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This page will explore the key features of Civilization: Call to Power and help to explain each in more detail. (Copied from an EBWorld newsletter)
The overall feature set is as follows:
* Longer Timeline
* Gorgeous 16-bit Graphics
* Undersea and Space Colonization
* Unconventional Warfare Strategies
* Multiplayer Support
* New Units, Buildings, and Advances
* Streamlined Interface
* Editing Tools
Longer Timeline
* Civ: CTP begins in 4000 BC and ends in 3000 AD.
Why is this cool?
1. Previous Civilization games ended in 2020 AD. There was no opportunity to incorporate futuristic science fiction technologies into the game. Civ:CTP includes a wide variety of technological advances that draw from popular science-fiction books and films, including cryogenics, mind control, and zero-emission vehicles. All of these advancements bring new elements to gameplay.
2. Previous Civ games stagnated near the end because of a lack of new technologies. Civ:CTP's expanded timeline and futuristic technologies ensure that the game stays fresh throughout the playing experience.
Gorgeous 16-bit Graphics
* Civ: CTP supports 16-bit graphics in high resolutions (up to 1024x768).
* Civ: CTP units animate when they move, attack, and die.
* Civ: CTP features computer-generated movies for all Wonder of the World advances.
Why is this cool?
1. Civ:CTP is the first turn-based strategy game to incorporate high quality graphics. Traditionally, turn-based games have sacrificed graphical detail for gameplay depth. Meanwhile, real-time strategy games have begun to push the limits on graphics. Civ: CTP will close the gap between the two game genres with its 65,536 color palette, while still providing the strategic features that turn-based strategy game fans enjoy.
Undersea and Space Colonization
* Players can build colonies underwater, including cities, tunnels, and food and mineral sources.
* Players can expand their civilization into space by building orbital space cities.
Why is this cool?
1. None of the previous Civilization games ventured into either territory.
2. It provides an exciting new style of play in the latter stages of a game. Previous Civ games tended to bog down near the end because nothing new was introduced. With new boundaries of gameplay revealed by technology, there are now late game land grabs and space races.
3. Both undersea and space colonization open the game up to new strategic gameplay options. The ocean floor is rich with resources, and will provide a civilization with a huge bonus in production and food generating ability. The space arena allows for rapid movement, and is a setting that promotes violent battles for territory.
Unconventional Warfare Strategies
* New types of attacks are allowed, including religious conversion, economic attacks, biological warfare, terrorism, industrial sabotage, and propaganda.
Why is this cool?
1. It gives the player more strategic options. Early Civilization games only had two styles of gameplay- militaristic expansion and peaceful scientific research. Civ:CTP's unconventional warfare allows players to select from a broader array of subtle choices in order to further their objectives.
2. It makes Civ:CTP a whole new experience for veteran Civ and Civ2 players. They will have to adjust their old strategies in order to counter these new tactical features.
Multiplayer Support
* Civ:CTP will support 2 to 8 player games on the Internet or a Local Area Network.
* Activision will provide free incorporated player matching and chat services through ActivLink.
Why is this cool?
1. The Call to Power engine was designed from the ground up to natively support multiplayer games. No other Civilization game has shipped with a working multiplayer game. Previous Civilization Multiplayer add-ons have been tacked on to the games after the original, and have been of dubious quality.
2. Despite the fact that Civ:CTP will offer spectacular AI routines, no computer can match the competitive experience of a multiplayer game.
New Units, Buildings, Advances and Wonders of the World
* Over 65 unit types.
* Over 100 buildings and terrain improvements.
* Over 100 technological advances.
* 35 all-new Wonders of the World.
Why is this cool?
1. A well-designed, balanced and expanded list of offerings ensures that there are multitudes of new strategic options and that the replay value is high.
Streamlined Interface
* New interactive management screens that allow players to immediately access any unit or building on the map.
* New gameplay tools including build queues, macro city settings, interactive research trees, and an interactive library.
* Redesigned tutorial mode.
Why is this cool?
1. A streamlined interface reduces the management burden on the player and allows him to spend more time on strategic issues. The previous Civ games were slowed down considerably by an overwhelming micromanagement requirement in their latter stages. Civ:CTP's interface will speed up gameplay considerably.
2. A simpler interface has more appeal to the mass market.
Editing Tools
* Create maps and scenarios in the enclosed map editor.
* AI .dll files can be edited, allowing for user modifications.
* Text files and art files can be modified, allowing users to introduce their own designs.
Why is this cool?
1. One of the key successes of Civilization's longevity was the customizability of the game. Civ:CTP carries on this tradition, and expands it to allow players to modify AI profiles.
