enough that I doubt anyone would want to turn this
>feature off. We toyed with the idea of letting players toggle it off from the
>options menu, but are currently thinking we'll remove this option.
>
> All the playtesters LOVE the new arcade sequences and think that they're a much
>better way to resolve combat than the old system. One playtester said that it makes
>things more interesting when you don't know for sure that your opponent's battleship
>will defeat your phalanx; you get to play out the battle and with cunning you might
>just be able to sink that battleship!
>
> Well, just wanted to keep you posted. Stay tuned for more info in the future.
>
>--Mick Uhl
>
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