The overall feature set is as follows:
* Longer Timeline
* Gorgeous 16-bit Graphics
* Undersea and Space Colonization
* Unconventional Warfare Strategies
* Multiplayer Support
* New Units, Buildings, and Advances
* Streamlined Interface
* Editing Tools
Longer Timeline
* Civ: CTP begins in 4000 BC and ends in 3000 AD.
Why is this cool?
1. Previous Civilization games ended in 2020 AD. There was no opportunity to incorporate futuristic science fiction technologies into the game. Civ:CTP includes a wide variety of technological advances that draw from popular science-fiction books and films, including cryogenics, mind control, and zero-emission vehicles. All of these advancements bring new elements to gameplay.
2. Previous Civ games stagnated near the end because of a lack of new technologies. Civ:CTP's expanded timeline and futuristic technologies ensure that the game stays fresh throughout the playing experience.
Gorgeous 16-bit Graphics
* Civ: CTP supports 16-bit graphics in high resolutions (up to 1024x768).
* Civ: CTP units animate when they move, attack, and die.
* Civ: CTP features computer-generated movies for all Wonder of the World advances.
Why is this cool?
1. Civ:CTP is the first turn-based strategy game to incorporate high quality graphics. Traditionally, turn-based games have sacrificed graphical detail for gameplay depth. Meanwhile, real-time strategy games have begun to push the limits on graphics. Civ: CTP will close the gap between the two game genres with its 65,536 color palette, while still providing the strategic features that turn-based strategy game fans enjoy.
Undersea and Space Colonization
* Players can build colonies underwater, including cities, tunnels, and food and mineral sources.
* Players can expand their civilization into space by building orbital space cities.
Why is this cool?
1. None of the previous Civilization games ventured into either territory.
2. It provides an exciting new style of play in the latter stages of a game. Previous Civ games tended to bog down near the end because nothing new was introduced. With new boundaries of gameplay revealed by technology, there are now late game land grabs and space races.
3. Both undersea and space colonization open the game up to new strategic gameplay options. The ocean floor is rich with resources, and will provide a civilization with a huge bonus in production and food generating ability. The space arena allows for rapid movement, and is a setting that promotes violent battles for territory.
Unconventional Warfare Strategies
* New types of attacks are allowed, including religious conversion, economic attacks, biological warfare, terrorism, industrial sabotage, and propaganda.
Why is this cool?
1. It gives the player more strategic options. Early Civilization games only had two styles of gameplay- militaristic expansion and peaceful scientific research. Civ:CTP's unconventional warfare allows players to select from a broader array of subtle choices in order to further their objectives.
2. It makes Civ:CTP a whole new experience for veteran Civ and Civ2 players. They will have to adjust their old strategies in order to counter these new tactical features.
Multiplayer Support
* Civ:CTP will support 2 to 8 player games on the Internet or a Local Area Network.
* Activision will provide free incorporated player matching and chat services through ActivLink.
Why is this cool?
1. The Call to Power engine was designed from the ground up to natively support multiplayer games. No other Civilization game has shipped with a working multiplayer game. Previous Civilization Multiplayer add-ons have been tacked on to the games after the original, and have been of dubious quality.
2. Despite the fact that Civ:CTP will offer spectacular AI routines, no computer can match the competitive experience of a multiplayer game.
New Units, Buildings, Advances and Wonders of the World
* Over 65 unit types.
* Over 100 buildings and terrain improvements.
* Over 100 technological advances.
* 35 all-new Wonders of the World.
Why is this cool?
1. A well-designed, balanced and expanded list of offerings ensures that there are multitudes of new strategic options and that the replay value is high.
Streamlined Interface
* New interactive management screens that allow players to immediately access any unit or building on the map.
* New gameplay tools including build queues, macro city settings, interactive research trees, and an interactive library.
* Redesigned tutorial mode.
Why is this cool?
1. A streamlined interface reduces the management burden on the player and allows him to spend more time on strategic issues. The previous Civ games were slowed down considerably by an overwhelming micromanagement requirement in their latter stages. Civ:CTP's interface will speed up gameplay considerably.
2. A simpler interface has more appeal to the mass market.
Editing Tools
* Create maps and scenarios in the enclosed map editor.
* AI .dll files can be edited, allowing for user modifications.
* Text files and art files can be modified, allowing users to introduce their own designs.
Why is this cool?
1. One of the key successes of Civilization's longevity was the customizability of the game. Civ:CTP carries on this tradition, and expands it to allow players to modify AI profiles.